The end of a long month 20200331

This morning I took pictures of all the flowers in Buddha Garden. I just love this picture of a banana flower.

I feel extremely grateful to be where I am right now.  Its wonderful to have the space of the farm to move around and of course to have food.  Which so many people in India don’t have at the moment because of the lockdown and almost cessation of the economy.  Worldwide so many people are having  lives devastated by this disruption.  I am so grateful for what I have.

New rhythms 20200330

We have got back into a rhythm of working.  Even with only a few people we seem to be getting a lot done and also picking surprising amounts. 

At the same time, with the lockdown we are also having time to do other things.  This afternoon Rajan took Magzhiran around the farm for a cycle ride and I got some really lovely clips for this week’s video.

Aaaaaaaaah 20200329

Finished the video early which meant I was able to catch up on the writing and illustrations for the book.  The picture for today is one of them.

Have had a very quiet day when I’ve caught up with some housework and sorted out a cupboard.  With the increasing heat there are more ants around.  Also talked to a friend over skype and did some art work.

A very satisfying and productive day.

Gratitude for beauty 20200328

Have felt very busy today as I had to do some editing for Vivek who feels very under pressure.  Having found his computer charger he has now lost his internet at home.  I was too tired to edit this evening but will do it first thing tomorrow morning before I do the video.

I have a very productive write up of my internal workings as well as keeping in touch with friends and family.  I feel I have some insight and therefore hopefully some leverage for dealing with my anorexia and anxiety.

The picture is also from the video about things for which we are grateful.  This time the beauty of plumaria flowers symbol of birth and new creation.  Very appropriate right now in the middle of a world wide epidemic which demonstrates to me how much things need to change.

FRee but not free 20200327

Spent some time connecting with friends and family which was really good.  I must make more time for this.  The picture comes from Emma and shows the sun through the fence.  She’s called it ‘Free but not free’ because during the lockdown in the UK they are only allowed out once a day for exercise.

Two volunteers are not well so they take up some of my time although they seem to be managing OK.  Despite this everything going well on the farm.

Grateful for the sun 20200326

Had time today to do a lot of work for the video I am doing about how to prepare and plant a vegetable bed.  Although the picture comes from another video series I am doing ‘Two minutes of peace’ which this week will focus on things for which we are grateful.  The sun shining is one of them.

Have spent a lot of time today talking with people, with Rajan about how we are going to manage without workers. And with a friend who has just come in from abroad and has had to socially isolate.

Miraculously I have also had time to work on some more illustrations for the book.  I am loving doing this.  I haven’t had time to write up my diary, but am going to do something about that in a minute or two.  I am realising that it is really important at this time when such a lot is going on internally.

Busy again 20200325

Did lots of different things today so my focusing on the book rather went out of the window.  Despite that I managed to get some illustrations done which I am really pleased with.

Made a huge amount of tomato sauce for the freezer with Bahkia.  I hope the freezer section of our fridge will be able to manage it.  I also showed Bahkia how to blanch and freeze beans.  They look really good and green.

I seem to spend a lot of my time reassuring people about different things.  Some of the volunteers are finding it tough I think not to be able to go out.  Despite that, as the picture shows, one volunteer is using the time to good effect to make a shawl.

I miss going for a cycle ride and have started weight training instead.  I hope it will help build up my much wasted muscles.