Wednesday 14 July 2010

Storm Angel


This picture appeared in our Metro free newspaper a couple of weeks ago and I fell flat-out in love with it at first sight. I mean - look at the guy .. the sea ... the wings. It was actually taken in the outlying fringes of hurricane Alex, somewhere in Mexico I think, and shows a kitesurfer out taking advantage of the high winds.

Over the last few months there's been some gusty weather in my life, like the precursor winds of some huge storm. Warnings that nothing is permanent, even in my uber-settled, sensible and easy life. Even life itself, I am sharply reminded, does not last.

Relationships have shifted. Friendships have gone cold. Publishers have let me down. My mother had a brief cancer scare. My physical home is about to be torn open and changed forever and it starts today (don't worry: I asked for that one). A week ago we were in fine health: today Mr Ashbless is having surgery.

Chaos can intrude anywhere, anytime. I only hope to spread my wings and ride ahead of the storm.

13 comments:

Jo said...

God, Janine. When I saw the post title on Danielle's blogroll I got a little shiver of the promise it held.

I love the picture and this is a beautful post.

Good luck with all of it - the renovations may be more difficutl than the surgery, but I hope they both pass by without complication.

I'm sure your wings are beautiful too. Thanks for htis.

xx

Danielle said...

oh..i actually like that picture a lot..very cool and intense...

to everything else..yeah..life changes all the time..often faster then we can walk along on its edge...

best wishe sto mr ashbless...

Nikki Magennis said...

Best of luck to Mr Ashbless.

And to you, my dear, riding the storm. One step at a time ... be sure to look after yourself well.

xxx

Jeremy Edwards said...

Hugs and well wishes!!

Janine Ashbless said...

One step at a time is dead right ... though it doesn't work so well with the flying metaphor ;-)

Waah.

Glad you like the picture too, guys! He is my icon for this moment in my life.

Kat Black said...

Ah, the winds of change. Spread those wings, Janine, and see how high you can soar! All the best to Mr A.

Chris said...

Flap like crazy, glide for a while, flap like crazy, glide for a while. Land and rest...

Luck

C

Janine Ashbless said...

Thanks for hugs and stuff. Truly appreciated.

Sekrit Shoppa said...

That really is a fantastic picture.

2010 is proving a sod of a year; I hope you get a good long stint of plain sailing after all these waves, Janine. You deserve it.

Best wishes xxx.

Craig Sorensen said...

I wish you and Mr Ashbless all the best in this complicated time.

Ride that wind.

Susan D-L said...

I echo the 2010 sentiments. It's been interesting, in the Chinese curse sense of the word.

All the best to the Ashblesses from over here. May renovations be speedy and beneficial and surgery successful. Mr DL had a surgery come up sudden-like about 4 years back; all turned out well but very stressful all the same. Be well!

Love the wingman. ; )

Janine Ashbless said...

Wow, you are all so lovely!

Just to clarify, I'm finding this an unnerving time, not a disasterous one. I'm well aware that compared to what many people are going through, this is nothing. My profound respect goes to all of you who are dealing with real terrors and horrors in your lives.

And does it sound strange to say this is probably good for me? I am too fond of being in control of my life, and learning to deal with chaos is a good thing. Not taking my stable life for granted is a good thing too.

Strength to us all!

neve black said...

I'm terribly late at leaving a comment here. I am sending my healing thoughts and my pair of unclipped wings your way, my friend.

All the best -