Dear, Subscriber First Name,I started this newsletter a week ago and then life changed again (as is the wont this year) and I am starting again. I’m sure many of you are familiar with the delightful book and film ‘The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse’ by Charlie Mackay and its gentle wisdom. Obviously the subject line has been influenced by this, as well as a homage, but don’t expect equal insights! The 100 year old woman in the title is my Grandma, Constance Salter, Connie, who died in the early hours of Thursday morning with myself and one of my sister’s with her, after a short illness. She died, as she wished, in her bed and was able to say her goodbyes to most of those she loved, as we were to her. Of course, her death has led to reflection and memories and so I include her in this newsletter to honour those memories and to share some of my musings. What of the tree? The quotation by E.M .Forster is a real reminder to cherish and experience the natural world we have. My Grandma, in her last few years moved to an assisted living complex, after 60 years at her previous home, loved the tree she could see from her living room window. It was a real source of joy as she saw it in all seasons and awaited each with openness and friendship. It was her way of connecting with nature now she was unable to be outside as much as she used to be. She knew the importance in her soul of that connection, even if she did not articulate in that way, the importance that echoes ancient wisdom but also scientific studies that show being in nature is good for health and well-being with at least 120 minutes being the sweet spot.* I was really saddened to hear recently of the survey carried out by the Wildlife Trust** that nearly 1/2 of adults in the UK spend less than 3 hours a week in the natural world, with 1 in 10 less than a hour, despite 90% having such warm and joyous memories of time outside as children. For myself, being outside has been so vital in the past years of family bereavements and difficulties - an integral part of grieving and healing processes, and certainly the last few days I just needed to be back walking and breathing in its solidity, presence and beauty. I do hope you can find solace outside regularly with the vagaries of life and also just to enjoy. The bee! On my Grandma’s sofa there is a humorous knitted bee, about the size of a small cushion. It makes me smile. She received it from a lady in the same ward as her when she was in hospital a few years ago after breaking her hip. It reminds me of my Grandma’s openness and kindness to others and ability to make long term relationships. It also a reminder of those many instances that occur in life that money can’t buy. I needed to be reminded of this by my sisters following my grandma’s passing, as I found myself getting caught up in the financial side that accompanies someone’s death. To further cement this moral, I heard a wonderful play on the way home from Lincoln (where Grandma lived) on Thursday. It was by Kamal Kaan and called Trimerous and was about the lives of three extraordinary women horticulturists, including Beatrix Potter, exploring their difficult relationship with the establishment and how people are remembered. It was beautiful, moving and thought provoking. Do check it out on BBC Sounds. Near the end the character of Beatrix Potter says: ‘Charity is my greatest act of defiance against a cruel world where everything has a price. Let kindness be the currency.’ Yes, yes, yes! So true but so easy to get caught up in the world. I have see such kindness these last few days. Firstly, my Grandma, while she could still communicate, telling everyone how much she loved them and thanking them. In her later years, she was always expressing gratitude to people. Then the kindness of family and friends and the palliative care team and carers involved with Grandma. So many instances of the goodness of people. And with all that is in the papers at the moment it is essential we remind ourselves of that goodness in the world , promote it and strive to be sharers of it too. That’s all - not very profound but I hope it finds some resonance for you. As for my practice and sharing the joy - I have postponed my solo exhibition ‘The year of small things' - I want to give it the time it needs to evolve and it hasn’t been having that enough. I still will be part of the Sweet Briar Marshes inspired show ‘Intertwine’ with the three artist collective Elemental in the autumn and facilitating an accompanying workshop. More details in the next newsletter. I’m excited to have some previous work for sale in the Artdepot exhibition, Counterpoint - now running and details below - as well as a display of some work in progress and my process there. I am invigilating this Monday 8th June all day, so would love to say hello if you can pop in then. Creative Nature workshops continue and I am delighted to be asked to do a Natural leaf printing workshop for the GroWild Kindergarten group but for adults as they are trying to branch out to encourage people to enjoy their woodland site while being creative. Details should be coming soon on their instagram https://www.instagram.com/growild_kindergarten_norwich and website https://www.growildkindergarten.co.uk/ So wishing you nature filled times, experiences of kindness and continuing creative adventures warm wishes, Rachel *https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44097-3 ** https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/25/half-of-uk-adults-say-they-spend-less-than-three-hours-a-week-outside-in-nature Do what best awakens you to love Teresa de Avila
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