I’m back in circulation again after taking a couple of days off for child- and dog care down in Sheffield. Although fun in such small doses I have to admit that I’m glad that neither of these activities figures any more on a regular basis in my life. I like kids and dogs, and seem to get on well with both, but these days I’m happy to borrow other people’s.
The break has been good in at least one respect, however, in that I realised just how much a I do need a rest. The year so far has been lived at a fairly high pressure, both in terms of creating and exhibiting. I’m still committed to the exhibition in Lincoln Cathedral during July, of course, but the preparations for that are pretty well complete now that the brochure has been placed with the printer. I do have another idea in mind for a picture, but this is tied in no sense at all to an exhibiting event, so that I can allow myself to cruise for a while.
Two things are going to help in that respect. The garden is burgeoning at the moment, and there are several tasks I’ve been promising myself to do there. As the weather forecast is fair for at least the next few days I can see myself becoming immersed in that for a little while. Then, during next month, there is the Bradford Literature Festival to divert my attention. I’ve noted half-a-dozen events in the programme which sound interesting for one reason or another. I shall permit myself to be an artistic passenger for a time.