Hello, how was your week?
Once again mine has been pretty quiet with little action in either the garden or studio to report on. My recovery plods on, in reality I’m doing pretty well but I’m impatient and am rather sore today as a consequence of overdoing things a bit yesterday; it took my daughter to remind me this morning (as I wailed about my incompetence) that surgical rehabilitation is not a linear path. I simply can’t wait to reap the benefits from this op and get on with life - I have pots to throw, a garden to garden and a dog to walk you know!
The disadvantage of being forced to ‘be’ more and ‘do’ less is time to think; having a little time to reflect, (as I pondered the lure of an online art course), I observed that I have some sort of inbuilt self sabotage drive which compels me to pursue endless new tasks, projects and ideas until I reach the point of overwhelm and find myself paralysed, unable to find sufficient momentum to complete anything. It’s useful to note and reminded me that a scattergun approach is neither productive nor does it induce happiness. In my defence there are many projects on which I genuinely can’t make progress right now, but choosing a paint colour for a newly stripped floor can’t really be counted amongst them can it?! I just find myself dithering and unable to make a decision which is frustrating. It’s partly fear of making the wrong decision of course and then having to endure the disappointment followed by additional time and cost involved in changing my mind. I resolve to get on with it!
On the upside, the days on which I’ve enjoyed sitting in the garden, watching the bees, butterflies and dragonflies (or maybe damsel flies?) dance from bloom to bloom have allowed time for my imagination to begin seeing all the possibilities of things we could add to the mix in the big border, a potential water feature and some garden paths. If anyone has suggestions of low maintenance, low cost paths I’d be delighted to hear from you. I couldn’t be happier with the way in which the yew hedges are beginning to assume the more organic shape I hoped for - when we moved in they were geometrically clipped and I felt they needed to break loose a little. I’m enormously grateful to Betty, who helps in the garden, and who was able to interpret my poorly described vision.
![Yew hedge topiary avenue Yew hedge topiary avenue](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6047c949-6208-45cf-a0ae-e59f6caf8bef_6240x4160.jpeg)
The studio looks stagnant, I think that’s the right word for it, but I just haven’t found the energy to do anything beyond pop a couple of pieces that have been drying into the kiln which I did this morning. I have plans a plenty though of course and the rhubarb leaves are in tip top condition right now, so there’s some slab rolling to be done as soon as I can.
I had planned to make photos for my Ceramic Alphabet yesterday and, while I did make it out into the garden with my camera, by the time I’d been snapping away for ten or fifteen minutes both the camera and I were out of battery. For those of you eagerly awaiting ‘G’ you can bank on next week!
Finally, if you haven’t yet watched My Lady Jane I can thoroughly recommend it, there are currently just 8 episodes in 1 series which made it feel possible to finish for me, it had me roaring with laughter and totally engaged during each episode which is no mean feat.
With that, I wish you a weekend full of good things and indeed the same for the week ahead.
With love,
Vx
Ps. As ever, a click on the ♥️ puts a smile on my face and apparently tells Substack that my missive is worth a read :) x
Glad to know you’re recovering nicely, Vanessa! Take your time, you’ll be all the stronger for it. Looking forward to the new pottery projects 😊
Vanessa, your missives are always worth the read, never fear.
Having rehabbed myself, I so understand your frustration but thank goodness it doesn’t last forever and you will be looking back on it very soon. You are doing the right thing, keeping your mind busy when your body can’t be is a saving grace. So noodle like crazy and get better soon.♥️