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 .
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!
ReplyDeleteThey will look mighty fine in the East wing
DeleteThe wall hangings are just lovely and I like the way the rainbow flag is incorporated.
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased you are feeling more empowered, it's been a rough few years.
xo
Oh I will shut the fuck up, it’s been hard for all of us
DeleteOh, that's beautiful! Love patchwork.
ReplyDeleteSo thoughtful!
XOXO
Yes, I wish I was as talented
DeleteWhat beautiful prezzies. Lucky boy!
ReplyDeleteI’m sure you have had your fair share of blogger gifts cro
DeleteQuilts are beautiful, very skilled work, they'll look lovely on the wall. x
ReplyDeleteI will ask sailor john from next door to cut me some batons
DeleteThe 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
ReplyDeleteHey ho. Hopefully with covid diminishing we all can now feel more empowered.
DeleteIf I might be so bold, "Miss Julie" or "Fröken Julie" was a play written by August Strindberg in 1888 - not a novel.
ReplyDeleteI stand corrected
DeleteLovely presents, made and given with love. Ro xx
ReplyDelete😘
DeleteRemember 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!
ReplyDeleteI like that
DeleteRemember yesterday in technicolour
What beautiful, personal presents from your friend!
ReplyDeleteThe lilies look gorgeous on your windowsill too.
Albert is safe he knows he’s not allowed on the worktops
DeleteYou're on the up , John; and you're reshaping your life.
ReplyDeleteI think socially it feels a great deal better and because of that there feels a balance in it that was lacking before
DeleteBeautiful quilting.
ReplyDeletePrecise and detailed you should see it up close
DeleteDid 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.
ReplyDeleteYes I wanted them to hand and be enjoyed
DeleteIf I put them on the table they would be filthy in seconds
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.
ReplyDeleteIt’s easy to get out of the habit of being a friend . It’s insidious
DeleteThat is a loving gift for you John from Babs to last a lifetime x
ReplyDeleteTwo weeks fly by, keep having fun, keep doing good, you are always stronger than you think,
ReplyDeleteThey have flown by…I’ve still got 5 days off . Not due in work until Wednesday
DeleteThe 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
ReplyDeleteI’m more confident
DeleteWe are all works in progress
Does God come into the plans of attack for the Church? He seems to be missing so far.
ReplyDeleteI don’t quite understand your comment but I am presuming you are referring to the existing congregation and the diocese itself ?
DeleteTo 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
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.
DeleteI believe all we can do is try our best to walk in the footsteps of Jesus x
DeleteI don’t …but I try to do the best I can …
DeleteFlis'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.
DeleteTo be fair , I wasn’t sure at first lol
DeleteHere 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
DeleteJohn, I'm elated that you're feeling empowered!
ReplyDeleteTa 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!
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
DeleteHi 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?
DeleteHugs!
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.
ReplyDeleteYou are growing, John, as a human. In fact, you are quite inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteIt sounds like you are having a lovely time and the quilts are a lovely gift.
ReplyDeleteI don’t want to go back to work
DeleteYou 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!
ReplyDeleteThey are x
DeleteAgreed - 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!
ReplyDeleteWhy 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
ReplyDeleteI have just one troll
DeleteI just delete
They don’t bother me
Man that does look like a small community.
ReplyDeleteNot even 250 houses
DeleteLovely to hear you are feeling more resilient x
ReplyDeleteIt’s been a long road
DeleteBeautiful work Babs! Perfect for John's style. <3
ReplyDelete