Monday 30 November 2015

Dark Days.

In these dark days, which seem to precede every Christmas, it is so very difficult to get motivated.   Today is a perfect example.   It is a very wet, misty day and has never really got light.   In addition it is very cold and 'cheerless'.   At my age I suppose I could be forgiven for sitting by the wood burner all day.   But that is not my way - in fact as far as I am concerned it is the 'thin end of the  wedge'.

So, after getting up in determind mood I have achieved a lot.   First of all I have done two loads of washing, tumble dried it, ironed it and got it up on the airer.   In addition I have baked Christmas cake
 number three out of four and cooked a Cottage pie for lunch, which we ate with our own broad beans from the freezer.

I am in the process of compiling another quiz for our local nature reserve so I have also finished that and am just about to print off one hundred copies.   After lunch I made myself go into town to return my library books (they are due back on Wednesday).   Really the thinking about going was worse than the actual deed - and don't you think that is true of so many tasks?

Now I have been reading your most interesting comments on my last post on rabbit shooting - what would I do without blogging I wonder - it always injects a point of interest into my day however humdrum the day turns out to be.

There is an article in today's Times about how Norwegians approach this dark time of year, how they take the whole concept of winter on board, dress accordingly, completely change their way of behaviour and embrace it fully.   Maybe we should all do the same.

18 comments:

Gwil W said...

Post lady Pat's busy day.

You are amazing. Truly so. But like you say, the thought is often harder than the deed.

angryparsnip said...

I seems to me that you have embraced winter by not letting it rule your day.

cheers, parsnip

Derek Faulkner said...

My daily patrol round the nature reserve on the marsh here early this morning was pretty dire but thank gawd for having the two dogs that get me off my butt and outside. Mind you it was pretty dire in mud, water, cow poo, rain, gloomy light and being buffeted by a gusty wind.
My two tortoises have the best idea, they won't wake up in the garage now until the first warm days of late winter/Spring.

Heather said...

The Norwegians have the right idea. I often see folk out and about in the most unseasonal clothes on a cold wet day, and we need more light in our homes when the days are so dismal, not to mention warming meals to fuel us.
If we sit around bemoaning the fact that the weather is foul and the light is bad surely we make ourselves feel worse. You got so much done and must have felt very pleased with your day's activities on such a dreary and miserable day.
Yesterday was pretty awful even down here and I nearly chickened out on my little walk, but once I was well wrapped and outside, it wasn't nearly as bad as I had imagined.

A Heron's View said...

Well Pat, I thoroughly enjoy and embrace the dark days. Nothing quite like going outside and smelling the wood or turf smoke filled air.
Soon it will be Winter Solstice, the shortest day, I shall remember the stories about the deep dark, the old deities Cailb, Cruach, Mil and Tethtra and from the shape shifters cauldron will come a continuing feast that will carry us through to Imbolc.

Dawn said...

It is hard to get motivated on days like this, if it wasnt for animals to see to I would be holed up in the house in front of the fire, as it was once I got started got a fair amount done :-)

Midmarsh John said...

I spent the day fixing up Christmas lights in some of the windows to brighten up the lane.

Joanne Noragon said...

We had a lovely blue sky today, which I needed to offset the cold.

Polly said...

phew, just reading your post has exhausted me, you have been busy. Can you bottle your energy and post it to me please:-) I’ve done a cottage pie today too, but I call it shepherds pie, and we had my potatoes, carrots and cabbage with it. I will check out the Norwegians as I hate the cold, dark days and just want to hibernate.

Frances said...

After sunset this afternoon, I was glad to have had lots of hours of sunlight on my day off to get out and about (using the quick rides sometimes possible on the subway system) to continue my Christmas preparations before December has summoned me to Advent calendars. I love these calendars, even if they do seem to sort of quicken my pace.

Your previous post and its comments were so interesting to me. One of my brothers has lived in some locations very far from the big city I call home, and so I have through his tales learned a bit about hunting, unexpected encounters with various wildlife and how to cook certain protein sources.

Now I have been given even more of an education. My country dreams gain more and more strengthening.

Weaver, you are a wonderful guide. Many thanks xo

donna baker said...

When I was younger, I would never miss my daily walks. If the weather was bad, I can remember getting a giant black trash bag and making a hole in it and poking my face through it. Perfect fit and i stayed dry. It makes me smile to remember how silly I must have looked. No one around to see it except me. I guess you get accustomed to the days where you live. Myself, I would like to winter in Hawaii.

Morning's Minion said...

We've had a run of dismal and drizzly days in south-central Kentucky. One feels that it must be nearly evening and a glance at the clock confirms we are only mid-way through the afternoon.

Coppa's girl said...

One of the advantages of living further south in Europe is that it doesn't get dark quite so early in the day - normally the sun goes down behind the hills at around 6 p.m., and even on our shortest days we have getting on for ten hours of daylight.
Another bright and sunny day here, even if it is cold. The miserable winters(and summers)are not something we miss about the UK !

thelma said...

The weather here Pat is totally depressing grey and wet, the lawn squelches with water and a poor pheasant sat on the lawn and did not budge as I went to feed the birds. When I was young by the way, my grandfather who shot and fished, often served up rabbit (hung in the garage for a time) and salmon from a Welsh river. But we never ate 'road kill' is not that a new idea?

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

Great attitude. It can certainly get dark and dismal here, as well. I do think it is best to force yourself to get up and at 'em rather than hunker down and go into hibernation mode. -Jenn

meigancam01 said...

Interesting article, I appreciate your post. Thanks so much and let keep on sharing your experience.!

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

I enjoy the darker days of winter - though sometimes I have to make myself get up and go out - I like doing indoors things; crafts, reading, cooking.

Mary said...

I love winter and being bundled in warm clothes, tall boots etc. I probably enjoy this season all the more now I'm older and retired, and knowing I don't always have to go out in inclement weather such as when I worked. Meanwhile yes, more lights, lots of candles in the evenings, more wood on the pile, warming drinks at the ready, comfort food such as mac 'n cheese, veggie chili, baked potatoes, and lots of delicious homemade soups simmering on the stove.

That said - I just spent an incredible warm weekend at the beach (see my post pix) with perfect weather - much better than in the steamy, hot summertime. I've not done any Christmas stuff yet - that will come later when I'm in the mood.

You certainly made this day count Pat - you accomplished a week's worth and then some. Good for you my dear.
Mary -