Summer's almost gone

I thought I would introduce the world to our cat. We took her in after I found her raiding our rubbish bin two years ago. It was in our kitchen at the time. We always have our back door open and she was so hungry that she invited herself in.

She started sleeping in our greenhouse and we kept on feeding her. So we adopted each other by accident. The trouble was that, at the beginning, she would literally climb the walls if we closed the door and we still can't pick her up to this day. We did manage to get her to the vets to be spayed, but when they operated they found that she had already been "done". The vet thought that she was probably in a shelter as a kitten which could explain it. Then, some family probably took her in and then discovered that she was not a cuddly little lap cat, but a fiery, spitting demon unless she is outside.She was still very young when she arrived with us.

She still likes to be between us and the door, but we do sometimes manage to close it if she isn't looking. She is very sulky when we do it and rushes to get out as soon as it is opened. At least these days, she doesn't get so stressed about it.

She spends her days asleep in the sun and comes in regularly at meal time to ask for her dinner. When she is at ease she rolls over and loves having her head and back rubbed. It is always on her terms though, which is perhaps as it should be. One day, we hope that she will lose her fear and be totally confident that we bear her no ill-will. It may be a long time before we get to that stage though.

She is officially called Ally (as in alley-cat), but she also gets Kit-kat, Kitty, Kitten and Madam depending on what mood she and I are in.

Boats

 Fishing boat - Acrylic on canvas

About a mile from our house here is a wonderful harbour. The boats moored here these days are mostly pleasure boats of one sort or another. There are only a few working fishing boats left. It is those which are most fascinating. his was done last year from a photograph I took.

Unfortunately, a lot of the beautiful shellfish caught here is sent to the continent. How we can let that happen? I have had langoustines here which were caught out of the sea that afternoon and they were delicious.

Support your local fishermen..... eat British fish.

Pine Marten

We have had this wonderful house on the West Coast of Scotland for 6 years now. We were told that the pine marten who visited the garden regularly liked jam sandwiches and would appear at dusk usually. Amazingly we did catch a glimpse on the first night we stayed here.

As we are not here all the time we thought that it was asking a lot for us to keep the relationship going and we didn't actually see him for the next five years, although something ate jam sandwiches regularly so we guessed there was one still about.

For the past year , however, we and other visitors have had regular sightings. Yesterday afternoon, there he (or she) was, enjoying the remains of the sandwiches left by the birds. This is not the best photo ever taken of a pine marten. As it was taken through a rainy window in poor light, I think it will do.

Awa' up north - Scotland

We are up in Scotland for a week or so at Whindley. As always, we had to spend the first few days wrestling the garden into submission - strimmer, spade and gardening gloves. It may require the chain saw too this time. The thing about gardening up here is that when you have to stop and straighten your aching back, the view is so amazing that you don't feel you have been working. I also have a theory that the air is better and has more oxygen in it too.

After 3 days of mixed sun and showers, the low out in the Atlantic has taken over and we have high winds and rain now. It will be like this for 3 days they say so, time to get the paints out. 

The picture above was the sunset a couple of nights ago. You can see why we want to live up here can't you.

Capital cities

Continuing the Scottish theme - here's Edinburgh Castle.This was a reference photo for a Wet Canvas forum challenge.

Watercolour and ink 10" x 8"

Although we go to Scotland approximately 6 times a year, I have never been into it's capital city. I guess that, coming from England's capital, the idea of seeing another cityscape does not appeal. I feel the same way about Paris. However, if I was going to break the habit of avoiding built-up areas, this would be the one I would visit first. I'm told it's the friendliest city in Britain.

Heelan' Coo

I have recently re-established my habit of visiting the Wet Canvas website. I love the feel of the whole site. It is great to get challenges, ideas and advice on all aspects of art.

We often see these when we are in Wester Ross and I have intended doing one for years. The problem with this kind of thing is, that you also see them on tartan tins of shortbread all the time so it seems like painting a bit of a cliche.

Anyway.... here he is!! (Acrylic on board 8" x 6")

OK, OK.... I'm slow at this blogging business..  Haven't managed to get back to it this week at all after setting it up.

What have I done instead? Well, it has been a tricky week.  My mother, who is 87 and amazingly fit as far as the arthritis allows, had a mini stroke. We went to hospital by ambulance and she spent the day being tested and observed carefully. The good news was that she recovered quite quickly and has been left just a little weaker and lacking confidence as a result, which is a relief.

The whole experience was an education however. I learned more about the effects of stroke and how they deal with it. Aparently, if the patient recovers use of muscles and function within 24 hours then it is deemed to be a mini stroke or TIA - Transient Ischemic Attack.

It was also amazing to see my mother, who was weak and confused when I found her in the morning, slowly return to strength and regain her feisty nature as the day progressed.

Perhaps, the most interesting thing I learned more about was the working of the NHS (bless it and long may it continue). Some things were extremely good and some were downright stupid and annoying.  The people who work in it are superb.... the systems are crazy and not always good for patients.

So, I will probably to have a bit of a hospital theme to my postings this week.

Now this was supposed to be an art blog so..... I had some free time yesterday and did a quick acrylic as a response to the monthly challenge on the Wet Canvas Acrylics forum. I have had a  couple of these this week, I can tell you.

The first day

This is the first time I have written a blog. Been meaning to do something like this for ages and now...... I've started.

The main aim is to give me a focus for doing something creative - however small - every day. So.......

Watch this space.