Widow's Weeds

That's an unfashionable word these days - widow - isn't it, remarks Lady Mondegreen.

Yes, it is felt that it shows dependence by woman on man, which would have been a social truth for much of this word's history.

Hemlock

But its origins reaching back to Latin and Sanskrit imbue the elements of the word with universal feeling of loneliness and loss.

Buttercups

For almost exactly a year, I have felt widowhood.

And then with the passing of that year,

Aluminium plant and oxalis

And possibly due to creating Elwin's memorial letter,

I feel that the veil has lifted and my brain understands what it is to function properly again.

Hawthorn and broom

This doesn't mean I forget the place Elwin had in my life, but it does mean that I can begin to find Me again.

Foxgloves

Because I cannot make the future happen while I cannot learn new things: how to operate my camera, how to maintain garden machines, or direct building work effectively.

Mallow

I am also learning my limitations, and that I still miss a man about the house, especially when I am sitting writing my blog late at night, and the toilet cistern blows a valve, hissing mischief all over the laundry. 

Don't forget to mop the floor before you go to bed, calls Lady Mondegreen from her room.

Hemlock  Conium maculatum

Buttercups, meadow buttercups  Ranunculus acris

Aluminium plant, yellow archangel  Lamium galeobdolon 'Variegatum'

Oxalis, pink oxalis  Oxalis articulata

Hawthorn, may, quickthorn  Crataegus monogyna

Broom  Cytisus scoparius

Foxglove  Digitalis purpurea

Mallow, common mallow  Malva sylvestris