How Bizarre!

I have just had a bizarre encounter with a total stranger and feel I must write it down whilst it is fresh in my mind. Every now and again I have incidents like this and have to document them in some way. So here it is...

I was on my way home about an hour ago, after a walk on the beach with my dog, munching my way through a sandwich en route! I decided to take a short cut down the back streets of town when I noticed a man acting somewhat strangely on the opposite side of the road. He was about early 30's, fairly well-dressed in an artsy sort of way and was hopping up and down!!! I carried on walking as it's quite an isolated part of town. My rational side told me to walk by quickly but my curiosity was very much aroused.

The only way I can describe this man, is it was as if he was ''lost and found'', if that makes sense.He didn't appear drunk and wasn't aggressive or intimidating either but I was still very wary.

He called out to me suddenly and said ''come in here and see! I've done it.!''

He was standing in the doorway of some kind of work-shop.

I kept my distance and told him that I was firmly sticking to society's rules of not accepting invites to see things from total strangers and kept walking. I felt safer than I would have, had my dog not been with me. (When I was about 10 years old a middle aged man in a car asked me for directions and when I approached the car to tell him, he grabbed me and tried to pull me in through the passenger window. I escaped with red scratches along my arm and a lesson learned, early)

Then he shouted after me saying ''I have finished my art. It has taken half a year to complete and I need someone else other than me to see it''!

I told him I wasn't coming any closer and would look at it from a distance. So he opened the door of the workshop wide for me to see better. I was expecting a painting, just finished and still wet. Intead, I saw the most amazing piece of sculpture I think I have ever seen. It was of a male torso, with one hand pulling back the hair from the forehead and the fingers formed in the ''v'' sign. It was set upon a serpent's body and it was huge, about four feet tall. The clay was still wet and looked like it had just been completed, like he said.

I was more than impressed and asked him about the inspiration behind it. He said it was based upon himself and represented self respect after having had two years of hell in his life. It didn't have a name, but didn't really need one I thought, as it spoke for itself. Apparently an academy has accepted it although it wasn't a commission piece. I have memorised the detail of this sculpture and may even come across it again in the future.

I didn't ask the man's name, I didn't delve into his history, just discussed the art piece. He was so elated, the reason being, he had created something amazing, was having a creative ''high'' and needed to share it. What a talented guy.

He apologised for ''unerving'' me and I said goodbye and carried on walking home.

Life is so unpredictable, the unexpected happening when we least expect it. Ha.

Who knows what will become of his creation. I have documented it here for future reference.

I hope you have all had a good week-end. Signing out.

Smiles.

Together...

High School Highs...

Hi there folks
I am sorry I haven't been around for a while. So much has been happening, I don't really know where to begin, but I'll try. Smiles.

I had the best time ever during my stay in the U.S. with Richie. Watch this space as I will posting some more pics of us together very soon.

At the start of this week, my youngest daughter Rebekah started high school, year 7 and my eldest daughter Nicola went into year 11. I was feeling old turning 40 last year!, but now I feel ancient with both my girls at high school.

Becky was offered the chance of a scholarship at a local private school at the end of last term as she was tested academically by the head teacher and it was discovered she was in the top 2% of British primary school children.Our church offered a part-grant as she is an avid member, if she wanted to attend. We had lots of discussions about the possibility of this and in the end, she decided she wanted to go to the local high where her big sis goes and most of her friends too.

I just want her to be happy and honoured her decision. She is only 11 but she knows her own mind.

Nicola has done really well at school this last year, despite recent problems, and has recently had some great exam results. She has been living with her dad for a few months now and stays at home with me about once or twice a week.It is not ideal, but it's how things are for now.She will be 16 soon and also knows her own mind, just like Becky!!!

Our exams, taken at Nicola's age are called ''GCSE's'' (General Certificate of Secondary Education''.)They were called ''O Levels'' when I took them, back in the Dark Ages.

Nicola gained an ''A'' in English Literature, an ''A'' in Physics, an ''A'' in Chemistry and a ''C'' in Biology. I am really proud of her and next year she takes even more. Go Nic!

So here is a pic of my girls on their first day on Tuesday of this week and a pic of Becky, modelling her new school uniform.The girl in the background is my friend's daughter, also at the same school.

Oh, and one of their Mum with the love of her life, Richie! Other people who have seen this say the likeness between Nicola and me is amazing! What do you think???

I will be back again soon with more news and pics of my trip.

Meanwhile, take care everyone.