I usually finish my weeks with a moments of calm post, for some reason it slipped my mind yesterday, so I thought I would start this week with a Monday Morning Moment of Calm instead. I am in the midst of writing 24 posts in 28 days on the platform Medium. This is a new writing platform for me but one I am (so far) enjoying. It is giving me an opportunity to write about things I wouldn’t necessarily write about here on Changing Pages, and it is challenging my writing, which is never a bad thing. Consequently it does mean that I have been rather busy trying to publish daily and keep up with my other work and commitments which means other things have been a little neglected, but it also means moments of calm have been much needed.
Vintage Fiction
One thing I can always find time for is reading and I have been getting through lots of books in the last few weeks. I am particularly enjoy vintage fiction and D.E. Stevenson is a favourite author. Last year I read ‘Winter and Rough Weather’ by her which I loved. In the last couple of weeks I have read ‘Vittoria Cottage’ and ‘Music in the Hills’. Both of these precede “Winter and Rough Weather’. These are gentle books written with simplicity. There are no heart stopping events but they follow the lives of people all trying to live the best lives they can. They suit me perfectly I love books which focus on the characters and relationships. ‘Music in the Hills’ and ‘Winter and Rough Weather’ are both set in Scotland and the scenery is very much a character too. If you enjoy the likes of Rosamunde Pilcher and Mary Stewart then I think you will enjoy these books.
I have also been getting my fix of cosy crime as I continue to read through the Daisy Dalrymple series by Carola Dunn. In my local second hand bookshop, I recently found four second hand copies of books in the series I don’t have, so my collection is growing.
Creativity
During the various loock downs when going out wasn’t an option, one of the things I enjoyed most was dedicating a Sunday afternoon to creativity. I developed a routine of watercolor painting, calligraphy and embroidery. Engaging in these mindful activities brought so much pleasure and spending time thinking about shape and colour was both calming and mindful. This year I have not picked up a paint brush or my calligraphy pen or really engaged in any form of creativity that wasn’t related to writing or photography. Yesterday afternoon with nowhere to be or nothing in particular which needed doing I dedicated the afternoon to sewing (something I am not gifted at!) I had been given a kit for Christmas to make some bunting and I had a lovely couple of hours listening to podcasts whilst creating something. It reminded me how important it is for me to get back to creativity.
As we go into Easter week, I shall be gathering twigs filled with blossom to make my annual Easter Tree. I love doing this each year, making the most of the opportunity for a little burst of Easter creativity.
If you are a subscriber, watch out for my newsletter to drop into your inbox later today. If you are not and would like to subscribe then do use the pop up box to do so. I shall also be including an Easter discount code for my recent e-book ‘Quiet Walks Through London – 5 Themed Walks to help you explore London in a calm and peaceful way’
Wishing you all a peaceful week
XX
