Those in the know, will sagely nod their heads, when I start to rant about Top1 and his fuzziness.

His thin grasp of reality when we were deep in the trenches of Lyme's Disease, was exasperating, to say the least.

So, I'm pleased to inform you, that he is much better now. That is, in the head department...

Otherwise, he still is a Fuzzy Figure.

I've been knitting and sewing for as long as I can remember. I think I was seven when I knitted my first scarf. By the age of ten, I had designed and produced knitwear and clothing for all of my dolls, and when I was twelve, I started sewing my own clothes. I continued to knit and sew on and off for a number of years, then quit.

When Top3 came along, I started knitting again. Quick baby knits are fun, and as I am a very skilled knitter, I chose the most elaborate projects.

After a few disappointing responses (both Top3 and Top4 do not particularly enjoy wearing sweaters or cardigans), I decided to knit only small stuff for them, like socks. I cast on a gorgeous green cardigan for myself, which is now finished, apart from the sewing. I doubt I'll cast on another one when this one is finally ready to wear.

The thing is, after all these years, I don't really like sewing and knitting anymore. I've knitted dozens of cardigans and sweaters, baby blankets, scarves, hats, lovely little puppets and bunnies and clowns. Also, I've sewn over thirty curtains for this house, at least six sets of bed linen, countless pillow covers. And then there are the costumes, the endless repairs, the thrift store finds that need resizing.

Today, when I was working on a couple of placemats the little Tops and I designed for grandma's birthday last month, I realized I need to stop putting so much time and effort in these crafting projects. I had thought Top3 and Top4 would learn a few tricks about the trade, but in the end almost 80% of the sewing was done by me. And though I like the end result, I kept thinking: "I could be sitting in my studio now, writing and painting and dilly-dallying about. But no, I had to go and start this big sewing project. Blegh."

Bottom line, crafting is hampering my inner flow. I already put a lot of time and energy in work that does pay for our bills, but does not nurture my inner flow. I am not willing to compromise my true calling any further.

I have a novel to finish, numerous poems to write, at least three paintings awaiting me in my studio and thousands of other images and ideas popping up in my head. (It's a big head.) Time to move on...

... I'll be the one doing all the snoozing in the sun, and you can be the breadwinner. (Let's hope there is some money in catching mice and birds.)

't Was at the start of the very day sleep would not give in without a fight. Breakfast had a sulky shine to it, until these cheerful guys turned the fruit bowl upside down and started a game of soccer with peppy tangerines.

Top1, suddenly wide awake, jumped to his feet and asked the dinosaurs if they would fancy playing in other venues as well.

Will there be children? they asked.

Oh yes, absolutely.

And will there be food? they continued.

I'll personally take care of that.

Indeed, Top1 provided food and a little base plate. And then it was decided that Top3 should present the little fellows to the children in his class, as a birthday treat.

They're anxiously awaiting their transfer now, hoping for a nice exotic game of soccer in their new homes.



Hop on over to Francesca's at FuoriBorgo for more exotic Corner Views!

Though Top4 is now officially learning how to read and write in school, and does so diligently, she tends to get bored and stop reading if we do not stimulate her at home. I might have mentioned before that Top4 loves structure, and so we've issued a standing order for one page reading to her stuffed animals (and one of us) every night before bed.


She obviously likes the task. "Reading to stuffed animals" - "Bear"


A few of the books Top4 is currently reading, alone (the one one top) or together with us (the rest).


The last volume of literature I finished reading with Top3 and Top4 - Alice in Wonderland.


All in all, reading is now a matter of all creatures great and small, chez les Flowtops.

At the aviation theme park Aviodrome in Lelystad, Top3, who had never before flown in his life, went up in a Cessna 172 for some sightseeing. (With him were his grandmother, a first-timer as well, and myself, not-so-frequent flyer and designated camera operator.)

The weather was perfect and Top3 was delighted with his birthday present. We saw the dolphins in the basins of the theme park Dolfinarium in Hardewijk, flew over Walibi Worlds crazy rollercoaster and big wheel and oh, the light. The light! It was heavenly, indeed.

What a way to start your tenth year on earth!

Remember what it was like to live in that magical kingdom filled with cuddly bears, slightly tattered bean bag dolls and little felted buggers, sometimes adorned with wooden or glass eyes?

They loved you unconditionally, and you loved them back with every fibre in your small body.

The conversations you had, the games you played, and oh, the adventures! They invariably caused delay in worldly matters like eating your supper, brushing your teeth, dressing or undressing, sleeping even.

Happy times, indeed.

But as you grew older, your relation with your childhood friends began to change. Though some of the emotional threads woven between you and your companions held on indefinitely, others were worn too thin to withstand the strain of your unstoppable growth, and broke.

Luckily, most of the time growing up meant that you were far too busy discovering new best friends to even notice that something had shifted. And your old best friends loved you so much, they let you go silently, hoping for your return, perhaps a few times a year, for good times sake.

On the other hand, there were times that you clearly felt the cords of friendship tucking at your heart. Change was in the air, but you would not hear of it.

Remember how you cried yourself to sleep over that fluffy toy dog with his battered ear? Though he was lying right next to you on your pillow at the time, you realized that you didn't really play with him anymore. There were no cart races through the house, no barking contests in the bathroom, with its superb acoustics.

The end of an era was near, and though you tried very hard, you could not see that the deep, deep sadness about that fact of life would eventually make way for acceptance. You did not know that a little corner of your heart would be filled with the fondest memories of your beloved childhood friends.

Remember how bittersweet it was, learning for the first time that everything has its time and its place?

Top4 asked us for some drawings she could practice her watercoloring skills on, and the rest of us played a difficult board game Top3 enjoys very much. (She did roll the dice for her team, though.)

The fact that Top3 is now almost 9, the fact that Top1 made beautiful crepe paper garlands and a fancy cake whilst I slaved over deadlines, the fact that there is still a wonderful present waiting for Top3 later this week (celebrating this birthday in Flowtops style, which means party a bit every day).

Yes, that does tickle my fancy. I'm quirky like that.

More fancy stuff over at Francesca's, where all the Corner Viewers of the world leave a link for you to visit.

... that time of year again.

This morning, looking on the light streaming through our bedroom window,
I saw that it was good, and I divided between the light and the darkness.

(2011, "The Light", sun, window, window film, human saliva and fingerprints)

Granted, by my standards it is perfectly fine to go through life with little to no make-up, paint-spattered clothing on my studio days and unshaven legs for weeks on end, especially when it gets colder. My practical side gets the better of me, bodywise, though I do like dresses and skirts, even if they trick me into believing I live in a lovely Mediterranean climate (quod non).

On the other hand, if certain body parts try and have their own way, just because they're sick of me not paying enough attention, I do object. Especially if those are the only parts I've taken extra good care of throughout their lifetime.

So, it brings me great pleasure to inform you that my teeth and I are expecting company in a week or so. I've taken some precautions already, and the teeth would like you to know that they're very sorry they've misbehaved, and they won't do it ever again...

October is the best time of the year to drag your protesting little Tops with you to the woods and take dozens of snapshots of their discoveries, trying not to gloat about the fact that you knew from the start they would be having fun.

Fungi, toadstools and mushrooms have that effect, magic or not ;-)

Hop on over to Francesca at FuoriBorgo for an accompanying snack and other lovely Corner Views.