At the end of
July local people organised a summer day fete on our common. It wasn't a
commercial affair, no burgers or ice creams, nothing to buy really, but
lots to do for families. There was pond dipping with the conservation
students, archery, guided walks, willow weaving, wood carving, just
country things.... Best of all were the three teams of heavy horses, who
turned the cut grass, stood to receive all compliments so graciously,
and were the stars of the day. Eight legs completely in harmony as they
cornered at the end of each row without any tangles too!
It
was a lovely day, so good to see people just sitting under the trees,
watching, chatting to their neighbours, playing with the children and
remembering childhood memories of the common. Max
and Jill ran a children's art competition and pictures were drawn of
the things they could see. It was simple celebration of our wonderful common.
It
seems more important than ever that we should celebrate the things we
are good at. Last weekend the Impish Quilters held an exhibition of
quilts they have made in the last few years. The display was the village
hall at Hackthorn, a beautiful setting with a duckpond, stables and and
pony gymkarna going on in the next field. The sun shone, the cakes were
amazing and we had 150 visitors . Outside the quilts fluttered in the
breeze and inside they hung from the big quilt stands made by Geoff. The
skill and talent of the makers was very apparent, quilts, cushions and
Amish dolls filled the hall in a riot of colour. Watch out for any local
quilt shows near you - they are always worth a visit! This a photo of
my friend Jill's quilt.
Families are
things to be treasured. But sometimes they get forgotten and time goes
by. Then maybe by chance you find them again. Everyone is looking a
little older and some are not always in the best of health. But they are
still loved, deserve care and attention, they may become good friends
with new children one day... So in the next few days I will be
attempting the first total body transplant for a member of our monkey
family..... he has a nasty case of stuffing disease! So now and again
look in your attic and just check that your own families of treasured
teddies are ok!
Families are
things to be treasured. But sometimes they get forgotten and time goes
by. Then maybe by chance you find them again. Everyone is looking a
little older and some are not always in the best of health. But they are
still loved, deserve care and attention, they may become good friends
with new children one day... So in the next few days I will be
attempting the first total body transplant for a member of our monkey
family..... he has a nasty case of stuffing disease! So now and again
look in your attic and just check that your own families of treasured
teddies are ok!
Janet has had a
spam e mail. It says she has 'numerous authentic admirers available'
and to send a cheque to get their addresses. But Janet says she bets
they won't be any good at doing the ironing, so doesn't think she will
bother. We wondered what they might look like, these admirers... tall,
dark haired, with a twinkling eye and a pencil line moustache, would
they Sweep Her Away on a cruise? We are sure they wouldn't be safe in
taxis, as granny used to say...So here is a vintage paper pattern for a
silk dressing gown for just such a man, so you will be able to spot an
admirer if you get a message like Janet...
Its good to
support your local shop. In Lincolnshire we have lots of farm shops.
This week I bought asparagus from a outside a backdoor, putting the
money in the honesty box, so much easier than the serve yourself machine
in the supermarket... no bossy voice... no unexpected item in the
bagging area either! Soon it will be strawberries in lovely recyclable
cardboard punnets, black currants, raspberries, and the jam cupboard
will be full. But recently I found a new place to buy eggs. From very
happy hens. Whose business was doing very well, earning lots of money
for new furnishings in the nest box.....Well you'd buy from them too
wouldn't you!
At the weekend
we went to Uppingham. For the quilt exhibition and the real ale, not
both at once... The quilts were displayed in the church and each pew had
a least three beautiful quilts draped on it. The colours were
fantastic. The level of skill was huge. I had a lovely time looking
round. But someone was outside, not invited in, but with a rainbow quilt
to snuggle under..... I thought you might like to see him... he was
standing outside the Goldmark gallery.
