Thoughts from an Oldie

It's 2023 and so far pretty wet and windy! Difficult times ahead given the state of the world. Putin still making war on the Ukraine bringing difficulties to everyone. People are stressed, feeling poor, finding it hard to get about due to all the different strikes. Businesses are suffering. The NHS and patients are suffering. Difficult to see when anything might get better, but life goes on. I for one, am so glad I have good health, a home, a decent landlord and enough money to feel secure for the time being.

Written by Hilary Finch

My family gave me a trail camera for Christmas to see what critters come in and out of my garden. Hopefully I will get to understand how it works and see the foxes and possibly even some bats. It is ridiculous to think that in the late 1980's I was a technical author but these days am easily flummoxed by gadgets! So far I know it works but have not managed to connect it to my laptop to download the results. And the state of my garden at the moment? Sad. My echiums were killed off by the cold snap and look horrible and covered in some kind of slime. Yuk. However there are good signs too as the daffodils are growing and some plants, my hebe for instance, is even trying to flower! Crazy weather patterns these days - which of course turns my mind to the climate. I have done what I can in my little corner of the world not to make things worse and help the birds and bees with plants and food.

Good fortune, health and happiness to you all for the year ahead.....

I'm not one for new year resolutions and am finding it hard to concentrate on my ideas or make any headway with them. I have been painting, but lately my resolve is weak. Perhaps it just the January blues - I hope so. I moved my furniture in the front room round again to make my work spaces and sitting areas better so I can take on small sewing jobs and keep my paints out of the way. It feels much more cosey. It's surprising how doing a small thing like that can cheer one up! Making good use of the space one has is good. Now I'm just waiting for the present to myself, new blinds. Once they come I can have more control over the sunlight that glares into my front room blinding me!