Thursday 8 November 2012

Is there anything to smile about?

At this time of the year it is often difficult to find anything to smile about regarding the weather here in the Yorkshire Dales.   Alright, the sun is shining and it is not raining - there you have a couple of pluses; but on the other hand there is a strong Northerly wind blowing and it is bitterly cold.   Added to this, the weather has been so wet over the last few months that all the fields are full of holes where the beast have trodden.   You take your life (or rather your ankles) in your hands every time you make a step forward.   It is gradually drying up everywhere, but there is not much joy to be had from a walk in the fields.

The hedgerows are more or less bare - just a few berries on the topmost boughs of the holly and a few hazelnuts here and there on the hazel trees.   That is about it.  So the winter visitors will have small pickings and quickly move on.




So this afternoon, walking round the fields with the farmer, I determined to find at least four things which were likely to make me feel better about the forthcoming Winter - likely to make me feel that however dire the weather gets, if one looks carefully enough, there will always be something to get pleasure from.

So, here are the four things I found, for what they are worth.
Beautiful patches of lichen on an old gate; the last few glowing rose hips not taken by the birds; honesty seed pods under the hedge; the last couple of roses in the garden.

Another thing to smile about today is that my dear friend, M, who has been in hospital for a few weeks, is coming home today.   I have just taken her some eggs from my hens - with their golden yolks they are bound the cheer her up.

Enjoy the sunshine if you are here in the UK.   If you are in the US - then I hope you got the President you wished for - and if you didn't then you can't help but admire Romney's graciousness in defeat. 

8 comments:

John Going Gently said...

you big old optamist you!

Bovey Belle said...

Ah, the power of positive thought. I need to do the same, so will add:

OH and I had a lovely walk for a mile or so and then back again, along by our beautiful river.

I only had to stop once coming up our steep hill - despite me thinking it would be 6 stops at least!

It's steak and kidney for tea.

It's my husband's birthday tomorrow, so we will be off to Hay-on-Wye for the day, then wine on our return. (Plus middle daughter's home for the weekend).

MorningAJ said...

Even in the middle of winter Yorkshire is beautiful. If you still have the view - you still have something to smile about.

I like your photos though.

Heather said...

We just have to look a bit harder for those things to make us smile at this time of year - I do like the four you chose to photograph. There is water lying in fields down here too in some areas, but of course it is milder and there are still a lot of leaves on the trees, many of which haven't changed colour yet. We usually get our coldest weather after New Year, but after such a strange summer who knows what might happen.

jill said...

I think we are very lucky to live in such a beautiful place Pat,I always think if you go for a walk you dont have to go far to see something that will make you smile,a little bird singing,little animals playing many things if you just take time to look.Enjoyed your photos.Love Jill xx

Cloudia said...

We are blissed that Barack will continue!


Thank you, Dear



Aloha from Honolulu
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Crafty Green Poet said...

It can often be difficult to find positives about November, but I certainly like your list and photos!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Not so much of the 'big' and 'old' John - otherwise I agree with you.
Today is cold, windy and damp and I am finding it slightly harder to be optimistic about anything. Thanks for calling.