I have been a dutiful daughter for most of today.  It is a pleasure but boy oh boy am I tired now.  But, through the wonders of modern technology I have been able to settle down to St John Passion on BBC4 as I taped it.  Bliss.

Gaura in my garden

I have my feet up on the settee, the window is open and there is a lovely cool breeze blowing on my feet.  Don't think I will be moving any time soon.

One of the most sublime pieces of music I know, and what I woke up to on Radio 3 this morning. 
CLICK HERE
It's only 3 minutes

Today I am showing you a collage, or mosaic, or whatever you want to call it, celebrating the diversity of nature, demonstrated by a single animal, in this case, the sheep.  You are right, I was struggling for inspiration today!

OK, settle down, this one is a bit serious.  I spent the last 10 days thinking that there might be something seriously wrong with my health.  If you read yesterday's post then you will know it was a false alarm.  I found a lump.  There was a perfectly healthy explanation for it.
Most of those 10 days I didn't actually think that much about it but having, not long before, had a long conversation with someone who has only been given months to live, I did wonder how I would react if the news was bad.  The first blessing from all this is that I do think one feels God very close at times like these.  (The picture is the Town Steps in Aldeburgh, put through a FotoSketcher program but I chose it for the light and dark sides of the way)  If you have a faith then problems and troubles can make you feel closer to Him.  He never goes away, of course, but your connection to Him can become stronger.  That's certainly how it was for me.  And I even started thinking about how, having cancer, might give me some really good opportunities for witness.  And then, when I knew I hadn't got it, I realised that the opportunities were still there, just different ones.

I had a bit of a health scare 10 days ago, but today found out there was nothing wrong

After 2 days of doing quite a lot, I ran out of steam today so have been mostly resting. I am so grateful that I don't have to push myself too much when this happens now, I get over it so much more quickly

Just some pretty flowers from a couple of years ago today.  My garden is looking quite good and I nearly finished cutting the grass yesterday.  And I made two cakes and finished making a pair of pyjama trousers. And I went shopping and did some ironing and it was a 2 day of my 5:2 diet. I know many of you will say "so what, normal sort of day" but those who know me will understand why getting so much ( for me ) done was a blessing.

I always feel stupidly pleased with myself when I manage to take on technology and win!  Yesterday evening I sat down, determined to find out if I could get the mp3 files that I have on the amazon cloud onto my generic mp3 player.  It took a bit of working out because the player came with no proper instructions, but I did it.  I am now about to see if I can get iTunes on it as well. Wish me luck!
It worked, even tho' they weren't mp3 files. Hurrah!

It would be exceptionally unfair of me to inflict a photo of my wonky teeth on you all without "enhancing" it in some way.  I went to the dentist. Nothing needs doing and they are now shiny and sparkly clean

I have been trying to come up with some clever abstract allegorical picture for this post. I've given up, have some flowers instead.  I am feeling a bit soppy actually, so forgive me if I am being a bit sentimental today but I have really had it brought home to me that, while it is lovely to have friends who are there when you need them, it is really special when you realise that they need you too.

I experienced a somewhat surprising and wonderful few minutes of mutual sharing of faith and the love of God with a Muslim and a Hindu yesterday.  At the same time.

Today I saved a ladybird from certain death and it threw itself into the wash basin and landed upside down in the water.  And it was a good old British ladybird.  Picture courtesy of PrintArtist as I have to rush out

I am so glad I don't belong to the rat race any more - having a lie in

Sometimes things happen that make me reassess my whole perspective on life. Like what is really important and what is not.  I get it right for a little while

The World Cup is over

And the vote.....
Bishops. For. 37.
 Against. 2. 
 Abstain. 1

Clergy. For. 162. Against. 25. 
 Abstain. 4

Laity. For. 152. 
 Against. 45. 
 Abstain. 5

Passed by two-thirds in all three houses
Subject to parliamentary approval and Royal Assent the Church of England may put forward the names of women to The Crown Nominations Commission for their election as bishops.
Laus Deo

Nice quiet service this morning

I've been so busy getting on with the things I wanted to get on with that I nearly forgot to post!

I was in the right place at the right time yesterday, to give some help to someone in distress.

Today I shall be having a lazy day

I am not going to worry about the tidying up etc that I didn't do and I will concentrate of being a good host and pretend I haven't noticed the dust.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
DEAR MEEEEEE-EEEEE
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

It was my privilege to take the morning service at Alan Road Methodist Church yesterday.  I was more worried about it than usual as I had been really struggling with the sermon preparation but it turned out a lot better than I thought it would.  I should be more trusting. Thank you Lord.

Sometimes, everything's just fine for no particular reason

I sat in the garden with a friend on Wednesday, under a rather Heath Robinson set up to give us some shade, so I ordered a couple of new parasols.  They arrived today.  But the rain is good for the garden!

I have recently been plagued by little bitey things that leave me with big red itchy lumps that last for weeks.  It happened last year as well so yesterday I actually remembered to put on the Citronella and I think it has worked. 

 When life gives you lemons make insect repellent!

I had five chores on my to do list yesterday and I did six of them


And this blog is now past the half way mark and I'm still here!

Being timid like a little mouse is not an option when it comes to talking about my faith, but it isn't easy.  I had and took an opportunity yesterday and thank God for giving me the right words.  Maybe a seed was sewn.