Beyond Solitude

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[beyondsolitude]

Marsh orchids, small purple towers in fields of buttercup.

[beyondsolitude]

Houses at Auvers - Vincent Van Gogh, 1890

Vincent had a difficult life and like the poet Edward Thomas, didn’t live to see how loved his artistic output would become. It’s a reminder that the primary audience for creative work is the artist. If you don’t love the creative process or the end product yourself, it’s just a hobby. But if you do, then, just keep going!

[beyondsolitude]

The River Usk roping through the valley as the sun goes down. Just five minutes from my front door, the river has a strong personality of its own. Swifts screaming overhead and the gentle shushing of water over stone. The river's mood is benign now, but after rain it becomes bellicose, swollen with sediment and rage.

[beyondsolitude]

The weather has been dry and sunny for days. After a long, grey and wet winter, the fields are bursting with flowers. Buttercups are everywhere. It's impossible to stay indoors and there's nothing better than walking along the Welsh lanes and paths around my town. A regular route enables me to notice all the small changes in the hedges and fields. After the daffodils we currently remain in a firmly yellow time, buttercups and dandelions.

[beyondsolitude]

Danse Russe, William Carlos Williams

I love this poem. So wild and unexpected, 'the happy genius of my household' contrasts so strongly with 'I am lonely, lonely.' I think we've all those mad moments when it feels like our hair is on fire and we dance madly round a room. When was the last time last time you did a happy jig? Mine was after the Man United v Lyon game.

[beyondsolitude]

Cicada, Seiju Omaha, 1930.

[beyondsolitude]

A few final walkers stroll the river bank. The air rings with song, the light turning to gold. Spring is a beautiful time, all my senses full of sound, the scent of blossom, the green stain of river breath, the cushioned grass and the gilded evening sunlight.

[beyondsolitude]

In evening sunlight a robin high in the white willow sings, notes tumbling across the river to where a flock of sheep have come to sip. A late day hymn, the music of spring.

[beyondsolitude]

A path cut into a wildflower meadow beside the river. The blue sky, fair weather clouds and the luscious green. The gift of sight has never been more precious.

[beyondsolitude]

Red Hollyhocks in the Garden, Anna Ancher,1916. Haven’t seen any hollyhocks yet this year but the swifts have arrived. Their screaming overhead is the sound of summer.

[beyondsolitude]

A beautiful sunny day changes utterly inside a wood. The light darkens, becomes green. It’s like being in one of those old green glass vases. A woodpecker is drumming as I stroll down the path, blackcaps, warblers and song thrush all singing lustily. Stepping out of the wood later the glare feels less forgiving. I think my forebears were forest people.

[beyondsolitude]

Went to see the osprey nest in Talybont-on-Usk today. Perfect spring weather and lots of birders about. Someone kindly let me look through their scope at the nest. Really exciting and I was able to watch the male fly off and bring back fish for the female. They are pale as ghosts and to think three weeks ago they were in Senegal. Felt very lucky to be in their presence.

[beyondsolitude]

Three + by Four Tet on Apple Music

Album · 2024 · 12 Songs

I've always loved Four Tet, and this album has turned into a favourite. There is something elegiac about Three Drums I particularly like. It feels like the end of a great film. It's interesting how simple rhythms can evoke a wider experience, in this case the feeling of something reaching the end of a long road, time fading.

[beyondsolitude]

Strange and weirdly beautiful. Cattleya Orchid and Three Hummingbirds, Martin Johnson Heade, 1871

[beyondsolitude]

‘You get attached to them’: nesting ospreys get villagers excited in Wales

Webcam set up to monitor egg-bearing nest atop oak tree guarded by dozens of volunteers in Usk valley

Massive excitement in the Usk valley. I’ll be paying a (safe and respectful) visit later this week. Raptors have a unique ability to inspire awe from we mere mortals (well me really). I once saw ospreys fishing in the desert, but that’s another story!

[beyondsolitude]

The town I live in is called Usk and the river of the same name runs through the middle. Today there were lots of swans and a goosander with nine chicks paddling frantically to keep up. Spring = Abundance = Beauty = Happiness seems to be the formula that works for me.

[beyondsolitude]

Peacock butterfly. Astonishing beauty, so frail and yet so vibrant. It is easy to walk without noticing what is all around. It’s a reminder to myself to slow down, and see what the world wants to show me.