on the mend

Many many thanks for all your good wishes - I am feeling quite a lot better and from time to time almost normal, although never for very long. One of the defining things about this flu is that you think you are greatly improved and then suddenly - wham - you are flat out in bed again sneezing wondering what on earth is going on.

Yesterday I managed a whole afternoon of feeling semi-alright, and forced myself to go into my workroom to cut out and make some linen hearts. I immediately found it both energising and settling, and so enjoyed the process of being creative again, which seemed to free up my thoughts a bit...

Roger Deakin talks about this rhythm in Notes from Walnut Tree Farm, which I have been consuming greedily this last week:

'Ruskin, leading his students off to dig a road outside Oxford to learn about hard work as the prerequsite of clear thinking... same goes for Morris - obsessed with working with the hands, with crafting and shaping things ... [Arthur] Miller had his workshop and furniture-making, and his barn-building and tree-planting.'

This has helped me to see the value of all making, how one thing feeds another, how thoughts develop and are processed as we do things with our hands.

14 comments:

Gretel said...

From one flu-laden person to another - get well soon. :)

Diva Kreszl said...

hope you're fully recovered soon. I'll have to check out this book...it sounds very interesting!

sarah-jane down the lane said...

Absoloutley concur with you on that! So glad the fog is lifting!

Sarah x

walter and me said...

Sorry to hear there has been sickness in the House of Mouse, but glad you're feeling brighter. Having the opportunity to read Roger Deakin is a tonic in itself - have you also read Wildwood and Waterlog?
xox

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

Glad to hear you are on the mend. I loved the Roger Deakin and am waiting not very patiently for husband to finish Wildwood. I have to let him as I bought it for him as a birthday present!

Lyn said...

Sorry to hear you are under the weather, hope each day you get better and better, (that sounds like something out of a hallmark greetings card!)
but well meant!
Love
Lyn
xxx

Reading Tea Leaves said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Reading Tea Leaves said...

Glad to hear you are feeling better Sue - hope you are fully recovered soon.

Your new hearts are lovely - I have my Mouse Heart hanging from the window catch in the snug - it looks really sweet from the outside too. Jeanne x

Frances said...

Ah Sue, it does seem as if recovery is in the cards now.

I am going to see it that lovely library of mine has Roger Deakin in its house. Bet that the answer will be yes.

Continued good wishes to you! xo

Christine A said...

And Churchill had his wall building...get well soon.

Jackie said...

I'm glad 'Doctor sewing' is helping you to recover.Lovely hearts.

Doda said...

this flu is a pain...glad you are recovering. Lovely linen hearts!

Anonymous said...

I don't know how I missed your postings about having the horrid swine flu but truly hope you are now on the mend - guess that is so if you are able to stitch again. With love and best wishes (and your lovely heart is hanging by my writing desk, bringing me such joy).

Diane said...

Sorry to hear that you have all been " a bit badly". Hope you soon recover. xxx