Ascending through grey
Slicing sad, foreboding clouds.
Miracle of flight
I’m struggling a bit with blogging at the minute. All the zap seems to have gone out of me. It’s natural enough, I suppose. I hate these grey skies and Dad’s loss has left an emptiness. The day I left Faro was one of the longest in my life. The sky itself felt full of sorrow, and I both wanted, but dreaded, to be home again. But down on the Praia life went on. A battle with the elements that held me captive for a few sweet moments.
If there’s one thing you can rely on it’s that Thursday’s Special, and that Paula will do her best to make it so. Thanks, lovely lady.




Hello dear Jo. I am sorry I haven’t been able to visit as much as I want to. I’m trying to keep up with visits to blogs but I am limited as to what I can do in a day. My focus is on my memoir, but it takes a lot out of me and of course, grief doesn’t disappear overnight does it? I know how hard it is to keep blogging, or doing anything, when dealing with the grief of bereavement. How sad it is when missing our dads. As you know, I couldn’t write for a few months, never mind blog. It’s a struggle. I’m so glad to see you here though, I had you on the top of my list to visit today because I miss you and wanted to send you lots of love and hugs and to tell you I’m thinking of you, my dear friend ❤
LikeLike
So glad I’ve caught you, Sherri. 🙂 I’ve just been uplifted by the most beautiful of November poppies over at Tish’s place, and of course by all the wonderful and embracing comments on here. Thank you so much for adding yours. It’s foggy over on the Headland (I can see from the bedroom window 🙂 ) but I’m going for a little beach stroll. Stay in good spirits , hon, and don’t worry about visiting. Bumper sack of hugs coming your way 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jo. Enjoy your stroll 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Double, no triple hugs from Robert and myself. Thinking of you lots . . . .take care as this journey has quite a while to go. The ‘sweet moments’ will grow over the next few weeks and months. Bxx
LikeLike
Thanks, darlin. 🙂 It’s been a good week overall and I feel guilty about posting misery. There’s more than enough, isn’t there, and in so many ways mine has a happy outcome. Hugs much appreciated and returned. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t feel guilty, up and downs are life and blogs are a great way for us all to handle what life is throwing at us xxx
Looking forward to that drink with you in January!
LikeLiked by 1 person
May you ascend out of your dark place soon–or rather as soon as you are ready. Sometimes we need the resting time a cloudy day affords.
LikeLike
I’m always a creature of moods, Nicki. Some days are still golden 🙂
LikeLike
Sorry you’re having a difficult time, Jo. Bereavement coupled with so many worries about what’s going on in this mad world… but I love your poem – and coincidentally, I’ve just posted a poem on my blog too!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
LikeLike
Thanks, Susan 🙂
LikeLike
My thoughts are with you Jo, it’s a difficult time. The sun will come out again with a warmth against your cheek ~
LikeLike
There’s a lovely sunrise just breaking over my shoulder, Mary. Looks like it could be a beautiful day 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
My wish is that you were able to absorb the goodness and enjoy ~
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sending you love and hugs my dear Jo xxxx
LikeLike
Received with thanks, Dianne 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are doing a great job here on the blog Jo, keeping us walking with you and cheering us all up in this grey and cold days. Time is a great healer and unfortunately there are no shortcuts, getting through one day at the time is the only way. It has taken me a long time to talk about my mother without crying, I still miss her desperately. Sending you a warm and strong hug.
LikeLike
Thanks so much for your support Gilda. I appreciate it very much xx
LikeLike
Fabulous, Jo!
LikeLike
Hugs Anna xx
LikeLike
xxx
LikeLike
🙂 🙂
LikeLike
Don’t be too hard on yourself. It would be more worrying if you didn’t feel sad. One day at a time and am sending you a hug from down south x
LikeLike
Thanks Tanya. I’m mostly doing fine. Returning the hugs xx
LikeLike
Stunning images, Jo. Love your haiku, too. Sending you warm hugs across the ocean. Losing a beloved parent is so hard. My thoughts are with you dear friend. xx
LikeLike
Thanks so much Ad. Happy to have you around xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
You give us all such pleasure, Jo. To say nothing of inspiration, and all that Monday walking you make us do, which is so good for us. Give yourself a hug, and know that it’s from all of us 🙂
LikeLike
Both arms wrapped around tight, Tish! Thanks for that. You’re a gem 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
l’uomo e il volo..
già penso al mio geniale vicino di casa ( Leonardo da Vinci, sono 20 km da casa mia 🙂 ) e a tutte le sue macchine volanti, alla sua simulazione del volo alare…una magia che fa restare a bocca aperta
splendide le tue foto come sempre
cia bella!
LikeLike
Grazie mille, Annalisa 🙂 Un bacio grande!
LikeLike
Ahh sweetheart, I expect the ‘stuff’ is sorted now and it’s just the gap left, I’m so sorry you feel low. We’re all here surrounding you with love ❤
LikeLike
Heaps of it, Gilly! 🙂 🙂 Just off out now. So sorry I missed your call. Hope all’s going right with you?
LikeLike
If you need cheering up, go and see ‘A Streetcat called Bob’. Lots of Coventry love to you, Jo😀
LikeLike
I’ll look out for it, Richard. Thanks a lot 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
Oh, Jo. My eyes welled seeing this and reading the comments. I think everyone has said it all. So I am putting my arms around you and giving you a squeeze.
LikeLike
Oh, I love a good squeeze, Jude 🙂 🙂 Thanks, darlin. I’m fine tonight. Going out with some friends from a long way back.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Enjoy – and raise a glass or two!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is no need to reply — we all need downtime, especiallly when adjusting to the loss of a cherished one… how well i remember the months after my father’s unexpected death… it was nice when one day i realized that i was smiling.
you are cherished by many, and we’re all sending you strength and love.
LikeLike
I can’t help but reply, Lisa. The warmth and kindness I’ve found on here changed my life. Sending you hugs 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
You attract many like-minded people, which illustrated the positive ways the internet makes this world a smaller and better place.
LikeLike
On the one hand, autumn can be wonderful, too, and on the other hand, Jo, spring will come again.
Take care,
Pit
LikeLike
Autumn has been beautiful, Pit, and I’ve still found time to appreciate it. Looking forward to Spring 🙂 Thanks for your kindness.
LikeLike
I’ve had one of those long “return” flights before as well, fighting back tears for hours on end. It takes time to overcome the feeling of loss and being lost. Blogging can wait. Listen to your heart and body and mind. Sending you sunshine for outside distractions and wind in your hair to clear up some of the fog. Hugs and strength!
LikeLike
The flight was late in the day, Liesbet, and after almost continuous sunshine for 2 weeks I found the waiting hard. I dreaded returning, but it wasn’t so bad. People have been very kind. I still default to leaf kicking for ‘therapy’ but they’ll soon be gone. Thank you for the sunshine 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
You are very welcome. Disbelief, anger, acceptance… We are dealing with a different kind of loss here, but no leaves to kick.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jo it is totally understandable that the wind is out of your sails. You need time and energy to grieve and heal. Be gentle with yourself, write a blog post if you want and please don’t if you don’t want to. You have an incredibly loyal audience. I for one will be here whenever it is right for you. Sending big hugs across the miles. Xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for that, Sue. 🙂 It’s the kindness of bloggers like yourself that keeps me coming back here..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww sweetheart I hear you. More hugs coming your way. Take the time you need.
LikeLiked by 1 person