PAINTER PAUSES

VISITORS

2011-12-23T00:44:00.003Z

The corner of our garden is full of birds again this year and its lovely to watch.

Geoffrey has festooned a large bush in the corner opposite the kitchen window with fat balls and a bird feeder and it has certainly attracted lots of birds. There are some birds there that I have never seen before and I must check my bird book to see what they are. "our" robin from last year does not seem to be there, there is another robin around but I am sure that it is a different one as "he" just hops around the bottom of the tree and darts in to feed when he can.

Some of the little birds love to sit on the circular line and swing around in the wind!

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

2011-12-18T13:19:00.004Z

Did my duty in the gallery yesterday and enjoyed my time there meeting lots of customers and friends.

I had not done duty for some time as I had been in hospital and then had to set to and get on with producing my stuff for Christmas. It was nice to catch up with everyone and the afternoon flew. The town was very busy in spite of the cold weather.

Now I had better do some housework!

MR. ROBIN

2011-11-19T17:18:00.005Z

I just had to stitch a robin - you will find him on my stall at the Glebe Craft Fair on Sunday the 27th of November in the Grand Hotel

LOST AGAIN!

2011-10-09T17:42:00.002+01:00

I did it again!

On our way back from Dublin on Friday we stopped off at a shopping centre on the outskirts and Geoffrey parked and I went into the shops. Some time afterwards when I came out I just could not find the car. I had done what I often do, come out of another door and completely lost my bearings. Thank goodness for mobile phones, I rang Geoffrey and he had to get out of the car and keep waving until I could spot him - I know - ejit!

CHEEKY!

2011-09-23T22:01:00.003+01:00

The cheek of it! I went out to my car this morning and found a card under my wiper. It said "cash offered for old cars" well - my car is far from crash material. Alright I know it is over 10 years old but I love my little silver car.

CHEEK!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

2011-09-15T10:20:00.004+01:00

What is it with spiders and our house?! There are cobwebs appearing all the time and as fast as I dust them away they appear. I have dusters all around the house, big one, little ones, flat one (to go behind things) and I am still not winning.

Their occupants are of course all over the house as well.

Last night I opened the door from the kitchen into the hall and there in front of me was this HUGE spider - you know the type that has knees. We stared at each other for a while - me like a rabbit in the headlights - and then I slammed the door and shouted for Geoffrey to come and catch it. Of course when he opened the door again it had gone to ground.

So I am nervously and slowly going down the hall now!

PIGS

2011-09-12T10:40:00.001+01:00

I LOVE PIGS! THIS ONE HAD ME IN STITCHES!

ROAD HOG

2011-09-12T10:38:00.002+01:00

PLAYING BALL

2011-09-11T15:02:00.003+01:00

I grew up with two sisters and a father that had no interest in sport so the ins and outs of rugby, football, motor racing etc. leaves me cold!

As the World knows the Rugby World Cup is on at the moment so Geoffrey is sat in front of the television - ok. But I had not factored in the Grand Prix - bored bored bored!

TEMPTATION!

2011-09-11T00:14:00.003+01:00

Our patio door has been sticking on its runners and it was very difficult to open and close it. Yesterday I got it fixed and it is now flying open. Geoffrey was out for the day doing his extra bit. I was sorely tempted to keep quiet and sit back and watch him discovering our "new" door but realised that if he tackled it as we have been doing it might get damaged - so I was a good girl and told him before he opened it!

Sense comes with age!

A FAIR RETURN?

2011-09-06T00:42:00.003+01:00

Geoffrey went out for his usual walk yesterday and I settled down to draw. I suddenly became aware that it was raining heavily so rang Geoffrey and asked if he was able to shelter or if he wanted me to pick him up. He been caught on the road above our house where there is no shelter so I set off in my car as quickly as I could.

I picked him up, drove back and parked outside our house but when I got out of the car I noticed that I had a puncture in one of my tyres - so much for doing my good deed for the day - I know by just looking at it that I will need a new tyre - ho hum

A MUG FULL OF FUN

2011-09-01T15:59:00.002+01:00

RELIEF!

2011-08-27T00:08:00.004+01:00

You know that saying - "when you stop banging your head against the wall - its lovely when it stops!"

Well, I now know exactly what this means. I have had such a bad toothache all week and have been going nuts as even strong painkillers did not work. I have never had toothache before, a dislocated jaw, yes, but not toothache!

The relief when it stopped today is mighty!!!!

VISITING?

2011-08-18T23:06:00.004+01:00

I spent HOURS yesterday waiting in hospital for an eye examination. Shortly after I arrived at the appointed time I had ointment put in my eyes which meant that I could not read. I always bring a book with me to my hospital appointments which means that I can sit and wait more or less happily but this time I could not read as I could not see! So - began to "people watch" - there were quite a few people waiting all around me, most on their own but a few with relations. I noticed two grown-up sons with their mothers which is nice to see. There was also a young mother with her son. From time to time a phone would ring and bored people around would prick up their ears and listen to the conversations!

The room I was in was a big waiting room with small rooms around it and every so often a patient's name would be called and it was easy to pick out the people who had been there before as they knew to sit outside the relevant door unlike the others who often had to climb over small children and bags on their way out of the waiting room.

When I was finally called, after just under TWO HOURS the examination only took about five minutes, although I was happy that I got a clean bill of health.

BACK TO NORMAL ?!

2011-08-16T23:44:00.004+01:00

This last year has been a bit difficult for me and I have just not felt like painting but yesterday I finally put brush to paper. I thought when I sorted out my tubes of paint that they would all be dried up but found that they were fine, the only trouble now is that the room I paint in is in such a mess. I will have to tidy it up as I can't stand a mess around me apart from not being able to find anything!

OUT WEST

2011-08-10T00:02:00.003+01:00

Have just come back after spending a week with Adam in Sligo. He had such a busy week, during the week I was there he had two weddings and one christening. So for most of the time it was just me and the cats for company!

We took a trip just over the border mid week, it is a long time since I visited Northern Ireland and I found it had changed a lot, for the better. The countryside around Enniskillen is lovely, with lots of lakes but unfortunately we did not have time for photographs.

KNASHERS

2011-07-26T11:00:00.001+01:00

I am going to the dddddentist today - wish it was somehere/anywhere else.

MIRROR IMAGE

2011-07-13T23:12:00.002+01:00

SUN, SEA AND SPADE!

2011-07-04T21:41:00.002+01:00

OVER THE HEDGE

2011-07-03T17:44:00.003+01:00

Sitting in the garden today - joy of joy sun at last! - I heard a blackbird making that noise that says "I don't like you being there" in the hedge just behind where I was sitting. I looked up and there "he" was checking me out, we eyed each other for a while and then he hopped further along onto the top of a loganberry bush growing beside me. He plucked off a big loganberry and I watched fascinated while he took three attempts to swallow it.

When I told Geoffrey about this he said "oh that's the blackbird that comes down to give out to me everytime I go into the garden"!

LODGERS

2011-06-27T00:31:00.002+01:00

I don't know if other houses have the same problem with uninvited guests but our house is FULL of spiders.

I really do not like spiders but I just can't bring myself to kill them. Today I was hoovering downstairs and everywhere I went there were spiders - the ones with long thin legs, so I would stop hoovering and give them time to scurry away, now I am wondering if I should kill them as there really seems to be more and more of them each day.

THE PRICE OF GOLD

2011-06-22T00:14:00.002+01:00

Losing weight is great and loose clothes are good too but when it comes to loose rings that is another matter altogether - especially when they fall off.

Some years ago Geoffrey bought me a small gold band when my Wedding ring no longer fitted me and now it is lost. I have searched high and low in the house, even the washing machine filter and hoover bag have been searched, with no luck. I have come to the conclusion that it must have dropped off my finger when I was out of the house.

HERE COMES SUMMER BUT WHEN!!

2011-06-11T00:46:00.002+01:00

BUTTERFLY

2011-06-07T23:19:00.001+01:00

ON A HIGH

2011-06-02T23:53:00.003+01:00

I often stand and look out at our garden as this time of the year it is full of birds and watching the baby birds learning to fly is funny. But today when I looked out I saw something unexpected.

I noticed a movement on my neighbour's roof and when I looked closely I saw it was a grey squirrel. He was sitting on the "spine" of the roof, he went too and fro for a good while and then disappeared! I know they are great climbers but I have never seen one on a roof before.

WISHES

2011-05-28T10:49:00.003+01:00

Be careful what you wish for!

I have been trying for a long time to loose weight and over the last 10 to 12 months I have lost most of the excess weight - great you would say and yes it is great, I have a whole new wardrobe to wear now.

But there is a cost to it as there is in everything. I have been very unwell for all of that time as I have been diagnosed with an auto immune disease which mostly gives me a lot of pain and makes it difficult for me to eat as I have to stick to a fairly bland diet. I love my food, but I miss chocolate SO MUCH!

IDLE FINGERS!

2011-05-12T16:51:00.000+01:00

I decided instead of watching endless uninteresting television programmes that I would spend my time more usefully and have taken up cross stitching. It certainly concentrates the mind!

When I have completed more items I will put them into the gallery.

MUM AND BABY HEDGEHOGS

2011-05-12T16:49:00.000+01:00

WASHING DAY

2011-05-12T16:47:00.000+01:00

MELTING MOMENTS

2011-04-29T00:47:00.003+01:00

Adam had a very busy week last week, being Holy Week. As part of the preparation for Easter he always likes to include the smallest members of his churches and usually has an Easter egg hunt.

This year is his first time in Ireland and having the egg hunt in a more rural setting so when he hid small foil wrapped chocolate eggs in the grounds of the local school he forgot to factor in the local wildlife.

There are now some very confused birds in Sligo sitting on chocolate eggs!

CRASH, BANG AND NO WALLOP

2011-03-24T14:21:00.003Z

I had a bad fright last week when Adam rang to say he had had an accident. It seems he skidded on a patch of ice or oil. He skidded across the road and ended upside down six feet down in a field. He was so lucky, he walked away from the car (which is a right-off) with only whiplash and a sore back, as he was wearing his seatbelt - it kinda puts things into perspective.

His lovely parishioners have been so good to him, taking care of him that day, lending him a car/picking him up when needed and leaving presents into the Rectory.

He came home for a few days to have a rest and we went out and about, on one of our trips we saw a small notice in a charity shop window which said "now is the time to get down on your knees to thank God for being on your feet" and we both agreed that we could not have put it better!

KILMACURRAGH ESTATE

2011-03-11T15:52:00.003Z

Adam was home for a few days last week so cameras in hand we went to Kilmacurragh, as a groundsman I had bumped into had told me that the spring flowers were out and the rhododendrons were beginning to bloom.

What a lovely sight! After such a harsh winter it was really great to see such a display of colour and seeing the flowers growing up through the grass reminded me of my parents home as we had a big garden and every Spring the spring flowers would bloom scattered over the lawns in a random pattern just like Kilmacurragh.

The gardens are being looked after beautifully and - even though I do not know one plant from another - I can recognise the old type flowers from my childhood planted throughout the beds.

A CARPET OF COLOUR

2011-03-11T15:50:00.002Z

NEW BUDS

2011-03-11T15:47:00.002Z

FATE?

2011-03-10T00:06:00.003Z

I often think that our day to day happenings are meant to happen!

I have been thinking of trying to teach myself cross stitching recently and have been looking for a book that would teach me the basics and at the same time trying not to spend money.

Today I was a good girl and brought some books and empty ink cartridges down to the recycling centre. While I was there I had a look at the books (which are free to take away) and there sitting on the shelf was a detailed book on cross stitching with lots of instructions and patterns.

Great!

Fate?

LOST AGAIN!

2011-03-02T18:31:00.003Z

I really surpassed myself last Sunday!

I have a habit of taking the wrong turning and getting lost, much to my family's amusement.

Last Sunday I went to Church and went up for Communion but when I came back down through the Church I could not remember what pew I was in and could not find it, going up and down the aisle until a helpful man pointed to the right pew!

I know I'm a ejit!

IMMUNITY?!

2011-02-16T00:11:00.002Z

I have not been blogging much in the last few months as I have been struggling a bit what with one thing and another.

I was diagnosed recently with an auto immune disease which has really knocked me for six! I never know any day how I will be feeling and this affects what I do for that day. I have also, during the last six months had a short stay in hospital and since then have had one if not two hospital visits each week since then.

All of this has taken big chunks out of my time and really disrupted things but I should not complain as I have had the best medical treatment and best of all, I have lost a lot of weight, something which I have been trying to do for a long time.

So you see, fate is a fickle thing!

STAYING CONNECTED

2011-02-07T12:44:00.004Z

Our handsfree phone in the hall has finally given up the ghost. For the last few days it decided to cut out after a few minutes which is very frustrating - especially to the caller!

Geoffrey dug out an old phone from our previous house. This phone is one of those "L" shaped cream phones with white square push buttons and not handsfree of course. It feels so clunky and of course you are stuck to the spot when talking on it. When we bought it we thought it was so modern, just shows how times change.

We just have to save up for a new one now!

SPIES!

2011-01-27T21:39:00.003Z

Did you ever have the feeling you were being watched?!

This morning I went out to feed the birds as usual, filling the several dishes we have left out for them and the little bird house they particularly love. I took my time enjoying the cold air. Something made me look up and I could not believe my eyes. On top of all my neighbours roofs were birds and lots of birds all looking down at me (or so it seemed!) SPOOKY!!!!!!

SNOW ON THE ROOF!

2011-01-02T11:51:00.004Z

Picture the scene ..........

I am fast asleep in the Rectory, its the middle of the night - I am a very light sleeper.....

WHOOOOOOOSE !!!

"What was that!!! I shot out of bed and ran out onto the landing, the Rectory is quite large and of course not being at home I am not used to the noises this house makes - WHOOOOOOOSE! - I happened to be in front of the big window on the landing and immediately saw what was making the noise - a huge sheet of snow had just falled off the roof - "so that was what it was" - relief - I thought we were in for a burst pipe. I went back to my bedroom to share the knowledge with Geoffrey that the thaw had begun as foretold by the weather forcasters and found him fast asleep and snoring! I crept around the house and found that neither Adam or Simon had woken.

Next morning Geoffrey announces, all excited - the thaw has set in - I know already!

SNOWED IN AT CHRISTMAS!

2011-01-01T16:57:00.003Z

Christmas was interesting this year!!

I made the journey by train over to Adam (who of course was working all through Christmas) knowing that it was likely that Geoffrey and Simon might not be able to make the journey over on Christmas Eve. The train journey was long and cold and the view from the train windows was like a winter wonderland. As it was late in the day I watched a lovely glowing sunset gradually set behind the snow covered trees.

Geoffrey and Simon did manage to make the journey on Christmas Eve, getting stuck half way up the drive - sideway - but they made it for Christmas!

THE RECTORY AT CHRISTMAS!

2011-01-01T16:53:00.001Z

2010-12-21T23:54:00.001Z

SNOWED IN!

2010-12-21T16:23:00.002Z

It has been snowing heavily here all day and the garden is covered in a thick layer of snow. We fed the birds as usual this morning but it has snowed so heavily since that the food is covered and they cannot find it.

There has been much more birds looking for food today and they have been flying to and fro but there is nothing we can do until it stops snowing. It is a long time since I have seen such deep snow, I hope it stops soon.

UNDER A BLANKET OF SNOW!

2010-12-21T16:20:00.001Z

GARDEN ANTICS

2010-12-15T14:19:00.004Z

There was great excitement in our garden this morning!

We had noticed that a large ginger cat had been stalking the birds and that they were not feeding from the dishes left out on the garden seat and that the little birds were getting chased off by the bigger birds. So this morning I hung a fat ball in the middle of a bush and a small wooden bird stand from the circular line and sat back and watched.

As soon as I had gone in small birds came from all directions. I discovered by watching that the wobble on the bird house was too much for the bigger birds and this left it free for the blue tits etc, one of whom was having a ball flying too and fro with seeds. The fat ball in the bush also attracted the small birds which left the dishes on the seat for the bigger birds - everyone happy - except the cat!

ROBIN

2010-12-13T23:44:00.003Z

BLESSINGS

2010-12-09T23:53:00.004Z

Adam rings me or sends me a text most days, keeping me in touch with his busy life. He is especially busy coming up to Christmas and he has been telling me about the carol services which he has planned amongst other things but the text I got last night I would hazard a guess most mothers do not get (except when your son is a rector!)

Text read "am off to bed now after blessing the Christmas lights and crib"! Well what do you say to that - except "Bless You" back!

ICY JOURNEY

2010-12-09T15:18:00.004Z

Yesterday Geoffrey and I went up to Dublin. I had an appointment in a large hospital there. I have not seen Dublin in such freezing conditions since 1983 when we were snowed in.

Yesterday wherever we went there were huge piles of snow on the edge of the roads and footpaths and the footpaths had a layer of hard slippery ice, I do not know how people have been getting around. Some hardy walkers were out, all wrapped up with either sticks or ski poles to try to help them keep their balance.

On our way home we admired the snow on top of two well known mountains in Wicklow called the Big and Little Sugarloaf. At that time of day the sun was setting in a lovely orange glow behind the Large Sugarloaf, I wish I had had my camera with me.

SNOWY SCARECROW

2010-12-01T13:18:00.001Z

WINTER FEASTS

2010-11-30T12:28:00.004Z

The time has come again for us to feed the birds.

"our" robin has returned again and the pair of blackbirds and to our surprise we saw that they remembered where the food was left for them.

Yesterday I left out an extra treat of some pear pieces and the female blackbird immediately flew down and gobbled it up and then suddenly our robin swooped down all puffed up and chased the blackbird away. It is amazing to watch such a little bird bully a much bigger bird - and succeed - maybe there is a moral there somewhere?!

GLOBAL WARMING?!!

2010-11-21T23:02:00.003Z

OUR NEW PREMISES

2010-11-14T23:46:00.005Z

The members of the gallery are settling happily into our new premises and I must say it is lovely and bright. The small street we are on now, always has people passing to and fro and we are beside the Halpin Cafe which is always busy.

Here's hoping for a good Christmas for everybody

KILMANTIN GALLERY

2010-11-14T23:44:00.003Z

FOOT FALLS

2010-11-13T13:30:00.002Z

I was sitting on the sofa last night, down at my feet scattered across the carpet were a variety of shoes - yes the boys are home for the weekend!

Come Monday I will begin the search for:- the tv remote, the weekend papers, my small laptop etc etc.!

But it is lovely to have them home!

LOST AGAIN!

2010-11-06T15:16:00.003Z

Well, I did it again! Geoffrey was in a Dublin hospital for the day on Thursday and I had to pick him up when he was finished.

Finding my way to the hospital was fine, as it is a route I am familiar with but finding my way around the multi storey car park was another matter! The first time I went in I immediately turned the wrong way and had to come out and go in again. The second time was no better going round and round trying to find a space and trying to find the upper level and I was getting more and more bewildered. Finally I spotted a space much to my relief and could park. I wish my sense of direction was better!

ROMANCE IS NOT DEAD!

2010-10-30T00:01:00.001+01:00

Geoffrey came back from the shops today with a present for me - a thermal vest! - and they say romance is dead!

AUTUMN COLOUR

2010-10-21T14:23:00.003+01:00

NEARER TO GOD?

2010-10-11T17:16:00.003+01:00

Adam rang me today to tell me what he had been up to this morning.

The roof has just been repaired on one of the churches he is responsible for so he had to go up on the roof with the architect to inspect the work. He sounds like he quite enjoyed himself and is obviously not afraid of heights. I asked if he had felt nearer to God and he laughed.

Who said being a rector is boring!

CLOGGA BEACH, ARKLOW, CO. WICKLOW

2010-10-03T18:09:00.005+01:00

I painted Clogga Beach a long time ago and enjoyed painting it. I am known for getting lost and several times I have set out to find this beach again, only to get lost, so today as it was a lovely sunny day Geoffrey suggested that he comes with me to search for this beach!

We set off after lunch - me driving and Geoffrey giving the odd helpful comment "why are you going down there - "you missed the turning" etc. We drove beyond Arklow - that much I managed before - then drove down a few narrow winding roads. I know now why I never found it! It is a little hidden gem and I still say it is difficult to find.

CLOGGA BEACH, ARKLOW, CO. WICKLOW

2010-10-03T18:06:00.002+01:00

MY VISITOR

2010-09-29T12:16:00.002+01:00

Decided I had to do some housework as the Rector was coming to stay. Hang on a minute thats my son! Forget the housework!

BREAKFAST AT THE RECTORY!

2010-09-25T18:51:00.003+01:00

THANK YOU, THANK YOU

2010-09-25T18:48:00.002+01:00

ADAM'S INDUCTION

2010-09-25T18:35:00.003+01:00

Adam's induction service was a lovely friendly service and in spite of my failing voice I managed to do the first reading. Watching Adam was really very surreal as he took his role in the service. After the service a feast was laid on for everyone and I met a lot of people, everyone is very welcoming and warm and have made Adam so welcome. The family were also made very welcome with a lot of thought and kinds deeds, overall the parishes feel warm and welcoming and I am sure that Adam will be very happy there.

On Sunday I went to Adam's first service as rector and was amazed at his polish and relaxed presentation - remember he is still my baby! He fluffed a few things but turned these into a laugh and had the congretation smiling.

AREA DEAN, KATHY, ADAM AND BISHOP RICHARD

2010-09-25T18:32:00.002+01:00

IN THE COUNTRY

2010-09-11T11:36:00.002+01:00

Adam's new home is really lovely, big and bright and such a view from the many bay windows.

I stayed with him for a few days and every morning I spent a few minutes looking out of my bedroom window at that view! I am not sleeping well lately so have been up at dawn most mornings.

Around dawn the clouds cover the hills in the distance and the river is black and fast flowing - then the scene changes gradually - wispy clouds floating down the mountain and the river surface gradually turning a lighter shade and reflections of the trees and buildings appearing. Throughout the day it changes, Sligo is a really lovely part of the country.

Since moving in Adam has had so much help from the people around him and it has made his move much less stressful.

THE VIEW FROM THE RECTORY (Adam's new home)

2010-09-11T11:33:00.003+01:00

SETTLING IN

2010-09-10T18:18:00.002+01:00

Henry and Graham ( the two cats) have settled into their new home with no problem. Making themselves at home and Henry has already started doing his usual act of climbing up and down the bannisters.

When they look out of the windows I wonder what is going through their heads as the scene they see is very different to the one they are used to!

HAPPY IN THEIR NEW HOME

2010-09-10T18:16:00.002+01:00

AT HOME

2010-09-10T18:13:00.001+01:00

A MOVING EXPERIENCE

2010-09-10T18:01:00.004+01:00

Moving house they say is the worst experience you can have in life so Adam's move from his house in Wales to his new house in Sligo was no picnic and I was not much help to him.

In his time in Wales he had made a lot of friends and it was lovely to see his friends pitching in and helping him move.

One friend - from his first parish - took the cats overnight and fed both them and us the following morning before the journey. Another two friends - from Faith and Light - came and cleaned the house from top to bottom on the day it was being cleared out by the movers and another friend - a local pastor - fed us on our last night as they knew we were staying in a hotel and my diet was limited and lastly another friend met us in Aberystwyth (half way through our journey to the ferry) and looked after the cats and us.

The journey was not too bad and the cats behaved themselves very well. The only bad part was when we had to leave them on the ship, their cage had to be left against a wall on the open car deck and they were very frightened, I felt sorry for them but when we came to collect them they calmed down again.

TRAFFIC CONES IN THE HALL

2010-08-30T11:17:00.002+01:00

The headline says it all! I am sitting here surrounded by piles of boxes and other bits and pieces ready for the movers.

The cats have been introduced to their travelling cage, if they only knew what they were in for! Wednesday is going to be interesting, not only have the cats not travelled in a car they have not been on a boat either! I will not be able to travel over with Adam to Sligo as I would have liked and am hoping that the cats do not make too much of a fuss on the journey.

Moving house is a nightmare, Adam has found that with his job he will have to move occasionally but he has moved three times in four years!

Roll on Sligo.

GOODBYE TO WALES

2010-08-30T00:36:00.004+01:00

I am over this weekend to "help" Adam with his move from Wales to his new parish in Sligo. I say "help" as I am really only supervising as I am still not in the whole of my health!

Today I went to church - which I don't do very often! Adam gave his last sermon and as usual choose an unusual theme which skilfully linked into the reading for the day. Towards the end of the service the assistant minister was reading the blessings and I promise I was listening when I suddenly heard him mention Adam's mom, mentioning that I was there and wishing me and Adam well for the future, its the first time I have been greeted in church like that and it was very nice. Afterwards there was tea and chat in the church hall and Adam and I were surrounded by people wishing us well and saying how they will miss Adam, it makes your heart glad and says something for Adam's time there.

LIFE DIET

2010-08-23T19:04:00.003+01:00

I am still struggling to get back to normal - eating wise. Because I have to stick to a bland diet with small portions my energy level is not what it should be.

Adam is coming back to Ireland in a few weeks and I am doing my best to get my energy levels up so that I can help him make his move but so far it aint looking good! The one good thing in all of this though is that I am loosing weight and continue to loose weight which I have been trying to do for some time - there is always a silver lining in everything!

I am very happy that Adam is coming back to Ireland to live and work, he will be over in Sligo which is a wee way from here and it is going to very interesting when I try to drive over to visit him as I have a habit of getting lost.

MISSING

2010-07-30T17:24:00.005+01:00

For the the first time in years I will not be taking part on the railings in Wicklow, displaying my art. This week Wicklow celebrates the Wicklow Regatta and the town will be full of visitors of not just the sailing kind. I have been trying all week to get back on my feet but this infection has knocked the stuffing out of me and I have no energy.

I will miss the craic as we say in Ireland.

LIFE'S LITTLE BUMPS

2010-07-21T15:23:00.003+01:00

well - I hit a rather large bump last Wednesday and ended up being rushed to hospital by ambulance! It was very painful and scary and I HATE HATE HATE hospital.

I am now thankfully on the mend and being looked after by Geoffrey who wishes we lived in a bungalow!

CHURCH VIEW

2010-07-13T18:55:00.001+01:00

DUTY

2010-07-10T11:38:00.004+01:00

As a condition of taking part in an exhibition each artist has to do desk duty, usually an hour or two which I am always happy to do. I always find that I learn so much by spending time with other artists and looking at the work on display.

Last night I did desk duty in Greystones where I am taking part in an exhibition in St Patrick's Recreation Hall in Church Road until Sunday. I really enjoyed the two hours I was there and I had a great chat with my fellow volunteer and other members that came in.

There is some really fantastic pictures on display and it was also great to look around with other artists and study and comment on each individual style of painting. Asking where other artists source their materials is very useful too.

I went home happy with my fill of artistic knowhow!

COMING HOME

2010-06-24T11:52:00.002+01:00

Adam is coming back to live and work in Ireland. He has been living in Wales since he went to college there when he was 20, a long time. It is great that he has finally found a position here and I hope he will be happy and fulfilled here as he puts his heart and soul into everything he does.

I have been trying to search out different things for him and this morning I spent online searching out what he has to do to transport his two white cats.. As he has lived in Wales for such a long time he has accumulated such an amount of stuff it will take a bit of sorting out but his move will not be immediate which will give us time to get sorted.

ENJOYING IT

2010-06-20T13:43:00.002+01:00

Went for a stroll along the pier in Wicklow Harbour the other evening with my sister who lives in landlocked Kilkenny.

It was one of those warm windless evenings. There was a haze in the distance and those dark ripples on a flat calm sea, just great. My sister remarked how lovely it was and how lucky I was to live near such a fantastic place and I agreed.

The pier was full of lots of people strolling up and down just enjoying the evening and after the horrible winter we had it is just what we need to boost our spirits.

SUMMER'S EVENING IN WICKLOW HARBOUR

2010-06-20T13:40:00.001+01:00

WINDBLOWN

2010-06-09T18:01:00.002+01:00

Went out to the garden this morning to photograph the poppies that are bursting into flower and found that the wind overnight had blown almost all the petals off so I consoled myself by painting instead.

POPPIES

2010-06-09T17:59:00.001+01:00

I LOVE CATS

2010-05-31T13:51:00.002+01:00

It is a long time since we lost our lovely cat and I miss him so when I see other cats I always go over and "talk" to them.

Today I was down in the recycling centre and noticed in amongst all the bins and noise a tabby cat sitting like a king on top of one of the bins. He looked so serene it amazed me as the building is very noisy with lots of people coming and going. I went over to him and he accepted a pet from me. He was one very laid back cat!

WINDOW DRESSING

2010-05-23T11:38:00.003+01:00

The two paintings below have been displayed in two shop windows in Wicklow Town as part of the Arts Trail for the Wicklow Arts Festival. Taking a stroll around the town it is lovely to see such a large range of pictures on display and all for sale!

I spent a lot of time painting the Asgard and it is something I had not tried before, as they are watercolours I had to make sure that the windows they were displayed in were not directly in the sun. One side of the main street in Wicklow Town never gets the sun (something that not a lot of people know!).

POOLBEG POWER STATION, DUBLIN

2010-05-19T22:08:00.001+01:00

THE ASGARD 11 IN WICKLOW HARBOUR

2010-05-19T22:05:00.001+01:00

IT'S THE SMALL THINGS .......

2010-05-17T15:50:00.003+01:00

Like most people today life for us is a bit of a struggle - no point in going into it - its too boring for anyone to listen to but it is amazing how one little thing can lift your spirits.

All day today a male blackbird has been singing his little heart out to his sweatheart who from the volume of his singing is some way away! It is really lovely to listen to, he is making - I think - about four different notes and starts at the back of the house on the roof of our neighbour and then goes round to the front of our house and sings and jumps up and down in the hedge there. It has really put me in a happy mood and I do hope he gets the bird!

WORK?!

2010-05-17T01:32:00.003+01:00

I have been busily painting these last few weeks, something I had not been doing lately as I havn't been feeling great. Now that I have got the bit between my teeth so to speak I am enjoying it and am delighted with the last two pictures I have produced which is unusual for me as I am rarely happy with my efforts.

One picture is for a local arts trail and is a subject I had not attempted before, fingers crossed that someone will like it and the other one is of Poolbeg Power Station in Dublin, a subject I have painted many times. I painted Poolbeg a bit different this time and I like it, it is going into an exhibition in Dublin in July - if I don't sell it in the meantime!!

As I sit here I am surrounded by pictures, some framed and some still waiting to be framed, I am lucky that Geoffrey is good at putting my pictures together as this allows me to paint a picture for an exhibition and have it ready for the next day if needed.

ARACHNOPHOBIA

2010-05-07T13:18:00.002+01:00

What! Yes I know - as my sister would say "I had one of those and the wheel fell off!"

The frightened and informed people amongst us would know that the big word above means that some of us are frightened by spiders.

I grew up on a farm and wasnt afraid of any of the animals I had to take care of, no matter how aggressive they were and had been bitten, stamped on and chased by many an animal but silly me I am afraid of spiders.

So picture the scene - I had just washed my hands and picked up the towel to dry them and there was a plopping sound and when I looked down at my feet there was this HUGE SPIDER, I nearly died of fright and there was nearly a Helen shaped hole in the ceiling!

DRIVING LESSONS!

2010-04-27T12:56:00.003+01:00

We had a full house last weekend which was great as both boys are rarely home at the same time. They both lead such busy lives and Adam particularly catches up with friends when he is at home - just one problem he does it in my car!

Simon spent some time over the weekend getting driving lessons with Geoffrey - just one problem he does it in my car!

Seriously - I don't mind - maybe just a little!

SLEEPING BABY

2010-04-21T01:34:00.002+01:00

2010-04-21T01:33:00.003+01:00

BLUE SHOES

WHAT FUR

2010-04-19T01:31:00.004+01:00

The garden is strangly quiet now that the birds no longer require feeding and have gone off to build nests and things, so I was surprised to see another visitor to one of the feeding dishes we had left out.

At first I could not make out what exactly the moving object was, but as I studied it I realised that it was a very small dormouse. A sweet little thing with big ears and a tail longer than its body. It sits and feeds not even bothered by us going to and fro to the garage, I just hope the grey tabby that comes into our garden does not have it for lunch one day.

2010-04-13T14:46:00.002+01:00

SPRING!

HAPPY EASTER !

2010-04-03T13:13:00.002+01:00

MAKING A CAKE

2010-03-30T13:14:00.002+01:00

Its well known that I am not a good cook but I am also a very bad baker too! My cakes turn out flat and rubbery - not nice! So when Geoffrey had a milestone birthday yesterday I decided to make him a cake in the only way I knew how.

The outside was cardboard but the inside was sponge like a cake should be - a natural sponge of course! He was tickled pink and I can honestly say this is the first successful cake I have ever produced!

THE CAKE!

2010-03-30T13:12:00.003+01:00

GEOFFREY'S "SPONGE" CAKE!

2010-03-30T13:10:00.003+01:00