Call Me Mother

How are you?

This month has seen me decorating and gardening with vim and vigour before enjoying the reward of a very long weekend in beautiful South Wales – and what a revelation I received there.

Having only nipped across the border into Wales once, in a previous existence, I was wholly unprepared for the beauty and majesty of the area.  The scale of the topography is a well-kept secret within the UK and left me awestruck.

Gardening with my best friend whilst looking at mountains and listening to the gentle bleating of lambs, discovering the ambrosia of Welsh caviar (aka laver bread), acclimatising to the sight of escapee sheep, being welcomed and cwtched by the kindest, most courteous individuals whom I have encountered in a long time all made for a memorable and addictive first encounter.

In your busy schedule, find a moment to escape and explore.  There really is nothing quite like South Wales – Swansea, Cardiff and the valleys.

There, you will be filled with a special sense of peace, joy and homecoming.  See for yourself…

Tramping along the beach with hounds in tow, I am amazed at the speed with which Spring is cantering into fullness.  Daffodils have appeared hard on the heels of snowdrops and tulips are flourishing as though May is the order of events.  Extraordinary!

One can only watch with joy and trepidation…  Each day I await a turn of this mildness and anticipate a frost which will freeze the buds off my fruit trees and turn my fingers blue as I saunter around at silly o’clock in the morning.  Gardener and dog walkers beware – this warmth and loveliness is all happening much too early for sustainability – as we all know deep within our hearts.

Still, it is lovely to pretend that global warming has turned our climate and environment into a tropical paradise overnight, isn’t it?  Enjoy the illusion whilst it lasts!

Traditionally, I appreciate that February is often an exhausting and sometimes depressing month.  Finances are often still a little strained post-Christmas and New Year activities and it is still cold, but without the cosiness.  For most of my life it has certainly ranked up there as one of my least favourite months – not least due to the existence of February 14^th.

St. Valentine’s Day (also known as “that day” or, in my mind, “the loneliest day in the year”) is a Marmite occasion, isn’t it?  One either loves or loathes it.

This year (for the first time in more than twenty years), I sampled the day from the “love it” angle and most interesting it was too.  Of course, if I can finally do it – so can you!

First of all, we celebrated early and, in that way, avoided having our special time corrupted by hype, disconnecting over-commercialism and unrealistic expectations.  (That is definitely a tip worth noting!)  Second, we continued our theme of hand-made gifts.  (How did we all as individuals get sucked into the lie that mass-produced and generic is better for unique, precious people as, indeed, are we all?)  Third, underpinning our celebration of our material presents, we appreciated the significant gifts of each other, a second chance and the investment which we make in our relationship every day.

Not shallow, not schmaltz, just depth, sincerity and truth.

Definitely, more of the same next year, please!