Sun and Memories

Wonderful weather we're having here in the UK. It even influenced my paintings, as you can see HERE

Spare a thought for those who suffer with hayfever - because the pollen is meant to be very high.
I remember when I took my end of year exams, I was allowed to take in a box of tissues, I sneezed so much! Thankfully, I seem to have grown out of the awful hayfever symptoms. Now and then I'll get the itchy eyes, as if it wants to remind me that it could make its presence felt again, should it care to.

Hayfever had me reminiscing - what else have I grown out of?
One springs to mind, my favourite polka dot dress! It was white with red dots. How I used to love twirling as a five year old in that dress, with my long blonde hair flying out too. The movement entranced me. Even now, a swishy skirt will make me smile and take me back to more innocent, joyful times.

Do you have something simple that makes you smile? Would love to hear about it!

Of course, if I'd had this blog post planned, I could have drawn a lovely pic of a girl in a floaty polka dot dress with blonde hair flying. But planned it was not - so no related painting. Instead, you can have a lovely flower from my garden.
Another simple pleasure which make me smile - flowers! No wonder I like to paint them.

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?

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!