Frightening storms have swept southern England over recent days.
The extreme weather has reminded us all, once more, that we live in uncertain times, times of change.
Change is all around us and those who have read comments on the previous blog, will know that my darling Missy has passed.
Such is life…dealing with the frightening and the painful, but never for too long.
Despite whatever happens in our lives, we are best equipped to deal with all that life offers us, highs and lows!
Pragmatism and resilience are great gifts to nurture and practice often.
In the wake of my grief, I headed up to Belfast with my daughter, who had made the journey down to Bealtaine, to help me put Missy to rest and then whisk me off!
It was just what I needed…a change of scenery…there will be time enough to mourn Missy, in little moments of quiet and reflection, later…
Belfast is a wonderful city, filled with warm-hearted, resilient and humorous people.
It is a city in a forest, for I have never seen so many trees… big, colourful, graceful trees!
I will write more about Belfast…but, tonight, I am home and have lit the stove, walked Jack and fed Sammy-Bear, Che-Mousey and am ready for bed!
The wind and rain are battering the cottage, but the kettle boils on the stove…it’s good to be home!
Don’t forget to order your copy of the “Bealtaine Cottage Little Christmas Book.”
These are due to be posted out at the end of the first week of November!
The permaculture gardens are very wet today…the rain has been quite relentless!
Never mind!
Lots to do indoors and sorting through boxes of “things,” I was happy to find these lovely Yuletide cards.
Doesn’t she look gorgeous in the snow?
As I am receiving orders for the Bealtaine Cottage Christmas Book, I thought that I would add these lovely cards, as a way for me to send the book to someone you love, with a card inscribed with your message.
Anyway, you can have a peek, using the link at the top of the page!
Missy continues to make a steady recovery, though has refined her taste-buds to a rather expensive prescription cat food, available only from Suzy the Vet, in Boyle.
When I refer to Missy as a “high maintenance gal!” …I’m not kidding!
Please ignore the clothes drying all over the stove today…it is rather wet outdoors!
Makes it really “Shabby Chic” style!
I take Jack into see Suzy the Vet, tomorrow morning, to have his “thumb nails” clipped.
Jack loves travelling in the car and tries to snap every other vehicle he sees on the road!
Which is why he can only ever be walked on a lead!
Dodging in and out, to collect up the logs, my friend Marian delivered to me yesterday, I still managed to get wet!
I’m stacking them under the shelter of the veranda by the lodge.
Despite the dull, rainy day, the gardens continue to look colourful!
As you can see, the potager beds continue in their abundance, producing herbs, vegetables and flowers.
There is never any shortage of work to be done here at Bealtaine Cottage!
Tree coppicing continues along the north bank, in front of the cottage, opening up the view just a little, as well as supplying the stove with kindling and small logs.
The fact is, no matter what the weather is like, it is simply wonderful to be outdoors in the gardens, working here and there!
Have a good week ahead everyone…Blessings from Bealtaine Cottage X