birch in November
maybe.
Try as I might I can’t find anything good about November, except that it’s nearly over and hasn’t been too onerous a month this year. In fact, it’s been flying by; what happened to it, where did it go? There’s been barely enough time to indulge in proper misery and the trough of despond and I hardly touched sides, although I tried my best. (Any more cliché-d phrases and I shall make myself sick).
Misery and I are good friends, and sometimes I positively relish her. Still, I’m going to try and give her up, at least for a week. The fault for this decision lies with a friend I met in the village yesterday. We were standing in the middle of the roadway - we do that here in Valley’s End, cars frequently have to make their way around gossiping villagers - catching up. It was dark and dank and dismal and I was hoping she would join me in a moan and a whinge about . . . . well, anything really. I’m not fussed. But no, she said she had decided to find something to be pleased about in every day, little, unimportant things maybe, but something to cheer herself up. I had always thought of her as made of sterner stuff, stiff-upper-lip stuff, after all, she is a scientist, but there you are, this mania for ‘positive thinking’ can hit anyone at any time.
Alison was particularly chuffed yesterday because she had been making mayonnaise; the mayonnaise had promptly curdled and she was about to throw it out when she pulled herself up, addressed herself in a firm voice and set about uncurdling it. She succeeded and she has a jar of decent mayonnaise to show for it.
So, just to see what it feels like, I too am going to try to find a small pleasure in every day for one week. And shall report on success or failure here.
I do so hope I won’t regret this.
I know you will succeed. Your posts are always a bright spot in my day, believe it or not. :-)
ReplyDeleteI am going to make Mayonnaise tomorrow!!!!!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteU have the mayo ... I'll bring boiled potatoes and eggs, chopped pickles and onions, and then we will have us some dandy potatoe salad ... first serious snowstorm in the forecast ... but we will be just fine ... smiles ... Love, cat.
ReplyDeleteGood luck.
ReplyDeleteI do both. I enjoy a good wallow, and also marvel at the brighter side of life.
And give us this day our daily whinge is one of my mantras.
DeleteA good moan coupled with a positive thought sounds a good idea to me!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photograph!
ReplyDeleteWhat was the phrase uttered by gloomy old ladies...It's being so cheerful as keeps me going...'
What's that old saying, "Fake it... until you make it". Might work in this instance. And besides, I'm a firm believer in being good to yourself... in little ways . But by far what works best is to 'do something for somebody else' - maybe surprise a hubby or a neighbor with a home-made treat? (But venting helps too!)
ReplyDeleteNothing like a good moan when you're in the mood for it. It cheers me up no end. Probably not so good for anyone else though so I mostly keep mine to myself. I think of it as self indulgence. A good moan and bit of self indulgence goes a long way.
ReplyDeleteI like your challenge and look forward to seeing what you like.
ReplyDeleteOk, you are on. Can one moan or groan and still find positive thoughts in the same day? I hope so. Otherwise, most days I too would not be able to produce a week of positive thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI have to laugh, that is exactly or close to, what I posted an hour or so ago. I was feeling like a whine machine and it doesn't take much to get me started and I'm so boring myself.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your post:)
XO
WWW
Unexpected developments may just surprise you.
ReplyDeleteWarm ALOHA,
ComfortSpiral
(\__/)
(='.'=)
(")_('')
The writing on this post is very, very small, unlike your previous posts. But because it wasn't very long, I managed to read it.
ReplyDeleteNovember will never be my favourite month, either, what with the anniversary of Steve's death on the 5th and the two funeral services (one in Germany and one in England) to remember. But this year was very different in that we had such warm, sunny weather most of the time. It did help to keep the gloom at bay.
And now it is already time for the Christmas Market, which I love! The opening will be tonight, and my Mum and I will be going to have our first mug of Glühwein (Mum) and Holzofen-Dinnede (me).
November is the WORST! I do enjoy turning on the gas fireplace against the cold, and sitting on my couch away from the window so I don't see the DARK!
ReplyDeleteI rarely achieve a good mayonnaise, as well Friko :0)
ReplyDeleteI love sunny days in November, they please me.
I like your attitude. Not a day goes by that I don't find small pleasures. Their names are Franklin and Penelope.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Hi Friko - it's great thinking of you both standing in the middle of the road discussing uncurdling mayonnaise, while the world of Valley's End swirls around you ... especially in the kind of weather we've been having. I thought London would be warmer ... but thankfully by the time I came home it had warmed up down here ... and now it's just very wet!
ReplyDeleteI do make a point of counting my blessings otherwise I'd be in a morass of a mess ... and I look forward to your report back .. your posts do make good reading ... we laugh, tongue in cheek, with you .. cheers Hilary
You are a tonic, just exactly the way you are! But it would be an interesting exercise...for a week ;)
ReplyDeleteThere you are. A penny-from-heaven a day keeps the gloomies away! Some time ago (I don't know when, exactly) it came to me I have only so much time left on this earth, and a choice: to whine it away with my friends and perfect strangers on the internet, or go ahead and live. So far, living's not so bad.
ReplyDeleteIn these most difficult times, it is sometimes hard to look on the bright side of life. However, looking for the small (and large) blessings in life is so much better for our gut. I can't think of a better thing to do right now than to look for joy in what surrounds us. It might help to turn off most forms of media.
ReplyDeleteYou won't regret it, Friko. I just read an article in the New York Times and heard a related story on National Public Radio just after I had finished my post for Thanksgiving (tomorrow or Thursday) on gratitude! One of the benefits? Grateful people are happier and have less risk for heart-related ailments, I think. I have to go back into my post before it goes up and put the link to the NYTimes article (I had the link to NPR). For years I kept a gratitude journal and looking back over them (which I just discovered) I realized that there were wee things -- the first crocus, a good parking spot on a crummy day, the cat's purring, really good pasta -- none of which were earth shattering. But they gave me joy -- and often at a time when joy was sorely needed. I know it seems hard to think of the good in your pretty lousy year -- the tree, Beloved's illness and yours, and so much more. But Beloved recovers, you recover, Millie adores you and for many years that tree gave you love and shade and beauty. It's a small consolation, especially when things are tough. But honestly, it does help. And you can do it! I'm proud of your commitment!
ReplyDeleteeasy enough really. it's all in the mind anyway. you control your thoughts. your thoughts don't control you. I tried explaining this to an acquaintance years ago who seemed to be trapped by constant negative thoughts. just push away that unhappy thought and actively replace it with something that is happy or makes you feel good. she didn't get it, thought I didn't get it but I ran into her a few years later and she was a much happier person and told me I was right.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling that a determined effort to feel more light-hearted might be counter productive . But I'm full of admiration for those who can do this and hope you find it helpful , too .
ReplyDeleteA scoop or two of the perfect mayonnaise might well be cheering , though .
You know what an optimist I am--LOL! I have to work at it some days. But I figure life is rough enough without choosing to add to the dark side of it. Too short, I say. Happiness just plain feels better than sadness. It's a choice...but it takes practice. You will find what you look for, though.
ReplyDeleteI wish you the very best of luck this week. Just made me wiggle with delight to read this post. :) :) :)
You have definitely picked one of the toughest months for positive thoughts, IMHO! I see you have already registered some fine ones, and I have made a note to self to follow your sterling example.
ReplyDeleteA friend gave me an idea for 2016. I will set aside a jar and when something good happens (like I found a penny heads up in the road) write it on a piece of paper and place it in the jar. On New Years Eve one by one pull the notes out and read them and reflect on the good of everyday. I'm going to try it. You will still be able to read the piss and moan on my blog, but maybe the good can be remembered too.
ReplyDeleteUncurdling mayonnaise is something to feel good about.
ReplyDelete