Some happy thoughts from chez Snowdrop today, to spread a cheery glow across my internety friends and followers!
I looked in the mirror this morning and realised that I have a really nice smile. It's an odd thing to have lived 30 years without really realising, but hey, there it is. I truly saw my face anew. I noticed I have some really charming laughter lines when I smile, and that when I go from a serious or snarly look to a smiley face, my face completely lights up like nobody's business. All of which sounds terribly narcissistic of me, but honestly, it's impossible to describe how much of a difference it made to my day to realise all this for the first time, to see my face so differently from how I did before.
Doing last-minute Christmas shopping in the nearby big town, going through the pedestrianised shopping area, I suddenly heard a lot of loud birdsong, and looking up I saw that the tree was completely crowded with birds that looked to me like pied wagtails (although I'm reliably informed they were more likely to have been long-tailed tits), so much so that they had spilled over into the next tree along as well. I've never seen anything quite like it before in my life. I wished I'd had my camera with me, then I could show you a picture of the sight, but it felt really special and magical.
I started in on the cookies and other seasonal nosh my parents sent me in a "care package", along with some Xmas gifts and useful bits and pieces. I am going to have to post a recipe for "pinwheel biscuits" one day, because they are the yummiest ever, and I always loved baking them with mum when I was a little kid. Yummy cookies in the post, how fantastic!
I also spoke on the telephone with many members of my family, who have all gone off to Wales (of all places!) to a rented cottage for a massive clan gathering. I would have joined them, but I am feeling weak and feeble and certainly not up to the massive crowds of folks who will be there. However, it was great to speak to them all and catch up on the gossip, and pass on my news as well to cousins, aunts, and siblings from whom I haven't heard for a few months. Also, it was Dad's birthday, and this year we created for him a family scrapbook with every member contributing their own page to the overall gift. I quoted from the Tao Te Ching, and created a montage of images of where I live - which used to be where my parents lived until they flew the enst and left me here. Other people added favourite song lyrics, images, poetry, short stories theyd written, and so on. Speaking with Dad, I could tell he was bowled over with the idea and loved the outcome, and he really appreciated the nostalgia of the scenes from round these parts.
I have all my supplies in and am ready to have a wonderful, quiet Christmas; with the "care package" plus the bits and pieces I managed to pick up on special offer at the supermarket, I will actually have a really nice, cosy time. My only real plans from now until the 27th are to go to the Midnight Service at my church on Christmas Eve night, and then to relax and unwind.
When everything has calmed down after the holidays, I'll go up to see my parents (just about in time for Russian Orthodox Christmas!) and have a pleasant time with them. But I am happy to be settled where I am for now.
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