She lifted me from a negative state of mind to a more positive one, just by being herself and being with me.
We had a lovely walk, coffee and snacks then headed for lunch.
It was quite a busy place. Mandy bought food and I bought drinks.
I’ve been struggling with a lot of things but Mandy helped me to feel confident that I can get through to the other side, or at least keep going, even if the other side is a bit of a way off.
We’ve known each for a long time, Mandy and me, from when we first worked together,, about 40 years ago. I wanted her to be my friend then and am so glad she is now.
Lydia and I had an early walk, so that I could catch the train to meet Mandy. I think she’s had a good day too, and now it’s time for her tea.
I had a walk on the beach today, just before lunch, a short walk from the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre.
The teaching yesterday evening was inspirational, the buffet supper was delicious, and the opportunity to chant in the New Year in the company of others in the Temple was so welcome. We could hear fireworks going off outside just as we reached a quiet part of the prayer ceremony, almost as if it had been planned.
This morning – after a good sleep – I enjoyed a sociable breakfast, followed by more chanting, and a delicious – and also sociable – lunch after my walk.
Though still not in the most positive frame of mind I’ve ever been in – and I continue to attribute this to being tired as much as anything else – I now have a reminder of what I can do to have a ‘Happy New Year’: develop and maintain a calm and peaceful mind. I will keep working on it, day by day, step by step. It’s good to get clear direction; all I have to do now is follow it.
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 – deliciousš. 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.
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 thatš.
I woke up to a different ā and rather wonderful – view this morning, after staying overnight with friends.
Their dog ā Faith ā slept most of the night on my bed. Lydia hasnāt yet ever slept on my bed and if thatās her choice thatās 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 weāre having tomorrow evening.
Iām beginning to feel reasonably well organised for Christmas, partly because Iām not cooking a Christmas dinner this year so thereās less for me to organise, and partly because Iāve now bought all the presents I wanted to buy, have posted all the cards I need to post and written most of the others. Itās good to feel that I can just enjoy what Iām doing every day which tomorrow will start with picking Lydia up from the boarding kennels. Itās just not the same here without her.
As I have now completed my latest cycle of writing for 28 days, Iāll be republishing earlier posts for the next couple of weeks, and then Iāll be back on the other side of Christmas.
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 āsitā ā with a treat-reward, of course ā and then āwaitā, repeating this a few times so that she didnāt have to wait too long between treat-rewards. She didnāt bark or lunge at all, and we waited a few moments before doing the dip and up again back to where we were before ā 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. Thereās more to do but it was a good load off my mind.
After doing some shopping on the way home, giving Lydia her tea and putting the dinner in the oven ā a chicken with vegetables, all roasted together in a dishĀ ā I did the final preparations for taking some pots to a small gallery tomorrow ā the Dovecot Gallery in Styrrup near Doncaster. They are to be featured in their Christmas show/sale, so itās 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.
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 canāt 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.
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 Iāve been working on for a few months, spraying on a glaze layer before the final ā stoneware ā firing. I have some different decorating techniques that Iāve been experimenting with, so looking forward to seeing how they turn out.
Also started on some new work ā hand built ā trying out different textures and making some use of plaster moulds. I finished one pieceĀ and left it on the shelf for a bisque firing.Ā Two others are in progress, wrapped up in plastic and placed in a damp cupboard so that theyāll be still in workable form in a couple of weeks.
Home to my lovely Lydia, sheās had her tea and is now sitting outside ā occasionally barking.
Trevās 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 ā sipped from a champagne glass, of course!
After a morning walk with Lydia, I spent an afternoon at the studio, doing some further work on pots I started a while ago.
Itās a slow process for me, but a good one.
It was good too to be in the company of people that I havenāt been in the company of for a while.Ā
The studio shutters were up and the rain belted down at times. It felt a bit like being in a tent when itās raining, a sensation Iāve always loved, providing the tent itself isnāt leaking.
Before the studio session, I picked up some pots from Imogen who had fired them for me. Iām 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 ā 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 Iām pleased to say.
Trev brings home fish and chips. I have mine with curry sauce.
Itās a mellow evening as we move from summer to autumn. Who knows what tomorrow may bring?
Glad About 
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