Wednesday 19 June 2019

Poetry

Our Poetry afternoons are so relaxing and enjoyable.   There were only six of us today - the others were all busy - also the road through the village is closed this week while it is being resurfaced and getting to W's house means a long detour.  We had a lovely selection - Auden, Simon Armitage, Fanthorpe, Tennyson amongst others.  And then a cup of tea and a biscuit and time for home - the long way round.   A lovely afternoon.

Tess had a lovely afternoon too as friend S usually takes her for a walk.   Today T went too and they went to a local beauty spot - Aysgarth Falls - and Tess even managed a paddle in the river.  I am so lucky to have friends - poetry, ukuleles, friends to walk Tess (my mobility is limited), friends to lunch with, friends to meet for coffee - always something to do which is good these days.   There was a time when I wanted to do craft work and would spend hours in my studio at the farm and before that I would practise the piano for many hours to get my 'party pieces' up to scratch (my favourites were the Schubert Impromptus).   Now I no longer have my piano as I seem to have lost the desire to play so gave it to my son as it was a much better one than his.   My fingers are getting arthritic and that doesn't help.

Thunderstorms were forecast for today but it has been a lovely day - sunny, blue skies, warm sun.   This afternoon the temperature got up to the early twenties and it really felt like Summer at last (and just two days before the Solstice so not a moment too soon).  Similar weather for tomorrow so I shall try to get outside in the sunshine after the hairdressers.   The painter is coming to work on my kitchen ceiling so I can't go far.

9 comments:

Chris said...

You need good friends and family nearby if you want to stay as independent as possible. You seem to have it all worked out.

Terra said...

You are keeping busy with favorite activities, some new and some old. Your piano has a new home where it will be used. I recently framed a postcard from a blog friend that says "Do one thing every day that makes you happy." I am still thinking about starting a poetry discussion group like the one you describe.

justjill said...

I like the comment do one thing every day that makes you happy. Despite my retiring I still find I have stuff to do voluntarily which impinges on my happiness. Will I ever learn. Ypur day sounded lovely.

jinxxxygirl said...

I have heard this from so many older people Pat... they just loose interest in once was favored past times.. I cannot profess to understand it.. I can only hope that it doesn't happen to me...as i have many interests.. If i'm honest.. it worries me ... how does it happen .. when does it happen.. How do you just stop being interested in something that you once loved. How do you lose the joy in it.. ? Hugs! deb

Cro Magnon said...

Have you considered buying an electric keyboard? They would never replace a real piano, but they are small and can be stored away easily. They also do things that pianos can't.

Derek Faulkner said...

Cro beat me to it, I was going to suggest that so that you could accompany the ukelele group at some of your sessions.

Rachel Phillips said...

Like I said yesterday, you had plenty of poems to read if you were short of people and so it came to pass.

Librarian said...

It is good to read about your good times and how you appreciate your friends and the many good things in your life! Of course you are also always welcome to share your not-so-good times with us, and thoughts that trrouble you.
It was sunny and hot here yesterday (31 C) and a thunderstorm was brewing just as I left work; on the last 5 minutes on my way home from the station I caught a few drops of rain.
I have been to Aysgarth Falls in the summer of 2016 and remember it well!

Heather said...

I find that I barely have time to do the housework these days. Goodness knows what I do with myself all day but I am never bored. I read, listen to music, sew, try to draw, enjoy cryptic crossword puzzles, etc., etc., and of course, I enjoy visits from my family and fit in the odd bit of housework! At one time I dreaded living alone, but it is not nearly as bad as I expected. I think keeping busy must be the key and you certainly do that.