Linchpins of our Lives....

Hi there everyone. Well, here we are in the month of February, and, my goodness, I am so glad to see the back of January. I am well aware that I say this every single year. You would think by now (and at my advanced age!) that I could come up with a way of dealing with that dreaded month .... but, no! Every month I moan about it (and I'm not really one of life's moaners - truly I'm not!!).

Anyway, here we are in the month of February, and the days are gradually getting longer. Oh, deep joy!  For some reason, this month always gives me hope.  I think it's because the garden is very slowly starting to awaken, with the pretty snowdrops everywhere, and daffodils starting to appear once again in the garden. 

I was casually thinking about life the other day, as you do, and thinking just what WAS important in our lives. I think this dreaded Pandemic has really focused our mind on that. Whilst lots of different things bring us joy and give us moments of happiness, I think most of us would agree that the linchpin of our lives are family and friendships.  I think the absence of hugs over the past couple of years, has been a really big thing. Thankfully, I am now getting hugs from the family again, but I've noticed that even very good friends are much more reticent to hug each other at the moment, which is quite sad. 

This next photo shows a nice cosy scene and the image after that is a pic of my Summer garden. 

I hope you are all looking forward to brighter days once again - although many of you, of course, will have Autumn approaching, and the shorter days - and so the Seasons come and go. I am just thankful to be able to enjoy another year of looking forward to Spring, to hear the birdsong and to see the garden bloom once again. 

I wish you all many happy and joyful moments in the year ahead, and I hope you will feel loved. 

The World Has Been Turned Upside down...

Hallo everyone. I think we would all agree that these are strange and worrying times that we are living in. At the moment, here in the U.K., restrictions were slowly lifted yesterday, so that we can see our grandchildren or a couple of friends in our own garden. That was a lovely moment for a lot of grandparents, and I am thankful that at least two of mine live close by, so I was able to spend a few hours with them.  I know that, for many, it's still going to be a while before families are able to see each other again, as opposed to on a screen! 

My eldest granddaughter is also allowed out for certain periods over in Madrid, and I'm happy for her.

I was going to say that things are very slowly getting back to normal, but that would be wrong. I think we are going to have to get used to a different kind of normal for quite a while to come. I'm certainly in no rush to go out to the shops. Many shops are now open and more will open in a couple of weeks, but, because of the social distancing rule, there are long queues.  

Everyone's top priority should be to keep themselves, their loved ones, and the wider community safe, but I'm sure that many people are feeling anxious or frustrated. To be honest, much of the media coverage doesn't help. They seem to only focus on the negative stories and frightening headlines. Whereas we all know how people are pulling together in our own Communities and doing a fantastic job. These are just ordinary people who are trying to show the very best side of humanity. 

Someone mentioned that we are actually living through History - many years ahead people will look back at what is happening now, and be amazed at how much the world had to change. 

I wish I had written those beautiful words! I think not  being able to hug our family and friends during this time is very hard .... oh, and not being able to visit a Hairdresser!  Over here, we still have many weeks to go. At least I have Benji booked in at the Groomers in the 18th June. He's starting to look like a little teddy bear 🙈.

We have had amazing weather here in heavenly Devon during lockdown, over the months of March, April and May, with almost 700 hours of sunshine. The most since records began and absolutely unheard of. Even though a lot of people have just been working on their gardens, they look as if they've been on Mediterranean holidays! ☀️☀️

I really can't end this Post without mentioning the tragic events that are happening in America at the moment, as the world watches on in horror. Black lives really DO matter - it's time to end this terrible injustice. The worst thing is - how many years have we been saying that, and still it goes on. My prayers are for all Americans, that you may all come together.

 I hope this Post hasn't been too depressing a read for you today, as I usually like to be positive on here - not spreading doom and gloom. Anyway, please take care and look after yourselves. ❤️

First Day of Spring

Hallo one and all, on this, the first day of Spring,  I always love saying that.... the first day of Spring!  It always fills me with hope, and, like the rest of you just getting through Winter, I'm sure you're thankful for the longer days ahead. 

On my personal Facebook page, along with my Instagram page, I am having a break from social media for the period of Lent, but I felt I had to celebrate the onset of Spring here on my Blog!

Am I missing checking Facebook and Instagram each day. Well, I suppose I am, as there is quite a little Community out there, and the majority of people are very supportive and encouraging. 

However, part of me thinks, are people REALLY interested in what I've been up to or, in the case of Instagram, when I've been out for a delicious meal, and sharing a picture to prove it?!  We live in strange times these days, when everything, it seems, has to be 'out there'.  

 But then, the same could be said of me writing this Blog - are people REALLY interested in whatever I may have to say?  Anyway, as you can see from these photos, the weather here in heavenly Devon has decided to be kind to us on this first day of Spring, albeit in between the showers, but I'll take that.

It's so lovely having daffodils fresh from the garden. They really do bring a splash of sunshine into the home. 

The other big news of the week, of course, is the spread of the Corona Virus, which is quite worrying. My eldest granddaughter, who is studying for her Masters at Madrid University, has already had a trip to Shanghai cancelled, and my eleven year old grandson is due to travel to Normandy in France, with the College, leaving this Friday. I think it will be a case of 'watch this space' on that one. 

Well, I hope you're all keeping well in your little corner of the world. Take care, and I'm sure I will be popping in again fairly soon. 

I Will Not Wish You Riches .....

I thought I would just drop in, to wish you all a lovely weekend. After day after day of torrential rain, and gale force winds, we have big ☀️ suns forecast for the weekend. so I shall definitely be getting outside and taking the pup for some nice walks. 

A friend gave me this little gift many, many years ago. She made it herself, and I thought I would share it with you here today. The actual words come from an inscription on a Church wall in Upwaltham, here in England. 

I've often thought that life needs encouragement. Perhaps more these days than ever before, with so much pressure all around us, especially on young people it would seem. To be honest, I'm grateful that social media wasn't around when my two daughters were growing up, because it leads to pressure on parents as well, trying to keep on top of what sites their children/teens are going on. 

How can this encouragement take place? Through YOU!  Through each and every one of US.  We can be the voice of encouragement. The arms that can help to lift the burden from others. You are the smile that can be a blessing to others, which can give them HOPE.  For without hope, we have nothing. 

It can take courage to be there for others .... sometimes we would rather be doing other things, but it is so important to try to reach out. How many times have we, ourselves, said "I'm fine...", when maybe, actually, we are far from feeling fine. We all do it, don't we?  To simply listen can sometimes help another person so much. Just to let them know that we understand, and we are there for them. 

So whatever you do this weekend, leave a trail of light for someone else to follow. It might help them more than you will ever know. 

Have a lovely weekend everyone, and remember to be kind to yourself also. 

Farewell 2016....

 

So my friends,  another year is almost at an end, and we will soon move into 2017. I hope you all enjoyed the festive season amongst those you love.  I don't think 2016 has been one of our better years. So many famous people left us, starting right at the beginning of the year, and continuing right up to the end of the year. Many died far too young, and that is always a cause for sadness. 

There was political upheaval, particularly in my Country and the United States of America, and I'm sure there is more of that to come in other countries around the world. Then, of course, we had the terrible atrocities caused by terrorists, with so much loss of life.  Major terrorist attacks occurred in Brussels, Nice, Syria and Orlando.  These are the ones that made headlines, but there were, in fact, more than 100 terrorist attacks in 2016.  

We can only pray that there will be more peace and understanding in the year of 2017. We must all stay strong and continue to believe that good will overcome evil....it has to...for the sake of  our children and our grandchildren. One of my favourite words is 'kindness' but, at the beginning of a new year, the word 'hope' always springs to mind. 

 

Anyway, as you know, this Blog isn't supposed to be all about doom and gloom. We get enough of that when we watch the News every day, don't we?! Why do the Media almost always dwell on the bad things that are happening around us. Why aren't all the good things celebrated?  All the unsung heroes....ordinary, everyday people, that spend their days doing good and caring for others in their home or in their communities.  

I suppose, at the end of each year, we all feel a little reflective, thinking of times gone past, and family and friends that are no longer with us. Perhaps we should all learn to 'seize the day" or Carpe Diem as a Roman poet said back in the dark ages!! As for me, on a personal level, I will be celebrating (if that's the right word!) my 70th birthday in April.  I have lost many friends who have died far too young, so I feel blessed to be approaching that age.  I still like to think that I'm young at heart, and I don't think that will change!  I think we all know people who seem to be middle-aged when they are  only in their thirties, whereas there are other people in their 90's who are an inspiration to us all.  Me? I intend to wear purple, and grow old disgracefully. 

So then, at the end of this Post, it only remains for me to wish you all a happy, healthy, peaceful and fulfilling New Year.  Let's make this year an  amazing one  for all of us.  We can do this!

 

 

 

 

New Year quotes courtesy of Pinterest.com