Artist

Alexander Averin

Friday 29 February 2008

February Farewell

Dear Diary,


February makes a bridge and March breakes it.

George Herbert, Jacula Prudentum


So goodbye Dear February, my most-disliked month. No hard feelings though because perhaps I was a little harsh in my condemnation. You did carry beauty, good luck and blessings in your wake and I have survived intact. Nothing too untoward has befallen me or those I love.

Tomorrow comes a new month, Dearest March, a real harbinger of Spring and She will open with a very special saint’s day for the people of Cymru. There will be much wearing of the daffodil tomorrow and vases of them will be displayed in every home and public building. Daffodils are budding a-plenty hereabouts; there seem to be more than usual this year, or is it my imagination?




Today, the 29th February, they say, is going to be very wet and windy but I wake to a dry day with the barest of breezes. The collared doves are still busy flying back and forth to their new nest in the tall pine. I hope they have built a sturdy and secure home if gales truly are on their way.



I missed that earthquake by the way, I am so cross, I would have loved to have had the experience of the earth moving. I haven’t felt that for many a moon. (That joke was on everyone’s lips yesterday, I apologise).


My cold has come back, they are calling it a ‘boomerang virus’ round these parts. This time it has set up residence in my throat and chest and my voice has gone all funny. I would like to say it sounds huskily sexy but it actually sounds as if I am somewhat demented and close to death, when in fact I don’t actually feel too bad. By the end of the day I do feel rotten though and have been indulging in, or rather collapsing into, Early Nights.

So are there any Blessings amongst all this?

Bronchial Balsam from Boots. Not sure of the make but it’s the cheapest in the shop and there are no nasties in it; rather it contains all sorts of weird and wonderful but wholesomely dark and natural ingredients. Good black stuff, almost as good as those Calpol Brandy slammers (Purplecooers’ secret indulgences).

Paracetamol, honey and lemon, they also keep me going and stop me coughing too much.

Log fires are a comfort too and the sofa with blankets, soft cushions and pillows and some mindless TV. And let’s face it, most TV is mindless these days. It’s cooking, gardening, celebrities I’ve never heard of etc etc, you all know what I mean. I have been watching Place in the Country, or whatever it’s called…all about these really odd couples going house hunting, relying on some equally smug and weird person with an annoying accent to find them four houses to choose from. As if they didn’t have the gumption to look for themselves. And we all know they only do it for the huge fee and to appear on TV. But somehow if I am feeling poorly I can happily watch this crap. I don’t mind Location, Location, Location/Relocation etc as I really like the intelligent presenters of that one, also it’s the original idea I suppose and not a cheap copy.


Final blessing.
M has fixed my new Un Peu Loufoque tiles on the kitchen wall and very fine they look too. I will try and take a photo of them in situ but this is what they are.



Some people M knows came to visit us with their metal detectors yesterday and went round our field. The most interesting thing they found was a medieval loom weight if you know what that is. It is made of lead, looks like an over-sized Polo mint and apparently was used to weigh down either the warp or the weft (am sure someone will tell me). My money is on the warp because the weft goes in and out?

Here is a photo of one, not of ours, ours is the same but is not cracked...... but I haven't taken a photo of it yet.




They found all sorts of interesting little bits and bobs but no buried treasure unfortunately. We want to get the field ploughed up as an old Roman road actually crosses it, who knows what may lie beneath?

Well I will sign off now, I am feeling a bit worn out.

Before I go here is a poem I have only just this minute discovered on the net. Isn't it lovely?

MARCH


Dear March, come in!
How glad I am!
I looked for you before.
Put down your hat-
You must have walked-
How out of breath you are!
Dear March, how are you?
And the rest?
Did you leave Nature well?
Oh, March, come right upstairs with me,
I have so much to tell.


Emily Dickinson


Funnily enough Emily Dickinson uses the term ‘Dear’ to address the month. I had already done the same in this blog but swear I had not pinched her idea.

Ho Hum.
There is nothing new under the Sun and all that…..

Bye for now,
Go mbeannai Dia duit,
Caitx

10 comments:

Milla said...

hello! this is the month in which you won £1,000, can you not be a LITTLE forgiving!! Typically today (which would normally be March) all that unseasonally jolly blue Feb weather has deserted us, so I do know what you mean.

DAB said...

Lovely poem TFX

Karen said...

What lovely pictures - and words!

There are a lot of daffodils out around here, but it's so windy tonight, I'm not sure they'll survive :o(

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

Love the Emily Dickenson and the tiles, they are just gorgeous. I think I may have to have some. Sounds as if you, like me, are ready for spring!

mountainear said...

We're all ready for spring surely?

Much envy here for your find of a loom weight. We've found nothing on our land - old or new. (Unless one counts rusty barbed wire).

Frances said...

Hello Cait, it has been far too long since I have left you a message. I have also been struggling with the lingering cough/raspy voice and just boring aftermath of a cold/flu. Every time that I think it has left me, I get sent another reminder.

Weeks ago, I do think that you asked about clothes. The shop that I manage is part of a large US company begun over 20 years ago by a smart lady who realized that many women could not find clothes that they wanted to wear.

You may want to check the website for some ideas. (eileenfisher.com)
The premise is that you find a basic top and bottom (that suit you) and then layer outwards to decorate that basic bodysuit concept.

The two basics are usually best in a neutral color (black is the NYC winner, but there are other possibilities.) We favor easy to care for fabrics (many can actually be tossed in the washing machine's delicate cycle.)

Our styles tend to allow various body types to be flattered. If you have a column shape, or an hour glass shape or any other variation, there are many pieces that will combine to give you an easy way to look good.

The success of our company is that we do not expect all females to look like twenty-year-olds. We use really lovely fabrics, and try to encourage ladies to build up their wardrobes over the years.

Send me a pm if you'd like more info. I don't want to do too much of an advert here!
xo

DJ Kirkby said...

Love the poem and the pic of the daffs, oh so love the pic of the daffs! Sorry to hear you osund as if you smoke 40 a day but glad you don't feel totally unwell, that would be unfair!

CAMILLA said...

So sorry to hear you are feeling unwell Cait, I swear by the Honey and Lemon though, always take when I have a cold.

Gorgeous pictures Cait, and those tiles..... I want.! they are so lovely. Like me, I have a fad about washing on line.

I just adore that Poem by Emily Dickenson, thank you for sharing with us.

My Grandchildren gave me some Daffs for Mother's Day, they sit proudly on shelf with cards, love the Daffs, they are so cheery.

Camilla.xx

Lane Mathias said...

Can't say I'm sad to see the end of February either:-)

That move to the country programme is soo annoying. They are astonishingly rude about peoples' homes and constantly talk of 'updating'. Mind you, cosied up on the sofa with blankets and a fire, I'll watch anything:-)

Love the poem.

Westerwitch/Headmistress said...

Ok - tuck that vest in - REST - be kind to yourself. Coopol and bRandy slammers and hot water bottles and read and feet up . . . and big hug . . .BUT I like February . . . it brings the chance of snow and I LOVE snow . . . so feel for you not being well - but am sticking my tongue out at your dislike of February . . LOL