Wednesday 10 February 2021

Wednesday

It is difficult in these February days to find much to write about other than the weather - five minutes ago I switched my electric flames off because the sun was warming the sitting room;  now - five minutes later, there is a snow storm with heavy snow falling - yet still a blue sky in the distance on the horizon.  So that's it about the weather - no more to be said.

Then there is the subject of Politics - I try never to mention them.   To be honest with so much going on with Covid and variants and vaccinations and also the after effects of Brexit, it is really not a subject I can do anything about and I no longer know what I feel about them anyway.   So best ignore them as far as I am concerned.   I can do nothing about any of it so carry on with however long I have left in this world, obey the rules and ignore the rest.   Is that cowardly or the best option?  I really don't know.

Gardening?   Well six inches of snow covers my garden at present so what is peeping through and whether there is an odd crocus or snowdrop flowering I know not - hopefully I will have a pleasant surprise when all this weather has gone.

Rachel recommended I watch 'The White Crow' - an old film on iplayer.   So yesterday I watched it in the late morning.   I felt almost guilty watching TV then but I really enjoyed the film about the defection of Rudolf Norayev to the West during the sixties.   I remember it well but the film brought it all back.   I almost wish I hadn't given the farmer's jig saws to the Charity Shop when he died because I know Rachel is also enjoying doing jig saws and maybe I could get back into doing them again.   I might look on line and buy one for myself and see how I get on with it.

In the meantime there are books.   At present I am determined to read and finish Virginia Woolf's 'To the Lighthouse'.   I have had several tries before and failed to struggle through it.   This time I am doing better.  I am finding it a bit like reading a set book on a University Course, where one has to read it and be prepared to discuss the characters.   But it is doing me good and making me read it properly.

Blue sky and sunshine again outside.   Shepherd's Pie supplied by my Carer J today - most days she brings me a lunch which is so good of her - so off to the microwave I go.   Until tomorrow.

25 comments:

Derek Faulkner said...

Similar weather here. We had just managed to get the main roads usable again after Sunday's heavy snow, although minor roads remained sheet ice, and we've just had an hour's blizzard of great big snowflakes, so back to square one again.
I had a lovely display of crocus's on my front lawn, facing the road, that had just begun flowering before Sunday's snow, they are now flattened beneath it.

Hard up Hester said...

It was bright and sunny here this morning, still bitterly cold though and now it's snowing. It has showed on and off for the last three days but it's not settling, there is none on the ground.

Jennyff said...

But dreary here as well, rain and weak sun. Mr FF is working in his grotto and I am too restless to do anything productive. I have a few ought to read books but I’m not sure if at this time I have the concentration to read serious literature or should stick with lighter stuff. Spring really needs to get a move on, I’m sure that will make the difference and we’ll all be more positive.

Gerry Snape said...

Cold, chilly, windy here. lots of reading writing and Netflixing...loved The Dig..as we love Suffolk...stay well and stay warm Pat..

Debby said...

It was sunny here (but cold). I had high hopes for the day. Now a large black cloud has moved in, and it looks as if we will get more snow. I am doing a course that keeps my brain going, so I understand your need to finish The Lighthouse. I do the daily cryptogram just as you do your brain exercising puzzles in your newspaper. I putter around with my life and wait for these dreary days to end.

However, I am not silent on politics. I feel as if amiably going with the flow got us the last president and four years of historically unmatched chaos and great suffering for many people. I will never be silent again. I think that there are many who wish that I would.

Have you ever tried any of the online word games?

Ellen D. said...

The days fly by even tho we do not seem that busy. But each day is filled with small tasks that challenge us, or comfort us or please us and so we go on.

Rachel Phillips said...

I am glad you liked the film. Nice to see something without any violence and filmed in some good locations, a story worth telling, and even a bit of Russian language for those of us who know a few words or have heard a few words that we might recognise. It has been nice and sunny here this morning and blue sky but has now clouded over and is snowing again. x

Margie from Toronto said...

There is snow on the ground here but all the roads and sidewalks are plowed so walking and driving are fine. I'm just in from a morning walk and to pick up a few groceries and some books from the library (ordered online and waiting for me to do a quick pickup at the door) so I am all set for more reading. It is about -20 with the windchill factor but the sun is shining and it was actually quite pleasant.

I have just started a new puzzle and I know it will keep me going for a while - it's 1,000 pieces and I'm thinking that I should get a couple of 500 piece ones so it's not quite such a challenge.

May I suggest a virtual tour of the world's museums and galleries? Many of them are doing this sort of thing and offering lectures/talks that have been quite interesting. There are lots to choose from so this might be something of interest.

Stay well.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Strange weather when I went out for my walk; nice and warm and toasty in my coat, hat, gloves and scarf, but the moment I took a glove off I realised it was really quite chilly. Talking of snowdrop surprises I found one growing in one of my pots by the back door - a surprise gift from my brother who must've planted it on one of his visits! I hope it warms up enough for you to get outside again soon.

Carruthers said...

I've just been reading Vanessa Bell's letter to her sister Virginia about what she thinks about To the Lighthouse. It's fantastic, but I can't see a way to share it!

Anonymous said...

Try TheJigsawPuzzle.com Its a free on line jigsaw and it can be saved choose you own size and shape. Enjoy.

the veg artist said...

We taped White Crow when it was on BBC2 a few weeks ago, but not watched it yet. One excellent film we did see, which is now on iplayer, is Breathe. It's the story of how one couple's determination for the husband to live a better life after contracting polio, led to improving life for all those condemned to exist on hospital ventilators. It's done with humour as well as being life-affirming.

Bovey Belle said...

I have to say, Virginia Woolf doesn't flow for me, but I guess that is just me. I've read several of her novels (including To The Lighthouse) but I shan't have them in the pile to read again any time soon!

Yet I can read the likes of Turner and Scaife's Bog Bodies, with all the scientific details, with great pleasure! Horses for courses I guess.

Still very cold here with snow on distant hills.

Enjoy your foray into jigsaws again. We enjoyed several in the first Lockdown. Now we're too busy!

DUTA said...

Haven't seen the movie on Rudolph Nureyev, but I've seen the guy in person. It was in London, in front of a bank. He was just leaving the building and the manager after him, hugging him and shaking his hand. I think he was already with HIV but it was not known. Such a waste of talent!

Susan said...

Bright sunshine and blue skies here today. The light in the forest when walking the trails is magnificent. The news is often best avoided. Those in charge seem out of their depth. One day, when Spring arrives, we'll all enjoy the great outdoors.

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello Pat,

Well, we have to say that we never find weather reports dull reading. Indeed, quite the opposite as we really do find the variations around the world quite fascinating, at times alarming and, at other times, we wish we were where the weather was. Today the forecast in Budapest is for temperatures to plummet from +5C today to -20C [yes, that is not a typo] by the weekend. Is this the Beast in the East, we ask?

Virginia Woolf requires discipline in reading. At times we can manage it but it does test the concentration span. Just as a suggestion, have you read Barbara Pym? We had forgotten all about her and then rediscovered her in the lockdown and have now read everything she had written. Her ability to capture the essence of everyday life and the intricacies of people's characters has delighted us once more.

In many ways, we see parallels in what you write. The small details of everyday life which capture a sense of time and place. Little treasures for your readers to enjoy!!

Bonnie said...

I admire your determination in reading Virginia Woolf's 'To the Lighthouse'. I have a difficult time reading a book I am not enjoying but I have heard many say her books are worth the time. I hope you will give us your impression of it when you are finished.

Stay warm and sleep well tonight!

Heather said...

I think your way of dealing with current affairs is the perfect one. We are powerless but must protect our own wellbeing.
We have had short flurries of tiny snowflakes which, on close inspection where they fall on a dark surface, are delightful minute flakes.
I am very thankful for my cosy little flat and enjoying going crazy looking for the elusive pieces of the jigsaw I am doing! It is of the tiny little chapel on Guernsey covered in a mosaic pattern of broken china, shells and other bits and pieces. Apparently it is possible to hold a wedding service there, with just enough room for the minister, bride and groom and two witnesses.

Tom Stephenson said...

I sometimes wish I could ignore it too rather than impotently rant as I do. Oh well.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Jane and Lance - yes I love Barbara Pym - always a good read.
Veg artist - thanks for the recommendation. I remember the Polio epidemic and a young lady in Lincoln where I lived at the time wpent many years in an Iron Lung before finally dying.

Thanks for visiting everyone. Seems you are all finding plenty to do doing Lockdown.

Joanne Noragon said...

I thought I stopped by here last night! Now lockdown is hallucinating.

Cro Magnon said...

I get to about page 5 with 'To the Lighthouse', and abandon. I did meet Nureyev once, he came into my Chelsea antique shop, looked around a bit, and left. I don't think he even said good morning. He was very extravagantly dressed!!

Librarian said...

Glad to know your carer made it to your house after all, and left another delicious lunch - Shepherd's Pie is something I really like but make far too seldom.
It snowed all day yesterday, but I still managed a walk of a bit more than an hour. Temperatures during the day were at around -7C, and right now (6:00 in the morning) are at -12C; the coldest night we've had in a long time.

thelma said...

Everything is working in your world and that is good. Giving up politics, Nope ;)

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for calling.