Busy busy busy

Thought I'd better do at least one posting in December.  I haven't been idle, its been a busy month.

Very last day of November we travelled to Crymych to see my daughter, G9 perform in the orchestra she has joined.

First weekend of December saw us going to a bonfire on the common land.  Unfortunately due to the very wet weather we all gave up and went to Maggie and Phil's house for a glass (or three) instead.  Shame. This was followed the next night by a housewarming party, held by the lovely Jane from our dosbarth Cymraig.  Good mate Carl was also there and as sparky and entertaining as usual.  Wonderful evening had by us all, although subsequently the morning after was a bit of a blur. 

We went to the church at the bottom of the garden for a magical evening of carols, mulled wine, mince pies and other goodies.

St Meilyr's Church

Then there were the preparations for the grand Coffee Morning to be held at our house, not only that we had two family visitors staying in The Cabin and three in my house. The visitors lent a willing hand on the morning itself though and really helped to make it a success.  In the afternoon all the ladies went to the Oriel Linda Norris Gallery to make some fused glass Christmas decorations.  Friend and fellow blogger Maggie Christie joined us with her beautiful daughter.  Sunday we had our first Christmas lunch.

Our neighbour was Santa for a morning (but shhhh don't tell G9) and we went along to their chapel in Gelli to sing a few carols, drink mulled wine (well G9 didn't) and meet him in the flesh.

We went to Ysgol Maenclochog to watch the school Christmas play.

We had carols to sing with the Adran but unfortunately although we went out all wrapped up they ended up being cancelled due to the snow.

Last weekend my brother and family came to stay.  Saturday evening we had our second Christmas lunch.  Sunday we went to the local village of Llangolman and walked for a few miles to find a holy well.  It was a lovely walk, the fields were covered in snow and the hills really were alive with the sound of music as we all sang carols.  We were blessed with very clear skies, with the moon out and the sun setting.

As well as of course frenetically wrapping presents late at night once G9 has gone to bed.  Writing cards.  The usual.  Phew.  Roll on Christmas I'm looking forward to a break. 

Nevertheless these simple pleasures bring home the true meaning of Christmas and I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else in the world than here; with the family, neighbours and friends that surround us.

Morning views

Looking out of the bedroom window this morning...

And then the bedroom door...

Joining in...

I had in my mind's eye when we moved that we would join in.  It was mentioned to us a few times that we really should; often dire warnings of ignoring this good advice were made explicit. 

"Oh you will be OK as long as you enter into the spirit of things and don't ever turn down invitations." 

...or worse...

"You know what the Welsh are like and they really don't like the English."  Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.  "Hope you've packed a fire extinguisher." 

These comments from parochial well wishers simply confirmed that our decision to move was the right one.  We had always intended to join in as really it would be a bit shortsighted of us to move somewhere new and then promptly insulate ourselves from the world.  You have to make an effort to make new friends.  This was going to be home after all.

Never a more welcoming crowd could we have we met.  Cymru Am Byth!  A Barabrith was awaiting us on our arrival, left on the doorstep.  People have warmly invited us into their homes and plied us with food and wine. 

In our turn we help with looking after the common land (actually Him Next Door does most of the mowing), this Friday we have a community bonfire to burn all the chopping back we did earlier in the year.  We also go to fundraising events in the local community and support the school, village hall and local shop whenever we can.

We actually proactively fund raise for both the common land (Cadwraeth Llysyfran‏) and St Meilyr's Church, nestled at the bottom of the garden.  I am not particularly religious but believe I suppose essentially in Christian principles.  And the Church is truly beautiful and awe inspiring in its age and presence.  You wonder what those walls have witnessed in their time.

From my involvement in the immediate community was born the website http://www.llysyfranchurch.co.uk/.  My little bit of giving. 

140 Christmas Cards sold so far...

Letter writing.

A quaint old tradition. 

I have one friend from school who has not dabbled in the 'Interweb' at all.  He insists on writing letters and I must admit there is nothing like finding that little jewel amongst the drab brown envelopes scattered on the mat.

I can type quicker than I can write, so I have found that my handwriting has deteriorated somewhat... especially when balancing the pad on my knee with one eye on the TV and one hand holding a cuppa, all whilst trying to help G9 with her gwaith cartref Cymraig.  (Hmmm perhaps that's why she doesn't get 10 out of 10).

I can barely understand what I have written myself when reading my letter back, goodness knows how anyone else can.  But still, it's more personal somehow than the typed page.

The only other time I hand write in earnest is on Christmas cards.  For those I see regularly I don't pen much except for the usual salutations*, but for those I rarely see it's a chance to catch up.  So I carefully write little messages in each card for my distant friends and family, all individually scripted.  It makes my arm and hand ache, but every year I do it, just to get those little gems back.  It's like Facebook but hand made.

I have a box of old love letters and cards, hand written by someone who died when just starting out in life.  Although I look at them rarely, when I do I feel connected somehow - they have more resonance than a typed page could ever have.

Writing this blog has made me feel a little guilty as it reminds me I have a pen friend I still owe a letter to, its been months and months.  Somehow life keeps getting in the way.  It's back on the top of my things to do for this weekend.

*Addendum: I never understand why people have photographs on their walls of relatives they live with, after all they see them every day. 

Beautiful October

What a beautiful sunny, warm and dry October we are having.  The flowers in the garden are a bit confused and have been putting on the best shows, trying to entice the insects.

There's nothing so beautiful as a rose.

 

That's Billy the fish in the background (opposed to Billy the boy).

And with a heavy heart I see just round the corner winter coming. I so much prefer the light to the shade.  The warmth to the cold.  The long days to the short.  So late in the year these special sunny days are like priceless gifts, they are to be treasured.  They hearten the soul and the memories of them will have to last until Spring.

As others say it so much better than I can do, I'm going to share with you some quotations and poems that have particularly touched me about this time of year.  If you have your own and you would be willing to share them, please comment,  I'd love to read them.

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house.
So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air.
- Nathaniel Hawthorne

"I know the year is dying,
Soon the summer will be dead.
I can trace it in the flying
Of the black crows overhead;
I can hear it in the rustle
Of the dead leaves as I pass,
And the south wind's plaintive sighing
Through the dry and withered grass.

Ah, 'tis then I love to wander,
Wander idly and alone,
Listening to the solemn music
Of sweet nature's undertone;
Wrapt in thoughts I cannot utter,
Dreams my tongue cannot express,
Dreams that match the autumn's sadness
In their longing tenderness."
- Mortimer Crane Brown, Autumn Dreams

...... The following one is particular pertinent to us here, as we are surrounded by trees.

"October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came-
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band."
- George Cooper, October's Party

Mrs Angry

I have been lusting after an iPad for a long time. 

Business and private bank balances do not warrant such an extravagant expenditure, so I have gone without.

J on the other hand ordered one - secretly.

He was away on a business trip when I discovered this.  I phoned him whilst he was travelling.

I was prepared to forgive him if he'd bought it for me.

Nope.  Just for himself.

The Teenage Attitude

Imagine this, I have a mug, letters and the kettle in my hands.  Yelling for Topsy to follow me out of the door - like now, so I can start work.  I'm already late.

Not on your nelly. 

I do an odd little dance.  As my hands are full my legs make frog like movements to encourage her to come on and I pull a myriad of coaxing faces.  Nothing doing. 

Topsy is terrible in the mornings and likes to stay in her pit for as long as possible.  Instead of leaping out of bed like a young dog should, she gazes up at me, rolls onto her back and emits the vibe of, "get me out of here if you can."

Hmmmm; Dog 1 - Human 0.

Topsy - dog with attitude.