If there is a silver lining to the recent time change at all it is this. Waking up an hour earlier in the morning means that I have an extra hour each morning to think, to pray, to plan, to listen to something uplifting and enlightening. The last few mornings I have just been listening to conference talks in bed, revisiting some of my favourites from this last conference and catching up with a few that I hadn't listened to yet. So not a waste of time, it helps to set me up for the day.
There is nothing like having to go through everything you own and ponder on the value of taking it forward with you. If you are suddenly given the option of condensing everything you own into a few boxes worthy of carrying forward with you, you quickly learn to be a lot more discerning about what you choose to take up space in your life. This is not entirely a bad thing.
These last few weeks I have spent plenty of time thinking about and assessing the last twenty years of my life. It has been filled with many blessings. I have been happy for the most part and I can't let my current situation take away from that joy which I have felt, even if much of it was based on a foundation of lies. I have learned many things, experienced many things, seen many places that I never would have otherwise. I have also accomplished a great deal that I might not have done so otherwise.
I can remember back in the 1980's telling my now ex sister-in-law that I was going to write a book one day and her poo-pooing me. Well here I am in 2020 having written not one but two and with a third waiting in the wings, although I am not entirely sure I want to move forward with that now. It matters not, the fact is I have written them and I have been published and that is a real achievement. One which many people never achieve. I don't think I would ever have had the confidence to do it if I hadn't taken the route I did in my life.
I was just a small town girl from nowhere really, a woman who had always been a stay at home mom, and yet I found myself living in a beautiful cottage, on the corner of a Manor Estate in the garden of England, working and cooking for American millionaires. Me, who had only ever cooked for family and friends, and never professionally. When I look at that, it was a major achievement, and something to feel proud about. This was all my doing, based on my talents and hard work. Nobody can take that away from me.
I cooked for royalty! And they enjoyed what I had prepared. That young 9 year old girl clipping recipes out of her mother's magazines would never have imagined it to ever be possible.
That young girl who painstakingly wrote out plays for her friends to act out in the garage for the children in the neighborhood to watch, has written books. Books that people have wanted to buy.
I have art and creations of mine sitting in spaces all around the world. My stupid little drawings and thoughts and dolls and creations have brought joy to many, and in turn brought joy to me.
Who knows if I would have had the confidence to show the world these things, let alone mail them off to people if I had not gained the confidence in myself that I gained in having worked at the manor. I was always such a shy person and had so little faith in myself and my abilities.
My years as a member of the church and in this environment where I was able to grow and to flourish have done wonders for me in that area. I can feel good about those things.
A living statue next to the golden ball in Strasbourg, Austria.
This one played beautiful music.
I've been to Germany three times, Austria, Belgium, France on numerous occasions, Scotland, Wales and all over England. I've seen the birthplace of Mozart and the Spanish Pyrenees. I have prayed in the Grotto of Massabielle at Lourdes and walked/climbed the stations of the cross on the hillside next to the Sanctuaires Notre-Dame de Lourdes. I was able to get my father a special rosary from this holy place and holy water for my Aunt Thelma.
I have gone on beautiful hikes through the stunning countryside in the South of France and wandered the cobbled streets of medieval towns. I've walked the hillsides that Beatrix Potter walked and enjoyed the great beauty of the countryside frequented and written about by many of the great poets, Keats, Wordsworth, Byron, Tennyson, etc. I have sat in the school desk of William Wordsworth, spent time in the cottage home of he and his sister, and their childhood home. I have seen firsthand where Jane Austin wrote and penned many of her missives. I have walked the streets that Charles Dickens walked.
I have visited the childhood home of Anne Boleyn many times, and the homes of Winston Churchill and Rudyard Kipling. I have explored the Tower of London and walked the mall to Buckingham Palace. Seen the changing of the Guard and all of the palaces, Buckingham, Kensington, Windsor, Hampton Court. I have shopped in Harrads, and Harvey Nichols and the great Borough Market.
Jean Christophe Novelli and myself
I have been on television and rubbed elbows with many great British Chefs. I have won a National Industry Award and attended a banquet and awards ceremony at the infamous Savoy Hotel. I've explored the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museums.
I have travelled the lands of Outlander and stood in the midst of ancient stone circles, touching the stones. I have danced in the Cavern where the Beatles got their beginnings and touched the walls covered with millions of signatures of Beatles pilgrims.
I have made wonderful and life lasting friendships with people whom I love dearly.
And I share none of this to brag because I am not that person, but only to acknowledge many of the blessings that I have been afforded by having lived here.
There will be so many things that I will miss. The lush green countryside, the beautiful hillsides dotted with sheep and hedgerows, stone walls, blooming heather, salt of the earth humble people who have only ever been kind to me. No mosquitoes, very little snow, and yes the rain. This is where I learned that people don't actually melt in the rain.
But I have a new adventure awaiting me and I am eager to embrace it, even if it comes at great cost. All things in life that are worth having come with a cost. I am happy to say that most of the time I am quite happy to pay it. I am looking very much forward to being near my family again, seeing my father, spending time with my loved ones and seeing/experiencing the next adventure this life has to offer me. I just have to get through the hard stuff first.
My but it didn't half rain cats and dogs yesterday when Tina and I went to the hospital to have my blood tests. I don't think I have ever experienced rain like that. I sat in the car for a few minutes waiting for it to pass, but had to finally bite the bullet and just run (and by that I mean fast walk) for it! Thankfully we were able to park quite close to the clinic due to Tina's blue badge. Job done and now all I have to do is to wait for the results, which I hope are favourable!
I have been trying to cancel my America's Test Kitchen membership this morning and there does not seem to be an easy way to do so. I don't want them taking payment for it in November so it is really important that I cancel it now. I wish sites like this didn't make things so difficult for you. Its quite annoying. I have sent them an e-mail, which hopefully someone will read!
And with that I best leave you with a thought for the day. Miztie appears to be unwell this morning. She hasn't eaten a thing and was gagging earlier. I hope I am not in for another session of diarrea etc. with her. 😟 I hate her being unwell. I worry so much about her. She is due for her booster tomorrow as well.
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
*.˛."You can't go back
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
*.˛."You can't go back
and change the beginning,
but you can start where you are
and change the ending.
~C. S. Lewis •。★★ 。* 。
Have a beautiful day and don't forget!