The fells have turned brooding, the hedgerows are bejewelled with ruby berries, the river has turned from peaceful meander to swollen hurry and lush green trees are slowly turning the horizon to gold. Summer has been a delight this year but Autumn contains wild and stormy gems.

I had such a rewarding week last week 😊 I was approached to show my work in an Exhibition in Paris which is running alongside Paris Photo, but sadly I didn’t feel the theme of that particular Exhibition was a good fit so I had to decline. I have, though, left the door open to be contacted by the Curator in the future.

I had a visitor to the Art Trail who is new to my work. We chatted about my journey and the challenges I’ve faced. His parting words were “I’m so glad I came. Meeting you has made my day. The word “inspiring” is overused but I have no other word to describe you and your amazing spirit”, which was incredibly humbling. We all face challenges in life, though some of us seem to encounter more than our fair share, and it is always validating to be truly seen and gently heard. If just one person is touched by my stories it makes all the work and effort worthwhile, and as he left my thoughts were “there goes a kind man who lives in grace”.

I took a couple of days off from the Art Trail last week as I celebrated a birthday. I knew the weather was going to break, so being as though the evening before was still lovely we lit a fire outside in the fire pit, ate hot dogs and toasted marshmallows while languidly listening to the chitter of Swallows and Swifts swooping over the meadow in the setting sunlight. Magical ✨. It chucked down on my actual birthday so I didn’t wan to venture out, but there’s something soothing and comforting about snuggling up when rain is beating against the windows and the wind is enveloping the house in its arms.

The day after I was treated to a lovely lunch out at one of my favourite restaurants, came home to lilies the size of dinner plates whose stunning scent pervades the entire house and chomped on the largest bar of chocolate I think I’ve ever seen in my life given to me by a friend – it’s over 1.5 feet long! I’m going to be the size of whale by the time I’ve eaten it 🐋😂

The rose bush I bought in memory of my late Mum was in full flower again in the garden for the celebration of my birth, which made me quite emotional 🥹. I was thinking about how I arrived in the world, by the heaving, bloody, tearing heaves of a strong woman and was awed anew by the depth of her love. She fed me from her own bones and grew every cell in my body. Every organ, every limb, my eyes, my brain. She talked to me and prayed for me and held such hope for my life. There is no bond on earth like that of a Mother for her child.

From the strength of motherhood my mind drifted, and I ended up pondering on how women show the steel of our souls. I’m not naturally one of life’s sheep and have always had a tendency to follow my own path, even if that has meant being outcast from my ‘tribe’ for standing firmly in my truth. My principles are important to me and worth defending which, in the eyes of society, I guess can make me appear rebellious. I prefer ‘Defiant’ which is the name of my latest image. One can live in peace and deep joy but also possess an indomitable spirit. One which loves and nurtures but also fights with the fierceness of a Warrior and refuses to be broken.