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About
Sharon Brooks
2025
©
Purpose Project
This is where I like to think and play.
Musings
25/05/2025
A MONTH OF SUNRISES
X
Musings on the world of the Honey Bee. So sweet, but watch out for that sting!
THE PENDULUM
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5
That litttle voice inside often goes unheard, so I am using an amplifier!
FAIRY TALES
What are fairies at the bottom of my garden and where have they taken my sock?
THE APOTHECARY
Can tiny little bottles filled with magic, really soothe the aches of the soul?
THE BIRDS AND THE BEES
That litttle voice inside often goes unheard, so I am using an amplifier!
25/02/2025
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Fusce aliquet, eros et malesuada condimentum, erat lectus laoreet eros, nec laoreet velit ex eu nunc. Curabitur dictum ullamcorper fringilla. Aliquam ornare diam vel quam congue accumsan. Proin placerat diam ut quam mattis, sed ultrices risus porta. Duis tempus ligula vitae nisl sagittis maximus. In vestibulum metus eget risus vehicula ultrices. Aenean venenatis tellus eros, ut cursus tellus ornare id. Morbi ipsum velit, varius nec elit et, ornare volutpat leo. Donec dolor diam, finibus ac dolor sit amet, feugiat ultricies tortor. Morbi lobortis urna ligula. Maecenas fermentum volutpat augue, placerat convallis orci interdum ut. Pellentesque at arcu in mauris venenatis faucibus et id ipsum. Nulla ut urna metus. Phasellus ac est sit amet justo rhoncus elementum. Nullam elementum neque ac est maximus, et mattis magna gravida. Nullam faucibus, nibh ac tincidunt efficitur, ex turpis porttitor leo, vitae dapibus lacus nibh a tellus. Nunc sit amet sapien nec nulla lacinia luctus. Sed efficitur mattis arcu a luctus. Nulla ligula leo, tempus non ligula mattis, euismod consectetur eros. Duis sodales scelerisque tortor, nec malesuada urna tristique sit amet. Vivamus tempor ornare nisi in commodo. Donec placerat sit amet enim quis venenatis. Ut sed faucibus orci. Vivamus vitae diam tincidunt enim eleifend mattis. Nam luctus et risus eget fermentum. Maecenas auctor placerat lorem, quis mattis libero tempus ut. Suspendisse potenti. Nullam rutrum nulla tellus, vitae dictum libero tempor egestas. 
Nullam elementum neque ac est maximus, et mattis magna gravida. Nullam faucibus, nibh ac tincidunt efficitur, ex turpis porttitor leo, vitae dapibus lacus nibh a tellus. Nunc sit amet sapien nec nulla lacinia luctus. Sed efficitur mattis arcu a luctus. Nulla ligula leo, tempus non ligula mattis, euismod consectetur eros. Duis sodales scelerisque tortor, nec malesuada urna tristique sit amet. Vivamus tempor ornare nisi in commodo. Donec placerat sit amet enim quis venenatis. Ut sed faucibus orci. Vivamus vitae diam tincidunt enim eleifend mattis. Nam luctus et risus eget fermentum. Maecenas auctor placerat lorem, quis mattis libero tempus ut. Suspendisse potenti. Nullam rutrum nulla tellus, vitae dictum libero tempor egestas. 
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Fusce aliquet, eros et malesuada condimentum, erat lectus laoreet eros, nec laoreet velit ex eu nunc. Curabitur dictum ullamcorper fringilla. Aliquam ornare diam vel quam congue accumsan. Proin placerat diam ut quam mattis, sed ultrices risus porta. Duis tempus ligula vitae nisl sagittis maximus. In vestibulum metus eget risus vehicula ultrices. Aenean venenatis tellus eros, ut cursus tellus ornare id. Morbi ipsum velit, varius nec elit et, ornare volutpat leo. Donec dolor diam, finibus ac dolor sit amet, feugiat ultricies tortor. Morbi lobortis urna ligula. Maecenas fermentum volutpat augue, placerat convallis orci interdum ut. Pellentesque at arcu in mauris venenatis faucibus et id ipsum. Nulla ut urna metus. Phasellus ac est sit amet justo rhoncus elementum.
THE ARTIST’S WAY
Morning pages Becoming my own best friend Listening with care Artist dates to fill my cup Playful and joyful Tasks to feed my curiosity Letting my heart out of the bottle Allowing myself to fly Embracing my inner child S'il vous plait Bluebells and wood anemones Geese flying overhead Shedding the old Not trying so hard Synchronicities guiding me Along the road less travelled.
20/04/2025
Morning pages Becoming my own best friend Listening with care Artist dates to fill my cup Playful and joyful Tasks to feed my curiosity Letting my heart out of the bottle Allowing myself to fly Embracing my inner child S'il vous plait Bluebells and wood anemones Geese flying overhead Shedding the old Not trying so hard Synchronicities guiding me Along the road less travelled.
18/04/2025
She struts in with a red feather boa wrapped casually round her neck.  She wears high heels which click on the tiled floor.  She wipes her finger along the work surface to check for dust.  As if I think, not in my house!  I smile inside.  I will not let her intimidate me.  She stands in front of me now, with her hands on her hips and pushes closer into my personal space.  I can feel her breath on my cheek.  She's taller than me with flecks of green in her eyes I note.  Her hair is black, a dyed blue black and her roots are showing.  She needs to get to the hairdresser fast.  She doesn't scare me with all her bravado.  I can see beneath this facade.  I can stand up to her. 'What do you want?' I enquire boldly She smirks 'What do I want?  What do you think I want?' I stand strong and unfazed 'I have no idea.  I did not invite you into my home' 'Oh I think you did!' she recounted I was puzzled.  It must have washed across my face, a slight break in my armour.  She caught hold of this. 'I said, I think you did' she insisted I pulled myself together 'I didn't.  And you are not welcome.  Please leave' 'Just like that?' she sneered 'Yes, just like that' I said as I walked into the hallway, brushing past her and opening the front door wide She stood and laughed 'You can't kick me out!'  'Watch me!' I replied She stood quiet for a moment and studied my composure.  I let my breathing slow to try to give the impression of calm.  I was feeling anything but calm inside, but I wouldn't let her see that.  I would not break this armour I had built up. 'Please can you leave' I asked quietly but firmly 'Now!' I said strongly She shrugged. She knew when the battle was not worth fighting 'Fine!' she said as she flounced out the door 'But I'll be back' she threw over her shoulder I shut the door and stood with my back against it breathing deeply. I turned round and looked through the peephole. She had gone. There was a faint red smoke trail wafting down the street.  People were walking past.  No one seemed perplexed. I had done it!  I had finally asked her to leave.  I had finally stood up to her and her feather boa.
FEAR
She struts in with a red feather boa wrapped casually round her neck.  She wears high heels which click on the tiled floor.  She wipes her finger along the work surface to check for dust.  As if I think, not in my house!  I smile inside.  I will not let her intimidate me.  She stands in front of me now, with her hands on her hips and pushes closer into my personal space.  I can feel her breath on my cheek.  She's taller than me with flecks of green in her eyes I note.  Her hair is black, a dyed blue black and her roots are showing.  She needs to get to the hairdresser fast.  She doesn't scare me with all her bravado.  I can see beneath this facade.  I can stand up to her. 'What do you want?' I enquire boldly
She smirks 'What do I want?  What do you think I want?' I stand strong and unfazed 'I have no idea.  I did not invite you into my home' 'Oh I think you did!' she recounted I was puzzled.  It must have washed across my face, a slight break in my armour.  She caught hold of this. 'I said, I think you did' she insisted I pulled myself together 'I didn't.  And you are not welcome.  Please leave' 'Just like that?' she sneered 'Yes, just like that' I said as I walked into the hallway, brushing past her and opening the front door wide She stood and laughed 'You can't kick me out!'  'Watch me!' I replied She stood quiet for a moment and studied my composure.  I let my breathing slow to try to give the impression of calm.  I was feeling anything but calm inside, but I wouldn't let her see that.  I would not break this armour I had built up. 'Please can you leave' I asked quietly but firmly 'Now!' I said strongly She shrugged. She knew when the battle was not worth fighting 'Fine!' she said as she flounced out the door 'But I'll be back' she threw over her shoulder I shut the door and stood with my back against it breathing deeply. I turned round and looked through the peephole. She had gone. There was a faint red smoke trail wafting down the street.  People were walking past.  No one seemed perplexed. I had done it!  I had finally asked her to leave.  I had finally stood up to her and her feather boa.
THE SPARKLE PROJECT
17/04/2025
BEE IN MY BONNET
Sharon’s Bee Girl Blog
24/04/2025
Taking my time Walking in rhythm with my heartbeat Slowly noticing all the leaves unfurling As I walk on the tree lined paths Daffodils swaying in the breeze With golden trumpets held high to the sun Vivid green everywhere is a glorious contrast To the bleak skyline a few weeks ago Delicate frothy white petals adorn the blackthorn Baby pink blossoms offer joy to the world With promise for the future fruits The sound of bees busy going between these blossoms Offers a sense of wonder As the world is waking up again after Winter Always a welcome surprise To feel the warmth on my back  See the flowers emerging as if by magic each year With no intervention from us It makes my heart happy to see.
On this journey I will take the scenic route I will stop to smell the roses I will pause to see the beauty around me I will honour the sadnesses in my heart I will learn from my mistakes I will walk through life with kindness and compassion I will laugh I will enjoy each of my days and embrace them to the full I will make the most of my friends and family and enjoy their company I will enjoy my food I will look after my body and my mind I will cherish the wisdom I hold in me I will follow my heart on the long winding journey it takes me I will read books which call to me and watch films which pique my interest I will listen carefully to the people I meet and learn from their stories I will enjoy the richness brought to me each and every day I will remember that things will pass and nothing stays the same I will absorb the magic in each day.
23/04/2025
ON THIS JOURNEY
On this journey I will take the scenic route I will stop to smell the roses I will pause to see the beauty around me I will honour the sadnesses in my heart I will learn from my mistakes I will walk through life with kindness and compassion I will laugh I will enjoy each of my days and embrace them to the full I will make the most of my friends and family and enjoy their company I will enjoy my food I will look after my body and my mind I will cherish the wisdom I hold in me I will follow my heart on the long winding journey it takes me I will read books which call to me and watch films which pique my interest I will listen carefully to the people I meet and learn from their stories I will enjoy the richness brought to me each and every day I will remember that things will pass and nothing stays the same I will absorb the magic in each day.
My husband is a film maker and he roped me into helping on a recent music video he was making as he wanted to blow my hair with a leaf blower!  Unbeknown to me it was much more than this.  He had me running around town on a Saturday evening.  We stayed out until 1.30am until the street lights went out so had to continue a few nights later, again until 1.30am.  Despite being out of my comfort zone I had fun.  I didn't know the Weird Boyfriend so we had to get to know each other during filming and my face ached from laughing so much. It did me the world of good.  Friends and family were part of the adventure as well including having to enthusiastically jump in a puddle, read a newspaper, walk past reading a phone and my husband's sister had to be the Bag Lady! I also had to channel my inner rage as the story is of a relationship breakup in reverse.  So I had to dump a pile of spaghetti on the Weird Boyfriend's head, sweep all the crockery off the table and storm out of the room.  I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this! We filmed in the green screen Film Studio which my husband has built out of reclaimed materials and I had to turn the industrial leaf blower on the Weird Boyfriend.  It was so noisy I had to wear ear protectors.  I enjoyed this filming as I got my own personal concert and again laughed lots. A few weeks later we filmed the band in the green screen and in the woods for the second music video which is currently in production.
WEIRD BOYFRIEND
21/04/2025
My husband is a film maker and he roped me into helping on a recent music video he was making as he wanted to blow my hair with a leaf blower!  Unbeknown to me it was much more than this.  He had me running around town on a Saturday evening.  We stayed out until 1.30am until the street lights went out so had to continue a few nights later, again until 1.30am.  Despite being out of my comfort zone I had fun.  I didn't know the Weird Boyfriend so we had to get to know each other during filming and my face ached from laughing so much.  It did me the world of good.  Friends and family were part of the adventure as well including having to enthusiastically jump in a puddle, read a newspaper, walk past reading a phone and my husband's sister had to be the Bag Lady! I also had to channel my inner rage as the story is of a relationship breakup in reverse.  So I had to dump a pile of spaghetti on the Weird Boyfriend's head, sweep all the crockery off the table and storm out of the room.  I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this! We filmed in the green screen Film Studio which my husband has built out of reclaimed materials and I had to turn the industrial leaf blower on the Weird Boyfriend.  It was so noisy I had to wear ear protectors.  I enjoyed this filming as I got my own personal concert and again laughed lots. A few weeks later we filmed the band in the green screen and in the woods for the second music video which is currently in production.
We worked it out the other day. I was bought the Muffins book in 2001 by my mum from Lakeland and I've baked at least two batches per week each year. That means I've baked at least 28,704 muffins in the past 23 years. I haven't eaten all these myself! I have distributed them far and wide. Taking them to meetings as my offering to the proceedings, baked for birthdays and celebrations and often 'just because'.  My son's favourite are the double chocolate. I baked a lot of them when he was little, often before dad had even left for work, alongside a batch of soup and the loaf ingredients into the bread maker. I was up early and was at my best in the morning. I conquered the universe before lunchtime. Banana choc chip are my daughter's favourite. Anytime there are bananas left, not the right shade of yellow for her liking, they get transferred into muffins. Adding oats to the ingredients makes them very wholesome and there is not much sugar in these recipes. They were formulated by a Susan Reimer who had moved to England from Canada and converted her recipes into healthy versions. Her book was a huge success and although I can no longer find the article online I was sure the book sales enabled her to travel around the world. The book is still being published, in it's 4th edition now.   I've made them vegan by replacing the egg with a tablespoon of custard powder mixed to a paste with a drop of soya milk or water depending on the recipe, soya milk instead of cow's milk and sunflower oil rather than butter. I experimented making nettle and lemon muffins. I boiled the nettles to take out their sting and the muffins were an incredible shade of green, but they made my tongue tingle so only made one batch of these. I feel so happy baking the muffins. For me it's magic that combining a few simple ingredients makes such a delicious treat. I freeze them individually in houmous tubs and can take them out in the evening for the next day, ready to distribute to friends visiting. Or often I will bake a batch in the morning of a visit and so freshly baked ones will be on offer.   My favourite at the moment are date and walnut. You soak the dates for 30 minutes in boiling water to soften them and then add to the ingredients. They feel very nutritious and tasty. I love picking blackberries. My maiden name was Berry so I think it's in my genes to enjoy this activity!  I wash and freeze the blackberries in the correct quantity for the muffins, again in houmous tubs - we eat a lot of houmous so always have a plentiful supply. I add the grated zest of a lemon or orange into the muffins with the blackberries and enjoy all over Winter from my frozen stash. Blueberries are another favourite with the orange or lemon twist. One that I have tried a few times is courgette and cocoa. I like it but it's not my favourite. Carrot and orange are also delicious as are orange and poppy seeds.   The recipes have been handed out to lots of people and a friend who has since died has left a note for her daughters that the recipes are from me.  Whenever I make the muffins I try not think of anything else; to be present in the mixing and making.  I always make a little wish as I stir the ingredients to send love to everyone who eats them.   Baking muffins has been a delight for me over the past 23 years. I've always loved baking from being little, baking scones with my nana and eating them straight from the oven with the butter melting on them. I can still see myself sitting on the sofa in her lounge eating them. I made a cake called a Russian Sandwich as a child. A cake bought from Greggs by my mum and she just made up her own version – sponge cake with vanilla custard inside and icing and dessicated coconut on the top. I've made lots of these too and always turned up to family events with one. Converting these simple ingredients into something delicious is always a joy for me and even more so for being able to share my creations with my family and friends. 'Muffin Maker' is often how I introduce myself. My book is falling apart as it's been used so much, but it is a treasure to me. I am very grateful to Susan for publishing her recipes – thank you!
THE MUFFIN FACTORY
22/04/2025
We worked it out the other day. I was bought the Muffins book in 2001 by my mum from Lakeland and I've baked at least two batches per week each year. That means I've baked at least 28,704 muffins in the past 23 years. I haven't eaten all these myself! I have distributed them far and wide. Taking them to meetings as my offering to the proceedings, baked for birthdays and celebrations and often 'just because’.  My son's favourite are the double chocolate. I baked a lot of them when he was little, often before dad had even left for work, alongside a batch of soup and the loaf ingredients into the bread maker. I was up early and was at my best in the morning. I conquered the universe before lunchtime. 
Banana choc chip are my daughter's favourite. Anytime there are bananas left, not the right shade of yellow for her liking, they get transferred into muffins. Adding oats to the ingredients makes them very wholesome and there is not much sugar in these recipes. They were formulated by a Susan Reimer who had moved to England from Canada and converted her recipes into healthy versions. Her book was a huge success and although I can no longer find the article online I was sure the book sales enabled her to travel around the world. The book is still being published, in it's 4th edition now.   I've made them vegan by replacing the egg with a tablespoon of custard powder mixed to a paste with a drop of soya milk or water depending on the recipe, soya milk instead of cow's milk and sunflower oil rather than butter. I experimented making nettle and lemon muffins. I boiled the nettles to take out their sting and the muffins were an incredible shade of green, but they made my tongue tingle so only made one batch of these. I feel so happy baking the muffins. For me it's magic that combining a few simple ingredients makes such a delicious treat. I freeze them individually in houmous tubs and can take them out in the evening for the next day, ready to distribute to friends visiting. Or often I will bake a batch in the morning of a visit and so freshly baked ones will be on offer.   My favourite at the moment are date and walnut. You soak the dates for 30 minutes in boiling water to soften them and then add to the ingredients. They feel very nutritious and tasty. I love picking blackberries. My maiden name was Berry so I think it's in my genes to enjoy this activity!  I wash and freeze the blackberries in the correct quantity for the muffins, again in houmous tubs - we eat a lot of houmous so always have a plentiful supply. I add the grated zest of a lemon or orange into the muffins with the blackberries and enjoy all over Winter from my frozen stash. Blueberries are another favourite with the orange or lemon twist. One that I have tried a few times is courgette and cocoa. I like it but it's not my favourite. Carrot and orange are also delicious as are orange and poppy seeds.   The recipes have been handed out to lots of people and a friend who has since died has left a note for her daughters that the recipes are from me.  Whenever I make the muffins I try not think of anything else; to be present in the mixing and making.  I always make a little wish as I stir the ingredients to send love to everyone who eats them.   Baking muffins has been a delight for me over the past 23 years. I've always loved baking from being little, baking scones with my nana and eating them straight from the oven with the butter melting on them. I can still see myself sitting on the sofa in her lounge eating them. I made a cake called a Russian Sandwich as a child. A cake bought from Greggs by my mum and she just made up her own version – sponge cake with vanilla custard inside and icing and dessicated coconut on the top. I've made lots of these too and always turned up to family events with one. Converting these simple ingredients into something delicious is always a joy for me and even more so for being able to share my creations with my family and friends. 'Muffin Maker' is often how I introduce myself. My book is falling apart as it's been used so much, but it is a treasure to me. I am very grateful to Susan for publishing her recipes – thank you!
ORANGES
Teach them to love themselves. That they are enough.
I get called to make my pilgrimage to the end of the earth.
Top 40 on Sunday nights after a roast dinner and rice pudding.
TEACHING OUR CHILDREN
FREE AS A BIRD
MIXTAPES
My Nana had a twin tub.
An animated breakfast for two.
Sometimes we touch it briefly. For an instant all becomes clear.
Cheering on from the riverside with hot water bottles and cups of tea.
NANA
BREAKFASTER
CLARITY
A year of adventures to new places.
A TO Z IN A YEAR
Banging, crashing, shuffling, clattering.
A photograph with a subtle animating element.
THE WHITE TORNADO
Twenty eight thousand seven hundred and four muffins.
Midnight music video mayhem.
CINEMAGRAPHS
She struts in with a red feather boa wrapped casually round her neck.
Running barefoot in the snow, wearing a summer dress.
Glimpses of one person's journey through life.
RUNNING ON BACK TO YOU
Pastry, jam and cornflakes wrapped in gloopy syrup.
Ladybirds are my good luck totem.
What does drawing breath look like?
LOVE MYSELF ENOUGH
Farewell Mr Neat. Wooden wonders spun with love.
SCHOOL DINNERS
LADYBIRDS
DRAWING BREATH
We are like rock, being built up over time.
NEAT AND TIDY
GEOLOGY
I get my red hair from my grandad. I am here because he escaped.
THE BERRYS
A Summer spent collecting sparkles to refill the reserves.
Allow the freedom of the wind to blow through your life.
Set your hurts free. Let them float away.
NEW BEGINNINGS
THE SPARKLE PROJECT
THE WORLD NEEDS YOU
Swimming in a wedding dress made from J cloths.
I am the woman with colours in my mind.
Treating myself like a precious object will make me strong.
SWIMMING IN A DREAM
MMXX
Do we share 50% of our DNA with a banana?
I come from a long line of people from Simister.
I will take the scenic route.
BANANAS
GENERATIONS
Following a delicate sprinkling of pollen.
The colour orange is named after the fruit, not the other way around.
Glimpses of one person’s journey through life.
Pastry, jam and cornflakes wrapped in gloopy syrup.
Sometimes we touch it briefly. For an instant all becomes clear.
Set your hurts free. Let them float away.
Farewell Mr Neat. Wooden wonders spun with love.
Do we share 50% of our DNA with a banana?.
Treating myself like a precious object will make me strong.
We are like rock, being built up over time.
A Summer spent collecting sparkles to refill the reserves.
Teach them to love themselves. That they are enough.
Midnight music video mayhem.
My Nana had a twin tub.
Running barefoot in the snow, wearing a summer dress.
A photograph with a subtle animating element.
I get my red hair from my grandad. I am here because he escaped.
Ladybirds are my good luck totem.
I will take the scenic route.
Allow the freedom of the wind to blow through your life.
10/05/2025
We are like rock Being built up over time Layers and layers of dirt and bones Fossilised remains Of feelings felt Emotions expressed We all have our own geology We must find our way Through the forests and coastal paths Learn to map read To work out a route Along the contours Hills and valleys Know in our heart which is the right way Listen closely to that little voice inside.
11/05/2025
18/05/2025
Banging Crashing Shuffling Clattering The White Tornado Had woken up Was making her way Through the debris Of yesterday Tidying Sorting Clearing Cleaning Ready for the New Day This was her Quiet Time To Draw Breath It was not everyone else's Quiet Time They were woken by her Every Day It was Time For their day to start too Who needed alarm clocks When they lived with The White Tornado!
A Wireless Operator/Signaller at the Normandy Landings
17/05/2025
Life as a Prisoner of War in Germany 1944-45
I was born a Berry Deep down I still am The Berry genes Strongly holding me Guiding me Food being so important Passed onto us all From Grandad's time As a Prisoner of War With very little food Hot jacket potatoes Sneaked from the guards Fish Paste?  As he learnt German to ask the time Pieces of cake  Cut to within a mm of precision To ensure no squabbling In a family of four children Trifles, cakes, puddings Roast dinners, mashed carrots After Eights and tins of Quality Streets Whilst playing Chase the Ace With an Auntie with a Poker Face Winning all the coins Much to our dismay.  
I get my red hair from my grandad. I'm here because he escaped from being a Prisoner of War. Here are some of his stories:
Escape from Germany 1945
I was born a Berry Deep down I still am The Berry genes Strongly holding me Guiding me Food being so important Passed onto us all From Grandad's time As a Prisoner of War With very little food Hot jacket potatoes Sneaked from the guards Fish Paste?  As he learnt German to ask the time Pieces of cake  Cut to within a mm of precision To ensure no squabbling In a family of four children Trifles, cakes, puddings Roast dinners, mashed carrots After Eights and tins of Quality Streets Whilst playing Chase the Ace With an Auntie with a Poker Face Winning all the coins Much to our dismay.  
19/04/2025
24/05/2025
Ladybirds are my good luck totem I wore delicate silver ladybird earrings on my Wedding Day Inspired by a film 'Under the Tuscan Sun' A story told of a young girl searching everywhere for ladybirds With no luck and disappointment she fell asleep in the long grass On waking she was covered in ladybirds It reminds me not to search so hard Relax into life and know things will come when they are ready Ladybirds arrive when the food is there Like the kaleidoscope of butterflies swooping down in the Wilding book Feasting on all the thistle They devoured them and the thistle never returned No weedkiller required Nature knows It works things out We should take heed of this Not push or pull at things Flow and allow things to be as they are We don't know the bigger picture The elephants seemingly destroying the trees But 60 years later the realisation  They were working on a Big Cycle of Nature Preservation Farming by clearing the land and reseeding it We are tiny specks in the universe We can't know everything But we can sit and observe Play our role of protecting and nurturing The Earth Allowing the cycles of life to guide us.
I come from a long line of people from Simister Dating back to 1726 Nut Lane, farmland, tiny cottages With no bathrooms and heating I come from ancestors  Who went on adventures to America Living their lives in a new place Learning a new culture I come from a mum who loves delving into these stories Delights in the detail Lot Hamilton's birth certificate Discovered via email from an unknown source I come from meeting these relatives Sharing stories Weaving together our histories To pass onto the next generation.
01/06/2025
My Nana had a twin tub It was pale blue She showed me how it worked Moving the wet clothes from one side To the spinney side It sat on the side in her tiny kitchen When I was older it was replaced With a washing machine Neatly nestled under the work surface Easier to use But not so charming She had rainbow plastic strips  Hanging in front of the pantry Shelves of tins, biscuits Packaged in an orderly way Cream Foxes biscuits hidden for treats She cooked us stew Every time we visited A simple meal of a tin of stew meat, Cubed potatoes, onion and salt Lots of salt Served with beetroot Every one of her grandchildren Requested this meal Followed by her apple pie With pastry which melted in your mouth And super sweet custard.
31/05/2025
07/06/2025
Teach them to love themselves That they are enough To embrace who they are They are unique Teach them the value of people not things Looking after and caring About those around them Respecting their elders and their peers Speaking with grace and humility With truth and calmness Teach them the importance of poetry and words Of expressing themselves through creativity Music, clay, paint Whatever makes their heart sing Teach them this is the one biggest lesson It's the most crucial Do what you love Fill your life and your heart with it Don't chase the money Devote your life to continued learning Be curious Be brave Be adventurous Keep dreaming Cherish your body Honour your thoughts Take good care of feeding your mind with positivity Teach them life is a journey With many twists and turns There are no mistakes just lessons Teach them to be kind to themselves To work hard and do their best To enjoy their life Even in the difficult moments To know these will pass Good things will return Look for the good in each day Delight in it Teach them with love and compassion.
sallytissington.com
15/06/2025
08/06/2025
New beginnings As the days get longer Clearing the pages of the diary To gently add things in For this new version of yourself Allow the freedom of the wind To blow through your life Create new experiences and activities Feel the renewed joy in your heart As you get your bounce back Feel the glow on your face once again Embrace the innocent childlike you Live life fully Spring into action whilst resting too Enjoy this new found rhythm  See the gifts in shedding the old for the new Change is constant We are all on our own Hero's Journey Learn to love this journey Watch in anticipation of what will unfold.
14/06/2025
22/06/2025
She needed to draw breath What does drawing breath look like? Her husband enquired For me it was tidying, sorting and catching up For him it was a misty sort of image With eyes When you draw breath is it male or female? What do they look like? He teased playfully.
21/06/2025
Set your hurts free Let them float away High into the sky Laden with clouds Let them evaporate Dissipate and disappear Out of your heart Out of your life Feel the freedom Of letting them go The space left For good things to enter Set yourself free To follow your dreams Live the life you've imagined Hold your head up high Don't fold yourself inwards To hide from the world You are part of the world The world needs you Remember that Each time your heart wobbles Be strong Be bold Look after yourself Be kind to yourself As well as others Be the change you want to see in the world As Gandi said Send love into the world Set it free.
My son and daughter eat them green A shade more yellow they won't touch them For me the green leaves an unpleasant powdery feeling on my lips I prefer them yellow Just right like Goldilocks Not too soft, not too hard Then there is the sad bowl of browning ones Delicate flecks of brown soon spreading everywhere A delight for baking a batch of banana choc chip muffins Bananas are never wasted in our home They are enjoyed in every state of ripening Fuelling our days Shipped from far away Absorbing all the sunlight and energy from exotic realms Infusing our being with these properties A banana powered body.
28/06/2025
We went gathering oranges First thing upon waking On a farm in Narromine Six hours from Sydney in Australia The night had been black Couldn't even see my hand in front of my face Which led to a dawn of bright sunshine Streaking through the windows Onto patchwork quilts We picked, squeezed and drank straight away They were delicious I loved this visit The quiet The remoteness The heat The dust The lack of water I listened intently to all their stories Wrote pages and pages of notes But the orange gathering Is the vivid memory which prevails It's symbolic of this visit Joyful and full of zest for life.
29/06/2025
Sometimes we touch it Briefly For an instant all becomes clear In moments of clarity The world soars Everything melts away Other than what is truly important. Cinderella knew modesty She led a humble life Yet she was a rich character She knew the value of things As the wise man Ben Okri says Symbolically the shoe fit Showing she'd walked the right path. Working hard Giving to the world Day to day Turning up when things are tough Smiling in the face of adversity This is what matters This is what life is about.
06/07/2025
05/07/2025
Cornflake tart With pastry, jam and cornflakes Wrapped together with thick gloopy syrup Served with custard Curry with sultanas Prunes, counting the stones Set neatly around the edge of the bowl Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor Tapioca, nothing more to say about that The French words on the bottom of the tiny glasses Imagining bringing two people From Africa into the school hall My life suffused with sorrowful stories Of starving children Wanting to do my part Onto Secondary School Pie, chips and beans Chocolate pudding and chocolate custard Sat opposite My Teenage Crush A shy 11 year old Bursting out laughing Spurting my orange juice all over him So many years have passed since this occurrence But I still feel it vividly It's one of my well told stories Sometimes I wonder if it even happened Sometimes I wish it never happened I can still remember the girl I was All those years ago Etched in my being Paving my way The food and nourishment Making me into who I am.
12/07/2025
13/07/2025
Recording the Top 40 on Sunday nights was a highlight for me. After a roast dinner and rice pudding with a skin on top, I'd ensconce myself in my bedroom next to my stereo, listening intently to the songs going up and down the charts. An even bigger highlight was watching Top of the Pops on TV on Thursday nights. I still have a videotape of all the episodes I recorded with Aha. My particular favourite was Morten winking at someone in the audience in Manhattan Skyline. I see this wink every time I hear the song played in my car. My mixtapes were a bit messy. Songs cut in half as the tape ran out. My friend Vicki visiting on Sunday afternoons listening to these tapes would groan as the tape cut out on yet another song.  A Pet Shop Boys song is one I remember. Sitting in my bedroom, which I shared with my sister, listening to the tapes at my desk, working hard for my GCSE's and A levels with posters of Aha blu tacked on the side of the doors.
20/07/2025
19/07/2025
26/07/2025
27/07/2025
When I loved myself enough Is the title of a beautiful little book With acorns and leaves on each page With short contemplations I read the book often  It always makes me cry Published by her daughter After her unexpected death at 52 All became clear to her  Of not trying so hard To enjoy the simple things in life To cherish the tiny moments To lead by her heart She gave copies out to her friends Then after publication Her words have spread around the world A heartfelt joy to read These glimpses of one person's Journey through life.
KATIE HEADLAM
 “You are part of a living creation"
“What makes your heart sing?"
INTRODUCTION
“You are part of a living creation"
KATIE HEADLAM
“What makes your heart sing?"
"A good traveller has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving." ― Lao Tzu
“If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” ― Lao Tzu
“Perfection is the willingness to be imperfect.” ― Lao Tzu
“Take care with the end as you do with the beginning.” ― Lao-Tzu
“The wise man is one who knows what he does not know.” ― Lao Tzu
“Great acts are made up of small deeds.” ― Lao-Tzu
“Stop thinking and end your problems.” ― Lao Tzu
“When you accept yourself, the whole world accepts you.” ― Lao Tzu
“The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.” ― Lao Tzu
“If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself. If you want to eliminate the suffering in the world, then eliminate all that is dark and negative in yourself. Truly, the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self-transformation.” ― Lao Tzu
“Some lose yet gain, others gain and yet lose.” ― Lao Tzu
"Time is a created thing. To say 'I don't have time,' is like saying, 'I don't want to." ― Lao Tzu
“When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.” ― Lao Tzu
“In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.” ― Lao Tzu
“Your own positive future begins in this moment. All you have is right now. Every goal is possible from here.” ― Lao Tzu
“Doing nothing is better than being busy doing nothing.” ― Lao Tzu
“New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.” ― Lao Tzu
“Loss is not as bad as wanting more.” ― Lao Tzu
"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." ― Lao Tzu
“I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.” ― Lao Tzu
“Just remain in the centre, watching and then forget that you are there.” ― Lao Tzu
“Give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself.” ― Lao Tzu
22/09/2025
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