So here we are, racing through June at such a pace I can hardly catch my breath. Just this morning I happened to catch sight of the date and was astounded to find out that we are already in the middle of the month and goodness me, the Summer Solstice is less than a week away! Say what???!!! I remember it was just the same last year, so maybe this is what May-June feels like at this time in my life? I think it's because our winter season seems to take foreeeeeveeer to be over and done with, that once Spring finally arrives it rushes in and out like a flood tide.
Towards the end of May my Dad and Lady B journeyed all the way from Dorset to visit for a week, it was a holiday that had been postponed since 2020. Back then in pre-covid times my Dad's memory and general health was very much more robust, so I was a little worried about how he would cope with the lengthy train travel and also being out of his usual environment and routine. Lets just say it was a challenge - whether he was really aware of it or not I'm unsure, but his level of general confusion was pretty heart breaking. So yeah, it was a very intense week, not stressful as such, but highly emotional and draining nevertheless.
On top of the worry about my Dad's health decline, I also tend to experience a surge of emotions at this time of year - ever since I lost my Mum five years ago, the month of May weighs heavy on me. I'm the kind of person who tends to deal with these things silently and inwardly which is probably not the best way, but keeping everything tightly wrapped up is just the way I am. I'm still trying to come to terms with many things to do with my Mum and the way her life came to a very sad and abrupt end, gosh this kind of deep rooted stuff isn't easy is it?
Anyhow, I'm not here to dig into my past because my childhood and my relationship with my parents has always been quite the messy tangle which I keep locked down tight, but I did just want to let you know a little of what I've been going through lately. Thankfully these times never seem to last for long and I'm pretty adept at bouncing back - boing! I'm here, it's mid June with summer almost upon us and all is warm and well.
At the beginning of June the UK commemorated the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and as such we were treated to a four day bank holiday weekend. The weather was mixed (of course it was) but it mostly held dry if a bit on the chilly-breezy side. The town was hugely busy with visitors, both on the pavements and the waterways and I love the hustle and bustle of a high season holiday weekend when the atmosphere is joyful and celebratory.
On my friendly little street with it's terraced houses all tucked together in close proximity, we collectively organised a laid back Jubilee street party. We applied to the council for a permit to close the road to traffic, hung up strings of red, white and blue bunting and gathered together enough food and drink to feed a small army.
It was a lot of fun just being able to sit in the middle of the road and chat to neighbours from up and down the street, most of whom we did already know (thirty houses in total). There was cake....
....and of course there was Pimms served in paper cups. It was really ever so British and made me remember how very much I love Pimms (and cake) in the summertime.
May and early June is such a l-u-s-h time in the countryside and the abundance of greenery and general floral frothiness has really lifted my spirits lately.
My daily morning walks in the woodland have continued to keep me simultaneously grounded and uplifted and I'm so thankful for this place that I call home.
Up until this week, the weather has been unseasonably cold (and very windy) during the past few months. I really hope that Summer will bring plenty of warmth and sunshine as I desperately feel a need for both.
I've been keeping an eye on the elderflowers around and about as I'm hoping to make a nice big batch of cordial again this year. The above photo was taken nine days ago, and since then most of the bushes I walk past are now in full floral froth. It's a glorious time of year and I absolutely love to (literally) bottle it up - I'll go and buy the sugar, lemons and oranges tomorrow so that I can get busy with it over the weekend if it stays dry. The recipe is on my blog here >> {Elderflower Cordial recipe, scroll down through the long-winded chatty blog post to find it}
What else to tell you? Building work finished here early last week, resulting in the safe dismantling of an old disused chimney stack and the back wall of our house being repaired and repointed. We asked the builders if they could leave the actual chimney pot for us as I thought it would be fun to plant something in it - my goodness, we were totally unprepared for the monstrous size of it, it's gigantic! It must stand four feet tall and was on top of a stack of heavy stone which was as high again - imagine, an eight foot tall chimney sitting very precariously on top of our bathroom roof, it blows my mind every time I think about it.
Our back yard is still in disarray because the scaffolding hasn't yet come down. I'm impatiently waiting for that to happen and then I can get busy with cleaning and tidying and planting up my pots for the summer.
The past few weeks I've been in full Mum-mode, supporting Little Lady as she revises and sits her A level exams. I think she's doing remarkably well in terms of managing both her time and her wellbeing, putting in many hours of revision and coping with a certain inevitable level of daily anxiety. She's only got two more exams left to do now, so next Tuesday I anticipate there will be much rejoicing, and I will finally be able to breathe out again.
This past week or two I've been working steadily away behind the scenes, finalising the colour palette for my next CAL blanket which will be revealed in November. I generally work around five months in advance which can be quite challenging for someone like me who much prefers the do-it-right-now spontaneous approach. Ahhhh......I can't wait to show you more, so exciting! I'm now working on the stitch design and it's been the usual frustrating, stop-start affair, but I spent a good few hours noodling with yarn and hook today and think I'm finally getting somewhere.
Goodness knows how many hours I've spent at the dining table during these past few weeks as it takes a LOT of time to work through the colour and pattern design process for one of my blankets. My whole heart and soul goes into each and every blanket and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Well I think that's about all for now, I hope you are doing ok out there in the world and enjoying these mid year months. Despite the emotional ups and downs, this really is my very best favourite time of year by far.
Thanks as always for popping into the Attic to visit, it's always so good to be here for a chat and a catch up....see you again soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Lucy, you bring light into so many people's lives. For that we are grateful.
With love and thanks Judith 🌈
Posted by: Judith Thompson | August 04, 2022 at 06:54 AM
Maybe Jane and Mary can bow out now and leave the rest of us to enjoy....
Posted by: Gillian | July 31, 2022 at 10:52 PM
I loved the photos of countryside at the beginning of your post. Such absolutely lush colours and just amazing scenes. It made me want to just step into the photos and enjoy the scenery.
I’m so sorry to read about your dad. My mother in law had a lot of issues before she died.
My dad died first and then my mum.
For me walking is such a healing time.
Posted by: Jean | July 31, 2022 at 08:09 PM
Just a ciao, hoping that is all good with you all,
Miriam
Posted by: Miriam | July 27, 2022 at 06:14 PM
Yes, I agree. Lucy as every right to do what she wants. BUT it would be nice if she just popped in to say that she is ok, it would take but a second! People worry about her. She has many many genuine followers who actually deserve at least that. Love & Blessings.
Posted by: Veronica | July 27, 2022 at 02:55 PM
Hi Lucy,
Just sending along greetings, ♥, and prayers a plenty for you and yours! You have been on my mind lately. Hoping and praying all is well in your world.
Cheri in the USA
Posted by: Cheri | July 26, 2022 at 09:21 PM
Hi Lucy
Like many of the comments ..I have been following you for years and love the photos…makes me feel like I am at home as from Yorkshire but live in the South.
Your post about your dad touches me as i too am in the same situation with my dad…now very frail which I don’t mind but the forgetfulness and anger has made the real him invisible. My dear dad, I was such a daddy’s girl, has gone. I feel for you and will pray for you as I do for myself to cope and have the patience strength and love in my heart for him.
Post when you can …you have helped me crochet and go on crocheting more than you will ever know and your photos and colour scheme are a source of joy and inspiration.
S x
Posted by: Sallie | July 26, 2022 at 08:37 PM
Missing your posts recently Lucy, sending love and light, take your time and I hope to see more from you when you are able. Take care x
Posted by: Angela | July 26, 2022 at 04:05 PM
I have loved all your posts and blanket patterns. Life gets boggy definitely. Hold on and keep taking one day at a time. You are loved the world over. We will wait on you so no worries on time frame.
Posted by: Peggy | July 25, 2022 at 05:22 PM
I truly enjoy your blog and hope that your absence is not a sign of serious life problems. Remember you have lots of followers who support you! Hang in there!
Posted by: Ruth | July 25, 2022 at 12:30 AM
Hi Lucy, I have followed your blog since the kiddies were so little, to think Little Lady is already 18, that also means that 1 boy is into the 20's and the youngest has to be 14 or 15 where has the time gone. I don't check as often as I used to (busy life) but when I do I so enjoy reading about your love of family, crocheting, and the countryside you live in. Thank you for blogging . Barb in Canada
Posted by: Barbara Lehman | July 24, 2022 at 05:40 PM
Val, I can't agree with you more.
Warm greetings,
Carine
Posted by: Carine | July 24, 2022 at 08:11 AM
Attic24 is Lucy's blog/website. The fact that she shares so much with us all is wonderful, and I hope that we will see her very soon, when she's ready.
I'll repeat – it is Lucy's blog/website – and if Lucy feels like posting in a week, a month, or a year – that is entirely Lucy's decision. Most of us love reading about Lucy's life and her crocheting, and we all have our ups and downs as Kate has just posted, and I agree with you, Kate.
I'm not quite sure why Jane and Mary feel they can determine that the blog 'has run its course' – it is not their decision to make. If they choose not to read it any more – more fool them, but the majority of us understand that having teenagers in the family and elderly parents, life can get in the way and be challenging at times. Patience is a virtue.
A quote from Dolly Parton:
“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain.”
Val
Posted by: Val | July 23, 2022 at 10:02 PM
Dear Lucy,
I don't agree with Jane or Mary...
I will continue looking in on your wonderful blog for endless creative inspiration and hoping that what ever is happening there, that you're all supporting each other. Your honesty has been so valuable over these years and I am grateful to read of others' ups and downs as that is how life goes on. Take care.
Kate from Australia xxx
Posted by: Kate | July 22, 2022 at 09:25 AM
I agree with Jane, let it go now.
Posted by: Mary | July 22, 2022 at 07:54 AM
I thought no you need to bow out of postings now. You clearly are not into it and it's run its course!
Posted by: Jane | July 21, 2022 at 09:07 PM
Just to let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Live can be tough sometimes. I am sure I am not alone in sending you love and support and warmest wishes. Jay Crafter
Posted by: Jay Crafter | July 21, 2022 at 03:14 PM
Missing you, hope all is OK.xx
Posted by: Anne | July 19, 2022 at 09:30 PM
Hello Lucy,
In March this year, I lost my father at the age of 93. I notice that in my thoughts he is still alive and I’m grateful for that.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and beautiful pictures, one with my favourite buttercups.
Sending you warm greetings from the Vulkan Eifel,
Carine
Posted by: Carine | July 16, 2022 at 10:34 AM
Miss your wonderful posts. Just sending good thoughts & energy your way. Hope all is well with you and the family.
Posted by: Sheri | July 14, 2022 at 10:57 PM
Hi Lucy,
It's time to pick a new blanket pattern and yarn pack. I am having trouble viewing pictures on some of the patterns. Some have pictures some have picture markers. When I click on a picture marker I get a big black screen.
Is this on your end or mine? Weird that I can see some pattern pictures and not others!
Cheers! Hope your day is glorious❤️
Posted by: Gaye Turner | July 06, 2022 at 02:07 PM
I loved seeing the differentiation Calculus of your daughter's logs and exponentials ...is she going to do maths at university....i did that 50 years ago . Good luck for her.
Posted by: Denise | July 05, 2022 at 05:22 PM
My condolences to you and your family. Losing a parent is never easy no matter how old you may be...Lovely post as usual, especially the picture with the ladybug.
Posted by: Ashlynn | July 04, 2022 at 07:06 AM
I thought I was alone in feeling that time goes by faster and faster with each passing year. I looked in the calendar today and realised that June went in a blink of an eye, and my husband said that if it keeps on at this rate, it soon will be Christmas before we know it.
Losing loved ones leaves its marks. Sometimes memories bubble up that I thought I had put to rest. But I can look at them and say; "You are here, but you can manage on your own without me. You can not stop me from rejoicing in what I have today and I can be grateful that my life turned out quite well anyway".
Thank you for sharing your thoughts; your every day life and your wonderful crocheting.
Take care, Ida
Posted by: Ida | July 03, 2022 at 11:51 PM
G’day Lucy,
You asked for some “happy news”. It’s winter here in Queensland Australia and after a very long hot summer and a very wet autumn we have some lovely weather….cooler, beautiful warmth streaming into our sunroom, (we think it’s cold if the temperature is below 15!), crocheting in progress (my second Dalia quilt) a grand daughter’s wedding in our 107 year old home which has seen seven generations of our family live in. Our first wedding in the old home.
It’s been an exciting year and it’s only halfway done!
Looking forward to what you have for us in November
Posted by: Olwyn Phillips | July 03, 2022 at 02:52 AM