Do we really need an extra hour of 2020?
October 2020
Hello! The clocks have gone back and as someone said recently - do we really need an extra hour of 2020? It’s been a funny old year. It will go down in history for sure but I’m pleased to tell you my ‘weltschmerz’ has lifted! Maybe it’s the autumn air, my favourte time of year - cool and beautiful.
Interviews are in full swing. Last week I went to Kent to meet Alan, a 91 year old grandfather of 12. I had a lovely time listening to him and had the oportunity to wander around Faversham afterwards. When I got home - disaster! I tried to download the conversation - NOTHING! It hadn’t record. This has only happened once before and it’s a shame - but it just means I’ll just have to go back and do it again!
This week I interviewed a man who I’ve not seen since I was 18. An old friend from a very very long time ago - up he popped on FaceTime and it was like I’d seen him yesterday. This project is really very lovely in so many ways. Next week you’ll meet Kevin, a retired headteacher from New Zealand who has built his ‘Barcelona Pavilion’ - in his head!
Inbetween varying tiers of restrcition I’ve managed a few day trips out of London with Martin. Rye, Brighton, Box Hill and Odiham - the cutest little village in Hampshire. A unique trip to Tate Britain too where we were the only people there, quite remarkable. It was as though they’d opened the doors just for us!
Book sales I am very pleased to tell you are great. I am always delighted when I get an order and I wonder where they found me but almost 2 years after I launched Collecting Conversation the word is still getting around - THANK YOU! And thank you too - for those who have bought me a cup of coffee - as they say ‘every little helps’!
When I first started my blog 4 years ago I needed something to frame the conversations so I drew 100 tiny pictures of flowers to represent each woman that took part and put those picture next to their stories. As time went on I started using photographs, mainly because my drawing skills are limited to flowers and flowers somehow didn’t represent the men. The other day I decided to frame the pictures and sell them. They’re really rather beautiful even though I do say so myself. I’ve sold 50 in just a couple of days, only 50 left - so do get intouch if you’d like one, they’d make great Christmas presents and they’re very affordable too.
The highlight of my career so far - I was on the cover of a magazine! One of the Womens Institute cover girls! (blushing as I type). I wrote an article for them and lo and behold - there I was on the cover!
Not much more to tell you as most days are ground hog days in a nice way but just before I go - a recomendation: Very late to the party (13 years since it finished) we’ve just watched the entire box set of The Sopranos - it’s genius. If you haven’t watched it - it’s worth it.
Don’t forget about Kevin next week
Lots of love Sam