it's been so long, I wonder if I remember how to!

Kew Gardens, during the snowfall on January 13th (dad's 60th!)

Well, January has almost come and gone but there are still a few days left to squeeze in some good things...

Like birthday celebrations- how many people do I know with birthdays in January?! It's been birthday overload. I must remember to take extra precautions in March- in fact, make that the last fortnight in February, ALL of March and the first fortnight in April! Not that, in any case, I'm thinking or planning those events at the present time- but these things must be duly noted for future reference!

January has been a good month for catching-up. On work and play and things that you do in winter. Movies, old friends, new friends and home-cooked meals with my favourite people.

I haven't done any crafting or had my sewing machine out for an age- and then the other day I noticed that there was a split- UK Women's Bobsled style- in my trousers- my one and only pair of trousers. So out came the machine and lo and behold I made the draft stops for the doors and windowpanes I've been meaning to do for a few months as well! Now onto more birds and cupcakes. Might see if I can find someone to teach me to knit- or crochet!

And let me not forget about being grateful. I have lovely, kind friends; I have a warm place to eat, work and sleep; I have a smile for everyone I see and mostly these days of our English winter have been not too bad!

This morning I was reminded that thoughts don't come with a spell checker: something that edits and warns before they are spoken! Need to think about that one. Tracyisms abound.

I have had a lot of fun with new friends these past few months and I was thinking about when someone becomes a 'friend' instead of a 'new' friend. Surely there's not a time limit? Is it about shared experiences? Common pursuits? Secrets? Laughter? New Year's Eve and sailing? Cinema and sport? Surely it can't be Monopoly and cards. But I suppose it's all of those things - and so the 'new' just 'are' now.

Hi ho. Work is calling- yelling- my name.