White seemed to pop up everywhere at the weekend. Washing on the line, the dark purple stemmed Hydrangea nigra having its best season ever, the yellow eyed panicles on the Buddleias, clouds in the bluest of summer skies, cream (vegan, obviously) poured over a rhubarb and ginger crumble, a vase full of cheap supermarket roses, a coffee stop in the market town up the road.
That smidgeon of a different colour? Here's the story. One of my good friends, who happens to be a bit younger than me, is about to be offered a new job, an exciting job, an important job, a job with a high profile, a job which comes with with an eyewateringly high salary. And 'benefits'. It also happens to be my dream job, the job I aspired to, the job I hoped would be the 'high' on which my professional life closed.
Regular visitors here will remember that, a few years ago when I was dealing with a cancer diagnosis, I made the decision to leave full time paid employment forever (I was working as a university lecturer at the time, something of a change of direction). It was the right decision, one I don't regret, though several unexpected consultancy projects in the intervening period have provided welcome opportunities to 'keep a hand in' and bolster the bank account.
So, my friend's news. I'm chuffed for her. Yes, I really am. I admit, she did surprise me when telling me recently that she'd retained a copy of everything I've written professionally and had used the material in her current role, in the spirit of 'I wonder if Liz has produced anything along thoses lines?' I mean, even I haven't bothered to keep copies of all my work. But she's competent, confident, experienced, funny and will be a breath of fresh air in her new post. Still, I have been feeling envious. Just fleetingly. Okay, hands up, maybe a bit more than fleetingly.
As Kermit said, it's not easy being green.