We have reached the longest day of the year, and what a challenging time it has been. Life is like that, of course.
We thrive on drama and activity, and we grow bored when there is nothing to do. Humans must keep busy. If we become idle, we start to look for ways to create mischief. It is in our nature. And so, we see it happening all around the world.
Summer Solstice
Summer Solstice Blessings
Today I will take time to celebrate our world. It is our home, our sanctuary. Mother Earth continues to grow and replenish as we continue to take and destroy. Many of us try to put back what we take, or are mindful about our activity. Yet more of us simply live our lives in a state of blissful ignorance. Perhaps now we should remember the impact every time we throw something in the bin, even the smallest sweet wrapper. Just a thought…
Well, I am off to light a summer solstice fire, give thanks for the fruits of my labour, and banish anything that is holding me back. Oh, and I might find some time to be with my husband and celebrate our love in the good old-fashioned sense… see you later, and Solstice Blessings, my friends!
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
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Our town is preparing for the biggest event of the year… Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival!
It is always a very special weekend, and I love how the town literally comes alive for the big party. We have been watching the boats arrive in Middlewich, mooring up and settling in ready for the floating market and all the entertainment that is promised.
There is a growing buzz of excitement, a certain low-level hum that is getting louder as the Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival weekend draws closer.
Walking around the Middlewich Folk and Boat festival town
In these days before the festival, my friends and I like to walk along the canal and speak to the visiting boaters and their dogs (very important!). We enjoy the calm before the storm, the quiet canal paths and empty streets, because we know that come Saturday, we will barely be able to step out of our front door without being bombarded by colour, sound and excitement. And we love it!
Put up the marquee for Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival
Later this week we will watch tents and marquees going up, flags and bunting appearing in the streets, and the funfair will roll into town. We have our festival outfits all ready, nice and colourful. Our tickets are waiting, our babysitters booked so we can enjoy watching the Lightning Seeds. All the local pubs and venues will prepare their outside spaces to welcome musicians and gig goers. Oh, and the beer will flow. Cheers!
The Beer Boat will soon be heaving! #BEFAB
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My family and I recently visited SEA LIFE Manchester for a family day out. It was our first visit to the Manchester venue, although we have visited SEA LIFE in other UK towns throughout the years. As always, it did not disappoint.
I was very pleased to find that SEA LIFE Manchester is supporting turtle conservation both in the wild and in captivity. Those little critters have always had a soft spot in my heart!
Snake Head Turtle at SEA LIFE Manchester
Family Review of SEA Life Manchester
SEA LIFE Manchester has been improved and modernised so that they now boast some very cool interactive features. The first attraction we saw was a holographic, and very realistic, female sea turtle laying her eggs on a beach. The SEA LIFE ranger guide who introduced us gave some very interesting facts and information about turtles in the wild, and we loved the visual display. You have to see it for yourself, I could not do it justice with my camera.
Another fascinating feature for me was the assortment of glass bubbles and walk-through tanks. Now, I have seen the tanks where children can crawl through tunnels in other SEA LIFE centres, but one of the tanks near the beginning of the attraction was very interesting indeed. As you approached, it looked like the fish were sort of flying, or hovering, in the air. It was only as we got closer that we realised it was a special kind of tank that protruded out in a sphere. Again, you have to see it.
Essentially, there is a lot to see and do at SEA LIFE Manchester. We walked around in about two hours, although I could have happily stayed longer if the children had allowed me to stop and read the information boards. There are interactive games that children can play, activities to get involved with, and we even got to meet Nala the rescue snake, with her handler. We stroked her skin and learned a bit about her and her rescued companion. We saw interesting fossils and were fascinated by the Rock Pool room, all part of the interactive Ranger Day experience that families can enjoy at SEA LIFE Manchester.
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When the world becomes too challenging, take a moment to breathe. Join me in a short, easy meditation for self care and rejuvenation.
#WitchyWednesday Nature walk in the woods
Breathe
Take a deep breath, all the way from the bottom of your lungs.
Breathe in…. hold…
Breath out…
And again:
Breathe in… hold…
Breathe out…
Once more:
Breathe in… hold…
Breathe out.
You got this. Take each day as it comes, live your own life, and love as much as you can. That is all. Blessed Be.
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
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Today is my seventh wedding anniversary. My husband and I have been together since we were teenagers, not exactly a high school romance, but not far off.
We took time to live apart, go to separate universities, experience a bit of independent life, and eventually we decided to get married and start a family. Well, I decided. He just went along with it!
Mr and Mrs Green on their wedding day at Chester Zoo
The Seven Year Itch? Not in My Marriage!
Marriage was not on my radar when I got together with my husband. I was reeling from the painful divorce of my parents, and I believed I was strong and happy as a single woman. Well, I can be that, but the love that my husband and I share for each other runs deep. There are no words to describe it. We are soulmates, and we both agree on that point. Of course, we have our disagreements. We both drive each other crazy. We came close to separating three years ago. But we got through it, and every day we work at growing strong again, together. Love really is all we need. Happy Anniversary, Daniel. I love you.
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
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This is a very sad week as we process our grief and shock from yet another terrorist attack. Only now it is different. Now it is right on my doorstep. In my city. My Manchester.
OK, I don’t live in Manchester any more, but I spent most of my twenties in that beautiful place, enjoying the social life, the atmosphere, the energy and the life. We only moved away for purposes of work, family and economic circumstances.
View of Manchester City Centre
My Manchester. Our Manchester.
My Manchester. Our Manchester. And those poor families, lives ripped apart so horrifically. I know that these attacks have been taking place for many years all around the world. And I cried each time I heard about them on the news. But they were not my places. I hadn’t visited them. I had no physical link to them. Well, now I do. Manchester was home to my husband while he studied at university, and subsequently I made my way there as well to be with him. We worked in Manchester, lived in Manchester, and loved in Manchester for many years.
My visits to the city are less frequent these days, although I was there very recently with my children when we visited Legoland Discovery at the Trafford Centre. And we had an Easter outing to Dunham Massey on the outskirts of the city. So, I suppose we do visit more often than we think. I am a long-term patient at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, we have friends that still live in the city, it is our home. Our Manchester. And I cried so much when I heard the tragic news. Now all I can do is send loving, healing, supporting energy to those in need. It helps, even if we don’t see it. We stand strong together. We will not back down. We are Manchester.
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
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Today I am looking for a fresh start as we begin the working week full of optimism and high hopes. Last week was not the best for me, for various reasons. My pet turtle died, and I am grieving for him.
#MummyMonday My pet baby turtles
Losing a Family Pet
It is very different for me losing a turtle, to losing a dog. I have been processing my feelings over the weekend. I am sad, but I haven’t cried anywhere near as much as I did when my beloved Toby died. I suppose it is because the turtles are sort of distant. They live in a tank, they don’t speak, and they don’t like to be handled. They still communicate, however, in their own little way, and for that I will miss Duck (I also had a turtle called Crispin once upon a time – can you see the joke?!).
What cheered me up was the outpouring of support from my friends on Instagram when I posted a photo at the weekend. We all make connections to our pets, whatever species, and we all recognise that special bond when we lose the pet. I still have one more turtle remaining, Ashton, although he really does not like to be handled and would rather be left alone. Let’s hope he stays around for a while longer. Have a happy week, my friends. Make it a good one!
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
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I had been meaning to visit Beeston Castle for a long time. It is only about a half-hour drive from home, and yet we never quite found time to stop on our travels.
Finally, we had a free Bank Holiday Monday, and we went for it, making the most of our English Heritage membership card. My girls were very excited to visit a medieval castle, since they love tales of princesses and knights, and they recently discovered the fun of playing with pretend swords and crossbows. Well, who am I to deny them their warrior heritage?!
#MummyMonday Family Day Trip at English Heritage Beeston Castle
A Daytrip to Beeston Castle
It took a while for us to leave the house since I was on my own while their dad was at work. We reluctantly left the dog at home, even though it had turned into a beautiful sunny afternoon. I simply couldn’t fathom managing an excited Staffie X with a preschool child and an adventurous six-year-old by myself. We will take him with us next time, when my husband is at home. I was pleased to see that Beeston Castle is dog friendly, which is always important for our family outings.
I expected to find some sort of May Day activity at Beeston Castle, but I hadn’t checked specifically what was on. We soon discovered a local church fete and a dog show from the K9 2000 team, whom I had never previously heard about. They were very impressive, and very entertaining, and now my elder daughter fancies her chances at training our dog to do some of those display stunts. I very much doubt that will happen!
A steep climb up the hillside
We ventured up the steep hillside climb to explore the old castle building. My younger daughter was a little tired at this point, having just had a massive tantrum when I tried to make her walk for a bit after we queued for 45 minutes for them to have their faces painted. Not to be deterred, I alternated between carrying her, and coaxing her, while my elder daughter raced on ahead and shouted encouragingly to her sister. It was worth the stress, because the view from the top is incredible. We didn’t explore fully because of our tired, grumpy pre-schooler, but we saw enough to satisfy the senses, and I really cannot wait to return.
In fact, we saw a poster advertising the next English Heritage event at Beeston Castle on the weekend of the 28th– 29th May. There will be jousting and knights on horseback, so I have to take my girls for that. Perhaps we will see you there?
English Heritage Sword
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Last week I spoke about my lessons from Mercury Retrograde and the collection of planets that may be affecting our lives down here on Earth.
While we are still in retrograde for a week or so, and most witches would advise against starting new projects during this time, my life is about to leap into a brand-new phase.
This has not been a fast decision. We have pondered and searched the local housing market for a couple of years. We have considered the possibility for extending our home. We decided that now we would like a bit more outside space, and a few more rooms to play with. I dream of a reiki retreat. My daughters need a bedroom of their own as they grow. My husband craves a man cave (garage). Wish us luck on this new adventure!
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
I have never really taken time to study astrology, natal charts, and all that weird and wonderful stuff where we learn how the planets affect out movements down here on Earth. I have a vague notion that it is important and that I should take notice, but now is not the time. Of course, our magical guides and teachers always make their intentions clear eventually.
All I know is that right now, my world is in a state of chaos. I cannot go into detail for legal reasons, but events occurring will have lasting effects. I trust in the Great Mystery to keep myself and my loved ones safe and secure, and we will accept whatever happens. But why is this happening now? I wonder if it is connected to the astrological plane.
#WitchyWednesday Lake and Stormy Sky
Learning about Mercury Retrograde
Five planets are currently in retrograde, or have recently been retrograde, and are now straightening out. In simple terms, I deduce that it means they are moving backwards slightly, or are stalling on their gravitational cycle. I’m not a scientist or an astrologer, so I don’t know the specifics. I am aware that this is a rare occurrence. I also received a message in a blog post I read. Now is the time to refresh, renew, and revise. Part of that process involves a good spring clean in my home, and a rethink about my situation, my involvement in current events, and many other activities. I accept the lessons, and may we all step forward into a new, happier, more peaceful life when the planets realign again.
Can anybody offer more advice or insight into the retrograde cycles? I would love to learn more!
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
