Where The Hell Did Spring Go !!

Wet And Cold

   I guess we all knew it was far too good to be true, warm sunny days at the end of March, well now the April showers are here to spoil our hopes and tho I too realise the gardens do need some rain it would be nice to have some gentle showers in the evenings or maybe just over night, why do we have to have 24 hours of heaven tears in one go with those cold spring nights now running again into the days, fingers crossed it won't last long and the sunshine will return.
   I worry a little about my fruit trees getting attention from the insect world, with the Apricot, Peach, Greengage and Plum trees all now in blossom the last thing we need in colder weather, the warm sunshine means lots of busy bees helping pollinate all those wonderful bunches of fruit flowers that seem to be coating every branch this year, so with this in mind I hope we get the warmer days back soon, I can get a paint brush and do some pollination myself but the natural way if far better with greater results.
   I'm sorry I haven't updated the blog for a few days but to be honest with you I've still not been feeling that great so the last few evenings have been spent sitting back doing next to nothing, I have still been working and trying to fit in ceramic work every day, even if just for an hour. It's funny, I get a great day when I feel like normal and full of energy then a couple of days when things are hard, I guess that's just the way things are at the moment and when I see how other people suffer with illness and disabilities then shit, what I have to manage is nothing.
   I can't believe how much I'm missing my bike rides, if you had asked me two years ago if I would miss cycling miles every lunch time I would have laughed at you, but now I really do miss seeing the changes that spring brings though the countryside around me, plus I'm sure that exercise helped me control my IBS too, maybe that's part of the reason I'm feeling crap at the moment, tomorrow if the weather permits I'll get a good walk in and get some garden jobs done. Sometimes I just need a swift kick up the bum to stop me feeling down and after this last few days I think such a time is indeed here, I get told to just take a couple of days off work and rest, let my body catch up, get some good sleep but I guess you all know me well enough by now to know that just ain't me, yes I know I have to learn to respect my body and I will but when times are not so good work wise and sales are so low, the only way I know how to cope is by working harder, it's like my mind telling me that if I work hard things will be ok, tho I'm starting for the first time in years to think otherwise,  I never thought you would hear me say that !
   On a brighter note I'm hoping I'll be able to have a bisque firing this Sunday as I have a good amount of ceramic pendants and beads ready plus this big excited kid wants to try out his first stoneware glazes. Up until now I've been using earthenware clay with mixed results but after reading about stoneware and the more rustic effects it can produce I wanted to give it a go, I expect there will also be some failures along with successes but I'm used to those and if the successful pieces are as good as I hope then it will be a real pleasure experimenting.
   The feelings I'm getting with ceramics remind me so much of those early days I had with my torch, it feels like every week you learn more and more tricks and if like my lampwork this lasts for many years to come, then boy this beadmaker will be one very happy guy. I try not to hold on to too many dreams now a days but the thought of making a living from both my lampwork and ceramics would indeed be the perfect dream and one that is worth fighting for through any low spells that life throws my way.
   Ok time for a warm drink and an hour reading before bed, it's been another long day and a good nights sleep would be very enjoyable. I hope tomorrow evening I can tell of a wonderful sunny day here in the fens but I won't holding my breath.