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Windy Squirrels

 I packed Christmas away today. Having spent a rainy day yesterday making a jigsaw puzzle (the second I received for Christmas) I was starting to feel a bit claustrophobic with all the decorations. Besides, they’d been up for 3 weeks and that is quite enough, I think. I did leave the fairy lights on the stairs and landing, though, as they add a magical quality to the still dark Winter evenings. Now everything is neat and tidy again - and the sunshine even made a rare and welcome visit, breaking through the clouds and drizzle that have been order of the weather for a week now. 

At lunch time, whilst I was waiting for some mushrooms to cook to go on toast, I was entertained by a squirrel who was determined, despite the high winds, to have its fill of sunflower seeds from one of the bird feeders! We have two squirrels in the garden. This is the chubby one, and there is some speculation that her chubbiness may be down a pregnancy. Anyway, 10/10 to her for determination and gripping skill. She clung on for 15 minutes before dismounting and then returning for seconds. 

After giving the kitchen cupboards a bit of a tidy out, I settled down to a spot of reading and a spot of thinking about what 2022 will hold. Past experience has taught me that it doesn’t pay to make too many plans; I looked back at my diary for the start of 2020 which was so full of ideas, plans and optimism for the year ahead that when coronavirus struck, well, they all fell flat. But I did allow my imagination to wander, just for the sheer fun of it. So:

1) I could learn a new language. Although I don’t travel abroad, and have no intention of visiting any of the countries where I could test my new language skills (I have narrowed my options to three) I believe learning a new language to be very good for developing new neural pathways in the brain, and that is a good thing! 

2) possibly have a go at Veganuary. Eating vegan in January. See what they did there?? More and more of my meals are vegan, now, but oh, the eggs! I love eggs! And milk in my tea. I tried oat milk in tea and it was vile. Maybe I could do 85% Veganuary? Would that be allowed? Well, in MY world it would be, but as you are aware, I am a troublemaker. Also, from re-reading my 2020 diary I was reminded that I am a ‘grumpy cow.’ Someone else’s observations, not mine. I, personally, think I’m a pretty cheerful cow…

3) try a new arty crafty skill. I definitely need to complete the patchwork quilt I started earlier this year, but I also think having a go at something different might be fun. Pyrography, maybe. Or pottery. There’s a new series of ‘The Great Pottery Throw down’ starting this Sunday coming, so that will provide some inspiration. I am also planning to make my own greetings cards. 

I have a few other bits on my list, but I’m keeping those to myself for the time being. It was nice to think about what could be, all being well in the world.

Leaving you with Cordelia Mouse, a gift from Heather. She (Cordelia, not Heather) came from a stall at the Christmas Fair we visited at Blenheim Palace at the end of November. I was very good at pretending I had forgotten she had been bought! 




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