A childhood delight revisited

A spontaneous moment in the woods

When I was a young child, we had a swing in the back garden and I remember spending hours on that swing. The feeling of freedom flying as I soared higher and higher, with the wind rushing through my long blonde hair, is one I’ve never forgotten.

We forget about these joy-inducing pastimes when we become adults, don’t we?

This is why I want to share this delightful story with you!

I was moodling (as I do) through the clearing at Borthwood Copse last Saturday. A family group had been using the tree swing. As we walked past it, I remarked to my friend, “I'm not going to get on that, it wouldn't hold my weight”.

A few seconds later, I’d placed my camera bag in the roots of a tree and I found myself trying, not too successfully, to get my rather large bottom onto the small piece of wood that constituted the seat!

Swinging. Photos taken by my friend Anne

Lots of laughter ensued, as I twisted around and around on the single piece of rope attaching the swing to the tree branch above. My friend pulled out her phone camera. You can see what I mean about the small seat from the photos she kindly shared with me. Ahem.

Finally, I was precariously perched on the swing. I pushed off the ground and was airborne! Grasping the rope, I leant back and let the momentum rock me backwards and forwards.

Photo was taken by my friend Anne

I was swinging and laughing with glee like a small child, giddy with excitement.

A man about my age (so in his late 50s) walked past with his dog: "Aren't you a bit old to be doing that?"
"Yes, I did have that thought, but then I decided I’m never too old!"
"You're right", he said. "But my hips would never allow me to get on it to start with!" he chuckled ruefully.

Let’s focus on how much fun it was, and not on how dizzy I felt when I got off!

The card art

Once again, using a blue and yellow palette, this little piece started out with a flowing line and some spiky marks made with watercolour pencil. I obviously felt these represented “spontaneity” when I matched the word to the card. Colour was added using Caran D'Ache watercolour crayons around the line and shapes.

I am so enjoying sharing my little art cards with you and finding stories to go with them. I do hope you are enjoying these posts too. I would absolutely love to hear from you, so do drop me a comment to say hi!

If you want to find out a bit more about the project and a little bit of backstory, head to the About page.

Every so often, I'll post a list of the cards I've shared so far from the set of 50, in numerical order:

• Card 01 - Look into the spaces

• Card 02 - Find little sparkles of magic

• Card 03 - Flow

• Card 09 - I love

• Card 10 - Be spontaneous

• Card 34 - Moodle

• Card 15 - Enjoy the little things

• Card 23 - What's here to celebrate

• Card 45 - Pause

• Card 36 - Expect to be delighted

• Card 46 - Be excited for where I'm going