Almost time

It's almost time for my hibernaculum!  This is the first time I can remember looking forward with pleasure to winter, which says a lot for how I found my first attempt last year.

Hibernaculum?  It's what Roman soldiers used to call their winter quarters when they took a break from looting and pillaging.  These days it's more commonly a place for over-wintering plants, or the lair of a wintering animal.   

I had read that the Scandinavian peoples are amongst the happiest in the world which seemed very odd as they have much "harder" winters than we do.  I wondered if I too could have happier winters.

One of my great sources of inspiration was "The Gifts of Winter" by Stephanie Fitzgerald.  She had started from a similar viewpoint to mine i.e Winter Is Bleugh!  I actually read an article from The Guardian first.  This takes several points from the book in a very short form.

This year I start with a little experience as to what helped me.  I've started to batch cook and freeze some of my favourite meals for days when cooking feels like too much effort.  I've dug out and added to my collection of LED candles.  I've draped throws over all the chairs in the sitting room.

I've also set aside money for a treat meal each week and some flowers.  It's part of my self-care.

So long, September

 

Writing my Autumn Alphabet has meant that I haven’t written about day to day things on this blog but plenty has been going on.

I’ll start with the thing which worried me most: glaucoma.  My late sister had glaucoma so I get tested every year.  When I had a test in August the optician referred me to a consultant for further investigation.  The consultant told me that everything was OK which was a huge relief. 

A local vicar retired at the end of July so I’ve been busy most Sundays.  It’s a group of churches which I’ve been involved with before and we like each other.  They are very good and help me as much as possible.  I’m hoping not to do funerals etc unless it is someone I have known.  Funerals are very tiring. 

I’ve had lots of meals with various friends and relations.  (I feel like Pooh’s friend, Rabbit!)  I cooked for one friend but had several meals at the local pub.  No complaints there.  I also went to a 90^th birthday party.  The birthday boy’s family had arranged for a magician to come and he was brilliant!

The house had its annual electrical safety check and it needs some work done but the big news is that solar panels are to be fitted.  Yay!

Jack and I cleared the tomato patch and I reckon we harvested at least a couple of stone of tomatoes.  I’ve already made gallons of soups and sauces but the rest of the tomatoes still need to ripen before I can cook them.  I’m trying to “eat down” the freezer but I just can’t keep up!

 I’ve been working on my Christmas preparations.  As you know, I am a Supply Elf and I am knitting scarves for various children.  I’ve made a small start on Christmas cards.  Next month should see quite a lot of progress. 

And the biggest thing of all is that I have bought a new (to me) car and a new Trundle Truck.  The TT is smaller than the old one so I have called her Mini-haha

V is for vespers

I have to admit that I’m more of a Compline sort of gal than a Vespers one.  Compline is at bedtime: Vespers is the evening prayer and is a little earlier.  In the C of E we now have it as Evensong and maybe Compline later on.  I’m cheating slightly as I’m going to roll them all together with prayers in the evening to be my “V” post.  And it seems right to think about this in autumn.

There is something rather satisfying about the day coming to an end.  It may not have been very productive – that doesn’t matter.  It’s a day which I’ve spent with God whether or not I have thought about him and it’s a day I want to give back in prayer.  We spend much of our lives trying to squeeze more into the day. Vespers does the opposite. It says: stop now. The day is ending. You don't have to do anything more.

The formal service involves a psalm, some Scripture, prayers and, traditionally, the beautiful Magnificat — Mary's song of praise from the Gospel of Luke.  I use the Book of Common Prayer version with its wonderfully old fashioned language.  Sometimes the prayer can be as simple as sitting quietly for a few minutes at home and consciously handing the day over to God.  The world will manage, even if I stop pedalling.

Vespers invites us to look back over the day — not to judge it, but simply to notice it.  The things that went well.  The things that didn't.  The small kindness we received.  And perhaps the things we wish we had done differently.  Then we let them go.

I think there is something especially comforting about an evening prayer that has been prayed by Christians for centuries. Somewhere, in some church, monastery or quiet room, people have been watching the daylight fade and saying their prayers long before we invented electric lights, central heating and online shopping.

We still need to stop.  We still need to give thanks.  We still need forgiveness.

Some ancient traditions are worth keeping.

 

Q is for quietness

One of the great rebellions of my retirement is claiming the right to do nothing.  I had a busy working life, was carer for both my mother and my sister, ran a house and garden which were much too big for me and now I enjoy the pleasure of quietness.

I’d hate you to feel that idleness is easy.  I have only to look around and I can see so many things which I should be doing but I struggle and say “nah”. 

The bins ought to be emptied.  The laundry is breeding.  I have lots of cupboards which need to be sorted.  But I'm ignoring all of it.

Even the birds are quieter.  The springtime avian urge for romance is a distant memory and now there is abundant food and they feel little urge to squabble. 

But it isn’t really quiet.  The freezer motor hums.  The occasional car passes.  Even my tummy gives the odd rumble.  Two of those are easy to ignore. 

But mostly there is quietness.

The leaves can fall without my assistance.

The rain can rain.

The washing can wait.

I am content.

 

E is for evenings

There is something rather lovely about an autumn evening.

People are beginning to remark that the nights are drawing in.  Summer evenings feel endless which is just as well as the demands of the garden are also endless.  Autumn feels a little more laid-back. 

When autumn evenings are becoming a little chilly it feels good to come indoors, make a hot drink and put my feet up.  Soon I shall find the LED candles which will make things even more cosy

Autumn evenings are slower.  I’m very happy to stay at home.  Some evenings there’s rain and I’m more than happy to stay at home.  I can sew, knit, listen to podcasts or audiobooks.  No pressure.

I hold out as long as possible before switching on the heating, but that first time will bring a feeling of cosiness and comfort.  I no longer have a coal fire but the glow from my pretend fire will bring a sense of well-being. 

So here’s to autumn evenings: warm slippers, glowing lamps, mugs of soup, cosy chairs, good books and absolutely no obligation to be anywhere.

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.

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.

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?  

November in the hibernaculum

 As Novembers go, 2025 has been quite good.  

I've been getting lots of lovely food made and frozen, some for Christmas and some just for those days when i feel rubbish and can't be bothered.  

I went swimming just once.  There must be at least three of us, and health and other commitments have got in the way.  

I went to a craft session making iris folded cards.  And another making a pottery tree (not yet painted).

I was treated to a couple of meals to celebrate my birthday (which was in October).  And I've cooked a couple of meals for friends.  

I had a couple of days away meeting friends.

I've done a lot of decluttering and have found a willing recipient for some of my fabric stash. I have also been quite good at maulifuffing.  

I made my annual visit to Donna Nook and checked on the seals.  They are still wonderful.

And amongst all that I have plodded on with Christmas preparations, met with friends on line, on the phone and face-to-face and stayed happy.

Chatting with Alexa

Each morning Alexa and I have a brief chat.  I wish her "Good Morning" and she does the same for me and gives me a fact for the day.

Today, she tells me, is World Kindness Day.  No good succumbing to clinomania today.  I need to be out there, seeing what I can do.  Brigg, here I come.  

I'm a great smiler.  Everybody gets a smile and most get a "Good Morning" and about half say the same to me.  I'm the dotty old lady on a trundle truck and I see the same people most days.

I hope I am a pleasure to serve in shops.  Please, thank you and a smile.  Put things back properly if I decide I don't want them.  And I'm very careful getting around shops on my TT.

I shall spend some time knitting for homeless people.  I may make a few phone calls to friends.

I shall try and do my bit.  And even more, acknowledge other people's kindness to me.

Little treats

You'll probably have realised by now that I am trying all sorts of things to make winter a good time this year.  I've even started a scrapbook called "My Hibernaculum Project" so I can record my experiments, successes and failures.  I'm recording my decluttering and I'm recording my treats.  And I'm having a treat right now!  

I have a friend who lives in Leicester and a friend who lives in Peterborough and for many years I have met up with each of them a couple of times a year in Newark.  They don't know each other so these are separate meets ups.  It's further for me to travel than it is for either of them but that's OK.

Anyway. last year I explained to both of them that it is becoming a little tiring and I asked if they would mind if I planned things so I could stay one night in Newark and see one friend on the first day and one on the second.  Both were happy with that so I tried in the spring this year.

This time I decided to make more of a break of it so I came to Newark yesterday and I'm having two nights here.  I shall do some Christmas shopping while I am here and enjoy being looked after in an hotel.

It was good to anticipate, I'm enjoying the treat as it happens and I shall enjoy looking back.  Treats are great for keeping me happy during the winter.

Bye bye October!

 

At the beginning of October I said I expected it to be a "thin" month with little happening.  Oops!

I dog sat eleven nights during the month.  Holly Dog and I are becoming very good friends.

I met up with friends via zoom as well as in real life.  

I took one service and preached at another.  And after preaching I went to a harvest supper.  Very nice too.  

I went to a candle decorating class and a needle felting class.

I booked a cruise!  Not happening until 2027 but it's booked.

I celebrated my birthday and will continue to do so for several weeks to come.  

I decided to create my very own hibernaculum and bought a cosy fire as a starting point.

And, all in all, I had a lovely month.  I hope you did too.  

Feeling excited

 

I've booked a cruise!  I haven't cruised since 2009 when I went to see New England in the Fall.  I'd promised my Mother that I would use some of the money she left me to take a special holiday and when I saw that one which started on my birthday and was aboard Queen Mary II, I felt it had my name on it!

And I've wanted another cruise since I retired but the finances, covid, my health and everything else, made choosing very complicated.  I can't fly/cruise because I need to take quite a bit of stuff to cope with my disability.   I saw a cruise to Canada, the North West Passage, Greenland and Iceland which I really fancied but at the time I couldn't get all the ducks into a row.  And it hasn't been offered since.

But it made me think about visiting the Arctic Circle.  And when I saw a cruise advertised to see the coast of Norway and sail to at least 78 degrees north, I decided to go.  (The Arctic Circle is 66 degrees north.)  I've lived in the tropics: now I want to go as far north of the equator as I can.  

It's not until 2027 so I have a lot of time to feel excited.  The anticipation will help my wintering.  

(And yes, I do realise that the clip art is of the Antarctic, not the Arctic!  But I liked it.)

How's it going?

 

It's four weeks since  started on the physio course so I am reporting in.

I had my third session yesterday.  I'm not doing weekly sessions but rather at longer intervals so I get more chance to do more exercise between sessions.  It was actually two weeks since my last session and the next appointment won't be for three weeks as Fay (the physiotherapist) is taking a holiday. 

And it's going quite well.  I have about a dozen exercises to do twice a day at home and they are getting harder after each session with Fay.  Yesterday she asked me to get some ankle weights to use at home and that feels serious!  It may feel daunting when they arrive.  She's been impressed with the things I have been doing for years to try and keep myself functionally fit.  

I am beginning to feel the benefit of my efforts.  I was sitting on a rather low sofa a couple of days ago and I got up fairly easily.  

But I still haven't tackled the biggest challenge - getting up from the floor!  Maybe by the end of my course . . .

What will October hold?

I have no idea why we drew an artichoke for October in my on-line drawing club but an artichoke is what we drew.  

Yesterday I started a nine night dog sitting session with Holly Dog.  It's a sort of holiday but I continue to live my normal life so I can still do many of the things I would do if I were at home.

October is the month for harvest festivals and harvest suppers so I'm going to a few of those including preaching at one.

I've got a few meet-ups with friends organised and one friend has invited me for a meal which she will cook so I'm looking forward to that.  

I'm hoping to get more of my Christmas preparations done, some of them while I am staying with Holly as Holly's mum has a dedicated craft room filled with crafter's toys.   Yay!

That looks a rather "thin" month but I have no doubt that other things will happen.  

That was September

 The beginning of September still felt like summer but these last days of the month feel distinctly autumnal.  But it's been a good month.

I went swimming three times and for physiotherapy twice.  It must be doing me some good - please!

I led worship both in church and on-line.  

I went to a 50th birthday party.

I had three days dog sitting.

I met with a school friend for lunch and various friends for coffee.  And I had a few zoom chats with friends in various parts of the country.

I entertained a cousin for lunch and also went out for lunch with her.

I got stopped for shop-lifting!

I went to two separate women's groups and heard talks on volunteering at athletic events and on becoming a published writer.  I won't be doing either of those things (beyond the one item I have already published on Kindle).

Hope you had a good month too.  

That was August that was

It's been a gentle month.  Some of the time it was too hot to do anything and sometimes I wasn't too bothered about doing anything so I didn't.  These are a few of the things I did.

Worst first.  Annie-The-Home-Enhancer went away on her holidays so she wasn't here for four weeks.  I welcomed her back with very open arms!

I went swimming three times. Early in the month I couldn't walk much but I've improved as the month has gone on.

I studied some Shakespeare on-line with the WI.

I'm taking a service tomorrow but that's the only Sunday worship I will have led.  I took a Home Communion to a housebound lady and arranged for others to join us which she greatly appreciated.  I also conducted a funeral for which I was requested.  Funerals like that are always an honour.  

I had a couple of lunches out with friends.  And I went to the Bomber Command Memorial with a women's group.  

I did nine nights dog sitting.

I went to two birthday parties: one was a barbecue and the other afternoon tea.

That was July

 

This has felt like a long month but the end of it came in a rush!  These posts are (inevitably) lists and very self-centered but they are helpful to me for looking back.

It's been a lovely month weather wise and my garden is flourishing.  (I'll do a garden post very soon.)   Jack has been twice.

I've taken services on three Sundays.  I've also hosted four on-line services.  

I've had a go at water colour painting and will have another go soon.  I've also done on line courses on Google maps, iPhone usage, and American current affairs, 

I went swimming just once as, unfortunately, I've had several days in pain but am OK now.  

I had a glorious breakfast out.  This is a treat for myself and a cousin when my car needs servicing.  Then she makes lunch at home but we are both too full to eat much!  And another friend and her husband invited me to their house for lunch.   I had a trip to our local ice cream parlour and we had a tasting.  It would have been rude to refuse any of these invitations..  

Now, what will August hold?

An average sort of day

 When I asked for ideas for posts, writing about an ordinary day was suggested.  Yesterday was a pretty ordinary day so I wrote this post over the course of the day.

I've been awake since around 02.30.  I couldn't find sleep but that's OK.  I just laid in bed and listened to a familiar audiobook until 04.00 when I let myself get up.  The first two or three hours are spent writing my journal, reading other people's blogs, sorting my finances, checking emails etc.  There's also time for a bit of peace and quiet with God as I can be pretty sure there won't be any interruptions.  Before 07.00 today I had also made arrangements for some dog-sitting next month.

07.00 is time for for chat with Jack or, more accurately listening to Jack.  He tells me about what he did yesterday and what's he's planning today.  Today he's toddling off to Mablethorpe for a few days so we won't be chatting until Monday.

After that I am ready to make a proper start to my day - sorting the kitchen, tidying the sitting room and the rest of the round of domesticity.  

Today I had hoped to go to Brigg but it's raining so I'm stopping at home.  The ironing will get done, I'll phone a couple of friends and I'll work on a crochet blanket I am making for a small boy of my acquaintance.  There are very few children in my life and I treasure each small person.

One of our local clergy is leaving this Sunday so the rest of us took her out for lunch.  It's great to see each other socially but sad to say goodbye to C who has been a really good vicar.  And after that I tried to do a detailed examination of the back of my eyelids but they wouldn't stay shut.  

Then I decided to collect garden produce.  This will be tasty over the next few days.  

I had a very good lunch at the pub so I won't need much this evening.  Instead I shall spend the evening getting on with the crochet, having a video call with a cousin, watching Miss Marple (currently available on BBC iPlayer) and mulling over the day.

I've done nothing exciting today but I've thoroughly enjoyed what I have done.

God is good.