Get out into the fresh air and daylight…to combat the January blues they say. Well, it is a challenge to do that today with the rain belting down, and the wind howling. I did show my face outside for a second. And every day I do at the very least stand outside in the daylight, my face hopefully facing the weak sun in a bid to stay on track with sleeping. I have also been keeping a Journal of Joy (which does indeed sound corny) but actually works. Every day I actively look for moments of joy and hope to record in the little book. It is a beautiful embroidered notebook a friend gave me for Christmas.
Yesterday was thankfully dry for the charity memorial rugby match and event at Topsham in commemoration of one of the founder members of the women’s team, Lily Partridge, also a keen zoo keeper at Shaldon Zoo. Many members were dressed in amazing, and sometimes bizarre (a jellyfish!) animal costumes.
My preparations for an event in May to commemorate the birth of Sir Norman Lockyer have been gathering pace. Appropriately, as he first identified the element helium, there was a lot of hot air in evidence at various meetings during the last week…
Finalising the version of my book ready to go to print has been time consuming and, at times, quite tricky. It is daunting, scary, and exciting to have reached this stage in the process. Friends have been coopted in to a bit of final proof reading. I have been double checking the quality of the images. Typesetter, Matt Bird, has been busy fine tuning the layout. It is the book’s last chance!
My efforts to pace myself this year have so far failed with two talks and an open evening to come during the week. The week will be rounded off by another of Iryna Ilnytska’s operas. Please go to one of her events, she is amazing. Last week we attended her production (she produces, directs, and stars) of Dido and Aeneas at St Nicholas Priory in Exeter. The audience were spell bound.
Karen Hedges 