Just a short one today. Since I last wrote the temperature has dropped and we have shivered in a wintry white world. Slippy journey’s back from work, big boots on to grip the ground. Funny week – have felt unsettled. Not sure why apart from having a particularly bad week with expensive equipment broken and having to deal with some particularly unreasonable people. But nonetheless I’ve found my mind busy and racing with things – not even focussed thoughts really. My mind was just running.
Yesterday I spent a lovely evening with my friend. Shared some delicious food and a film. I focussed on how special my friend is and how good it feels to have friends like I do.
Today I went for a walk along the canal, and along the river Aire. The Aire was fast running and full. It was very grounding to listen to the rhythmic thud and lull of the rower’s oars. My intention was to take some food to the wild birds in the hedges, fields and bushes that run behind the Aire. So I took a bag with apple, bird seed and insect laden fat balls. I divvied this up as fairly as I could.
I’ve seen some lovely things. The first thing I saw was my first goosander. At first I thought she was a grebe – but on consulting a book when I returned I discovered my mistake. A beautiful graceful little duck species.

I saw tiny birds like blue tits, great tits and coal tits flitting from bush to bush. I heard and saw several blackbirds singing as well as robins guarding territories I expect – maybe just for food or maybe they are making ready for the next season.
I walked through the woods – still bearing their winter transparency. However buds are there waiting for their cue to open and re-clothe the wood in it’s splendid verdant hues. As I walked along the path beside the Aire I noticed Holly standing proud and striking with his enduring leaves and red berries. As in the carol, Holly continues to bear the crown for me.

Although I do feel Ivy needs more promotion than the song would have us think – it is a crucial late food source for insects towards the end of summer and autumn – producing globes of flowers which are actually quite pretty. They also provide cover and insect food for small birds such as wrens. Please consider planting ivy in your garden.

I took the path along the side of the canal, the part I couldn’t go along in the post Rosehip Autumn. I noticed that Oak had gone. His heart had completely hardened and the men had come and cut him down. I felt a little sad, but also hopeful. This means there is now room for other trees to grow in his place.

Despite my fingers feeling Jack Frost’s kiss on my walk, I also felt the most amazingly hopeful warmth of the sun on my face and back. I also saw that the some of mallards appeared to have paired. Maybe just a hint that spring isn’t too far off. The sun is staying longer already and is climbing higher into the sky. I felt blissfully warm and happy in the warmth of the sun. Most importantly I felt still and grounded in the moment I was living.

One of the last things I saw were the swan family – possibly the owners of the 5 feathers which featured in the post Shadow Self. Beautiful. Cob, Pen and last year’s two cygnets which should soon go off to start their own families soon.

At last this week my mind feels calm. I think it helped to just step off the treadmill for a bit.
There is a piece of art by one of my favourite artists. It’s title is ‘ Be still and listen, the world is singing’.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/121416326/be-still-and-listenthe-earth-is-singing?ref=shop_home_active_2

I think this a lovely thing to remember to do when your mind is in need of some still and calm. Until next time.