May 8, 2024:
As spring finally begins to kick in after what has seemed like the longest ever winter, RF Create is feeling optimistic…. and creative! We’re hoping you are too.
Over the past year we’ve been giving you themes to help guide and inspire, but it occurred to us that many of you will have all kinds of creative stuff just ready to be shared that doesn’t necessarily fit a prescribed mould. So we’re throwing our metaphorical doors open and inviting you to share any poems, photos, paintings and drawings, craft, food, sounds or indeed anything you have created that you’d like others to see.
We know that some of you still love a little guidance, so don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten you! ‘Animals’ is your prompt for the next few weeks; it could be a photo of your favourite pet, something you’ve made, a piece of writing, a collage of animal noises set to a funky original track…there are no limits! I managed to capture this serene little robin (right) while on a walk in Clifton, Bristol.
And L.S. Sweeney, a volunteer with RF’s The Haven service in Lancashire, sent us a gorgeous poem which we’re delighted to share with you below.
David Mitchell, RF Create
March 9, 2024:
A puzzle for you – how is it that, during winter, time seems to simultaneously fly by, yet also drag its heels interminably?
Every year without fail, I find myself saying, how are we in March already? It seems we’re no sooner ushering in the new year than we’re seeing the first of the daffodils pop up, and savouring those tantalising, albeit still infrequent, signs of spring weather. January and February have whizzed by in a flash, and good riddance to them. And yet…. didn’t they somehow seem to go on forever? Dark and bleak, shorn of the pre-Christmas glow and colour, the months when winter truly takes its grip.
In our bid to bring some cheer to these grey days, we asked –
“what does the word ‘warm’ mean to you. The roar of a fire, a cosy blanket, a favourite jumper or a mug of your preferred hot drink? The daring story of a kitten rescue from a chimney top by the local fire brigade? Snuggling up to a loved one, or closing your eyes, dreaming of warmer climes and pretending it’s not winter?!”
For me it’s light. During February each year, Bristol hosts a festival in which public buildings are lit up in bright colours, with light-based art installations all over the city. The glow this brings to chilly, dark nights always gives me a lift and feeling of warmth. A few pics I’ve taken at the festival over the years are on the right and below.
A few selections are here, but until spring officially dawns it’s still not too late to submit your entries; whether it be through poetry, prose, arts, crafts, sounds, film or food, we’d love to hear from you!’
David Mitchell, RF Create
Adorable crochets by Lucy, RF Braeside
