First off – in contrast to all the news about North Korea, rising levels of child diabetes and yet more job losses, I thought I would post a wonderfully uplifting story which caught my eye. Anybody heard of a lady called Margaret Allan ? No? Well, to be honest neither had I until I scrolled down the news items on the BBC News website this morning. It looked a fairly innocuous report slipped in between tales of Taliban attrocities and the economic downturn but proved worth a look. Margaret Allan was clearly one lady in a million and her story must surely warm even the hardest of hearts. This lady lived in a Welsh village called Solva and following her death, her will revealed that she had left her estate to her friends and carers in the village. Sounds fairly commonplace but read her story and I guarantee it will boost you up for the day and re-fuel any doubts you might have in the milk of human kindness. What struck me most however was her picture – probably taken during the war – and revealing a pretty, fashionable, fresh-faced young woman packed with vitality and warmth. And here’s the message – the elderly members of our community were our age once and still carry within them the essence of what they were when they were younger. Look past the lines, wrinkles and crowsfeet – smooth them away – and there you have it. The young person within. Let’s not judge or treat them differently to the more youthful members of our society – they are those same people – just been around a lot longer and learnt a lot more. I’ve pasted in the photo of Mrs Allan below…

So, having delivered my thought for the day, I’ll move on to more mundane issues. The garden. It’s looking good with just two trays of bedding plants to put in and a couple of trailing petunias to plant in the new wall-mounted thingy. The cat has blessed us by not squatting on the lawn which Ian has mowed to perfection. Chilli plants are doing well and I can’t believe how much the herbs are growing now I have given their pot a spring clean and got rid of the dead bits. I think we’ll have it cracked this week-end allowing Ian to go on his next trip with an easy mind.

Writing-wise, I submitted my competition entries to the Winchester Writers Conference. Fingers crossed but competition is so stiff for this one with thousands of entries. I’ll be grateful if they just open my envelopes! It’s good to have them finished and submitted. Next pressing issue is the writeinvite night at Rosies this coming Monday. Promised to submit and read back a new story. Only problem is I haven’t written one yet which is suitable so need to get down to this today. Have an idea in my head and the twist planned out – just need to fill the rest of it in. I’m also getting slightly anxious re the progression of my book. I’ve completed 35 000 words but so much more to write. I’d like to be able to get a chapter down over the next couple of days and break a few more thousand words. Lets see how it goes: the weather is beautiful, I’ve just started a new novel, the patio is calling and I have cheese, olives and fresh bread in the fridge. None of this bodes well in terms of productivity. Hey – woman – leave that cheese alone…

Well, I said I would report back on the newly launched Writing Buddies which enjoyed its inaugral meeting on Friday in Borders. Nine writers ( professional and what has kindly been described as aspiring ) sat around the table with coffee chewing the literary cud. Plan is to meet every two weeks with marketing and commercial issues and the ‘loneliness of the long distance writer’ being two key themes for future debate. Definitely worth a visit and will trot along to the next session in two weeks.

I’ve also joined a new writing circle called The Blue Room which meets in Highfield every Saturday morning. Set up is similar to the Wednesday night meetings at Tauntons – a great opportunity to share work and critique it in a supportive yet objective environment. So thats where I am writing-wise. Next week I have to complete and submit my entries for the Winchester Writers Conference. Stakes are high and I’m determined to give it my best shot.

So after all that literary news, I have to say that this afternoon was spent undertaking one of my most loathed tasks – gardening. How Mrs Q gets any pleasure out of this filthy hobby I cannot understand. I planted what felt like an entire nursery’s stock of plants which Dad had very kindly grown for us. Ian mowed the lawn and put down a membrane for the pea shingle path in an effort to prevent weeds growing through – no doubt they will find a way. All in all it looks pretty impressive and we even have some yellow roses out over the pergola. Gooseberries are also looking good this year as is the damson tree after last year’s shock crop of around seven. Very much hope to be making gooseberry and damson jams in September.