Christopher's Online Journal

The decking project is delayed. My son, the young, willing, and strong assistant lives in Kirklees where they have been told not to travel. Instead, it is a run around the DIY joints to find a cement mixing tray, eventually sourced at Louth Building Supplies, which, as it happens, is the nearest one to us, so why didn't we go there first? The quiet room's outside wall is to be painted (the one with the door). White is the chosen colour. I am also thinking that there is an idea afoot that the wall opposite the utility might go the same way; it's not my idea so a bit of negotiation needed. But the suggestion of an Acer in a pot ( Acer palmatum dissectum Firecracker - Japanese Maple ) has been agreed upon, but not in that pot! The best discovery of the day was thanks to those nice folks at sheepinc. My V neck jumper had a deal of pilling as they call it, we might say bobbles. Anyhow they suggested I shave it. And, just as the pretty useless trimming razor was to be sent bin-wa...

The new quiet room is completed. A trip to IKEA provided the mat for the floor, the fabric for the wall, the table for the stereo, and, on a previous visit, the lamp for illumination. All ready for this mornings meditation, in a new place of spacious awareness. This then, thanks to the week of rain showers and thunderclaps, a welcome break from the decking project, which was, without doubt, the explanation for my fingerprint being worn away, to such an extent that my computer could not be unlocked through the fingertip recognition method. Image by Immo Wegmann on Unsplash Spring cleaning has also got underway in another area, thanks to WordPress deciding to not allow me to post to any of my sites. I'm sure it's just a glitch, but in a fit of pique, I decided to clear them all out! Job done,  christopheratcoastmoor.wordpress.com is no more. Christopher has he was at christopheratcoastmoor A seriously late start to the day, mainly thanks to last nights viewing, until after midnig...

A future faith then is what awaits me. But how to unload the past faith. Where to shed the burden of responsibility, and those wasted opportunities. It is time to feel relieved, and what better time, to step on the gas with the decking project. The first planter box is constructed and positioned, thanks to some invaluable help from my son Andrew. Also, the large stones are moved from the garden to a new chill area in front of the utility room. The stones act as steps, into what will soon be my solo meditation room. Today is the fifth time (5th) of trying to get BT to put in a second broadband line, to service to the Old Stables specifically. For whatever reason, the previous four orders have all been automatically cancelled, lets hope it is fifth time lucky. Here is a poem from 2014: Decipher Up here This is the autumn light As gold leaf laid On cathedral cottage windows Out there Way beyond the sea fret The silver-blue skies of love The soft blue light of longing In my mind The grey g...

Blue sky mind spans two days, what with the bank holiday, and the Kärcher work preparing for the gravel and the decking extension. Although i n typical holiday weather style, the wind, and rain brings our outdoor work to a close. What brings this need for continuous change. What drives, or motivates us to spend our time in making our space a different space, rather than to spend our time enjoying that space which we already have. After a day and a night of wind and rain, the blossom has covered the garden. It is as if May has become the month of April showers. Yet the dawn chorus is still in full song, well before 5AM. The dreams are of reciting and listening to poetry. Even the weekly submission is becoming difficult to remember, focussed as I am on the other day to day living. But today is my second vaccine, so a clear date worthy of record, though not looking forwards to the after-effects. Will there be another sticker. We did get relegated, which means league one football for SWFC ...

The week begins with a ' Blue Sky Mind ' meditation led by Adam from Mindspace. I am reminded of laying on the grass, and sitting on the seat, by the Cotswold path, near to The Bothy where I stayed during my meditation teacher training. The neat accommodation, carefully restored, was  also  a place where I recorded a guided meditation; now it is an Airbnb. Who knows what the future holds I may return and complete the circle. I am reading the revised and expanded edition of inward by yung pueblo, whose real name is diego perez; his pen name apparently reminds him of his Ecuadorian roots as I suppose one of my pen names coastmoor reminds me of the coast and the moor where I once lived. Why do we have the need for nom de plumes? Wikipedia gives 6 reasons, how many can you come up with. After several years of restricting my physical activities, I returned to the garden yesterday. We have it in mind to extend the decking area and to use the gravel, which we recover, for tidying u...