Another beautiful day. Breezy - of course, but sunny and warmish. Though it rained in the evening and is still raining, but the garden and fields need it.
Sea still wild.
The Surfer was exiting the water. Had enough.
Metal detecting?
The Ocean Pioneer returns to harbour.
Lots of birds, including my favourite Oystercatchers.
Then home and starting the painting of the tulips. Me painting flowers?! Quite a large canvas required a large subject so - big blowsy tulips. Another two to fit in so there is an odd number, which is allegedly more pleasant to the eye than an even number. I know there are three there which is an odd number but there's still room for more.
Sith cat moving from the shade to the sun.
Tomorrow the DP is to go to the chemist and hopefully pick up the antibiotics and steroids. It is on my notes. Any problems I have had have been with this particular receptionist. As no-one has phoned from the surgery as she threatened I assume they ignored her as I try to.
The way I have felt today I have every hope I shall not need the drugs for a while. Fingers crossed. Toes and eyes too.
The DP is at his Photographic Society this evening. He has a full weekend too. Good for him to have a break.
Another windy day.
Not as strong as yesterday, bit warmer than yesterday too. But cloudy. So I walked.
The Gull Gang.
Abluting and playing in the surf.
It never ceases to amaze me that no matter how I feel once I have been to the Prom I feel so much better. Fresh air and fun!
Home for some bird watching. Male Yellowhammer.
Goldfinch.
The Shedudio's bird feeding station tree. We have peanuts, Nyger seed, Sunflower kernels and bird seed. Different kind of bird seed goes on the ground.
There are two other 'stations' one outside the kitchen window and one outside the dining room patio doors. We get much pleasure from watching the birds. We do a weekly bird count for the British Trust for Ornithology.
And a bit of painting. When the eyes are complete then I take more care as I feel I am being watched!
I have come to terms with my limited life, taking pleasure in the things that I do not have to do, does that make sense?
But there is always one task or another that I have to do. So I gird up my proverbial loins and phone the surgery. I am coming to the end of the antibiotics, last steroids this morning, and need to have them both in house ready for the next chest infection, while praying no more continuation for a while. Also if it does come back that will be at the weekend and so. .....
First I got , "You should have an appointment to see someone." Politely refused and explained no way was I coming into the surgery to pick up infections from a place crammed with them - colds, flu etc. So the receptionist said she would put it to the doctor and if there were any problems they would phone me. What problems? If I dont have the meds there will be problems.
So I took a breath and cracked open the wine. Another simple thing I enjoy.
A good start to the day but then it went down hill. Sunny morning, then the wind became stronger and stronger and as I went to the Prom the sun went behind a cloud.
Guess we are back to normal weather, well definitely today.
Being positive it was not cold. But the strong offshore wind was making the sand grains bounce off my face, not pleasant.
High tide was later today so really good to see all the Gulls.
I hold on to the things that give me pleasure. I always feel mentally and physically better after a visit to the Prom. My breathing is easier. And I can walk! The wind knocked me back but I did a bit.
The tulips I collected from the garden have opened up in the warmth of the Shedudio, outside they are more reserved. I think I might have a painting here.
Even though there are no feathers or a beak!
While I was deciding what to do, which painting to add to, I had a visitor. My framer came to call. We had a lot to catch up on. He has taken away my Pheasant painting to frame. One painting by a friend the DP has bought. Also a Photograph.
When my visitor left I realised I was struggling. I had been talking a lot. Had enjoyed the visit. But I was exhausted. How stupid is that. Downhill.
Life becomes more limited. Par for the course of this disease.
Hopefully back up the hill tomorrow.
Sunshine again. Warm too, though the wind is back. Sorry - breeze. Stiff breeze.
So I am getting better. Which is good. However as usual I then overdo things, or try to. I decided to sort out my wardrobe. After SIX attempts and sitting down in between and doing breathing exercise. I now have two bags for the charity shop and things hung in groups, like tops, bottoms, long things and even longer. Actually if I am really honest I did almost the same number of attempts yesterday to fill the first charity bag.... Oh and I now have all the empty hangers in the other wardrobe which houses the vacuum and the defunct, no longer use, ironing board.
So to the Prom.
Just how I like it - not many people.
Although the gulls were still out at sea.
Tide still its on way in, so in the next few days there should be more beach for the Sea birds to land on.
Two fishing boats away on the hunt.
The Kessock Burn not knowing which way to go due to all the banks of weed.
Back home. Enjoying the peace and birdsong. When the gardeners landed.
Two men went to mow and a strimmer strimming.
The first cut this year. What happened to a little off the top first? Completely shaved. I did get to warn the demon strimmer to stay away from the new hedge. Although whether it survives an occasional drowning by the DP and no rain otherwise we shall see.
Before the gardeners arrived I noticed our proper cherry trees as opposed to ornamental ones were finally coming in to bloom. Once the cherries appear its a race between us and the Blackbirds.
The DP will be out when its dark as there is the Lyrid Meteor shower due. Every year it happens. You will have to look it up. I have aching fingers now after such a long blog. Night.
SMILING
Smiling is infectious; you catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too.
I passed around the corner and someone saw me grin,
When he smiled, I realised, I’d passed it on to him!
I thought about that smile, then realised its worth,
A single smile, just like mine, could travel round the earth!
So if you feel a smile begin, don’t leave it undetected,
Let’s start an epidemic, quick and get the world infected!
Anon.
Attributed to Spike Milligan, but possibly written by another.
However. Smiling works! I smile at everyone, some look away. But if I see them again they smile first. Complete strangers beam back. Warms the soul to smile and be smiled at.
I don't always feel like smiling. Not when there are this amount of people to get round. But now I fix the smile and keep going.
Small boats and big boats entering the harbour.
Beach, that is not covered by the sea, filling up with people.
Back home and in the Shedudio Sith getting comfy on the Veranda .
I collected a tulip from each clump growing in the garden. Beautiful.
Started on my Niece's cat. Benny.
And look what is sitting in the rear field.
I am smiling - are you?!
