14 Comments
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Charlotte 1202's avatar

Ronnie , I am thinking of you and wishing you well. I can’t think of any more special words. I hope your treatment is swift and this time falls behind you and Sarah. Thank you for all your walks around Liverpool and inspiring words. I’ve enjoyed your writing for a long time.

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Ronnie Hughes's avatar

Thank you Charlotte, and for all the time. I’m feeling reasonably at peace, and confident. For the knowing what the problem is, and in the care of NHS people with the skills to fix it.

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Jo Thompson's avatar

A beautiful collection of garden literature - I don’t know Seed to Dust and will seek out! Thank you so much

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Ronnie Hughes's avatar

A later life reflective gem by a jobbing gardener who was once a mole catcher!

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Deborah Vass's avatar

I have just caught up with your last post having read this. I am very glad to have found your writing here and I am so sorry you have had what must have been a very frightening and unsettling episode. I am very glad you are receiving such wonderful care.

It seems we share many favourite gardening books! I love Christopher Lloyd's writing, even if I have to keep looking up his suggestions! In case you haven't read it, you may like Penelope Lively's " Life in the garden" too as she writes so beautifully.

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Ronnie Hughes's avatar

Thanks Deborah, this second time was frightening as it was happening. But at least I knew what it was, what was causing it. And what will now need doing. Though all that was of little comfort at the time, of course.

I do remember looking at the Penelope Lively book a few years ago, but once I realised it wasn’t a novel I read no further. But I’ll go and find it again now, as it’s time has clearly come.

And I like the way both Christopher Lloyd and Beth Chatto treat making gardens - with all their variables of taste, climate, soils, seasons and emotions - as more of an art form than a practice which can be specified. They make suggestions only and based on their own experiences, which of course widely and gloriously differ. I got rid of some more grass yesterday by widening a border and could almost hear Christo cheering behind me as I chucked each piece of turf into the wheel-barrow.

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Pamela Ball's avatar

Ronnie we dont know each other but Ive followed you on twitter and enjoyed your walks vicariously through your wonderful writing for years. I know your spiritual path has been non traditional and your search for it long....I hope you will accept my prayers from the heart to whatever makes the universe wonderful that your health is maintained and your joy de vivre is ongoing. Thanks for continuing to share your path and your words with us. I really really enjoy them. All the best.....

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Ronnie Hughes's avatar

Thank you Pamela, I’m glad you’ve come and found my writing in this new place and I’m more than happy to be grateful for your prayers. Though my spiritual path has been as you say, non-traditional, it’s still spiritual. (And I wrote a bit about its current state a few weeks ago here https://ronniehughes.substack.com/p/a-writers-wishes)

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Ron Davies's avatar

Good to hear your voice Ronnie. Keep on doing what you do so well and here’s to a new lease of life with your heart.

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Ronnie Hughes's avatar

Thank you Ron, very good to hear from you. Just got to keep the existing machinery working a bit longer yet, with some more walks up that hill.

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Liz's avatar

Good morning Ronnie….sweet peas, lupins and foxgloves …they sound so lovely! And hearing your voice sounded lovely too,I enjoyed listening

So much to look ahead to,when your valve is replaced,a new lease of life for you 🙏 Our NHS doctors and nurses are wonderful and quietly get on with performing miracles every day.

Have a good Tuesday!

Thanks for the info on Chester library🌸

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Ronnie Hughes's avatar

Thank you Liz. I’m enjoying doing these talking bits.

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Eirlys McCann's avatar

Such a calming read this morning. Being outside in nature is a powerhouse of healing. Thank you for sharing your gardening story and your wisdom.

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Ronnie Hughes's avatar

Thank you. And for calling it wisdom.

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