Pages

"She seemed to come suddenly upon happiness as if she had surprised a butterfly in the Winter woods"
(edith wharton)


Thursday 16 August 2007

piecing together the past

I was very close to my Pa, we had a real 'connected-ness'. I know I was his favourite grandchild. I wish he were still alive today, I am searching my memory of things he said about England.... but it is vague. There is so much I would ask him.... I would say 'Pa, what are the Tregilgas 'ways'..what is it that I do, that remind you of them?', "why did you give me a teaspoon of Cornwalls Malt extract every morning?", ' why did you have Pick-me-up sauce on the table every dinner time' and "pa, where do I get my love for Cornish pasties from?". I have lots to learn about Cornwall. how I wish my Pa was here to help me - even though he was born in Plymouth, Devon... he was a Cornish man - he was quite short, had very olive skin, people would often remark how unlike the usual 'english rose complexion' he was. Lucky for him, coming to Australia, with our hot, hot sun and high skin cancer risk... he would go as 'brown as a berry' in summer time.. I am lucky to have inherited his skin (and his shortness in height). He was wiry, or stocky in stature, much like a 'true cornish man', I am told. It seems that my mum takes after him - as my son said the other day: "Nan is a tough old chook". Yes, she is.. last night I went to visit her and here she is, sitting up in her chair, eating her dinner. She is in quite abit of pain which is to be expected but she is looking so much better. Her colour is really good and she looks alot younger. I said a big thankyou to the angels and faeries last night. Now all she needs to do is rest and mend.
This afternoon I have my first 'class' in the workshop - The Artists Way. I am looking forward to it actually.. it may just help me to get into the creating mindset again. During winter i tend to snuggle and read - spring and summer are the seasons when my creative spirit comes out to play. I am still reading Labyrinth and Daisy was indeed correct when she said it is a page turner. I sit engrossed for hours, reading. I just wish now, that I had taken alot more notice when I studied History in High School..

* above is the Brighid 'bride' doll that I made Ninnie to celebrate the sabbat of Imbolc...using vintage tuille for her dress, vintage tatted lace for her veil and a macadamia nut wrapped in a piece of vintage voile...to be hung at Imbolc to invite Brighid into the home which will bring blessings for the coming year. Of course Imbolc for Ninnie is not until February so there was plenty of time for the birdies to deliver the package!*
Ninnie has received the parcel - the birdies are flew all the way across the ocean right to Ninnie's door.. they said she enjoyed the chocolate very much. .. it is such fun thinking of bits to put in these sabbat packages


*~* I hope your day is filled with butterflies, magick, colour & fripperies! ~*~

15 comments:

Julie said...

Robyn,

So glad your mum is doing really well.

I saw the contents of your package on Ninnie's blog and told her she was a lucky girl.

I read "Labrynth" and really loved it but now I can't remember a lot about it, except of course, time travel, which I love. I think I'll have to go back and re-read it one of these days - once my book pile diminishes a bit.

Julie

Julie said...

By the way, I meant to add this: I wish I had recorded my Grandma Julia when she was talking about Norway. I only remember two stories now. Not long ago my cousin told me that Gram had once told him she could see 7 waterfalls from her Norwegian farm home. I was so jealous! She never told ME that!

Julie

Sweetpea said...

let me tell you no Cornish paty is ever as good as the ones you buy in Cornwall! You will find this in 2009!!! Absolutely delicious. Even around the rest of England they are good but not the same!
My Dad has a very olive skin tone which I have inherited- we don't get the summers though to show mine! It took Jamaica for mine to come out! Enjoy your class xxx

Sweetpea said...

pasty even lol not paty!

Anonymous said...

Wow I have missed so much. So glad to hear your mom is doing well. I love my doll and everything else that was in the package. Thank you so much for having the gift giving. Love Hugs and Blessings

Lisa Oceandreamer Swifka said...

Reading about your Mom actually gave me a warm feeling inside. I am so happy she's sitting up, eating and looking well!! I know what a relief it is to you and your family - tough old chook - we should all be that way!

I think there are definitely times for all of us in wishing to get a chance to talk to our grandparents. Find out more of our heritages.

I wanted to say I really liked how your book came out that is now going to Sweetpea. I know Daisy would have loved all your attention to each page!
Interesting that I feel I do more artistically in the fall/winter than I do in summer. Good luck with your class.
XOXOXO

A bird in the hand said...

That's terrific news about your mum. I'm glad the info about the Cathars helped. We learned about all that in school (especially as I went to French school), but all I could remember was their name and that they were considered heretics. I'm reading a book right now that I think you would enjoy: "The White Mare," by Jules Watson. The main character is a Celtic priestess/healer/seer.

xoxo

Rowan said...

I'm glad that your mum is doing so well, I thought she'd be OK once the post-operative stage had passed, that's never much fun. She'll be running round like a young hare soon.
Your description of your Pa sounds typical of a Celt, my gran and my dad had the same wiry build,swarthy skin and black hair but that is Welsh blood from my great gran.

Anonymous said...

Hi there,
Came by to check on your mom and you...So happy to hear your mom is sitting up. She has a wonderful spirit.

So nice you have a class to look forward to and will get those creative juices flowing again.

Sending hugs to both of you.
Connie

Peggy said...

We know where you get your strength and willpower. So glad your mum is doing so well. Glad you are feeling better. I love reading about your Pa. It brought back memories of my moms dad and the patience and love he had for me.

gma said...

Labrynthe is on my list of things to read. I read several books Daisy recommended. My favorite of those was Precious Bane by Mary Webb. Glad your Mum is recovering nicely.Hope you enjoyed AW class. I loved the book!!!

Tracy said...

Have fun at your class, Robyn!:)

Bimbimbie said...

If only we could time travel back with our questions. *!*

kansasrose said...

Good news about your mum! Enjoy your class...the doll for Ninnie is beautiful! What are Cornish patys? A meat pie? I love that description of your mum..."tough old chook". Have a delicious day! xxxooo

Tinker said...

The doll has such a sweet face, Robyn, she is so pretty - just right for Brigid and Imbolc, I think.

I'm glad your mom is recovering so well. I'm continuing to send healing thoughts and prayers her/your way! XOXO