A week in the country

We are escaping for a while
to the peace and quiet of the cottage.
Nothing is planned
and that is just about as much
as I can cope with.
I am running on empty.

O Blogging, how do I love thee?

let me count the ways...

1.
You have brought me friends
from North and South, East and West

2.
Who will turn up on a wet Monday morning
just to make me smile
(I am not counting the people who said it was sunny)
And chat amongst themselves
about carrot cake on Tuesday
(Ali, Winner of the Best Comment Award, by Public Acclaim)

3.
And take the time to write
wonderful messages for MissM...
Thank you SO much, you lovely people!

4.
Through you I can share in the joy of a new mother

5.
And the bravery of a woman that I have never met

6.
And the extraordinary creativity of a gifted friend.

7.
I can go on holiday, vicariously,
to Pragurkreece

8.
And enjoy coming home

9.
Or maybe just chill with my homies.

10.
You have allowed me to indulge my secret passions
for writing in groups of twelve,
centrally justified text.
and starting sentences with conjunctions.

11.
And given me an excuse to photograph
my mad collections of blue and white china,
peonies and weird, wobbly people.

12.
I write about my family, my work,
my home, my holidays,
my loves and hates,
my successes and failures.

Little by little, day by day,
I write a history of my life.

(Is that enough, Lucille?)

*****

I am afraid that I don't have details of the artist
for the picture used to illustrate this post.
I would be very grateful for any information.

Carrot Cake

It is deadline time for the postgraduate students.
I am worried about them.
They are working all hours
and eating spaghetti out of tins.
I think that they need more vegetables.

Still Falls The Rain

I am suffering from an acute attack of
Soggy Brain Syndrome.
The only known cure is sunshine.
I hope to be on the mend by tomorrow
but the weather forecast is not promising.

MrsM struggles with her conscience

Self Portrait with Julie
Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun (1755 - 1842)

MissM flies to Dubai today
to spend time with the Sassy MissS.

MrsM is missing her already
and they haven't even got to the airport.

MrsM loves having MissM at home.
She enjoys the benefits of
a live-in style consultant,
in-depth reviews of actors' careers,
freshly baked caramel shortbread,
and the sparkiest conversation.

The good news is that MissM is having a Gap Year.
MrsM is going make the most of every minute
and she may even permit MissM to travel occasionally...
provided that she schedules her return
before the caramel shortbread runs out.

A Truly Happy Ending

East of the Sun and West of the Moon
Kay Nielsen (1914)

MissM, connoisseur of fairy stories,
has received her starry exam results
and will be reading English at university
and the Charming MasterN
has received equally starry results
and will be reading Geography at university.

All the hard work is forgotten
and tonight we will be celebrating.

coda

over the past six months
I have discovered that
it is permissible
to have fun

did I ever know this?

perhaps I forgot it
somewhere along the way

maybe nobody explained it
in the first place

it feels as though
it has taken me
a lifetime to learn
what is almost certainly
perfectly obvious
to you

Appraisal

Miss Matilda Clevland
Johann Zoffany (1733-1810)

MrsM, it is time for your mid-term review.
Can you give me a summary of your achievements
over the past six months?

MrsM
1.
I refreshed my spice and herb collection.

This is about you, the person.

MrsM
1.
I have tried to eat one portion of fruit a day.

I had personal development in mind.
Let's think about the positive steps that you have made.

1.
I have sampled a mojito.
2.
I changed my hairdresser.
3.
I bought black patent wedges from Hobbs.
4.
My new nail polish is called Urban Trash
5.
I have Sleigh Bells on my playlist.

I can see that you are making a real effort
although I am not sure that last one is a positive step forward.

Is there anything which is acting a mental barrier?

1.
The ironing.
Especially the secondary pile which is waiting
for when I finish the primary pile.

What are your objectives for the next six months?

1.
Change my gym time from first thing in the morning
when the medical referral posse works out.
2.
Buy grey merino wrap dress.
Or maybe teal.
3.
Review options for change of handbag.
4.
Consult with Sue, the Chanel Lady
to identify the hot lipstick shades for autumn.
5.
Relocate books from staircase.

I think that the last item is a longer term project
which should be considered under Health and Safety
rather than Personal Development.

Thank you for your time.
We will meet again in six months time
to consider the spiritual and emotional challenges
that you are facing as an Empty Nester.

MrsM
Errr...that could be rather a short conversation...
can we talk about my plans
to refurbish the bathroom instead?

The Blind Date

MasterM tells us that it is a tradition
to go to the House Dance with a blind date
arranged by your friends.

MrsM and MissM can hardly contain their curiousity.

MrsM
What was she like?
MasterM
She is very pretty.
MissM
Did you buy her flowers?
MasterM
Of course I bought her flowers...
but I am telling you I spent SO much money.
It wasn't just the flowers...
I had to buy the pre-drinks...
beer for the guys
and champagne for the girls.
And I had to buy glasses!
MrsM
Glasses?
Champagne glasses?
MasterM
Yes...I couldn't expect them to drink champagne
out of my Protein Shake flask.

MrsM sighs.
She has nothing left to teach her son.
Her work is done.

Intra-House Rivalry

MrM and MrsM have a small competition going on...
it is quite simple...
how long does it take to cycle 2 miles?

MrM takes it very seriously.

MrM
So...what was your time?

MrsM
6 minutes and 12 seconds.

MrM
Well done!
pause
I expect you want to know how long it took me.
silence
5 minutes and 55 seconds.

MrsM does not lose gracefully.

MrsM
Which leg were you using?

MrM
What do you mean? I use both legs.

MrsM
Oh...I have moved onto one leg.

MrM
You can't be serious!

MrsM
Oh yes...MasterM suggested it..
it is something that he learned in the school gym...
it is a good way to increase your effort.

MrM
I would never have thought of that.

MrsM
Of course...you have to use alternate legs
otherwise you would end up
with asymmetric muscle development.

MrM
Right.

MrsM wishes she could have been a fly on the wall
when MrM tried this out in the gym.

*****

this post is going up
after MrM leaves for work
so that he has all day to calm down.