Winter Musings

I haven’t been motivated to write lately.   In my part of the world we are in the depths of winter.   The last few weeks have been full of buffeting winds, Arctic (or more correctly Antarctic) chill and rain, rain, rain.   Did I mention that we have had more than a fair share of rain?

We are past the shortest day marker, but I am still leaving home in the dark each morning and arriving home in the dark, so it is only in the weekend that I see my home in daylight.

So then I am reminded that the garden, too boggy to work in has sprouted many and varied weeds.  The pathways have become grimy with winter mould and there is much pruning to be done.   It seems so unfair that life carries on the garden regardless of the fact that there is little opportunity for a working girl to spend time outside in the few precious daylight hours in the weekend.

I am sure that I would enjoy the gifts of winter (and I am sure there are many), so much more, if I didn’t have to spend so much time away from home.

By the time we get to Springtime, the work that needs to be done both inside and outside the home can seem insurmountable. 

But that is for later.  I have decided, as I always do, to surrender to the dark, the cold and the damp and retreat inside and just take things easy until the earth and I burst with new energy in the Spring.

And that won’t be too far away.   My dear friend Daphne has bloomed to remind me of more temperate days ahead.

I read many years ago, that everyone should plant a Daphne bush outside their front door to ensure a fragrant welcome on every return home.  I am so glad I took note of the advice.  There are few flowers with the intense perfume of the flowers of this wee shrub. 

And now that Daphne has made her appearance, I know that the daffodils and freesias and the longer days that follow are not too far away.

Much of what we do at this time of the year can be viewed as an investment to be realised in the sunnier days ahead.   With this in mind I have planted garlic outside in the cold, dark earth that fingers crossed, will bear fat new bulbs by the longest day in December.

I am being mindful of what I am eating and whilst being gentle with my body am limiting the amount of carbohydrates and sugars in my meals.  I make sure that I drink plenty of water even though I never feel as thirsty as I do on a hot summer’s day.  When the weather is kind enough I wrap up warm and venture outside for regular, brisk walks.

Even though there doesn’t appear to be a lot of sun, I make sure that I never skip applying sunscreen to my face and hands and slathering moisturiser on limbs that don’t even see the light of day.

I have learnt that maintenance of basic disciplines over the winter months will ease the transition into the new season.

Simple pleasures, easy self-care routines and the promise of warmer days.   Sometimes that is all that is required.