Snow Tiger's Musings

February....Our wedding anniversary has passed...and a lovely one it was.  Dave tried to surprise me (bless him) with a little overnight getaway at the Bedford Hotel in Tavistock where we were married.  I sort of had it figured out before we got there...but still had a surprise when we were given the original honeymoon suite where we spent our wedding night.  Awwwwww....x

We spent the day prowling around town (the market is fantastic) and also took a walk along the river. The river Tavy is beautiful, and actually has salmon jumping up the steps created for them. We didn't see any this time...it's probably too early for their Spring run. Then we had a pub meal at the hotel. I think Tavistock is my favorite town in the area, with lots of historical things to see...I believe it dates back to the 1500's and was called a Stannary town...where courts were held etc.

I'm anxious for spring....I looked in the garden this morning and found buds on my little trees, and on the miniature roses.  The water garden barrel still has thick ice in it....that will take a while to thaw.  It's such a pleasure to see buds though...the catkins on the pussy willow are starting to open and little white fuzzy "babies" are beginning to emerge.

I'm still working on my water colour lessons....it really "ticks" me off when something goes wrong and I waste a sheet of paper.  At £1 each a person doesn't want to throw many of those away!  I just turn it over and practice techniques on the back.  I'm really enjoying doing this...and no one is more surprised than I am when something turns out well.

Dave was looking at something I did the other day and said "That looks like a beach."  (drum roll please.....applause)  That's exactly what it was!!!  Mission accomplished!  Its fun and even though I still have a lot to learn...I feel good about it.

I guess I need to wrap this up....Time to wake Dave and feed and water him for his night shift tonight.  I really dream of the day when he doesn't have to do this anymore, amd I'm sure he does too.

Take care everyone...and I'll be back on here soon.

January 2010....It feels so strange to write that.  A new year to start new things...which, by the way I have done. 

After my mom died in December, I was looking for a way to ease the sadness and guilt I was feeling for not being with her.  One day I spotted her paint box in the back of my wardrobe and pulled it out.  I left it sit for a long time before opening it and discovered that action alone was some comfort to me.

I could almost hear her say "Remember when we used to paint together?"  It's been at least 30 years since I had picked up a brush...and I began wondering if that was what I was supposed to do now.

A few arguments with myself later...I went to a local art supply shop in town and began wandering around looking at things.  There it was again...the feeling that someone was telling me "You can do this again."  Hmmmmmn....I wonder....  I left there quite a bit poorer and with a heavy tote bag just full of watercolour supplies.

Since that day, little by little I'm producing paintings...with the help of some good lessons on CD.  It's been very theraputic and really feels good to be doing this again.  Of course I'm not showing them off...no one would at this stage...but Dave thinks I'm underestimating myself.  I say it's lack of confidence.  However....I'm enjoying it, and just may try to put one of two paintings on an online gallery I've found...it's free, so nothing would be lost if no one buys one.  It may be good for me to see my work on line and compare it with other beginners.  Who knows...I just may be a millionaire one of these days.  (Yeah...and the moon is made from green cheese too!) 

I'll close for now...time to wrap up the day.  I'll write again soon...take care all.

Just a short note this time.  I've received news from family in the states.  My dear mother has died.  It seems as though these events have routinely happened during the holiday season, and it's a little hard to bear.  Christmas has lost a little of it's glitter at the moment, but it doesn't dull my wish for everyone to have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

You probably won't be hearing from me till after the first of the year....I'm sure everyone has a lot going on.

See you in the new year...

Hello all

My birthday has come and gone...and a wonderful one it was!  Many cards, and a special honour by being asked to light a candle in the Advent wreath at Sunday's church service.  That event meant a lot to me.  I've never done anything like that and it's just another thing that has made my move here so great.

The Christmas lights are up in town, and we've had Edwardian Night.  There seem to be more lights this year.  I think people are using lights to lesson the emotional effects of the recession.  It's hit this country hard and people are looking for ways to "make it feel better."  I even saw a news report on TV about neighbors than had banded together to decorate each house in their neighborhood with "American style" lighting displays.  They did a good job..and loads of people were coming to see.  Outdoor decorating has seldom been done in UK, and it's good to drive around and see lights up.  Almost feels like home.

I have our house decorated.  I've always loved victorian Christmas decorations, and this year is no different.  Dave even admits it's pretty.  And that's a big statement coming from him!  I brought my creche from home and it's lovely seeing it out again on the mantle.

Dave is working Christmas this year. :-(  Not my idea of fun...however I am having dinner with friends and that will help.  The day after Christmas is Boxing Day...the fox hunt....and a big meal...we'll have our little Christmas then.

February brings our first wedding anniversary!!!!  Can you believe it?  Dave told me at the beginning that "we'll be saying hasn't time flown?"  I didn't believe him...but it has.

It has been such a good year....with more to come.

I feel like it's time for a few "musings."  It's the last day of November.  It's finally turned cold (at least it feels cold to me) and we're supposed to have a little frost tonight.  I was out in my garden for a while today....All the plants are looking a little shop worn and are finally going to sleep for the winter...although there are some plants here that are perfectly happy during the winter and persist in blooming anyway.

I have all my bulbs in the ground...and am making plans for a few changes next spring.  Sounds like the typical gardner doesn't it? 

This has been a good year....we've gotten a lot accomplished.  I'm keeping up with news from home, and my mother isn't doing well.  She finally had to be moved to a nursing home and already has had one trip to the hospital.  It's hard to know about it and not be able to be with her.

In church last sunday we lit our first Advent candle.  There will be other Christmas services as time goes on and I'm really looking forward to it.  This coming Thursday evening we will have Edwardian Night.  The road through town will be closed, all the shops will be open late and offering goodies to eat and drink, the Christmas lights are up and there will be a carol service and hog roast.  It's a great time to be out with everyone and enjoy the atmosphere.  I'll be able to have hot roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and generally wax nostalgic.  I know it's old fashioned, and there's no glitz, but who needs it anyway?  It's just so pleasant to be able to do something like this and let the rest of the world go by.  It may rain (it did last year) but no one seems to mind...we do it anyway and have a great time.

I have my 67th birthday coming up....hmmmmn...do we really need to talk about that?  funny thing about age....it happens whether we like it or not!  I've certainly learned a lot about myself in the year I've been here...some good, some bad, some....well... they just don't matter....

More later...