Well, what can I say? It's a new month and I cannot believe we are on what I regard as the last day of summer already. Yes, we have had some hot days in the north recently but I wouldn't really say we have had much of a summer. Far too wet up here.
Of course, as far as Art Journal Journey goes that means a new challenge. For some reason I had a background page ready for the last challenge - maybe I thought we could squeeze one more day in July out! What an inspiring page this month's host has done. You really should go along to Art Journal Journey and see what Jo has done for you. It's a wonderful page full of inspiration and I just loved it as soon as I saw it.
Of course I am away from home on holiday and therefore unable to access my stash of wild animal stamps - or even pictures of some kind. So I have to do something to do with wild life and I have to use the quote Wendy chose for this week which is "I understand everything you're saying and I am 100% certain that I really don't care". Mmmm ... problems!
Well, all animals out in the woods or jungles are wild ones aren't they? And the trees and flowers that grow outside in the woodlands are wild. Hurrah, I had some of my Lavinia stamps with me and just happened to have flowers, trees and animals (of the woodland kind). So, having chatted long enough here goes with a story to explain the picture:
"Kirby and Eden had been friends from nursery school and now both girls were in their teens. Kirby had left school at 16 and started work in the local Council offices. Eden had gone on to college where she was studying to go into nursing. It was lovely and sunny and Eden had called to see what her friend was doing that day.
"Let's go for a walk down in the woods where it's nice and quiet and we can talk and walk and just enjoy the day" said Kirby.
"We could stay in and do just that" replied Eden. "but I guess we might as well go out and enjoy the sunshine whilst we can. You never know, if we are really quiet we might see the hares at play like we did last year."
And so the two girls set out for a walk in the woods near home.
It was obvious something was bothering Kirby and she began to open up about some trouble at work. The only thing was, Eden had heard this story, or something similar, time and time again. Each time it got a little more involved and as what Eden advised her friend to do, she didn't seem to listen and take on any advice Eden was willing to give. Eden had had enough. She really had done her best to help Kirby with her problems. Even seeking advice from her tutors at college in order to help her troubled friend.
"You just don't understand." said Kirby, "You have no idea what it is like out in the big world. You are still studying so it's pretty much like being at school for you and there are not the same problems for you to have to deal with. It's so hard being an adult."
"So I am not adult?" enquired Eden. "At least when you finish work at the end of the day you go home and that is it, the evening is your own whereas I get my books out and continue with my studies. I do understand, I understand everything you're saying and I am 100% certain that I really don't care. Not any more. I've done my best to help you with these problems, I've even mentioned things to my tutor in the hope that she can help me to help you. You walk around with this 'survivor' face on but you can't see the wood for the trees, you don't see that there are others with the same or similar problems. I'm sorry Kirby, I've had enough. We've come out into the woods for a lovely walk and all you have done is go on about the troubles you have at work, you don't stop once to think about the problems I might have with my studying. Ooh, Kirby, I don't want to fall out with you, I want us to be happy like we used to be at school not weighed down with things that can be solved."
Kirby just stood there.She couldn't believe her best friend had said she really didn't care. But was Eden right? She had listened in the past, night after night she had listened.
"You're right" she said, "I've been too wrapped up in my problems that I haven't stopped to listen or think about anyone else. Can we start again and put all this behind us?"
"Of course we can" replied Eden, "let's just hug it out and enjoy the rest of the day here in the woods."
And so the two girls hugged, the little hares played, the hedgehogs went on their way and suddenly the world seemed a better place."
Yesterday we saw this little bird sunning herself on the shed outside
Now to sun myself - lots of suncream obviously
