Pitmurchie Care Home, Torphins.

I spent a nice afternoon reading and chatting to the residents of Pitmurchie Care Home, Torphins. Aided by the lovely Vivien and her band of carers, the residents listened to some readings and even had a go at writing a collaborative poem of their own. Residents chatted about their memories of shopping and we looked at two of the wonderful books from the 'Pictures to Share' series: 'Shopping in Pictures' and 'The Countryside in Pictures'.

One of the poems that complement the artwork (a spring scene of a ewe with her new-born lamb) in 'The Countryside in Pictures':

A flock of sheep that leisurely pass by,
One after one;
the sound of rain and bees

Murmuring; the fall of rivers,
winds and seas,

Smooth fields, white sheets
of water, and pure sky;

I've thought of all by turns,
and still I lie

Sleepless.

Quotation from 'To sleep' by William Wordsworth

We rounded off the session with a humorous Doric poem, 'A short Cut te Siller', by the late Ian Middleton. The poem tells the story of a young farmhand who marries for money instead of love.



The residents collaborative list poem went like this...

These are a few of our favourite smells...

...A puppy's belly
Roses and daffodils
Violets
A newly-bathed baby
A nice cup of tea
Lavender
Clover
Going to the baker's shop
Posh soap
Fresh air
Pine needles
Home-baking - straight out of the oven
Cinnamon and Christmas
The smell of the sea - salty seaweed
Roast dinner on a Sunday
Honeysuckle and freesias...