Good tidings

 

Well, here we are again. Christmas time and all that it brings. The message of Christmas used to bring "Good Tidings" as in good news and much of that was broadcast in the very olden days as "good news to all men".

Not aiming for a political or feminist message in this blog, just wanting to flag up the power of specific words and what they can mean to us. 

Let me start with "Good Tidings". This to me has been the completion of all my tests over the past 8 months and the news, as in tidings, that my results are "satisfactory". 

Satisfactory is a medical term I am happy to live with. I still have some ongoing issues but nothing sinister or life-threatening and I have loads of tools and expertise to help me with my health. 

More "Good Tidings" come with friends, old and new. Everyone has a story to tell and so many people are appearing in my life with their very own good tidings. One connection ended up with me attending a pensioners lunch at Seamill Hydro and another with an invitation to go to Hamilton, the musical not the town!

The good news to all men message is about sharing positive messages not negative ones and obviously sharing them with all ... and sundry.

Now for a different choice of words ...

Do you wish people a Merry Christmas or a Happy Christmas? They are definitely not the same. Both are equally precious to the recipient, however I have always felt that the Merry word conveys a more inclusive convivial time. Whereas Happy implies contentment...

So here I am, both content and merry going to the Pensioners' Lunch. Photo taken by the Spa staff in the Hydro Spa, who were delighted to see me "dressed"!

wishing you all a very merry and happy Christmas.

full circle

I started writing the monthly blog in 2011 and my second entry in October was about yoga... as in, the practice of this ancient art and the misunderstandings that can arise due to misinformation or sometimes plain ignorance.

The writing had come about when I had a small rant with a friend about the misconceptions of Yoga as a philosophy and way of life. Said friend responded with "don't tell me, write about it!". She knew me well and knew that I loved to write. 

You can check out the historical blog entry by scrolling down the past entries if you want to read my initial offering. However the issues that people have challenged me with over the years have always been there and have never really gone away. 

Even to this day, I still get asked "Do you still do Yoga?"

The answer is yes, I am still practising yoga and it is still as rewarding as it was when I first started.

That was when I was 14, when due to my enforced leisure after an accident involving facial injuries, I received a gift of two yoga books to keep me amused. One on the practice of Hatha which involves the physical postures and the other was all about the philosophy. 

The rest as they say is history, as I was entranced by this approach to well being... both from a mental and physical point of view. 

Yoga is a discipline that helps people with their mental health and has done for over 5000 years. Who knew eh... well not me, all those 60 years ago

Which just goes to show that there is nothing new in looking after your mental health...

As many of you know, I taught yoga as a class, over a day, throughout a weekend and even Living It Yoga weeks in Italy.

The practice of yoga has certainly been entwined in my everyday living and it has been a privilege to share the concept of Living It Yoga to many students over the years. 

I even recorded CDs!

The following is a poem I wrote many years ago, when struggling to express myself succinctly to help people understand in simple terms what I believe the practice of Yoga is...

                              

  Yoga is…

 Yoga is… not just tying yourself into knots

Yoga is… straightening out those tangled thoughts.

Yoga is… not just panting and blowing

Yoga is… allowing the mind to keep flowing

Yoga is… not giving into our wraths

Yoga is… breath, with the use of maths!

 

Yoga is…  perhaps even doing, but

Yoga is… staying

Yoga is… stillness

Yoga is… praying

Yes, Yoga is…

But above

All

Yoga is…

Love

                                                     by Eileen Auld 1988

Namaste

An early Hallowe'en Treat

Where did the month go? My weeks disappeared quickly after my return from my Spa treat at Peebles Hydro. In fact 3 weeks were taken up with me recovering from a hellish 'flu that was put down to a dose of Covid.  Lucky white heather as they say!

Fortunately I recovered in time to take Murphy and Rosie through to Edinburgh for the school's October holiday week. We stayed with my good friend Grainne Crawford, known to the kiddies as Auntie G. She is adored by my grand kiddies ...

and I quite like her myself!

We visited Grainne's place of work at Central Libraries, after a trip on the tram and a run for a bus!  Both thrilling to we three and then we saw an exhibition of art in a part of Central Libraries that Grainne was thrilled to share. They are pictures and stories from the children of Kiev from their point of view ... and the result is both moving and inspirational.

National flower of Ukraine

I was intending to go through this weekend to see the exhibition but we just brought my visit forward and it meant that Murphy and Rosie had a special week in Edinburgh and we kick started it with a cultural and educational slant.

We received a tour of the Library including a visit to the music room where they hire out instruments, the children's library full of fun and laughter with no shhhhs and a peek in at a couple of secret passages!

Self explanatory

a child's point of view of war.

We were able to reflect on what we are privileged to experience while others are still in the midst of war. 

This was not my original intention, however Murphy and Rosie saw the pictures, read the stories and admired the crafts that were included in the display and their insight was that Ukranian children were still able to participate in school despite their circumstances. 

Always good to get a child's perspective.

Not sure what the crocodile thinks but I know that there is trouble in store...

An exciting day at the trampoline park followed, 90 minutes of fun and not a little sweat. 

When I say trampoline, there was dodge ball, football court and scary twisty slides. Yes they slept well that night, although the next day's treat was the Camera Obscura! Complete with 100 steps to the top...

Where the kiddies had a ball with what could be thought of as magic but was science and fun...

I know, spooky eh! I can reassure you that the children came home with heads firmly on... however not until they had a visit to Glasgow for Uncle Kenny's birthday, which included a visit to the Japanese pancake place on Friday and an interactive Egyptian history lesson on Saturday at Glasgow's SECC, The Tutankhamun exhibition.

There was so much to take in from the cinematic experience surrounding us with life as it was in ancient Egypt to all the virtual reality of being Tutankhamun rising from his tomb and experiencing the afterlife.

Rosie as Cleopatra

Murphy as himself

Thank you so much Grainne, Kenneth and Natalie and an special thank you to Tutankhamun! 

Cellular memories

 One year on from our family holiday in Tuscany, I took myself to Peebles Hydro for a two day spa break as a birthday treat to myself. This is continuing the tradition that Andy set, many, many years ago... as every year,  we went somewhere as his birthday pressy to me. He said that it saved him thinking about a gift. His words, not mine!

... and it would appear that I am still receiving that gift, as my room was upgraded at reception and a welcome package was waiting for me. As well as a bottle of prosecco from Gordon...

I am very grateful for all that came my way this birthday. The spa break of course with a wonderful massage and the precious time to chill and ponder on what comes next.

Also the cards and messages, the thoughtful presents and the moments of meeting strangers and finding shared connections to life's journey. It was great sharing memories of Renfrew, the Victoria Baths, Cockles Loan and primary/secondary school education as it was in the "olden days"

Thank you Una and Kirsty for your company. I would like to think we will reconnect again, maybe when you next visit Millport...

... or maybe bump into you in Wilkies!

Now to explain the title of "cellular memories". The following are memories of Andy and myself in celluloid form, a snapshot if you like, of a precious relationship. They are a wonderful reminder of our moments together. However I also have memories that are cellular, stored in my body, etched by unspoken words, ingrained in kindly actions and recalled at moments of crisis or in times of joy.

I have been asked to write an article for APF from the perspective of a carer after the loss of a loved one. It was very difficult to write but did focus my thoughts on life's direction and purpose. Once written and submitted, I was then asked to send a photo of Andy and myself to accompany the article.

So, many hours have been spent foraging through photos and seeing our relationship through those celluloid memories that were frozen in the eyes of others. It has been a joy to recall those precious moments.

Kincardine, Canada

  

Taking over...

Happy days

Lockdown Yoga

After Lockdown

There are so many photographs, but these few are memories that remind me of our relationship.

 One of shared times together but more importantly of living with laughter and smiles, sharing so many good times and walking together in the same direction and with purpose.

Walking Largs prom

The passage of time

 

Where has the time gone? This summer has flown by and it is now time for the Scottish children to return to school!

Sometimes it is worth reflecting on the transient nature of time... and sometimes, as in most times, it is better to live in the moment and let time take care of itself!

I have had quite a lot of time on my hands recently. What a strange phrase to explain enforced leisure! However it has given me the opportunity to check out/remember past times and pastimes. Remembering hobbies of my youth and middle age and delight in the activities that I can enjoy in these later years.

This included the leisure and pleasure of reading extensively and to even unearth some of my own writings...

The above collection isn't my own collection but just looking at those books gives me goose bumps as I think of all the words of wisdom they might contain and ... yep the downside is they may well be just someone's opinion that doesn't sit well with me. Whatever they are, I am happy to explore the ramblings of others. There is always a gem to discover... and remember I have time on my hands!

Some of the books I have indulged in have been easy reading, some have been intense but all have been satisfying. The written word has the ability to take us out of our present circumstances and allow us to renew ourselves as we visit different worlds, experience different attitudes and sometimes find meaningful relationships with fictional characters.  Or is that just me!

Victor Hugo was a great inspirational writer for me when I was a teenager and I know that Les Miserables, the musical has been an enjoyable success on the stage. However Victor Hugo wrote many books and his books changed people's lives. His writings changed France. A momentary thought, put down on paper, moved a nation. No mean feat...

So what does all of the above have to do with the passage of time. The man made construct of clocks and watches that measure time have never surpassed the effectiveness of a sundial! The lengthening shadows that tell of day drawing to a close has always been a poignant metaphor for the aging process.

Measuring time in moments is the best way to go. Moments of fun, moments of laughter, moments of hands held, hugs shared, meals prepared, birthdays celebrated, holidays enjoyed. 

Let's treasure every moment...

Gratitude

 So many things to be grateful for this month...

• Went on a wonderful holiday to Oban with Murphy, Rosie and Auntie G ( AKA Grainne)

• Met schoolfriend Mhairi and had a lovely catch up at Poppies garden centre. 

• 

  us up high

  Visited a castle and climbed to the parapet! 
  

 

 

 

Auntie G down below

 

... and so much more. Too busy enjoying our time away to take photos!

 Returned home to experiencing more "unwellness" like before...

and how is this something to be grateful for, you ask? 

Well, for starters, I was with a good friend when I became unwell and it wasn't when I was in Oban! 

and more blessings in the form of:

• Helpful doctor 
• extended r and r
• moments of reflection  

• and yesterday I met up with a pal and her hubby from college days. Sandra and Andrew were good friends of Andy and myself when we were all enjoying life in our twenties... it was wonderful of them to drop by to see me and great to reminisce and hear how life was for them.

Sandra and I always had a lot in common and while conversing on what we are all up to nowadays and what we have done over the years, I find out that Sandra had visited her husband when he worked in South Korea. You can immagine how the conversation went after that...

Tangled threads, life's rich tapesties, wonderful woven moments to cherish.

Thank you to all my friends "old and new". I am and will be, forever grateful to your presence in my personal tapestry of many colours ... every thread holds a memory and every design a meaning.

step we gaily!

 Well, we had a ball folks, or rather a "gig" according to those in the know. The Fencebay Band were terrific and some people danced all night... why not, when the music was so foot tapping good.

 I am grateful to everyone who attended, to everyone who donated money and/or raffle prizes. Due to everyone's generosity the event raised an outstanding £2200 for the Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis Charity. 

 It is amazing what happens when like minded people pull together in a common cause. Family was there in abundance even Andy's cousins from Germany attended. They just happened to be in the country!

There were so many friends... some from the PF group, some from 40 years ago, some zumba pals, people from the tennis club, bowling club members and a whole host of The Fencebay Band's music fans who know how to party!

Delighted that so many people had a good time in aid of a good cause. "Step We Gaily" was what the doctor ordered.

 

Now for the next step...

I saw this cartoon below and it was timely for me this week, as not only was Friday an auspicious day with the charity event, Saturday was Rosie's drama show. These steps were reflected in what Rosie and her drama pals, had to accomplish and indeed what we all have to do, over and over again.

It is worth remembering no matter what age and stage we are at, the advice below is the only way to travel. 

 Wishing you safe travels wherever you are heading...