New shoes

The woman sinks on to a bench in the shopping area and removing her shoes, throws them into a nearby bin. She produces a shiny patent pair from a department store carrier bag and pulls them on with difficulty, before walking off down the street, the price labels flashing on the soles of her feet.

On strike

A toddler sits on the paving slabs, legs outstretched in defiance, while his mother stands calmly nearby, the strap of the walking rein clutched in her hand.

Magpie

Eerie screeching, which rises above our family noise, draws me to the window. An agitated magpie hops from branch to branch of the pear tree, while fat pigeons sit oblivious in the leaves. Hello Mr Magpie, I hope you find whatever you are looking for.

Deluge

The steady rain thuds onto the patio, washing away dirty secrets.

Post-riots

Boarded-up windows reflect what might have been rather than the reality of my neighbourhood, but anxiety tightens its grip.

Rain

A deluge, welcomed by the garden, provides relief from the stifling heat but throws plans into disarray.

Finished

So I've (belatedly) finished the July river of stones.

I don't think I will stop here. I'll continue to visit this blog to post small stones, though probably not every day. And yes, I know I said something similar in January over on my other blog and no, I didn't do it. I don't honestly know often I'll manage to write a stone, but please do keep checking back to see how I'm doing. And if you are interested in writing small stones yourself, do check out Fiona and Kaspa's website at Writing Our Way Home where you can link to all their other activities.

Outside

The smell of a barbecue wafts across the town gardens on a sultry summer afternoon.

Cold drink

Sipping a welcome mango and passionfruit in Starbucks on a hot day, I appreciate that my sensitive tooth was fixed last week.

Memory

When booking an appointment the doctor's receptionist remembers our name and I only have to confirm the address. She can't believe my son is now an adult patient, as she remembers him as a tiny baby.

Physiotherapy

Wobbling on an orange spacehopper, I test my core stability and feel the weakness down one side of my body.

Fashion

The baby tugs at her delightfully spotty green leg warmers, as her mother feeds her a bottle of milk in the coffee shop.

Thirst quencher

The bottle of inviting tropical fruit juice looks suspiciously underfilled. A replacement has to be found before we can pay.

Passport photos

In the pharmacy the young girl stresses because she's left it so late. The boy with her tells her not to be so impatient, she must wait for a member of staff to have time to take her pictures. I'm grateful that the pharmacist serves me first.

Shopping

We eventually part in the town centre to run our separate errands and he gets on a homeward bound bus one stop after me.

Tragedies

The television evening bulletin reminds us of inhumanity and frailty on a day of tragic news.

Bliss

Chocolate cheesecake with a black Americano. Food for the soul whilst chatting to friends.

Floorboards

The house creaks and groans. Audible symptoms of its history or signs of trouble to come?

Exercises

Moving the head left and right, up and down. Perching on a ball and walking in a straight line while undertaking mental exercises. Attempts to rebalance.

Spaghetti

The fresh meat, tiny mushrooms cheese and pasta are silently placed on the counter top, reminding me that it is time to cook dinner.

Dentist

As if predestined, the rain holds off long enough for me to walk to the surgery, have my jumpy tooth refilled and walk home again. Then the torrents return.

Party

Animated chatter from underneath an improvised rain shelter lasts long into the night, the clear laughter of children ringing out way beyond their bedtime.

Clutch

The bus juddered every time the driver changed gear and at times it felt as if he was riding the clutch. I disembark with relief, hoping that the other passengers also reach their destinations without incident.

Lunchtime salad

Salmon nestling amongst crisp leaves and beans, doused in a sweet dressing, a very special treat.

Chips

Chunky fish shop chips are wrapped in paper for the journey home, where they will be eaten with mayonnaise. An overwhelming craving is satisfied.

Waiting

Sitting silently in a corner of the dentist's waiting room, she seldom lifts her gaze from a covered iPad.

Twelve miles

Leaving the traffic behind, a short journey out of town deposits us in what seems like another country.

Magazines

Crisp glossy paper transports into another world and reminds of what might have been.

Pruning

Chopped up branches are crammed into a wheelie bin. The pear tree appears thinner and strangely lopsided.

Charity shop

He seems happy to find a bargain computer game to feed a rekindled obsession. The mother pays up gladly.

Rescue remedy

He takes the tentative first step towards climbing out of the downward spiral triggered by life's unfairness.

Animal parade

Reciting species of animals in alphabetical order, whilst walking up and down the kitchen, proves an impossible task. The physiotherapist smiles.

With friends in the park

A clever teapot decorated with daisies, walnut cake, coffee and chat. Hours well spent.

Hanging baskets

Baubles of cerise, cream and cyclamen brighten an open porch beside a dusty main road.

Study break

He hurries home from the gym then rushes off to play tennis. Boundless energy is evident on the first day of the summer holiday.

Fish pie

The fish, creamy, golden and coral coloured nestles in a herb dotted sauce. When the buttery potato topping is crispy, it is devoured with fresh green beans on the side.

Lucky lights

Pausing at the crossroads the red bus is already visible in the distance. The lights delay it just long enough for me to reach my bus stop safely.

Garden wall

Bricks of a vehicle-damaged wall teeter in an unruly pile, the lasting legacy of a change of tenants.

Rejoining the river of stones

After successfully taking part in the river of stones project in January 2011 on my main blog, I've decided to have another go in July and have set up this dedicated blog for my small stones.

Are you intrigued? If you'd like to join me, you can find everything you need to know on Fiona and Kaspa's blog, a river of stones.

Check back on July 1st for the start of a month of daily small stones...