Update

Just back from driving along country lanes admiring the beautiful autumn colours this morning. I have made some good progress with my book despite being a slow writer, but I do love writing. The introduction and a section on the history and folklore of the olive tree is nearly there now. I will be starting the chapters on starters and breads and pastries next. I am getting a clear idea of how I want the front cover to look, white words against a turquious blue background, with my painting of intermingling olives, lemons and bourgainvilleas,set against it.

I feel so excited about the book, that I have made up my mind to self publish if I have to. Interestingly enough, as I was flipping through my local paper The Malvern Gazette, I came across an article featuring a local company who specialize in self publishing. They will be giving a talk at the local library shortly and I will make sure to go along with my questions. I will find out more about lulu.com who also specialize in this.

This year I have decided to make my own christmas cards, so next week I will be working on a painting for that.

Another idea keeps comming into my head with ever greater insistence, and this will be the subject of my next project after I have finished my book. For some time now I have been looking for a way to combine science and art as a basis for an exhibition of paintings that deal with things happening now, things that effect all of us and I think I have found what I was looking for. As always you have the conflict between the little voice that says 'Don't be ridiculous, who on earth would be interested' and the big voice that says 'Why not, if you are going to dream, you can dream big just as easily as you can dream small, go for it' Today I told Little voice to take a hike.

I have already identified the two people I would like to work with on this, but I happened to mention my idea to a scientist I know, he was interested enough to say that if I was serious about it he would like to get his company involved in helping to promote or sponsor me.

There is a great deal of work to do, but all of it is exciting and inspiring. How lucky am I. No matter what age we are, life stops being exciting when we stop dreaming. I expect to feel inspired when I am 90.