Emotional Response

I was listening to a programme on Radio 4 this afternoon which concluded with the final chapter from The House at Pooh Corner (Chapter 10. In which Christopher Robin and Pooh come to an enchanted place, and we leave them there) the piece was read by a person other than the presenter, because the man presenting the show said that the last time he had tried to read it in public he had cried. Which warning I should have heeded and turned the stereo off.

As the words reached me, I remembered how much they spoke to me of childhood long forgotten and I wept. Bawled my eyes out, actually. Which was a tad inconvenient, as I was driving at the time. How I managed to stay on the road and not cause an accident is beyond me.

It's amazing the things that can trigger a lachrymose moment, often without warning and frequently to the discomfort of those around me. 

Is it a peculiarly British thing to get embarrassed when others display strong emotions?

The Legacy of Unending War

War has affected so much, from the chemicals and gases of the First World War and the nuclear bombs used on Japan in the 1940's to all the weapons used now. None were used in a vacuum or controlled way so that they have spread everywhere over our beautiful planet on the winds, in the earth and through the water. It makes me sad and angry that so much damage is being wrought upon so many by power seeking, scared, thoughtless, selfish humans. Sorry for the rant, will understand if you choose not to read my blog any more. Merry Christmas!

Celebrations

I've been feeling rather emotional over the last few days and had put it down to overtiredness as I have been burning the candle at both ends whilst preparing for Christmas.

Today, in a brief moment of quietness, I realised that the reason is because my beautiful daughter, December, is going to be 10 years old tomorrow (Christmas Eve).

I cannot quite believe that a decade has passed since her dramatic arrival into this world.

I love her so much and am very proud of all that she has already achieved and hope that the next 10 years are as good to her as the first 10 have been.

Happy birthday, darling girl x

Witness

Tonight, in Chichester Cathedral, I witnessed a young woman being forcibly dragged away from her friend and flung over the shoulder of a man who carried her away down the aisle whilst she screamed for help and for him to put her down. 

No-one moved to help her.

This time it was ok. This time it was BTEC Level 3 Performing Arts students from Chichester College presenting a piece about how people become displaced from their homes and why they become refugees.

Later in the evening, a young Chinese man stood at the lectern and spoke passionately about the situation in China and events of 2014 where people took part in peaceful protests against their government about their legal rights being eroded. 

He bore witness to those who endured violence from the police, being pepper sprayed and beaten, many dragged away to prison.

I have no recollection of this having been reported on in the UK.

This was not ok.

How can we, as individuals, come together to prevent injustices and violence being perpertrated by governments / those in power over us?

Don't Panic! Breathe

Breathe. Breathing in deeply and slowly in a time of panic is good, it usually enables you to regain your sense of perspective.

In the run up to Christmas it can be very easy to lose sight of what matters, what is important.

Whether you celebrate Yule or Christmas all that really matters is who you spend it with, not how many gifts you share or how much food is on your table.

So, if you start to feel that everything is beginning to overwhelm you take a step back, put on a warm coat, step out of your door and go for a walk in your nearest green space and breathe. Allow the sights and scents of nature to replace the frenetic mist in your mind.

If you're in town, head somewhere peaceful such as a library or museum, even an art gallery. A place where you can step out of the whirlwind of activity and refocus on your centre. Be still.

Anniversary Thanks

One year ago today I started this blog.

I was very trepidatious and uncertain as to how my first post would be received.

Fortunately I received a warm welcome and have been amazed and humbled at how far my blog posts have reached around the world from the UK to the Philippines and to France and Russia and beyond.

Thank you to everyone who has read my blog and a big thank you to those who have commented too :)

Christmas Craft Fair

December and I have been very busy the last couple of weeks, making items to sell at a local Christmas themed craft fair.

Some background: about three years ago a friend (who is a prolific and skilled crafter) was visiting us and discussing her plans for the craft fair. December overheard the conversation and, later that day, started talking to me about her desire to design and make a Christmas tree bauble to sell at the fair. She was just 7 years old at this point.

I suggested that she drew some pictures of what she wanted it to look like and then I showed her how to make up a paper pattern, from which she could produce a more sturdy cardboard template to work with.

We went shopping at a nearby craft  shop and December chose the materials that she needed to make her prototype. I helped where requested with what stitches to use and some cutting out.

At this point I approached my crafty friend and told her what was occurring and asked whether she would allow December to share one of her tables at the fair, to which she readily agreed as well as giving advice as how to best market the decorations.

This fair was a great success, December sold over half her Christmas Robins and decided that she was going to make more for the following year's fair.

The following year the fair was much quieter (not sure why) and so only two Robins sold.

Last year December designed two new decorations to sell at the fair, as she thought that one reason she hasn't sold so many the previous year was because she hadn't added to her range.

The fair was a disaster. It was even quieter than the previous year, the table she was sharing was busy with a broad range of crafts and nothing sold. December was devastated. It took quite a lot of positive encouragement to convince her that it wasn't her fault that none of her items sold (helped by various friends and family buying most of what she had made when they visited pre-Christmas).

So, this year I was not expecting December to be interested in making anything to sell at the fair.

In late September my crafty friend told me that she wouldn't be taking part in the fair this year due to pressures of work and offered one of her usual tables to December. We (that is December and I) discussed her offer and December decided to give it one more go, so my friend informed the lady organising the fair who contacted me to confirm our plans.

December designed two more new decorations and in late October we went shopping for new supplies to make them up.

The fair is this Friday. I would say that December is, at best, ambivalent in her expectations of success and we have had several conversations where she has wondered whether it is worth proceeding.  She has asked me to make some preserves to put on her table at the fair which I have done - Whisky Marmalade and Boozy Berry Jam!

She is 9 years old and loves designing and creating craft projects. The Christmas ones are extra special to her, particularly as she likes to earn money so that she can buy Christmas presents for her family and friends.

So, I'm hoping that there will be a good turnout at the fair on Friday and that she has some success.