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Books, Glorious Books!

It was great to learn about Shepherd.com and its unique approach to serving the book-loving public. I was delighted to be invited by Ben Fox to share my top five children’s books with underlying social themes. You might be surprised to know that one of my choices was in French – pretentious, moi? Not really, have a look at my review and you’ll understand why!

Book cover of Ca ne va Pas, Charlie Brown (You Need Help, Charlie Brown)

I really like the way the site guides me towards other books in my areas of interest and introduces me to new authors – very clever! It’s a great place to explore from the comfort of your armchair. Have a meander!

Lucia x

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Seeds of Hope

Spring has arrived! How are you feeling? Have your shoulders loosened? Have you put away your heavy winter coat in favour of something lighter, brighter? Covid restrictions are still in place but we need to dream, small or big.

My big dream is of travelling, but that’s not an option right now.

A smaller, more achievable day-dream is to think about my little garden and how I can wake it up from its winter slumber. I really enjoyed choosing some packets of seeds in the hope of re-shaping the view that I look out on.

Nature is our friend and her kind embrace is never far away. Even if you don’t have a garden, find your nearest park, feast your eyes and soothe your soul. Let Mother Nature give you her warming hug. Before too long, we’ll be sharing real hugs once more. Lucia x

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The lost hugs of 2020

Arms twitch with the thwarted desire to pull in close a loved one.

Covid rules dictate, with the power of reason and a brutal command.

We hold back, protecting life while hearts break. 

                                                                                              Lucia Wilson 2020

As this horrendous year draws to its close, I wanted to reflect on one element that will have affected us all, the loss of human touch; a hug is the simplest expression of love in all its forms. It made me think about all the lost hugs of 2020; the saddest example of all must surely be where people have died without an embrace from their loved ones.

Here’s to 2021 when, in time, we will be able to hug again.

Lucia x

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Have you seen the sky today?

Alarm clock
Bathroom mirror
Dodgy reflection
Breakfast TV
Chirpy presenters
Caffeine injection
Underground warriors battle for seats
Struggle for dominance
Office door
Computer switch-on
Lights and…

.. ACTION!

Email, voicemail,
males and females
Greetings, meetings,
decisions, decisions
Outcome, plans and
human factors
Negotiation,
confrontation,
solutions and laughter.
Some flirty lies, as time flies, the day
nearly over
The players bow to mute
applause, retreat commences
Journey reversed
routine well-rehearsed,
with occasional abstentions

Alarm set
eyes close as sleep lays prey
But here’s a thought before you
sleep

Have you seen the sky today?

Buon Anno! Happy New Year! Bonne Annee!

2022 has arrived like a gleaming express train; we are invited to hop on board to an unknown destination.  

It’s easy to think of a new year as just the same old, same old or a list of onerous resolutions that sets us up to fail before we even finish writing it.  Some marketeers will be flogging diets and fitness plans (whilst others have just finished selling us Christmas excess and indulgence!), telling us we’re not good enough, whilst offering to fix us for just 9.99. 

I think of the start of a new year as a blank page in a fresh, new notebook and it’s up to me what I put down.  I really welcome the chance for a mental reboot.  New Year’s Day isn’t a magic wand to take away all the bad things, but it does offer us something that money cannot buy – hope.

I hope 2022 brings you all that you need and all that you wish for!  Lucia x

Without love, there would be no jewellery.

 Burmese Rubies

When Robert Renconta arrived in England from Burma in 1957 with his beloved wife, Emily, and their three children, he was easily the most handsome man in the Customs Hall.  He wore a formal, grey three-piece suit with a pristine white shirt; he looked like a diplomat.  The only flamboyant feature in his appearance was the deep red twinkle of his ruby tiepin.  It was a gift from his mother just before they left Rangoon. 

“Burmese rubies, Robert, the finest gems in all the world,” said his mother through her tears.  Robert’s hands trembled as he put the tiepin on, then gently pulled her towards him for one last embrace.  Her body seemed so small and frail that he felt his heart would break.  They slowly moved apart without saying goodbye or making promises to see each other soon.  They knew that they would never meet again.

********

Twenty-five years later, Jenny Renconta sat quietly in her beautiful ivory gown as she waited for the wedding cars to arrive.  She’d sent the bridesmaids off to another room because their hysterical chatter was driving her mad.   A look of anxiety crossed Jenny’s face and tears threatened to spoil the expertly applied make-up. 

“Sweetheart?” whispered her mother as she entered the room.  “What is it?”

Jenny looked up at her and smiled. 

“Don’t worry, Mum, I haven’t changed my mind!”

“Thank goodness for that!  Daniel is such a wonderful man. Is it your father, are you thinking about him?”

“Yes….I wish he could have lived to be here with us today,” she replied, as one tear slipped down her lovely face.

“Oh, my darling!  I know. He would have been so proud to walk you down the aisle… but, listen, listen…. I have something for you.  I wanted to give it to you earlier, but the jeweller only managed to finish reworking it this morning and rushed it over to me in a taxi.   I wasn’t sure if you would want to wear it today, but you might…?” 

Jenny opened the dark blue box that her mother handed to her.  She gently lifted out a beautiful bracelet made of delicate intertwining threads of gold with tiny sparkling droplets of something red.

“Are they… rubies?”

“From your Daddy’s tiepin.  He had always wanted you to have it”. 

Jenny put the bracelet on and hugged her mother hard.

“Burmese rubies…” her mother murmured.

                                                     “… The finest gems in all the world”, whispered Jenny.”

Burmese Rubies, written by Lucia Wilson, with an illustration by *Anne Bowes, 
is an extract from A Journey into Jewels.

If you would like to read another story about love and jewellery, The Karloff Tiara is available on Amazon.

Anne Bowes is also a jewellery designer.

A Christmas story for 2020

Are you struggling to get into the mood for Christmas this year? If so, this might help! You can read all about Cedric’s Christmas adventure here (download for free). If you are sharing this story with young children, I do want to let you know that the story has a reference to covid-19. I would love to know what you think about it, adults and children alike! Warmest wishes, Lucia x

The eternal power of the sea

The sea has always been a source of creative inspiration across many art forms. On National Poetry Day, I want to share one of my favourite poems, Sea Fever by John Masefield, accompanied by a lovely artwork from Anne Bowes, illustrator and jewellery designer. I think the poem has a soothing rhythm, like the lapping of water against a tethered boat; read it aloud and see what you think.

Sea Fever BY JOHN MASEFIELD

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;

And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.

Seascape by Anne Bowes @annebowesillustration Instagram

Happy Poetry Day! 
Lucia

“Art is balm to the brain…”

…declared Sherlock Homes. I agree with the Great Detective.


It was a real pleasure to visit the first exhibition #londongradshow I have seen since the covid lockdown; and what balm it was to my battered brain!
The Saatchi Gallery did a great thing by helping to bring about this combined Grad Show when it looked like Covid.19 had put a stop to everything – a very creative solution! And the great news is that this show has now been extended.

I took some photos of the works I really liked. The picture quality is not great – far better to go and see the works for yourself.  Feast your eyes!


you can find out more about the artists above on Instagram 
@helendearartist @pei_soilmixgrass @hyunwookpainting_ @xu.yang-