Thursday 22 May 2014

Breathless

I've been rushing around this week not getting much done.  I feel like I wrote that last week too.  Maybe I did.  I don't quite know why, but I don't feel that I'm organised or focused at the moment.  Some scattered thoughts passing through my head right now are...

How nice the radishes are, the first of the season.  So very worth growing.


I don't know what to knit.  I finished the scarf I was making, but I haven't photographed it yet.  I have a very empty Ravelry page - this will be my second project.  I'm not sure how many things I should make before I put a link to my Ravelry page on my blog, I'd hate to be a disappointment.

I do have this lovely yarn that reminds me of water and summer and the sea.  I might just knit the same scarf again in this yarn.  Once I find something I like, I often stick with it.  The scarf has a nice texture and a pattern so simple even I can do it late in the evening when I'm tired.  Knit two, knit into the back of the third stitch, purl one.  Sometimes I mess it up.  Imagine what the mess I'd make of something complicated.



I was reading the lovely blog Down by the Sea this morning, and it make me think about my favourite plant in the garden at the moment.  Nothing flashy, but I love this acid green herb.  It's in a pot with a more ordinary green one, but the yellowy green really catches my eye and it always looks lovely with the other plants.  I think it's golden oregano.  It's one I often pick for omlettes and pasta sauces, but I'd grow it even if I didn't eat it, it's so pretty.  I really ought to try and take some cuttings.


In Aldi today I was seduced into buying this slightly tattered agave.  I couldn't resist.  I'm almost certain I'll buy another succulent next time I'm there.  I have a plant problem, I know.  I never mean to buy them, but they speak to me and I'm putty in their hands.  It almost feels like I am rescuing them sometimes.


There's been a line from an old rock song trying to be in my head all day, something about agave.  The lines from songs often pop into my head.  I can usually trace where they've come from.  My subconscious is always on the lookout for a subliminal message.  But this line isn't coming through clearly.  Maybe tomorrow, after I sleep on it.


There's something wrong with my phone.  I don't know what but I can't use it and it's another thing to be added to the list of things I need to tackle.

There's something wrong with the way I'm reading blogs.  I can only see about three-quarters of the photos.  I never know how to fix this technological stuff.  I usually just switch things off and switch them back on again.  So far that hasn't worked.  I may have to resort to something more advanced like Googling it.

A storm passed over today.  I spent some time looking out of the window at all of the different colours.  I love the rain so much these days.  An excuse to be inside, at home, while the plants are watered.  




It's been a week of helping out with the boys' things.  School in the forest on Monday with the littlest boy, who stuck to me like a bit of goosegrass from the moment I arrived at school.  We sat together on the coach and he ignored his friends when we got to the forest.  I asked him if he didn't want to play with them.  He said, "You're my friend".  The motto when you're in the forest is "No pick, no lick and careful with that stick".  Not a bad mantra for life either really.  The sun was shining through the trees, there was a wildflower meadow to roll around in and a fire with toasted marshmallows.  I wouldn't have missed that afternoon for the world.

In the evening I went to different woods with the middle boy's cub pack.  It rained and I didn't have a coat, just a t-shirt.  I told them that I'd been specially trained by Bear Grylls (who's the Chief Scout) to survive anything.  Otherwise it would have looked as though I hadn't Been Prepared.  

Yesterday evening I did softball with the biggest boy's scout troup.  At ten he is a brand new scout.  Some of them are fourteen.  It was quite an eye-opener.  Teenagers.  They were big and loud.  I am nowhere near ready for that kind of intensity.  They did make me laugh though.  And I did see the odd hint of maturity and decency which gave me hope.

It did remind me to enjoy the moments of smaller people though.  I'm wondering what to read to them next.  We've just finished The Outlaw Varjak Paw by SF Said which they loved.  When I first brought it home from the library they weren't interested.  But when I read it to them, they absolutely loved it.  The trick is getting them to try something new.


Some of these are too advanced to be read to the littles.  I'm leaning towards the Philip Pullman.  I'm a huge fan of his, he has a little magic in his writing, it is always entrancing.  Someone (the Observer?) said something to the effect of "Is he the best storyteller alive today?"  Well yes, I think he is.  When I read His Dark Materials trilogy I actually kept stopping to say, "This book is so good".  

And so the week bumps along.  I can't help thinking that next week maybe I'll be organised.  Although as it's half term I very much doubt it.  The week after maybe.  I am trying.

32 comments:

  1. Impressive stormy skies. Glad it wasn't like that yesterday, we finally made it back to Slimbridge!

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  2. I haven't loved the miserable rainy day we have had today.

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  3. Sometimes life just goes like this doesn't it! So annoying though. I hope that your new plant loves its home and is grateful for your rescue! xx

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  4. Ah friend I am trying too...but I am beginning to think that some days are on and some days are mad chaos! Your radishes are brilliant as are your containers and I love that your son said that you were his friend....that about sums it all up right there doesn't it?!?! And those blue skies are just something stunning for sure! Wishing you an outstanding weekend lady! Nicole xoxo

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  5. I almost always have a terrible song in my head. I don't understand why it can hardly ever be a good one. Today: "Blinded By the Light." Just awful. We've been stormy here today too, in fact it just stopped raining a few minutes ago. More is in the forecast, which makes me happy. I hope we get a lot. Your new plant is lovely, and your window and sill are so clean. I feel inspired to clean mine now.

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  6. Being organized is highly over-rated. Just enjoy your boys while small. In a blink of your eye they will be off on your own and you'll miss these days. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  7. Sounds like normal life to me - a bit here and a bit there! Why be organised when you can be spontaneous? Have a good half term - am sure you will whatever the weather!

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  8. I'm never organised CJ. I have plans and lists and they guide the days somewhat but I think it's good to be drawn away from them. I chastise myself for it but it often leads to new things. Good things x

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  9. Beautiful Rowan wool CJ, really pretty colours.
    My head is pretty much like yours - full of stuff. nothing terribly important or anything, just stuff !
    Have a good weekend,
    Kate x

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  10. Ahh life with kids in the house, however hard your week is/was your posts do me me giggle, trained by by Bear Grylls indeed! What is it with size of teenagers these days, they are huge! I will always remember the first time I took Harry to youth club we were slightly early so waited outside. Then some teenagers turned up & they were taller than me, I whispered to Harry that I couldn't possibly leave him with the big kids & he shot me a withering look & ran inside after giving me a hug & shouting that he loved me. Hope you have a great weekend.

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  11. Hi CJ! Yes, your golden herb is Golden Oregano - I have a clump that I cut back hard every year and it just springs up again. Such a gorgeous sunny colour - you've made me think that I should have a little pot of it up on my balcony to go with the chives and sage up here. Better get my trowel out …. Love the adventures you're having with your boys, you'll be known as Bear now! Teenagers are great - funny, interesting, not scary at all, but yes, can get a bit loud! When I thought I might go into teaching, it was the teenage years that I was most interested in; I think life can be scarier for them than for the littler ones and, although they won't let you know it, they'll need you more at that age! It's the empty nest that's the worst, I'm sure! Have a wonderful half term week, hope the weather is on your side! C xx

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  12. Resisting the temptation to buy plants is impossible. It's best to just give in. That fig next to the oregano looks to be coming along well.

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  13. This time of year is always hectic when there's kids in the house, that last final stretch to the summer holidays seems endless. Your afternoon in the forest sounds wonderful, toasted marshmallows, mmmmm. I remember Daniel moving up to Scouts, he'd gone right through Beavers and Cubs and loved it, but I think the age difference between new Scouts and the older ones is just too much for some boys, Daniel included, so he ended up leaving which is a real shame.

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  14. I love that motto - gotta start using that one with the little babe - everything goes into her mouth! I love succulents - the only thing I can grow in the house.

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  15. Beautiful colours and big skies! I'm having jumpy thoughts at the minute too, there's so much going on but then again, not much at all.

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  16. A most enjoyable post as always, with terrific photos. I agree about the Philip Pullman trilogy which I really must reread sometime.
    Enjoy the weekend, and half term. Flighty xx

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  17. Hey CJ,
    My life seems to be lurching from one muddle to the next, so you are not alone. I have the song Happy in my head a lot right now. For various reasons. The motto I love. And Honey my dog is a King Charles Cavalier. But she is not a lap dog. I think there is some collie in her ancestry. She has more get and go than a Jack Russell!
    Have a lovely weekend.
    Leanne xx
    PS I'm having a giveaway over on the blog.

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  18. Try them on My Side of the Mountain, if you can come by a copy, my lot always loved that :)

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  19. You are having a very full and fun packed life right now, that is why you feel a bit scattered. I love the motto about the pick,lick and stick. I think you have a wonderful sense of humor which any Mother of boys must have just to get through the day.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  20. The motto for the forest, aka life motto: "No pick, no lick and careful with that stick"

    Yeah, that's going onto a sampler for the hallway. ha! Brilliant and true.

    I'm a fan of the Dark Materials trilogy, but especially the first book. I'm often that way with fantasy and sci fi. The first is the newlywed romance, and then I realize I must compromise, ha! That Gregor The Overlander I hear is good. What about The Thief Lord or The Phantom Tollbooth? Brian Paulson does some survivalist/realistic fiction maybe for the older boy who is the elder scout? What genre do your boys usually read?

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  21. So much sky. How come you've got so much sky ? I wouldn't be at all organised either, if I had all that sky to gaze it. These things are important, you know :o)

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  22. I feel sometimes like you, life is inexplicably strange sometimes... Your boys and family are precious and your interests so lovely and your country so beautiful, so ...
    Olympia

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  23. Those radishes are impressive! And I love the look of that wool too - it's exactly the kind of colour I'm drawn to.
    Great stormy photos. There's something wonderful about dark grey skies backlit by the sun (I usually don't have my camera with me when I need it).
    The forest motto is a good one - I may have to immortalise it somehow and frame it for Joe's room! He's too little to read just yet but he's a stick enthusiast and a bit too inquisitive with the picking and tasting.
    Have a lovely weekend x

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  24. Call me odd, but it's the imperfections I love most in a handmade item, it's the proof that it's mine all mine! Enjoy half term, x

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  25. Lovely radishes! I haven't grow radish this season yet. Thanks to remind me!

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  26. Your sky pictures are amazing!!!!

    A couple of weeks ago I used fresh oregano in a recipe. Oh what a difference from the dried stuff. I don't think I can USE dried oregano anymore. Not after tasting the "real" thing!!! LOL

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  27. I've yet to read any blogger worth reading who has too much time on their hands. The best have full busy lives and are people full of interest inspired to do and try. Not sure if this helps your exhaustion....lol!

    I had a pot of golden oregano but it died but I might go and get a new one if it is worth having. The wool is gorgeous and while I always want to do or try something new there is a satisfying about doing something you enjoy.

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  28. You have lots going on! That yarn is gorgeous, I'm sure whatever you settle on in the end will turn out lovely.

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  29. You say you feel distracted but I just see evidence of a busy and full life. So much goodness here! You read to your kids, that's lovely. I remember my Dad reading to my sister and I at bedtime and loving it, looking forward to it. That forest motto is brilliant. x

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  30. Oh gosh, this truly sounds like my life all the time CJ - except i think I'm a lot more disorganised than you. Some weeks I feel on top of things but it's generally chaotic most of the time...sigh. I love the colour of that wool you have there. Mel x

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  31. What a sky!! What a busy time you have with 2 healthy fiesty boys. I shall be planting some lettuces out in the garden in pots today...the allotment is invading our private space, eek!

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  32. The colour of that yarn! I hope you'll share what you turn it into - I'd love to see!

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