Cold...and flu
It's another cold day
here; one of those days when it is cold and frosty and the sun is at
war with the fog to see who will rule the day. We are spending most
of these cold days just huddled around the fire but on the occasions
when we have to go out it feels like Antarctica out there. When you
first step out the door you are struck with how still everything is, sound is muted, and those cries of the sheep in the adjacent paddock
sound like disembodied wails rather than new lambs looking for their
mothers. The smoke from the fireplace hangs in the air like a
spectre, swirling around you in defiance rather than drifting away
while giving you the impression you are walking through a dream. The
ground is crunchy underfoot and the cold penetrates the soles of your
feet which makes you move faster to complete your task rather than
admire the scene which looks as if it has been dusted with sugar.
Pretty as it is, warmth is more inviting making our quest for
firewood more urgent.
It sounds a bit dire,
and perhaps it is. We are all ill with the flu, though, thankfully
we're over the rough patch that kept us all down under the covers.
Any task was a group effort taking much longer than average.
Christmas came and went and we were more interested in finding wood
than opening gifts. The fridge is still overstocked with all the
food we bought to make the holidays festive, food that made us
blanch to even think about just a few days ago. Soup and tea were on
the menu every day and how grateful we were to have it.
At the moment we are up
and about, albeit slowly. Every little job done needs a short rest
afterwards. I've never felt so wrung out in my life as I have felt
these past two weeks. Now my mind drifts to letters and I want
to write, but still I go slowly. My pen can't keep up with my
thoughts and I tire easily just trying to get words on my paper. Typing this has taken more
time that I'll admit to though it feels good to be writing. It's
cold in this room but it is enjoyable to be quiet with myself and my
thoughts for a short time rather than in cramped comfort in front of
the fire watching old movies. It's a nice respite even though my
fingers and toes are stiff with the cold. Our drafty old building
site of a house is pretty but not very inviting on these frosty days.
My ancient old desk top computer means I have to brave the cold of
the study to type but I'll enjoy the warmth of the hearth even more
when I return to the sitting room.
For now I will leave
you will all good wishes for the New Year. I'm writing letters
slowly, but hope to answer all in good time.
