BS: Sunshine Thoughts

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: ranger1
Date: 04 May 13 - 06:30 AM

Sunday mornings have always been my time with Dad. He was an early riser from having to get up at 4:00 AM in order to be at whatever job site he was on at that time. When you work bridge construction, you kind of have to go to where the bridge is, and most crews start by 7:00 AM. He was never able to turn off that internal alarm clock, so he'd still be up early on the weekends. On the occasions that I'd be living in the same town, I'd go over for coffee, and we'd sit and talk. Sometimes, I'd stay with him at the place out on Goose Pond, and we'd sit in the kitchen and listen to the quiet quickly being replaced by birdsong. If we were really lucky and the wind was either still or blowing from the east, we might hear the loons calling to one another.

My dad wasn't a big guy. Maybe five eight in his workboots. I don't know what he weighed, but whatever it was, it wasn't much and would have been all muscle. Wiry, is what I heard one of the cousins call him, Billy is a wiry little son of gun. He was Billy to the family, and Moe to everyone else. Moe was short for Moses, Billy because he was Moses Jr and our last name is Bill.

He'd be sitting there at the table in his jeans and a pocket tee-shirt, his Quebecois ancestry obvious in his wiry build. His face, arms, and neck were all weathered dark by sun and wind from working outdoors all his life, making it easy to see our native ancestry, too. All except his feet, they never saw much sun and were almost blindingly white compared to the rest of him. Every so often, when he didn't think I was looking, he'd look over with love and pride in his dark eyes.

I miss those Sunday mornings.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 May 13 - 03:24 PM

Megan, your account of the distressed cry reminds me of something- I've never even told anyone of it - that I once experienced.

I had recently bought a couple of acres in the country just over the hill from where my brother lived with his family. He had a few sheep and they grazed in the meadow bordering the stream. It was a peaceful spot, always reminding me of the psalm.

Anyway. One day I was outdoors when I heard a repeated cry for help. It was coming from my brother's direction and I sprinted up the trail, my heart in my mouth.

Help! Help! The sound got louder the closer I got. I crested the hill and listened for the direction of the call.

And again, the sheep sounded: Help! Help!

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: ranger1
Date: 03 May 13 - 07:04 AM

Megan, your writing makes me want to visit Orkney.

In New England, with our long (although not as long as Alaska's!) winters, the call of the spring peepers is one of the most welcomed sounds. Peepers are small frogs, about an inch or so long, and when they get together in a pond, the sound can be overwhelming for those who don't enjoy it for what it is: the sound of spring. Peepers in the pond down the road

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Megan L
Date: 03 May 13 - 05:16 AM

Ebbie your wonderful description of the ducks made me think of sound.

Orkney sounds

We think of our island home as a quiet place especially when you get out of the town. Today however a chance remark set my mind a wandering through the sometimes forgotten paths of memory appreciating once more the great beauty of my island as seen through the eyes of a blind man.

The old dry-stone walled cottage we called home for the first nineteen years of married life sat solid and low in the landscape as though afraid to stick its head to far above the garden walls for fear the wind would try and pluck it from its place.

We lay side by side in the small bedroom not yet asleep, for sleep was not easily won on nights of thick fog. The booming bass notes of the lighthouse carrying across the Flow till it vibrated in your chest. The pauses punctuated by the shrill building warble of the Whaup (that being the Orkney name for the Curlew) it always felt as though it was having to practice peep, then a break then peep peep till it finally spiralled upwards in a lonesome eerie warble. it was a strangely unnerving sound on such a night like the cry of a lost soul of a sailor rising in desperation to be plucked from the sea. For many years we seemed to attract a lone Whaup who kept up a war of attrition with Dauvit who seemed to find its mournful matting call a personal affront. Curlew song on you tube

The wind had its own song as it whistled through the slack old slates sometimes though it would stop singing and scream at us as it tried to batter down the chimney that had stood for well over 200 years. On those nights it was not hard to imagine our old house hunkering down even lower to the ground to escape its onslaught.

Happier sounds there were too, the wild geese calling their invitation to join them as they migrated south for a warmer winter ah so tempting was their call. The blackbird having a whistle argument with Dauvit over who really owned the land, like a wonderfully scored duet. Or the starling who caused great confusion in the breast of Cookie our small black cat with white socks and moustache that looked like she had been caught stealing the cream. You see I had never had a cat before and used to whistle her home like we had the dogs when I was young. The only problem was this wily Starling had learned to imitate my whistle so one day I found myself in the courtyard with Cookie sitting on the ridge of the low roof.   I whistled and she began to turn to come down the roof to me when I apparently whistled her from the back garden. Her head twisted and turned in growing confusion at my ability to be two places at one time I had never thought to see a cat poots(pout petulantly) but she certainly did as I burst out laughing. Indeed she was so unamused she refused to come near me for the rest of the day.

The other sound that sits strong in my memory of that time was of standing at the corner of the house on a warm summer evening and hearing a baby cry. I called Dauvit out for I knew none of the houses in the area had young children and the crying sounded quite distressed. He smiled taking my hand as he led me down the road till we reached the auld brig, there he guided me down the path to the beach. He turned me to look into the curve of the bay standing behind me with his strong arms enfolding me in his warmth as we watched the common seals and their pups sprinkled like living rocks across the bay.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: ranger1
Date: 02 May 13 - 06:59 PM

Ebbie, this is a pretty good definition of peat.

Megan, you really should be writing books and sharing the beauty of your writing with the world.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 May 13 - 04:39 PM

"...susserus shushing of waves ..." I love susseration.

Once, on a camping trip, we stood there in the darkness that had gathered around us while leaving the sky still lit enough to show the silhouettes of flock of ducks coming in to land on the lake for the night. The only sound overhead, except for the very occasional solitary honk was the suss suss suss of their wings.

Question: Is peat merely below-ground vegetation that has decayed? Would the permafrost of the north be burnable if it were cut into cakes and dried?

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Megan L
Date: 02 May 13 - 12:39 PM

All the talk in our small town just now is about the dearth of activity on the street. The Street is actually what was the main road of the original town. Everything lay either abune(above) or ablow (below) the street, a jumble of piers and narrow lanes clinging together for such comfort as could be garnered from the harsh granite hillside tumbling down to the bay.

Women talked at lane ends about distant shared cousins who had written letters home from the far reaches of the globe. There was mingled pride and sadness that young Doddie (George) had got work with the Hudson Bay Company. Sighs of understanding and commiseration at another young lad forced to leave the island to make a living, so many of them never came home.

Men gathered at the pierhead moaning at the price of kye (cattle) at the mart which lay at the far end of town,when you are walking your beasts to mart or slaughter house you want them in your own parish true food miles. On wild weather days they would gather to decide if they should leave the safety of the harbour and risk the rough seas out the back of Hoy with their long lines.

Slowly (for all things are slow in a land ruled by the ebb and flow of the tide) the conversation would meander from topic to topic, for reading and making babies were activities for the long winters nights.

It was a self sufficient little town back then with the ships gliding past the Kirk Rocks with their great creamy sails bringing in the luxury goods the island could not provide. The cobbler, the baker and all the services our town needed provided in tiny one roomed shops and more ale house per yard of street than anywhere else on the island. Children darting along the road weaving between the adults a precious coin grasped in a hot little hand to buy a loaf or jug of ale for father coming home prayed there would be enough left to buy a wee poke (Small paper cone) of toffee as a rare treat.

Much of life was lived on the street news passed tumbling from lip to lip along its length. The anxious waiting women when a local boat was overdue whispering together afraid to say the frightened words loudly in case they would come true. Sharing tears of joy when the men were spied slipping into the Cairston Roads the small boats fighting their way round the holms towards the safety of harbour. The cannon announced a ships arrival from south with apples from Kent and oranges from Spain, bolts of cloth for plain
folk and fine silk for the Laird

Dressed in their Sunday best families walked along the street laughing to a wedding. Sombre faced silent black clothed they walked in procession behind the coffin out to Warbeth where the late of the town laid asleep to the susserus shushing of waves on the shore, slumbering till the great call to judgement.

Then came the time when the old ways were no longer good enough. The days of the oil and prosperity when the council in their dubious wisdom built scheme after scheme of new houses on the outskirts of town. The people bought cars and went to work and shop in Kirkwall. The people outgrew our little town and gradually most of the shops closed to be replace with gift shops for the cruise ships.

Many factors contribute to the death of a small community but in a seafaring town bedded down on its granite hillside the temporary loss of our ferry has pierced the heart of the towns confidence in the future flowing away like our lifeblood into the harbour.

The feeling of impending doom in the conversations is hard to get past. Writing this however I think of all the changes good and bad that have happened in our small town over the centuries and realise that through it all the town has remained as strong and solid as its granite foundation.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: ranger1
Date: 29 Apr 13 - 11:40 PM

When I was in Ireland 25 years ago (where has the time gone?!), I saw peat being cut, and several of the hostels I stayed in had peat fires burning. Thanks for reminding me of a happy memory :)

Here in Maine, we have a saying that wood warms you twice - once when you cut it (or stack it), and the second time when you burn it. The house my mum grew up in was poorly built and always cold. She always vowed that someday she would live in a house and keep it as warm as she wished. When we moved to the coast of Maine when I was 15, the house we rented only had electric baseboard heaters when we first moved in. Maine has long, cold winters, and my parents were worried about being able to afford the electric bill. Our landlords liked us as tenants so much, that they installed a wood-burning furnace in the cellar for us. Mum finally got her wish. She would order four cords of wood (a cord is a stack of wood four feet wide, four feet tall, and 8 feet long, for those who don't know) in the fall, and when it was delivered, all social engagements that my sister and I might have were cancelled and we would all spend the weekend throwing the wood into the cellar and stacking it. My sister and I hated it, but we liked being warm, too, as mum would remind us when we'd start to complain. Not only that, but it taught me a useful skill.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Apr 13 - 11:32 PM

I might know be quite ready to post, but am enjoying this thread, immsensely. It reminds me of some of Peter T's Thread for the day threads. Thanks so much for sharing.


luvyakat

P.S. Here's a stinky proposition Morgan call me with tonight:

   Mama, would you like to write a book with me? Do you want to hear the first few chapters?

   Why sure I would! I love that you like to create with worlds and your imagination.(WE mumbled on a bit of NANOWRIMO and others and agreed to talk later. The heo involve Mr Pill, who farts pickles ahwn he's out to save someone. I told him I'd edit, Fourth graders have such gritty humour!)


.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Megan L
Date: 29 Apr 13 - 10:18 AM

Duh senior moment :)

Sounds like a job well done lass and all the better for being done among friends.

When I first came to Orkney it was not unusual to see peat stacks for we have few trees on the island. Most households had two and the industrious ones three stacks. There was the stack they were using for the hearth this year, last years cutting which would be dry by the time this years was done and this years cutting.

Several families with banks close by would all work together to gather the peats. First the grassy turf was stripped of laid carefully by to put back in place when we were done. Then the Tusker a strangely shaped spade forged by generations of blacksmiths was used to cut the labs of peat which were laid on the banks to dry. By several families working together they could do on average enough for one stack a day and would work together till each family had enough to see them through.

A while later when the peats had dried a little and could be moved folk again gathered to "bring them in". They would load them on carts which would take them down to the farm yard where they would be stacked allowing them to dry till they became rock hard providing a slow burning fuel for cooking and heating the croft.

Many of the younger generation have never smelled the slightly acidic tang of burning peats. However to those of a certain generation the smell wherever they are in the world will instantly transport them home. Never was there a more welcoming and heartening smell on damp winters evening.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Megan L
Date: 29 Apr 13 - 09:42 AM

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: ranger1
Date: 29 Apr 13 - 06:12 AM

Today is a day off and I shall spend it helping friends. Tom is physically no longer capable of doing these projects, and Linn is busy taking care of Tom, so I go down every so often and help out where I can. This project is moving a woodpile from its current location to a different one, out of the way of the fellow who will be fixing the driveway next week. A lot of the wood isn't worth saving, so it has to be gone through, moved, and restacked in the new spot. It is a good way to spend a day - helping friends, enjoying their company, and there is something very satisfying about stacking wood. There's a bit of an art to it, making it stable enough so it won't fall over by cribbing the ends and stacking it so it all fits together. I am very good at stacking wood, the two rows I've made so far are solid. One can reach out and shake the pile and it barely moves. And knowing I've done this for friends makes it even more satisfying.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: gnu
Date: 28 Apr 13 - 12:55 PM

Ditto r1 and Ebbie. I have watery eyes on more than one count.

Thanks again, M.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Apr 13 - 12:47 PM

{{{{{Megan L}}}}}

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: ranger1
Date: 28 Apr 13 - 06:49 AM

(((Meg)))

I have spent time with a lovely not-quite-eight year-old two Saturdays in a row. She is a lot like I was at that age, everything that grows, hops, crawls, flies, swims, or runs is asked about and wondered at. Yesterday she was quizzing me about various plants growing in the woods, wanting to know what they were, even though they didn't have flowers on them. She spent the week looking forward to coming to the birding festival that we're having at the park and hoping that I'd be there. She also came with a list of questions for me that she's thought of during the week, most of which I managed to answer for her. I like this child :)

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Megan L
Date: 28 Apr 13 - 03:19 AM

Letting go the past

When we moved from a bigger house to the one I am in now (Which was a great improvement in so many ways) Dauvit would take box after box of stuff out to the disused byre and sort through it putting load after load to the mart. In the new house we still had way to much stuff but we were going to sort through the boxes as we could. Unfortunately Dauvit's health failed rapidly after we moved and those boxes never did get sorted in fact as older family members left us they grew.

In 2009 I spent most of the year living out of a suitcase bouncing back and forth the 308 miles between our home and the hospital Dauvit was in, in Glasgow. Eventually we got word he would probably be coming home and I raced back to get things ready. I stood in the house and cried I couldn't even figure out where to start there were things everywhere. A woman from our church offered to tidy up for me and I bounced of again to make more arrangements. I returned three days later to discover that everything had been moved and anything she thought had no use or I wouldn't need had been taken to a charity shop. From then until Dauvit's death I would continuously find myself looking for things and not finding them.

Now it is 2013 I have great difficulty bending, lifting or kneeling down so gradually the house has turned into a complete mess but the events of 2009 have left their damage and I feared to let anyone in, in case I lost anything else. I have visitors coming at the end of May and was in a complete panic I had had several ideas of people who could be paid to get the place ready for me but my fears were stopping me from contacting them.

Enter Christine, I have written before about the girl from a local café who adopted me after Dauvit died. She finally said to me the other day "I have never been allowed in your house we need to get this sorted" finally we agreed that I would pick her up on Saturday since she works all week and she would make a start on the clear up.

Saturday morning dawned (And yes I saw the dawn) with me pacing the floor feeling physically sick about what would be happening that day, would we be able to do this and still feel friends. I picked her up at eleven so she could get a long lie then headed back to start work.

What a day it turned out to be, quite amazing. Three bags at a time, one for rubbish, one for the charity shop and one for craft stuff she worked away nothing went in the bin bag or the charity shop bag without her checking it with me. There were a few tears as we came across things that I thought had gone, things that would not have meant anything to an outsider like the cake stand that had belonged to Mum and a sandwich plate of my Grans.   There were some tough decisions to make, as well it is strange the things you can get sentimental over but did I really need to keep all of Dauvit's tools. The answer to that question was of course NO but what helped me make it was Christine's constant reassurance that nothing would go if I wanted it no matter what it seemed to her.

A tough day, and more to come but all in all it has been a good day and when we are done there will be less to clutter my small house and her gentle understanding is wiping away the fear of someone being in my space.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Megan L
Date: 26 Apr 13 - 11:36 AM

he he sorry Ebbie forgot to warn folk I was contageous

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Ebbie
Date: 26 Apr 13 - 11:28 AM

Ha! How'd I get to be a Guest? That last post was I.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Apr 13 - 11:12 AM

The smallest of things can remain in the memory as a smile maker.

I happened to be at the window one day as a tall young man came striding up the steep street. He went on a few yards, stopped, looked around and came back around the retaining wall, bent over, plucked a single leaf of the spearmint plants I had planted there and continued striding up the hill, the sprig held to his nose.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Apr 13 - 05:56 AM

The setting sun gave the hills to the south of Skipton the sepia tones of an old photograph yesterday evening. Over to one side the earlier rain had washed the sky to the kind of pink that seems to exist only in memories. It was only a moment, but that moment lasted an age and elevated the mundane weekly shop into a train of thoughts that spanned creation. I stopped the car in the middle of the car park while other shoppers wended their way home, seemingly oblivious to the miracle we were witnessing.

A young man wearing a 'hoodie' walked past us, leading a horse while talking on a mobile phone. It did not seem strange or out of place at all but as he passed he looked directly at us and smiled. He was outside, in the fresh air even if was on an urban car park! I felt he knew why we were sat there grinning. Maybe, when I no longer need it, I could trade the car for a horse. We can all hope...

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: gnu
Date: 26 Apr 13 - 05:19 AM

Megan... beautiful... as always. Thanks for sharing.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Megan L
Date: 26 Apr 13 - 05:05 AM

OOPs guest was me didnt realise I wasnt aw there

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Apr 13 - 04:59 AM

Dan congratulations hope everybody doing well.
Ranger 1 well done we can all do with broadening our horizons and if you have never been introduced to something you will never know if you like it.
Ebbie keep going we need all the pleasant mental stimulation we can get as we get older otherwise like a poster that used to be up in our local library "Use it or lose it"

I Remember

I remember a warm summer's morning, sparkling dew strung on gossamer threads across the garden. I stood at the back door in my cotton nightie sleep splashed eyes blinking in the sun. Warmth enfolded me a safe place and a warm embrace. Two strong arms came over my shoulders and the safe place became a wonderful unassailable fortress against the cares of childhood.

Her voice flowed to me a gentle stream of sound guiding on an adventure of exploration of our new magical morning. She whistled and we laughed at the sleepy response from a nearby blackbird, as we listened his song awoke his neighbours each adding their whistle chirrup or caw till the sound of morning swelled around us in the great symphonic rise of dawn.

Still holding me we stepped out of the door as she whispered how special this morning was, how it would stay with me on dark days my summer place where we could always talk together no matter how far apart we were.

The hard gravel path nibbled at our bare feet like the small mouse dad had caught eyeing up his raspberries. Then cool soft grass washed away the grit I broke free and danced around the lawn leaving small damp footprints among the crystal sprinkled emerald grass.

Many years later my dance would take me hundreds of miles away from this place and time. Mum would finish her dance in this garden and move on to dance on the wind of my memory. Yet still when the grass glitters with the dawn and the sleepy birds begin to waken we can once more share time in our magical place. When I go there I know I will hear her voice and bask in the warmth of her love and wise advice once more.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: gnu
Date: 24 Apr 13 - 04:50 AM

Megan... thanks.

r1, Ebbie.. cool!

Dan... congrats ya luck bugger!!! Enjoy!

Nice way to start the day on a windy, rainy, dark morn... with such wonderful Sunshine Thoughts. Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Ebbie
Date: 24 Apr 13 - 12:41 AM

Last Sunday was the first day of our planned 'music days' here at the senior center. Only three tenants besides myself came but three friends, including myself, kept the music going. We had a fiddle, a guitar and an autoharp plus voices and had a grand time.

We will get more tenants involved- it just takes time.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: ranger1
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 08:00 PM

I've been sharing folk music with my younger friends in the video gaming community I belong to, by blogging about it and using YouTube videos. They look forward to each new one, and some are listening to music they never would have encountered before. I'm really enjoying it, and learning a lot myself. Thanks go out to Bat Goddess and Curmudgeon, John MacKenzie, and Deckman for all the help they've provided for my "little" project.

Dan, congrats on that soon-to-be little ray of sunshine!

Megan, I love the imagery of the dragon!

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: olddude
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 04:28 PM

cannot wait, any day now a new baby girl granddaughter ... Oh yes .. I have a lot of experience since I raised girls ,... lots of barbies here

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Megan L
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 03:32 PM

This evening I am watching the dragons play tig in the Cairston roads just as the ancestors have since the ancient ones built their low stone walled houses with roofs of turf and heather. Of course they knew that Our dragon was a small creature who couldn't be seen as it swam between the islands but they followed its large snowy wake.

Now as a twenty-first century woman there is a part of my brain knows that the dashing white wakes are the result of our strange wind and tide. There is however another part remembers Dauvit's great joy as he watched his dragon dashing along the base of the steep dark cliffs of Hoy.

A brave Viking caught sight of our dragon and carved his picture on the wall of the ancient tomb of Maes Howe while he sheltered there with his crew during a fearsome storm. There he is immortalised till this day his spiked tail curled protectively round his body.

He dashes round the shore of Graemsay as the farmers would say "Clean gyte wie the freedom" like a young cow let out of the barn to the sweet fresh grass of spring before scampering across to Hoy playing hide and seek along its craggy base.

Sometimes in life we may know the sensible scientific answers to the beliefs of our ancestors yet if we do not sometimes lay aside what we know and look with the innocent wonder of a child or our ancestors then we will lose the joy of this wonderful world

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Megan L
Date: 19 Dec 12 - 05:25 AM

Well done Sandra sounds like a good time is had by all and everyone benefits.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 18 Dec 12 - 07:04 PM

lucky 'Catters

Fridays for the last few years I've been teaching at a craft group comprised of young mothers. Toddlers go into the creche, babies stay in the craft room & we all have fun. I've never spent so much time with children before & I love it. I also take lots of pics.

One morning Miss Three decided to throw a tantrum & not stay in the creche with her friends, so she joined us & made a necklace. She is a very shy child & doesn't speak to me even tho she has known me most of her life, but pointed to the colour of felt she wanted & I cut a snippet which she threaded on a needle.

We're now on our summer break & I won't see them for weeks, tho some of us are meeting after christmas.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: olddude
Date: 18 Dec 12 - 02:34 PM

Well I found out yesterday the new grand baby on the way is a girl, so now I will have a grandson and granddaughter ... I get to spoil rotten for sure. Its my job

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Megan L
Date: 18 Dec 12 - 12:52 PM

What makes you smile?

Last week we took the twins out to a cafe in town, mum was very anxious apart from one visit to my local cafe when they were babies they have never been in such a social setting.

While mum was at the atm I held two tiny hands and moved to the big window of the shoe shop next door. "Santa" Alex pointed. Not to be outdone Megan found a snowman there were lots of small figures dotted around the display. their eyes gleamed and they laughed in delight at each new treasure found much to the enjoyment of folk passing in the street.

I had chosen the cafe carefully for this first forray it has enclosed booths so one twin to each side of the table and an adult wedge should it be necessary. It wasn't I swear Alex was practicing 2 year old flirting with the waitress and his sister was batting her blonde eyelashes and flashing award winning smiles at anyone who came near.

O course never having had children I had not taken things like sippy cups into account but we discovered it is still possible to have your coffee while firmly clamping a small glass onto the table and use a finger to direct a straw at a small mouth. They captivated everyone who came near and we got out without tears tantrums or lots of crumbs all in all a good outing.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: maeve
Date: 17 Dec 12 - 11:28 AM

These are times when we need good news, joyful thoughts, and gratitude.

Thank you, Megan.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Megan L
Date: 26 Nov 12 - 06:49 AM

Smoky water days

Orkney is lazy today even the sun is to lazy to put on its bright gown choosing to amble across the sky in its startlingly white petticoat. The smoke from the chimney oh a house down on the main road cannot be bothered whizzing of as it usually does instead it wanders slowly around as though trying to pick a direction on which to set off.

The big Sycamore is perplexed it is not sure about this standing still it feels most strange to branches used to being almost continuously being ordered about by sergeant major wind. Even the slender pikes of montbretia leaves are trying to work out why their world has stopped moving.

While down in the bay sluggish turns around like the matriarch seal reluctant to leave the comfort of the shore. It drags itself away so slowly you can still see reflections on its surface. It tenderly runs a finger of wave along the side of the departing ferry in a lover's caress.

And down the Flow towards Flotta a light fog hangs low to the water, indeed it is unfair to call it a fog for it is the merest wisp the faintest show of smoky water brushing up against Hoy's dark cliffs.

Even the birds are to lethargic to take wing they sit on the gutter of the house whispering secrets not at all their usual boisterous squabbling selves.

It is a day for drifting thoughts and quiet reflections

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Megan L
Date: 21 Nov 12 - 06:00 PM

Sometimes doing what you don't want to do turns out good.

It has been a rough few days. The weather has been driving wind and rain and I wasn't feeling so good. Doreen sent a text reminding me that tonight was craft club and asking if I was going.

All day I hummed and hawed trying to find excuses not to go. Eventually as the day was lengthening I decided that if I were going I would have to go into Kirkwall to collect some money and get enough petrol to last me for a while.

5% Celsius as I stepped out the door and although the wind had dropped it was just strong enough to give the chill a bite. The sun had graced us today and was sinking in its low winter orbit as I drove. Thankfully it was at my back casting its long shadows over the land. Light in Orkney at this time of year has a brittle crispness bringing things into sharp focus.

One of the fence posts ahead of me had a brown lump on it and suspecting what it might be I checked the road then slowed as I got near it. Sure enough sitting atop the post was a Catty Face. (The local name for the short-eared owl) It made no attempt to move just swivelling its cute face with perpetually startled looking eyes to watch as I slowly passed.

A mile or so farther on I saw a flash of colour ahead and since the road was still quiet I once again slowed. A grin twitched across my face as I watched the cock pheasant daintily strutting along the top of the dry stane dyke for all the world like a miniature Beau Brummel that impressive London dandy.

I did my chores and returned home settling in the warmth and resenting the thought of having to go out again but I had promised so I gathered a few bits and headed of. What an amazing night it turned out to be an older lady who I have only nodded to in the past came in late and sat beside me. She looked at the dishmop, wooden spoon, duster, washcloth and j-cloth I was working on and exclaimed, "you are making a sally kitchen maid"

I showed her the one I had made for my mum one Christmas almost 20 years ago now at a time when David was unemployed and we couldn't afford to buy presents. I had added a halo made from a gold coloured pot scrubber and a tiny hand written book of readings and hymns for Christmas as though it was a choirboy.

Our conversation wandered from Carols from Kings a family Christmas tradition that mum and I would stop whatever we were doing and listen to it when we had radio and watch when we eventually got television. I am not quite sure how we reached there but I listened fascinated as she told be about being evacuated from London during 1939 and returning in 1941 begging their parents not to send them away again even through the blitz. What an interesting and fascinating day it has turned out to be just because I made myself do what I did not want to do.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Megan L
Date: 18 Nov 12 - 04:42 PM

*takes a bow "Thank you thank you"
*tries to stand up "Damb has someone got Heddles crane on speed dial"

Now come on folks I canny be the only twit wie a tale fighting the winter blues.


Its all about the weather

"Whit awfy weather the day ahm fair drookit."
"Aye hids a driech day right enough, and wur haen a full sail breeze."

Such is a common greeting from customers to the café in Stromness. I discovered many years ago that life on the island revolved around the weather.

In fact I discovered that before my foot ever touched Orkney soil. It was my first ever holiday on my own, ok I know that compared with Benidorm or even Blackpool a fairly isolated Scottish island probably would not seem like the great adventure for an eighteen year old. However for me it was the ideal choice since I had never really been into discos and drinking. Ever since I had watched a schools television programme about Skara Brae the village which had been buried in the sand had captured my imagination.

It was however to be late 1979 before I was to first meet Orkney Weather. I had dressed with care and as was my fashion at the time wore a hat with a short veil. As I stepped onto the platform just outside the door of the aeroplane before descending to the tarmac (Well you never know when you might catch the eye of a young gentleman) the famous Orkney wind took a great liking for my hat. It plucked it from my head twirling it up out of reach before dancing it tantalisingly close before me as I tottered down the steps. Once it birled around me like some demented highland dancer with me at the centre of its wild sword dance it decided to take its new prize and go visiting. And so alas my lovely hat was last seen making a mad dash over the water to Shapinsay.

I often wondered if it stopped of to visit Balfour Castle before working its way up the islands to land on top of one of the sheep living outside the sea wall on North Ronaldsay. I have never made it to that island, perhaps it is for the best after all I would hate to have to debunk some local legend of the strange Were sheep who constantly wandered round the sea wall looking for entry to the human part of the island.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Nov 12 - 12:39 PM

More, more, lass!;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: gnu
Date: 17 Nov 12 - 01:55 PM

Thanks once again, Megan. Ihe imagery in your words is stunning. Pure poetry.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 17 Nov 12 - 07:10 AM

Megan, I do enjoy reading your thoughts. I particularly appreciate you pointing out the beauty to be found at this time of year, when I tend to get gloomy at the ending of the green time. Thanks for reminding me to look at the sky.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: maeve
Date: 17 Nov 12 - 06:31 AM

Thanks, Meg; lovely image.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Megan L
Date: 17 Nov 12 - 04:21 AM

Winter dawn

We are at that lovely stage of an Orkney winter, the mornings are cold and crisp but not dangerous. The sky hangs over us like a military parade marching of over the horizon grading from black inky darkness through lightening shades of grey to the palest blue uniform of daylight then drifting back to the fiery colours of dawn sunlight.

They march slowly past the corner of the house across the road the light dripping from them to colour the world around me till the king himself processes past the roof line blinding me with his glorious low slung frosty whiteness.

I turn away from the brightness but let it fall on my back bathing me in comforting warmth to begin my day.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: gnu
Date: 11 Nov 12 - 06:30 PM

A gift that bears refreshing.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: gnu
Date: 10 Nov 12 - 07:33 PM

"It made me think that whether the battle is lost or won and when all the fighting is said and done we can move on we can work together to be better than we were."

Indeed, kat, beautiful.

Megan... beautiful... you have a gift, lass. Thanks for sharing it.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Nov 12 - 02:27 PM

beautiful, Megan, the latter and the daffodil...like you and all yr writings...beautiful

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Megan L
Date: 10 Nov 12 - 11:36 AM

Tonight the BBC will show the Festival of Rememberance from the Albert Hall. I remember a few years ago after all the groups walked the length of the hall to their places behind the band two old men marched down together. They were if i remember rightly the last two remaining soldiers from some battle. There they were marching as comrades the last of their kind with a shared memory. They helped each other up the steps one from either side of the battle.

It made me think that whether the battle is lost or won and when all the fighting is said and done we can move on we can work together to be better than we were.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Megan L
Date: 04 Nov 12 - 04:34 AM

I was looking for some writing this morning I know it is in the house somewhere I remember writing it but can I find it not hide nor hair. What I did however find were two of my café books. Every so often I take one out of my bag for some reason and forget to put it back in ending up with buying another book. At least I have mostly given up writing on scraps of paper the amount of stuff that I have lost that way. I came across a piece I had written for a friend who had just gone back to studying and was so frustrated she was feeling like giving up.

The Daffodil

When things look hard
Think of the daffodil.
When days are dark
And the world is covered in snow
The bulb begins it's journey
For it has far to go.
It pushes through the darkness
Forcing up through cold hard ground
Till at last it reaches sunlight
And blossoms in full bloom.
We did not see the hard work
In all the winter's gloom
We just admire the beauty
Of a job that is well done.

21/3/2011

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Megan L
Date: 02 Nov 12 - 04:32 AM

Sunshine through the clouds

The sky was dark and filled with rain
So dull it looked like fog
It made me feel so down and grumpy
Till I was growling like the dog

Then shyly from a little split
Within that dense dark cloud
A bright and shiny beam appeared
The sun was still shining proud

I may not see it here below
But I know it shines above
And even on my darkest days
It sends me warmth and love

mhtbl 2nd November 2012 0830

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: gnu
Date: 01 Nov 12 - 03:50 PM

Lovely! Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: Megan L
Date: 01 Nov 12 - 03:23 PM

Thanks lassie that made me grin. There is no need to ask with winter coming on we can all have dull days but if we each share when we have some sunshine we can get each other through till spring.

At least you didnt run of with him like someone around here did in a shop in Wales on her honeymoon. Honestly I thought the man I sidled up to put my arm through his "Darling could you buy me this thimble"

He looked down at me(Weel maist folk have to luk doon at me)
"Well I would my dear but perhaps your husband would prefer to do that"

Oh boy I was never alowed to live that one down :)

Subject: RE: BS: Sunshine Thoughts
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Nov 12 - 02:57 PM

Meg, if you don't mind, I'd like to post my blessing received on this day: I was out on the front stoop throwing the frisbee for the dogs. Next door, the rental house is empty with a flooring company in to work on the wood floors. One of the men was outside and said, "Sweetie-pie?" I looked around not sure whom he was addressing. Lo and behold! I was "sweetie-pie" and he was offering me some extra Taco Bell lunch stuff which none of them wanted. I can't eat that so thanked him. But that just made my day...a random, unforeseen, act of kindness.

Thank you, Meg, for this very special and important, imo, thread.

luvya'llkat