July … what does it mean to you ?
For me it’s the start of a long hot summer [hopefully] alfresco ‘everything’ in the garden , weekends away, my best friends birthday.
It is also a painful reminder that in just a few days time, 2 years ago , my mum and best friend died.
July 10th at 3.40pm in palliative care with Dad & I sat by her bedside.
I’ll not lie I’m in a weird-ass mood
A few weeks ago I was invited to Grimm & Co. I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. I knew that it was a charity helping children between the ages of 7 to 18 unleash their imaginations and encourage them to write by way of story-making and writing workshops . That alone sold it to me.
So Sue [ my plus one ] and I made our short way across the border to Rotherham to discover the wonder that is Grimm & Co.
It sits on the corner of Doncaster Gate , a grand brick building, the window display itself is enough to lure you in.
In it’s own words it is …
An apothecary to the Magical, selling wild schemes, evil plots, charms , curses and kitchenware, including ‘giant belly button cleaners’ for removing pesky stray chickens and ‘suspension of disbelief’ [a bestseller amongst fairies] However for the children and young people of Yorkshire there’s the added pinch of fantastical behind the secret door.
An imaginative space and community that supports and inspires young people to write. To champion the writer in every child.
They aim to build the capacity of children and young people to discover and unleash their individual talents, building self esteem and recognition of their individuality and potential.
Using storytelling they aim to give every child, from every background a voice.
“The Church is not an automobile showroom – a place to put ourselves on display so that others can admire our spirituality, capacity, or prosperity. It is more like a service center, where vehicles in need of repair come for maintenance and rehabilitation ” Dieter F Utchtdorf
Every time I venture to a new place one of the first things I do is seek out the local church
It’s something I’ve always done … ever since I was a little kid with dirty finger nails and scuffed knees . It was my thing.
I was always in awe of their grandeur and beauty. I explored churches and marked toilets out of 10. Anything that scored under a 7 and my mum would steer clear. I guess I came in useful for somethings Continue reading
[Contains gifted items and affiliated links marked *]
We’ve given our bathroom a little make-over and today I thought I’d introduce you.
I say ‘we’ … to be honest apart from complain about the dust , make tea and choose the fabulous toilet seat I didn’t actually do that much . That was all down to my brother and boyfriend who designed and fitted it using [mostly] bits of stuff we had laying around the house / in the metal factory.
I also thought I would incorporate a what’s on my bathroom shelves , so you can have a nosey at the products I use on a regular basis…
So what do you think?
Before mum died … seems like a life-time away, it also feels like yesterday.
Before mum died … I seemingly didn’t have a care in the world. I probably did but It just felt like I laughed constantly [especially with my mum] my world was good.
I was the girl up for anything. If you told me I couldn’t or shouldn’t do it then you can guarantee I would probably try . I’d then run back to my mum and tell her all-about it. She’d shake her head while we sat laughing uncontrollably. I loved that. I loved sharing stuff with her. She would pretend to be shocked [at some things ] but believe me my mum was a little minx, an instigator and terribly encouragable.
For example my mum found this story particularly funny … [and ‘Tracey does Kavos‘ which despite being hilarious & very, very innocent I promised I’d never talk about .My mum was worried people would get the wrong impression . If I ever write my memoirs it’ll be in there for sure…] Continue reading
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LETTERS FROM MUM
“I trace the line of each letter with my finger…
Absorbing every single word
I Imagine your face as you wrote each one; no doubt giggling at your own jokes
I smile … but at the same time a wave of heavy, sadness engulfs me and I can’t stop the tears.
Happy tears, sad tears , innocent tears for a time when I naively thought you’d be around forever .
I smell the paper; I’m disappointed that it doesn’t smell of you … year’s stored safely away in a Cigarette box has put pay to that.
I hold the letters against my heart and imagine that you are holding me
A part of you is etched on those precious pieces of paper. Conversations that can’t be erased . Words forever embedded in my heart “
I wrote this poem after I was approached by the lovely Emma from Inscripture to see whether I would like to collaborate with them and choose a piece of their beautiful jewellery.
After looking into the company I couldn’t say no.
It’s no ordinary jewellery … they take special words from letters, cards etc and engrave them onto jewellery – ‘You live the moments, we create the memories’
It is a beautiful concept and something that would make a special keepsake / gift.