Mum and I continued to set up for the sea festival today. Three weeks to go, and I cannot believe this might be my last one at home.
We sat at the kitchen table, working on the decorations. Mum had soaked the tulips overnight in the same bucket we had used since I was four. So continue the same motions as the years all the way back into the past. Dipping each plant into the salt. Twisting the stems into a fish shape, and leaving them to dry on the windowsill. I wanted to keep them hanging up all year round when I was little.
Our carved wooden soldiers and submarines are already out on the side table, and Mum has been marinating oranges for the ration cake for the last four days. Many of the cars flying past the windows already have their dolphins painted on their doors. Everything is coming together, but still so much to do.
Link has got me working on the decorations at the Stitch too. Mr Chanson wants something on or near every cage, and a display for the veterans too. Lots of admin to clear, and an actual budget, with real electronics. The squids actually light up! Real whirring cogs in the memorial! But I prefer sitting here at the kitchen table, dipping our tulips.
We had our first proper chat about Deni in-between making shapes. Turned out to be one of those conversations that takes a while to get going, but we reach a steady flow eventually. I think she was trying to work out what words to say. Fingers crossed before I go I can get to a stage where they no longer need to be considered.
If I go.
In the end we had agreed to have them round for the sea festival. Positive. But this decision has also set up a checklist of frantic decisions in my mind. What is Deni going to do when we are eating the quorn octopus? Are they going to stay overnight in my room? Will they talk during our five minutes of thinking about Dad? It seems mean to worry about these small concerns, but these are high stakes when meeting Mum.
We must not discuss the Butter Mouse either.
The other one.
First year we are expecting storms at the festival since Dad was here. But the decorations are complete, and the magic is starting to build in the air. My favourite times of year is about to kick in.
Clip: Another calmer, more meditative clip. Look at the way those creatures move! Is their whole world a sea planet? Are these clips of different parts of the same solar system? So many questions….