We are now halfway through February, and at my house, everybody is tired. There are signs of spring, but it is still cold, the mornings are dark still when I get up (although I did notice today that it was light at 7 o'clock while I was in my front room drinking a cup of tea). Persuading reluctant teenagers to get up to go to school is difficult, and I'm finding it difficult myself to haul myself out of bed in the morning. It's dark in the ... Read the Post...
Winter Colour Schemes Revisited
Candlemas on the 2nd February marks not only the official end of Christmas, but is also the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. In the farming calendar, it was when the lambing season would begin. Even though it is not spring yet, I've noticed a change. The days are definitely drawing out now, the light is different, the air smells different and I've noticed buds on trees. Something I read recently suggested ... Read the Post...
Postcards From the Norfolk Fens
Creativity can take all kinds of different forms. Some of it requires accuracy, precision and focus, with neat and tidy end results. Sometimes it takes on a more bonkers form, with weirdness, experimentation and unpredictability, and that is probably my favourite kind! If you've been here before, you might know that I am doing a textiles degree with the Open College of the Arts. I'm now about a third of the way through it (progress is slow!), ... Read the Post...
Things to Do in January
Having read the title, you might be wondering what on earth I'm doing talking about things to do in January, considering what I have said in the past about New Year's resolutions. Please be reassured that I haven't changed my mind! I still think that they are mostly an unpleasant way for us to take on more than we can handle, then beat ourselves up when we don't manage to stick to them for more than a few weeks, or a few days, or not at ... Read the Post...