Normanby Hall and Park

It's a long time since I went to Normanby Park.  There are lots of villages in Lincolnshire which are called Normanby and this one is near Scunthorpe.  Today has been a near perfect day so my trundle truck and I paid a visit.

Normanby Hall is an elegant mansion built around 1825.  It stands in a large park with wonderful, shapely, mature trees which have ample space to show off their beauty.  

One of the best things (from my point of view) is the robust paths through some of the woodland.  It is a real treat to be able to ride my trundle truck through woods.  The paths have a hard, man-made surface which means that even if there has been rain, they can still give a wonderful opportunity to wheelchair and mobility scooter users.

This bit is for Kirsten from "Letter from home".  Recently she wrote about some cardoons which had been saved from the builders who are making alterations to her house.  I thought she might like to see the wonderful specimens being grown at Normanby.  

I will be going back to Normanby as I have bought a season ticket but I feel slightly miffed.  They don't have single person tickets, only doubles.  I feel this is another singles "tax".

It's a while since I posted . . .

 . . . so I wondered if you'd like this list I found.  It's things I've found out since I "matured".

I’ve learned that it takes years to build up trust, and it only takes suspicion, not proof, to destroy it.

I’ve learned that whatever hits the fan will not be evenly distributed.

I’ve learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to others - they are more messed up than you think. .

I’ve learned that I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it.

I’ve learned that artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.

(These are from a file which I have had on my pooter for a very long time and some are not my original thoughts.)

Hi, July!

 A whole new month!  I'm still in my salad days  but a new month is still a new month.

I'm booked to take services every Sunday this month.  This is usual for the holiday period.  My friend E and her husband have a narrow boat so they are floating around on a canal somewhere.  I'm not taking all her services as she sometimes does two and I prefer to do just one although I will exert myself in an emergency.  I've also promised to take a midweek service.   Although this is an informal service in a village hall, it takes a lot more preparation than the Sunday jobbies.

A friend has written a book so I am hoping to go to the launch.  

I've got several lunches planned and will enjoy those.

I do not believe that I have shrunk with age, no matter what the ruler at the doctor's surgery says.  Rather, I think the distance down to my feet has increased considerably.  I have therefore decided that someone else can care for my feet for me and I have my first session booked with her.  I'm rather looking forward to that.  

I'm continuing to find UnFinished Objects to donate to the knitters' group stall, raising money to buy various thermal garments for homeless people.  I am rather ashamed of how many I have found but I am rejoicing in getting rid of them.   

So that was June!

 I know we Brits are for ever talking about the weather, but June has been amazing!  A bit chill in the middle then a heatwave at the end.

I took a cousin out for brunch to celebrate her birthday, met up with another cousin for coffee and cake and lunched in the local ice cream parlour with a third.  I like to stay close to my cousins: other than my nephew who has now moved from Bruges to the Welsh Marches, they are my closest relations.  

I've had "on-line morning coffee" with various friends.  One lives in Dorset and I doubt if we will ever again meet up face-to-face but these zooming jobbies are great.

I've been sorting my craft stuff to give materials to my autistic friend and Projects half Done to a sale of such items in aid of homeless people.  There's still a long way to go!

I've done "emergency" dog sitting as Holly's regular staff has been in hospital.

I led worship on just one Sunday but then led two services.

Early in the month I experimented with a couple of recipes: by the end making a sandwich was about all I could manage!

Jack has been a couple of times.  The garden looks good, I'm shattered.

I think I've kept a couple of ice lolly factories in business.

And while I was sorting things I found a picture of my mother and my sister, taken in June 1943.  G was born May 1943.  Being so untidy, I sometimes stumble across such things.

How about plan D?

 I was ready for today.  I had one very short service at 8am, (an offer made months ago to help a friend) then home for the day.  I'd decided that I wouldn't wear robes.  I rarely go without them, but I wasn't sure how long I would be vertical with them.  Country churchwardens are usually very accepting of such things.

Last night I was about to go to bed when an email arrived from a poorly vicar: could I take her service this morning?  Her two lay ministers were both elsewhere.  As number four on the list scarcely twelve hours before the service was due to start, I felt I had to say yes.  I was Plan D!

So today I went to two of my favourite churches.  Both stand in the most delightful churchyards.  Each has well kept areas around recent burials, but they also have areas which have been left to go wild.  This sign on one of them explains the philosophy.  I find it wonder-full.  

Mooching

Well, even mooching is hard work in this weather.  I haven't been here for ages but I have been rather preoccupied as a friend is ill and I am part of her support network, so you'll have to pardon me.  It seemed liked a good idea to do a post of somewhat random ideas.

Blogger continues to play up.  I think I'm finding most of my favourites but that's no thanks to my reading list.  I don't think my posts are appearing on other people's lists which is more than a little discouraging.  They take two or three days to appear on my own list.

This heat is pretty well unbearable.  I just don't do hot.  Cold, I can layer up but there's a limit to how many layers I can remove.    It's much too hot to sit in the garden.  I'm really glad of my new chair as I can relax and I've got a fan right next to me.

Oops.  I've just been checking a thesaurus and it appears that mooching has nuances of scrounging or freeloading for Americans, but this side of the pond it means rather aimless lazing around.  Read it the British way, please.

My knitting group is having a sale of UnFinished Objects or Projects half Done to raise money to buy thermal items for homeless people.  The organiser has been inundated with stuff as everyone wants to ditch the guilt so no offers, thank you!

Salad Days (2)

About the salads.

Cherimoya 

I'm trying to have as much variety as possible in my salads.  So far I've managed asparagus, banana, beetroot, blueberry, broad beans, carrot, cherimoya, cornichons, cucumber, , kiwi, lemon, lettuce, mangosteen, olives, peas, peppers, pineapple, potatoes, raspberries, red cabbage, red onions, rice, spring onion , star fruit, strawberry, sultanas, sweetcorn, tomatoes, watercress, white cabbage

Mangosteen

I've been lucky enough to find a new greengrocery stall at our local garden centre.  It's rather expensive so the lettuces, carrots, etc will be bought elsewhere but they have a few things I'd never tried before.  This week I had a cherimoya, or custard apple.  Can't say I was very impressed.  It tasted OK but there are large seeds to be spat out and the flavour wasn't good enough to compensate for that.

Star fruit

Last weeks I tried a mangosteen.  That was really nice but at £1.50 for a scant dessertspoon of fruit it won't be happening again any time soon.

I also had a star fruit.  I've had then before but not often bought them.  I thought they would look pretty on the plate.  They did.

Drawing June

Yesterday it was the monthly on-line drawing club with the WI.  Irises this time.    

I did a mindfulness session (also with the on-line WI) in the morning but I think this was probably more mindful than the mindfulness session.

Scams

 I go down a lot of rabbit holes on t'interweb.  Most are useless but I found one yesterday that I'd like to share with you.  

Take Five to Stop Fraud is (obviously) about protecting ourselves from scams.  They list over twenty different scams and give helpful advice on protecting ourselves.   They include three written-for-them Whodunnits, short stories inviting the reader to solve the crime by watching out for Red Flags.  

I've also been listening to some podcasts on BBC Sounds called "Scam Secrets".  Some scams are funny (well, not for the victim, obviously): try The Great Knitted Cardigan Scam!  All are serious and I'm getting better informed.  

Scams aren't funny and it's all too easy to fall for them.  Time spent informing myself is time well spent.

Hello June!

 

A favourite month for so many people, especially those who like to watch Wimbledon (not me).

I haven't much planned for June, really just a few meals out.  I'm writing that down so I can look back at the end of the month and probably say, "Well, that didn't go as planned!"

And that's the sort of diary I like.  It means that, if a lovely day is forecast, I can go to a nature reserve, or the seaside, or a country house with its gardens or whatever I like.  Or I can sit in my garden and listen to the birds.  

And if the weather doesn't make those happen I can undertake a project indoors.  

An empty diary month?  Nearly!  A lazy month?  Probably not!

(Just after I wrote that I read Kirsten's post for Saturday.  She has been inspired by Rustic Pumpkin  walking to raise money for a charity and she (Kirsten) has increased her step count.  My average in May was just 2188.  I want it to be 2500 in June.)

Goodbye May

 

Well, that was a hot one, wasn't it!  Last Monday it hit 33C/ 91F here, hotter than July in most years.   So I've not been doing a lot.

My "salad days" have started.  Not many 74 year old ladies can say that!  My salads this week have included asparagus, banana, beetroot, blueberry, broad beans, carrot, cornichons, cucumber, haricot beans, lettuce, mangosteen, olives, peas, peppers, pineapple, potatoes, radishes, raspberries, red cabbage, red onions, seeds, rice, strawberry, sultanas, sweetcorn, tomatoes.  I make that twenty two different ingredients.  And  haven't started with fruit salads!

A lot of fabric has found its way out of the house to be used by someone else.  

I've had several meals out with friends.  We are all definitely Ladies Wot Lunch.  It's my best way of socialising.  Sometimes it's just coffee but lunches save me cooking.  Hurrah!  I've also cooked a couple of meals for friends at home.

I treated myself to a made-to-measure riser/recliner chair.  It was an arm-and-a-leg job financially as well as design wise but I spend a lot of time in my chair.  

Jack has been twice to sort out my garden.  He's a busy chap!

I've done a new fix for my energy.  I don't know how I've done it but my new direct debit (£70) is £15 less than last year (£85).  Which was £19 less than the previous year £104).  Don't spit at your computer - it would make a mess.  All three years are from the same supplier.  And I don't understand it but I'm happy!  Although this is a "fix", it is linked to the price cap charge, (just lower) so I expect it to rise during the year.  And I've had a £113 refund on last year's payments.

We had our annual Open Churches Weekend, although the church I was involved with is actually open every day.  Our jigsaw project was very successful.

I've done some doggy day care.  

On the other hand, blogger is still doing strange things with my reading list so sorry, I haven't commented as much as usual.  Sorry.

Salad Days

 It has been a little warm these last few days!  

G, Holly's regular staff, went to London on Monday to fetch her daughter's dog so Holly Dog summoned the relief staff - me!  On Sunday Holly and G  visited me and poor Holly was panting so badly that I gave her frozen gel packs, (often needed by my knees), for her to lie on.  G and I just collapsed like sweaty puddles.  

Anyway, I went to Holly's house and we spent the day avoiding the sun. Unfortunately she likes to sit as close as possible which doesn’t make keeping cool very easy.   Fortunately the house is largely stone-built with not-too-large windows so the heat isn't as uncomfortable as it would be at home.  

While I was there I photographed the tree.  It really is in a magnificent place and is now in full leaf.  I took this photo whilst standing in the porch.

My Hare Days have ended.  It should have been "Hare Today, Done tomorrow" but I did disappointingly little.  I gave away a lot of fabric and some other things but there is still a long way to go to get a tidy house.  I've had to accept that I cannot spend a long time decluttering.  Physically it is too demanding and also I am too easily distracted into looking at books, pictures, unfinished craft projects etc.  My best bet seems to be twenty minute sessions several times a week.  

My Salad Days have now started.   I was inspired by by Ang from Tracing Rainbows who wrote a brilliant post about salads.  I can't claim still to be in the "salad days" of my youth, but I can eat salad!  Over these next few weeks I want to try as many different salad ingredients as I can and to eat them in a variety of places.

And I've celebrated this new "season" by changing the decorations on my indoor tree.  I haven't got vegetables to display but I like my bees and have added daisies.

Plan B springs into action

I wasn't too surprised to get a call from my friend Rev. E on Friday afternoon (we often chat), but I was glad it was a video call as she had just about lost her voice.

This is not a good weekend for her to be rendered silent.  Well, it never is, but this is a very heavy weekend church-wise, and E is relied on heavily although she too is a "volunteer vicar".  This weekend, as I said yesterday, is our Open Churches Festival and E is very involved.  Quite apart from that and the usual Sunday worship, there is the annual  service in the memorial woodland in one of the parishes.

We had a quick discussion on the possibilities.  E feels well enough to be around and rotas of welcomers have been arranged for all the churches.  I would lead the "normal" services for Sunday and lay ministers would be roped in for the memorial but she would attend as much as she felt able.

So today Plan B swung into action.  It's good to be part of a team.

Open Churches

 It's West Lindsey Open Churches Festival this weekend.    Churches and chapels of many denominations are open and it's an opportunity many people take to go on a church crawl.

To be honest, most of the open churches are Church of England  because, although almost every village has an Anglican church, it's just the larger villages which have other buildings.  

I shall try to visit a few churches but I will be most involved at St Peter's, Normanby le Wold.  Here's what the brochure says.

"Something different for all the family…. A Jigsaw Festival. Completed jigsaws on display and available to buy.  Help us to complete jigsaws - we’ll need as much help as we can get! Children’s jigsaws - lots to see and to join in. Jigsaw ‘Bring & Buy’ - bring along any you no longer want, provided they don’t have pieces missing, and buy a new one. Local history and displays… including Parish registers information dating back to 1561. Light refreshments available."

I shall do my best to get to Thoresway and the brochure says, "St Mary’s nestles is a sleepy village among fields of sheep. It has a Romanesque arch from an original tower, 13th century arcades in the nave and seven floor stones dating from an earlier period. There is an exhibition on the history and origins of the village together with stories of local residents and their lives. A warm welcome awaits those who come to sample our homemade cakes and savouries, including our popular gluten free and vegetarian offerings."  

What the brochure doesn't tell you is that the "cakes and savouries" are produced by a celebrity chef who lives in the village and they are truly scrummy.  Not that I am going there just for the nosh, you understand!

Drawing May

Once again I joined in the monthly drawing session in Via, the on-line learning site for the Women's Institute.  No-one is pretending we produce great art but we have a quiet hour drawing something seasonal.  Personally I don't find adult colouring books help me lose myself, but following the instructor's guidance is very restful.

This month we drew rhododendrons.  Last year it was cherry blossom and bluebells. I'm building up quite a collection.

(My blog reading list still isn't working properly.  I'm trying to find other people's blogs but it ain't easy!)

Not sure why I am writing this post

 as I don't know whether anyone can read it!  

There is a problem on Blogger at the moment.  (I know, there's often a problem on Blogger.)  This time it's the blog feed which isn't happening.  I am being notified of very few blog posts and I'm not even notified of my own posts!  I don't think many people are being notified of my posts as I have less than ten per cent of my usual number of page views.

Other people are complaining that they can't post comments on the blogs they read. 

So, please bear with the bloggers on Blogger.  We are doing our best.

Trauma teddies

The pattern used by many of our laides.

 Yesterday I went to lunch at our church cafe.  We were joined by another knitting group from another group of churches.

Both groups started around 2018 when many churches were asking for knitted poppies to form displays to mark the centenary of the end of The Great War.  Now both groups knit for charities.  

Saturday's lunch was organised so that the other group could hand over their garments for our leader to distribute.  We send stuff to Women's refuge, the Salvation Army, premature baby units, care homes and the Emergency Services.   

Emergency Services?  What would they need with our knitting?  Well. several ladies knit trauma teddies.  These small bears are kept in police cars, rescue vehicles and ambulances to give to children at accident scenes as a small comfort when really unpleasant things are happening around them.

One lady told the story of her son and grandson.  They were involved in an accident and her son was rendered unconscious.  Her three year old grandson had no physical injuries but he must have been terrified.  The first policeman on the scene gave him a teddy.  We all went a bit quiet when we heard this.  

I think various knitting needles may be clicking even quicker with even more determination from now on. 

Farewell April

Hasn't this been a glorious month weather-wise!  Well, maybe not where you live but in my corner of Lincolnshire it has been wonderful.  

April saw the end of the hibernaculum project for this year.  It was a great idea and I shall do something very similar this year.  And as the hibernaculum time ended (Easter Sunday) my Hare Days began.  The theme for this period is "Hare today, done tomorrow" and it is proving to be a much more active time than the relaxation of hibernaculum days.  Nothing much to show you yet as bags packed for the charity shop, bags for recycling and (sadly) bags destined for landfill, don't make for pretty pictures.  

For the first half of the month I was covering for a priest friend who went on an eleven week cruise.  I enjoyed doing my bit to help, which was quite demanding as it included Holy Week and Easter.  Another friend (who is to retire shortly) is rather ill so Plan B (aka me!) is again stepping in.  One day the congregations will say I am too decrepit to take services, but at the moment they seem happy to welcome me and I am happy to go.  I conducted funerals for a friend and for a cousin.  It's good to be able to do that one last thing for them by offering comfort to their loved ones. 

Only four days dog sitting this month but they were four very nice days.  Holly and I get on very well with each other.  

Drawing April

 I do wish I could draw something original but until that day happens, I'll join in the monthly drawing class with Women's Institute on-line.  

I forgot to show you this month's creation.  Easter egg hunts are but a distant memory now but I have preserved the memory for you

.  

April

 Sue from Suffolk mentioned a poem about April in her post today and it sparked the memory of a poem I learnt when I was at school.   Enjoy!

Home-Thoughts, from Abroad

Oh, to be in England

Now that April's there,

And whoever wakes in England

Sees, some morning, unaware,

That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf

Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf,

While the chaffinch sings on the orchard bough

In England—now!

 

And after April, when May follows,

And the whitethroat builds, and all the swallows!

Hark, where my blossomed pear-tree in the hedge

Leans to the field and scatters on the clover

Blossoms and dewdrops—at the bent spray's edge—

That's the wise thrush; he sings each song twice over,

Lest you should think he never could recapture

The first fine careless rapture!

And though the fields look rough with hoary dew,

All will be gay when noontide wakes anew

The buttercups, the little children's dower

—Far brighter than this gaudy melon-flower!

Robert Browning

Caistor Heritage Centre

 

I remember the first time I went into the building which is now Caistor Heritage Centre.   I went to my aunt's wedding there around 1960 when it was Caistor Primitive Methodist Chapel.

A few years later the chapel closed and the congregation joined up with the Wesleyan congregation as Caistor Methodists.  The building then became Caistor Youth Centre but eventually it became very little used and a local group applied for (and got) lottery funding to create a wonderful centre including a cafe, an exhibition room and our local library.   

That was around 2012 (I think) and the centre is still well used today.  There is a paid manager but most of the work is done by volunteers.  There's a charity shop in Caistor which raises the necessary funding and the coffee shop does a very nice line in tea, coffee and cakes.

The centre is really important to our community.  The library is a lovely place to go and books are supplied by the county library service but the library is staffed by volunteers.  Volunteers do most of the work in the cafe too and I can vouch for the deliciousness of the cakes!

Today I went to see an exhibition and sale of artwork by a local artist.  Charles Blake is autistic and non-verbal but his artwork is stunning.  He does all sorts of crafts as well and I was delighted that he has accepted my commision to decorate a very tatty old table of mine with decopatch.  I'll show you when it's done.  

The (outdoor) tree in April

"My" tree

 Once again Holly Dog has invited me to stay so I have been looking at "my" tree.  I chose it back in January but I wasn't too sure what it was!  I thought it was probably a beech but didn't want to commit myself.

Anyway, I've now been close up and have looked at the bark.  (It would have been dangerous for me to walk across the rather soggy grass in January.)  And now I've looked at the tree, the leaves and the bark and have decided that it is, indeed, a beech tree, Fagus Sylvatica f. purpurea.

The bark of "my" tree

It's a copper beech (that's the purpurea bit), one of my favourite trees.  The leaves are currently only half formed but they are so lovely.

In Celtic mythology, Fagus was the god of beech trees. It was thought to have medicinal properties – beech leaves were used to relieve swellings, and boiling the leaves could make a poultice.  I think I will just enjoy my tree for itself.  

Hare Time

 Many thanks for the suggestions about my next period of time now that my hibernaculum period has ended.  

I decided to go with the suggestions of a fifty day period, ending at Pentecost which this year is Sunday 24th May.  In the Anglican liturgical calendar (and many more), all this time is Eastertide.  It's fifty days and that seems like a good period to work with.  

But now we go down a rabbit hole or rather into a hare's form.  Hares are becoming more common around here and that is good news.  They don't like land which has been over-treated with pesticides or fertilisers, so an increase in their numbers means that the land is being treated gently and with  more respect.

My motto for the period will be "Hare today, done tomorrow".  I want to treat my time with respect.  I've got plans for these fifty days (or the forty which are left).  I'm hoping that some time during June to September we will get a very hot period when I won't want to do much but this time should be comfortable and conducive to action.  

I hope you like the Hare Brained Hare above.  It's by Hannah Dale who lives not far from here.  She's created a "wilding" project which you can read about here.    Please visit her website.   

The (Indoor) tree in April

 

During March I had Irish themed charms on my little tree, in honour of St Patrick, and they stayed  up until Holy Saturday (4th April).  

Easter is here now so I have taken away the old and displayed my little eggs.  I've had these for quite a few years.  Indeed, they were the first non-Christmassy themed decorations I had for this tree.  

For Christians, eggs represent the sealed tomb of Jesus from which new life springs.  In the Middle Ages eggs were forbidden during Lent so Easter eggs (of the hen variety!) would have been very welcome after the austerity of the previous weeks.  

I treated myself to a small(ish) chocolate egg on Easter Sunday but I made sure I had real eggs too for breakfast.  

In search of a word.

 Yesterday my hibernaculum project ended for this year.  It started on my birthday back in October and ended Easter Sunday.  To mark the occasion I bought some alstroemeria (one of my favourite indoor flowers) and reduced the candles from twelve to three.  The mice didn't need the warmth of the fire anymore so they went back to the mantle piece to say their prayers.    Obviously there are other changes in the house but for me this was the symbolic transition.

But it leaves me a (minor) problem.  What is the new period to be called?  It's not summer yet and spring is partly over.  Maybe it will be subdivided: it's over seven months long so that is a possibility.  

Any ideas?  

That was March, that was.

It's been quite a while since I did a monthly review of what's been happening in my life but, today is the day!

A huge chunk of the month (seventeen nights) was spent dog sitting.  Holly and I enjoyed a few cuddles but we neither of us enjoyed the flood.  However, the response by friends and tradespeople was wonderful.  Community is great!

I've been helping make up jigsaws ready for West Lindsey Open Churches in May when we are hoping to have a great display and sale.   It's been an excellent social activity for quite a few people.  

I've lead worship on four Sundays.  Yesterday we couldn't use the church building so we decamped to the village hall.  There is a loo being installed in the church so it was a very worthwhile move!

I conducted two funerals.  One lady was 99 and the other was 101. Each was a celebration of a life well lived.  

I've been out for quite a few lunches or tea and cake meet ups.  These are a great way for me to meet up with friends as we live in various villages so it make sense to meet in Brigg when we go shopping rather than make special journeys to each others villages.

I've completed two scarves which will be sent to the Salvation Army for the residents of its hostel.  I've again been commissioned as an elf for Santa as he needs three scarves for children.  

I've enjoyed my hibernaculum.  But it's been lovely to see signs of spring as well.

Archbishop Sarah

 

Canterbury 2026

Yesterday I watched the Installation of Sarah Mullally as Archbishop of Canterbury.  It was wonderful to see African dancers, to hear the Gospel read in Spanish, to see Church leaders of many denominations taking part, to watch her being blessed in the Bemba language from Zambia.

It was a marvellous weaving of new music, traditional liturgy.  Her morse on her cope was fashioned from the buckle from her nursing belt but she sat on the ancient Chair of St Augustine.

It was moving to hear her support of all who have suffered because of the actions or inaction of church leaders.  

Celebrations at St Paul's 2024

When the previous archbishop took office in 2013 there were no women bishops in the Church of England.  Two years ago I went to London for the national celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the first ordinations of women to the priesthood.  Bishop Sarah (as she was then) presided at that service.  She thanked those of us ordained in 1994 because without what we did then, she would not be able to do what she does now.  

Archbishop Sarah, I feel proud and humble.  May God bless you.  

Reading about winter

 

Maybe someone would like to know what inspired me to take a different view of winter.  I hope so as I'm about to tell you.  None of the articles or books I list has entirely explained my own hibernaculum experience but all have helped. 

I read "Worried about winter? 10 ways to thrive – from socialising to Sad lamps to celebrating the new year in April"  back in November 2024 but didn't do much about it.  I've added a link so you can find this article in The Guardian.  It's about a book written by Dr Stephanie Fitzgerald called The Gifts of Winter.   And I enjoyed the book.

"Winter is coming, but don't panic!" was another article in The Guardian, this time in November 2025.  The main source for this one was  Kari Leibowitz who wrote  "How to winter".  Not as helpful to me as The Gifts of Winter but I still enjoyed it.

One widely recommended book in, "Wintering: the power of rest and retreat in difficult times" by Katherine May.  It didn't do much for me though.

I've included links to the articles and to the books on Amazon UK.  Actually, I listened to the books rather than reading them - my knitting has come on a treat!

Spring is sprung, the grass is ris'

 I wonder how the hibernaculum is?  

It's still lovely, thank you for asking.  And it will continue to Easter Sunday as I have previously decided. I know most people will be feeling heartily sick of winter and are happy to welcome spring.  I'm happy to welcome spring, but winter has been very different for me this year.

Don't get me wrong: it is lovely to see spring.  It's just that it was also lovely to see winter revealing its treasures too.  Back in the autumn I realised that if I spent winter wishing for spring, I could be wishing around a third of my life away.  Instead I would try and see winter as different and yet still good.

I watched clouds, raindrops, snow and also bright sunny days and very windy ones.  I loved getting out when it was sunny and was happy to remind myself on foggy days that I had a perfect excuse for knitting and listening to a book.  I decorated my sitting room with (LED) candles but I fetched snowdrops from the garden and daffodils from the supermarket and gloried in them.  

I cooked soups and casseroles, fish pies and warming tagines.  I drank lots of coffee and fruit and herbal teas and had salads only occasionally.  I welcomed friends and was happy to visit or meet them in a local hostelry but I also relished my solitude.  

Some days I felt low but I could observe myself non-judgementally and have an occasional duvet day, confident that things would be better the next day.  

Quite honestly, the main change was in my attitude and, maybe, my beliefs.  Winter is what it is. I am who I am.  We rubbed along very well.  

Four slices of bacon and a maulifuff

Bacon butties are the tradition when Jack comes.  I use very nice bacon.  Dry cured.  From my butcher.  It's rather expensive but I buy a kilo at a time and wrap packs of two rashers which makes a very generous filling for a bread roll.

Last time he came I took two packs from the freezer the day before so they could defrost overnight.  And could I find it next morning?  No way.  I searched in all likely (and quite a few unlikely) places but it had disappeared.  I thought it might have got caught up in rubbish for the bin.  I took two more packs from the freezer and we had those.  

I said a few weeks ago that my plan was to sort the dining room before Easter.  Well there are are still two weeks to go but I have to report that I have been an excellent maulifuff.  (Maulifuff is an old Scottish word for a woman devoid of energy, who would happily do nothing for hours on end.)  Very little has changed in the dining room.  I hope this is no surprise to my fellow maulifuffs.  

However, a somewhat drastic situation meant that I decided to collect all stray paperwork from all over the house.  I'm sure you will have guessed what comes next.  I'd put the four slices of bacon, carefully wrapped in greaseproof paper, among a heap of papers.

I think that makes me a gold star maulifuff !