Oi Southern Hemisphere...

Now look here you lot; every year we graciously lend you Summer so we can have a bit of snow and frost, allow the vegetation to rot away and rest, that sort of thing. However, come April/May we want it back. We know it takes a while to arrive, so don't really expect much before June, but COME ON...

Just what do you think you are you playing at? It's bad enough that you lot regularly beat us at cricket and rugby, but now you're stealing our Summer. It's bad form.

Wimbledon starts in a couple of weeks - the strawberries aren't even ripe yet. Today I even saw a whole flock of starlings flying south (not entirely sure how far south, but it was in your direction...).

Enough is enough. You'll have to man up and pay the courier charges now - get it back here pronto ... OR ELSE...

Shall I compare thee to a Summer's day?

Photo credit - Lisa Wright (me)

Shall I compare thee to a Summer's day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate:

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,

And Summer's lease hath all too short a date:

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,

And oft' is his gold complexion dimm'd;

And every fair from fair sometime declines,

By chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd:

But thy eternal Summer shall not fade

Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;

Nor shall Death brag thou wanderest in his shade,

When in eternal lines to time thou growest:

So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

William Shakespeare

Follow that Lisa... Hmm... tempted to delete the Great Bard from this post since it is impossible to perfect any form of prose after reading his lyrical poetry. Oh well...

***

I scribble notes on scraps of paper sitting at the garden table. It is past 6pm and the sun still packs a punch. The birds are thoughtfully providing a delicate soundtrack now the mowers have retreated back to their sweltering sheds.

I put my feet up and lean back in the chair in a state of blissful indolence. The feel of the sun pouring its does of vitamin D into my skin is balm to the soul too. It has been a long time coming and doubtless will be all too fleeting but, for a few days at least, Summer is finally here!

***

And, before I forget... the winner of my giveaway is extremely appropriate. I did the Mr Random Number thingie and would should come up but... Sunshineshelle!! Serendipity :)

Image credit: Lisa Wright (me)

Topsy Turvey

Season of mists and fellow fruitfulness.... that'll be Summer then.

Autumn dawns with unbroken blue skies and temperatures reaching the 20s for the first time in weeks. What's occuring?

I feel a bit topsy turvy myself at the moment.

There are so many things I want to achieve right now: courses to take, assignments to finish, work to complete, adventures with my family, words to write and painting itching to see the light of day. I'm so excited. I just can't get enough. I am a growing, learning and creative wild woman! Then sometimes it all gets too much to contemplate and I just go to bed.

Goddess Leonie says that "The energy is a bit of a bucking bronco at the moment. Everything will be okay, we are just going through a shift". It certainly feels like the Universe is playing funny games with me. Is it behaving for you?

This painting attemped to capture the topsy turvey weather. Those moments of mystical light when the storm clouds gather, brooding and heavy but the sun still sneaks through a gap and illuminates almost from beneath. That was the general idea anyway and I thought sunflowers were just perfect! Posting for Paint Party Friday (on Thursday - see, told you I was all at sixes and sevens!).

Now, what shall I do next? Art or go to bed?

Wishing for Summer

When Jamie Ridler asked "What do you wish for Summer?"... I yelled at the screen "Some Summer would be nice!" It's cold and raining again this morning and the nights drawing in now too...

However, I am a glass half full kind of girl and so, regaining the proper positive spirit (and hoping that temperatures that require skimpy short-wearing arrive soon), I shall cast my wishes to the universe.

This summer, in true Lisa-fashion, I am once more taking on every single opportunity that comes my way wearing an interesting hat. This keeps me out of mischief, but also requires some distinct time-juggling and smarter working. All achievable with a little self-discipline.

I've set myself some easy goals to get me started. First one is to get  up in the morning with the first alarm and avoid the snooze button. It's a small goal, but already working - I think we're on Day 5. Not only am I up 20 minutes earlier every morning, but I leave sleep stupor snoozing on the pillow. It appears that nodding off for an extra 10 minutes, then another 10... just makes me more tired. Well, what do you know? These last few mornings have seen me positively bouncing and throwing myself into tasks with renewed enthusiasm.

Another goal is to exercise at least 10 minutes per day with a proper workout 3 times a week. Mix this with eating less chocolate, cakes and biscuits and we might see a few pounds dissolve from the waist and hips.

So, now we've got the energy levels up, we'll be ready to tackle the big projects. It's going to be a busy few months with plenty of writing work coming in, opportunities to use my creativity in employee engagement exercises and big ambitions with my art. I could tell you all now, but lunch break is over and I have to get back to work (plus, I'm sure you've read enough already!).

PS: What's up with blogger today? Can't load images. Methinks he hit the snooze button one too many times!