Missing Julie, Bab’s Patchworks and Lilies by the back door

 


Even though Trelawnyd is so small, I can go weeks without catching up with Jason The Affable Despot .
He’s a self proclaimed hermit at times.
Last night we managed a meet and went to see the world premier of Missing Julie at Theatre Clwyd.
It’s always fun catching up with Jason. He’s bright and arch and funny and laughs easily . He also doesn’t suffer fools gladly, a trait which I like.
The play was ok. A revisiting and a rehash of the infamous Swedish 1888 novel Miss Julie now set in post World War One North Wales. 
It had a lot to say about class and sex and war and post lockdown and we couldn’t help but giggle when Jason likened one of the more dour characters to someone we both know in the village.
It’s weird cos my sister and I saw another adaptation of the novel two years ago at the Storyhouse in Chester .set in 1945 Hong Kong .
That one was unfortunately much better. 
I hate to say that.

Anyhow …..Yesterday I received some gifts 
Babs from the US, sent me two exquisite home made patchwork wall hangings which will sit beautifully on my spare room/ office walls in the East Wing of Bwthyn y Llan 

I love both of them, but adore the fact she incorporated the gay rainbow flag in her design of the star…
I am always so humbled by gifts like these.
Gifts that have been made over time with care, affection  and with skills I will never possess.
Thank you Babs….




 I took the dogs out yesterday morning only to find a large vase full of lilies sat on my patio table when I returned.
I was pondering who was responsible when a disembodied voice piped up from next door’s garden 
“ We are going away for a day or so, and didn’t want to waste the flowers……..enjoy them!” 


I will……..
Before anyone says anything , Albert never goes near the kitchen window .

Today I’ve sent out emails to organise a meeting of the “ Support the Church Campaign” 
We need to get cracking on a plan of attack ……
I can’t believe I’ve had almost two weeks off  
I’ve had a satisfying holiday 
Recharged and peaceful ….this afternoon I’m back at the cinema and tomorrow I’m meeting a dear old friend in Lancashire  for brunch and hugs and walks and big  talks 

It’s funny but before my divorce went through …and  until really  recently I felt terribly brittle and lonely at times 
But this week ….I’ve felt more empowered and ok with the brick bats thrown in my direction .



59 comments:

  1. Oh, what gorgeous lilies and quilted wall hangings (especially the rainbow-themed one!) And I love how Barbara put a personalized "maker's patch" on the back!

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    1. They will look mighty fine in the East wing

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  2. The wall hangings are just lovely and I like the way the rainbow flag is incorporated.
    I'm so pleased you are feeling more empowered, it's been a rough few years.
    xo

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    1. Oh I will shut the fuck up, it’s been hard for all of us

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  3. Oh, that's beautiful! Love patchwork.
    So thoughtful!

    XOXO

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  4. What beautiful prezzies. Lucky boy!

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    1. I’m sure you have had your fair share of blogger gifts cro

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  5. Quilts are beautiful, very skilled work, they'll look lovely on the wall. x

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    1. I will ask sailor john from next door to cut me some batons

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  6. The quilted wall hangings are beautiful and special gifts from the heart. I'm so happy that you have had such good days off and I'm even happier that you have felt more empowered! That says a lot! xx

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    1. Hey ho. Hopefully with covid diminishing we all can now feel more empowered.

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  7. If I might be so bold, "Miss Julie" or "Fröken Julie" was a play written by August Strindberg in 1888 - not a novel.

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  8. Lovely presents, made and given with love. Ro xx

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  9. Yorkshire Liz6:42 am

    Remember yesterday in Technicolour. It not only demonstrates how far you have travelled, but the sheer love and diversity that you both give out and get back in return. A lot of people are very fond of you, and for very good reasons!

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    1. I like that
      Remember yesterday in technicolour

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  10. What beautiful, personal presents from your friend!

    The lilies look gorgeous on your windowsill too.

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    1. Albert is safe he knows he’s not allowed on the worktops

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  11. You're on the up , John; and you're reshaping your life.

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    1. I think socially it feels a great deal better and because of that there feels a balance in it that was lacking before

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  12. Replies
    1. Precise and detailed you should see it up close

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  13. Did Babs say they're wall hangings? A friend in the USA recently sent me some of these and said they were for the centre of a dining table, quilted to protect the table from hot serving dishes.

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    1. Yes I wanted them to hand and be enjoyed
      If I put them on the table they would be filthy in seconds

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  14. Babs, you do beautiful work! John, no brickbats here! I am so glad that you feel on top of the world. You've got lovely friends, and I think that lovely people tend to attract lovely friends.

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    1. It’s easy to get out of the habit of being a friend . It’s insidious

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  15. That is a loving gift for you John from Babs to last a lifetime x

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  16. Two weeks fly by, keep having fun, keep doing good, you are always stronger than you think,

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    1. They have flown by…I’ve still got 5 days off . Not due in work until Wednesday

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  17. The patchworks are beautiful and made with such care and love, just for you. Re the lilies, if you remove the stamens, the pollen won't stain your windowsill. You are a lovely man and I hope you are starting to believe it again. xx

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    1. I’m more confident
      We are all works in progress

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  18. Does God come into the plans of attack for the Church? He seems to be missing so far.

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    1. I don’t quite understand your comment but I am presuming you are referring to the existing congregation and the diocese itself ?
      To answer this question, I will say Not really Rachel
      The support group mainly( but not entirely) will comprise of people more interested in the historic and cultural aspect of the building rather than its personal religious importance.
      To me both morph into each other a little.
      For me personally, it is a beautiful building that holds an affection for me. It’s a historical building that still has a functioning use, there is a very small congregation ( mostly elderly ) that enjoy the religious aspect, and there are 140 plots still available in the graveyard ..but the congregation cannot support the church’s financial, clerical and practical demands
      It is for that reason alone that the church faces closure.
      The “ new” perhaps less officially religious group will hopefully approach the church’s survival with new eyes.
      The group is a little younger, have different skills and experiences of fund raising and running a charity ( if pilgrim status is granted a new charity may have to be applied for in order to obtain grants and to raise funds)
      As a pilgrim church the building can be used for non religious purposes , which is another attraction to non church going, but church supporting Trelawnyd residents

      Things change and they evolve
      I think the alternative to st Michael’s closing for good with the building and its contents and history sold off is an option I don’t want to see…

      All this discussion means nothing if the Bishop decides that pilgrim status is not viable or appropriate. He has the last say
      God has very little to do with any of it

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    2. Your paragraph starting 'The support group' answers my query. Thank you. I like to remember religion but I understand the historic interest and the way forward in the 21st Century.

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    3. I believe all we can do is try our best to walk in the footsteps of Jesus x

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    4. I don’t …but I try to do the best I can …

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    5. Flis's comment leads me to believe she has no idea what I was saying. Thank you again for your full response John. I also agree with your last comment.

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    6. To be fair , I wasn’t sure at first lol

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    7. Here whether we are regular attending Church or not there is someone to say a few words in the name of Jesus even if the Minister does not attend before discussions commence at meetings-The Bishop I should think would be happy to know Trelawnyd people held the Church as it's vibrant centre x

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  19. Barbara Anne12:11 pm

    John, I'm elated that you're feeling empowered!
    Ta to all for the kind comments on the wee wall quilts. I put hanging triangles on the back of each one as they'll be safer from Albert, Mary, and Dorothy if they're hanging on a wall! As quilters here know, it's too much fun.
    Love the lilies!

    Hugs!

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    1. Barbara, I inherited a very similar tablecloth made by my late mother and her good quilting friend and it has the same saying on it (Friendship is a sheltering tree) and I cherish it. So nice to see yours. -Kate

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    2. Barbara Anne7:59 pm

      Hi Kate, thank you for your compliment. I collect quotations and this is one that just seemed perfect as we're all friends here, no matter where we are on the planet. How nice is that?

      Hugs!

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  20. During this time of staying apart from people I think many of us realize how important talking to people in person is for our mental health. Those interactions always reset my "record" on to the middle of the spindle.

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  21. You are growing, John, as a human. In fact, you are quite inspiring.

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    1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  22. It sounds like you are having a lovely time and the quilts are a lovely gift.

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  23. You have made the most of your 2 weeks off! Glad you are renewed and refreshed and feeling good. How nice of your friends to be so generous with you! Those gifts are so lovely!

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  24. Agreed - some film renditions are definitely better than others and you document the differences well. Lovely gifts seem to come your way easily and you have many talented friends. The last 2 weeks have been filled with good times for you. How nice!

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  25. Why oh why do gay men who blog always seem to get such a drubbing from assholes? Have these overly tight apparently envious sphincters got nothing better to do? -Kate

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    1. I have just one troll
      I just delete
      They don’t bother me

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  26. Man that does look like a small community.

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  27. Shelly Williams7:43 pm

    Lovely to hear you are feeling more resilient x

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  28. Beautiful work Babs! Perfect for John's style. <3

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