The Family Tree

A picture prompt from Magpie Tales

‘Go on then, pick it up.  You can’t deny knowing me.  Yes, I am she, the same she that walked out and abandoned you when you were only three years old. I hoped you wouldn’t be old enough to remember.  It was never my intention to abandon you, merely to escape, find a better life and come back and make things better for both of us.  I hoped that you would be taken care of in a way that I could never hope to do.  I left you in trust, in care with the person I loved and trusted all my life.  I couldn’t stay, I just couldn’t.  But you were too young to know that.  You were too young to understand.  It was all so suffocating, the place, the people and the small town gossip.  But how could I explain that you a three year old with no knowing of how the world worked and weaved outside those white lacy curtains in the drawing room. 

Even today my heart saddens as I recall those strained afternoon teas with the high brow ladies of rich men in the city.  I remember their meek and mild powered faces with spiteful tones and unkind words gushing forth.  I was never really accepted as one of them, merely tolerated because of my marriage to your father.  He was after all a man of great wealth and means.  However, even a man of great wealth and means does not always hold a marriage together.  It takes more, much more.  Maybe you understand that now.  Maybe now that you are older and have found me you understand.

Perhaps even I am not worthy of this bargain price tag of $1.99.  Perhaps the pain of abandonment remains festering within your heart.  Why would you choose to display this picture on your mantelpiece? Why after all this time would you include me in your family tree?   Why would you want to replace my battered picture, the one you’ve always carried in your wallet?  Only you have the answers to these questions, my son. Only you know the reason.’ 

What do you need to be a domestic goddess?

Sometimes it can be difficult to get back on the writing track when one gets caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and living.  Sometimes the creative writing spaces becomes full with additional work schedules, visits to school, doing the laundry, trips to the dentist, the doctor and candlestick maker.  Life as a domestic goddess is not an easy one.  So where and how does one kick start the creative process again? Thankfully inspiration comes from two friends this week, both very creative ladies.


Sewing has never been one of my talents as a domestic goddess.  My domestic science teacher Mrs P would definitely vouch for that if she were around today.  I would like to state for the record that her grey hair (possibly stress induced by my particular class) had nothing to do with my unfinished sewing assignments.  No-one was happier to learn about the invention of velcro more than me!  I was very inspired however when I attended my friend Pat's creative class.  They make all sorts of things there and she has her own website called  MadebyPIN so that you can be creative at home.  Do stop by and have a look.    


Baking is another talent in the armoury of the domestic goddess.  I recall vague words from Mrs P, something about Victoria sponges, shortcrust, puff and choux pastry.  I distinctly remember the sampling stage but have no recall of the baking stage at all.  Strange that.  Thankfully my friend Di at The Bluebell Cafe, a great maker of cakes and all things delightful too, shares great recipes for banana cake and cinnamon cake.  Again worth a visit for some mouth watering treats.


Thank you ladies, how inspirational you have been.  Well that leaves a little time now to do something a little creative before my next blog post.  Now where did I leave that needle and thread?