Masked Balls and Avocados.

The Merry Month of May is over and although rather than merry, it was cold, wet and windy, it was an amazingly busy month for me. Life is sort of getting back to normal - seeing and talking to people in the flesh, instead of on a computer screen. Going out to places other than the supermarket, having vaccinations, a family wedding, gardening (once it stopped raining), grandog sitting – the list is endless. After months of inactivity, it’s been positively exhausting!

Nice exhausting though. How good to feel it unnecessary to do the “avoidance dance” around people you pass on the street, or to wait for the whole aisle to be clear of people, before reaching for the can of beans in the supermarket.

There are still some things to overcome though - our enforced attire. On this glorious, sunny Bank Holiday, we visited Westonbirt Arboretum. After our picnic, I was washing my hands in the loos, when I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror. I looked bizarre. Wearing a wide brimmed hat, dark glasses and mask I looked like a gangster!

Talking of masks - I’ve always wanted to go to a masked ball, like the one in Bridgerton. (don’t tell me you didn’t watch it). A Masked Ball sounds so exciting! It must be the sense of mystery involved. Of course it’s unlikely to happen now, as everyone is sick to death of masks of any kind. However this month I went to a “masked wedding”. Not quite the same, but hugely enjoyable, especially as it was my son’s wedding, and we had wondered if it would go ahead at all. When future generations look back at those wedding photos, what a story they will tell!

Amongst all the month’s excitement I have, amazingly, done some paintings. More food..... Blueberries, Sourdough Bread and Avocados. The world has gone crazy for avocados. I quite like them, but just don’t put them on the same plate as an egg ...ugh! Have you noticed people rarely refer to them now as avocado pears? A bit of research revealed some interesting facts about this large green berry. Did you know, for instance, that the word avocado derives from the ancient Nahuati word ahuacatl (I can't pronounce them either!) that translates as testicle? You only have to see them hanging on the tree to understand why. Hence the rumour of its aphrodisiac powers. Developed in South Central Mexico some 5000 years ago, makes its cultivation as old as the invention of the wheel. Who knew?

Enough rambling. I didn’t know what to write this month so I’ve just told you everything. I hope you enjoy looking at the paintings!