Thursday 19 January 2023

Daylight.

 I like to get up at half past six each morning.   My carer comes at 7am for an hour during which she gets my breakfast, tidies round, puts on the washing machine and helps me wash or shower and dress - she has it all timed to perfection and manages to do it all inside the hour.

But at this time of the year there is another reason for my rising time.   I like to rise with the sun.  I can sit in my chair after pulling back the curtains and I can watch as gradually the black sky gets a ribbon of daylight and I can watch the ribbon get wider and wider as I listen to the weather forecaster on Breakfast TV tell me what kind of day to expect.

We have been so lucky here for the past week (hope I am not tempting fate).   The Somerset levels are seriously flooded, Scotland has had heavy snowfalls (I expect the skiers might be pleased about this) and the West of England has borne the brunt of the very cold weather here.

Ice?   Well yes there has been plenty of that.   I watch old ladies - shortly after daybreak-slithering along the footpath past my window.   The path is icy, there is traffic about, so on they go with their sticks and their dogs - pooh bags handy.    As soon as possible (that is as soon as a pooh is in the bag) they turn for home.  I fear for their safety - breakages - hips, legs, arms - are not to even be contemplated - both ambulance men and nurses are on strike today so falling in the roadway means disaster.

After my carer has gone and The Times has arrived I do the Mind Games (while my brain is in good order) but it is cold in the sitting room although the Central Heating is on. (in  spite of having on six layers of clothing - sorry chaps here - please do feel free to skip the next bit of this sentence- bra, vest, pure wool jumper, sweater, fleecy body warmer and shawl ).  Yesterday I had an e mail from the gas board telling me how to unfreeze the outside gas pipe if necessary.  Thinking about this I go over to feel the radiator - sigh of relief it is red hot.   Suddenly Nature's back up appears from the side of my left hand curtain.   Yes the sun - and within five minutes the room is beautifully warm.   Deep blue sky like yesterday.

Only half an hour to go before my weakness kicks in - just time to put on this post.   My weakness?   Cadbury's Drinking Chocolate - drunk with either a packet of crisps or a 2-finger Kit Kat.   Yes I know it is unnecessary but my excuse?  It is three and a half hours since I had my Flahavan's organic Porridge with a banana, and another two  to go before my fish cakes with new potatoes and peas which my carer has left in the microwave are eaten for my lunch.  Life is not all miserable when you reach 90 - trust me!

22 comments:

Rachel Phillips said...

You need hat and double socks and a pair of slippers to be warm sitting in a house. The hat may not always be needed to stay on the head but it should be within reach of your chair. If you keep the extremities warm you will be warm.

Tom Stephenson said...

Did you mean 'poo' Weave? Pooh is a bear...

Derek Faulkner said...

Not sure why Pat has to be dressed like an Eskimo while sitting in a house that faces the sun and with adequate Ch on.
Anyway Pat, we have had some fantastic sunrises here on Sheppey this week. It has been -3 degrees each morning when I set out on the reserve but what wonderful scenery presents it's self.

the veg artist said...

I like to watch the dawn too, sitting up in bed with a cup of coffee.

Rachel Phillips said...

I explained myself Derek. If one is not mobile and sitting all day the feet can soon get cold. Heat can also be lost through the top of the head and it as well to have a hat handy. Many people wear a hat in the house in winter even with the heating on.

Melinda from Ontario said...

Now that I've repositioned my favourite chair in my sitting room, I'm all set to watch the sunrise in the morning as well. Unfortunately, January in Ontario has been unusually cloudy and grey so I haven't had many good shows.
Your late morning routine of hot chocolate and a mini Kit Kat sounds delightful. I would never be able to stop at just one Kit Kat.

Anonymous said...

Derek - We agree with Rachel about the hat etc. Weaver should have as many items on as possible. One always gets colder when having to sit for long periods.
So interesting to read about your day Weave, it felt like we were with you.
Wendy (Wales)

Barbara Anne said...

What a delightful account of your morning, Pat, and I agree a yummy chocolate treat mid-morning is a joy.
I come down four-square on the side of wearing a cozy hat indoors when you're cold. It matters not if the heat is on or if the sun is shining, when you sit, you can easily become cold, especially ears, fingers, and toes. Wise words, Rachel!

Hugs!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Tom- here's me trying to be polite! Actually I didn't know and always spell it that way - it didn't ever arise in my teaching of English - I taught in an inner city comp where they calleda a spade a spade so it would have been s**t anyway.

Anonymous said...

I too watch daybreak and sunrise in the morning. It's wonderful to watch the world come alive. Have you thought of getting a heated vest? A Blogger who swims in the Danish sea all Winter long wears a heated vest in her house when she's working because not moving around makes her cold and the vest keeps her warmer. Pat in USA.

Susan said...

Your morning sunrise makes a beautiful view. Add the cawing birds flying above and this makes a great start to the day. Wearing layers seems pretty typical for our Winter months. We all feel the Winter chill to one degree or another. I do hope nobody slips on the ice as they walk on the icy lane. A bit of grit on the lane would be helpful for walkers.

Librarian said...

From my blog, you know how much I love to watch the sun rise or set, but for a real good sunset, I have to be somewhere else than my flat; I have windows facing north, east and south, but not west.
Sunrises can be viewed from my kitchen window, and they never fail to draw me there. In summer, they happen too early for me to witness them, even if I get up at 6:00 or shortly after. But right now, the glorious show is all mine!

I get cold, too, when I sit at my desk working away, even if I sit right next to the radiator (and it is of course turned on, now that we're well below freezing during the night and just above it during the day).

Librarian said...

PS: You certainly do not need an excuse to treat yourself to your Cadbury's and Kitkat!

LouC said...

How delightful to start my day with you. Mornings are often just white glows here on the west coast across the pond with much morning fog. I don’t get up as early now without my DH so I stay tucked under my cozy fleece blankets a while longer and check the email and a few blogs. And sitting more absolutely necessitates extra layers and warmth wherever you can find it. This winter I’ve discovered a plugin heated fleece throw that makes my favorite chair enjoyable when I couldn’t afford to keep the whole house as toasty as I’d enjoy with central. I’m glad you are able to enjoy those beautiful sunrises frequently. Have a happy day.

hart said...

What a beautiful way to begin your day. And who could fault you for the chocolate?

Granny Sue said...

I read this post aloud to my husband as we are driving alongside the beautiful Ohio River, on the way to his appointment at the Veteran's hospital for an eye checkup. What a pleasure, Pat, to read about your morning!

Heather said...

I love the last sentence of your post and I totally agree with you, though I have three years to go before I reach 90. I too have been enjoying the clear, bright, dry days we have had rec ently. A welcome relief after all that heavy rain.
I don't see a sunrise owing to houses opposite my windows, and only know when there is a beautiful sunset when the colour in their bricks takes on a different shade.
If the pavements get very icy I shall not risk going out. I have noticed that they are gritted each morning for safety but I'll not take any chances.

Red said...

You are having a good day and in an upbeat mood. I stay off the ice. No use tempting fate.

Simon Douglas Thompson said...

I'm seeing the sun rise over Beacon Hill when I ride to work this week

Joanne Noragon said...

Regardless of your topic, your posts are a joy, Weave.

gz said...

A beautiful thing to do every morning, whatever the weather or time of year.
Thankyou for your words, Weave x

The Weaver of Grass said...

Never heard of a heated vest- is it what we would call a thermal vest Anon.

Thanks for your replies.