Therapy


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

83 comments:

  1. 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.

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  2. I 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.

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  3. Life always has its highs and lows, but I must agree that 2019 has had too many lows.

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    Replies
    1. Don't say that 2019 is going to be better

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    2. But it surely couldn’t be worse.

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  4. Those 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

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  5. You 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.... :-)

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  7. He really was a sweet dog wasn't he? You gave him a good environment in which to live a happy life. He was loved.

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  8. So 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

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  9. What a sweet, tender boy William was. Glad you went on your crafty course, you obviously have a talent for it.

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    Replies
    1. My sisters painting was so much better

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  10. At least by now we know that this too shall pass... it's just the getting through that still bites. Those ornaments are pretty. Hugs

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    Replies
    1. I've been waiting too long for things to pass

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  11. Barbara Anne6:42 pm

    The 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. :)

    How 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.

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  12. The 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.

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  13. I'm really hoping that things will look up for you soon, you deserve some happiness.
    Briony
    x

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  14. I love that you did the ornaments, so pretty and art is very therapeutic.
    After 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

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    Replies
    1. He didn't have a bad bone in his body

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  15. What lovely ornaments! Art can be very therapeutic for the heart and soul.

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  16. Replies
    1. You wait when u see mine.....it will give you a larf

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    2. I hope I inspired you.

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  17. What a dear soul. Sweet William had a big heart.

    The 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.

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    Replies
    1. Most of the our Christmas decorations have gone quite rightly with my husband.. so I'm collecting my own now

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  18. I love the glass panels. Very sorry to hear about William.

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  19. An artist in our midst! Nice work!

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  20. So sorry to hear about sweet William! I love your glass panels.

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  21. Hugs.
    And I really, really like your art work.

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  22. lovely artwork. the sweet william seeds will enhance your garden no doubt.

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  23. Suzan8:12 pm

    I am sorry that William has left your life. He sounds like such a treasure.

    Your art work is inspiring.

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  24. I 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

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    Replies
    1. Indeed... Sunday was the anniversary of my brother's death too

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  25. Our 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.

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  26. Sorry 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.

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    1. After 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.

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    2. Everything comes in threes.....I'm counting down the days till 2019

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  27. Wow John, that seems like a beautiful way to spend a few hours.
    I am slightly jealous.
    I am so sorry yo hear about Williams passing, may he Rest in Peace.
    X x x Greta x x x

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    Replies
    1. You've been there too my friend.....see you soon x

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  28. Some saints come with four paws, that's all.
    Your ornaments are lovely.

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    Replies
    1. Mine were more........rustic .....in nature

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    2. Don't tell! Let us bask in our artistic ignorance....

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  29. Missed yesterdays post, so sorry to hear this.
    Stay strong

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  30. It'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.

    I 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.

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    1. Yes, I will look at the bees and the butterflies around them and think of William cavorting around the garden

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    2. I 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 ...

      The bees and butterflies will be an apt reminder of a gentle spirit, won't they?

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  31. 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.

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  32. As always you touch my heart John. Consider yourself kissed and hugged xo

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  33. Please accept my condolences along with virtual hugs. I couldn’t muster the courage to read yesterday’s post until today. xoxoxo

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  34. Any art, drawing or coloring is really soothing to the mind and soul.
    You start concentrate and then you slip away,

    cheers, parsnip and badger
    Oh Sweet William I love you.

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  35. They are lovely art pieces perhaps echoing William's kind gentle nature. It's good therapy for us to see them too.

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  36. SHITE is a good word JG, fab crafting, quite tip top xx

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  37. Oh 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

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    Replies
    1. My siblings are all arty
      I am not but I have an eye

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  38. May you have many peaceful afternoons

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  39. The Christmas panels are beautiful. I hope you are doing okay.

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  40. John - 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.

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  41. I 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.
    Right 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.

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  42. My heart aches for you .. I have no words ... big ((hug))

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  43. The 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.

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  44. Lovely photo of caring William such a comforting photo to cherish.
    Hope you will show us your art project John, looks like a nice way to start a new collection of decorations for
    your Christmas tree.

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  45. 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.

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  46. here 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.
    sorry about the poor spelling.

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  47. Poor you, such a lovely dog, person relationship. I have buried many but they still stay with you in your thoughts.

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  48. Seems 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.

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  49. My comment didn't show up yesterday either. Just also wanted to say I am so, so sorry for your loss.

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  50. That's a lovely picture of William comforting Joan.
    xoxoox

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  51. That's so lovely. Moved to tears for both. And you. Bless you.xx

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  52. Love . . .
    You are golden John . . .
    Thank you for the heart tugs . . .
    Sweet, sweet William.

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