[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 27 July 2026].
he died of a broken arm
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 1 October 2024].
While reviewing photos to edit and share with you from my wander through the Bishop's Stortford Old Cemetery while sitting Betsy and Dudley a month ago, a new writing project idea struck.
Inspired by a combination of some of the inscriptions in the cemetery, personal memories and a conversation with a friend this evening about death. Specifically, euthanasia.
The words gently edging towards my fingertips aren't all about death, let alone euthanasia.
The ideas gently swirling aren't perhaps as melancholy as what I've written above may suggest (and how can you write about death without writing about life?)
But I'm probably feeling a bit too raw and tired (emotionally and physically) to pour those thoughts out in the wee hours of this particular morning.
So, instead, here's a photo I took of a grave I found paired with an irreverent title to lighten the mood.
Unrelated (maybe): have you heard the new single from The Cure, Alone?
I've listened to it a lot since it came out, but I only just properly listened while watching the lyric video (as I went to find the link for you) and took in the words and the visuals they've chosen, and I teared up for so many reasons.
And then the comments.
shot through the heart
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 27 October 2023].
crucifixion
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 7 April 2023].
On a rainy day in late September 2021, I was returning from a few days away in West Sussex with my friend and fellow photographer, Phil.
That day, I was scheduled to return to finish my first cat-sitting with the kittehs I'm currently sitting.
Shiloh is nestled in my lap as I type this, despite my semi-regularly lifting her off my lap to go to the fridge or the bathroom during the past few hours of photo editing. When I do that, she gives me a Marge Simpson-like sound of disapproval.
I had an off-peak return ticket to London from Chichester, which meant I could take any train on any permitted route to get back to London within a month of the original booking.
Arundel was on the route back, so we drove there and wandered through the drizzle. Visiting a bookstore. Visiting Arundel Cathedral and the nearby St Nicholas' Church and its churchyard. And having food in a local cafe before Phil dropped me at the station for the next train.
Coincidentally, the train I had planned to be on was cancelled. But I digress.
In the churchyard of St Nicholas' Church, we experienced drizzle, rain, the beautiful after-rain sunlight and the saturated hues post-rain brings to stonemasonry, plant life and... well, everything.
In the churchyard, we also found this elaborate crucifixion scene.
At the time, I presumed it was a monument for someone with a lot of money. Perhaps with a name in the local community.
But, in retrospect, I presume it was installed by the church. Though I can't find anything online to confirm or deny that.
Since I took these photos, I've been keen to share them, but I knew I had to share them as a series, not as individual photographs. And, obviously, Easter is a timely point to share them.
I didn't capture a long shot showing all the participants in this act of mourning together. But, from the individual photographs and the photographs of Christ and the two women, I'm sure you get a sense of the scene.
I presume (with my limited atheist knowledge) the two women closest to Christ are his mother, Mary, and Mary Magdalene. A quick Google search tells me the man is unlikely to have been Christ's father, Joseph.
Earlier today, I tried calibrating the monitor I'm working on, but I'm unsure how successful I've been. Hopefully, successful enough that I don't have to redo the edits on these photographs over the coming days.
Happy Easter to those who celebrate it.
jesus christ pose
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 17 January 2023].
enwreathed
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 5 December 2022].
It's that time of year again.
I would usually have started sharing these on 1 December. But life has been stressful lately, with slow and calming kitteh punctuations which I've latched onto to take much-needed mental, emotional and physical breaks.
I'm incredibly behind on everything.
I hope to catch up this month, but apologies in advance if I fall behind again.
the sacred heart of balmoral
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 16 September 2022].
pietà
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 8 March 2022].
of hearts and flowers
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 27 June 2021].
Another long overdue catch-up with another lovely friend today. One who's also recently gone through a break-up.
Victoria invited me to Paris to stay with her almost ten years ago. She wandered through Pere Lachaise Cemetery with me as I took the images from my stained glass series.
So good to message with her today, despite the circumstances that brought us together this time around.
sign of the cross
[I originally posted this image as early access for my Patreon patrons on 23 May 2021].
his sacred heart
[I originally posted this image as early access for my Patreon patrons on 4 April 2021].
in mourning
[I originally posted this image as early access for my Patreon patrons on 3 April 2021].
many hands make light work
[I originally posted this image as early access for my Patreon patrons on 3 April 2021].
fall at your feet
[I originally posted this image as early access for my Patreon patrons on 2 April 2021].
the crucifixion
[I originally posted this image as early access for my Patreon patrons on 2 April 2021].
(not a) good friday
[I originally posted this image as early access for my Patreon patrons on 2 April 2021].
crown of thorns
[I originally posted this image as early access for my Patreon patrons on 14 March 2021].
double-crossed
[I originally posted this image as early access for my Patreon patrons on 15 January 2021].
with open arms #153
[I originally posted this image as early access for my Patreon patrons on 7 February 2021].
with open arms #105
[I originally posted this image as early access for my Patreon patrons on 24 January 2021].