Dr Clare Forder

@parker__farquer Poor Arthur. But yes, my *immediate* thought was that your dazzling youth was on your side.

@clforder21 It hurts 😥 But my youth and agility will help.

Update : I'm in hospital with a fractured pelvis and fractured arm. I don't need surgery so that's good.

@parker__farquer Hmm. I think that is wise. How are you doing?

@clforder21 I'm beginning to have my suspicions, Dr C

@parker__farquer @CountMoriarty Now you're talking.

@clforder21 @CountMoriarty They're ok. A dark chocolate gingernut though....

Remember when Twitter was all about favourite biscuits and proving that mushy peas were anathema to polite society? Good times.

@parker__farquer @CountMoriarty Ok, a good calibre of biscuit there. But what about a chocolate Hobnob?

@clforder21 @CountMoriarty I like a gingernut, Dr C. And others.

@parker__farquer @CountMoriarty Which biscuits do you like, Arthur? This is important stuff.* * <Whispers> Much like how mushy peas are delicious, especially with ketchup.

@CountMoriarty Well done. You can be on my team.

@CrazyVibes_1 When I first saw the photo before reading your post, I thought these were shop bought! They're great! Certainly beyond anything I could ever produce & definitely better than much of the stuff you do actually see in the shops. I really hope this reignites your son's love of craft.

My son hasn't spoken at school in four months. Complete selective mutism since the kids started calling him "the weird craft boy" who makes things instead of playing sports at recess. He's eleven and autistic, and art class used to be the only place he felt safe until his teacher told him his projects were "too babyish for middle school." He stopped making anything, stopped talking about his ideas, just came home every day and disappeared into his room with the door closed. Last week he was watching me work on snowman decorations for my online shop, these whimsical couples I make and sell for people's holiday mantels. Didn't say anything, just sat on the couch observing while I hot-glued fabric scarves and painted faces. Then two days ago I came home from work and found him in the garage surrounded by foam balls and fabric scraps he'd pulled from my supply bins, hands covered in paint, completely absorbed in creating these two figures. He'd been working for six hours straight without stopping, something he hasn't done since his teacher destroyed his confidence. He made himself and his little sister. The boy snowman has the same serious expression my son gets when he's concentrating, the same careful attention to detail in every button and hat decoration. The girl snowman is wearing pink because that's all his sister will wear lately, has flowers on her scarf because she picks dandelions for him every day after school. This is his first complete project since September, the first thing he's made that wasn't for a grade or an assignment, just pure creation because he wanted to express something he couldn't say with words. When he finished he asked if people would think they were stupid, if kids at school would make fun of them like they make fun of everything else he makes. I told him they were incredible and he needed to see that I wasn't just saying it because I'm his mom. He finally agreed to let me post this after two days of me begging, but he's been refreshing my phone every ten minutes checking for comments, needing to know if anyone besides me thinks he's talented. I buy a lot of my supplies from other crafters online, and I keep showing him their work trying to prove that handmade art matters, that people value things made with this much heart and skill. So what do you think? He's reading over my shoulder right now, hands still shaking slightly, waiting to see if anyone else sees what I see. Credit - Katie Thomson

@silverpebble This is wonderful, I'm really enjoying looking at your creations. It's very calming. I found the tiny owl but cannot find the stag!

My mental health declined pretty badly last week & I still feel as though I'm at the bottom of a well in the dark, but some of you asked for more photos like the hunt-the-tiny-owl one I made recently & I so wanted to try to make an advent calendar for you so here's a start: some lovely things that fell off trees & this time a tiny deer stag🦌to find. As ever making my photos is creative medicine for my brain-it changes my brain biochemistry & makes me feel slightly more alive. If you like this photo, find the stag, maybe enjoyed the process & would like more photos like this maybe let me know below...

@parker__farquer So sorry to hear this, Arthur. Hope you're ok. Keep prosecco to hand at all times.

Thank you very much for all of your kind words. I couldn't reply to some without replying to all so I read all the words and drank Prosecco. I know you'll understand. ❤️

@parker__farquer Thought as much.

@clforder21 He's like a saint but I might have to kill him soon.

Today I managed to walk 50 METRES to my nail technician. Here they are against the backdrop of Angus the Attack Poodle's fur.

@parker__farquer Sounds painful still but I hope it heals soon and that Mr F is looking after you.

@clforder21 Oh yes, Dr C. I have all sorts going on on/in my knee, but with rest and relaxation I should be tickety boo in 4 to 6 weeks.

@bertsbooks @KatieLHWrites Great book!

@KatieLHWrites I liked The Eights!

I have an #ImportantFridayQuestion What's your favourite book of the year so far? (Your answer may be noted and influence the Berties, so choose carefully)

@parker__farquer I hope you do and I hope you feel better soon.

@clforder21 It hurts, Dr C. Still, I think I'll find out today what's happened to it.

Angus the Attack Poodle is busy this morning

@parker__farquer On the edge of my seat, Arthur. The edge. How is your leg?

@clforder21 So it does. Not yet, but I'll let you know as soon as it happens.

@parker__farquer Oh dear. I hope they grow a little bigger.

@clforder21 An inch?

Look how seductive I am when I have some sort of allergic reaction.

@parker__farquer Tell me more about these hopes. How high are they?

@clforder21 It's easing slightly, Dr C. Still scratching, but I have high hopes.

@parker__farquer What did you do?

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