Blizzard, Sun and Diary

1. Woke up early to get myself ready to go shopping but because of the blizzard, Anne cancelled the trip. Frustrating but understandable. When the sun came out I took the dog the usual walk, with a detour into a field. Even a small variation raises the spirits. The views all along the valley were stunning, the light shining off the frozen snow, and everything very crisp and clear. The sun raised my spirits too.

2. Met a neighbour on the way home and chatted about snow and the necessary snow preparations (which I omitted to make as I didn't know about them). She showed me her summer house, and it inspired me to make sure I get mine sorted in the spring. I even sat on the bench at the top of my garden in the sun when I got home and revelled in the thought of my very own beautiful, insulated painting hut. Then I won't keep regretting that my house is so dark.

3. Later went round to another neighbour who also has a yellow labrador, though hers is a retired guide dog and very well behaved - the type of dog I thought mine would be but he hasn't quite got there yet. I bet her Arthur doesn't go round all the gardens eating bird food, fallen fat balls, toast, muck on the roads, frozen rabbit ... She showed me a copy of a diary written by a woman who lived here in the 50s - simple notes for each day, recording housework, illnesses, the garden, jam making, snow fall, the first and last cuckoo and so on. It reminded me to keep this blog going, and so I have, for today.