Ipsden Church, Oxon: patchwork altar frontal, detail of forget-me-not (hand embroidered by Mary Addison)

Lots of projects not quite finished, broadband playing up, my computer insisting that my start up disc is full (leading to an unscheduled trip to London to pick daughter No 3’s computer savvy brain)  and a cat that disappears just as we need to basket her vetwards (and then reappears just when she should be entering the vet’s consulting room several miles away)…all mean that I have a meagre amount of sewing to show. So, wasn’t it lucky that I was working on something small, like a forget-me-knot? The pale mauve opium poppy I’ve been planning (to coincide with the glorious field full of the things behind the vicarage) would never have got off the ground – especially as I need to dye a tiny bit of white silk ever so slightly mauve before I embroider it (do I open a large packet of dye or do I try diluted violet ink? I think i’ll go for the ink option first?) .

M & S lavender shortcake biscuits

Biscuit making is also on hold – last Sunday I was racing to London for computer assistance and this Sunday the vicar is only scheduled for the 11 am service (to which I take biscuits if we have a 9.30 am service but don’t bake for specifically – though, now I think of it, there’s no reason why I shouldn’t). Squash, biscuits and chocolate cake has also finished in the library as most exams are over and the undergraduates have gone down. I have recently been toying with the idea of making lavender shortcake but just can’t quite get excited enough to get on and do it. So, the sight of  the above pretty mauve tin of lavender shortbread in M&S ( the last one on the shelf),  proved irresistible – and the morning’s staff meeting agenda was expanded to include biscuit tasting. (Verdict: very subtle flavour, perhaps somewhat medicinal. Undecided as to whether to make them myself. A rather nice tin.)

Unusual mauve and white pansies

The Church of England often seems to have little time for the role of  the rural parish priest, so I thought a little snapshot of my husband’s life in general and today in particular might be interesting. From  May to September 8 wedding were scheduled in his 2 churches – well, 3 churches actually as one wedding is to be in a redundant church, also under his aegis (no roof, tiny covered apse; weddings require an archbishop’s certificate, which on this occasion has come in good time – Phew). The vicar has now reached the half way mark in the wedding tally, having taken 4. Each couple meet him several times (so they can get to know him and he them) and have informal discussion about all aspects of the wedding . There is always a rehearsal to go through the choreography of the service and to put the couple at ease. (Reassurance that a nod constitutes affirmation should emotion render them beyond speech usually ensures bride and groom find their voice on the day.  I’m not sure this is legal but thinking it might be seems to have the desired effect. Double Phew.) Some couples have come from privileged backgrounds, some have not. All have in common ‘a seriousness of intent’ which is the vicar’s yardstick in these matters.

Pretty mauve and white pansies

To today: this morning, at 8.30, as we are hunting the cat for a 9am appointment,  emails are flying back and forth with order of service queries about the next wedding in 10 days time and then comes a telephone call to book a christening in September. We catch the cat, go – late – to the vet and return at 9.30. Shortly after we get in, there is another phone call – about a parishioner’s death that morning – “I’ll come up immediately” and the vicar is off. Within a few hours of the death the family are in contact with local funeral directors, reassured that burial in the churchyard is fine and have fixed a day and time for the funeral. And all before coffee time.

There is another christening booked for late July and there may quite possibly be 2 others before the end of the year. All 4 couples were married here by the vicar in the last 4 years. And I haven’t even mentioned art exhibitions, art history talks, monthly day chaplaincy at the cathedral or his own research work and family life. The vicar is what used to be called a non-stipendiary, house-for-duty minister (i.e. no pay but a rent free house) but the term, rather ominously, has changed to ‘self supporting minister’. Not only does he support himself (and me of course), but he is quite often the most senior cleric in the team when the other priests are on holiday or have other commitments (7 churches + the redundant one). A doddle for someone who might have retired completely 12 years ago. Now when did we last see those slippers…