Ukraine invaded and the north blasted by the weather.

 It has happened,  we are almost out of a pandemic,  the climate crisis needs immediate attention, so what does Putin do?  Invade the Ukraine.   The implications for them and all of us are huge.  I hope the Russian people can try and persuade him to turn back.  

Meanwhile up north we are on about our fifth storm.  On Sunday the trickle turned into a wide river just in the garden below and yesterday the main doors were shut at Bowes Museum because the wind was so fierce and two women were blown over trying to find the alternative door. Despite that we have managed to get out and have fun with dogs and dad and son and daughter in law. 

                                                                             

I have even managed a little trip within a trip, this time to Leeds.  For two nights in Leeds one could have almost a week in Spain this time of the year,  but it is nice to be able to explore a bit more of the UK and to catch up with old friends in the area.  At first the town was so full on I was like I am more of a country hick than I realised but by the end I was enjoying hoping on and off buses and getting to know the different neighbourhoods.  

The axe has fallen and two confidence boosts.

 I have had my updated energy bills, along with the rest of the country, I am suddenly paying a whole lot more for my gas and electricity.   This time last year I was only paying about £30 a month in DD, I did ask them to put it up,  but they did not, now it will be a whooping £170 a month.  So over £2000 a year. If you consider that most pensioners are on about £9000 a year,  that is close to a quarter of their income.  It is not sustainable.  Once upon a time when I had a lodger,  it was an income, now it increases my outgoings and just covers their cost.    So here it feels bleak,  on the other hand I am not facing down a whole Russian army.  So even bleaker news from abroad is shutting out the bleak news here. 

However,  two nice things have happened recently,  first I had a vague idea for a picture, and have been brave enough to put it up on Grayson Perry's Facebook Art Group, it is only a little sketch but I thought it would resonate and to my delight so far has had over 80 likes. The most attention anything I have done recently.  

And through my volunteering with the Harmony Gardens in Cheshunt with Wyld Edges,  I have been interviewed, photographed and even appeared in a twitter feed.    Think that is a first.  

Queenie has reigned for 70 years.

 I do not know how she does it, but this weekend, was the 70th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne.    I have been alive for almost 67 of those years so she is the only monarchy I have known the only way of living has been under her "Guidance" "Authority" whatever you like.  I may not be a wild supporter or follower of Monarchy but I can see that has given a structure and a culture in effect to my whole life and it has possibly contributed to the stability and  yet stuffiness of the country.   I do not know how she does it.  I crawl to work a few hours a week, sometimes enjoying and celebrating the time, sometimes resenting it,  often feeling very tired. But then in between I am in some ways celebrating life more and more as I find things available at last to do locally, that I could not access when I was working full time for example gardening, T'ai Chi, yoga, art.     But as I do them I am mindful that I do them with a body that aches all the time and the chances are it will get more difficult. Nevertheless I am surrounded by many people a lot older than me who are much more energetic and who are therefore providing a positive example despite the challenges of getting older (e.g. some are recovering from Cancer, but still get out there and are fully active)   I am incredibly lucky to have this time and it is no point wishing I had had more time previously to exercise,  get involved in politics etc, but ..... Is this just filling in time whilst waiting for death, or rushing to have a more fulfilled life or just life trundling on its own sweet way?  The good thing about being pulled into politics, is that any thoughts I had had about what I wanted to do with life have been shelved and now this is what I am focusing on.  There is a lot to learn about so that is good for my brain,  though finding the time and or energy is a bit of a challenge, and then there is the camaraderie so that is good and who knows perhaps we will also benefit the world with any luck.   Some of the others for example did a litter pick this weekend, and we have raised questions about footpaths, building and education already with the powers that be.                                                                  

Volunteering on the Community Garden in Cheshunt,  first we have to clear all the land of all the brambles and all the rubbish. 

                                              

Previous birthdays have sometimes been sad, I was dumped on both my 40th and 65th birthday,  twice I have been to a funeral on my birthday, which ironically was very jolly as I saw lots of family and people sang Happy Birthday,  this year will be marked by a trip to the pub and a party meeting - online.  Many old friends have to a certain extent faded away, sometimes we get in contact, and one or two I meet properly but now there are also the people I paint with, garden with and do Tai Chi with.  

Went as local party representative to this event in Cheshunt. 

I do not know why but 67 feels significantly older than 66.  Somehow I need to really embrace this ageing process.  I know most of the time I do, but sometimes people get a bit maudlin this time of the year and this year I definitely have. I think it is partly because I had hoped I would spend the day with family but cannot, however,  I will enjoy my birthday and will raise a glass or two to myself and hope for many more years, if vaguely healthy, to come. 

My art is not going to change the world but doing it changes my world.