Wednesday 14th January - spaghetti legs means progress?

It's encouraging to see how even after just one week of exercising, even for only five minutes, every day is making a difference. Today I managed to complete the leg strengthening exercises, which was an impossibility last week. Although I discovered afterwards that my legs appeared to be like cooked spaghetti for the rest of the morning. 

Ah well. A bowl of porridge and a strong coffee helped.

Looking out of the window at my little witch hazel tree I wondered if my eyes were playing tricks... I can't get any closer without removing my oxygen cannula or switching to an oxygen cylinder. Being stubborn and impatient I removed my oxygen cannula... that gives me a couple of minutes... not enough for a proper picture! 

so I asked BB to nip out at take some photographs; there, on the little twig, bottom left, can you see? A LEAF!

Hey, little tree, it's not even the middle of January! I shall be watching to see how this goes.

Tuesday 13th January - nothing venture, nothing gain?

 This article from The Spruce appeared in my newsfeed just now, with instructions on how to persuade your amaryllis to flower for a second year. I need to re-read it to make sure I know what to do, although it seems quite simple.

Our first amaryllis is almost over, so I I'll give this a go. 

Meanwhile the second bulb has produced a stem and bud to go with the two leaves. 

I'd like to see if there are any leftover bulbs in the garden centre; perhaps we'll get there later this week. 

Here's a little warmth for you, 'Am Kamin' or 'By the Fireside' from 'Kinderscenen' by Schumman

It's astonishing how differently people play this; either at this gentle, reflective speed, or else at what seems like a flat-out romp.

Monday 12th January - More small changes

 I downloaded this title onto my kindle near the end of last year, after looking at a sample.

I've resisted reading ahead, as I intend to consider just one tiny change per week. I have actioned the first two suggestions; firstly muting notifications on my tablet and phone, and secondly unsubscribing from advertising emails that I'm not interested in, or for newsletters that just clutter up my inbox, as they come in.

I suspect I'm just paying for a list of obvious suggestions, but I do enjoy a book full of quotations and encouragement!

That's something to consider...

I'm exchanging far too much of my life for reading my Internet  newsfeed for sure. I now try and catch myself before I start, or say in my mind exactly what I am planning to look up or do on my phone before I pick it up. 

It's slightly working. Very early days yet!

The aim is to try and improve my concentration and reduce the amount of flibber-jibber and distraction going on in my head!

Grieg; Puck from Lyric Pieces

and Butterfly, also from Lyric Pieces

Sunday 11th January

 Two take-aways from this morning's zoom church service, both noted in my diary to review through the week ahead;

This verse from the first hymn, 'Hail to the Lord's Anointed'

It has so much resonance with me; flowers and spring, and in the face of the uncertain political events in the world, the lines about peace and righteousness flowing from hill to valley. 

And something the preacher mentioned, almost in passing. She was talking about God saying 'this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased'. Her point was that God was expressing his love for Jesus before he had done anything useful. 

'You don't have to be useful to be loved by God', she said. How wonderful is that!

Saturday 10th January - tulips

 Here they are

The ones I received yesterday from a friend. It's just a rough sketch while I half watch 'Saving Lives at Sea' on iplayer. There doesn't seem to be anything much on Saturday TV at the moment. Those lifeboat crew are so brave and resourceful, I'm just amazed. 

I've batched cooked meatballs today, mixing 500g minced beef with paxo stuffing mix that I had in the cupboard, fine chopped onion and celery, seasonings and an egg. This time I baked the little meatballs, rolled to about the size of walnuts, in the oven for 15mins at 180°C. I made 37, so I took one out to test; just done! So that's 6 portions of 6 meatballs. 

We had 12 mixed with a tin of baked beans, a baked potato and boiled carrots and swede for lunch today. The reast are in the freezer for another day. I'll do something similar with 500g minced pork tomorrow. 

There's also a crock pot of red cabbage to be portioned up as well. Time for restocking the freezer.

I'm back to knitting the Christmas New Year Epiphany Candlemas cardigan. Eight more rows to finish the sleeves and then comes the business of fixing the length of the back. Then sewing up, picking up stitches for the neck, and four buttons. Maybe I'll go for a March finish date!

The tortoise seemed the appropriate choice for today.

Friday 9th January - can Spring be far away?

 A friend returned a book this evening and handed over a lovely bunch of tulips

If there are tulips in the shops, surely Spring can't be too far away?

I adore this version of Carnival of the animals,  with Roger Moore's tongue in cheek delivery, and the humour of the performance, and obvious enjoyment and rapport of the musicians, and the romantic venue. I wish I had been there.

I think this must be in the spirit of the original performance; Saint-Saens composed it as a light-hearted entertainment for his students and friends, and afterwards tried to suppress it as a mere frivolous nonsense. 

It might be frivolous, but it is still genius!

 Here's the cuckoo... where's the cuckoo?