33 Comments
User's avatar
Um um's avatar

Write books of these musings. Your connection with Writing is blissful. Look forward to buying your Musings book series 😊 love your interjections of BBC mama bear image and out of the blue flamboyant adjectives. Such enjoyment & unexpected.

I laid our breakfast table one day last week. Thank you for your Mother tips. I hope to repeat again before I die.

Took our kids out of school for the very reason you describe. The Universe has plans for every one of us. Allow freedom of choosing to what your collective Instincts steer you towards.

Imo 'school is where our kids pick up the bad habits of other kids' parents'. Beautiful quote from a great mind. Plenty of action after school to create Tribes.

Hope your daughter doing well.

Love love love your very wonderful writing! Have a kick ass week. Big love

Laetitia Maklouf's avatar

Thank you for this. Yes, I too believe there’s a plan we can’t see.

Jo Thompson's avatar

I love the Mama Bear image - and I so know that feeling. Even now when they’re in their twenties, it occasionally surfaces 🤣

Go for the violas - they’re another prong in my anti-squirrel defences. I’m not saying they’ll stop the pesky little so-and-sos, but as a layer to disguise disturbed soil (always a tulips-are-here giveaway to squirrels), it’s worth a go along with the prickly rose clippings fortress🌱

Laetitia Maklouf's avatar

That’s good because I have snuck in some anemone corms beneath. I am attempting to temper the mother rage and I think planting a TON of fritillaries might do the trick x

Sarah's avatar

Thank you for your post, a really lovely read and start to the week. I do hope your son finds his way soon. We worry so much, but they are so resilient.

Becky's avatar

It’s so hard when you can’t instantly fix stuff for your children isn’t it? I hope things get better xxx

Laetitia Maklouf's avatar

THank you. They are. Slowly.

Sara Muir's avatar

The National Gallery are doing an online course re the Van Gogh exhibition. Started last week but you can still catch up. Go into all the technicalities including pigments. I learnt so much from it last week and will be able to appreciate when I get to the exhibítion I hope. Live up north and it’s such a faff to get trains, hotels etc. Trains especially. Had a friend who took her parents to Heathrow and then got the train home. They landed in Beijing before she got to Leeds!!!!

Laetitia Maklouf's avatar

Fascinating - I’ll look into this - thank you.

Tim Baynes Painter and Writer's avatar

Excellent peace on the van Gogh exhibition. Note to self must go (soon) and also the bulb list after your last post I was wondering what we should be getting. Sian has already planted the narcissi. Anyway, thank you so much

….and good idea about outdoor fires in the winter, I’ve now know that we have a small barbecue about the size of a dinner plate that would be an excellent outdoor fire and it has a lid!

Barbara Barrington's avatar

Thank you so much. I so enjoy your book.

Nicki's avatar

Children can be so mean. I'm so sorry your son has had a tough time at his new school but what amazing strength of character he has to decide not to change his behaviour to satisfy his peers. It's horrible to be bullied and also just as horrible to know your child is being bullied. You feel so helpless don't you?!

I say treat yourself and buy that amaryllis. I think it massively important to sprinkle life with little bits of joy like that, especially through the dark days of winter. I might get one myself!

Barbara van Zanten-Stolarski's avatar

Lovely post again. Just FYI amaryllis bulbs last and last and last. I have some that I have had for 15 years or more. BUT they are genetically programmed to bloom in April/May/June not Christmastime. I live in a warm climate (Los Angeles) so I can keep mine outside all year. Perhaps you can too if you squish them (in pots) against your house walls where the microclimate is warmer. They are very unfussy. I neglect them most of the time, just throwing a bit of water their way when I think about it. I keep them in full blazing sun when they are not blooming so that their leaves can photosynthesize goodness into the bulb, moving them into the shade or semi-shade to prolong active blooming time. So lash out on the beautiful Sarah Raven's one you like (I have a couple of those beauties too) and treat them like summer bulbs in years ahead. If they are forced for this Christmas they won't bloom next spring but forever afterwards they will.

Laetitia Maklouf's avatar

Yes I definitely need to build up my stash again after losing all of them to cold a couple of years back! You have given me the push I need! Thank you!

Bea's avatar

Your posts are an absolute JOY 🤩 Keep it up, I love your random musings. Wish I could write like you

Laetitia Maklouf's avatar

That is a HUGE compliment- thank you

Anne Leo's avatar

So good to have you back again. Never tire of reading you. Thank you!

Laetitia Maklouf's avatar

very good for me to write - I thank you for reading!

Chris Lippiatt's avatar

I love to read your musings on gardening and life in general. I have an 11 year old granddaughter who is looking for her tribe. A lot of bumps along the way. Learning social skills can be such a hard thing! Praying for all of them!

Laetitia Maklouf's avatar

YES to the prayers. Thank you.

Francine's avatar

Sending love to your son. My daughter has also started in Y7 and it’s a LOT. I have bought some Queen of Night tulips but I haven’t planted them yet. How? Where? I continue to procrastinate but I must plant them. Love your outdoor fireplace.

Laetitia Maklouf's avatar

I wouldn’t plant until weather cools down. No rush! Wishing your daughter and ALL year 7s LOVE

Rachel Peppiatt's avatar

Thank you for reminding me to get those bulbs! Ive got the sweet pea seeds but need to get sowing - thank you x

Laetitia Maklouf's avatar

I haven’t even THOUGHT about sweet peas!

Rebecca Jenkins's avatar

This was such a lovely read. Much love to your son - mine is also starting year 7 and it’s not easy.

(And you are an angel for sharing your tulip order - thank you, thank you!)

Laetitia Maklouf's avatar

I’m afraid I’m not very good about my colours but SOME tulips is better than NO tulips! X

Gina Ferrari's avatar

I enjoyed reading this for so many reasons. I really hope your son settles and finds his tribe.

Oh… and I love a museum shop too!

Laetitia Maklouf's avatar

My FAVOURITE kind of shop 💚