Despite the precipitacious Summer, looking back at some photos demonstrates that there were some glorious days...and for once, not working meant I could make the most of them. It has been a great summer for me, giving me time to process so much and really take root here. I am in much better shape than I was when I arrived, blown in on bitter winds last Winter.
I have watched the estuary change daily, and revelled in every march and vista.
I have consumed vegetables grown from seed, eggs from chickens I have fed and treated for pernicious red mite. I have cherished and loved Roma from a tiny 6 weeks to her current lolloping 5 months. I have tried to love openly and remain myself, I have learned to love my friends more by letting them in more and giving more of myself. I have learned a lot and relaxed a lot. I miss some friends and have found others.
The poacher and I have been conjoined for 6 months and though not always easy in some ways....in terms of having to accept that it is temporary, it has been very easy in others and I have much respect for the strength of character and sweet nature of the man. To remain sober, whilst all around him are still drinking as their chaotic lives implode...he has done so well.
I stayed pretty much sober too..which allowed a bit of balance.....although I had one lost weekend in fancy dress at Solfest with my oldest friends, the highlight of which was dancing to Detroit techno at 4 in the morning between Buzz Lightyear, Wonderwoman (in drag) Hitler and Osama Bin Laden...much appreciated whilst in a slightly heightened state of awareness....( San was Bugs Bunny and I Tweetie Pie -see photos..)
I managed to be much more tolerant of the hippie thing......
I got my first speeding ticket....not bad considering how many years I've got away with it....
The Poacher and I are both working now, and maybe the pressures of that will affect and change our relationship....we will see.
I am working as an advocate for people with learning difficulties....challenging out of date and repressive practices is part of my job description .....yay...however we'll see how that works in the real world of accountants and funding streams......
My MA starts at the end of the month. Free loafing time is getting scarce...but at least the roof over my head is a little more secure.
We have another free food source in the form of the quality supermarket skip...more of that later...
The health issues I was so scared about earlier are resolved, my family well and on the whole I am so much more contented than I have been for years and years.
My greatest pleasure is to walk Roma and Bob together on the beach, and watch them run in giant circles across the sand, whilst the Poacher asks his unanswerable random questions about the universe.
Now all I have to do is generate the discipline to write when I'm happy......