Therapy
A nearly silent two hours designing and painting three glass Christmas panels for the Christmas Tree
Not my usual pastime but a strangely calming one at The Studio Prestatyn ( link)
Thank you to sister Ann for pushing me into it and thank you to sister Janet for leaving a buddleia and Sweet William plant seeds by my back door this morning.
And thank you to everyone who left their best wishes here. So many comments ...not all can be read on just one page ( there is a link to the next page at the bottom of the comment box) please rest assured I've read all of them.
2018.....has been a shite year!
Just thought I'd share an old photo which illustrated William's gentle nature
As my old cat Joan was poorly just before she died William lay with her for an age
his paw resting gently on her body
Every year has its ups and downs. At least we're still alive. Throught the world are millions who have died in wars and terror in the name of money and power.
ReplyDeleteI don't know which ones are yours, but they are beautiful! Only a few weeks in this year, and hopefully you will feel like you're breathing new air in 2019. I usually find New Years fol-de-rol full of crap, but this is one occasion when it will be a useful re-set.
ReplyDeleteMine are in the kiln
DeleteLife always has its highs and lows, but I must agree that 2019 has had too many lows.
ReplyDeleteDon't say that 2019 is going to be better
DeleteBut it surely couldn’t be worse.
DeleteThose panels are beautiful, as are you, dear John. I'm just catching up and read your sad news. I wish you peace and strength. xox
ReplyDeleteYou will be appearing on Kirstie's craft programmes at this rate. Let's get rid of this year for you and then I challenge you to learn one new craft every month next year.... :-)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHe really was a sweet dog wasn't he? You gave him a good environment in which to live a happy life. He was loved.
ReplyDeleteHe was loved so very much
DeleteSo many comments for Sweet Willam, what a tribute. I have seen several friends go through shite years and out the other side. So glad you enjoyed your calming glass painting session xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet, tender boy William was. Glad you went on your crafty course, you obviously have a talent for it.
ReplyDeleteMy sisters painting was so much better
DeleteAt least by now we know that this too shall pass... it's just the getting through that still bites. Those ornaments are pretty. Hugs
ReplyDeleteI've been waiting too long for things to pass
DeleteThe glass craft items are lovely. Creativity is making something from that wasn't there before and is very soul satisfying. That's my take on making quilted things from bits of fabric. :)
ReplyDeleteHow sweet William was in life as this caregiving photo shows when Joan was ill. The Sweet William seeds are a perfect tribute, too.
Hugs from me to you.
Thank you
DeleteThe ornaments are beautiful. There is a bit of a healing therapy in making things like that. Many lovely tributes for William and all well deserved. As others have said, 2019 will be a better year for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm really hoping that things will look up for you soon, you deserve some happiness.
ReplyDeleteBriony
x
Ain't that the truth
DeleteI love that you did the ornaments, so pretty and art is very therapeutic.
ReplyDeleteAfter our jack russell died this past July, my son and I painted memorial rocks for her and our 3 cats. The are bright spots in the garden to honor them. I admit just choosing the paint colors and the rocks, then sitting down to do the work was amazingly soothing. Our pets are family. That photo of William's kindness to Joan is just precious. Take care.
XO
He didn't have a bad bone in his body
DeleteWhat lovely ornaments! Art can be very therapeutic for the heart and soul.
ReplyDeleteI like the art work.
ReplyDeleteYou wait when u see mine.....it will give you a larf
DeleteI hope I inspired you.
DeleteWhat a dear soul. Sweet William had a big heart.
ReplyDeleteThe glass ornaments will, I hope, go on every Christmas tree from here on, and always remind you of William and be a comfort. They are as beautiful as he was.
Most of the our Christmas decorations have gone quite rightly with my husband.. so I'm collecting my own now
DeleteI love the glass panels. Very sorry to hear about William.
ReplyDeleteThank you nick
DeleteAn artist in our midst! Nice work!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about sweet William! I love your glass panels.
ReplyDeleteHugs.
ReplyDeleteAnd I really, really like your art work.
Not mine
Deletelovely artwork. the sweet william seeds will enhance your garden no doubt.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that William has left your life. He sounds like such a treasure.
ReplyDeleteYour art work is inspiring.
Lol not. Mine..just examples
DeleteI am glad that you got to do something quietly with your sister Ann. A thoughtful gift from Joan too. You've got two great sisters there. x
ReplyDeleteIndeed... Sunday was the anniversary of my brother's death too
DeleteOur pets are only with us for little while, but the joy and the lessons we learn from them last our whole lifetime. How wonderful your sisters are! This year has been so very hard for you, John, but I see from your posts all the things you have done and all the people who have shown you kindness and friendship, and I know you are a blessed soul and good things are in your future.
ReplyDeleteI hope so
DeleteSorry to read about William. I love the photo of him chasing bees in your beautiful garden. I could do with some therapy too...yoga used to help but I've torn my rotator cuff so haven't been for weeks. A crap year here too, worse even than last year and that was bad. Just to top it off, the end of November brought the mugging of my younger daughter and the death of my mother in law; it's the funeral on Thursday. I'm just waiting for the next person to tell me I shouldn't let things get me down... I'm ready for them.
ReplyDeleteAfter the yoga teacher Judith Lasater's twin brother died, she did nothing but restorative yoga for a full year. I always think of that when I'm tapped out and/or injured. Rest and restore. Good luck to you.
DeleteEverything comes in threes.....I'm counting down the days till 2019
DeleteWow John, that seems like a beautiful way to spend a few hours.
ReplyDeleteI am slightly jealous.
I am so sorry yo hear about Williams passing, may he Rest in Peace.
X x x Greta x x x
You've been there too my friend.....see you soon x
DeleteSome saints come with four paws, that's all.
ReplyDeleteYour ornaments are lovely.
Mine were more........rustic .....in nature
DeleteDon't tell! Let us bask in our artistic ignorance....
DeleteMissed yesterdays post, so sorry to hear this.
ReplyDeleteStay strong
Thank you
DeleteAnnus is the right word
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear that your class was a positive experience for you. Crafting often soothes my heart and mind. It can be very meditative as long as all is going well.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize until I googled it just now that the flower sweet william is what I know as dianthus or cornflower . . . and it has been my favourite for a long time. You learn something new every day.
I hope the new year turns a page for you, John. You mentioned to a reader that things come in threes - I think you are finished of the bad things now (I am counting Mary's operation as one). I hope so, anyway.
Yes, I will look at the bees and the butterflies around them and think of William cavorting around the garden
DeleteI never did get to the point of what I intended to say, which is that I will think of your sweet William when I look at my garden now ...
DeleteThe bees and butterflies will be an apt reminder of a gentle spirit, won't they?
We're dealing with the imminent outcome with our sweet Maggie. So far she's not in pain, but very clingy at times. Today I sat on the couch and helped her 35 pound self onto my lap for thirty minutes of togerthness. The loss of our fur babies is heart-wrenching, but the love they show us makes it worth going through. Sending hugs, John.
ReplyDeleteAs always you touch my heart John. Consider yourself kissed and hugged xo
ReplyDeleteThank you dearheart
DeletePlease accept my condolences along with virtual hugs. I couldn’t muster the courage to read yesterday’s post until today. xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteAny art, drawing or coloring is really soothing to the mind and soul.
ReplyDeleteYou start concentrate and then you slip away,
cheers, parsnip and badger
Oh Sweet William I love you.
They are lovely art pieces perhaps echoing William's kind gentle nature. It's good therapy for us to see them too.
ReplyDeleteSHITE is a good word JG, fab crafting, quite tip top xx
ReplyDeleteOh John, I concur about 2018. A shite year indeed. I love the idea of Sweet William seeds. As a gardener, I'm chastising myself for not making that connection. I think the glass panels are very, very nice. Have you ever done anything like that before? I'm not particularly crafty, but those are quite classy - something you would display and keep! -Jenn
ReplyDeleteMy siblings are all arty
DeleteI am not but I have an eye
May you have many peaceful afternoons
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas panels are beautiful. I hope you are doing okay.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing shite mick
DeleteJohn - rest assured that with all the support you are getting - from your friends, your family, the villagers, your blogging friends - there will come a day when you can look back on all the events this year and see them as just a part of your past which you have weathered, come through and moved on. In the meantime just remember that, in the nicest possible way, we all love you.
ReplyDeleteFeeling the warmth x
DeleteI have had a few really crappy years and at the moment everything is fine but I find that having sudden losses can really knock you off balance.
ReplyDeleteRight now I am trying to just relax.
Being anxious all the time ,about everyone being alright, sucks the energy right out of a person.
But things seem to slowly drift back to a sort of normal and grief lessens and you start looking forward again.
I am so sorry about William.
Thank u xxx
DeleteMy heart aches for you .. I have no words ... big ((hug))
ReplyDeleteThe shithammer theory: When life deals you a bad one, it takes time for the hammer to recoil and strengthen it's spring. Look for a period of good times, good health, and good will. But beware. It's a cycle. Happy Christmas and a Fabulous New Year, John.
ReplyDeleteLovely photo of caring William such a comforting photo to cherish.
ReplyDeleteHope you will show us your art project John, looks like a nice way to start a new collection of decorations for
your Christmas tree.
I tried to leave a comment yesterday, but it didn't show up. Just wanted to add my condolences. William was a lucky dog to have you.
ReplyDeletehere in the backwoods part of west virginia, united states, there is a superstision. burn all calenders before midnite on new years eve, so bad luck will not follow you into the new year.
ReplyDeletesorry about the poor spelling.
Poor you, such a lovely dog, person relationship. I have buried many but they still stay with you in your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteSeems I remember a few years ago one of the dogs would spend time gazing at one of your animals that was kept in a cage for its protection, a rabbit or something. Was that William? I bet it was.
ReplyDeleteMy comment didn't show up yesterday either. Just also wanted to say I am so, so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely picture of William comforting Joan.
ReplyDeletexoxoox
That's so lovely. Moved to tears for both. And you. Bless you.xx
ReplyDeleteLove . . .
ReplyDeleteYou are golden John . . .
Thank you for the heart tugs . . .
Sweet, sweet William.