Image by Nos Nguyen from Pixabay
Memories
Slip sliding through life in circles
Torn, shredded, this paper on the wind
Under dark skies, waiting for rain, thunder
Memories of the past haunt the present
Better to forget, get out from under the cloud
Let love into your life, move forward
In hope of better days, I pull up my boot straps
Never again to look behind myself
Grab every moment, as if for the first time.
Remember that first kiss…
©AnitaDawes2020
Milo, choosing a pen. I hope it isn’t a red one!
Yesterday was Milo’s first trip to the vet.
We couldn’t have chosen the worst day for it as the outside temperature was – 4. The car looked as though it had been frosted, very pretty, but the doors were all frozen shut!
When we drove into the vet’s car park, we suddenly remembered the last time we had been there. I wanted to turn around and go home, but the memories flooded my mind and cancelled out all coherent thoughts.
Remember Merlin?
When our 18-year-old black and white fur baby took ill early last year, we brought him to this vet, hoping for the best. Sadly, this wasn’t to be, and we lost him that day.
The pain tried to come flooding back as we relived that terrible moment all over again, but we held on to our emotions, parked the car and walked into the surgery, aware that our tiny new arrival relied on us to do our best for him.
Yesterday was the perfect reminder of why we haven’t looked for another fur baby before, but in a way, we didn’t choose Milo. We think he chose us…
Merlin, gone but never forgotten…
Some of you might remember Merlin, our beloved black and white cat. He was an important part of our family for 18 years, and when he suddenly passed earlier this year, it broke all our hearts.
People have often asked if we will get another cat, but we knew we would never find another Merlin. We just wanted him back…
So, we were not amused initially when our number one son came home from a Christmas party with a kitten in a travel bag. His friends knew how much he missed Merlin and thought they would give him the best present in the world.
Milo
After many angry tears, we fell in love with the kitten, who, after all, just needed to be loved. He is nine weeks old, ginger and white, with the sweetest face, and he greeted us all and walked around the house as if he had been here before.
We called him Milo, which is rather close to Merlin’s name, but the name stuck. He is very affectionate and has explored every inch of the house, choosing his places. I just know he will be ruling the roost in no time at all.
We have wondered about reincarnation, as Milo has very similar actions and preferences to our Merlin. He looks nothing like Merlin, though and has one habit we have never encountered before. He farts!
He can clear the room, and we hope this is just a kitten thing and will eventually stop. Just goes to show that you never know what will happen…
Image by Angeles Balaguer from Pixabay
Christmas Eve is always a busy day in our house, although these days, it is a very different kind of busy.
I have fond memories of the good old days when our family came to our house for Christmas dinner. In the beginning, it was comfortable, but as the family grew over the years, it really took some organising.
The cooking was never a problem, as I can cope with almost anything in the kitchen, big or small. Fitting everyone around the table proved hilarious at times. We never had enough chairs, so there was always one person perched on something precarious.
These days our house is too small (and we are getting too old.) We don’t have anywhere near enough chairs or even a big enough table, so we have been succeeded by a granddaughter, one with a large house and a fantastic cook for a husband.
When this arrangement started, it was a strange novelty, eating a meal that I had not cooked, and I didn’t expect to like it, but I did, and now, I always look forward to having the day off.
We wanted Christmas to be special this year but could not have foreseen what 2022 had in store for all of us. Would the ghost of this dying year spoil the holiday?
It feels right for the first time ever that the year is slowly dying, slipping away unnoticed among all the chaos and misery.
We feel the same way as the ghost of Christmas present hovers in the doorway like an unwelcome guest, unsure as we all are as to what will happen next.
2023 is just a few days away, a brand-new year.
A year we are beginning to think will be the same as the last.
But does it have to be?
I woke up this morning with the overwhelming desire to send all the misery, worry and complacency packing along with this dreadful year.
To rekindle the spark that will make us all feel alive again.
At first, we will probably have to ‘Fake it until we make it,’ and push the envelope like crazy until life feels better.
We wish all of our friends and followers a Wonderful New Year, a year full of promise and possibilities, and in a few days, we will be sending out the first of our 2023 newsletters, looking forward and planning a much better year…
Remembering Christmas Past
We have always been a family that goes all out for Christmas. It was always a very special occasion for all of us.
When the children were small, our living room would be transformed into a magical fairyland.
We were never well off, and for most of the year, life was tough, but one way or another, the stops would be pulled way out at Christmas.
Our tree and the decorations were legendary, and the ceiling would be covered in crystal droplets, stars and tinsel garlands.
One year, we had the opportunity to move to a new house on Christmas Eve, so we packed everything away and reinstalled everything in the new place. It took all night, but that Christmas was very special.
My childhood was dismal; I don’t remember celebrating any Christmas or birthdays, so I became obsessed with making up for it when I grew up.
We have always tried to come up with a different theme every year and have had trees of every colour and size. Once, we even had an upside-down tree!
Christmas Present
Sadly, this year is going to be different. The family are all grown up, and some are married, so we won’t be spending Christmas Day together for the very first time.
We will, however, be celebrating with them on Boxing Day instead.
Time moves on, and we are getting seriously old and beginning to feel left behind. The thought of the Christmas future is out of focus, a distant dream that may fade away…
We still have a million jobs to do to be ready for the big day, so we are signing off until after Christmas.
Wishing everyone everywhere, a brilliant and very happy Christmas…
Our Christmas Angel Old Christmas memories come calling When snow did lie all around Snow angels, snowmen, the days delight Children laughing, presents wrapped Warm mince pies waiting Custard stirring in time with Grandads snoring Mum flapping while dad sharpens the turkey knife Big brother calling, time to come in to help lay the table Three of us rush the door together Managing to squeeze through Like the pop of a champagne cork flying across the room We land in a giggling pile of legs and arms Mother calling, she need help! I know this isn’t true, she likes to give us something to do To feel a part of our Christmas cheer God bless, Mum… she’s our Christmas angel… ©AnitaDawes2020
These three plants are the ones I look forward to the most, every year…
I found this idea over at wordsandherbs.com…
What do you look forward to the most?
Image by Neil Morrell from Pixabay
Again, in Dreams A black hood slipped over my head I was pushed gently forward Each step slow over cobbles, my feet slipping The sound changed Walls shot up either side of me My thinking as muffled as my breath The smell of damp mould an assault to my senses I can hear the dark wet walls breathing, whispering insanities Names waiting to be snatched from the air I was pushed on, falling My feet found no purchase Hands held my arms until I felt them drop away I was suspended for a while The hood removed I stood on the hallowed ground of the Tor The waters stopped their whispering I would walk this land again, in dreams… ©AnitaDawes2022
A wonderful poem for a very special place.
One of these days we will go back to Glastonbury and climb the hill to the Tor…
Anita Dawes and Jaye Marie 