Making a creative space in my Scottish garden.

I am a creative person and I love to have a space which is conducive to creating. You all know we've moved recently and I have a new garden.
Well, I have this...

It's the ultimate in low maintenance gardens - and whilst it would suit some, it doesn't do anything for me. So I am going to change it. I thought too, that I would blog all the changes, so if you want, you can watch as I make a creative space. Like a very slow motion Ground Force, for those of you who remember the programme!

When we moved in, the removal men put a lot of Paul's wood store in that shed. That shed is rotten. I wanted it gone. The first thing therefore, was to make a new store for all Paul's woodturning pieces.
We decided it would have less impact up against the garage at the other end of the garden, especially if we painted it green.
The transformation of our 30x30 plot begins!
Wait! I hear you cry. 30 by 30 foot? Pat, that's tiny, compared to your old garden. That's true, it is. I'll let you in to a not-so-secret. I am getting older with every day. I have moved to a beautiful country. I don't want to be like so many of my older reflexology clients, who were tied to garden work all day because they still had their large gardens. I don't mind some garden work, but not at the expense of seeing this wonderful new country, Scotland. Its magnificence will be my wider garden - and no mowing involved. Why not keep the ultra low maintenance garden then? Because I still love to see plants and flowers and all gravel with no green doesn't do it for me. Are you ready now? Shall we begin?

The woodstore starts...

 The woodstore completed, inside all shelved out and containing Paul's wood.

Have you ever seen any of his turning? Here's a small example... my very own wand and wand stand...





























 
We'll go back to the garden. What does every garden need but a plan?
So, here is the plan, worked out on graph paper, so that everything will go in its place.

Plants have been ordered through J Parkers HERE
Some specimen pieces and rockery plants will come from Bridgend Garden Centre HERE
and if I happen to be in the supermarket and can't resist a special offer, I may pick up the odd piece too.
Mostly though, I am guided with my ordering and specimen plants as to what will grow in Scotland - and it is this book, Garden Plants for Scotland HERE, given to me as a present from my friend Lynne, that is invaluable in making good choices.

This is a long post, the next ones in this journey will be more pictorial. Will you join me for the transformation?

Moving the Goalposts

Back at Easter time, I sprained my ankle.
I went to the hospital, and had it x-rayed. Tendons and ligaments were torn, so I followed all the physio's advice on exercising, painkillers and walking.
Ankles are important, you see. They enable us to twist, turn, walk on uneven pavements. I wanted to make sure that I got it back to as near normal as it could be.

Firstly, I was told four weeks to mend. When I wasn't totally better, I went to see my doctor. Oh no, he said - Eight weeks to mend. Carry on with what you're doing. The goalposts moved.

So eight weeks passed and still my ankle isn't right. I went for a run and had to rest it for two days afterwards as the pain returned.
It swells after I walk for a mile or more. Not madly, just enough to know that it's painful and needs to be elevated.
I checked that too. Some ankle injuries take a year to totally rectify - and get this, some never do. Goalposts seem to have a mind of their own!

I'm not sure what's worse, being told a false expectation in the hope I won't take long to mend - or finding out that actually, it can take quite a while and my experience isn't unusual.

It seems that ankle injuries need massage as part of their rehab, too.
Well now, I can do that. The one thing I won't do though, is tell myself a time limit!

Relax, refresh... and find equilibrium.

'How do you relax?' is a question I'm often asked. 'After all, you can't do reflexology on yourself!'
Actually, yes I can - and I do. I am reasonably flexible, so I can cross one leg over the other and reach my soles. Reflexology is brilliant for refreshing one's sole - and other parts too!

However, it's not the only way I relax. I paint in watercolour,  write fiction and also meditate. All three take me away from the stresses of this world, which yes, of course, I encounter. These practices help me deal with them.


Meditation teaches me to take a step back, to watch my own thoughts and realise that they are indeed just that, thoughts. Be they good or bad, they will pass -  and thoughts do not define the real me. By taking a step back, I do get to see the wood for the trees - and that helps me to plan a strategy for coping with life's little surprises. Finding a way through the wood, past the trees, if you will.

Is there a way through? You betcha!

Painting allows me to create a world of my own.  I like to paint things which attract me, they are usually things that make me smile, and some are filled with light.

Delicious! I can taste it all over again.

Crystal glass, so enchanting. Chocolate and fruit too. It's all good!

In my fiction, again I create a world. It has twists and turns and the odd 'misguided' character; but on the whole, my world faces the sun, being bathed in light.

My own created world.

However, in all these things that I love, you'll notice that there is no balance. Everything I love is sedentary. Back in May, I wrote about finding the balance. So now there is activity. I walk my dog, and now that she is older and not able to do the long walks, I speed walk a minimum of a mile a day. (That's fast walking to me, not the type where you throw your hips out and walk heel to toe.) It is surprising how well that clears the cobwebs from your mind, especially when you do not allow any one type of thought sway. I've stopped and seen some beauty in my surroundings while this was happening.

You walk, I'll snooze!

Just waiting for me to discover

These are my way of relaxing, refreshing and restoring my own equilibrium. They are not the only way. You'll find ones specific to you. I'd love to hear all about them! 


Time - or more correctly, lack of time - is the reason I hear for most people not doing similar. The accountant in me says audit your time. Write down what you want to do, where your time goes and see where you can find the time to relax and refresh. Most of all, find the balance. Otherwise you may find yourself visiting me in a professional capacity. Which is quite a journey, for some of you!
That brings me to my last point: laughter. Humour. It neutralises a lot of angst. Make use of that fact. Laugh frequently.

Laugh. Got it!

Reflexology .... or something else entirely?

This morning on Twitter, a question was asked about reflexology.
Given that it has been around for so long and developed so much, should we change the name?

My personal opinion was that some people are barely aware of reflexology as it is - so I would prefer to see widespread recognition before a name change.
Of course, me being me, I did suggest an alternative based on Latin - pesalus.
Meaning: foot and health/well-being.

Why am I putting this in a blog post?
Because I'd like some opinions - have you heard of reflexology?
What does it mean to you, if you have heard of it?
I'm looking forward to reading your replies.

ART, and what it means to me.

So, when I say ART, I guess you all think of my paintings?

For me, ART has two meanings - and yes, painting is one of them.
The other one is Advanced Reflexology Training.
I first qualified in Advanced techniques, over ten years ago. I've found them incredibly useful, time and time again. I was fortunate enough to have been trained by the originator of the techniques, Tony Porter.
He has a website HERE .

So when I think of ART, I think of these wonderful reflexology techniques - and I also think of painting.

Both of these great loves of mine come together in this painting:
The Art of Reflexology

My free hour is coming to an end and I must away, to work.
If you get the chance, try a session of reflexology. If you want to try an advanced trained reflexologist, there's a register on Tony's site.

Short Stories, a review and a Summer Break

I was so busy yesterday that I never got a chance to blog!
This is because I've been doing two very important things.

Firstly, I've been working with my reflexology people in advance of my summer break. I get to spend the month of August with my hubby, because he's on leave from college, where he works as a lecturer. We spend the time doing couple things and enjoying each other's company. Mostly the computer stays off.

Secondly, I've been putting together a book of short stories!
I'm hoping to have it out before my novel All in the Leaves gets published.
The title of the book of shorts is 'At Sanctuary's Gate.'
I've had a few people reading, editing and reviewing for me - and I thank them for their time.
Author Amanda Martin (Baby Blues and Wedding Shoes, Dragon Wraiths) read them for me and gave me her thoughts:
"Evocative imagery, unusual viewpoints and heart warming tales, At Sanctuary's Gate has it all. Each story packs a punch in a short space of time and leaves you thinking."

Here's the cover image for you to enjoy. 

I may get a chance to visit here and there, if not, see you in Sept!

PS: You can find Amanda's blog here 
and her Twitter account HERE

Irish Eyes are smiling!

In my post 'Why I became a Reflexologist' HERE I said I wanted to help, to make a difference.

Yesterday one of my clients who had recently retired and is moving away brought me a rose to say thanks for the help I'd given him. I'd made a difference in his life. I was quite overcome.

The rose he brought is called 'Irish Eyes'.
Apparently it reminded him of me looking him over to check he was doing well.
For you see, I'm an Irish citizen as well as an English one. My dad was Irish from Wexford, born in the 20s and mum was English from Yorkshire.
So Irish Eyes as a rose, well, it means a lot to me.

The rose got planted last night - and it looked beautiful this morning. These Irish eyes are definitely smiling. Take a look yourself... 

Reflexology and Annie's Wax

I love reflexology and feel blessed to be able to work in this field.

Every now and then, I make a discovery which makes my work even more enjoyable. Annie's Wax is that discovery.

When I first trained to be a reflexologist, we were all taught the techniques using talcum powder, because that provided a good grip on the foot.

After a few years in practice, I noticed that I was more and more prone to dry hands and some eczema like blisters. My GP told me to stop using talcum and find something else. So I did. I experimented with all the big brand hand creams, until I found one that seemed to suit all my clients, provoking no allergies.

I quite happily used this hand cream for many years. Over a decade.

Until, quite by chance, I saw a lady on Twitter who had a product that she said was great for use in reflexology. Not only that, but at the time, she was offering a free sample. So I took the plunge and asked for a sample of Annie's Wax.

When it arrived – extremely promptly, I might add – I asked my ever suffering hubby to be the guinea pig.

When his feet were in front of me, I applied the wax (which is a blend of wax and oil) onto his right foot.

On his left, I applied my usual hand cream. This was my own effort at a trial, to test the product's suitability.

What I found surprised me. Not only did the wax provide grip without slip, it allowed me to make a deep contact easily, at first attempt.

The second surprise was my hubby. He piped up that his foot with the wax felt very warm and much more pleasant and comfortable than the one with the cream on. He asked would I please take the cream off his left foot and apply the wax instead. So I did and completed his session. Then I worked on my own feet using the wax and they too felt warm and much more comfortable than with the cream. The extra bonus was, because I never removed the wax, we both awoke the next day with noticeably softer feet.

I haven't gone back to the cream. I ordered two large tubs of the wax. Everyone who has had reflexology with me since has loved it.

If you wish to know more about Annie's Wax, take a look at her website HERE

Reflexology, Painting, Writing.

I'm a reflexologist, a painter and a writer.

My good friend Lynne recognises all three in these word clouds she made for me.

Reflexology

Painting

Writing

Aren't they fabulous? Did you notice that the writing word cloud relates to my first novel 'All in the Leaves'?
Progress is good on the editing, the process is a quarter of the way through.
We are expecting an end of year debut. I'll tell you more as the time nears.
Have a great weekend.

Word Cloud

I wanted to share this Reflexology Word Cloud with you.
My friend Lynne made it for me. Isn't it cool?

Balance

For the last few days, I've been considering my lifestyle.
All of my favourite pastimes are sedentary ones. I sit to paint, to write, to tweet and to blog. Then I also sit to work!

It was the forced inaction resulting from the sprained ankle that caused me to think. Nothing like having something denied, to make you want to do that very thing.

I'm an internet lover, enjoying the time when I use it to write, research and have fun tweeting and blogging. It can take an inordinate amount of time, though.
So I need to find balance and plan some outdoor and exercise time into each day. Otherwise I might miss the sunshine - when we have it - the beauty of flowers and the meeting of neighbours for an unscheduled chat. I'd also miss the undoubted physical benefits my body derives from movement.

My first book, All in the Leaves, was written in less than four months. I've now realised that was far too quick. It meant I sacrificed other things to complete it.
Book Two will be written at a slower pace and I'll take time to enjoy the journey more, raising my head from the keyboard at regular intervals to enjoy the view.

How do you find balance in your life?
Are you still working on it?

Nearly finished

Here's the last WIP photo of Robbie the dog.
After this will come the finished drawing, which I'll post over on my paintings blog - probably tomorrow :)

Hope you've enjoyed seeing the glimpse into my drawing style .
Now to get ready for my reflexology working day - hope you all have a good day, whatever you do!

A Sneak Peek

Would you like to have a sneak peek at my latest dog portrait?
This is one of the early stages of the work.

We're blessed today with a beautiful sunny day - and I'm not working at my reflexology practise today, either!
We'll be enjoying the sun in the garden, the summerhouse doors will be open, the painting &drawing table will be ready for me, when I tire of sitting in the sun, reading!
Hope you have a wonderful day, whatever you're doing :)

Garden Days

Yesterday I was in the garden, because we had the most beautiful sunny day.
I did my ankle exercises, gave myself a reflexology treatment and admired the beauty, which the sun had encouraged.
I couldn't help but take some pictures and its my pleasure to share them with you.

Bridal Wreath

Saxifrage

 

my mossy stone bench

Elephant Ears

Forget-me-not

I also did some more writing to my second novel  - but you don't want to see a photo of my netbook, do you?  Of course you don't - but the words are flowing nicely!

Innovation and another book cover

On Saturday, I watched a reflexology webinar on my computer.

What's a webinar? A web based seminar.
Instead of me travelling to the other end of the country for a reflexology training day, I could sit in the comfort of my own home, watching it live and interacting through a dedicated 'chat' box.

This is a marvellous innovation. It saved me driving for a few hundred miles and stopping overnight in a hotel.
Which means I've polluted the atmosphere less because I didn't use my car.
I also get the benefit of standing up to stretch, rather than sitting all day. I get to use my bathroom without missing great chunks of the lecture.
I even get to have lunch with hubby!
Are there any downsides? Of course. If you are doing a practical, its always helpful to have the lecturer there on the spot to put your hands in the correct position. But, I've been in practice for 16 years, so I should be able to see and understand hand placements.

The webinar lasted from 10am to 5pm, including breaks, so I wasn't really at the computer much for the rest of the weekend.

I did manage just the one book cover, which I did for my writing chum.
We met up at a local theatre for a chat over how we're progressing with our writing.
Here's the cover I designed for her. I hope this one too feels like you'd want to pick it up!

Website and writing

Most of you know me from my painting blog - but did you know I have a painting website?
It is a gallery site that shows all of my paintings.
I created it when we first moved into this house, some four years ago.
It has gallery sections for my dog paintings, my alphabet painting and my cowgirl paintings.
If you'd like to see it, the link is here


I also have a reflexology site.
Reflexology is my working life - and its this life which gives the time and ability to paint and to write.
If you'd like to see my reflexology site, its here

Yesterday I was reading some more of Mary Mackie's Creative Editing.
I want to finish the book and absorb the lessons before I start editing my novel.
However, its so difficult not to write, having got used to doing so daily - that a short story was on the cards. That has been completed and it will sit awhile in a drawer, before I look at it again and make any necessary changes.

Its a funny way of working, but apparently a good one, according to the writing tutor.  It makes you detach from the story and then see it clearly when you return to it.

Do you have any odd little rules for your work?
I'd love to hear them.

this painting 'Almost Home' you can find on my gallery site!

Why I became a reflexologist.

Why did I become a reflexologist?

Two years after we married, my darling hubby had an accident at work.
We saw a doctor then two consultants. The consultant in charge told my hubby  that his back injury was so severe he would be in a wheelchair within two years.
Rocked by this news - we were both under 30 - we tried other avenues, mainly manual therapies that included manipulation. We had limited improvement.

Hubs couldn't work, but I carried on working in management accounts at a magazine publishing firm. One day, one of the editors, the blessed Helen Gill, asked why I was looking sad and on hearing the news, she let me loose in the health book section of her stock cupboard.
There I found the book which would change our lives, literally.
Joseph Corvo's Backache Cure. It showed you how to do a form of reflexology in pictures. I tried it on my hubby. He only started to improve!
I thank God for Helen and for that book. For giving me the gift of understanding and doing.

I looked for further training and found it in the British School of Reflexology.
To take the course and an exam, I had to agree to do a minimum of sixty case studies. Even though I only wanted to help my hubby, I agreed.
Being ill takes a toll on carers, family and friends. We lost so many along the way, that I had no idea how I would meet this target.
Again, I asked at work and was thrilled to have so many volunteer "guinea pigs" that I actually completed approximately 500 case studies for the exam. 

There were two blessings to this.
Firstly for me, every one of these wonderful people knew the situation with my hubby  and they knew I was funding my own training from limited funds. Thanks to the wonderful Mary Bird, they all gave me a little something towards my course. I am grateful for them every day. I am blessed to have Mary still in my life.
Secondly, every one of them reported some benefit from the treatment and they gladly filled in a report form cataloguing their benefit.

Not all was sunny in the world of work, though. My accounts office had a new boss and he was vile. Rarely do I use such strong words, but that person deserves it. In his favour was he was vile to all he 'managed', so I knew it wasn't just me!

Hubby, my greatest supporter, encouraged me to leave the magazine publishing world and become self employed as a reflexologist.
It was scary, making that leap, but I've never regretted it.
My proudest moment was five years after hubby's initial diagnosis, when I watched him ride off on a new motorbike.
To this day,seventeen years later, he still walks. He walks Missy our rescue  jack russell dog, twice daily. He now works in a teaching capacity at the local college, where he changes lives, daily.
It wouldn't have happened without reflexology.
I could have stopped at helping hubby - that was my first idea, after all. But when I saw how it helped others too, there was no way I could just hang up my thumbs!

I count myself blessed, I've met some wonderful people, perhaps even the vile one was meant to be to push me towards this new career. Hubs and I have endured some pain and anguish and we've had some wonderful joyous moments and have come out of it stronger together.

That's why I became a reflexologist.  To help. To make a difference.

My reflexology site HERE