Just a Number : 29th May 23
Birthdays / June Calendar / Shed Appreciation
Happy Birthday to me!
Fifty-five years on this planet…how, how, how can that be possible??? I’ve just had a Facebook memory pop up from 10 years ago where I expressed very little excitement about being 45. That seems like last month, so no doubt when I’m reminded of this in another decade, it’ll seem like today was the day before yesterday! Does that make any sense? Probably only if you’re in you’re over 40. The passing of time is so strange and so is aging.
A note to my future self: I’m glad you made the most of being 55 and spent more time playing with paint, paper, and thread, than worrying about your reflection in the mirror! …than worrying, full-stop. Play the music loud and dance while you can!
June Calendar Wallpaper
Before I go out in search of cake, let me tell you about the calendar wallpaper I’ve made for June. It’s not like me to be so well prepared but I’m really enjoying creating these, and have actually finished one for July as well! Go me! As with the last two, I started with an older paper collage, this time a cool cat, whose head and tail were painted with sploshy black ink. He’s been digitally placed outdoors, under the sun in a minimalist nature scene, with flowers of pink and orange. I’m slap-bang in the middle of a pink and orange phase and I hope it lasts because it’s so cheerful. Yes, I am looking forward to refreshing my laptop wallpaper in a couple of days and if you want to do the same the high-res file can be found on my ko-fi page. It’s available for free, or if you can afford to send a tip I’m always grateful.
Shed Appreciation
Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting up with a furniture maker who lives nearby. After coffee, cake, and a good chat, she invited me to her garden to see her new workshed which was built by a local company and I’ve been coveting a shed like this ever since. I can’t stop thinking about how great it would be to paint in. There’s a space at the bottom of my garden for it, I just need to save up and make it happen.
Simon Armitage has the most beautiful voice. I would even listen to him reading the phone book, I love his voice that much. Hear him reading poetry, trying to record owls, and interviewing himself in this delightful episode of his podcast The Poet Laureate Has Gone To His Shed recorded back in 2020.
Roald Dahl wrote all his children’s books in a hut at the bottom of his garden. It was big as sheds go but the decoration was spartan. He had all the essentials though; a comfortable wing-backed armchair, a writing board covered in baize he made himself, 6 pencils, a fancy pencil sharpener, and a brush for sweeping away all the pencil rubbings, and a blanket to keep himself warm. In 2011 there were efforts to raise £500,000 to save his hut for the nation. I’m not sure if it was achieved but I enjoyed seeing inside his writing den.
Maybe it’s an age thing but I think we all could benefit from a shed of our own. Somewhere small and quiet with no distractions. No washine machines beeping. No hoovering nagging to be done, and just a few short steps away from home. Somewhere to think, or write, or draw, or just sit peacefully listening to the birds. How good would that be?
This week will be all about tackling unfinished projects, which are in danger of being forgotten about unless I show them some attention soon. I’m hoping the weather stays good so I can take my sewing out into the garden.
Have a good week whatever your plans are!
All the best,
Julia x
Happy Birthday Julia! I hope you enjoy. Such a lovely time of year to have a birthday... I am with you re: feeling it was only a short while ago that I was in my mid forties. But am far happier now than back then, or maybe more accepting. And I too love Simon Armitage’s voice and writing. He was my choice for poet Laureate and I am so glad x happy birthday!
Happy Birthday!