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'The Company', art, Deer, Diary, drama, gardening, health, home improvements, Jane Austen, London, moles, Rain, Sense and Sensibility, snow, snowdrops, Suffolk, the Gospel of Mark, violets, weather, wildlife
This will be a post full of bits and pieces of news; just a catch-up post on the things we have been up to during the past month or so. I apologise for the length of the post – feel free to skip past as much as you like!
We began January with heavy rain, as I mentioned in a former post, but the high waters gradually receded despite lots more rain during the month and we are now left with a few waterlogged fields, lots of full ditches and ponds and plenty of mud. A storm in the middle of the month left us without power for fifteen and a half hours but we suffered no damage to our house and out-buildings for which we are very thankful. We have had a little sunshine, some mild, wet and windy weather and a few colder spells too. Very changeable weather. This week has been cold with some snow showers. The following photos were taken on Tuesday at sunset on our way home from Norwich.
My mother had another fault on her phone-line and we spent some few days trying to get it repaired – again.
Elinor’s lap-top developed a fault and had to be repaired. She doesn’t like to be without it as she finds her phone inadequate for some of the things she likes to do on-line. She borrowed my lap-top.
We now have Super-Fast Broadband – except it isn’t really super-fast but faster than it was, which is quite satisfactory. The downside is we have a new thick cable attached to the house right next to our bedroom window which loops over our front garden to the pole in the lane. We think it is dangling just a little too much and in the summer when it expands it may be low enough to snag the roofs of delivery vans. Trying to get someone back to deal with this may prove difficult.
We have had some gates fitted at the end of our driveway, which look fine.
We are arranging for the old conservatory (which we cannot use) to be knocked down and a new one put in its place. This will be a very messy job and will take a few weeks to get done but we hope when it’s finished we will have a room which we will be able to use all year round. One which isn’t too cold in winter, too hot in summer, doesn’t leak when it rains or drip condensation when it’s cold. I need to move quite a few plants away from the flowerbed outside the conservatory and find a place to keep them while the work proceeds. We will also need to find somewhere to store all the furniture in the living room for the duration!
We have all had the usual visits to the dentist, doctor and hospital. I was particularly pleased with my appointment at the Rheumatology Clinic. I have been in remission for some while and my blood-test results have been good. Because of this, I have been told I can stop taking one of my tablets. I have been taking this one for eighteen years and it is thought I don’t need it any more. It is also a tablet that can cause irreparable damage to the eyes and the longer it is taken the more likely it is that damage will occur. I wonder how long I would have been left taking this medication if my blood-test results hadn’t been so good? So far, after over three weeks without them I have noticed no return of pain and I feel fine! If I remain in remission for another year I have been told I may be able to reduce the dosage of the medication I inject myself with each week. I would love to be able to do that!
Gardening can be quite difficult in the countryside as we humans are not the only ones who like flowers and shrubs. Most of our visiting wildlife love them too – as food. My favourite miniature iris started blooming at the end of January but the deer found them and have eaten all the flowers. A few of my other plants have been pruned severely by the deer and pecked by the pheasants. The only answer is to cover everything with chicken wire which isn’t attractive and it’s such a bother to have to remove it each time I wish to work on a flowerbed and then remember to put it back again afterwards! Despite my grumbling, I do feel lucky to live here and to be able to see all the wild creatures that visit us. Gardening on a plot surrounded by fields is different from gardening in a town or village. It is impossible to keep wildlife, including weeds like brambles, nettles and thistles, out of the garden. We have to be more relaxed in our attitude but it is hard not to be disappointed when a flower that is looked forward to for eleven months is eaten before it blooms! Before Christmas I was looking out of the window at dawn and saw a family of Muntjac deer in the garden a few metres away from me. A female, a male and a tiny spotted-backed fawn about the size of a large cat. The baby kept racing about and bouncing on all four legs at once. As soon as it got near enough to her, the female proceeded to wash him which he tolerated for a while and then ran off again!
We all spent a day in London on the 25th January but I took no photographs. It was a day for visiting bookshops as a treat for Elinor; she had recently celebrated her 21st birthday. We had lunch in an Italian restaurant in Shaftesbury Avenue and when we had had enough of books we wandered down through Trafalgar Square to the Embankment to see how many monuments and statues we could see before catching the tube from Embankment Station back to Liverpool Street Station. We were very fortunate with the weather which though cold, was dry and sunny. All our trains ran to time and we had a wonderful day.
Richard and I have taken a short walk near home recently and all three of us have been to Minsmere for a walk. I will post about these later.
Richard and I went with friends to see a one-man performance of St Mark’s Gospel in Wangford Church last Saturday evening. The church was freezing cold, probably because it had had extensive building work done to it and the people from the village had only just finished the clean up that afternoon! The performance was absolutely brilliant! St Mark’s Gospel is the shortest of the gospels and was written at speed. It is said that Mark recorded Jesus’ life using Saint Peter’s recollections of Him. It was performed by Ian Birkinshaw who was the narrator but he also acted all the characters in the gospel. He had minimal props and costume accessories and I was very impressed by the way he used them. For example, he was wearing a keffiyeh which one minute was round his neck, then with a little folding looked like a child in his arms and then a baby which he held over his shoulder. Ian Birkinshaw’s performance conveyed the excitement about Jesus that is evident in the Gospel and his energetic recital which lasted over two hours was very impressive. I cannot recommend this performance highly enough. Here is his wordpress site.
As I have mentioned recently, Elinor, my younger daughter has been attending art classes in Norwich since September and has been enjoying them. She has shown great improvement in her work and has become much more confident; she is managing her anxiety a little better. She had been very disappointed last year when she failed to get onto a course which would have given her a qualification which she needs to get into art college. She applied to a different college to have an interview for the same course and this time she was successful. She will be starting college in September but instead of Norwich her new college is in Great Yarmouth on the coast.
Here are four examples of the work she has been producing recently. Each of these pieces were completed in two and a half hours.
My elder daughter, Alice belongs to a couple of drama groups in Sheffield where she lives and works. Next week, one of the groups – The Company – will be staging a dramatisation of Jane Austen’s ‘Sense and Sensibility’. Alice is playing the part of Mrs. Palmer. The drama group has produced a few vignettes to celebrate St Valentine’s Day and the opening of the play next Wednesday. I think you may be amused by the following, in which Mr and Mrs Palmer have been asked questions about their relationship. Alice tells me that they were given the questions and were asked to improvise the answers in character.
The Company have posted a number of these on their Facebook page and they are all amusing. I particularly enjoyed Edward Ferrars’ contribution!
If any of you are in Sheffield next week I would heartily recommend you going along to see the play at the University of Sheffield’s Drama Studio in Glossop Road. The performances are at 7.30pm Wednesday to Saturday. Tickets can be bought on-line on the link I have provided or on the door.
Thanks for visiting!
avian101 said:
Your daughter the artist is very good. She has the talent no doubt. Needs only technique. 🙂
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much,HJ! 🙂
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Laurie Graves said:
Wonderful post! Not a word too long. Yay for your medical news! And yay for your book-loving daughter. And a final yay for your theater-loving daughter. Such a creative family.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Laurie.
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Annika Perry said:
Clare, it’s lovely to catch up on all your news! I love Elinor’s art work and she has a wonderful gift … the portraits are brilliant and th twig one is so striking. Congratulations to Alice in the play. Oh dear, I feel for you losing some plants to the deer and this happens a lot in Sweden! The chicken wire protects against the tree buds being eaten where protected but then the elk reaches above that. The flowers are so pretty and the hint of spring we all long for.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Annika. I am thankful I don’t have elk to deal with!
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susanpoozan said:
So pleased to read that you had such a satisfactory blood test result, long may your improvement continue. An excellent set of photographs for us all to enjoy as well.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you so much, Susan.
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margaret21 said:
Sadly of course we shan’t be in Sheffield for your daughter’s performances. The video was fun, so I’m sure it will go well. So pleased about your positive news from the Rheumatologist. Long may it continue!
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Clare Pooley said:
You’re very kind, Margaret; thank-you!
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derrickjknight said:
An entertaining post. Lovely sunset pictures; actually I like the dusting of snow best. I know you will understand that I identify with the technological problems. Moles are everywhere at the moment. Two very artistic daughter, each in their own way
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you, Derrick. I thought you might empathise with the tech. problems!
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derrickjknight said:
🙂
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unionhomestead said:
Life seems to have been ticking along nicely for you despite the unwanted deer pruners😊
Hooray for dropping medication, good theatre, talented offspring and building plans.
Your gardens appear to be thinking about Spring!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you, Sharon. Yes, there is definitely a hint of spring in the air.
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Jane Sturgeon said:
It’s lovely to catch-up with you Clare and great news about your meds and remission. Elinor has much energy and love in her work. I tried to view The Company video, but I am not on Facebook, so it cut me off…I am sure it is delightful and funny. Creativity flows such love doesn’t it? Hugs and much love flowing to you all. xXx ❤ Xxxxxxxx
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you so much, dear Jane xx I am sorry about the video! I hadn’t thought that non-Facebook users wouldn’t be able to look at it 😮 Live and learn! Hugs and love flowing back to you xxXX ❤ ❤ XXxx
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Liz said:
What a lovely long, newsy post, Clare – thank you so much for taking the time to capture it all. It’s like receiving a letter used to be! 🙂 Very pleased to learn about your bloods and revised meds – you must feel so glad to be moving forward in this positive way. The work of both your daughters is fabulous – so nice to see. Elinor’s portraits reminds me of Whistler’s famous picture of his mother so she is in good company. 😀❤️xxx
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Clare Pooley said:
How very kind Liz – thank-you so much!
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Jill Weatherholt said:
I’m so happy to hear about the good report from the rheumatology clinic. This is wonderful news, Clare. It also makes me happy to know that sweet Elinor is doing well. Her art work is amazing. Thank you for sharing it with us. Congratulations to Alice! I really enjoyed the video. You certainly have some talented girls…I guess they take after their mother. ❤
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Clare Pooley said:
Haha! I’m not sure I’m particularly talented Jill, but you are so sweet to say so xo xo ❤ ❤
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bitaboutbritain said:
Enjoyed that, Clare – nice and ‘newsy’. Great news on the health front and you have a couple of very talented young ladies there – loved the video!
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Clare Pooley said:
How very kind, Mike – Thank-you!
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Lavinia Ross said:
I enjoy all your posts, Clare! Short or long, they are always a good read. You live in a very beautiful area.
I am glad you were able to get off of one more medication; you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I hope all the blood work continues to show positive results.
Congratulations to Elinor on her birthday and acceptance to her new college over in Great Yarmouth, and Alice on the upcoming play!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much for your kind comments and your prayers, Lavinia.
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Andrea Stephenson said:
An eventful month Clare! You’ve certainly had a few power/technology issues and I hope they’re all sorted out now. Good news on your health, I hope you continue to see good results 🙂 Elinor’s artwork is lovely, I particularly love the tree picture.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Andrea.
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germac4 said:
I enjoyed your post very much and it gave me a snapshot of life in Suffolk… and the trials of winter … however, nice to see Spring is around the corner by the look of the snowdrops & crocuses. Best wishes for your continued good health.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much!
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New Hampshire Garden Solutions said:
It was great to see the snowdrops and crocuses under the tree, and I know how you feel about the wildlife eating things. I’ve tried everything you can think of to repel deer and they’ve just laughed at my foolishness.
I hope you don’t find that your arthritis medication has hurt your eyesight. It’s hard to know what to do when the medicine they give you helps one thing and harms another.
Happy birthday to Elinor! I like the fish and the twig paintings very much. I was never any good at portraits-she’s much better than I ever was!
I couldn’t do what your daughter Alice does either but she’s very good at it. I found myself laughing along with her!
I’m a little jealous of your new conservatory. I’d be willing to bet that it will be more than worth all the bother when it’s finished. I worked for 2 or 3 people who had them built and they were all very happy that they did. I hope you’ll fill it with plants. I took care of one that was like a jungle, and it was beautiful!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Allen. I have wanted this new conservatory ever since we moved to this house nearly twelve years ago! We originally wanted to get rid of it and extend the living room but we changed our minds when we realised how much work that would entail! We will definitely be putting the plants out there where they will fare better (I hope) than they do in the main part of the house.
I am glad you enjoyed Alice’s performance. It is hard to believe, when we see her on the stage, that she suffers so much with depression and anxiety. She has Bi-polar 2 disorder which is so difficult to live with.
Elinor finds it very difficult showing her artwork to other people so I was very pleased when she consented to letting me post these pictures. I am glad you like her work as I know you are an artist too.
I have been having 6-monthly eye-tests for some time now and I don’t believe I have come to any harm for which I am grateful.
I came face-to-face with a deer yesterday morning when I opened the living room curtains. He was standing on the other side of the old conservatory glass with a large bunch of grape hyacinth leaves in his mouth. He continued standing and chewing and looking straight at me as I gesticulated at him!
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New Hampshire Garden Solutions said:
I’m pretty sure I’ve met that deer’s cousin!
I found out a while ago that I have glaucoma like my father did, so I know that regular eye tests are all important.
I know how Elinor feels about showing her work. It can be a bit like baring your soul at times.
I’m sorry that Alice has such health problems but it seems to me that being bi-polar could prove to be as much a boon to a dramatic actress as it is a hindrance.
I can’t wait to see photos of the conservatory. There’s nothing better on a cold winter day!
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Clare Pooley said:
My mother has glaucoma as well. I am sure I’ll get it eventually! As soon as the conservatory is in place I’ll be posting a photo of it!
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tootlepedal said:
You must get great satisfaction from the work of your daughters.
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tootlepedal said:
I should have added that I enjoyed the interviews a lot.
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Clare Pooley said:
I thought you might 🙂
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Clare Pooley said:
Yes I do. Thank-you, Tom.
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quercuscommunity said:
Congratulations! Looks like you’re all getting good results – with the exception of your family dealings with technology. Isn’t that always the way? 🙂
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Clare Pooley said:
I’m afraid so! Thank-you Simon! 🙂
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quercuscommunity said:
🙂
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Karen's Nature Art said:
So nice to see flowers! We have a foot of snow on the ground right now.
It’s wonderful to see your daughter’s artwork. Sharing your art is hard but enriches everyone who sees it. Her pieces are lovely!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Karen. I am very grateful for your kind comments. Elinor has only been attending two classes this year, a general technique class and a portraiture class.
I am glad we haven’t got a foot of snow here! I hope you get a thaw soon.
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Lisa G. said:
It must be difficult to play Charlotte Palmer, such an excitable woman – Alice did a good job! And this Mr. Palmer seems much nicer than the other versions I’ve seen. You have a family of artists – Elinor’s work is very nice – I especially like her fish.
The St. Mark’s gospel performance sounds really good, even worth sitting in a freezing cold church, I guess? 🙂 But there are plenty of snowdrops over there, I see. How pretty!
I am so glad you got good news at the clinic! Hurrah! May it continue. Good luck with your conservatory plans.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Lisa! Life must have been hard for Mr Palmer, don’t you think? Another Austen male character who fell for a pretty woman and then lived to regret it! 😀 The St. Mark’s Gospel was definitely worth sitting in a cold church!
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quietsolopursuits said:
First of all, congratulations on the good news as far as your health and the medicines that you have to take! It has to be a relief to know that you no longer have to take the one which may cause trouble with your eyesight.
Elinor shows a great deal of promise as an artist, her work is very good already and will only improve with more learning and practice.
Alice is also a very good actress, I hope that she gets her big break soon!
The sunset was very beautiful, and I enjoyed seeing the snowdrops as well.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Jerry. I am very proud of both my daughters and your kind words are so welcome! It is such a relief to be able to cut down on my medication after so many years, as you may imagine.
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Cynthia Reyes said:
Wow, Clare! Great news, despite a few hiccups along the way. First, I’m thrilled and very impressed with your daughter’s talent. Alice’s acting skills – love that video! And Elinor’s art. I am not a painter, but I think I see signs of a confident style here. Which Elinor may not believe, of course, but even I can clearly see that she has real talent. I hope she’s able to move ahead with her goals for art college.
Glad the early flowers are blooming, and that you will get a conservatory. Promise to enjoy it doubly, as this is something I’d love to have too!
Finally, your health — thanks for sharing the good news, Clare. I’m happy to hear.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you so much for this wonderful comment, Cynthia. I hope you are well and that you have a good week.
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KerryCan said:
I loved your chatty post, full of lovely details of a busy life! That’s very good news about your health and being able to get off the one medication–need to keep your eyes healthy! And you must be thrilled for both your daughters, that they have creative outlets and skills that are so fulfilling. I’ll look forward to seeing more of Elinor’s artwork, if she agrees to share!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Kerry. I am very thankful that both my daughters get great pleasure from their drama/art. I will be pleased when Elinor gets to college as she is lonely and desperately needs companionship from young people of her own age.
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Charlotte Hoather said:
I chuckled at Alice’s Mrs Palmer and Mr Palmer’s deadpan responses are great. Will Elinor be able to get to college from home? Accommodation is just so dear if you can’t live at home. So happy she can really develop her artistry now and explore new techniques and teachers.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Charlotte. Yes, Elinor will be able to live at home when she is at college; certainly for the course she is on that starts in September.
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Charlotte Hoather said:
👍🏻.
I wish my parents lived closer to London.
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Clare Pooley said:
I am sure you do! I remember feeling very far from home when I studied in Liverpool and home was in Kent!
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mypeacockbooks said:
I’m so sorry it’s taken me so long to start catching up with your posts. I really enjoy reading them. You have such wonderfully talented daughters Clare, I loved watching the performance, I hope the play went well and Alice enjoyed it. Acting is such a good way for many people who suffer from depression and other mental health problems to feel good. Your other daughter’s art work is so good too. As someone who used to draw and paint a lot I do understand if she feels reluctant to share her work with others. It can be so very scary to have others see it and potentially judge it but she has a lot of talent. I like the fish and the twig created piece is amazing, I’d never thought of painting with twigs!. I also really like her portraits. I’ve never been able to draw people and seeing her work, it is so good! I’m also happy to hear that you’ve been able to stop taking that medication. I hope the same goes for the other and that your health continues to improve ❤ ❤ 🙂 .
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, Cat. The play went very well and I was able to go to Sheffield and watch it and inspect my daughter’s new house that she shares with her partner.
Elinor does worry about people making averse comments about her art work. She can deal with constructive criticism from tutors and others who know what they are talking about but criticism from the general public is much more difficult to bear. She has signed up for three more 10/11 week courses this term – Life Drawing, Painting With Oils and Painting and Drawing Techniques.
I hope your health continues to improve, Cat xx ❤ ❤
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