Johnny head-in-air

Friday June 2, 2000

The labours of the day, though worthy, were tiresome.

When I put down my pen this morning, and clicked the off-switch on the computer, I had had enough of labour. I wanted no more than to sit quietly in the garden for the whole day, doing nothing, perhaps reading a little but mainly doing nothing except to look at the sky now and again to be sure it was still there.

So it was with the utmost reluctance I dragged the auld body out for lunch at St John’s and a tour of the garden centres. Holes in the plantings appeared during the winter and need to be filled, and we have a hankering for an additional water feature.

Sitting over lunch I looked out at the sky. Still there.

Searching through rank on rank of shrubs and plants all begging to be taken home and loved I stood up to stretch my back, and looked at the sky. Still there.

…a chunk of Japanese stone work destined to become the new water feature

Selecting a chunk of Japanese stone work destined to become the new water feature, I peered up. Still there.

And when we got home, unpacked and settled our purchases, watered the new plants so’s they’d be safe over-night, I collapsed, worn out, in my garden chair and sat for a while, watching the steam from my coffee wisping up into the sky. Yes, still there.

I confess it, then. I’ve not really been here today. My body was tired and my spirit would really rather have been elsewhere, looking at the sky.

Do not despair
For Johnny head-in-air;
He sleeps as sound
As Johnny underground.

From For Johnny
John Pudney

Yes, still there