This week, a little look at changes, choices and chances.
There was once a time in my life, many years ago now, when I was surrounded by so many changes.
It was not the easiest or happiest of times.
I remember a friend saying to me that 'The only constant thing in your life at the moment is change!'
 But the changes I made then were necessary, if difficult, and they ultimately led to me being able to sit here now, a practising artist, an art teacher,  a new writer, and the current wife of Mr Cooper.

This week has brought with it many changes, and also the opportunities to make changes.
How different I feel now to then.
 Instead of being overwhelmed by an unknown future, today I say 'Bring it on'.
 But ask me again in a month, and I might be saying 'Take some of it away!'
We shall see.

So hopefully this blog will give you a taste of the changes to come, but also of things that need no changing.  (If you choose to make them, that is!)

One change I made this year was to use my art in a far different way to teaching art in schools.
 I joined Trinity in January, as a volunteer, where I work weekly with the women's service art class.  Perhaps 'work' is not quite the right word to use here.  'Engage', 'join in', have fun' describe what I do a little better.  This Tuesday saw us on our second art outing of the year, heading to the Southampton City Art Gallery, to see the British Art Show 8.

To quote from the catalogue, 'The British Art Show is a touring exhibition that provides a vital overview of the most contemporary art produced in the UK.'
It was so lovely for us that Ali, who runs the weekly class, also works for the gallery.
We had a brilliant hour where he talked about the work in the exhibition.  To know more about the artist and their thoughts and intent really increased the interest, and personal response that we had to the creations.

Several of us really liked an amazing textiles piece, called 'Diagram of Love: Marriage of Eyes'
by Linder.

This beautiful 'artistic carpet'  has lots of eyes all over it, and is also part of a stage set for a ballet.
 It reminded me of the first book we ever read in book group, which was The Electric Michelangelo, by Sarah Hall.  http://www.sarahhallauthor.com/electric.htm
 I don't remember the book in great detail now, apart from the fact that it was fascinating, and that one woman was in the process of having her body completely covered in eye tattoos.
If you haven't read it, please do.  At the end of the book, we all wanted a tattoo.
Perhaps we should have each had a small eye tattoo, to show we belonged to an exclusive club.

 Returning to the gallery.........we did not have time enough to watch all the films through.
We watched a small section of 'Feed Me,' by Rachael Maclean, and I would very much like to see it in it's entirety.  (It's an hour long, but you do get bean bags to sit on.....)

I think I will take Mr Cooper back to the gallery with me, for his yearly dose of culture.

We all agreed, on the way back in the minibus, that it had been interesting, exciting and mind-opening to spend time looking at many different forms of art, thanks Ali!
And also very enjoyable to spend the day together.  As well as visiting the exhibition, we had a coffee and chat straight after the gallery, then a picnic in the park, and finally a visit to the
Bargate Monument, where there were two art installations.  Not a bad way to spend a Tuesday!

Trinity have just made a film  on youtube about what they do, and their hopes for the future.
Here is the link to it.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLWz8KHlTMY

Just returning the tenuous book-thread for a moment..........
 I have recently completed the 7th Flavia de Luce Novel.  I say 'please do read' the Electric Michelangelo.  With the Flavia de Luce novels, if you are in anyway a fan of detective fiction combined with beautifully written, intelligent reads,  you must seek these out and devour them.
The first one is called 'The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.'  I feel sure you can add them to your kindle, or buy them from Amazon, or even go to an actual bookshop.  I am yet more old-fashioned than the latter, and order them from my local library (at a cost of just 50p)
I must warn you, it does mean that I have to visit the library twice, and talk to the librarians.
Also, when I am walking round Emsworth, I do stand the risk of meeting someone I know, and having to have further conversations!  A bit more risky than clicking 'add to basket'.........

A little over a year ago,  I was pleased to be involved with a project run by Shake Culture.  You may remember it at the time, when I ran three textiles workshops in Portsmouth, where a group of mainly Bangladeshi women worked to create a textiles piece in response to their memories.
 Here is one of my own textile designs I used in the introduction to the workshops.

When I was asked, out of the blue, to run the first workshop, there was so much going on at the time what with hospital appointments and future operations that my initial reaction was to say no.
In fact, the first workshop was on the morning of Mr Cooper's hospital appointment in Guildford.  This appointment was to decide whether he would be able to be given the treatment that he did go on to receive, which would have far fewer side-effects than the other treatments.
Let's just say that the side effects he has received have been sufficient!  I can only imagine how the other treatments must affect your whole life, and we are both so pleased he was accepted as a recipient for the least invasive treatment.

But as well as with all the medical turmoil in my head, something was also saying 'Don't say no,'
and I agreed to go ahead with the workshop.

The best decision.
That workshop led to a couple more, and also to lots of exciting things in the pipeline.
Sonia Vidal, who is at the forefront of Shake Culture, liked both my work, and me (always handy in a working relationship) and I liked Sonia, her ways of thinking, and was very excited to be on her team.
http://shakecultureworks.co.uk/

 Then came a period of silence from Shake Culture, which passed me by as I have been a little busy of late.  Then, out of the blue, an  email from Sonia, saying she was leaving shortly, for Amsterdam, but would like to see me very soon. 
All is lost, I thought.  A whole load of missed opportunities.

One of the ideas in the pipeline had been to create a community cookery book, and Sonia came round not only armed with dates for when this is to happen, but with the added information that I was to write and illustrate it! In my head I was going both 'yippee!' and 'help!'

Luckily, though in Amsterdam, Sonia will still oversee the project, and I now find myself even more busy at the start of next year, as I will be attending 4 meals in different people's homes, and using that event to record not only the recipes, but views of the family's life and culture, and their thoughts as to how Brexit will affect them.  Plus, creating four full page illustrations from each visit!  This starts in January and is to be completed by the 21st May (no pressure there then!)
So, as it is when Sonia appears in my life.....common sense says 'No, you are too busy' but the excitement of a creative challenge always says 'Just say yes, and work it all out later.'

 Should be a doddle really.......especially as we are away for the whole of February, and also selling 'The Gables' and buying our future home.
Did I forget to mention that we are finally on the market?

After a year of decoration and de-cluttering, we invited 6 different estate agents to value our home, and talk about their commission rates, etc.  It was a very interesting experience, and now we have a
 'For Sale' board outside our property.  In the end we were choosing between 3 agents, then between 2, which was a more difficult decision.  Last weekend we decided to go ahead with Treagust (who were recommended to us) and now we are waiting to OK the sales brochure.
So, goodbye paint brushes, hello Hoover.

Luckily the hard work has paid off, and phrases such as 'well presented', 'really attractive' and 'light and cheery' were heard. 'How colourful' most agents said. 'You should have seen it before,'  thought I.

Below is some evidence that I really have managed to tone down the colour scheme!

Last week found me marinading pork, and I said I would give you the recipe if it proved to be delicious.  It proved to be OK, but I probably won't make it again.  So rather than leave you recipe-less, I include one of my most favourite pork chop recipes, from a book that I use frequently, and always with good results.

The recipe is on page 149, it is delicious, fairly straight forward, and  is called
 'Pan-fried pork chops with rocket, capers and a cider butter sauce.'*
On the eve of my marriage, I ensured that I had a house empty of people (Mr Cooper had a mini stag do with Kevin, and Sarah spent the night with her mum)
Then I indulged myself by painting my toenails, drinking Prosecco with rhubarb syrup (my favourite) and cooking and eating the above dish.  I then watched an episode of Midsummer murders that  had been saved for the occasion.  Unfortunately it must be the only one ever made that was actually scary!  And then, next morning, off to school to teach my year 11s, before a trip to Taniques to have pink roses woven into my hair. Those were the days!

I probably ate my meal in the dining room.  Here it is, all neutral, ready for sale.

So, goodbye to a week of exciting changes, and hello to a week of eating!
For nearly a month each year, I am married to a man 8 years my senior (only in age, not intellect!)
Next week, he becomes even more mature and attractive, and is back to being 9 years my senior.
Added to this, as I now have exchanged the decorating brushes for dusters and polish, I have time to socialise again.  So, in the space of 5 days, I find myself eating out 4 times.

Better get ready for all that, by having a relaxing bath, in my magnolia bathroom....

And at the end of all that feasting, how lovely to go to bed, nestling between those crisp white sheets.

Another room significantly toned down, ready for sale! (Or should I say, pinky for sale....)

Before I leave you all, to get myself ready for the first feast (I am trying to go for the 'little and often' approach with all these meals, rather than the 'in for a penny, in for a pound one'......)
Remember, if the opportunity arises this week for you to eat with friends, go for it.
Also, if the opportunity arises for you to do something a little bit different, and edge out of your comfort zone, try it.  You never know, you might like it, and if not, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Or just jump out of your comfort zone, like what I have!

I leave you with an excellent message I heard on the radio last Saturday.
As well as all that eating and experimenting you will be doing, consider how much better the world would be, if we all took this message to heart.

Treat your elders with respect,

Your juniors with kindness,

And approach each situation with a cheerful disposition.

So, try the above, and try the below too.  Unless you are a veggie, that is. (For the below only!)
See you all very soon.  Happy eating!



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