I Could Have 'Wallowed'...

But, that's just not me!

And that, folks, is the most scenery I got to enjoy over my ‘birthday weekend’…

November, that month when the gloriousness of autumn begins to slide into winter. There is often more than a hint of grey. If we are lucky, early morning sunshine turns skies pewter, edging the clouds with a halo. Leaves, seemingly slow to tumble from the branches, are blown hither and thither in the latest storm… But, as a November baby, I didn’t usually mind; this month meant a birthday celebration before we got on with the business of the Christmas countdown.

Although the childish excitement has tempered with age, there was always still a thrill that this particular November day was my ‘special day’; I could wrap myself in a blanket of ‘fabulousness’ and celebrate in my own way.

But the last three birthdays have been muted affairs; the first because Mum was seriously ill in hospital, and the last two, because she had died 8 days after my birthday, and any celebration was tempered by the knowledge of an upcoming, unwished for anniversary.

This year, plans had long been made for a weekend break; nowhere too far, just a change of scenery, and some us time… But, you know what they say about the ‘best laid plans!’ No sooner had we arrived at our lovely accommodation, than the first stabbing hints of a migraine niggled away. And before, I could even unpack, I was sideswiped with a huge flare up of my Rheumatoid Arthritis. I didn’t set foot outside again until we left to come home…

The ‘non-event’ of the weekend, the looming date, combined with feeling low, just made for a lacklustre affair.

But…

Never one to wallow for too long, and knowing we could celebrate another time, I decided to get my act into gear and ‘do something’ in Mum’s name. I organised a Charity Sale over on my website.

After Mum had undergone a total gastrectomy, she found the support and advice she received from the local Maggie’s Centres invaluable. Being able to talk to people going through exactly what she was experiencing was a great help. The groups also helped my Dad, never a man to discuss feelings and emotions freely, to understand a little better what Mum was undergoing. With one in two people born after 1960 in the UK being likely to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, centres such as Maggie’s offer invaluable support, advice and information.

Charity Sale

The sale runs until November 24th and half of all monies raised will be donated to Maggie’s Centres.

There are over 50 small/medium works on paper; prices starting from £25, which includes UK shipping. If you are overseas and would like to purchase, please email me regarding extra shipping costs.

So why not hop on over and take a peek; any support would be really appreciated!!

And, once started, the ‘doing’ continued. Prompted by artist Anna MacDonald’s 30 Days Declutter Challenge, I tidied my studio space….

And I have some new reading supplies, and my bullet journal ready to draw out for 2024…

There’s a lot to be said for ‘faking it until you make it’. I feel much better for the doing, and I’m hoping my small efforts will make a difference to someone…

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” William James

Now, I am on with preparations for the Art & Yoga Soirée on Friday 1st December in collaboration with Anns Yoga Lounge…

You see, I don’t have time for wallowing…. Until next time,