...well, I should know what thought did!

It's been a busy time yet again. I thought things would quieten down once the whirlwind of writing had finally abated, but no ... not quite. I've had more time to myself, but found myself lacking in inspiration or drive, which most probably means I needed the down time. But here's the key events of the past month or so.

Kids archae book called 'Digging Down' has been printed by DRD Roads Service Northern Ireland and is going out to schools ... I'm over in NI later this month to do a book reading or two at the launch of the books and the road information panels and the road itself to the minister in charge of such things ... so that's a lil exciting and also VERY scary ... The latest 'gen' on the book from the archae company in NI who've been dealing with this is that they think they'll need more kids books printed ... so many people want copies for themselves, kids, gifts, youth clubs, etc etc ... and I am REALLY REALLY surprised by that.

I'm also a little proud of the book ... it makes me smile when I look at it.

I've given up the buffet at the railway ... I've had a rough time in the past few months emotionally and it's shown at the railway ... something had to give and making tea and being avoided by all and sundry because of my moods hasn't helped. So I decided I needed a change, and that means I'm going to be putting together an exhibition about the railway, writing and illustrating childrens stories based around the railway, and continuing to do all the arty stuff like leaflets and posters and so on. It's nice that I can waft up to the railway when I want to (such as today, I have time to finally reply to all you lovely people who've added bits of my art to your favourites - THANK YOU!) and do what I want to, which is usually drawing/photographing, and chatting to visitors ... I read my first railway tale out last weekend - firstly to some of the chaps who found it hilarious 'cos they were in it and they recognised the 'in' phrases in the story, and then to passengers, who seemed to enjoy it. But I know I have to tighten the story line, it rambles at the moment, just like me really ... once I have it sorted, then I can start with the illustrations, which will be fun and will suit my kind of landscape/people art generally ... line and wash methinks.

What else, oh I'm busy in school making egyptian collars, cuffs and headresses for the production of Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat in July. It's amazing what you can do with blown vinyl wallpaper, cardboard, pva glue, metallic card and gold acrylic paint! Definintely cheap and cheerful but rather effective, especially under stage-lighting! It all has to be done on a very short shoestring-budget, which is fine as it's a challenge to use found materials in a creative way.

I'm reading loads of stuff, mainly to do with self-help and spookier things. A visit to Glastonbury a couple of weeks back had me coming home with loads of books, as did a trip to Blaenavon town the day after ... so I have lots to read and digest and learn Always a pleasure for me that is.

It seems I'm finally beginning to be more open with both my counsellor and myself ... and looking at difficult issues. It seems progress is being made, slow but sure ... which is the best way. I'm trying not to beat myself up (mentally that is) about my weight gain over the past couple of years, to accept that it's a symptom that something's not right on an emotional level and I'm working on sorting all of the 'not rights' out ... and when I do the weight will sort itself out too ... one thing at a time. I do tend to want to do it all NOW and fix it all NOW and get my weight to the weight it should be NOW, but I'm having to learn that it will take time, and each little step forward is moving me onwards, even if I take a step or two backwards from time to time, I never go back to where I was at the start of this journey to heal my innerself.

Yesterday I went to play on the West Somerset Railway, mainly to get a look and a trip behind the new-build steam locomotive 'Tornado', which is lovely but barely had to work on a preserved line limited to 20mph. I enjoyed the process of travel, which is always good for me. I also travelled on some diesels, as it was their diesel gala (with Tornado making it a 'mixed-traffic' weekend instead), and I think I can see the attraction of diesels, dear gods they are noisy and thunder along even when moving slowly - you could feel them through vibrations in the ground from a long way off. If a steam locomotive is a well behaved, trained dragon, then these hulks of diesels are more like a mass of thundering hammer weilding wrathful dwarves! I did enjoy the double headed 'teddy-bears' I must admit, but perhaps I'm a lil warmer to diesel locomotives now, just a tad ...

I have done odd bits of arty things ... mainly just sketches. I've delighted in my newest sketchbook, which is made from recycled paper, the pages are brown in colour, and coloured pencils seem to 'glow' on them ... and add black ink to them and .. well ... it's different and brighter than on white, which I can see washes colours out, well some kinds of colours.