smallhobbit | Entries tagged with sunshine challenge

Today

sunshine_challenge has the Zinnia as its flower. The Victorian meaning of the Zinnia is a friend you haven't seen for a while. Which worked in remarkably well, as today I had lunch with an ex-flatmate who is in Gloucester for the Three Choirs Festival. We haven't seen each other for some years, for various reasons, so it was lovely to catch up.

The alternative flower is the Red Rose. Two years ago it was our 40th wedding anniversary, the ruby anniversary and so I bought my husband a suitable rose bush. Unknown to me, our son also bought us a similar rose, so now we have two. Here is a flower from one of the two bushes, I'm not sure which.

I am also playing catch-up, because I knitted a Daisy to go with the theme for Day 4:

Today's

sunshine_challenge flower is the Hyacinth.

After a bit of a search I found this photo from December 2016 of a white hyacinth

Here are some paper hyacinths I made:

But what I really wanted to share was the Yellow Rose, taken in our garden last month:

Day Five's

sunshine_challenge flower was the Goldenrod. No-one will be surprised that once again I've gone for the secondary flower, an Orange Rose.

And I'm posting a couple of days after the challenge was posted, as I've been busy and I had to knit a second rose:

It's been quite fun knitting these roses, so I thought I would make an offer, that if anyone would like a knitted rose to let me know which colour they would like and DM me their address, and I'll make one. It may not be for a little while, but you will receive a rose if that is your wish.

The main flower for today's

sunshine_challenge is the Daisy. But once again I've gone for the secondary flower, the White Rose.

And here is a bunch of white roses given to my husband after a song recital.

Yesterday's

sunshine_challenge was for the Bluebell. After a long search I found a photo from April 2020:

But wanting to have a current response, I again went with the alternative which was the Lavender Rose. We don't have any roses that colour, so I decided I would knit one:

The main flower for Day 2 of the

sunshine_challenge is the Gladiolus. Which immediately makes me think of the late Barry Humphries and Dame Edna Everage.

However, I am going for the Bonus Prompt and have chosen a photo of our Coral Rose, taken this morning shining with the rain drops.

I always enjoy taking part in

sunshine_challenge and this year I think there will be a number of photos.

Beginning with today's prompt: Iris

Here are some irises I photo-ed about a month ago beside the canal:

They also feature in a drabble I wrote for

holmes_minor Yellow Irises

Probably the hardest one of

sunshine_challenge this year, I was stumped yesterday. However, taking a leaf out of

stonepicnicking_okapi 's book, I've written a ficlet which also fills my

watsons_woes July Writing Prompt for today. The sunshine jasper is supposed to be for those attempting the impossible, and is also known by its other name of bumble bee jasper.

***
When we were talking about moving to Sussex, whatever my expressed reservations may have been, one thing I never mentioned to Holmes, although no doubt he was aware of it, was my feeling that by moving away from London I would be leaving my beloved Mary behind. In my mind she was tied to the city, to all the places we had visited together, and the memories these places recalled for me.

I was mistaken. Now, every time I look at the impatiens planted by the front door, I am reminded of her. There are countless little touches around the cottage where I can imagine Mary has been. Seth gently showed me where his own wife is buried and said she would be very happy to share her grave with my memories, so every year I lay flowers there on the date of Mary’s death. And in this way, all that I once believed impossible has been achieved.

Holmes has always understood this need of mine and has never resented it. I know, too, that he has his own private griefs, some from his youth, others from the time after Reichenbach. There are days when he spends longer out with his hives than I would expect when he seeks some solitude. For I have my flowers and he has his bees.

(Part of Watson's Diary)

What can I say about Amethyst? One of the associations mentioned is that of spirituality and that's the one I shall pick up on. In the Church of England tradition (and I assume the Roman Catholic one, since the Anglicans simply continued with the parts they were happy with and just jettisoned the other - something religious leaders have continued to do to this day: taking the bits which fitted their own viewpoint) there are three main colours for the altar cloth (the tablecloth put over the altar), namely green, white and purple. White is for major feasts (Christmas and Easter), purple for Advent and Lent (which probably have correct terms, I'm not interested so never remember) and green is for what is termed 'ordinary time', which just means all the rest. There's red as well but that's only a few Sundays.

Advent and Lent are times for reflection. I know Lent has the tradition of giving things up, but that only makes sense if there's a reason for doing so. Yes, I do try to restrict some of my online time, cutting back on scrolling and unsubscribing from various email lists, which does have some personal benefit. And it prompts me to eat less biscuits/cake, or at least think about it, which again is no bad thing. Advent has a tendency to be swallowed up in preparation for Christmas, and there are the delights of Advent calendars. I always treat myself to a Jacquie Lawson Advent calendar, which provides a little drop of fun in what can get to be quite a fraught time. And the online calendar the Open University provides has introduced me to some free short courses I would never have thought of otherwise, and is therefore a Good Thing as Pooh Bear would say, continuing to broaden my horizons.

Lent has less attractions. There is as mentioned the 'giving up', but for me it provides the opportunity to think a bit more. Again there can be the tendency to look at one's failings (what might have been termed sins), however for me it provides something more positive. A chance to look back and decide that an activity has run its course, and it's time to move onto something new. Possibly a shift in direction, not so much a complete about face, but a small change, due to circumstances changing. And 40 days is a long time, so no need for quick decisions with equally quick regrets. And the opportunity to try something, without any major commitment. I've been surprised at how I've begun Lent with vague thoughts and ideas and finished with some positive concrete outcomes.

Today's

sunshine_challenge has the bloodstone as its theme. Apparently, this gem can be used to increase one's courage, motivation and creative energy.

So, let's look at an area where I may need the attributes of this gem. I volunteer with a local charity called Gloucestershire Bundles, for whom I am treasurer and a trustee. (There can't be a Sunshine Challenge where they don't get mentioned!)

Motivation is probably the easiest - there is an ever increasing need for our services, with referrals being up 30% from our April 21 to March 22 year, as against the previous year. And this year to date this is up by a further 50%. Although at times the sheer demand can feel overwhelming.

Courage is needed because I don't just work in the background. Yesterday I was manning a stall at a church fete, selling items to raise funds and getting our name around a bit more. And the previous day I had been speaking to 60 year 1 children (age 5-6) who were looking at charities as part of their school syllabus. They had also had a collection of toys, books and clothing for us, which completely filled my little green car. I don't mind giving talks, this year I've also spoken at a concert where we held a retiring collection, and to a funding group, but going out and speaking to new people always requires courage.

Creative energy is most definitely required when applying for grants. This isn't creative in the sense that what I write is fictitious, but it's important to put the request in the best way to appeal to those who will allocate the grants. We know how important what we do is, but I need to convince others that our need both ties in well with their criteria, and that we are one of the charities they would most like to help.

Again, today's

sunshine_challenge has got me struggling to find something to write. I've settled on the image I posted for last time's

fan_flashworks challenge, which was 'Blue'. These are blue waves, which form the border for the cardigan I'm knitting Mini Hobbit.

Waves in three shades of blue against a turquoise background.

My response to today's

sunshine_challenge is a double drabble.

Apart from Wilkie Collins novel The Moonstone my other thought went to my favourite werewolf (a Spooks (MI5) AU), who is nothing like the traditional idea of werewolves and instead adores parties and believes in looking his best.

---

The werewolf pushed the pale blue stone around the floor with his nose, and then looked up, a puzzled expression on its face.

Jo picked it up and laughed. “It’s a moonstone,” she said. “It has a calming influence, and aids inner growth and strength. Malcolm’s going to clip it into a necklace to make a pendant for me.” She laughed again at the surprised expressions of the rest of Section D. “It will also have a transmitter on the back,” she added.

“It won’t be as accurate as some I’ve designed,” Malcolm said, “but in this case it will be practically undetectable. And no-one will think twice if Jo occasionally fiddles with it.”

The werewolf watched as Malcolm completed the pendant and handed it back to Jo.

“I’m sorry,” she said, “this is far too delicate for you.”

His head slumped, a picture of werewolf misery.

“If you really want one,” Malcolm said, “I could probably attach one to a collar. It would work well to disguise a transmitter.”

The werewolf wagged his tail enthusiastically.

“It does seem rather appropriate,” Jo said, “being a moonstone. They also help with trouble sleeping.”

“That has never been a problem!” Adam replied.

I struggled a bit with deciding how to interpret today's

sunshine_challenge but then it occurred to me that pink is often looked at as a female colour, but quartz implies something strong. And I thought of the women in my family, and how that summed the generations up.

So, beginning with my grandmother, who died in 1980, sadly a few months before we married. She was a very determined lady, who regretted having to stop teaching when she married, which would have been in the first half of the 1920s. As soon as she was able to have a bank account of her own, she opened one at the bank which was the opposite end of the high street from the bank my grandfather used.

My mother, despite her physical state, remains as sharp as ever. She will have a laugh with the staff, and although a product of her own times, seems willing to accept things are changing. She cared for my father as long as she could, and he was only admitted to hospital when she could no longer manage physically - she is just over 5 foot, he was about 6 foot, so if he fell out of bed she had to get a neighbour to help, or call an ambulance. A few years later she sold their property and moved to live closer to us. She remained resolutely independent until illness overtook her, and then accepted the need first for respite care and then promptly agreed that it was better to remain in the care home - signing the forms herself.

My daughter has always carved her own path. She didn't take A-levels, but went to college to study Outdoor Education, staying away during the week. Failing to get into uni immediately, she had a year out and then studied as a paediatric nurse, where she worked for 7 years, before starting training to be a paramedic. She's currently an Ambulance Technician and back at uni part-time, alternating studies with working as a technician. One of the highlights has been driving down the motorway at 104mph.

And lastly, mini Hobbit, my son's daughter, and my granddaughter. She's only 5, but she's bright and very logical - you definitely need to be one step in advance all the time (good job I had plenty of practice with her auntie!). Initially deemed as lacking social skills when she started school last September, a change of teacher halfway through the first term and she's got excellent social skills, but is quite independent. Like the rest of the family, if she doesn't see the point of doing something, she won't!

There are a number of possibilities for today's

sunshine_challenge but I've chosen to go slightly to one side. Amber is the colour between red and green in our traffic lights system. As such it indicates a preparation for change either from stop or from go.

Which made me think about areas where I'm finding a change. This past fifteen months has seen a momentous change for me, as I've moved from being employed to being retired. So work has stopped. My volunteering commitments with Gloucestershire Bundles have increased. My church commitments have increased. My crafting has increased. So they're all very definitely Go!

At the same time, my Brownie involvement is about to stop (two more weeks to go!)

And my mother continues to move downhill. She's been told she needs now to be on a soft diet. She disagrees, since it's bland, and because she understands perfectly what she's doing, the home are respecting her wishes. In a way this feels like a very long period of amber.

So, yes, amber - the time between stop and go.

Day 7 of

sunshine_challenge Zephyrus is the god of the west wind and apparently the bringer of the gentle winds of spring.

However, as a Brit, the west wind brings the rain, which for those in the west of England means directly from the Atlantic Ocean, and even having dropped some of that water over Ireland and Wales, there's normally plenty left for us.

It will come as no surprise that I have written a number of fics which feature rain:

Summer Murder in the Rain, which is a Lewis casefic

Watching the Rain a ficlet where Dr Watson is looking out of the window

Avoiding the Rain is another ficlet where a modern day Hamlet is trying to avoid his mother

Sun After Rain is John Thornton/Margaret Hale from BBC North & South set a few years after their marriage

Kissing in the Rain is Spooks, Lucas/Adam, the title says it all.

Crossposts: https://thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com/360699.html

Amphitrite is goddess of the sea. (Day 6 of

sunshine_challenge )

I like the sea. We don't go as often as we might, but it involves at least 90 minutes travel each way which is a lot of time out of a day out.

However, here are a few photos:

Selsey Bill, taken November 2014

Bridlington May 2019

I've written a number of fics set at the seaside or on the coast, including:

Summer Holiday which is Sherlock/Greg Lestrade (BBC Sherlock) plus their two children part of The Unexpected Family

Various Sherlock Holmes (ACD) ficlets, like the latest chapter of Ferret and Friends and The East Wind which is set at the end of His Last Bow.

And for my Spooks AU series Love in All Seasons Lucas and Adam the retirement era season has them living not far from the sea and frequent visitors.

Crossposts: https://thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com/360227.html

I have written one ficlet featuring Pan: it's Wind in the Willows, with Portly the Otter Drawing Him On

I've written a few fics while listening to music, mainly Spooks: The Café de Paris (1940s music), Once in a Blue Moon (Tchaikovsky, Swan Lake), To Catch a Spy (again 1940s, Sanditon crossover). There's also a BBC Sherlock fic A Trip to the Ballet (Tchaikovsky, Nutcracker).

I enjoy music and old-fashioned musicals, and also ballet/dance performances, particularly with my love of Matthew Bourne's New Adventures.

Earlier this week I finished the last of four monthly online Re-Connect sessions (for the over 55s) run by New Adventures, each of which was based on their production of Swan Lake. Those were excellent - two hours of movement. I'm now looking at doing some online ballet classes with a different organisation and have a free class in a couple of weeks time to see what I think.

Crossposts: https://thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com/359964.html

My response to today's prompt for

sunshine_challenge

The idea of the avenging furies might appeal, but vengeance does not necessarily achieve justice. A younger child remorselessy teased by an older sibling may physically lash out because unable to respond any other way and be told off for it - but who is the true guilty party? The world is not black and white, people are complex, and we are all, in part, influenced in our sense of right and wrong by our society and upbringing.

There is always the question of who should be believed. Rich or poor; male or female; white or black?

I agree that societies need to set rules, but the question remains, who sets the rules and what criteria do they use?

And yes, I do like detective fiction. I like the puzzle and the mental stimulation without any stress. And I like my detective to be concerned for the murder victim as a person and not just or what they may represent - especially when they may be deemed expendable.

So, for my replacement for the furies, I shall name ACD's Sherlock Holmes, John Watson and Inspector Lestrade - almost certainly as now seen via fanfics where some of their outdated attitudes are no longer present.

Crossposts: https://thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com/359222.html

Recently, I've been reading a number of books by Patrick Hamilton, which all feature night-time life.

This poem is a response to today's theme of the night, and inspired by Hamilton.

And through it all the night runs dark
Fortunes are lost, the choices stark
And lives run dry

The opium den gives hope to some
Takes pain away, leaves sense numb
As addicts lie

Bar goers leave with unsteady pace
Longing for when they can route retrace
And more drinks buy

And above all the black of night
Cares not what happens far from the light
Unfeeling sky

Crossposts: https://thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com/358883.html

Eos goddess of the Dawn.

I do not often see the dawn in summer - winter is another matter. So instead, let me offer you a picture the daughter sent of dawn in Birmingham last month - yes, it is her ambulance.