Tag: conversation

Day 2

'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 16

'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

'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

'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 21

'A Poetic Potter & A Potting Poet'Leave a comment

Continuing the story of Lydia and me

Keeping things simple is key for me just now. I can’t cope with complicated nor do I want to.

What better way, then, than to enjoy the company of friends, as I have done this weekend.

Yesterday I visited a friend – a fellow Ceramic Artist – at the Dovecot Gallery, near Doncaster, where she was exhibiting. It was a summer show in a garden setting, full of colour and creativity.

Today a friend and I visited a friend of hers. We sat together for about four hours, talking. Just talking. It was lovely to have a three-way conversation, each of us bringing in thoughts and ideas from our lives and experience.

My Ceramic Artist friend is a year or two older than me, so in her early 70’s. She started out in her career with clay just a few years ago. Rarely have I come across anyone more passionate about what they do.

My friend’s friend is about 10 years younger than us. Unlike me, she doesn’t enjoy good physical health, but she doesn’t let that stop her expressing herself through her art. She is a talented Textile Artist as well as a dog lover and owner of four canine companions.

While I aim in this blog to be positive about pushing through into a position of mental health recovery that I’ve been working towards most of my life, at the moment I’m struggling to get my brain to function.

Despite enjoying the company of friends, despite the wonderful weather, despite the woodland walk I had with Lydia this morning, I’ve hit a wall.

At least though, now, I know it won’t last, that I just need to rest – which I will – and tomorrow will be another day.

Looking across at Lydia, as I write, she is looking back at me. I’ll give her some more “rub-a-dub-dub” massages later, to help soothe her vagus nerve and I’ll keep doing what I need to do to help soothe mine too.

Train your dog; train your mind – positive reinforcement for humans and canines – now available in paperback: https://amzn.eu/d/eQ2sWjU.

The Kindle version is currently for sale at £0.99 on a Kindle Countdown deal https://amzn.eu/d/99yW3Qk.