"Snow, it is true, is not merely white. The sun touches it
with roseate and golden lights. Its own crushed infinity of crystals,
its own richness of tiny sculpture, fills it, when regarded near at hand,
with wonderful depths of coloured shadow, and, though wintrily
transformed, it is still water, and has watery tones of blue."
from "Davos in Winter" by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON
as recorded in Nature Tales for Winter Nights, p 81
Have been feeling grey of soul of late. I don't blame the wintry weather for it—I like winter and I rarely mind grey overcast days. It could be a mix of contributing factors: some health-related, my own as well as of people I care about, the state of the world which includes upheavals and natural disasters in many places, feeling the horror and sorrow press in as I think about the many who have lost so much, of the homeless and hungry. And me sitting here with so much.
So when it comes to writing here on my blog, I admit, my heart isn't in it. My own life is quiet and generally pleasant but I feel the weight of it on these dark January days. My creativity feels powdery and dry like the drifts of snow outside my window. So, until I find my heart for writing again, I will be taking a short winter break away from my blog. Someone once said that when our hearts are heavy, sometimes it's good to get physical. Pour your energy into some physical projects rather than mental ones; redirect the focus to something tangible and close to hand. I can almost hear my house cheering. Dust bunnies abound. Hubby is most reliable as the household vacuum-er. Me, I'm the dust-er, and I hate to say that I'm falling down on the job.
The other day I read that Peggy from The Simple Woman's Daybook is winding up her blog—she wrote her last post in December. I'm going to miss her presence here in blogland. How often I have followed her writing prompts over the years; they have been a great way to corral one's random thoughts. A big thank you to Peggy for giving us such a simple but lovely format to read and to write about.
And so today, beautiful friends, I write with you in mind as I share this January edition of Simple Woman's Daybook. I hope you enjoy, and we'll see you in the not too distant future.
For Today
Looking out my window...
The grey, overcast morning turns into pale bluer skies
with possible hints of sunshine peeking from behind clouds
that high winds chase across the landscape.
I am thinking...
About the all the things I wanted to accomplish in
my house during these snug indoor weeks in January but
the days are flying by and my lists on my desk wait in vain.
I am thankful...
For the dear man I get to call my husband who texted me
early yesterday morning saying the roads were good and traffic was
decent as he'd traveled into town for his medical appointment.
Adding a quick "I love you" at the end. I felt my eyes shine like stars.
One of my favourite things...
The way the light now arrives slightly sooner in the mornings
and disappears slightly later in the afternoons.
I am creating...
Some 'Reset' to-do and project lists for myself.
To tackle a few projects around home, and especially in my study.
House projects, desk projects, writing projects.
A few paper blizzards need taming. Books on
shelves need reorganizing. And, new handles for
refurbished kitchen cupboard doors need shopping for.
I am listening to...
Classic FM Calm Radio streaming from the UK.
Especially enjoying the 'calm' music these days.
I am wearing...
I planned on a short-sleeved cream knit sweater
embellished with crocheted rosettes, with black pants. But
short-sleeves sweater now replaced with long-sleeved T-shirt.
I am reading...
The Rose Arbor by Rhys Bowen, a historical
novel with a mystery, set in 1943 and 1968
A Thousand Feasts by Nigel Slater
Small moments of joy . . . a memoir of sorts
Just finished and enjoyed
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
Nature Tales for Winter Nights, edited by Nancy Campbell
I am learning...
How to carry both joy and sadness in my heart at the same time.
There are sad things of which we should be sad about, but that
doesn't mean we need to swim in that pond all the time. It's joy that
gives us the strength for our days. Humour lightens the load. So we
watch for the many moments that come as gifts to reprieve,
soften, comfort, and cheer us.
In my kitchen...
I'm enjoying the smell of chicken stew, roasted onion and dill perogies
sautéing in butter, and lemon zest over the steamed asparagus.
In the 'school room'...
As we don't have fireflies where I live, I was intrigued to learn
from notes made by Charles Darwin in 1832, as recorded
in Nature Tales for Winter Nights,
that certain fireflies emit
"the most brilliant flashes when irritated; in the intervals,
the abdominal rings were obscured. ... The shining matter
was fluid and very adhesive: little spots, where the skin had been torn,
continued bright with a slight scintillation, whilst the uninjured parts
were obscured. When the insect was decapitated the rings remained
uninterruptedly bright. ... The rings in one instance retained their luminous
property nearly twenty-four hours after the death of the insect."
I felt sorry for that experimental firefly but it was interesting to learn
a little of what makes a firefly... a firefly.
In my garden...
Blue jays were taking turns at the water bath today. Temperatures
were mild even though it was so windy. One fellow plopped himself on
the trellis outside my window and peered in at me, feathers looking
like bedhead as the wind tried to blow him off. Too busy hanging
on, Mr. Blue Jay forgot to scold me about the serious lack of peanuts.
Quote (found on Facebook)...
I sent this to my siblings who are all younger than me:
"This is your sign to request $20 from all
your younger siblings 'just because'."
I'm sorry to report no one coughed up.
🤣
Closing thoughts...
Please know the grey in my soul is not overwhelming
me. There are luminous cracks of light in the dark.
Wishing you grace for whatever you face in your
own life these days. Holding you close in my heart.
❦
Inserting a PS...
Later in the day, after I wrote and published this post,
I visited a couple of blogging friends. The words they spoke
on their own blogs spoke deeply into my soul. I came away
from each one blessed to the bottom of my socks.
I'm so grateful for His grace today. And a huge thank you
to Caitlynnegrace for reminding me to 'cast away my cares on Him'
and to Janet M for her post of creative well-filling words and images.
(Click on their names and the links will take you to their posts.)
Wishing you a beautiful day,
Brenda
Photo credit:
Image by kordi_vahle from Pixabay
My blogging Schedule:
I post on Fridays
I enjoyed reading your Daybook, Brenda. I, too, was sorry to read that Peggy is ending her blog. But, I understand her reasons and it gave me something to think about. Enjoy your break and thank you for writing such a lovely post. You, too, give me much to reflect upon!
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear from you, Karen. Thank you for your kind words.
DeleteI understand about the 'grey in the soul'. I feel sure that weather has a lot to do with the way we feel. I long for Spring.
ReplyDeleteI like winter and enjoy the dark days of December and January (especially with twinkle lights and candles), but perhaps they do affect our bodies and minds more than we realize. I'm thinking that perhaps a bouquet of tulips next time I'm at the grocery store will fit the bill to add some cheeriness. Take care, Barbara. xo
DeleteA lovely daybook post, Brenda. I'm sorry there is "grey in your soul" but encouraged that there are also "luminous cracks in the dark." I hope those cracks widen as you take a break from your blog.
ReplyDeleteI might borrow that quote for my own younger siblings. Somehow, I doubt they will cough up.
Maybe you'll have better luck, Lorrie, at your sibs 'coughing up'. Haha. But we won't hold our breath.
DeleteWe have been noticing the extra minutes of daylight too. It makes spring seem "just around the corner". We know it's not quite as close as it seems, but nonetheless that little bit of extra daylight does wonders to keep one's spirits up while we wait!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathy, glimmers of hope!
DeleteDear Brenda,
ReplyDeleteThank you once again for your timely post.
How I can relate to the grey-ness of soul :/ Part of that comes from looking at the list of things that need to be done... ugh
My goal lately is to not become bitter or resentful of the job I "signed up" for in taking care of my mother while she remains at home for as long as possible.
I, too, have learned that it's possible to carry both joy and sadness in my heart. Only by God's grace!
Please take care of yourself. Do take the time needed. We'll be here waiting for you!
God bless you and keep you,
Carolyn
Thank you for your note, Carolyn, and for sharing a little of what goes on in your own world. I wish you much grace as you care for your mom in this season of life. I wish you also lots of little gifts of light and cheer to come your way and sweeten your days. (Dusting my house is on the to-do list; I don't do it often but today I feel graced to tackle the task at hand.)
DeleteI understand that feeling of "grey" which is not hopeless nor without those glimmers of light. The past couple of years of my life have brought challenges that I did not see coming and it is hard. And yet, as you have experienced, there is joy in the middle of the shadows. I often pray for "grace for the day."
ReplyDeleteI do hope that you enjoy your break and that you find fortitude in a change . . . and in delving into other things . . . and in His presence. May you have grace for the day!
Cheryl, thank you for your encouraging note. Like you, the prayer so often whispered is for 'grace for the day'. And here we still are! :)
DeleteWishing you a beautiful day. xo