Lost Few Days

I've had some lurgy for the last ten days, I can't call it flu, as I'm not willing to submit myself to the sea of viruses that is the GP's waiting room. But I think I am starting to revive, if only by virtue of the drop in my coughing fits.

I can't believe that it will be December next week and as usual I have little desire to do the whole Christmas thing - if I could I'd buy a ticket to some off season hot spot and disappear until March.

But I did make some progress on the garden before I got ill, having bought some incredible show auriculas from the wonderful Alison at Angus Plants. They have fantastic names like "Cinnamon" , "Baggage", and "Snowy Owl".

Mine are all potted up in gritty compost in a cool greenhouse, waiting to go out on my new "auricula theatre" which I made from an old set of oak shelves I bought at a jumble sale, and which the lovely Jamie, my new 6'4" handy man, put up for me on the shed wall. (I really regret the dearth of men with power tools in this family - I blame my mother for taking me to see 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, it left me thinking I'd marry into a family who would be able to whip up a barn before lunch.)

And I have my seed order from the amazing Plant World Seeds nursery. They have some wonderful things, including rare wild S. American seeds that do well here. I'm planning to grow lots of grasses, as I love their movement, and how good they look when frosted.

Next week I have to submit myself to N's make-over plans for me, she want to supervise me buying an outfit to wear to the dinner for the launch of the National Galleries anthology. It will end in tears..........

And a couple of wee things:

you left a gap in the world today
the colour of a blue November noon

no more palmate leaves
no more sticky sap for bees
no more waxy candles in June

goodbye old friend,
this late in the year
we need light

--------

walking in sharp November light
carrying my fog within



Yours

Crabbit Annie