Thoughts of a Soo

Singing as the Darkness Lifts 26/02/2024  'Less Silence' Podbean Link for those who like to listen This morning the moon is bold and bright in the sky and the air smells of daffodil bulbs. The daffodils in the front garden are not as dynamic as they were last year, but are a welcome sign of spring. I am not sure how the smell of their bulbs seems to be in the air, but there is a definite tinge there which reminds me of my summer job from years ago when I spent the days harvesting daffodil bulbs, riding up and down the fields sorting them as they appeared in front of me on the conveyer belt. The Orme is one of my favourite places and walking round it with my sister last week was a treat. The morning was opening up in front of us as we walked and the weather was good which framed the moment nicely for us. The last time I walked round it (which was my first time!) I did it on my own just because I wanted to see what it was like. So it was good to do it while c...

Singing as the Darkness Lifts 19/02/2024 Episode 24 Podbean Link for those who like to listen This morning the air seems to smell of egg nog. Inquisitive, I sniff again. Later, I realise the scent is lifted from my body and is from my shower gel. I wonder how many scents are mingling around me. Alt Text for today’s photo tells us this is: “Two women taking a selfie”, but as me and my sister like to see it this is... “Sisters settling in for the semi-finals at the 2024 Welsh Open”. This was my first time at the snooker and I remember learning most of what I know about it from watching it at my granddad’s house when I was young. It was in black and white in those days and frequently viewed without sound, but I remember the joy of a 147 break and the peaceful way my grandad watched it. When we were walking to the venue, I said to Katie, “I’m really looking forward to seeing a 147.” And she replied, “That’s not gonna happen sis. It’s very, very rare. Although it wo...

Singing as the Darkness Lifts 12/02/2024 Episode 23 Podcast Link for those who like to listen   The air smells cold, not fridge or freezer cold, cold like rocks. There is an essence of moon magic, and I notice how the blue of this morning’s sky complements the moon’s orange crescent from last night. Time ticks. When I record the podcast for this blog I remove the ticking clock from the lounge. I may have already told you that it is loud when I hear it and then becomes insistent. Sometimes I don’t hear it at all, but it must have been on my mind recently because it inspired a poem. If I didn’t move it it would certainly be there in the background of my recording just like it was when I sent my poems to iamb and Mark Anthony Owen had to edit out the sound. Time has been coming up for me a lot recently, and it has been interesting to reflect on that. I have been celebrating the creation of time to do things, and the way I seized time to invest in me and my new path. I have als...

  Singing as the Darkness Lifts 05/02/2024 Episode 22 Podcast Link for those who like to listen This morning the wind has scattered the scent of Monday – outside I get a brief, gentle reminder of herbed grass and inside there is the contrast of spiced warmth. The moon is a low-slung crescent, big and bold owning its space, as the morning glows into being and the sky exhibits its blue.   Last week was full of conversations, jam-packed with words, beautifully sprinkled with laughter. I had a number of coaching sessions, a poetry interview, an evening out dining with a wonderful friend and the wonderful experience of listening to my poetry read out loud. I even got to see how the cover of my new poetry collection is shaping up. I realised that it wasn’t quite true when I told Kath that I wasn’t tired after our yarn show experience and found my body telling me to rest and rehydrate. I listened and have even been treating my feet and chest to that lovely trick of putting vapo...