It’s a fab sunny June here in Oxford; the light filters golden through the thick green leaves in our paddock. Irene is off at the moment, rehearsing as Lady Capulet in Creation Theatre’s Workshop production of Romeo and Juliet. Building work commences on our new 12 by 18 foot conservatory mid-month, and we are having our last garden party in the “old” garden the day before it. Should be fun!
01 June at 18:50 ·
Anita Mathias “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend” James 2.23. Cool, how low that bar is. Believe God. And it’s one of life’s cooler experiences when your thoughts naturally turn towards Him, through the day, and in wakeful nights, until you realize that God, incredibly, mysteriously, is your friend.
A promise fulfilled. My father took up yoga at 57. Never health-conscious, he became superbly fit, did a hour of yoga daily, walked for an hour, and died a spry 89 in 2005. I promised myself that when I became older and weaker, I would take up yoga. How old is “older”? IT’S NOW! I took my first (Iyengar) yoga class ever last night, and LOVED it. I plan to take it up seriously, forget tai-chi and street dance for now
03 June at 10:28
We’re celebrating Irene’s 10th birthday this weekend-a sleepover for 8 girls, in tents, in our paddock. Don’t tell me I’m crazy! “Insanity is doing the same thing, but expecting different results.” We had a camping sleepover for 22 people, children & adults for Zoe’s 9th birthday, & it was one of the most memorable experiences of her young life–so I’m hoping for a similarly memorable (note: low bar here!) experience
04 June
It’s raining! Pls pray we have gr8 weather for Irene’s camp-out tomorrow at 5. Roy just pointed out that I’m going to two parties before Irene’s–a Writers in Oxford party at 7.30 tonight and a leaving party tomorrow at 2. “Getting into the party spirit?” he asked with some irony. Luckily Lena, our super-wonderful Brazilian cleaning lady, has offered to do an extra session of cleaning and set-up for “the childrens!”
05 Jun
Sleepover update. I now have five little girls installed in a tent with a midnight feast, telling GHOST STORIES!! I remember doing that myself, a kind of innoculation, chasing out terror with terror. Zoe, Roy, & her friends are struggling to put up a 70ies style tent E. brought, but Roy is of the hardly ever say die school; he’ll figure it out! I did get to both my parties, and we did get everything peacefully done.
06 June at 22:04 ·
Read my new memoir: Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India (US) or UK.
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My book of essays: Wandering Between Two Worlds (US) or UK
