Wednesday, 26th June 2019 - Lathyrus

My husband is home from Kansas but without any red shoes. I think I must be too ungrateful for gifts.

I got an email from Rev C Breeds saying what a charming and talented group we were. How wonderful is that. I am a little in love with Alistair who organised the funeral arrangements. It must be a bit like falling in love with your doctor when you are ill. He was so kind and thoughtful and patient with me.

I have new glasses. I can paint at the kitchen table and see what I am doing as well as glancing up to watch Killing Eve. Fantastic.

Thank goodness the sweaty weather has subsided.

I bought a bunch of sweetpeas for Harriet as a thank you for being such a great support. I was looking for a butter dish but the shop was shut. Sweetpeas are for the interim.

Lathyrus

Pen and Watercolour

Tuesday, 25th June 2019 - Support Team

Harriet and Tom have been the greatest of support to me over what has been a very difficult few days.

Support Team

Pen and Watercolour

Monday, 24th June 2019 - Goodbye Mum

Today it was Mum's funeral.

A very sad day.

Goodbye Mum
Watercolour

Sunday, 23rd June 2019 - Celebration of Sales

Tom survived his 205 mile cycle with just a bit of damage to a knee. It is good to have hime home.

I have had charming last day of Open Studios. A couple of sales and lots of visitors that I shared coffee with in the garden,

Harriet and Brett gave me a bottle of my favorite wine. Not only was it Chapel Down Bacchus it was a sparkling one.

Celebration of Sales
Pen and Watercolour

Saturday, 22nd June 2019 - Pink Grass

Another early start. The world does look glorious at 5.30am but I am not keen to experience it very often.

I have just been reading an article whilst waiting for my art lovers. I always thought it was tiTbits. Alas it is tiDbits. I prefer my version.

The penultimate day of Open Studios. Thank you to all those delightful people who visited me and my paintings.

Tom is doing a bit of cycling today. It is an event called Chase the Sun. He sent me a text from the Isle of Sheppey just before he set off at 3.37am. He, along with a few others, has 205 miles to cycle and should be finishing at about 9.30pm in Somerset. I have been wondering about him all day. I just hope he doesn't do any permanent damage. Mad fools.

Pink Grass
Watercolour

Friday, 21st June 2019 - Arum or Canna?

It is the longest day of the year and blimey don't I know it. I am very tired.

I gave Tim a lift to the station at 5am this morning. He should be in Kansas City by now.

I would normally have had a nap but doing Open Studios prevented me from closing my eyes. It has been a great day for visitors and another couple of sales. Thank you to all you lovely lot who visited. Pippa dropped by. I have not seen her for ages. Life has got in the way. So good to see my brave friend.

Arum or Canna
Ink

Thursday, 20th June 2019 - Tavern Becomes Taverna

An early night rewarded me with a lesser cold/hayfever rummaging through my head.

What a glorious day I have had with Nick and Alli taking us to Faversham. The 'boys' toured the brewery. Alli and I had coffee in the sun and pondered the shops. There was a poet-in-residence in one shop who offered to immortalise us in words. She might have done after I purchased a birthday gift but we didn't enquire.

Nick suggested a pub for lunch. It has been updated since his last visit. No spit and sawdust any longer. Wine at lunchtime is such a good idea at the time. I came home and had to have a bit of a lie down. Thank you for our day out. 

Tavern Becomes Taverna

Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 19th June 2019 - Vicious Beauty

That was one incredible storm last night. Sheet lightening, rumbling thunder joined by a deluge of rain. I got my wish of watching from my bed. Apparently a number of people and children slept through it.

I have my new glasses on their way. it will be great to be able to see again. I was tested for vision-not so good, macular degeneration-none of that, glaucoma-perfect pressure and eye health revealing no cataracts yet, my optic nerve is fine and a bit of damage with wiggly veins from high blood pressure, and I am not diabetic. Now I have to wait a week and find out if Tim approves of my new style of glasses. He now tells me he wasn't too keen on my last pair.I thought the pink leopard spot was rather fetching. He waited five years to tell me.

So we are left with Boris, Jeremy, Michael and Sajid. I have nothing more to say.

I am sorry that Cocolicious in Cranbrook will not longer be Cocolicious from August. Sarah what are we to do?

Vicious Beauty
Pen and Watercolour

Tuesday, 18th June 2019 - Jackdaw

It is all change for my children. Harriet is now the proud owner of a new home and will be moving in as soon as it has a working kitchen. Tom is going through a tough time at work which is not good when you have a house to renovate.

Sarah came for coffee but forgot her puppy. We looked at the places in the garden where the trees used to be. Yes, there is quite a bit of work to do with our new space. How exciting.

I am going to bed in anticipation of a thunder storm. I love watching from the warmth of my bed. I just hope there is no damage.

I am getting replies to Mum's funeral notice. I am finding it difficult to cope with.

Jackdaw
Watercolour and Charcoal

Thursday, 13th June 2019 - A Graft of Tree Surgeons

We had five men felling our trees. I just had to spend some time watching them. Tim dragged me back inside to neglected guests at the breakfast table.

Over huge ring donuts and coffee the list of notifications for Mum's funeral were sorted. We were using Mum's address book which unveiled a few we might have otherwise missed.

A Graft of Tree Surgeons
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 12th June 2019 - Surgeons at The Holt

We have The Living Forest sorting out our overgrown garden. They are incredibly skilled and fascinating to watch. They have uncovered parts of the garden we didn't know we had. Now what to do with all this space? They are here all week. I am finding them very therapeutic.

Surgeons at The Holt
Watercolour

Tuesday, 11th June 2019 - Cornflowers from June

It has been a horrid day registering Mum's death. It was rather mechanical with the form filling and signing.

This evening we had a delightful time with Tony and Wendy at The Woodcock ...... but......the ......service.......was ........sooooooooo........slow.

Cornflowers from June
Watercolour

Monday, 10th June 2019 - Everlasting

The weather has been atrocious. Unrelenting rain with a touch of thunder and lighteneing.

It has not been the jolliest of days. Chris and I met with the funeral directors to discuss Mum's funeral arrangements. Did you know that hip replacements become part of ones estate after cremation? How weird it that? Alistair was great. Not sympering in the slightest. I avoided looking at Chris too much or I would have become incoherent which would not have helped the proceedings.

Tim and I had a lovely quiet evening eating stir fry and being intrigued by the new series of Killing Eve.

Everlasting
Pen and Watercolour

Sunday, 9th June 2019 - Sweet Herimone

There were fewer visitors to my Open Studios today. I sold some Morris men and a watercolour of Harriet and Herbie which I framed and displayed out of fondness not expecting it to be purchased.

We had a pastry, cider, beer and cherry lunch delivery from Sarah, Nigel and Bruff. It was sort of warm enough to eat outside. I was sorry to have missed the Biddenden Food Fayre but delighted to be able to sample the produce. Thank you.

This evening we had dinner at The Queens Inn. I was surprised at the large quantity of diners. I was annoyed at the cost of the Fever Tree Tonic. I should have asked for Schweppes. Funeral plans are not the best dinner conversations I have had.

I am feeling exhausted.

Sweet Herimone
Pen and Watercolour

Saturday, 8th June 2019 - Bowl of Beauty

I think I may have had a few too many glasses of prosecco last night. My head feels a bit odd.

It is the second day of my Open Studios. My guests were perfect in their timing for breakfast giving me plenty of time to get ready. Only a few minor additions today.

Tim was off Morris dancing at a trio of fetes. Shame the weather was so wild and windy.

I had many people come and see my work today. They were all delightful especially as they were so complimentary. It was rather an indulgence.

Tim returned with a bunch of peonies from Alli's garden. Thank you they are stunning.

June and Barry called in while I was cooking cauliflower cheese, They were as tired and hungry as we were after spending three days at The Wealden Times Fair. I am peeved I didn't get there this year. I have never put a saucepan of potatoes on the table for people to help themselves until today. It felt a bit naughty. They were Jersey Royals so there status made up for the lack of serving dish.

Happy Birthday to our Queen. She gets the chance of two birthdays a year. And why not? I would if I could.

Bowl of Beauty
Acrylic Ink

Friday 7th June 2019 - Homegrown by Wendy

I wasn't sure how today was going to pan out. I had guests and breakfasts and a room change and new guests arriving to fit around my Open Studios. Tim has done an amazing printing marathon. There are posters, signs, labels and brochures. The dining room walls are crammed with pictures and the table covered with my blog now printed and collated. Not a huge crowd but I sold three pictures to one couple. How great is that?!?

Tony and Wendy appeared at the back door with a stunning bouquet for losing Mum. Sounds like she just got mislaid somewhere. I wish she had.

The car was stacked with wine and glasses for the Weald of Kent Art Society summer party. Tim and I were running the bar and not just decided to take our own wine and glasses. I had a couple of hours of fun with my arty friends. I was occupied talking with LeeLee when I noticed it was past the allocated leaving time. Tim had cleared the bar and stacked it into the car. Time to go home.

Homegrown by Wendy
Watercolour

Thursday, 6th June 2019 - In Memory of Mum

Today I have been framing, collating, hanging and rehanging over 365 pictures in readiness for 11am tomorrow. I am not quite ready. Tim has been printing, making signs and posts, and generally being very patient with my demanding arty being.

I have the most gorgeous hydrangea from Nick and Alli. I saw it some time ago and always coveted it. Now I have my own in memory of Mum. Thank you it is beautiful.

In Memory of Mum
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 5th June 2019 - Devoid of Colour

I have been keeping myself busy getting ready for SEOS.

There is no colour in my day today.

I know, I know, it was the right time for Mum to die but it doesn't feel right to me. And I wish she was still here. I have not cried much. Normally tears come easily to me. They will in time but not yet. I am not ready yet.

Devoid of Colour
Pen and Watercolour

Tuesday, 4th June 2019 - Tears and Raindrops

Harriet found my glasses. They had been squished in the drive. I have a pair for driving on order in the short term. What a twerp. While out and about Harriet suggested we visited Mum. I didn't know it would be the last time I would see her.

Goodbye Mum......

Tear and Raindrops
Watercolour

Monday, 3rd June 2019 - Brief Grief

I HAVE LOST MY GLASSES!!!! I had them last night but don't think I had them this morning. Now I cannot drive. What a twit not having a spare pair. They must be somewhere in the house but WHERE????

Anyway back to Mum. Harriet, Herbie and I went to see her today. (No I wasn't driving so didn't have my glasses then) We spent three hours with her. She was attended by us or carers the whole time. I feel shattered. She was talking about some odd things amongst the lucid sections.  We gave her tea, yogurt, tea, water, some omelet and more tea. The duck that was nesting outside Mum's door had gone for a swim. We checked her eggs. They were a bit swishy when shaken. A decision was taken that after six weeks she needed to give up.The eggs exploded on contact with the ground under the hedge. They didn't half pong. Poor duck looked so sad when she came back to an empty nest and rummaged around for a bit before heading to the pond where she stayed.

I have two guests. One is 91 and the other 94. They are an inspiration. After a trip to Sissinghurst Gardens this morning they came back for a rest before spending the afternoon in the dining room doing crosswords and playing cards. Amazing.

WHERE ARE MY GLASSES?

Brief Grief
Pen and Watercolour

Sunday, 2nd June 2019 - Dogs, Cows and Oxen

I dropped in on Mum twice today. I thought she would like company. She doesn't stop talking. It doesn't matter if you are in the room or not. Nicer to have someone to talk to though isn't it? Worries from the past are entering her thoughts. Today it was flooding. She was always worried about the river or pond flooding her home in Winchelsea. Being given copious tea and yogurt is a favourite this morning and afternoon.

New guests have arrived from New Zealand. I look forward to some interesting stories at breakfast.

My trip to Mum's is frequently halted by workmen digging holes in the road. Today I stopped by a very pretty verge.

Dogs, Cows and Oxes
Watercolour
Mulberry Paper

Saturday, 1st June 2019 - Studying

I had a splendid chat with Mum. She was full of imaginations and seemed very concerned about a plug. She wanted to see her Mum. I told her had died over fifty years ago. She looked so upset. Was that the wrong thing to say? She was full of goofy smiles when talking about Herbie. She is enjoying the view of the garden and occasionally someone wanders past to make her view more entertaining. Tea, lipbalm and paracetamol are all she seems to need.

I have started framing my paintings for South East Open Studios. I should have done it ages ago but heyho it will get done if a bit frantically.

Bella and I were watching the bees pollinating the flowers.

Studying
Pen and Watercolour