empty nest

oh errant blogger that I am. A good month must have passed since I wrote my last "very interesting blog" {quote from some website re these blogs.} Ha!

The reason could well be Empty Nest Syndrome.

photo of an empty nest by courtesy of my friend Keggie

 Yes the girls have gone - one in India right now one somewhere in Malaysia - one not to be seen for a year and a half the other till next summer. I hope she comes back with the swallows. Good job these chaps can keep an eye on me

Harry

Trude

The philosopher Beezle - dwelling on a Rilke quote

Pixie - more ears out than eyes - for the sound of that scrap hitting the dog bowl

oh and Pocket who is clearly NOT keeping an eye out for me.



Still there are advantages - a tidier house, food when wanted and only a small pile of washing.

 Did a book signing for The boy with the tiger's Heart last week - a daunting project sitting in the middle of a large bookshop at a table so small it looks as if it were only made to hold a dry martini. You sit there hoping you can become a bookshelf. Fortunately various friends kindly came and brought me provisions - coffee(thank you Kate) sweets (thank you Matt) an energy bar (thank you Jimmy) and comfort and laughs (thank you everyone else.}
An old man stood for a while by the table and I asked him if he'd like to buy the book.
"No!" he said firmly.
After a while he asked what it was about and I told him it was about the wild and Health and Safety which I told him I abhorred.
"Me too!" he replied. We struck up a lengthy discussion on the vicissitudes of health and safety. then he picked up the book and said
"Can you make it out to Bill?"

A poem by Erin Hanson  by courtesy of my friend Dave


There is freedom waiting for you,
On the breezes of the sky,
And you ask "What if I fall?"
Oh but my darling,
what if you fly?