I am currently a little in love with this photograph, by William Egglestone, taken around the time I was being born. The 70’s fabric on the seat back that I somehow remember, and can imagine running my thumbnail between the ridges; the bright starburst of sunlight passing through the drink, the white clouds bobbing below on a blue sea of sky. You can feel the warmth of the light coming through the high air. You can feel the humming weightlessness of the moment.
Hi Douglas,
I really enjoy your writing. I’m glad you’re as positive as you appear to be unless it’s a little bit of a front.
I’m also a writer and have been using the lockdown opportunity to write. I was almost done when a tragedy occurred. My sister-in-law died. Tragically. Apart from the personal loss she was creating my website and doing all my editing. She was one of my best friends and I introduced her to my brother who married her immediately. He is currently grieving her loss as is their daughter. As am I too and all the family.
I feel however that Cynthia is urging me to carry on. I’m a bit lost right now but more or less positive that I’ve written something fun to read. It’s sort of a distorted autobiography in blog format. My writing is pretty self scathing as I’m very hard on myself.
But you can laugh.
Cynthia’s loss has to mean something and she was so keen to get me started. I’m getting older. I’m a retired teacher on a SASSA pension.
I don’t know you except that I’ve seen you on telly.
I looked you up on Google . You see a dear friend upon whom I’ve been foisting my stories has told me I write very much like you. So that’s why I’m reaching out and saying hello.
I won’t be visiting you and your partner in Greece. I get migraines from wine and the sun is not my friend . I also hate to travel. I’d rather watch people drinking wine on a beach in Greece than actually go there and do it myself. But I understand that I am not the norm. Travel disagrees with me. Violently.
I will stay in my chair where I am very comfortable, thank you very much and continue to read and write and blog and watch movies.
So farewell from me and good luck with your building and designs and don’t forget about the people who live to read your writings. Keep up the good fight. Reading has been a lifesaver or rather a sanity saver in these strange times. Any advice would be greatly appreciated and highly welcome.
Yours truly
Diana Ashman