company – Glad About

Day 2

30th Dec 202530th Dec 2025 'A Poetic Potter & A Potting Poet'Leave a comment

Writing 2026

I decided this year to make a white chocolate Christmas cake instead of a traditional fruit one, that I’ve made in previous years.

I’m glad that I did as it turned out very well, with a fruit compote filling and icing that included cream and ground almonds – delicious😋. I had some for my breakfast this morning, as I did on Christmas Day.

Lydia enjoyed her usual breakfast ball after our walk and I did a bit of tidying up in the lounge before heading out to visit a friend who now lives in a care home.

I had a bit of a chat with my friend and a couple of the other residents who were in the lounge with her, staying for about an hour before heading for home.

Our lounge is now looking a lot clearer, with Trev having done a tip run the other day and I had a good run round with the vacuum cleaner.

As I write, Lydia is crunching her way through a raw lamb rib – quite a chunky one – and I can relax as Trev’s cooking the tea tonight.

Although I’m still a bit tired, I feel that I’ve had quite a constructive day, which has included some meditation and also some chanting of prayers. The prayers do, I think, help a lot, and I find them very beautiful.

Day 1

29th Dec 202530th Dec 2025 'A Poetic Potter & A Potting Poet'Leave a comment

Writing 2026

Lydia has not yet fully accepted the Halti collar that I started using with her a few weeks ago, but we’re getting there.

As usual, we work it out between us, even if it takes a while.

There was no yoga or Qigong class today but after doing the woodland walk with Lydia this morning, I got ready to meet up with my friend Judi, who I have known for many years, since she was a friend of my Mum when I was a teenager.

Now 85, Judi’s resilience and zest for life is an inspiration, and we resolved to meet up more often going forward.

On the way back to the car park I called in at B&M Bargains where I had earlier seen a dog bed that looked perfect for Lydia. Pleased with my purchase I returned home and am now in reflective mood.

My confidence levels have been low over the last few weeks which I know is at least in part because I’m tired. Keeping up a combination of resting, meditating and constructive, focused activity will help. As will tickling Lydia’s tummy. Of course, ‘the tickling of the tummy’ is a constructive, focused activity in itself. In fact I don’t think you can get more constructive and focused than that😊.

Day 28

14th Dec 202514th Dec 2025 'A Poetic Potter & A Potting Poet'Leave a comment

Writing again

I woke up to a different – and rather wonderful – view this morning, after staying overnight with friends.

Their dog – Faith – slept most of the night on my bed. Lydia hasn’t yet ever slept on my bed and if that’s her choice that’s fine, but I would like to think that she knows she can if she wants to.

Back home, I made some vegan and some meat sausage rolls for the Qigong fuddle we’re having tomorrow evening.

I found the vegan recipes online:

Vegan Sausage Rolls

https://ucalorie.com/vegan-sausage-rolls/

https://plantbasedfolk.com/vegan-sausage-rolls/#recipe

They’ve turned out well, and are tasty.

I’m beginning to feel reasonably well organised for Christmas, partly because I’m not cooking a Christmas dinner this year so there’s less for me to organise, and partly because I’ve now bought all the presents I wanted to buy, have posted all the cards I need to post and written most of the others. It’s good to feel that I can just enjoy what I’m doing every day which tomorrow will start with picking Lydia up from the boarding kennels. It’s just not the same here without her.

As I have now completed my latest cycle of writing for 28 days, I’ll be republishing earlier posts for the next couple of weeks, and then I’ll be back on the other side of Christmas.

Best wishes to All for the festive season.

A Woman, a Dog & a Blog: Writing into Life https://amzn.eu/d/fZQtr0K

Rules, Rhymes, Recovery, Recipe, Random: Glad About Life https://amzn.eu/d/6XnH3He

Day 16

21st Oct 202521st Oct 2025 'A Poetic Potter & A Potting Poet'Leave a comment

Writing into Life, more

Up, showered and dressed before 9am, I had a couple of cups of tea before heading out with Lydia.

Seeing a horse and rider coming towards us at one point during our walk, I headed down into a dip, slipping on to my arse and scrambling up the other side, Lydia following on the way down and leading on the way up.

We had cover behind some trees but she was still aware of the horse and rider as they passed. I was so proud of her, as I encouraged her to “sit” – with a treat-reward, of course – and then “wait”, repeating this a few times so that she didn’t have to wait too long between treat-rewards. She didn’t bark or lunge at all, and we waited a few moments before doing the dip and up again back to where we were before – again with me on my bum for the ‘down’ bit.

Later in the morning I did another tip run, clearing stuff out of the garage. There’s more to do but it was a good load off my mind.

After a short rest I changed my, by now, muddy trousers, put on some make-up, made sure my hair was OK, then went out to see my friend M. We went out for coffee and scones, to a Morrisons café which offers great value, lovely scones and refillable mugs of coffee. The company and conversation were the best bit though. M. has a heart of gold.

After doing some shopping on the way home, giving Lydia her tea and putting the dinner in the oven – a chicken with vegetables, all roasted together in a dish – I did the final preparations for taking some pots to a small gallery tomorrow – the Dovecot Gallery in Styrrup near Doncaster. They are to be featured in their Christmas show/sale, so it’s good to be prepared well in advance.

They are small pots, and not perfectly formed by any means, but hopefully that is all part of their appeal. We shall see.

Day 12

17th Oct 202517th Oct 2025 'A Poetic Potter & A Potting Poet'Leave a comment

Writing into Life, more

After a morning outing with Lydia, to her favourite dog field, I got ready to go to meet up with a friend for coffee.

She had brought her dog, Faith, who got lots of attention and admiration from people in the coffee shop. I do feel sad that Lydia can’t enjoy similar experiences. Maybe one day . . .

My friend and I had a good catch-up. Her company and conversation were very welcome.

Now back at home, here with Lyd. Good just to be with her. It’s a bit too early for her tea so for now we can just do nothing together.

Day 11

16th Oct 202517th Oct 2025 'A Poetic Potter & A Potting Poet'Leave a comment

Writing into Life, more

Had a lovely afternoon at the pottery studio today.

Thanks to Karen, Charlotte, Jenny, Lee and Sarah for their company and friendly conversation. Such a lovely atmosphere. I finished off some pots that I’ve been working on for a few months, spraying on a glaze layer before the final – stoneware – firing. I have some different decorating techniques that I’ve been experimenting with, so looking forward to seeing how they turn out.

Also started on some new work – hand built – trying out different textures and making some use of plaster moulds. I finished one piece and left it on the shelf for a bisque firing. Two others are in progress, wrapped up in plastic and placed in a damp cupboard so that they’ll be still in workable form in a couple of weeks.

Home to my lovely Lydia, she’s had her tea and is now sitting outside – occasionally barking.

Trev’s bringing fish and chips back for our tea, so no need for me to do anything much more than finish this post and enjoy a cold beer – sipped from a champagne glass, of course!

http://www.thepotterman.co.uk/

Day 10 – potting

4th Sep 20254th Sep 2025 'A Poetic Potter & A Potting Poet'Leave a comment

Writing into Life

After a morning walk with Lydia, I spent an afternoon at the studio, doing some further work on pots I started a while ago.

It’s a slow process for me, but a good one.

It was good too to be in the company of people that I haven’t been in the company of for a while.

The studio shutters were up and the rain belted down at times. It felt a bit like being in a tent when it’s raining, a sensation I’ve always loved, providing the tent itself isn’t leaking.

Before the studio session, I picked up some pots from Imogen who had fired them for me. I’m particularly pleased with two bowls that were a bit experimental in terms of finish. Experiments do sometimes pay off.

Coming home, I give Lydia her tea – hand-fed as always. She loves it, especially finishing with a raw chicken wing, followed by a dental stick. Her teeth are in really good condition I’m pleased to say.

Trev brings home fish and chips. I have mine with curry sauce.

It’s a mellow evening as we move from summer to autumn. Who knows what tomorrow may bring?

Day 20

2nd Aug 20253rd Aug 2025 'A Poetic Potter & A Potting Poet'Leave a comment

Continuing the story of Lydia and Me

We’re camped.

The weather is wonderful, company convivial, fish and chips last night were fabulous, and I’m sure tonight’s barbecue will be even better.

I know Lydia wouldn’t have been able to relax here but she’s in good hands, and we are too.

Day 16

29th Jul 202529th Jul 2025 'A Poetic Potter & A Potting Poet'Leave a comment

Continuing the story of Lydia and Me

After taking Lydia on our woodland walk this morning, I visited a friend in the village this afternoon.

We met through a befriending service and it feels like one of the best things I’ve done since I retired from doing paid work a few years ago.

The service sets clear parameters, which means that I visit once a week for two hours a week. This has been good for me as I’ve had a lot going on in my life and I tend to try and do too much.

The friend who I visit has dementia. She forgets things, struggles to concentrate and has lost a lot of confidence. She has also lost through death the people who have been dearest to her in her life. I’m not a counsellor, nor a carer, but I do try to reassure her and rebuild her confidence.

We usually have a few laughs when we’re together; she’s got a great sense of humour and a very kind heart. It was lovely today to see her little cat cuddling up to her. It was like the cat wanted her to know how much she loves her. That was how I saw it, anyway, and I told her so.

Coming home, and having not had any lunch, I ate a large bowl of salad greens that another friend has given me, freshly grown by her. With some ‘French’ dressing – made from grain mustard, Italian olive oil, balsamic vinegar and a sprinkle of brown sugar – they tasted delicious. A healthy snack to top-off a lovely afternoon. Even better – my partner is making us humous for tea.

Lydia is lying quietly by the open back door – she’s been outside again most of the day. She’s not in any hurry for her tea and neither am I. We can relax and enjoy some ‘Maggie and Lydi time’ too.

Day 9

22nd Jul 202522nd Jul 2025 'A Poetic Potter & A Potting Poet'Leave a comment

Continuing the story of Lydia and Me

Lydia is very calm on our walk this morning; much calmer than she’s been on a walk for a very long time. It’s lovely just to amble along with her, stop when she sniffs at and forages blackberries, feel no need to do much other than just walk along with my dog beside me. I tell her what a lovely dog she is and let her know how much I’m enjoying my walk with her.

I also thank her when we get back to the car. I want her to feel appreciated. She is.

The sense of mellowness and calm continues throughout the day.

I visit a friend in the village. We also go for a walk together, and we thank each other to show our appreciation of each other’s company. It’s a lovely thing, to enjoy the company of another; nothing to prove; just a sense of being together, being alive and being there for each other, even if it’s just for that day.

As I write, Lydia is enjoying being outside on a day which is warmish with a soothing breeze.

I’m enjoying being inside, with the door open.

A lingering sadness remains and always will, but the nagging, aching grief has gone, as each day brings something new, or not new. It doesn’t matter. Each day just brings.

No such thing

There’s no such thing
As an ordinary day
Each day awakens
In its own way

Some days it rains
Some days it’s sunny
Some days are serious
And nothing seems funny

There’s no so thing
As an ordinary day
Each day is different
In its own way

Some days are lonely
Some days are glad
Some days are joyful
Others are sad

There’s no such thing
As an ordinary day
Each day unfolds
In its own way

Some days are busy
Others are slow
Some days it’s hard
To know which way to go

There’s no such thing
As an ordinary day
Each one just passes
In its own way

***

And when the day
Is done and gone
We sleep
Until another day
That isn’t ordinary
Comes along

Maggie Baker
April 2025