A little lull in the bitter cold of winter has given us two lovely sunny days. They bring back memories of winters on the prairies when I was a child, and the sun shone brilliantly in a bright, blue sky. And the touch of cold stirred my young blood into the most delightful activities, - walking in the snow, skating on the nearby rink, skiing and sleighing on the golf course hills in Edmonton.

Winter is not as delightful as it once was, but I can still enjoy these sunny days, and the flowers that live in our house while snow blankets the garden.

The amaryllis was slow in blooming, and missed Christmas by a few days. But the paper whites have been enjoying the light and coolness in the big bathroom for a couple of weeks, - so much so that I hate to move them out from where they are evidently luxuriating. The kitten and I enjoy their fragrance whenever the spirit moves us to visit.

The First Day of the Year 2007

And an indolent day it was, - scandalously so!

Lolling around, knitting a bit, dozing a little, browsing a smidgin in the current Christmas books, and organizing some inspirational reading for the year. The really serious resolutions have not yet kicked in, and I am content that the days should pass in pleasant retrospect for a little while yet.

Not so with Husband.....he is champing at the bit and getting himself all fussed up with the constraints the weather is putting upon his outdoor activities. Hard to ignore the mood this puts upon him, and it is enough to make me yearn for a little sunshine and mild weather.

The Christmas/New Year celebrations are passing into memory, and the Time of Birthdays is upon us!!! Six family members, and three good friends!!! Eliot brands April the Cruel month, but methinks it more the month of Romance and Passion.

Our Grandson, David, had a spectacular celebration of his 19th birthday on New Year's Eve - his coming of Bar age, at least! A great bonfire of the year's prunings, - music and family and friends.

Tomorrow I will observe my 82nd birthday - not too closely! At 82 it is best to let birthdays just slip into oblivion, and perhaps their effects will not be too blatant...... I know all the quips about having earned each line and wrinkle, but it is more the weak joints, the creaking knees and the general diminishment of energy that plagues me about the passing years. I try to keep the enthusiasms at a high level, and occasionally I read over the Words of Wisdom posted on my Fridge door.

"LORD, Thou knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older and will someday be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but Thou knowest Lord that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others' pains, but help me to endure them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a Saint - some of them are so hard to live with - but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And, give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so. AMEN "



Even the act of re-typing this strengtens my resolve to face the future with courage and with the most sweetness of spirit that I can manage to dredge up!!!!

In the meantime I wait patiently for the January spirit of resolve to fall upon me and get me stirring......the only thought for the future that has so far come upon me is that I should practise Scott Joplin each day until I regain some proficiency with his music, - it brings such pleasure to both Husband and I.