Serendipity

 

The other week I told you all that I had a rebate from my electricity bill , money from which I put towards my next year’s counselling college bills. Rebates from my water bill and money hidden away in a jar brought the total saved up to 1000£ Allowing a further pension rebate to pay for my trip to see the lisping Spanish Choir ( my troll went apoplectic at my failure to add to my savings!!!)

Today I did overtime at work ( to pay for my own counselling sessions)  and in a down moment read an email from management telling the staff that we were to receive a one off payment in Lieu of a wage increase. 

This was an unexpected bonus for the staff and even though I’m part time I will receive approximately 500 + £ extra next month!!!

500£ will more than pay for the outstanding college fees of 1400£  I will owe and will also help with my supervision bills too

How lucky am I? 

I sang I have A Dream when I got home with Roger bouncing alongside me like a loon 

Please as punch as I was

I really do realise just how lucky I have been 

Carmen

 

I went to see the live performance of Carmen at The Royal Opera House last night. I went with my sisters who both thought they were going to see a ballet, so there was much muted laughter as we took our seats.

We were all disappointed, me for the fact the staging was in a moody, shadowy 1970s Spain and not all frocks, sweaty factory workers and matador buttocks and for them that there was no ballet dancing.

The music, led by sexy as fuck conductor Antoello Manacorda is adorable as always and in the lead the 27 year old Russian Aigul Akhmetshina really shines in a performance of power and confidence and charm.

By the time I got home and relaxed it was nearly eleven, and it amused me, as I sat and wrote this with a drink, that Roger had positioned himself next to the front door fire vent with his nose resting against the slats .

He was listening to see if he could hear the Blackbird moving in her nest as she had been doing all day .

He does amuse me 

The following video has Aigul performing Carmen when only 22 years old 

 Amazing

Quiet

 Another video of the lisping Spanish Choir…enjoy…..

a quieter day today, some reading , catching up with jobs ,

It’s sunny this morning so the cottage windows are wide open, Roger is watching the blackbird’s back and forth to its nest in the honeysuckle and has been for over an hour now

Carmen live from the Royal Opera House later

Therapy

 

Tonight I completed my seventh episode of counselling experience as a client. As trainee counsellors we all are required to experience therapy first hand and pay for it too, and I’ve found the experience awkward, challenging, emotional and enlightening, as my counsellor is based in the “eclectic” theory base of counselling  rather than pure client centred base of therapy that I’m being trained in.

My counsellor ventured something I need to think about too

He suggested I was coming out of a clinical depression .one which started a year after my husband left me and one which had been fed and watered by covid 

I’m still processing this 

But I sort of know he is right. 

I’m a month into a strict diet and only last week I joked with him that weight loss was my last goal back to  getting back to the real me. 

He didn’t challenge me then…..he didn’t have to, as we both read each other’s non verbals,

The elephant in the room.

What I thought was a new start generally, may have been an end to a depression , I never really realised I had

Spring

 It’s spring and the scented wild garlic flowers like white fireworks fill the road between Llanasa and Trelawnyd in a carpet. The village is slowly bursting into spring colour too with tulips and aubritia  filling neat borders and alongside lawns and forsythia is blooming along side cherry trees, in Rhodfa Arthur. 

It’s too early for my laburnum to flower, but I’ve just checked and she’s still standing valiantly in the graveyard a stones throw from the cottage.

Many of the fields feel a dirty green brown, but green is winning and that’s a cheerful statement as is the toing and froing of the female blackbird as she next builds in the honeysuckle over the front door.

People are out walking and gardening again, and Neville Lancelot posted a cracking photograph of goldfinches sparring in his garden on the village Facebook page.

The Dawn chorus seems louder somehow and the badgers are back in force in the lane as the Cubs are now ready to forage. They bicker like children and have woken Roger up regularly over the past week. When he barks, the Cubs jump as one, catching their claws on the concrete of next doors drive with a clatter.

The pond is green too and clear of weeds and up on the south face of the Gop, the gorse is flowering it’s normal golden yellow

All We need now,

Are some blue skies 

To last for a few weeks 

“ Peace, All I want Is Peace!”

 

As the Pro Palestinian demonstration passed the corner of the aptly named Hope Street an elderly woman with long flowing grey hair cried out to a handful of students on the pavement “ Peace, all I want is peace” and they like me, burst into spontaneous applause. 

Alfie Moore’s one man show was more amusing than hilarious, and I thought he makes a better dinner party guest than a stand up comedian . His radio 4 show is punchier and more informative, but I was glad I went. 

The meal at the gastro-pub on Catherine Street, was a real treat, and it’s worth not eating for the rest of the day, just to get get close up and personal with the slabs of rare beef they shlope onto your plate….

Bloody lovely. 

Chester and Liverpool are two cities, each with their own vibe. It was nice to have the city vibe, albeit for a few hours this weekend

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

It’s Sunday morning 

And I’m glad I’ve organised another activity day out for today

I need it, I need the filling….

I’m off to meet my friend Colin for lunch at The Blackburne Arms near to Liverpool Cathedral ( bloody lovely food)  then I’m off to a talk by Alfie Moore ( below) at the Philharmonic  

Moore is a regular on Radio 4 and is a stand up and ex Yorkshire policeman of 20 years.

His stories into police work are as funny as they are insightful 

I walked the Welsh in a local Bluebell wood yesterday

I will do the same this morning 

I used to have a beautiful bluebell watercolour 

‘You’re like a vitamin enriched Brian Blessed’

I caught up with my sleep last night, and did so heavily, 

But managed to catch up with Sheffield Jane on video before I crashed

It was Roger who eventually woke me up wanting a wee at 9 ish. 

Unlike Dorothy who used to gently occlude my airway with her own neck, Roger tapped my face playfully with a heavy paw

Mary, as usual was dead to the world. 

I’ve walked and fed them and when they settle, I will go to Chester to meet my friend Nigel for lunch

This has pleased me as later tonight I’m off to see Troy Hawke a stand up comedian in his one man show. 

As you can see from his improv video, he’s quick witted and as sharpe as Margot Channing.

I’m going with Rhian, one of the doctors at work.

Mrs Trellis Sends a Story

 Through the letter box this afternoon , a short essay

Enjoy 

Its 15.00 and I am home after my counselling placement induction. It didn’t start until 10 am so I like an old rocker I slept in the car after night shift in the car park. 

A wash of the face and I was ready to go. 

Off to bed 

Fuck it

 

My pension had some sort of rebate on it, so unexpectedly a few hundred pounds will be coming my way

I thought, I may put it towards my University fees but I’ve already contributed to that pot , so in true Gemini style I said fuck it……the lisping choir awaits.

And so I’m going to see them!!!! With the lovely orchestra and conductor Silvia Sanz Torre of course, presenting a Gala of Zarzuelas! I am off to Madrid for 48 hours to see them at The National Music Auditorium in a months time.

Hey ho

Lighten up

I haven’t seen Islwyn to ask about the watering can.

The village social media is full of it.

I was in college all day yesterday.

We finished PD group after three and I drove to the beach again to sit with my face in the sun with a cup of tea and a Bryn Williams sausage roll in hand.

I felt better for it.

Gawd, I don’t know about you but I’m finding myself less patient with people who take themselves far too seriously, especially here in blogland 

It must be exhausting being so effin’ pretentious 

Jesus! Lighten up a little ! 

Ok I was eating the aforementioned Bryn Williams sausage roll yesterday

And it cost a bleeding fortune 

But I was also wearing my T shirt with HERBIVORE emblazoned on the front of it 

The video has nothing to do with today’s post

I just liked the frocks

Jason, Islwyn and the case of the stolen watering can

 

I caught up with two of Trelawnyd’s biggest characters yesterday 

Affable Despot Jason is still around and is just emerging from his usual yearly hibernation. In spring, like the hedgehogs , he shows his public face , and like Cher, resurrects  himself for another year of real life scrutiny. 

I have a spare ticket to see Troy Hawke on Saturday but unfortunately  he’s working , but my message was welcomingly received and we promised each other that we’d meet up very soon, which was nice.

Village Elder Islwyn stopped just before The Archers , he was dressed in his normal uniform of huge yellow workman’s jacket and beanie hat and he wasn’t happy as someone had stolen one of the graveyard watering cans. With forensic certainty he narrowed down the theft to Saturday morning and apparently has some unshared evidence from a local’s door camera 

“ Can you put the details on your blog” he asked, aware that I have 10 thousand page views a day  “ if it suddenly turns up again, we’ll say no more about it”:

I promised I would 

I hope the can is returned for the thief’s sake

Civil War

 My sister came this morning and did the garden. I left her to it as I had a counselling session then planned to go to the cinema. The garden looks lovely and will burst into colour next month

I got into Chester a little early, so went to the Storyhouse to have brunch. kedgeree and crinkle chips 

Bloody lovely it was too.

On my nephew’s suggestion I went to see the drama Civil War which, as it turned out was an inspired choice. Set in  a civil war in modern day USA, we follow the fortunes of four war reporters ( two Journalists and two photographers played by Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Caylee Spaeny, and Stephen McKinley Henderson) Each character is essentially a representation of a whole person, each one showing a recognised facet of someone who has lived man’s inhumanity. So Dunst is the PTSD sufferer who has seen too much, Moura the thrill seeker, Spaeny the rookie and Henderson the old lag who cannot retire even though he is well past his sell by date.

Together the group travel from war torn New York to Washington  to see the President deposed from office , and it’s a grim and terrifying journey where anarchy reigns and life is very cheap indeed . director Alex Garland cranks up the tension until the very end of this unexpected gem of a movie 

Not an easy watch, but an important one.

Our Beach

 

I’ve circled Trelawnyd and Colwyn Bay

We got up early, around 8 am,and drove to Colwyn Bay beach. The Promenade there is wide and clean and pleasant to walk on  and on a Sunday in fine weather , the place feels every European , what with the promenaders, wild swimmers and get fit enthusiasts, all looking busy. This morning we had prayer groups on the beach and several Male  show offs with their own portable sauna, Jogged back and forth from sea to heat.

We walked to Parasellas’ where I bought 2 sausage baps and a coffee. The Welsh sat on their own seats at the outside table and we shared breakfast, which was fun. 

We ambled back along the Promenade to Porth Eirias and I had another coffee next to the “sculpture” of the cormorant as the Welsh watched a posturing standard poodle nearby. 

It was heading for eleven when we all returned to Bluebell and the car park was already full to bursting.

And it was time for home

Tempest

 This is something I hope to see on my next London trip

Friday Observations

 It’s Friday and it’s trying to be sunny. The Welsh are quiet today after their walk and Roger is sat in my bedroom window watching the grave digger and village Elder Islwyn dig a grave for a lady on Erw Wen I've never met.

I had a tutorial with my senior tutor , she says I’m doing fine, even my academic work ( which I find a challenge) she says is fine . “I like how you write “ she said , which meant a great deal 

Anyhow, the village coffee morning needs helpers tomorrow but as usual I’m working. 

I’m not complaining, weekend work means more money and bills seemed to have shot up this month. 

At least Flintshire County Council is not bankrupt but their monthly bill rise is a real shocker.

I’ve had to pay for Dorothy’s cremation too. The ground had been overly saturated to bury her.

I didn’t have the energy to do it myself.

I have some wriggle room but I will need to book a few extra shifts in April and May as my nephew Leo is coming up for a visit ( his first alone) and I’ve got London trips to see Nu (theatre and the Hampton Court Flower Show) and with Janet to see A Chorus Line at Saddler’s Wells and Buckingham Palace.

Sheffield too is calling me back home as it has a want to do , so I’ll message Mike for a date to meet up

I see that old showboat drag queen Myra DuBois is playing the Ledmill 

I’d love to get to visit the place one last time…….

Roger is barking his what the hell is going on bark 

The mini gravedigger has obviously overfaced him and I’m finishing my coffee before I wash my face and brush my hair in order to meet my family for lunch at the Dinorban 

I will leave you with the lovely lisping Spanish Choir 

Enjoy

How To Handle A Lemon sucker

 

Lemon suckers leave a sour taste in your mouth unless you add something sweet to the mix in order to lessen the acidity. 

I’m getting better at this, thanks to personal development, but I’m still inclined to bite rather than to diffuse In the company of these people, your words become your weapons, not to destroy, but to defend, to protect and to deconstruct their thinking. When they turn things downward, negative and sour, you can turn it right back around again. Lift things upwards, be positive and empowering. 

Question their thinking, ask them why they would choose to take the negative perspective they have? Ask them if their perspective is helpful? You see the more you question them, the less they share their acid tones with you as they don't like being questioned or challenged and will feel less and less inspired to share as they are not getting the response they desire.

As a good friend says ‘act as a sweetener’ around these people. According to Huxton (2017) “ Inside every ‘lemon sucker’ is a great person waiting to escape the misery they are causing themselves and others. They just need to be shown, guided, questioned, nurtured and encouraged to look inside themselves, to explore how they are affecting their own status quo and well-being and that of those around them.”

I don’t want more practice. But I need more if you know what I mean .
I’m being mindful today. It’s colder and we’ve had the odd shower, during which I’ve collected the houseplants and put them outside for a natural bath and drink

I’m going to the theatre later
 

Being Silly

The Randa Girls are no longer girls but young beautiful women, I noticed a new photo of them on their mums Facebook page. I was on my way back from Liverpool , seeing some old friends

Eight years ago they were little girls 

And I occasionally still miss babysitting them after school, it was the last real time I enjoyed being truly silly

Children notice everything.
We had just bathed and towel dried Mary and placed her back into her crate when Eve noticed a big blob of curry sauce on the oven glove which was looped over the oven door handle .
" Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhh! " she called out rather theatrically " Wot's that?"
I made a show of sniffing the brown lump and told both girls that I thought it " smelt of poo"
Suddenly I had both girl's rapt attention
I poked the lump with my finger and lifted it to my nose
" yes it's poo!" I announced and as the girls looked on with surprised frowns
I popped my finger into my mouth
Screaming filled the kitchen.

Late in life , I have learnt the lesson that children love and need silliness.
And the " smuttier" and " dirtier" the silly activity...the happier they become.
Unfortunately I don' t recall my parents ever being silly.
When I picked the girls up from school yesterday afternoon, Eve asked if we could " smash the apples again" ....as " it was fun" We had picked apples from the orchard and had jumped on the soft apples with our shoes so that the geese could feed on the bits the last time they came around after school.

Last night , when affable despot Jason arrived to pick his girls up , he was faced with suddenly dipped curried digits and shouts of "Dad! I have poo on my finger" , and like all experienced parents he smiled a patient smile .
I covered the fingerholes before I replaced the curry in the oven.

Blowing eggs in the garden

Chips

 I’ve always said Carl Rogers never struck me as a party girl

Earnest and not a bag of laughs

I could be wrong 

It’s been all a bit heavy in University today

Hence the chips for lunch 

André Rieu - La Paloma (Live in Mexico)

Like I said earlier today has been busy but it has also been productive and funny and with Roger showing latent hormonal infatuations on a scale that Winnie had for workmen in overalls 

The day made me smile .

As did André Rieu and his orchestra of many colours in their Mexican concert from a few years ago 

It was bonkers

Totally bonkers 

I watched it on sky , and was drawn in by the good nature of it all 

The humour, the obvious enjoyment and the energy of the locals  was a delight to watch 

And with everything news being shite at the moment 

A few daft frocks, some toe tapping songs and ten thousand Mexicans going bananas 

Wasn’t a bad way of passing an evening 

I see he’s in concert in Sheffield later this week !