Wednesday Witterings . . .

 

(source)

 

Its quite cold outside this morning, well below zero, and it is not expected to get much warmer as the day goes on. However, it is not supposed to snow, so that is a good thing as Cindy and I have to make our way up country in the early afternoon to go have our mammograms done.  Not something that either of us look forward to, but one of life's necessary evils as it were. Since our mother had breast cancer, this is especially important for us.

We were very lucky to get appointments together like we did.  That is an extra special blessing. You know they say misery loves company, ha ha.  Plus, this means that we need only make one journey and not two separate ones.

 

(source)

I do not know if the groundhog saw his shadow the other day or not, but there will be at least six more weeks of winter in any case as the calendar says so.  I am a person who savors the slowness of Winter. I always enjoy this opportunity we have to slow down and do things which might seem to be a bit of an extravagance during the rest of the year.  I am not a person who likes seeing Easter Eggs appear in the shops immediately following Christmas.  Instead, I want to savor this in-between time for what it is. 

Making the most of this present season isn't always easy, but with a simple mind shift during Winter, we can be much more mindful of being present rather than running against nature with the ways of the World, which would deny us the crucial joy of living in the here and the now.

 

(source)

So much life can be found in the midst of winter, from the impossibly green shoots of the first snow drops . . . a miracle found beneath the brown carpet of bracken . . . to the buds which are beginning to form on the trees. Small signs of the life yet to come. These are the weeks when we can feel free to peruse the seed catalogues and begin to gently plan for the longer and lighter days ahead.

For me, carving out small rituals each day has become my way of reclaiming light and changing the world's narrative of busyness.

 

(source)

Lighting a candle to enjoy with my breakfast, some days slipping back beneath the bedsheets for a cuddle with the cats, digging out my blanket in progress and working on that.  Enjoying a hot drink and a good book while listening to quiet instrumentals and classics.

These are the wee moments that help to center me and bring me back to the here and the now, bringing light into my world at a time when it is in short supply. It is more vital than ever to show yourself kindness . . . to savor the slowness of Winter, where much beauty can be found in the browns, greys and whites.

This quiet period should be one of rest and rejuvenation, not impossible resolutions.  When it's cold and miserable out of doors, we can enjoy making our homes as cozy as can be with candles, fairy lights, blankets, warm soups and stews, gentle music . . . they can become havens which we have no desire to leave.

I know a lot of people who fly south for the Winter, like the birds.  Me, I would miss this all far too much. Winter is something I really never tire of, not really. Feel free to remind me of that statement in a few week's time  . . . 

There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart.

~Jane Austin

I had cooked a bit of a large casserole yesterday with the idea in mind to take half of it next door to Sheila.  She had a colonoscopy on Monday.  I think she called me three or four times on Sunday, she had been fretting over it so much, never having had one before. I told her that Sunday was probably going to be the worst of it. The prep for it always is much worse than the procedure itself.  Once we have that over with it is clear sailing ahead.

Anyways, I took her over a tub of the casserole yesterday and a nice large piece of cake. She was quite pleased and was quite happy to tell me that I had been right. The procedure itself was nothing much and easily endured.  The people at the hospital had been very pleasant and kind. They usually are, I think, most sympathetic. It is not something anyone wants to endure, not really.

Her nephew was there. He is there most days. I see him arriving at least once or twice a day.  He is good to check up on her like he does. It does my heart good to know that she, who is always looking out for everyone on the street, also has someone looking out for her.

 

(source)

One of the things I have been enjoying since the start of the new year has been this year's church study on the Doctrine and the Covenants, and the history of the beginnings of the church that I attend. I have always found the history of it all very fascinating and I love digging deeper into it.  I watch a guy on YouTube. His channel is called Unshaken.  He has a longer pod cast and then he has smaller individual ones which you can watch on a daily basis, where he discusses what we are reading and relates it to our lives today. I quite enjoy that.

I am a woman who prays, and I pray constantly. There is always a running conversation between God and myself going through my mind. Prayers don't always have to be uttered out loud.  Sometimes the most meaningful of prayers are those that are whispered in the deep recesses of our hearts.

 

(source)

The last few mornings I have gotten up very late. Yesterday it was quarter to seven and this morning it was actually seven, which is very late for me. The cats don't know what to think.  I am usually bounding out of bed between five thirty and six a.m. I had a very dreamy sleep all night last night. In fact, it felt like I hardly slept at all. It was just dream, dream, dream.  And as you know I have very vivid dreams, just ask Brad Pitt, whom I have never once been attracted to in real life, but who was trying very hard to woo me night before last. They don't half make me laugh, these dreams of mine. As if  . . . 

I have already lost the ones I had last night even though they did go on all the night through.  And with that I best leave you with a thought for the day.

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

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

*.˛.°People aren't longing to be impressed.

They're longing to feel like they're home.

~Shauna Niequist  ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •° * 。 • ˚ 

 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Ham Casserole with Broccoli & Rice.  This was very nice.  Lots of lovely pieces of ham and broccoli with rice in a lush cheesy sauce.  I am going to enjoy some leftovers tonight when I get home after the dreaded mammogram!

I hope that you have a lovely day.  Be safe. Stay warm.  Enjoy yourself a bit of cozy. Don't forget!

═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═══════════ 

⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════  

And I do too!