Singing the Blues

I have come to a final decision to sell one of my paintings. I no longer have room for it on my wall. It's called 'Singing the Blues' 12" x 15" framed as you can see in the picture. This is me, I posed for it. I had longer hair back then, yes I play the guitar. I'm off to Canada in June so need some funds. I hope whoever decides to buy it is happy with it. But don't worry if no one wants it I'll try EBay. So wherever you are in the world have no fears I can get it to you. I can set up a paypal account, so no worries there. So who would like to start the bidding? The artist is Jackie Adshead. Yes it's nice but I no longer have room for it. By the way this is not the original it is a print of the original, Jackie has the original on her website.

A tribute to my best friend

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
with a red hat which doesn't go and doesn't suit me,
and I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves,
and satin sandals and say we have no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I am tired,
and gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells,
and run my stick along public railings,
and make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
and pick the flowers in other peoples gardens..
and learn to spit.

You can wear horrible shirts and grow more fat,
and eat three pounds of sausages at a go..
or only bread and pickle for a week.
And heard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
and pay our rent and not swear in the street,
and set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practise a little now?
so people who know me are not to be shocked and surprised
when suddenly I am old and start to wear purple.

This is a poem my friend wrote to me to try and cheer me up one year when I'd had foot surgery. I've treasured it for ever and still have it. She was always so full of life, life so tragically taken away from her last year, after a short fight against cancer. So you see she never got to learn to spit, rattle her stick along the railings and to wear purple. As for wearing purple, well I got to wear pink when I ran for cancer on May 10th this year. The grand total of my efforts has risen to £142.50 . Last year whilst I was in Morocco I visited Marrakesh, where my friend had visited some many years previous, so this was a trip I had to do. The Sunday of the journey to this amazing city had bearing on me reading this very poem, because in England on the same day in a small village called Ilam in Derby-shire, in a church on a sunny day, the family of my best friend were celebrating her life, every one that ever met her was there and by all accounts the church was full. But as I was unable to be there, I had my very own private ceremony.. and I read this poem.............................
......................
shead alot of................. tears.. and told her I loved her and missed her.
She was most certainly with me on the day of the race, more than likely looking down and laughing at me... my naked legs more likey!! She had a wicked sense of humour, she oozed personality and life. At the bottom of the poem, she added 'Hi you, thought you'd like this poem "Warning" I do & I'm getting there sooner than you' Thinking of you strapped & laid up after your operation... see you soon. Love Anita. Or as I'd called her and still do 'nattie.'

Almost here

Over the last few days I've upped my training for the race for life. On Sunday I ran four miles in the rain, with my friend who's running with me on Saturday. Yesterday I walked four and a half miles to a village, and decided to run back the same distance of four and a half miles. Today is a rest day, as I can feel my thigh and lower calf muscles tightening up. I need to take on board some carbs and continue to drink plenty of fluid. Saturday is just '3' days away. I can't believe how quickly it's come round. I hope the day is filled with fun and joy.. and the weather isn't too hot. I remember the 1996 Flora London Marathon,the hottest on record, heat is the last thing you need when running... anywhere! I was asked the other day that when I've run the race for life, shall I continue to do some running? My reply was 'yes!' I enjoy the space, can think of nothing better than getting hot and sweaty whilst dicing with the on coming traffic.. what fun!!!!!
My friend's looking forward to the day too, we should have fun, with no injuries;whilst raising much needed funds for a very good cause. I can't wait. And hopefully will have some photos of the event to put on my blog!!

Race for life..

It won't be long before I'm out in the field slogging my hard earned guts out for charity. I have to be honest with you, I can't wait! What with the weather just recently, I've found running in these highly strong winds almost impossible.. but I've done it non the less. Over the weeks I've gained a few extra pounds, which I or anyone else can't see, but the scales don't lie. My appetite has doubled, my energy levels are up, even though I start work on a Friday at 6a.m and finish about 5p.m,I still find time to go for a run, as I have today. I'm still bursting with energy! Yeah... strange but true. If any one visiting my blog would like to sponsor me, then they can go directly to the site and donate on line at 'cancer research UK'.. it's a worth while cause, one of which I hold close to my heart, having had several relatives and friends die of the disease. And I thank you for reading this chapter in my life. The date of my run is May 10th . Weather permitting, it will be an eventful day. . I look forward to it, it's what I've trained for...

Second chance

I now I keep barking on about running, but this is my new therapy. And I'm starting to get the hang of living again. Life's one of those things that for the most of us, try our hardest to do right. We spend a large chunk of time worrying about silly things, insignificant particles of every day life, have we done this, that right. It can get slightly boring after a while, but hey we carry on regardless. I went for a run today, no we haven't had any snow yet. I started off slowly and paced well, breathing was OK, feet were fine. So why can't every run be like today? Nope, sorry can't answer that either.. am all out of answers. I'm counting down the weeks to the run. I know for a fact that should I continue to train, fight the pain, do my best then I shall run well on the day, my adrenaline will take charge, the euphoria will be over whelming, the crowd will surge us on. I will raise megga amounts of money for this worthy cause, I will remember my best friend, I will get emotional. Live each day like it's the last, this is it, there's no rehearsal, we don't get a second chance.