I'm having one of those days. Actually, one of those couple of days. I'm feeling unsettled. Partly this is to do with a book I'm reading, recommended by my friend Jon. It's wonderful; I love it. It's called Daphne by Justine Picardie and it's right up my street. Partly plotted around the Brontes and their home in Haworth in West Yorkshire, Justine's carefully researched details have sent my thoughts flying back to when I was a university student and spent a summer working at The Bronte Parsonage. The steep cobbled main street, the Black Bull, the tourists, the moors - oh, those gorgeous moors. It was all such a long time ago and at a turning point for the 20-year-old me. It's unsettling to think back and remember a summer when I was young and still learning how to cope with all that life was throwing at me.
And then there's the writing. It's going well and I think I can almost, quite, nearly see my way towards the end of a second draft. Hurrah! But I'm sure every writer must have this: despite the satisfaction of putting in the hours, getting the work done, making notes, ticking boxes and feeling positive... The house is very quiet. I've barely spoken to anyone today. The lawn needs mowing but it feels like too much effort. I think I'm suffering from the loneliness of the long distance writer.
To shake the mood I went out to buy a present for my friend's daughter who is going to university soon. 'What is a practical present for a student?' I asked on a recent night out. 'A sandwich toaster,' said someone very wise. 'Mine saved me from the foul meals in halls.' So this afternoon I trotted off to Homebase and bought a sandwich toaster, stopping by the garden section to take a look at these glorious flowers.
Now I'm going to write a bit more. In a few hours, I'll stroll down the road for dinner, wine and laughter with old friends.
Tomorrow, I might even mow the lawn.
Hi Karen,
great to read your blog too - but what's with the cyclamens? They're blooming all over the place down here in Australia - and they're available in the UK as well? Global warming I reckon :-D