Sunday in Uist.

Sunday in Uist.

So quiet, so peaceful
only the tick of the clock,

time is insignificant
having breakfast at ten,

taking it easy,
this is different!

Christmas morn in Grenitote.

Christmas morn in Grenitote.

Santa has arrived!
Rustling noise of wrapping paper and packaging,
happy sounds from the living room wake up the household,

Neighbours call, family phone and
soon we are in the throws of Christmas Day!

The joint is cooking in the Rayburn,
Vegetables are prepared, wine breathing, table set!

Laughter & love, presents galore, games & gaiety,
add to the thrill of Christmas morn in Grenitote!

Christmas in Grenitote.

Christmas in Grenitote.

No sound, no noise, no cars,
all peaceful & quiet in Grenitote!

D.R.’s sheep and cattle dapple the landscape
grazing and moving slowly,
distracted by the buzzard’s stretched wings,
soaring and gliding, then gently landing
into a dip I cannot see.

Dearest Dad

Dearest Dad.

Did you hear the rain?
Did you feel the pain?

Did you sense our presence?
Did you smell us here?

You couldn’t speak,
You couldn’t move,

We wondered what you
might have said,
we wondered what you
might have done,

Wish we had more time
to tell you how much
we loved you dearest Dad!

Isle of North Uist.

North Uist ..a creative place to be

writers, artists, architects too
all enjoy the tranquility,

Each day is different, light,
sunshine, wind and rain

What shall I do today
paint the door or sweep the floor,

no list exists, its how I feel
a burning desire to climb that hill!

The long and winding road

The long and winding road

Many paths, many signposts,
many twists, many turns.

Many choices, many decisions,
many challenges, many skills.

Many surprises, much joy,
many friends, much friendship,
many loves, much loving!

Penpals

Raspberry Hill http://www.raspberry-hill.co.uk/

Penpals

Met in Raspberry Hill
twenty years ago,
penpals all this time,

Our laughter echoes
over the line,
tonic received
passing of time!

Intuitive messages,
visualisation,
we both imagine
being there again!

October.

October.

October days,
October rays.

October beams,
October dreams.

October winds,
October ways.

October rain,
October vane.

October colours,
October complements.

October light,
October life.

October health,
October hope.

October calm,
October peace.

October sunshine,
October’s summer.

My best friend.

My best friend.

Stories shared
Tears shed,

Silent signs,
powerful mind,

Lots of counselling,
plenty of care,

true friendship,
mighty mate!

Dear Pinky

Dear Pinky,
Each day you put on a brave smile
even tho' you are hurting inside,
study well, achieve your goal,
we are ALL so proud of you!

What I wished for!

What I wished for!

My friend, my confidant,
my advisor, my counsellor,
my ‘go-between’, my mediator
my comic, my entertainer,

Beautiful, artistic, musical & athletic,
thoughtful, kind, caring & loving.

she is what I wished for…….my loving daughter!

Smokey Quartz

Smokey Quartz

Received by post
this smokey quartz,
irregular in shape,
polished, shiny,
cold & transparent,
twist it, touch it,
believe it, wear it!

Penning a note to daughter.

Penning a note
to daughter.

Clothing ready
all hanging up,
have your tea,
one hour of tv,
then homework &
early to bed!

Your ‘island stone’
is placed within
this loving
pencilled heart!
See you soon,
love Mummy x

Lifting Spirits

Lifting Spirits
This scented arrangement

of yellow crisp
multi-head freesia,
yellow perfumed
perfectly formed roses,
orange sepalled gerbera,
wispy white gypsofilia
lifts my spirits
& brightens my day!

Eileen’s Phalaenopsis

Eileen’s Phalaenopsis

Pride of place on the kitchen table
two long wispy darkened stems,
seven perfectly formed flowers
proudly showing off
their palette of yellowy green,
nine growing buds slowly
emerging, snatching
the daylight from the window.

Eileen's Orchid

An orchid from Eileen.

An orchid from Eileen.

What a surprise!
this beautiful twin-stemmed
phalaenopsis orchid,
sent with loving thoughts.

Yellow,
yellow ochre,
Light golden rod,
Lime & tinges of green,

Petals & sepals opening
showing off
their inner finest
column & colours.

Tall dark green stems &
wide leaves too,
seven flowers in bloom
nine more to come.

One day, I will arrive
on Eileen’s doorstep
and return this
thoughtful surprise!

Hebridean Healing

Hebridean Healing

Different journey,
Different place.

Different weather
Different light.

Different landscape
Different scenery.

Different days,
Different time.

Different friends,
Different warmth.

Different caring,
Different counselling.

Different hobbies,
Different interests.

Different thoughts,
Different emotions.

Different loving,
Different healing!

Birthday in Uist.

Birthday in Uist.

Its 10am, cannot make a cuppa,
banned from the dining room,
secret ‘goings-on’, cannot wait,
call from daughter ‘not yet!’

Coloured balloons, poppers,
string & homemade cards,
daughter & partner
chorusing happy birthday!

Wish granted, in Uist
on this special day,
enjoying the feeling,
& sharing the happiness.

Uist

Uist

It’s a long way
is it heaven?
peaceful and different
making a decision,

three of us
place of solace
relaxing and having
precious thoughts.

Cooking on the Rayburn

Cooking on the Rayburn

The heat, the smell
cooking slowly, cooking well

aroma filters to other rooms
daughter is waiting with a spoon

adding flavour, herbs and spices
nodding with approval

round the large dining table
we sit with our island ale

all waiting to be served
this tasty wholesome meal.

Sunday in Sollas

Sunday in Sollas

All quiet,

little movement,

some are going to church,


Reading, writing,

listening to music,

enjoying the landscape

& privileged that we're here!

Settle In

Brace ourselves
against the wind,
empty essentials
from the car,
a quick shop
to the Co-op,
settle in &
enjoy our tea.

Catch up with BB9,
partner off to bed,
daughter & I
stay up late
to chat &
close the day!

Island Love

Heart beats,
its racing!
can't stop
this feeling,
over twenty years
never disappears,
this special
island love!

Return to Uist.

At the terminal in Uig,
waiting in our car,
vehicles in turn disgorge
now its our time to go,

looking out,
a seascape of white horses
what kind of crossing will it be?
southerly, gale force 8,
thats what the forecast says.

On Calmac’s Ferry
Olympic Boxing
holds our attention,
four nail-biting rounds,
Degale snatches Gold!

Arrive in Lochmaddy
a little late, no car in sight
as we weave along the
narrow roads,
our destination, our peace,
our return!

Island Return

Island Return

Making plans,
sorting appointments,
seeking tranquility
solitude & peace.

Cycling Supper

Cycling Supper

Text received,
M, T & K
are on their way
cycling from afar.


it’ll take ‘em an hour,
what can I do?
spaghetti bolognese
with wine & beer,

7 points earned,
M’s plight,
cycling to her
hearts delight!

Wonderful Wednesday

Wonderful Wednesday

what can I eat?
waffles & wafers
what can I drink?
water & wine
what can I read?
Watership Down
what can I hear?
whistling wind
what do I think?
wonderful wednesday!

Thoughts of loving days

Thoughts of loving days

Rain spattering
against the window pane,
church clock striking
ten o clock,
daughter practising
her violin,
having thoughts
of loving days to come!

Team GB

Team GB
3rd in medals
15 gold so far,
cycling, rowing,
sailing, swimming
& canoeing too,
true determination
& grit,
all paid off
to collect this lot.

Feeling good

Feeling good
feeling fine
too awake
to go to bed

Returning emails
reading cards
making a list
to thank you all.

Thank you for your kind thoughts, good wishes, phone calls, texts & prayers.

Olympic Saturday

Olympic Saturday

Feeling good
feeling strong
out of bed now

home soon
to rest,
recuperate
& celebrate too!

To you

Stories to write,
art to create,
things to do
places to go,
love to give
hugs to have,
life will change
with optimism
& hope. x

Cookie Love

Cookie Love

Cookie love, Cookie love
Ringing thru my head
BB9 …….. on till dawn
Sneak to bed early morn.

Ten grand …£10,000

Ten grand …£10,000

Phone call from the bank
ten grand in my account

not the lottery or the pools
just a mistake by the fools

manager visits & explains
so I’m penniless again!

What do I need

What do I need

Fluffy dressing gown,
Pjs & slip on shoes
couple of magazines,
one book …. that’ll do

make up, brush,
mirror, mobile phone
with a direct line
to Him & home!

Monday

Monday

Pre-op assessment today
blood checks, ECG
& consultation too
not long now
four days to go
surgeon’s accuracy & skill
will give me time
to create & love.

Post & Prayer

Post & Prayer

Post received from sis
prayer booklet, relic & oil
her strength of faith
enlightens me to pray

Prayer book, medal,
& sister’s choice of Saint
in Nomine Patris et Filii
et Spiritus Sancti

Tears fall down my cheek
am trying to be strong, its an op
leaving the surgeon to do his job
its all in the hands of my Lord!

Saturday Midday

Saturday Midday

Its midday, still in bed
curtains closed, wafting in
the breeze from the open window

listening to the rain falling
birds singing in the trees
stillness, no other noise,
peace!

Hope

Hope

Consultation over
op next Friday
despair & hope

Better news
positive thoughts
always an optimist
thank my Lord!

Tomorrow

Tomorrow

This anticipation
twelve days now
seventeen hours to go
awaiting the news
which will change
my life forever

my partner is quiet
quieter than usual
he understands
evidence & results

daughter is unaware
of what is happening
playing happily in her
bedroom asking about
sleepovers & holidays