Comments on The Hermitage: The Greening and The Keening

A fellow blogger kindly directed me to your lovely...

2009-07-20T12:35:00.806+01:00

A fellow blogger kindly directed me to your lovely blog today, knowing that I live in Colchester. I am very sorry that we weren't more hospitable to you in the town. If I see you I will say hello :) I've been in that clock museum too; isn't it lovely and peaceful in there?

So sad about the wee deer. I don't drive and this is partly why- I think I would be so devastated if I hit something.

Dear Rima, I have just now found your blog and hav...

2009-06-05T01:38:20.230+01:00

Dear Rima,
I have just now found your blog and have become lost in your words and art. How lovely, simple and peaceful. The words on the shy deer that lay dead upon the side of the road, spoke loudly and clearly. Things I have felt for many years. So true these trappings of a job for things we can never enjoy. So stupid.
I look forward to visiting with you and sharing in your journeys. Your art is beautiful as is your words as are you.
bunny hugs,
shell

beautiful words Rima, it is about taking time, not...

2009-05-28T12:33:53.448+01:00

beautiful words Rima, it is about taking time, noticing the precious things, to me that is truly living! the second verse of this poem speaks volumes to me

WORK (D.H.Lawrence)

There is no point in work
unless it absorbs you
like an absorbing game.
If it doesn’t absorb you
if it’s never any fun,
don’t do it.

When a man goes out into his work
he is alive like a tree in spring,
he is living, not merely working.

i know it is not possible for us all to really live this way, but the idea behind it is truly wonderful.

I've read your blog enough to understand your mean...

2009-05-28T01:10:34.568+01:00

I've read your blog enough to understand your meaning dear, you are anything but judgmental. Rima I think your lifestyle does evoke envy in some for your courage and creativity and freedom. I find you an inspiration :)
I several of my friends are bemoaning their money hyper driven lifestyle, and wondering whose life they are living. You are so right that we have to stay in touch and true with who we are.

Wishing you bright blessings!

Cat

reading your blog and reading the anonymous commen...

2009-05-27T22:54:07.577+01:00

reading your blog and reading the anonymous comment;
I am reminded that a vulnerable experience that shakes, angers and pains, such as seeing death in all it's forms, human and animal, offers an opportunity to show the immediateness of a personally felt and seen experience, and which I believe you do so well in your wonderfully respectful descriptions of the countryside, fairs and your artwork. I understand this sharing then permits the walking along side of another in the journey without an exclusion of another's life experience.
Thank you for such an interesting question on Twitter.

Rima, you know I love your blog and your work. The...

2009-05-27T20:48:25.766+01:00

Rima, you know I love your blog and your work. The way you live is itself creative, and if you make people think - and sometimes react against what you say - then perhaps that's a good thing. The making people think part, I mean!! Blessings to you.

These kind of negative comments are part of having...

2009-05-27T19:41:13.409+01:00

These kind of negative comments are part of having a wonderful blog and quite a lot of readers & followers. It goes all in the same package Rima. Real life it's the same.

Don't focus on that, focus in the positive ones. You know in your heart who you are and everyone who are in tune with you we can feel it.

Hi Rima I was so sad to read this my friend but...

2009-05-27T19:25:44.711+01:00

Hi Rima

I was so sad to read this my friend

but please don't take it in

you and Tui are two of the most genuine kind people i have ever met

and i know that i would rather be in this world surrounded by people lie you and the many many kind people that visit the Hermitage

Take care my friends and lots and lots of love and hugs

andy The Dafthermit

live life xxx

I would like to thank all the lovely people who re...

2009-05-27T19:01:55.908+01:00

I would like to thank all the lovely people who read this blog for your kind words and encouragements, and for getting the point I was trying to make here. And I would also like to respond to a few possible misunderstandings I may have caused in this post, and especially to the anonymous commenter who I think felt judged by my words.
As intelligent readers will realise, I am not so naive as to think that all the world's ills can be remedied by living a travelling (or any other alternative) life. Nor do I think (or say) that such and such a way of life directly causes animals to be hit by cars.
I know that these accidents happen very often, indeed animals run in front of us too.. it sadly can't be helped. What I wrote was a reflection of what I think of how things are in the world these days. I write in a metaphorical wondering way. The dead deer makes us think. That is all. I do not claim to have any answers, nor would I tell anyone else how to live their lives. All I offer is the view from where I am.
It is interesting that this anonymous commenter feels strongly enough to write some biting words, but not make known who they are. If they feel judged by my words then they have not understood my point. I'm not trying to imagine some flimsy utopia where everyone paints pictures all day.
I do however believe very strongly that we should all love the thing that we do every day of our lives. Why be unhappy in your job? If you feel that your "job" is creating something and you are happy in it, then I do not judge or criticize you. If you have chosen your occupation, then your minutes have not been sold. I just despair for folk who think they are trapped in an unhappy situation and feel powerless to change things. We are all responsible for our own lives and happiness. We need to listen to our real selves more attentively. That's all I'm saying. Think for yourselves.
Apologies if this post came across wrongly to anyone. I'm quite sensitive and felt upset by that comment.
But I was also very touched by those who were touched.
All the best to you all :)

I was taken by the same line as Carolee! That was ...

2009-05-27T18:19:14.550+01:00

I was taken by the same line as Carolee! That was brilliantly said.

Looks like a lovely fair--wish I could attend! Bes...

2009-05-26T20:02:24.536+01:00

Looks like a lovely fair--wish I could attend! Best of luck at it.

Hi You two just popping bye quickly as i am off t...

2009-05-26T17:01:51.299+01:00

Hi You two

just popping bye quickly as i am off to the river for a swim

the wagon is looking amazing

we are parked up near Ullapool now and the local bobbie has guided us to our next parkup for the summer months

take care both and you are always in our nomadic wandering thoughts xx

Rima, Have you thought about converting your blog ...

2009-05-24T17:52:03.264+01:00

Rima, Have you thought about converting your blog including all your brilliant wordiness and art into a book?!
I'm sure it would be a winner.,..I mean look at the following you have got on line alone? I'm sure a publisher would be interested.
(Also something silly: I'm always saying to 'solsticedreamer' blogging friend, that you have a fascinating name but for some reason substitute 'Rima Staines' for 'enola gay' by OMD when singing it around the house- yes bonkers and totally innappropriate!)
keep up the good work. al

Hello Rima--I was just coming here to say not to b...

2009-05-24T15:27:39.022+01:00

Hello Rima--I was just coming here to say not to be too hasty judging the people who hit that young deer (and I see Carl beat me to it); in my part of the world deer seem to outnumber people about 2:1, and you can't believe how quickly they appear and dart in front of you--you'd think they were flying, and sometimes, there just is no time to stop. And sometimes, sadly, people die as well, as a result of these collisions. And no one ever wants that kind of encounter, trust me.

Hello Rima. I am a writer from Sydney, Australia a...

2009-05-23T10:34:56.857+01:00

Hello Rima. I am a writer from Sydney, Australia and have been reading your wonderful blog for a while now.

When you mentioned the poor deer I couldn't stop thinking about it - it saddened me so much - and I wrote a story about it. As a result I have linked to this post. I hope you don't mind.

Best wishes.

Hi Rima. I've just found your blog via someone els...

2009-05-22T14:03:18.435+01:00

Hi Rima. I've just found your blog via someone else's. It really is a breath of fresh air and a joy to read. I will definitely be visiting again. x

Hello Rima, I had lost you! How tragic. I've jus...

2009-05-22T02:20:41.006+01:00

Hello Rima, I had lost you! How tragic. I've just made a concerted effort through google and - hooray - you are found again. I missed your blog so much. I cannot believe that you were in Stowmarket on Saturday 16th May - I was at my son's which is near Bury St Edmunds so could have visited you. Alas, it's too late now.

I would still like a clock if you're making them??? Our new extension is progressing in a very Irish tortoise like fashion, but when it's finished, I'd like to put your clock on my 'sun room' wall. I have so much to catch up on. I love your photos and your life. Do keep in touch Rima.
xxxxxx

"It struck me today how happy I am, as I sat outsi...

2009-05-21T16:01:05.313+01:00

"It struck me today how happy I am, as I sat outside our back door painting and a weevil with a luminous back crawled over my knuckles. Our days are our days and that makes us smile."

Reading that makes me happy for you too!

It is sad when any animals end up as road kill, but from experience more often than not it has little to do with the driver and everything to do with the animal. I've unfortunately killed lovely creatures in my 20+ years of driving but have managed to avoid many more. Animals, especially deer and squirrels, seem to be nothing if not suicidal when it comes to jumping/running out in front of cars. I don't understand it. Why something loud and noisy heading their way doesn't make them turn away and instead spooks them into going towards the vehicle is certainly beyond my understanding. It really is sad. Squirrels are the worst, because they usually run out and then, when they are actually out of danger, spin around and head back the way they came, making it doubly hard to avoid them. I am so grateful that people don't tailgate too bad on my city streets, as I would have been rear-ended many a time thanks to trying to avoid squirrel massacres.

"we sell only the things we create, never the minu...

2009-05-19T17:20:00.000+01:00

"we sell only the things we create, never the minutes of our lives..."

this uncomplicated expression nealry wrung a tear from my eye as I sit at my computer behind a bank teller window. :/ Do I have the courage to pray for heaven to force me from my current situation and into the life I SO long to lead?....

Thanks for the reminder, friend.

I only recently found your blog and I just wanted ...

2009-05-19T00:42:00.000+01:00

I only recently found your blog and I just wanted to say that you give me a magical reprieve from my everyday life. I think there is a part of us that ALL want to live your life:) What a beautiful life you live.
Lkkirk@gmail.com

I love your post...they are so beautiful and hones...

2009-05-18T20:43:00.000+01:00

I love your post...they are so beautiful and honest! I have lived a life where always what I have needed was provided even when from an "outside perspective" it might appear hopeless...just what I need is given. It is never more apparent then when you get up and go...peace to you.

Oh, I wanna go to The Weird and Wonderful Wood! Bl...

2009-05-18T17:02:00.000+01:00

Oh, I wanna go to The Weird and Wonderful Wood! Blast this silly ocean between me and it.
Love your words. Hope that naysayer's words fall off your back like water off a duck.

Lovely to meet you on Saturday, Rima. Hope to see ...

2009-05-18T16:21:00.000+01:00

Lovely to meet you on Saturday, Rima. Hope to see you at other weekend events.

Your home seems to become more and more beautiful ...

2009-05-18T15:06:00.000+01:00

Your home seems to become more and more beautiful with each improvement. Bravo.

"We sell only the things we create, never the minu...

2009-05-18T14:33:00.000+01:00

"We sell only the things we create, never the minutes of our lives"....

I think that's what I love best about doing art for a living. Reminds me of the John Gorka song "Land of the Bottom Line"...

"Give me time to wonder and to dream"...

~ Carolee