Heard them in the fields before I saw them. The first day for the lambs to be out. They are TINY!  And do they not get chilly? 'Twas a frosty misty morning and the little 'uns were a gambling...

Book update

"Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishijuro... left me feeling a bit flat. Reading it was like listening to a symphony with no dynamics and no change in tempo. An interesting premis - although a bit "sci fi" for me really; but a bit gloomy. Gonna watch the film next....

Thoroughly enjoying weekly vlogs from Smoe - Friday is always a good day but now it is vlogging day and Katy kindly lets us "in" on the vlog viewing which is always an amusement.
Probably should get around to returning a vlog...need to incorporate a vlog slot into the week!
Stick with blog for the moment...

So, another January week gone...and in one week the garden birds have eaten their way through practically the whole 6 cours meal at the bird station. Today I refilled it all and they are going to get FAT. We have had a couple of new visitors in the form of long-tailed tits which I have not seen in our garden before - exciting.
Did some more pruning today (more cuts - need to invest in better secatours and decent gloves if i am to do more of this...) and Stuart put the "soil improver" stuff over the the veg patches - wanted to take photo so blog would record progress of veg patch from now to when they are over-flowing with food in the summer (dream on...) but not only has my camera not yet turned up, today my phone died suddenly, cause of death as yet unknown (PM needed).

Book Update

"My Dear, I wanted to tell you" by Louisa Young, was a good read. It was radio 4's "book at bedtime" last week, cooincidentally as I was half-way through when I learned that. Ii know I said as I finished 3 day journey that I'd read something a bit lighter, but I am drawn to war novels and this one was in the house.
Tatler described it as Birdsong for the new millennium and there was something of the Birdsong about it.  Deeply romantic and not too heartbreaking...

Book update

Another book under my belt. Whagwan?? 
"Rooms" by James L Rubart given to me by my lovely daughter for Christmas.
Now I did enjoy it. But tis the kind of book I'll need to pass around the family and discuss - the book club type book. It made me think, but also left me a little confused (easily done)

"Feed the birds..."

So...today, unlike yesterday, the temperature rose a little above zero.  A trip to the (yawn) garden centre was needed, to pick some "soil improver" - stuff to enrichen the earth in the two new veg patches that I am determined will be a grand success this year. Amazing when you get to the garden centre and find those things you never knew your husband needed. But he's a bit soft on the old birds and likes to keep 'em in peanuts this time of year - we came home with a "bird station"...
Actually not too bad an idea as everything is placed too high for the fluffies to get anywhere near the feeding visitors...hoepfully.

Now, where are the birds?!...

Book update...

So, I was impressed by my sister's Christmas letter where she listed her "top five books of the year" and I suddenly wondered, a little horrified, if I had indeed read five books last year!  Little brother Jon fessed up at Christmas that he most certainly had not.  I probably have read perhaps 2 or 3 times as many, but that's not great.  So, thought I'd keep a note here of when I finish a book and what I thought about it. Who knows, maybe I, too, can come up with a top five!


So, completed 2 books this year so far...(slightly cheating as both were started in 2011)
Grace Choices by Jeff Lucas - v good read - he's just as good and inspirational when he's serious as when he's being very silly/funny.
Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden - "the most haunting story of war and loss since Birdsong". Heavy read, just had to keep going. Yes, moving, and enjoyed but...grim. Guess we do need to read about the reality of war..and loss..and suffering.  But next novel gonna be a bit lighter I think...

Resolutionary...

So, day 12 of 2012. That's one of those satisfying dates to write 12.01.12. All ones and twos..almost.
And I am reflecting today on how goes the whole New Year's Resolution "thing".
Because I am a believer in the concept.  Every day brings a fresh opportunity I know..but the beginning of a year marks a great big psychological break between what can be the old and what may be the new.
So far so good.  One of the ideas was to leave work ON TIME! And I have managed that..so far.
Also to try to treat work as a bit more of a hobby and less as a total body and heart commitment. Tick.
I have committed to pulling/pushing myself out of bed a little earlier to have a short time with a coffee and book in the sun room before work. The cats tend to join me and I am a short way into an indepth Roman's commentary. Very good...challenging and inspiring - I need an hour a day! Not going to happen at present. Baby steps. Back to the gym, at least once a week, aiming for two.
Lastly just have a go at things and don't dismiss them "out-of-hand" because "I haven't got time" - not true, can make time. eg. chill on playstation guilt-free; read a newpaper occasionally; get into the garden.
Will review this topic in a month or so...see what's stuck! lol

Wisteria...

Today, being the mildest sunniest January day one could hope to experience, took me out into the garden full of great intent.  The Wisteria had its first proper haircut. I watched Alan Titchmarch on you tube trimming his, and, armed with secatours and step ladder, hacked back the rampant beast.  I am not sure who came off worst, but half an hour later it looked a little tidier and I was bleeding, muddy and in need of a cuppa.
All I can say is, I hope the flowers are spectacular later this year...