Celtic blessings & a vist to Cumbria . . .

I chose another of my favourite Celtic blessings for my latest piece

"May you have. . . "

 May you have walls for the wind and a roof for the rain

and drinks beside the fire,  laughter to cheer you

& those you love near you and all that you heart may desire.

As i worked on this piece I got to thinking about my own blessings

how lucky I am to have walls & a roof, drink & food & warmth.

  What more could a person ask for.
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Another blessing I am oh so thankful for is being Mom to my 3.

Only now times they are a changing, i suddenly have an empty nest!

My number 3 is setting off with a happy wave for college life

 and as i I sit here at home I can feel the air quietly shift & re-settle

as it fills the spaces, as our lives take on new patterns & ways.
*

So whilst the pattern of our days settles itself

and I grow accustomed to this quieter wee cottage

i am smiling at the memories, keeping busy,  painting & making

and so looking forward to future times & family visits.
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I have so many other things to share, where do i start . . .

Perhaps with our days in Cumbria finding Celtic inspirations and

the "The Giants Grave", a collection of 4 separate monuments, 

2 crosses & 4 hogback tombstones at St Andrews church said to mark

the burial place of Owen Caesarius, King of Cumbria 920 to 937 AD.
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Or the stone circle "Long Meg & her daughters" with its 69 stones,

dated about 1500bc, I felt such connections here in this ancient place.

 We also hunted down the Loki stone in Kirby Stephen, depicting the

Norse god.  A reminder of invading Vikings here once upon a time.
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Back home a last minute decision found us camping out

at our local,  friendly music festival the "Wickerman".

Lots of excellent music, catching up with friends old & new

& rounded off with the spectacular burning of the giant wickerman.
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The Kirkcudbright art trail at which Mom & I had our work

was a wonderful event, its always good to actually meet customers

I'd like to say a huge thank you to all who called in.
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So as the sun sets on these last days of August

I hope you too have many blessings to count.

 

My newest Celtic Blessing painting is available as prints

in my etsy shop here,  I now offer up to A3+ size prints.

I also have a new folksy store here which i am in the process of stocking.

do remember to keep an eye open for the magical
"once in a blue moon" on 31st!

x x x

The sunset above is the view over the Cairnsmore of Fleet,
Dumfries & Galloway.