What a difference a week makes. Our weather has returned to normal temperatures, even a bit below normal. Chilly winds are blowing. And the lovely flowers we so admired have turned into a sad brown and fallen to the ground. It is refreshing to once again see the icicles hanging from the rocks on the sides of the roads. Only time will tell what longer term effects we will see from the most unusual weather patterns.
While we enjoyed our holiday decorations, I'm always happy to have the house back to normal. Fortunately, "normal" to Lucy means her beds are exactly where they are supposed to be and we never move them. She does not like change unless she initiates it. She loves arranging her pillows. We touch them only to vacuum them and I do that when she is outdoors with my husband. She doesn't like anyone messing with her stuff I suppose.
She looks pensive. But I know she is thinking about a nap.
She has turned her bee pillow over as she snuggles on a rainy day.
(Surely doesn't look like I ever vacuum it, does it?)
January brings the post-holiday blues for many people. I'm not one of them. Perhaps because we have never made a huge deal about the gifts. It's far more about the fellowship, the food and drinks, and the traditions we have developed.
Today's quote comes from Vita Sackville-West. She was an English poet, novelist and a garden designer. Her gardens at Sissinghurst Castle continue to attract visitors. Her personal life was a bit scandalous, having an open marriage (in the early 1900s) and multiple affairs with famous women, including Virginia Woolf.
"The shortest day has passed, and whatever nastiness of weather we may look forward to in January and February, at least we notice that the days are getting longer. Minute by minute they lengthen out. It takes some weeks before we become aware of the change. It is imperceptible even as the growth of a child, as you watch it day by day, until the moment comes when with a start of delighted surprise we realize that we can stay out of doors in a
twilight lasting for another quarter of a precious hour."
After the winter solstice I check the weather app daily to determine how many seconds of daylight we have achieved. I love the lengthening of light even when it's imperceptible. I do hope our return to normal weather will continue. Our thoughts go out to those so severely affected by the storms and flooding.
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND, EVERYONE!
13 comments:
Yesterday I noticed glazing on the farm ponds and remnants of a dusting of snow in the shadier places. Today? Cold rain, but at least it feels like winter in the Ohio Valley. Love the pics of Lucy and her pillows! She is precious. I, too, look with anticipation to the lengthening of days. I do not mind winter, in general, but I do not like the short days.
I love that quote - that sentiment what I hold onto in February :)
Lucy and I would get along great in the nap department! And nobody dares to touch my pillows either!
The post holiday blues may also be the winter blues in general. Lucy may have the best solution...long naps and may all our dreams be happy ones.
What a quote!!!
I'm with Lucy; don't touch my stuff....well, unless you're cleaning it. :)
Happy new year!
I check the weather sites daily and sometimes announce to Roger, "Today there is going to be 51 seconds more light!" It's been so rainy here the darkness descends earlier than it should, but on the bright sunny days we notice how light it is even after sunset. Lucy knows how to enjoy her down-time. She is a great role model!
Yes more daylight. We need here on the Minnesota tundra all we can get....:)
Those extra minutes of daylight are sneaky but welcome. So glad we are back to normal weather wise. I am like Lucy, don't mess with my normal--in this case the weather. The warm was nice but I feel more comfortable now that it is seasonal again.
Oh, the neverending battle against Pet Hair. Sigh. A given.
What a perfect Quote. It is that tradeoff which makes Winter barely tolerable for me each year, and this year, the weather has been far more amenable to my nature. Today is a big Transition Day for NEO: we reached almost 50 yesterday, had rain overnight, and now are under a high winds advisory as a belt of snowstorms travels in from the Northwest. I'm afraid that today will be the Second Day I Wear My Winter Coat this season.
Oh, well. More daylight, as you say, will help us through.
Happy Sunday to you! I love your girl-so is such a sweet pup. I didn't see any reason you'd need to vacuum-no dog hair or anything. WE still have 6" on the ground today, though it is sunny; right now the temp is almost 20 degrees. Burr. I'll stay in for a bit before hubby and I have to run errands later. Hop you have a great day and week.
Hugs to you and Lucy!
Noreen
Lucy is looking shiny and pampered, as she should be! I'm glad she's a happy girl, napping all she wants to!
I agree with you about the imperceptible change in daylight. I rejoice in every second!!!!
What I also note about this time of year--in addition to the lengthening days--is the way the angle of the sun keeps changing. I often think about our pre-historic ancestors who observed this celestial marching of the seasons and, without analyzing them, understood them.
Thanks for your comments, everyone.
Linthead - I do remember those gray mid-west winters.
Bug - What keeps me going in February is that March will follow it.
Beatrice - I often look at Lucy and wish I could relax as well as she does.
Suz - I should think two daughters would mess with your stuff often.
Robin - My husband jokes with me about checking the hours of lengthening daylight.
Troutbirder - Yes, it's even worse up there.
Patti - I'm with you. I really couldn't enjoy the warm weather. Perhaps because we had not had any real cold yet.
Nance - Appears you may have gotten some cold weather and a bit of snow to go with it.
Noreen - I'm sure you never make any morning appointments during the winter up there. The pillows stayed covered in dog hair because Lucy squirms to get into just the right position.
KB - Your sunrise photographs clearly demonstrated your love of the daylight.
Donna - I notice that as well. Have to move to different parts of a room to get the sun. It is truly astounding how much our early ancestors knew about the movement of the sun and moon.
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