R's rue

  I received two gifts today The first is an absolutely beautiful crocheted blanket which consists of small intricate  waves of blues and greens and purples and yellows. The second is a hastily painted piece of art in a deep blue, which features what could be swirls of clouds over a forest of blue trees. I absolutely adore both as both were made with affection, a certain skill and a great deal of personal time. Perfect gifts. Thoughtful and meaningful  The blanket was crafted by my friend Ruth over many months, and it shrieks .....class The painting was a result of a joint paint-a-long-on-zoom with a lifelong friend Nia who lives in Australia  A much needed , fun morning in the middle of lockdown. Loved them. Gifts with meaning, not just a promise of something nice ,where words mean nothing My nephew texted me the other month and asked me what I would like for my birthday I told him I would love an up to date photo of him and his dog which I could...

 Twirling me round As I lose myself In summers’embrace from R's rue https://ift.tt/3vBsBPC

We have lived in this house for almost thirty two years. In all that time, I have been a regular at our local pub. Of course, COVID-19  has had a big impact on English public houses. Until very recently our local had been closed  for many months. Three weeks ago it opened for outside drinking only but on May 17th customers were allowed to go back inside. No waiting at the bar. Table service only. Hand sanitising. Masks on when not at your pre-booked table. Such fun! Regular customer Stan  in our local - one sunny  afternoon in 2015.He died in 2019. Last night I moseyed on down there for the first time in a year. I met up with five other regulars - all retired folk like me. I have known them for years and we have  seen that pub pass through several changes - including refurbishments, management comings and goings, deaths of other regulars and the sad decline of pub attendance in this country. I remember the pub being packed to the rafters on Friday and Satu...