small things are big things

A few months ago I left a packet of sunflower seeds in the stairway of Haarlem Artspace (where I have a studio) inviting others to pick a seed and grow a sunflower. I staged it as a competition of sorts - envisaging studio holders planting our sunflowers in the flowerbed by the studio building and watching as each grew into itself with its own special attribute.

At the moment mine stands alone, though I'm hopeful my sunflower will have company.

It grew on my studio windowsill for a month or so and 7 days ago I planted it out. I've been grateful for the rain that has fallen this week and today went to check on the beautiful and hopeful flower-bud that is forming. I'll have bated breath until it flowers.

Tomorrow I am providing homemade vegan victorian sponge and ginger nut biscuits to celebrate the sunflower and my intention of joining studio holders in a communal flowery endeavour. It's not quite taken off this time, there is always next year...

full

At the cemetery tap people leave the milk bottles full of water for the next person to carry to their loved ones grave. Such a teeny thing really, but it gladdens my heart when I lift the bottle expecting empty and discover water winking away in the sunlight. Someone has thought of me and my watery errand.

And in turn, I refilled for the next soul to discover they've been considered. 

Water our losses, and let's hold hands with others doing the same. From Doris and I (who haunts her grave) over and out.

lavender

The lavender I planted on Doris Hardy's grave is flourishing. I visited for frequent waterings during dry April and hardly at all in wet May. Today, in glorious sunshine, I went to admire the lavender's abundant flower-heads and watched ants doing their communal thing on the warmed concrete of Doris's, her aunt Mary's and grandmother Sarah's grave.

Have yet to sit and spin using a spindle by the grave, a nod to the word 'spinster' etched into the stone - I plan to do this on Friday.