Saturday 1 January 2022

A New Year Dawns

 And it has got to be better than the last one hasn't it?   There is now talk that perhaps Omicron variant is a sign that the virus is weakening - do let's hope so.

There is a saying here 'as the days length so the storms strengthen' - well certainly not so today.   Not a fortnight yet since the shortest day and today has been sunny and not cold and when I drew the blinds in the sitting room it was almost half past four, there was a beautiful sunset and the only 'fly in the ointment' was a strong wind - too strong for Priscilla and me to walk.   We set off down the drive, turned the corner round the hedge and almost got blown into the road.   So back up the drive we came and our walk had to be round the patio.   I can't get up into the garden because of steps but I could look what was about and it was heartening to see bulbs poking through everywhere and quite a lot of Helleborus Niger (Christmas rose) buds almost out.   In the tubs by the front door the violas look healthy and every time there is sunshine they seem to grow  a little.

I sat up late watching a very 'watchable film' - can;t remember what it was called but it was set in Hamburg after the war - not a laugh a minute but a good story and it passed another night when TV is not brilliant.   I did watch the final of the University Challenge alumni - as usual my son got in the twenties right whereas I got under ten.   How our knowledge fades into the background as we age.

I finished the William Trevor - didn't go the way I thought it was going to go.   So very well written - don't you feel good when you have read a book like that?   And so good to read it at the time when our B ook Group is reading Cold Comfort Farm - two interesting books to compare as far as style is concerned.

Well dear friends cheese and biscuits calls, together with a cup of tea - all that I fancy for my tea.   See you all tomorrow - and have a good first night of the New Year.

18 comments:

jan b said...

Happy New Year Weaver. So enjoy your blog and checking out your Book Club reads. Can recommend Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, which we have just read. Jan Bx

Librarian said...

Here, it was a day of the kind you would expect in March and not on January 1st - I know it won‘t last, so I was happy about the short walk to my catsitting and back before the long drive to O.K.‘s.
No TV tonight for us but an earlier bedtime than yesterday, that‘s for sure!

Terra said...

That sounds like a nice day at your home with the promise of blooms soon in helleborus and violets/violas. I searched and as of Dec. 19 WHO reports 24 deaths from Omicron worldwide, so I hope indeed it is a weak virus and 2022 will be a kinder year.

Anonymous said...

As we enter each New Year, I experience the added confidence of the dear cat we took off the streets as a hissing mess desperate for food. Each New Year he' talks 'and cuddles even more. Big boofy cuddles. This year I look forward to continue to spoil him rotten. You don't have to look very far for ways to put the 'Happy' in the New Year, often presented on our doorstep! May 2022 be a good year for you Pat, from Pam.

Heather said...

Still grey and damp here but mild too, or should I say too mild? I believe it will be colder next week.
How I love hellebores. I can't decide if I like the white ones or those dusky pink freckled ones better. The very dark ones are rather lovely too and as they are all promiscuous, plenty of variations occur.
Hope you get out for a walk soon.

Melinda from Ontario said...

I'm looking forward to seeing something with colour popping up in my garden but I'll have to wait until March for that. For now, I entertain myself by watching birds at my bird feeders. My husband got me a new birdfeeder for my birthday today which is designed to look like a Mexican cantina. I've managed to hang it right outside my living room window. Hopefully its bright, cheery colours will brighten up the grey days ahead.

Chris said...

It can only get better so fingers crossed that things will improcve. Pat, do you mind if I respond to Melinda (above), hope she reads it:

Melinda, do you know my friend Cathy MacGillivry? She is also a retired teacher and lives in Brooklin. I live in Scarborough.

Susan said...

Seeing various plantings emerge from their Winter sleep is fantastic. You'll be able to watch things grow to maturity. I'll look forward to hearing about your garden plantings. Happy first day of 2022. Let's hope for a better 2022.

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Pat,
Well, we sure had a good first day of 2022.
It was like at your place, sunny and rather balmy with 28℃ so I changed the settings to cooling on our airconditioning thermostat.
We had our tea with mixed unsalted nuts and a Tamari rice cake for me. Then we went to Mass and had a simple supper of a filled home cooked soup as a meal.
Hugs,
Mariette

Debby said...

I googled Cold Comfort Farm. I thought I had read it. I haven't but a touch of hilarity during the post holiday winter days can surely not go amiss. I ordered it.

Cro Magnon said...

Being a Sussex lad, Cold Comfort has always been a favourite. I still read it once a year. My current edition seems to be from the USA and the blurb is all bonkers. It talks of West Country accents, and other nonsense. Anyway, I'm now off to do my clettering.

thelma said...

Happy New Year Pat, the year always circles and the first of January should bring optimism, the birds are already singing early morning, bulbs thrust their noses through the earth but there is another cold front pushing through...

Rachel Phillips said...

Although I have mentioned this twice before I will mention it again as you sometimes like my tv suggestions, you might like the programme on Channel 5 about Charles Dickens. You should be able to find it on the Channel 5 Catch Up. If you have already seen it please tell me and I will shut up about it.

Chris said...

Happy new year and a Healthy one.. yes I have wheels called Rhett (Butler) as he's big and bright red and gets me walking as my balance is risky. If I'm ever your way we could race!!
Every Blessing Pat for this coming year,

Rachel Phillips said...

Weave has emailed me about Dickens and I will now shut up. She can't get Channel 5 Catch Up.

Tom Stephenson said...

Hamburg after the war was certainly not a laugh a minute!

Mary said...

Thinking of you Pat, and actually of all the lovely people who follow your blog and are a delight to read here! I wish you, your family, and these blog friends a much better New Year, full of hope, good health, and an opportunity to start making plans we can keep to travel. . . . .whether to the grocery store or another continent! It's time to move again and see this beautiful world, we've missed it so much for two long years which have been stolen from us.
Stay well and safe dear Pat.
Happy 2022.
Mary -

The Weaver of Grass said...

True Tom but well done.
Chris - Mine is also red so we would make a fine pair.
Cro I love the way she asterisked all the bits of what she calls purple prose.

Great thanks to you all.