A YEAR ON

Hello again everybody! Here I am one year on after starting my fund-raising walk for ANCHOR. What joy it has brought! I could never have predicted just how uplifting and strengthening this experience could be. Not only have I kept my wobbly legs going but also I have made so many new and very special friends – including some four legged ones! Total strangers have approached me – eager to know why I’m out there every day – wobbly or not. Their surprise donations put a new spring in my step and I can never find words adequate to express the gratitude I feel. Of course I’m delighted to add to my total but the additional bonus was the surge of joy when such events occurred. I’m reluctant to tell you that I’m not trusting the wobbly legs as the winter approaches so I have another project in mind to fill the gap.

CLOOTIE AND DUMPLING *currently sold out* 

What on earth has this got to do with fundraising you might reasonably ask. Is it a cooking project? Indeed not! You won’t believe me when I tell you it is actually about two Highland bulls from Kemnay who are the stars of a comical little book I wrote some years ago. It’s called ‘Clootie and the Magic Carpet’ and is based on the light hearted frolics of those two NE brothers. They belonged to a dear friend (sadly taken from us by cancer) who inherited them from the previous owner of a house he had just bought. They were just left in the field looking for their supper.

That’s another story but in this tale it’s Dumpling’s 7th birthday for which he receives a most unusual gift. It’s a magic carpet – something which I myself would love to receive for Christmas or birthday. How often do we all wish we could just drop in to see a loved one who is far away? Dumpling is more bamboozled than delighted but eventually manages to find the magic words for take-off. Mercifully, another character called Phoebe the Flea stows away in his ear and helps keep things under control when circumstances become a bit tricky. Where do they go? Well – to find out you will need a copy which includes a CD in which I read the story for little ones who are still learning to master this skill. Following the words as the child listens can help enlarge vocabulary and create a love of books. Above all it’s fun for both child and parent. I will sign each copy and invite young readers who can to draw a character or, if possible, even write a wee story for me. Best bit is that you will be helping that most amazing charity known as Friends of ANCHOR. I have had cancer three times and their loving support and kindness helped me through my darkest hours. They were there for me in a way that I can never forget. Have fun with Clootie and Dumpling.