Eyes meet across a crowded room. Hers and his. Classic romance beginning.

It was a crowded room. Very much so : it happened to be a party.

Somehow or other they ended up dancing together, without a word being spoken on either side. None of the songs were rememberd afterwards, but they must have been known by both because they were singing along in loud, alcohol-tinted voices.

Nothing but lyrics left either pair of lips, and yet, through mutual friends and others, by the end of the evening they each knew enough to have been life-long acquaintances.

After that first glance neither had anything but fruit-punch, and though not sober, were both fairly clear-minded.

A peaceful walk to a commun bus-stop was a perfect ending to the evening. Both were satisfied till next time as his bus pulled up, still not a non-sung word between them. A kiss on the lips was their only goodbye.

She'd wanted to her whole life. And now she finally had. Discovered a new world by dream-travelling. She'd found it more than twice now so she was able to find it awake too.

On those visits, she'd done a complete survey of the land. There were no humans, so it was all hers. Along with the animals. There were Rabbits, obviously, what place didn't have Rabbits, there were also Kangaroos, Klipspringers, Grasshoppers... And plenty of Frogs.

Now all she had to do was name it. That was easy, the first thing that had come to mind. Or sprung to mind.

I stopped walking.

To listen

to the sounds

all around

of birds

and the wind

through the trees.

If you sniff

you can smell

the few

remaining blossoms

on the Hawthorn.

Scattered on the ground

are violets,

daisies,

clovers and more.

Walking barefoot,

the stones

of the road

are cool

and slightly damp

from morning dew

As I brush past

the long grass

my jeans

become wet

with heavy drops

off the tall blades.

A feeling of well-being

has settled on my mind

though I know

of the many dilemmas

waiting

back at the house.

Nothing that can't

be put aside for

a few moments peace

in the mornings

when

taking out the goats.

I'm sure you know I love you but to be sure, here it is : I love you.

I remember when I was given a book to fill in when I was very little, there was a question that went something like : " Who do you want to be like when you grow up?" I don't think I ever answered anything, but I know now that I would put you.

You are the person I most want to be like. You're so strong, so caring, and after all you've been through you are still kind and patient and always want to believe the best of people ( though with a much-needed pinch of scepticism).

I've noticed, over the years how similar I am to you, in many ways. I can only hope that I will always be as respected as I respect you, and as thoughtful as you have always been.

Thank You for always being there,

I Love You.

Sometimes there is no coping. All you can do is curl up into a ball and cry your heart out, until you realise you're just doing it for effect. Out of self-pity. Life is still going on, it won't help.

I'm lucky, because living on a farm there is always work to do.

That's what does it for me. Work. Fixing fences, building gates, digging hoes, chopping trees, mucking out, even just watching the animals is very important. And it all helps. To take your mind of things, off everything. To think only about what you're doing at that moment. It doesn't take your troubles away, or solve your problems, but a clear mind is the only way you can get through all the overwhelming stuff.

There are other ways such as walking, sometimes walking up our long lane will calm me down enough, either listening to nature or singing as loudly and as badly as possible to various songs. Playing a musical instrument has a very calming effect on people, if I happen to be cross, playing something loud like an accordion is great for letting out frustration.

That's how I get through a bad time. Different methods for different moods.