Writing with Soap in the Shower.

The best ideas come to me in the shower. My mind is on a pause and all the little searches I have launched during the last few hours suddenly get busy and bring me answers.

So I write myself notes on the shower walls. This may look like an utter failure when I go back later to see what I wrote but there is always a clue in there to help. Sometimes it is something to add to the grocery list. Sometimes an entire story line. Sometimes a location and sometimes a reminder to start another loaf of bread. Each of those little glass blocks has a thought in it.

They are almost all transferred into my notebook now. Safe. Just one more glass brick to decipher.

In the Barn

The calves are still deeply quiet. Posing perfectly for their photographs. Eating well and doing all the right things.

This rooster below can stay as long as he likes. He is very old. And has a broken wing. Not surprisingly he is called Old Broken Wing.

Usually he sleeps with the cows but since they have gone out into the back field with Tima he has been considering sleeping with Grumpy Wai and his cat.

There is a lot to do in the barn, every day I clean out a little more and bring it back to life.

In the Fields

In the Back Field the cows have taken to sleeping as close to Tima as they can. The big Charolais cross is literally sleeping across her doorway. He often sleeps lying flat out on his side which always scares me half to death.

Tima has been out grazing so I think she is over her fright.

Organic wheat. Growing slowly in this cold start to May.

In the News

Substack

Every Monday I publish a small piece of writing on Substack. You don’t have to sign up or subscribe (though you are welcome to), (there is a paid option too – these are the Thursday Group if you would like to support my writing) but no need for that yet – you can just follow this link and make a cup of tea and have a read.

Read about Mrs Van who was a huge influence on how I live my sustainable somewhat self sufficient life.

https://ceciliaatthekitchensgarden.substack.com/p/mrs-van-who-lived-down-the-road-had

Writing this was like visiting her again and she died years and years ago, just after Mum. So it was a real pleasure to write. I feel fuller after writing this. It felt like touching base – going home.

And just as importantly I am writing these snippets to IMPROVE my writing to a deadline so, as you read, if you are ever confused or feel you missed information – do tell me. I would appreciate that.

I am thinking of reading my blog as a podcast. Once a week. For the Thursday Group. What do you think about that? Starting right at the beginning. And reading a weeks worth – on a Thursday at Substack. Do you think that is nuts? We have until tomorrow to decide.

I only just thought of it and wow – it might be fun and sad and awesome and full of information – I could ad lib a bit. Think about it. Let me know. I think it would appeal to the Fellowship AND new readers.

While we are thinking I will go way back and read them to myself. See what I sound like.

In the Garden

Here is a shot from the South Porch of the robins nest. There are two robins feeding them. It is pretty cool to see. I need to work out how to tell a female robin from a male.

All Robins look the same to me at the moment.

South Porch Food in Pots

Not long now and I can start picking these leaves. When they are baby leaves I cut them with scissors. And I only cut exactly what i want to eat.

The Weather

Still chilly.

And I am still moaning about it. And today will stay cloudy with wind coming later.

Another good writing day! I better get the clothes out on the line before the wind comes up.

I promise when it is warmer I will get back out into the garden. (tomorrow)

I did pick a pound of asparagus yesterday, though!

Now, back to that glass brick – I think it says SALT – hmm – why would I write salt?

Celi