Present in a Pot

I’ve moved this post over from my old blog. Spring is the ideal time to create pots full of flowers or food to give away as presents.

I arrived in Euston, London on one of the hottest days of the year. A mistake you may say but actually there’s little choice when trying to get to the south from here, all in the same day. I left Connel Ferry at 8.30am being the sole person to get on the train, only to arrive in London with thousands.

Last year I was rather freaked out by the rush hour so I mentally prepared myself this time. As I crossed the concourse heading for the Underground entrance I remembered recent conversations about “protection” as I conjured up an image of a ring of green and purple flames around me. My fire was very quickly diminished as I realised the folly of a ring, personally space is at a premium and I had to shrink my image to something much smaller and tighter or else I’d have had a dozen other beings in there with me!

A “sauna with clothes on” trip later I hit Victoria at the height of rushing. It is pure madness and I have to say I felt immensely grateful. Grateful I don’t have to do all that anymore, I have in the past, and also very grateful to all those who have to, and do in order to do things which may in some way contribute to my well-being and life, thank you.

Every time I go to the south I experience different feelings, connections, disconnection, loss, gain, overwhelm, and many more. This time, in Brighton, I felt as rush of nostalgia and relief as I entered my good friends home and most especially her garden. In the past I have whiled away many an hour sitting there chatting, reflecting on life and so on and to have the opportunity to do so again was pure bliss.

She has a knack of making an oasis amidst madness and mayhem. It reminded me of the calm and tranquility of a riad in Marrakesh where the busy city was but a fading memory as the door closed and the cool, comfy interior of the riad enveloped me and eased my frazzled self.

So there we sat surrounded by flowers, scented roses, veg and herbs, munching the first ripe strawberries and our conversation drifted to my alternative presents ideas and blog. She mentioned a recent gift she received from another friend. A beautiful cushion with an Arran knitted cover, hand-made, of course by the friend. Amazing, if you can knit, what a great idea, a cushion cover, knitted one side, material the other, how easy is that?

But there’s more; the beautiful picture accompanying this post was also a present; a lovely pot of flowers complete with bow and flag. This one was, as it happens, going to the person who made the cushion. Yes it requires a little thought and planning.  I’m sure it doesn’t take much imagination to extend this idea. Think of all the things you could plant in a pot, herbs, flowers and bulbs, or even a pot, some earth and seeds would be a lovely present. There’s no need to buy a little kit, with a miniature pot ( usually plastic), seeds and earth all then covered in plastic and cardboard, make your own.

So thank you dear friend, not only an escape from the overwhelm of a trip south but great gift ideas too.