This is the next door neighbour's Weeping Willow. Even with a little help from Photoshop, the bright yellow branches against the blue sky don't look as good as in real life. It's what I see when I open the shutters in the kitchen every morning. Somehow winter doesn't seem so bleak when I look at them.
Winter has been a bit mild and quite dull - not at all the nightmare I had been dreading since that first visit when I was so cold I could hardly walk for shivering. Perhaps that dread it the reason I've been lacking motivation. The blog has been suffering too, especially in the last few weeks. But then, there are so many blogs to read I can't keep up with those that update often so maybe I'm not such a bad blogger, giving everyone a break! To paraphrase Thumper, if you can't say anything interesting, don't say anything at all. (Although I like what Kenny Everett said, 'if you can't say anything nice, come and sit next to me!')
I've changed my mind about one of my 'resolutions' because I think I have a better chance of keeping it if I put it in print! I'm going to surf the blogs less often because, as a lot of bloggers have found, they are very addictive and take up so much valuable time. I'll read the EDM superblog, scan them on Blogarithm (I'll still be visiting my favourites) and have surfing free days. I haven't felt 100% settled since we moved and I think I need to reclaim some time. The French course ends in April and I'm now looking forward to that, even though I very much need to learn and speak French, the schedule has been a little too intense for me. The combination of that and the onset of Spring should brighten my mood.
Yesterday, Mark and I were discussing where to test some paint we bought last weekend, and where it wouldn't look too obvious. The upshot was I suddenly got the urge to paint those nasty bright custard yellow walls in my room (I normally need days and weeks of procrastination!). I should have done it ages ago but anyway, now is a good time as the weather is very mild. One wall is done and today hopefully the others will be finished. It feels much quicker as I don't have to paint the ceiling this time! My mood has brightened as fast as the wall and I know I'll be much happier drawing in there from now on. Now I can say what I should have said a week ago - Happy New Year!
8 comments:
What a witty post, Felicity! I wish you good luck with jumpstarting your creative life and the repainting of that room seems like a great start.
That is indeed a very cheering tree. This blogging thing is a very odd phenomena isn't it - I have periods when I just love to share what I do and others when I can't spare the time and yet others when I want to keep what I do to myself. But somehow I always come back to it.I'm glad you haven't decided to press the delete button like I occasionally do though!! I like reading many blogs too but have to limit my daily ones to about 6 or 7 (yep, yours is one)keeping the time on the computer to about an hour every morning or I'd never get anything done. Perhaps now your working space is more in tune with you, you might regain your wonderful muse?
I have those same bright willow branches peeking out around my place as well, and they always come as a surprise, what with everything else being so drab and bleak this time of year.
Procrastinators unite! Well, maybe not today... Your story of the walls needing painting really hit home. I have dreadfully depressing curtains in my bedroom, but I suppose because I don't spend a lot of time in there, I've put off replacing them. I also need something for the patio door - those were so horrid, I took them down, not needing the privacy there. But I am determined to order curtains this week - I know it will improve my overall mood when I get them up!
One of the reasons that I enjoy winter is that the glorious colours of trees are revealed. It must be such a joy to see that willow every day.
Like you I have decided to limit my time online. It is just too seductive.
At first I thought Custard referred to the color of that glorious tree. How lucky you are to see that when you open your curtains in the morning...so much nicer than my view. I have been worrying about the amount of time I spend on the web too. It's all great but that time just flies by and has to come from somewhere! Do you also read the EDM email regularly? I get it as a digest and now have 15 I'm feeling bad that I haven't read yet.
I just visited your latest blog entry and I thought it was great. You express yourself so honestly and I certainly identify with the procrastination, winter, blogging and trying not to spend a lot of time online reading other people’s blogs. I am trying to avoid doing this too! It is indeed very seductive and it is easy to lose so many hours in a day doing that.
I am surprised about winter! I arrived in Geneva in November 2004 and found the winter that year the coldest that I have ever experienced! In comparison, this year seems like summer! It was 13 degrees Celsius yesterday! (Tuesday 9th January).
Thank you for your comment on the list in my last blog entry. It was very encouraging for me.
I should persevere more with updating it more regularly, but only if I have anything to say!
Anyway, best foot forward with your new year’s resolution.
Great post about your resolution to spend less time surfing Blogs. Sometimes I don't have the chance for several days to log on, and I don't go back and read everything I've missed any more, like I used to.
Your neighbouring tree is lovely! I can well imagine it provides you with inspiration!!!
Good luck with your room painting and your French course.
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