Train Journey in Winter

Train Journey in Winter.

Devon's red earth muted by winter light to a pale russet.

Farms and barns are folded into the undulating land

while deer stand peaceful under the denuded dripping  trees.

Meditating on the end of dormant winter

their soft eyes gaze far into the distancce

and the rushing train leaves them behind.

Forlorn dull leaves cling pointlesly to sleeping trees,

a buzzard perches on a naked branch,his eyes sharp as scissors.

Churches,those ancient sentinels,sit solidly on higher ground,

begging for forgiveness their leaden crosses reach upward.

In never ending supplication, they stand

flagellated by wind and rain and neglect.

Beside the sea so close to crashing waves,the train speeds forward.

Daring the wild ocean to interfere with its destination,Paddington at three.

Along the strand a woman strides wrapped in a  green cloak,her red hair free.

Miraculously our yes meet, I raise my hand and wave and so does she.

We try to hold eachothers gaze but the moment passess.

I strain my neck to watch as wind and spray turn the red hair to seaweed 

Copy right Angela Bell 2018

I found some notes I had made on my last winter trip to see mum and the muse took over.Hope you like it.It is true !

Some days you can just get lost in making!

I have stopped thinking about the present political climate for a whole day and made some pretty little things. The urge to forget all headlines and household duties came upon me at the sight of some winter sun and a bit of dry cold.

My sewing room is the warmest in the house and in it I am surrounded by all the boxes of ribbons,lace , felt ,fabrics and bits and pieces I have collected. It is shameless in its magnificent prettiness!

I have often wondered why I am ashamed of my penchant for for prettiness,  it is not that I hide behind it, I am fully aware of the importance of  grittiness and realism.

A little balm for the Trump ,Brexit battered  heart is what I needed!

Perhaps  a Valentine for someone cute

I have made some cards and some gift tags with a mixture of recycled paper ,pressed flowers . buttons,lace and textiles.

I think I will start to collect flowers and foliage this year and press more of my own for craft work.

This card is embellished with antique lace bits and recycled Victorian shirt buttons.

The ties are made from organic hemp string which I bought in Totnes Market a few years ago. ltogether this little project has been soul food.

Love Hate Relationship

Love Hate Relationship

Well most of this afternoon has been taken trying change passwords,get into Bright Star ,delete some illegal thing that my clever grandson seems to have set up unknown to me!

The computer can can be so great but when you are not that good at com speak it can almost cause violent action AAAAArrrg.

Rushed into the garden and the flowers just up saved my sanity!

This is the star of 2018 and what a lot of crap we have to deal with,no amount of beauty and delight can placate me when I see Trump and the idiosy of Brexit .We have to do something about the rise of the far right in Europe and elsewhere or I think that we are entering a new Dark Age.Nothing will ever be perfect or stay the same but we have to move to a more sensible and caring way or we shall not survive and we shall ruin the following generations right to a decent life. We must challenge all vile and hateful attempts to dehumanize our lives and those of others everywhere.Oh there she goes again Mad Angela but I will not sanction the disgusting attitudes that are running amok across society in this or other countries. What a rant eh? I could go on but I would like you to stay with me for some other stuff.

Adoring an olive tree in Oxford.

We visited Oxford and Kelmscott Manor this autumn and seeing the Ashmoleum and Buscot Park too was inspiring. How we need people like William Morris to show a better way.

Must keep a sense of humour too,saw this on the way back!!