Our little bit of heaven

Today while chatting with my in-laws, my father-in-law shared with me how a friend had announced as he entered church - 'here comes Tony the richest bloke in (his village)', Dad laughed thinking... "what I don't have any money??" Then as he carried on walking into the chapel it hit him - he was the richest man in his village - he had blessings aplenty and he felt very rich.

The talks today in church were on how our hardships can be blessings and Kevin shared this story-

A farmer has a horse escape
His neighbour says - bad luck
farmer - could be good luck or bad luck
The horse returns and brings 5 wild mare
neighbour - that's a bit of good luck
farmer - could be good luck or bad luck
one of the horses when his son was trying to brake it bolts and the boy badly brakes his leg
neighbour - sorry about your bad luck!
farmer - could be good luck or bad luck
the army comes for the farmers son but because he has broken his leg he is spared

the story goes on, but you get the picture.

This story made me mull over the last year full of ups and downs and think about all the bad lucks that have become good lucks and vice versa.

A friend came round to visit with me this week and told me about a program she had watched the night before about an african tribe that worked very hard and as they worked they sang. The man making the documentary noticed they ended their songs with the same three words and asked the translator what the word meant. He was told - Happy - the word meant happy. My friend with a tear in her eye said "we think we have it all here in the west but where is our community spirit and happy, happy, happy".

I thought about this a lot after she had left and thought happy, happy, happy is actually all around us - our little bit of heaven really is where ever we are. Whether we live in Bolton, Liverpool or West Wales our happiness is totally dependent on us. We see film stars and billionaires in the media who seem to have all that life has to offer and they aren't happy, happy, happy. The look flippin sad, sad, sad! So with what god has given me, and he has given me lots and lots.... I have decided to be happy, happy, happy.

coldplay playing at the bbc

Marie Curie

Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.

Fashion student shots

This week I was asked to go into my local college and take photos of fashion student's work. The students had 15 minutes to have their model (one of the other fashion students) show their clothing using lighting and direction for posing etc. Some of the students had a clear idea of what they wanted and really enjoyed the experience and others ...... didn't. Anyway they all walked away with a disc of my images to hopefully use in their final assignment. It was great fun - a bit unnerving using different flashes and studio - but a great learning experience as well.

fare thee well - kate rusby

Front page of www.utata.org!

Sports Day

John winning his Father's race at the kids sports day!




I remember as a child getting butterflies in my tummy before doing the egg and spoon race! Yes I was and still am very competitive. My family (a large family) are all competitive, perhaps because of that struggle for attention (jumping up and down "look at me Mum! look at me Dad!") Or perhaps it is genetic or something. For what ever reason I have always had that tummy knotting feeling before anything competitive and given it my everything. As I have hopefully matured with age and experience (lol...) I have taken on board the fact that although competitive I have not been very good at taking on criticism and being a team player, I think the quote goes “If you want to be incrementally better: Be competitive. If you want to be exponentially better: Be cooperative.” My little 7 yr old boy, Caleb, said to me at sports day before my Mum's race, "Mum it is not about winning, it is about having fun!" Out of the mouth of babes :) Although the butterflies do still come, I do have a lot more fun now in competitive situations, I think being a photographer and having had to submit a lot of work over the last year that has not always been a success, the skin thickens and the confidence grows and you realize that the only one responsible for making life fun is me! It's all about enjoying the competition rather than winning it - although I did win the Mum's race at my kids sports day HA!

Sparkling Organic Ginger

Today I was at college all day. I woke with a painful stomach ache and left for college feeling pretty sorry for myself. Survived the very long day of preparation lectures for my third year. Hot and tired I arrived home to some sparkling organic ginger thoughtfully bought for me by John to help settle my stomach - it worked a treat and so did the reminder of what a great guy I am married to. :)

Try Again - Keane

Poetry by Mary-Sherman Willis Photo by me :)

The Laughter of Women

From over the wall I could hear the laughter of women
in a foreign tongue, in the sun-rinsed air of the city.
They sat (so I thought) perfumed in their hats and their silks,

in chairs on the grass amid flowers glowing and swaying.
One spoke and the others rang like bells, oh so witty,
like bells till the sound filled up the garden and lifted

like bubbles spilling over the bricks that enclosed them,
their happiness holding them, even if just for the moment.
Although I did not understand a word they were saying,

their sound surrounded me, fell on my shoulders and hair,
and burst on my cheeks like kisses, and continued to fall,
holding me there where I stood on the sidewalk listening.

As I could not move, I had to hear them grow silent,
and adjust myself to the clouds and the cooling air.
The mumble of thunder rumbled out of the wall
and the smacking of drops as the rain fell everywhere.

Healthy Competition

Photo courtesy of Hannah Polland




Yesterday we took our teenagers, plus some youth from our stake to a regional youth sports event. The other stakes were Bristol, Cardiff and Cheltenham. I was so proud of our youth, who tirelessly competed and cheered each other on as well as youth from other stakes. Having a healthy relationship with your competitive side is a wonderful thing to see in young people. Seeing them just have fun and genuinely enjoying being part of the whole event was mature and lovely. A great day, very well organized by Aaron Mulligan - hope someone is brave enough to take it on and put it on next year.

John and I also had a chance to participate - which we are paying for now! I took part in the 800m, the 100m and the relay 4x100m. Great fun!