14 Aug: Ten Things of Thankful

My first time here on Ten Things of Thankful – introduced by Misky to this space…

One. My partner is in a deep depression which has closed off many of the things we used to do but on Saturday we managed to set out for Whitby which used to be a regular excursion. We stopped halfway at Helmsby and after having lunch, decided Whitby was too far, too busy, so we spent a liitle time in the excellent bookshop before meandering home on the smallest roads I could find…

One. My partner’s friendship bracelets taken as we had coffee in Helmsley…

Two. The book on Friendship from Helmsley Bookshop…

An alternative to buying a card – a ten poem chapbook from Candlestick Press

Three. Given that I spent 20 odd years as a hand-painted Signwriter, I am always delighted to see good examples of the craft which I am sorry to say are few and far between in the UK these days…

Four. One of the landscapes on our meandering route… I sometimes take pictures with a view to later making paintings.

Five. We also stopped in Risplith at G & T’s Ice Creams (they genuinely do make a Gin and Tonic ice cream) and whilst eating our cones in the car, I photographed this weathered paint which may one day come in useful for a background in some graphic work…

Six. For the last two months I have been taking part in the Postcard Poetry Festival challenge which is a project run by Cascadia Poetics in Seattle, Washington. The idea is to write an Epistolary style poem to 31 poets whose address list you are also on – to write about the picture on the card and to relate it to the person who you are writing to, who is of course, a complete stranger. This develops quick improvisation. This year I decided to make postcard-sized paintings and at a rate of 4-6 per weekend I have finished all but four this weekend two of which are below.

Two paintings from photographs taken in Crete during lockdown in 2020.

Seven. I still work 2.5 days a week for which I am thankful both because I need the money and because it keeps me abreast of things I would otherwise slip away from…

I love to photograph repeated items… There is nothing to give the scale of these San Sebastian Cheesecake (otherwise known as Burnt Basque Cheesecakes) but they are full-size cakes awaiting cutting before packing in our factory.

Eight. Barbara and I have booked a holiday for two weeks next month down in Cornwall – what the weather will be is anybody’s guess…

Nine. It was cloudy this morning so the watering of containers in our yard (we don’t have a garden) can wait till I get home this afternoon after my half day work – we have a hosepipe ban so it will take about 60 litres by watering can..

Ten. Healthwise, I am going to get a Lung Health MOT and have also been invited to take part in a Diabetes study out of Oxford University all knowledge is great at 70…

Welcome to TToT (Ten Things of Thankful) blog hop! Join bloggers from all over the world as we come together to share those things that we are thankful for. Ten is in the name, but no one is counting; feel free to link up no matter how many (or few) you can list. Make sure to go read and comment on the posts, too. The TToT has always been big on making this a friendly community, and getting to know each other through posts and comments is a huge part of that. We’re thankful for you!


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6 thoughts on “14 Aug: Ten Things of Thankful

  • August 15, 2025 at 1:18 pm
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    How wonderful it is to have your artistic and poetic talent in Ten Things of Thankful (TToT). The postcard “chain” is such a lovely and inclusive way to spread a bit of cheer. Love your paintings by the way. And, yes, I agree that hand-painted signage is losing its artists – such a pity, as these signs are gorgeous. Sorry about Barbara’s bracelet; such a shame. The world just isn’t the place we once knew, but we are resilient and we keep at it anyway.

    I hope that you’ll join in again next week, Andrew. It’s so lovely to see your photos and comments.

    Reply
  • August 16, 2025 at 5:55 am
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    Amazing list of gratitudes. I like your postcard paintings. I hope to see more of your photos in future posts.

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    • August 16, 2025 at 7:55 am
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      I think listing my gratitude is something I need to do right now…

      Reply
  • August 17, 2025 at 12:53 am
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    It’s lovely to meet you at the TToT! I enjoyed your list and hope your getaway to Cornwall goes well.

    Reply
  • August 17, 2025 at 7:15 pm
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    Welcome to the Ten Things of Thankful! Your paintings (and photos) are lovely.

    Reply
    • August 17, 2025 at 7:27 pm
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      Thanks Kristi…

      Reply

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