Tuesday 21st October - Cooler weather, warmer hearts

 Goodness, but it gets dark early these days! And my oh my, but isn't the sun slow to rise in the mornings!

I used to become steadily more apprehensive of the cold, and the gloom, and coming dreariness, and driechness of the winter months. Last year was different. How?

Here are my anti-gloom strategies;

Warmth;

I have warm socks, and proper slippers, so that my feet and ankles stay warm.

I keep a couple of cheerful rugs close at hand on the back of the settee, ready to wrap myself up in

 

I've chosen some really cheerful wool to knit and crochet with - watching the next colour slip through my fingers and up onto the hook or needles is a tiny little pleasure 

 

Still on the subject of wrapping up warm; I bought winter weight thermal lined hiking trousers! I might look like a michelin man but I don't care!

That's the outer warmth (did I mention my lovely winter pjs? Brushed cotton from Land's End?) 

For inner warmth;

I try and notice things here and there and around and about, maybe a tree, a flower, or, if I get the opportunity, indulging in a favourite activity of people-watching; 

For example; overheard on a chilly day when having lunch outside at a NT gardens;

Older Man (like our age, oh dear!) carrying a tray out from the cafe service area; 'I couldn't stay there. Too hot. Far too hot. Had to leave.'

Wife, soothingly 'That's alright dear, let's sit here'.

He puts the tray down and rips off his jacket. She reaches for her bulky winter weatherproof coat and bundles herself up into it. They settle down companionably to have bread and soup and hot drinks; he's in shirtsleeves, she's cocooned in jacket, scarves, topped off by woolly hat.

Well, I found that little scene amusing...

Talking of trees and flowers; a small bunch or pot of flowers where I can see it at odd times of the day, like the sweet peas I mentioned yesterday, or the last few roses I can see through the window, are a great pick-me-up. When there's nothing left in the garden, (there's always something left in the garden!) I'll get some potted bulbs from a shop and enjoy those instead.

Reading; it was one of the blogs written by Sue (but which blog? which Sue?) that put me on to the idea of a seasonal bookshelf. I never know whether to pick books that will bring Summer back - or books that will reflect Autumn and Winter. My current book is set in the midst of a Canadian winter - now that's WINTER! I've read a couple of murder mysteries set in Iceland - they know about cold, and about staying warm!