CRITICISM and SOCIAL MEDIA. Have you ever found yourself thinking. “What do they think they look like?” – especially now when summer brings out such an amazing variety in the ways people dress. For starters, it is surprising how many people cling to black. Do they not know that ‘black’ absorbs heat? And those skimpy lycra outfits that leave nothing to the imagination! Now I prefer to wear loose cotton or linen dresses in the heat so of course I feel entitled to criticise everyone else. After all, I grew up when the older generation felt it was their duty to criticise youngsters. So much emphasis on , “What will the neighbours think?” My aunt tried so hard to prevent my wearing a hat to church back in the 80’s. “No-one wears a hat to church today.” ” Yes, Eva, I know. But I WANT to.” That is the whole point, the youngsters choose what they are wearing because they think that they look good. Sadly, people are still critical today – perhaps even more so. And they hide behind the anonymity of Social Media. Not only are some posts critical, they are also very cruel – seriously affecting the recipient’s confidence and wellbeing. I have never posted such comments and I have stopped myself voicing my critical comments out loud but not yet succeeded in preventing myself from thinking them! A work in progress . . .

GARDENING My garden is in need to water and some t.l.c. The hosepipe ban has made watering my assorted pots and planters so difficult BUT so far I have managed to keep my tomato plants alive by watering daily using a four-pint empty milk carton. My lavender bush thrives without watering and this year has yielded enough blooms to weave some three dozen rockets.

HEAT WAVE “This is the worst heat-wave since 1976.” Now I remember 1976, not because it was excessively hot but because (a) Southend Pier burnt down and (b) there was a serious plague of ladybirds. Is it really necessary/ helpful for the Media to place so much emphasis on the temperature? Does the population not already know about the need to stay out of the sun and to drink plenty of water? Now what would be really helpful is suggestions on how to retro-fit shutters or blinds on our homes to keep them cooler. And a move to force builders of new homes to incorporate features to keep them warm in winter and cool in summer.Global Warming IS happening and we need to be preparing.

STITCHING The theme for this year’s September competition at Southend Seaside Stitchers is GOLD with the stipulation that 2D work should be no more than 8″ by 10″ and 3D work shouild not measure more than 8″ by 8″ by 8″. I spent ages deciding what to stitch. An embroidery, using gold thead, did not inspire me. “Golden Eagle”? “All that glitters is not gold”? “Goldfinger” ? . . .? Ah I have it “The Tale of King Midas”, the king who wished that everything he touched turned to gold.
And I have spent the last fortnight creating the four figures and the backdrop from stuff in my stash. Now that it is done my brain is thinking of improvements, but I suspect all Creatives find it difficut to work out when a piece of work is finished.

EXERCISING I was able to continue practising Tai Chi during the recent heat waves by directing a fan to blow gently around me. However it was just too hot to walk during the day. Either you took a walk at the crack of dawn, or at the end of the day. And luckily, Southend often has a gentle sea breeze in the evening which made the heat more bearable,

SOLAR ECLIPSE. How couild I forget to buy protective glasses? It isn’t as if the eclipse was not expected! So I took two sheets of card and poked a teeny pinhole in the one. At 6pm I made a cup of tea in my travel mug, then set out to the top of the cliffs to watch the partial eclipse. Every time I stopped to view the image of the moon’s shadow using the pinhole reflection I could see that the shadow had crept further across the sun’s face. By 7pm there was only a narrow crescent remaining. Then the shadow started to slowly decrease. There were many other people out on the cliff top to watch and there was a lovely, relaxed, friendly atmosphere. One passerby generously lent me her protective glasses so that I couild view the eclipse directly. I was surprised at the colour of the sun: a lovely sort of golden orange glow.

SOCIALISING One compensation of a heat wave is being able to plan an outdoor event knowing that it will NOT be rained off. In the past I have sat shivering in my anorak at the annual Westcliff Women’s Institute picnic but this year it was a perfect evening for sitting together, chilling on the beach.

What next? we are promised/ threatend yet another heat wave. Then the evenings will start to draw in, and, of course, it will be time to complain about the cold – or the rain – or some other trivial issue. Thank goodness for the support and friendship of my family and friends – and the kindness of passing strangers,