How I view My Photography

I love my photography I really do wether I am using my IPhone ( which still works despite being caught in the rain ; note to self order a waterproof cover for it !) or if I’m using my my small camera or my large DSLR I just love my photography I am told I have a good eye for it.With my photography how I go about it is I capture what ever I see in my eye but it has to grab me and really excite me as I get a really thrill from photography.Photography for me is a chance to relax and unwind from all the trials and tribulations that life might through at me , photography grounds me yet photography takes me elevates me to a throughly mindful place.

My photographs 

I would love to upgrade my camera I think most people would like to upgrade their photography kit at some time and I know that I would ! My son loves the Panasonic lumix TZ20 which he uses for his Archaeology degree but as his career progresses he will want to upgrade to especially when he’s flying all round the world on archaeology digs.My husband approaches his photography in a different manner as photography really is in the eye of the beholder the way he approaches photography is in the here and now , he’ll photograph something that necessarily doesn’t grab me.My husband I know would love a 4K Wildlife & Sports Camera he’s heavily into his sports photography taking pictures of rugby games our son plays in and also taking pictures of other games for the rugby club.

My Husbands photographs 

So photography you see is very personal to myself and my husband as it how you view it but I will always love capturing my moments in time.

This is a collaborative post.

Finding My Way From No Mans Land

I wrote this on the inset of my anxiety in dealing with my Mother s mental health issues ( Bipolar)and it’s hard. I’m on the learning curve of being the one fighting for mental health care and it’s hard not only in me but for those around me.Time is essential for me to process all that going on and it’s been hard to deal with given my own mental health issues of the past.Words are my friends and my ally and so is social media I’m not splashing it about but doing it in a manner that’s comfortable to me.Let me make it clear it’s not an issue that’s going to go away but with help advice and getting to grips with my own emotions I’ll muddle through and sometimes I’ll stride through. I can’t emphasise the need to talk and scream about your situation to get what’s right for you and those you are in need.Carers need caring about as well in what ever capacity you’re doing it.

“I’ve had a stressful morning which in itself is an under statement , I have been very very upset to the point where I could quite frankly just go walk about but I didn’t. See what you don’t see is that words can have an affect on people and though I’m strong I do and will get emotional. This morning I was all for saying stuff Mothers Day I was I really was , I try and try my hardest and I don’t like to feel that I’m not enough when I am.

What do you do if you’re in the no mans land or being the child of parents who don’t parent through either having their own issues or want you to jump through self justifying hoops.

What do you do ?

I feel like an emotional wreck.

It’s not about the hugs , it’s not about the daffodils , it’s not about the cards it’s not about the cake.

It’s about the humanity.

People simply need to be humane.

I don’t know what the answer is.

I’m doing the best I can.

I’m not 5 any more and being grown up is hard.

Humanity is what should be in no mans land.”

It was when I wrote this when I knew I needed to seek support for myself , I do like to be helpful and to empower myself and others.

Don’t let your mental health issues or those you care about define you and others , we are all people are the end of the day.

Jodrell Bank Well Worth A visit

Jodrell Bank is one of those places I knew from Doctor Who when Tom Baker goes through his regeneration and it has always fascinated me. You don’t have to be nerdy to appreciate science but I am nerdy and I do appreciate science as well ! I never really knew where Jodrell Bank was I just knew of it and for some rhyme and reason I thought it was far far away. It’s good for children there any age but they will be more appreciative of it age 7 and above. It’s only 8 pounds for adults to get in and you can go on a talk that lasts about an hour which is free. The talk will be given more than likely by one of the young university students and they know their stuff !

Jodrell Bank is a Grade 1 listed structure and I love it , there’s exbihibtions to see and there are some grounds to walk round and picnic in there’s even a small playground.Work is ongoing to improve the facilities and you can see this when you visit within a few weeks or months.

Jodrell Bank is a fantastic place to learn about space and the enormous  Lovell telescope and encourages a love of science regardless of age or ability - from the sheer size of the telescopes to the indoor activities such as planet models and infra red camera.

A Cat In Time

Cats can be moody and irritable just like us humans at times and this morning as I entered the kitchen to make my essential cup of morning tea the cat exited through the cat flap. I’ve not had the best few weeks myself with anxiety and perhaps the cat has picked up on that. It is not a quick fix for myself and I’m sure the cat and I will be in tandem again tomorrow.

Tomorrow in cat terms is the rustle of a food pouch and there your friend appears all purrs and smiles . Do cats smile , I do know that they smirk especially black cats as you can’t see their mouths.

Black cats are a rip in time as they look like a hole to another dimension perhaps that’s where they go and get the positive energy from. I am no cat professor but I think that’s a pretty sound theory not in the realms of the late great Stephan Hawking but somewhere on the scale maybe ?!

I can’t find my cat again today do I’m guessing he’s on a mission for positivity and I’m all up for that.

Basil Oil with Tomato Risotto And Mozarella

I’ve not been feeling very well this week and I had a whole 24 hours without sleeping earlier in the week which was not fun but onwards and upwards .And although I am off with stress you've still got to eat and that's half the battle and I need to be my own hero . SO simplicity is the key in recovery your appetite and there is nothing more satisfying and simple that a lovely Risotto and also we have the teen at home for a week before he heads back for the summer term of his Archaeology degree.


Ingredients

1 tin of chopped tomatoes ( if you want you can use 500g of fresh tomatoes peeled deseeded and chopped )
1 red onion
3 cloves of garlic
some chilli if you want 
A bunch of fresh basil of teaspoons of dried Basil
125g Mozarella or sprinkle or a generous amount of Parmesan 
1 vegetable stock cube
15ml red wine vinegar or a glass of dry white wine
150g Aborio rice
pinch of sugar 
Optional Bay leaf which you could use at the start  for a few minutes just to infuse ( remember to take out ) 




Method

Boil the kettle and dissolve one vegetable stock cube

Peel and dice a red onion finely

Peel and grate/chop a garlic finely

Fry the onion in a tablespoon of  olive oil for 2-3 mins until soft sprinkle in some salt

Next add the arborio rice and chopped garlic to the softened onion.

Mix well to make sure the rice is evenly coated in the onion and oil

Add the chopped tomatoes and stir continuously until the rice has absorbed most of the tomato 

Slowly add the stock a little at a time stirring all the time for around 20-25 minutes or till all the vegetable stock is absorbed 

Chop the all the  basil finely ( and yes that includes the stalks )

Or if you don't have fresh basil then you can use 2 teaspoons of dried basil
In a pestle and mortar grind the basil with a pinch of salt to form a paste then add 3-4 tbsp of olive oil this is then your basil oil.

You can either add the chillis to the risotto or perhaps make a chilli oil instead of the basil ( just to change the recipe up a bit )

If you don't have a pestle and mortar just use a sturdy cup or little bowl  ( a teeny tiny one )

Just before the Risotto is finally cooked stir in the red wine vinegar along with a pinch of sugar and then cook for a couple of minutes more.

Drain and pat dry the mozzarella then cut them in half.

Or sprinkle over the Parmesan 

Then drizzle over your oil of choice ( either bail or chilli ) 

Crack out the salt and pepper and enjoy