I am beginning to get some insight into English talk about weather, and what weather reports mean. As someone who grew up in an exceptionally balmy area, Orange County, I acknowledge that I have a skewed view of climate, and a personal thermostat which will never recover from those early years in southern California. It… Continue reading Weather
THE HOLIDAYS
I have been composing blog posts daily, lying awake at 4:00 AM. The trouble is, I don’t get up to write them down. I am now wondering if it is worth it to try to catch up on the holiday activities or just start from here, January 7, 2008? The thing is, we had some… Continue reading THE HOLIDAYS
LONDON DECEMBER 22
We drive to the train station in Clandon, a village 15 minutes from Shere. It is still icy and cold, so we’re bundled up, but this time in our town clothes. Instead of anoraks and wellington boots, we wear top coats and leather shoes. Bern parks while I buy our tickets, two senior day- returns… Continue reading LONDON DECEMBER 22
Frost
It continues to be frosty and cold. Last night’s temperature dropped to -7, but by 9:30 AM, when we set off for the butcher’s in Horsley, it was -3 C. Our beautiful garden is bleak with stiff frost. The fields are white, and the tops of hedges and branches. Snow is beautiful and soft. You… Continue reading Frost
The Season
So we got our lights and heat, but we didn’t need them for the party. I decked the halls with fir branches, as the wood pigeons ate all the berries on our magnificent holly tree,added little silver and gold balls and beads, and lots of candles. The fireplace roared, silver glimmered in the candle light,… Continue reading The Season
More living without the Light
We had dinner at the White Horse in the village while waiting for EDF to call. Yes, the British energy company sold the electrical subsidiary to the French. This move fortunately did not change the personnel much. They still speak English. The cell phone rings and we are told they are incredibly busy.They can come… Continue reading More living without the Light
Living Without The Light —
It is very, very cold. This morning, we left the car out of the garage for five minutes and the windscreen was covered with ice. The fields were white with frost. It was 10:00 AM. We went our separate ways in Guildford to Christmas shop where, like me, everyone was bundled from tip to toe. … Continue reading Living Without The Light —
Walking in the Dark
Sunset here in Shere is at 4:07pm. I put Tasha’s special collar on her neck, the one I bought last year with flashing red lights. I put on my teal blue wellington boots, my quilted black jacket, debate the wool scarf. No. Probably not that cold. We set off up the street to Chantry Lane. … Continue reading Walking in the Dark
THANKSGIVING DAY, November 2007
It was a nearly perfect day. The cold snap that turned the trees into flaming reds, golds, and oranges let up for the day, and the predicted rain did not arrive. Nico has a bad cough and didn’t feel his usual self, but he went outside to help Monica rake a few leaves and to… Continue reading THANKSGIVING DAY, November 2007
Exercise
Too many things have happened in the last 3 months to go back and fill in. I will do so, slowly, but today, I want to show you why I have not been blogging. My entire focus has been on getting my body back, and spending time with the grandchildren. Following years of limping around,… Continue reading Exercise