Winter Blues

 31 January

I am finding this winter really depressing. I don’t think it’s just the cold because in my many years I have experienced winters much colder than this one. Perhaps I’m missing the ‘Charity Walk’ which got me out of the house every morning and the interaction with my fellow team members?  Maybe the relatively mild Autumn and the seemingly longer time it held on has made the winter seem so much more dismal?

I keep thinking of the things that I am itching to get on with when spring finally arrives: Pruning and general tidying up of the garden and completely re-felting the roof of the shed and sorting out the interior as it has got very untidy, are the largest jobs I would like to get on with.

It hasn’t helped that my ‘Man Cave’ (formerly Conservatory) is no longer available to me at the moment to comfortably enjoy some of my other interests. Just as an aside, do you find, like me, that constantly reading comments regarding X that we are immediately reminded that it used to be called Twitter, area an irritation? Why bother to change the name in the first place? Back to the Man Cave (formerly Conservatory). Apart from being very cold despite the two large radiators, it has now been taken over, no, not by Black Holes or an invasion of socks but by an easel and other assorted artists materials. 

Unlike some artists whose only purpose in life is to produce works of art, Pat only pursues her hobby when all her other responsibilities have been dealt with and her mind is uncluttered. Completing her other duties is not a problem but uncluttering her mind is entirely another matter. This means that the time she spends on her project is spread over a much longer period than might be expected. 

Two ‘clothes horses’ (formerly Airers) have also have taken up residency in order to air the completed washing. Another aside. What a ridiculous name to give to an ‘Airer’. Have you ever thrown a saddle over a ‘clothes horse’ and tried to ride it? No of course not, even I wouldn’t be that silly. All in all the Man Cave (formerly Conservatory) is no longer available to me. I now can’t get away from the dulcet tones of Bargain Hunt, The Repair shop and all the other spin off programmes associated with them. A request to the Repair team! Don’t keeping asking your clients what they would like you to do with the item they have brought in. The answer is in the title of the programme, Doh.

As I write this Pat has just finished her project which means I can get on and frame the picture after which I will pack up the artistic equipment and clean up the debris.

I have been asked to visit a lady’s bedroom and commissioned to do some repairs on her drawers which I am working on from time to time, so this at least, is keeping my interest and giving me something enjoyable to do. I’ve got one fitting quite nicely done already, some shelf blocks and a couple of lengthy screws and she is more than happy. I have several more yet to closely inspect but this is one job I’m taking my time over. I have no doubt that you have misinterpreted the situation. Shame on you.

Please don’t get the impression that most days I spend doing nothing but thinking about and writing these posts. I have my designated household duties to carry out but they are more commonly known as chores because that’s exactly what they are. If it’s true that we come back as another person in the next life and, if I have a choice, I am definitely not coming back as a woman. Too much repetitive and boring hard work to do.

Got to go now because some holiday brochures have just been delivered. Something to look forward to in a few months time I hope.