Doing something badly

I have taken up drawing late in life and am not very good at it - such a pleasure! After decades of striving to achieve in other areas and feeling disappointed if I fail, I accept that my sketch book will always be mediocre at best. No-one needs to know and nothing is at stake. I can gaze lovingly at my amateurish efforts and colour them with delicious tints, reverting to childish enjoyment despite the outcome. But today I produced a passable thrush, albeit so plump that it couldn't leave the ground, and I'm worried that the process of improvement and anxiety has started. Tomorrow I shall attempt a massive landscape and go back to square one with a sigh of relief. And - sorry folks - there is no illustration on this post for obvious reasons.

WISTERIA

I just love wisteria, particularly as it grows around my neighbours' back door and forms a frame which I can enjoy across our little courtyard. It seems a miracle that each huge yet delicate clump of pale purple blossom was ever packed inside a bud.