A Helping Hand

Husband has decided to help me lose weight.
He regulates my food portion size as I had said I didn't want to diet, just eat less.
He has bought me a second hand rowing machine. 
He steers me away from his stash of beers and points to the water tap.
He smiles lovingly, says "well done" and pinches my fat cheeks.


Husband is a skinny beanpole who loves food and beer but refuses to exercise.


But now I think of it, he probably eats less than me and he works very hard about the home and workplace. That's a lot of exercise. Granted, he likes his beer and has a small beer belly to prove it but he could probably get rid of that in no time at all.


So I have to do my bit. Husband really does care and wants to help. So I will exercise more and eat less. I will drink herbal teas and steal only small amounts of beer. The day will come when these cheeks are un-pinchable. Thanks hubby. Love you.

Healing water

I had a comforting dream the other night.
I dreamt that I had some important news to share with my friend, Sam.
We were walking in some wooded countryside on a warm, sunny day. The birds were singing, colours were vivid and it was very peaceful.
As we approached a wide stream that babbled happily along, I asked Sam to remove her shoes which she did at once. The woods had receded and the sun was shining brightly on the water. We waded into the stream which sang and skipped about us. 
It was time to tell Sam about the tragedy that had befallen us. Although not too wide, the stream stretched as far as the eye could see to the right and to the left. I quickly outlined the facts but was desperate to to explain the baby's final journey. I looked to my right and pointed upstream.
"This is our place. We put baby into his crib and gently pushed it into the flow of water. He came floating down toward us." As I was telling Sam, I could picture the fine details. My daughter and her partner were standing on the bank further up but beginning to walk down towards us. Baby's siblings were playing on the bank behind me.
" As he drew level, we had the most amazing feeling of peace." This last act of devotion to our small boy was absolutely the right thing to do. I could sense that he, too, was experiencing well-being and the fiercest, deepest kind of love from our communal heart.
Then came the strangest urge to plunge into the water to be with him. The children were jumping in and splashing around happily, calling to their youngest brother and wishing him love forever from them, making it alright for him to continue on his journey as he would never be alone. Then I was in the water, too, and I felt up-lifted, calm and serene. It was the most exquisite place to be; a place of knowing. I looked around and we were all in the water, all smiling, all with a deeper understanding, all of us linked forever to this moment in time.
Then he had drifted past us, effortlessly gliding toward his future; our future, and we waved him on, safe and sound once more. 
Even though I knew this was a dream, I was so pleased to be able to share this experience with my friend...and when I see her tomorrow, I shall tell her.


The meaning of the dream is fairly obvious. It's an acceptance of the grief of bereavement and the acknowledgement of the loving family unit. The dream incorporated the past, present and future with the stream. A running river symbolizes moving toward a goal. The water was clear and gentle. Water also depicts spirituality which enfolded us all; allowing the strong emotion and healing power of our love to work as one force and heal us all.
As for having Sam in the dream, I think it's because she is going through her own private trauma just now and she needs to know that she'll come through it with the help of family and friends.

Bits of my bike. Photos by Pixie.

For Pixie

For Pixie Moongazer,

I've been in my garden and I've been planting for our spirit family. I'll tell you what, my garden is going to be beautiful thanks to mum and dad, my miscarried child, your miscarried child and your beloved son; my grandchild. Then I thought, there were probably others. You thought so, so did I, so I did a bit more gardening in honour of all the babies we should have had. Then I thought, there are still more beautiful energies out there that haven't been recognized, that haven't been acknowledged by their families here on Earth. So we need to adopt them, too.

So now I'm scratching my head trying to think how I can include these spirits in my garden. The answer will come to me. But you may have to help.

So far, we have created a small wildlife garden, a sanctuary for small creatures. No lions or tigers here but it is a natural habitat for frogs, newts, birds, butterflies and bees. There are two small ponds, tree roots and stumps, rocks, shrubs, trees, fruits, herbs, grasses and many different types of ivy disguising fences and empty corners. There is a plaque of the Green Man overlooking his kingdom, and a silver birch adds a feminine touch. She is said to be a tree spirit encouraging wood nymphs into the garden.

Wind chimes add their different tones and charms when the wind plays her music. Wood, stone and colour enhance   the natural beauty of our small nature reserve. I have planted spring and summer flowering bulbs in honour of my parents, poppies, sweet peas and giant sunflowers for the children. There are irises in the pond, my favourite flower, to show respect to the goddess Iris; the keeper of the rainbow; our sacred place for our spirit children.

There is now a place for each of us to sit and marvel at Mother Nature's astounding accomplishments, and to, hopefully, find some peace.

The pagan way of life has begun to really influence how I feel. Maybe it's just that I have truly accepted the wonders and magick that wind their way through our distorted view of reality and save us from believing that this is all there is. Oh! There is so much more. It is there for us, our earthly children and our spirit family to use and enjoy. We must seek it out.

You have completed the worst year of your life, my sweet, beautiful daughter. Happiness lies ahead. Trust your instincts always. You will discover yourself, your spirituality, your healing and psychic powers. You will find a place of realization and joy and knowledge. 

I'm sending you all my maternal and spiritual love, just as you give to others. So mote it be. XXXXXXXXX

Six Go Biking

Yesterday, hubby and I took a rare day off work together. Our first this year so far. Our intention was to go on a bike ride with daughter and a friend, (both on L-plates). We had a route planned, lots of twisty roads, scenery and fun. However, friend cried off at the last minute so we went along to meet up with daughter for a good day out. Daughter had, meanwhile, been on the phone to mutual friends and six of us took to the beautiful Derbyshire countryside.
What a fabulous day we had. We got wet, blown around, cold, but nothing could dampen my spirits. Daughter is a minx on her little bike and led all the bigger bikes on a fair old trek over the hills and far away.
It was a delightful day with friends we don't normally ride with, much laughter and a much-needed blast to a bit of happiness.
Thank you Pixie, so very much. XXXX

Follow me, follow

I think I've lost a bit of weight,  

I really need some scales.

I got into a rare old state

As big as hump-backed whales.

I was a hippopotamus;

So large and fat and strong,

But then I realized the fuss

Was that my life was wrong.

So now I try and walk a bit

And drink the H2O,

I'm slowly getting much more fit

And shapely, don't you know!

My smile is broad and sunny

And my mind is sharper, too,

I'm a happy little bunny,

Not a hippo or a moo.

So when my clothes drop off me

And crumple on the ground,

I'll dance around in naked glee;

And be slim instead of round.

Day off coming up

We've been so busy over the past few days. We seem to have fed the whole of South Yorkshire as well as those that have ventured into it.
When we haven't been feeding people, we've been attending to some serious maintenance work, and it is looking wonderful. What a talented husband I have. My lion-hearted Scot has applied creativeness and natural ability with a touch of genius. We have new counters, shelves and inventive gadgets. The cafe is clean, bright and hygienic.....and now so easy to keep that way. I love the extra space!

Hubby and friend have gone off on a bike rally leaving me to hold the fort tomorrow. But we'll be riding out together on Bank Holiday Monday when we take a rare day off. Can't wait! 
I'll post some photos of the interior when it's all finished and ship-shape. These two photos are from our mods and rocker charity event in July 2011.