Sunday 31 December 2017

On the ending of December . . .


Here we all sit today . . . on the precipace of a brand New Year.  There are less than 24 hours left of the old one and the new one is sitting there waiting, like a big huge empty blank page . . . just waiting for our pens to write upon it.  What we write is largely due to chance, but then again, the choice is ours in how we decide to deal with whatever happens our way  . . . 


And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: 
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” 
And he replied: “Go out into the darkness and 
put your hand into the Hand of God. 
That shall be to you better than light 
and safer than a known way.” 
So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, 
trod gladly into the night. 
And He led me towards the hills and 
the breaking of day in the lone East. 
~Minnie Louise Haskens 


When I was a child the common image of New Year was a very old Father Time, ambling out of the room with a Baby hot on his heels, ready to replace him.  New Years to me meant that after my parents woke up there would be some Happy New Year hats to wear and a few noise makers to play with, preferably very quietly as my parents would have sore heads, lol.  I don't think my parents missed going out on New Years Eve for the whole time they were married, and indeed after they broke up.  It is only in the past few number of years that they have stopped. My father might still be going out on New Years Eve . . .  I don't really know.


Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, 
The flying cloud, the frosty light: 
The year is dying in the night; 
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die. 
Ring out the old, ring in the new, 
Ring, happy bells, across the snow: 
The year is going, let him go; 
Ring out the false, ring in the true. 
~Alfred Lord Tennyson


The New Year is an opportunity for change and new beginnings for sure.  I am not a resolution maker . . . New Years Resolutions smack too much of failure for me . . . and so I just aim to be a better me, which is my every day resolution really, because every day I try to do better.  Sometimes I manage splendidly and other days not so well.  I think it is the same for each of us.  There are things I would like to do this next year.  Whether or not I am able to accomplish them remains to be seen.  Only time will tell!  

I'd like to cut back on sugar consumption, and not just refined sugars, but natural ones also. I think I am a sugar addict.  Oh but it will be hard because almost everything has some form of sugar in it.  But I am going to try and probably fail, but at least I will have tried. 

I want to write more and craft more and eat less.  Tis a fine balance . . . especially when you are a glutton like myself, and live, breath, enjoy . . . . food and cooking. It is a special joy.

I would like to go to the Temple at least once a month.  Now this might seem like an easy one to accomplish . . . and the temple is afterall only two hours away  . . . but in going I have to conquer my fear of the Motorway and Motorway driving . . .  

I would like to walk some each day, weather depending.  I know it won't be far because my arthritis makes that difficult, but I can try to walk a little bit and as they do say, every little bit helps, and who knows, maybe with each day it will become a little bit further.

A few years ago I set the goal to make sure my e-mail inbox was kept at a manageable level and I am happy to say that here I am with less than 100 in it, still.  That is a goal I conquered and kept.  Yay me. 

I want to continue on with my reading of the Book of Mormon and its study. 

I want to write a new book.  And finish it.  And find someone to publish it.  It should be a bit easier now since I am already published, and I have some very sound ideas rolling around in my head.  All I need to do is to make myself sit and write. 

I want to paint more.  I did not produce very much over this past year. Not very much at all.  It was a dry year paint wise, no pun intended . . . 

I want to go to Box/Bath and also Anglesey and back to Scotland, but most of all I would love to visit my mom . . . before its too late. But to do that I need to lose weight and earn enough to do so.  I don't want my mom to see me as overweight as I am.  She was always disgusted by overweight people . . . and I wouldn't want to disappoint her in that way, plus the money is a big thing. We don't do credit.

I want to continue with the downsizing and decluttering.  I make empty spaces and then like magic they get filled up again.  I need to do better at that.

I want to make it up to the Lakes in the Spring, to Castle Cottage, and finally meet Susan Branch at the picnic planned for that occasion, but again  . . .  weight. I need to lose weight first  . . .

I want to read more books . . .  and make my own marmalade.

And so it goes.  There is nothing here too
unattainable I don't think.
We shall see.
Anything could happen.
and probably will.


The wind is blowing ferociously this morning. You would think it is the end of March, not December.  December is going out on a Lion's teeth. 

A thought to carry with you . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★

 *.˛.°
Now and then, in this workaday world,
things do happen in the delightful storybook fashion,
and what a comfort that is.  
~Louisa May Alcott  •。★★ 。* 。 


 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Nutella Swirled Banana Bread. Golly gee whiz!

Have a lovely Sabbath Day, don't forget!
 
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════

And I do too!  Stay safe and stay warm!  And a very, VERY Happy New Year!


 

 



10 comments:

  1. Hi Marie, oh I'm with you on the cutting out sugar, I need to do it desperately! Cancer Research are doing a 'sugar free February'. Maybe you could do that and get people in your Church to sponsor you, it would be for two good causes!

    I am quite good when it comes to clutter. I hate it. The flat is clutter free cos I regularly go through wardrobes/drawers/cupboards etc. I believe the Konmari method is amazing for de-cluttering. She has written several books about tidying and de-cluttering and has excellent reviews, even from Martha Stewart!

    I hope you get to visit all the places you want to go to, especially to see your Mum.

    Wishing you and Todd a very happy and more importantly a healthy New Year! Lot's of love xxx

    ReplyDelete
  2. That sounds like a great idea Kate that bears thinking about! I have the book by Konmari and I am ashamed to admit I haven't truly read it or put any of it into practice! Bad me. I am keeping you in my heart and prayers for Wednesday. Hoping all goes well and that your operation is not canceled and goes ahead. So often these days you get yourself pumped for an op and then it is cancelled at the last minute. A very Happy New Year to you and your family. Love and hugs. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  3. I hope you see your mom and Susan Branch too:) How far would Susan be for you?

    That would be amazing.I wish both visits for you:)
    The book I know you can do..you can do anything!

    Happy New Year..make a wish..or two..or three..and may they all come true~

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wishing you a very Happy New Year and hoping all your dreams come true in 2018!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Marie~

    It is the end of December - I thought it would never come! Your thoughts and poems were so beautiful and appropriate, I loved them.

    First of all, thank you for the sweet card and the adorable gift inside, it brightened my day and made me smile...right after I cried. You are such a sweet friend. I wish I could sprout wings and land on your door-step!

    New year resolutions...what can we say about that?! My first would be to get well. I have been battling a terrible bronchial virus for over a week, and my lungs are so tired. I want to start the new year off healthy!

    And that weight business,,,oh my, it is a problem isn't it. I often wonder why that had to be my trial in life. Sugar is the culprit, but it's such a hard one to get rid of...my grandmother used to put extra sugar in Jello, and I wonder why I love it so?!

    I do love..."craft more and eat less". If I would craft more my hands would be busy, perfect solution!

    I could go to the temple every single day if I would - the temple is only about 15 minutes from my home. It's a wonderful goal, and one of mine as well. The traveling does make it hard, especially if you don't like driving on a freeway or Motorway. Maybe you could work something out with other RS ladies.

    Walking, oh boy! We live on a busy road with lots of farming equipment and big trucks that speed down our road - it scares me to death to think about walking down our road. But, we do have a housing addition right behind us that is exactly 1 mile to walk around...now if it would just warm up. That is an admirable goal!

    You really need to publish a book - I love to read anything you write, it's always fresh and fun to read, yes, you must do that!

    Painting for you, pen and ink for me. I love that goal, and it's one of mine as well. I would love to learn how to watercolor, it's so beautiful and everyone says it's not as hard as it looks, is that true?

    Here I am going on and on...I should e-mail! Pleas don't let your weight stop you from doing the things you want to do. Your mother loves you, don't wait until it's too late...take that trip!

    The sun is shining at my house, hopefully it's a good sign!

    Happy New Year, Marie, may all your wishes come true!!

    Love you,
    Barb





    ReplyDelete
  6. Well you are way ahead of me in the New Years Resolutions.

    I used to make resolutions and I was really good at keeping them, but over the past few years I'm just not that into them. (I figure if I want to change something badly enough, I can begin at anytime. I think the less pressure I put on myself, the more manageable the resolutions will be to uphold).

    By the way, I'm really jealous that you can paint. In my next life I want to be a children's illustrator so badly! I would love love LOVE to be able to draw and paint. (Like Tasha Tudor, Beatrix Potter, etc).

    Happy New Year!

    Kristin

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, my dear friend, you have a wonderful list of things you would like to do. I especially love the one that you want to write a book; please do. I have missed your painting so I would love to see more.
    I think your sweet Mom would love to see you know matter what your size. Just as you would your own children. Not that losing weight isn't achievable but I would get the money together and just go.
    Happy New Year to you my friends! Have a sweet 2018.
    I look forward to the next year of posts from you.
    Love and hugs!
    LeAnn

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks Monique. We will see how it goes! I have already eaten a Mince Pie this morning. Not a great start, lol. xoxo

    Happy New Year Pam! xoxo

    Happy New Year Barb! Glad it arrived safe and sound! xoxo

    Thanks Kristin, Happy New Year! xoxo

    Thanks LeAnn! Happy New Year Love and hugs to you also. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  9. I look forward to all your comments Marie!
    Happy New Year!
    Also Happy New Year to all your close friends and all your blogging buddies too!
    Love and big hugs!xo

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks very much Jan! ♥♥♥

    ReplyDelete

Your comments mean the world to me, and while I may not be able to address each one individually, each one is important to me and each one counts. Thanks so much!