Friday 25 January 2013

Waiting.

Here we are all waiting with bated breath for a supposed blizzard of 20cm of snow later on today as a warm front coming in from the West meets a cold front over here.   It is set to meet over the Pennines about four o'clock this afternoon and result in blizzards with strong winds.   We are all becoming so sophisticated in our use of words like 'isobars', 'fronts' and the like aren't we?   My friend lives a couple of miles from me but on much higher ground and she told me five minutes ago that it is now snowing heavily there - so must keep watching out of the hall window as I write this.

Tonight is Burns Night - when the Scots celebrate the life and work of the poet Robert Burns by piping in the haggis, eating large meals, reciting his poetry and drinking vast quantities of whisky before dancing the night away with Strathspeys and the like.   The farmer and I are going - as we do every year - to a 'Burns Night for the English' event at some friends, where they serve haggis but (luckily for me) also an alternative and where we all sit round and chat amicably.   We are just hoping that the snow does not prevent us going.   It is only a mile or so away but we don't want to get snowed in.

Now that I am once more unable to drive and am dependent upon the farmer for every journey I make, as we live so far from any bus route, it is wonderful to meet friends and chat.   Friday mornings of course are always taken up with coffee in The Golden Lion (we have been doing this for years) and a good old chat with a fine group of friends.   This week is our Poetry week and the meeting is at my house on Wednesday afternoon, so that is another day when I shall see people and talk to them.

Although I am busy practising up two Schubert Impromptu and a couple of pieces by Bach on the piano, there is still no substitute for me to chatting to friends.

I shall now go and look out my tartan skirt for tonight - I've got to make an effort haven't I?   Keep warm and keep the spade handy if you are in an area where blizzards are forecast.

10 comments:

mrsnesbitt said...

We too are watching the skies! Not so bad now Jon is home - he had to travel to Leeds today.

Heather said...

Have a lovely evening Pat, but take your jim-jams and toothbrush just in case!
We have had little snow flurries today and it is gently sleeting at present but nothing serious. There was a very red sky this morning - it looked more like a sunset, and I wondered what it signified. We shall have to wait and see what we wake up to in the morning.

Elizabeth said...

Hope your blizzard is mild one!
We await 'a dusting' which sounds rather lame and hopeless.
Hope yourBurn's Night festivities are fun.
Never quite knew what was in haggis --so best avoided, I think!!

Hildred said...

Where are you going to play your Schubert and Bach, Pat, or are you just practising up for personal satisfaction (as I am with Beethoven's Rondo in C which I played at a Music Festival when I was about fourteen - I am amazed at 'finger memory' - so many years ago....

Have a guid time tonight, and I hope this is your last blizzard warning for the winter.

Joanne Noragon said...

You make me think of James Harriot's wild ride over the Penninines with his friend driving. According to his son's biography, it was true. Keep warm and have a lovely time.

MorningAJ said...

They've threatened snow here too but we've not seen any yet. We'll see what happens overnight. Good luck there.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

I hope you have a grand time tonight and the snow doesn't keep you in. But maybe pack an overnight bag. We have rain - and about 46 degrees - which is typical winter here and very welcome.

Woman Seeking Center said...

Here's hoping the snow delays, allowing you to enjoy your Burns nite. For years the parents and I attended a dinner with readings and pipers in the city (about a hour and half journey) tho now I'm less apt to wander that far from the hearth in the days of winters' heart.

Wicked wild snows here this year, Christmas week 18 inches and NewYears week another 16. Sigh. Now it's single and minus number temps. Intellect tells me most winters are all the same, but this one wearied early, lol...

Stay safe, warm, and hopefully you'll have great stories to share from the evening :-)

Till next time
Issy

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Ah, I'd love to see you in your lovely tartan skirt. What a treat to celebrate Burn's night with friends, particularly as there is an alternative to haggis!
Have fun and stay warm!
xoxo

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for the visit. See my blog on Saturday to see what things were like.