Tuesday, March 29, 2016

It's a Happy Sort of Day

Simple things, really: catching up on rest, internet which works properly and is f a s t, a tree making it through winter, a candle in the oven; decisions made. I always feel better when I have a plan of action, don't you? But first, the images I'll be using for this week's prompt:


and...


So, the tree we worried wouldn't make it through the winter - do any of you recall the corkscrew hazelnut (aka Harry Lauder's walking stick, aka the devil's walking stick) we planted last year? Even though our winter has been a mild one we worried it wouldn't survive, but it has! It's budding and even blooming! (The long catkins are it's blooms.)



And speaking of trees, I had a couple of photos of magnolias which were gifted to me, that I would like to share with you:

From the kidling (taken on the way from her flat to our house)


And from one of my nephews and his partner, the magnolia which blooms in their yard...


Yes, spring has sprung and yet we have a polar vortex headed our way next weekend. I fear we shall lose much of the fruit tree's production to the cold and we'll have to protect our wee corkscrew hazelnut. 

Candle in the oven? It's the safest way for me to make my own candles and works a treat.

Decisions, decisions: Multi-tasking is no longer my forte' so, in order to have the time and mental energy to edit and revise stories which have already been written, I'll be cutting back to one new story a month (near the end of the month) as well as participating in Words For Wednesday when possible. 

In other news: My oldest brother, who is preparing for a lung transplant, is in the final stages of the preparation process. Next week he'll be spending several days in hospital undergoing the final tests and assessments which are necessary before a transplant takes place. If all goes well, it will give him several more years of healthy life. During the testing process, Jim was diagnosed with a genetic disorder called Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency, inherited from our father. (You can learn more about it >Here<.) Right now, I'm taking it as very positive that Jim has made it to this stage in the 'vetting process for the transplant, many don't. 

So what's happening in your lives?


31 comments:

  1. prayers for Jim.

    Loved the video. I should listen to music more...but a lot of music takes me out of my scene. Have to stay with my character, ya know.

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    1. I've never listened to music whilst writing; I daresay I won't now. =)

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  2. Glad that your little bush survived...I love those curly-cue trees. Don't you love my name for them. The magnolias are beautiful. And I hope all goes well for your brother.

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  3. Hope the transplant for Jim is successful, also glad the internet issue is resolved. Happening here, we're all on wait and see mode for the ob/gyn appointment on April Fools. Still say the date is a bad sign, but we'll see. Other than that, formatting the manuscript which has gone from novel to novella. Spoke to an editor at the publisher of choice about it yesterday. I feel pretty good about the conversation. Hope all continues to be well there!

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    1. Fingers crossed in re: ob/gyn and editor! Hope we get a chance to talk soon. *hugs*

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  4. Our lives are changing in so many ways! All the best for Jim, and hugs to you.

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  5. I just love the "O Brother Where Art Thou" soundtrack and still play it a lot! And speaking of brothers, good luck to yours. I wish him well.

    I once had the pleasure of seeing Alison Krauss at the Winnipeg Folk Festival many years ago -- must be 30 years ago now. She was an up and comer then, not really all that well known yet, but it was clear she was a superstar in the making.

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    1. I'm jealous, I'd love to see Alison Krauss perform in person; she has a gorgeous voice.

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  6. Hopefully the transplant is successful indeed. Spring has sprung but doesn't know it, stupid cold and snow.

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  7. It does sound like a happy sort of day. Your post was so energetic and definite that it has inspired me to get this day going. I'll take a walk and then come back and settle to my work. Cheers!

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  8. Beautiful blossoms! I can't wait until we get some. Best of luck to your brother and thanks for Alison Krauss.

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    1. Thank you Jono, hope warmer weather heads your way soon.

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  9. I so hope things go well for Jim.
    Love magnolias. And that curly tree.
    Here? I have been gardening. And gardening. And can now barely walk. A hip is giving me considerable grief. Gardening or the dread disease are NOT playing nicely.

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    1. Hope you're feeling better soon... hissing and spitting at hip pain.

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  10. Your nephew's magnolia is a great shape and so heavy with blooms. The corkscrew hazelnut is most interesting. Good luck to your brother. Soy candles are very popular here at the moment but I don't know how easy they are to make.

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    1. They aren't difficult and can be made in the oven as well Andrew. The difficulty in making candles the usual way is the tremors - they don't mix well with double boilers, pouring hot wax, etc...

      Making candles in the oven is far easier for me: Set the containers on an aluminum foil - covered cooking sheet, add the unmelted wax to the jar, set the temperature a few degrees below the flash point of the wax and prop the oven door open an inch or two. When the wax is melted take the cookie sheet out, stir in fragrance if desired and drop in the wicks. Easy peasy! (I use a mixture of soy wax and beeswax.)

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  11. Love your candle making method! and you don't have to worry about knocking cooling candles off a bench or table either.
    What's happening in my life? Far too much. My brother is researching our history, doing a genealogy search and has uncovered a few lies our mother told us.

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    1. It's always painful to find things like that about one's family. Sending gentle hugs.

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  12. I've always like Alison Krauss and Union Station.

    My very best wishes go out to your brother, Cranky...may it all go well for him.

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    1. Thank you Lee. Glad you enjoyed the music. =)

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  13. I like the pictures. I hope that his lung transplant goes well.

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  14. loved the first pic so artistic ,the flower trees are very beautiful ,glad that your creeper survived and start blooming ,
    hope and pray that lung transplant goes fine with your brother dear ,\have blessed life each moment

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  15. My life has been a bit crazy this week. I'll tell about it later but thanks for asking! So glad Harry survived! My friend has a huge one and it has survived Indiana weather for years. She planted it when it was a wee baby. I pray your brothers lung transplant goes well and he has many more years of living a happy and healthy life.

    Cindy Bee

    Ps. I like the idea of not multi tasking. I'm going to give it a try. I think you see more finished results when you don't multi task.

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  16. Those magnolias are beautiful. All we have around here are dead stumps covered in snow (we're late spring bloomers).

    And we're both pulling for your brother, that everything will go well. I can only imagine how scary that would be. And needless to say, I'm looking forward to that next story prompt. Bring on those whimsically wonderful characters you have a way of breathing life into.

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  18. The magnolias are magnificent. I hope all goes well for your brother. You must feel battered from the past year - you are due some good news.

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  19. That tree is so very pretty. I wanted to take Isaak out for pictures, while all the trees are blooming. He's being stubborn. He's in a stage where he doesn't want pictures taken of him.

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C'mon, be cranky and let 'er rip!