It's always lovely to see members of the family and close friends.  I've done well this week, with visits on Wednesday (OH's family) and today (my family and friend)  Got a trifle nostalgic, for that and other reasons too.  Good memories are a blessing

Back in the 1980s there was this sci-fi series called Max Headroom.  I have always thought I would like to watch it again but it never came out on DVD.  A couple of days ago I discovered that the whole thing is on YouTube.  I love modern technology.

I've been trying to find a picture like the one I had on my bedroom wall when I was a child.  It was a lady in a crinoline watering some flowers, she and the flowers were scratched out off a pane of glass that was coloured black and her dress and the flowers were some sort of silvery paper behind the glass.  I gave up in the end.  This picture is one I did years ago, where you put down stripes of coloured and then cover them with black wax crayon and then scrape it off to make the picture.  I think the date on it is 1979 Anyway, the verse that went with the crinoline lady was
"The kiss of the sun for pardon
The song of the bird for mirth
One is nearer to God in a garden
Than any place else on earth"
I spent 3 hours yesterday looking at gardens.

I wake up to Radio 3 and this morning they played a Gilbert and Sullivan overture, which took me back to one of the happiest things in my childhood.  My dad was a leading light in the Amateur Operatic Society (more than one actually) and I used to sell programmes and then stand at the side and watch the show.  I would sometimes go with him to rehearsals as well.  And, of course, I got to go backstage and I was fascinated by the whole thing.  That's my dad right in the middle of the photo, I couldn't find a G&S so this is Die Fledermaus.

I  had a bit of time to play around on the PC so I "framed" one of my old watercolours.  I copied a postcard picture years ago and I like this painting because I feel it is restful and reminds me of the lovely times I have had in Paris

I took a photo of some may blossom as I went up to the post box yesterday and then did a bit of fiddling about with it.  The smell takes me back to the walk along the "cinder track" which was a short cut to primary school.  Not a walk I would allow a small child to do on their own these days, but things were different then.  I am tankful that God and my mother's prayers kept me safe. 

I have already spoken about my mum (it's Day 8 if you missed it) but as it was Mothering Sunday yesterday I'll give her another mention.  I always felt safe with her.  I hated having to go to school, knowing she was not at home but had gone out to work.  And I know I've said it before and, no doubt, I will say it again, but I give thanks to the good Lord every day that, although physically failing, she is still the person I know and have always loved.

Yesterday I spent some very quality time with a new friend and an old friend.  Well, when I say old, I mean in terms of how long we've been friends!  In the process I re-acquainted myself with bargello tapestry and found how relaxing it was.  Picture is of a cushion I did years and years (and years and years) ago.  I will be doing some more

When she's decided what colour she would like I am going to be making this for a friend.  I made it for her once before, about 40 years ago.  At the time I had a chair just like the one the model here is sitting in.  Memories that link the past to the present are very special.  Shared experiences that you can still look back to with the people that were there at the time