Rambling

The last day of the big freeze with temperatures staying below º0C but sunny at least. Apparently part of the River Thames froze over somewhere around Teddington. Our pond is certainly frozen as are are the big puddles on The Flats. Managed to put on every item of my running gear this morning and head out to catch some rays, the sun and it's reflection in the ice battling it out for which could be the brightest. It was lovely to see soil and grass again, as crunchy as it still was underfoot.

Running, walking, yoga, writing, reading and music have definitely got me through this lockdown – nature woven into each of them, or each of them woven into nature – as has just giving in to being quiet and going with the flow when necessary. Looking back to the start of the year I talked of not caring as much but I don't think it's that. Nor is it resignation. It's just choosing to believe in myself more, flaws and all. Some days are still harder than others. It's easy to feel insecure and paranoid in this climate but hopefully it will all be over soon.

Not much time to write today having given it all over to yesterday's hydrangeas ;-) For me that's also a form of therapy, getting lost in the minutiae of a subject in order to look at the bigger picture. I honestly forget where I am sometimes, until I find my hands flying across the keys like I'm playing the piano and I'm possibly singing way too loud; too loud for the neighbours anyway.

Am immensely proud of myself for continuing to write everyday though. Keeping my hand in through the homeschooling, even if it's just a word or too. Creating a platform to talk to myself and work stuff out. The rewards of consistency. Recording the moment. Leaving a legacy. Taking the pressure off by not engaging with social media for a while, words forming images as opposed to me forcing them into my squares.

I'll be back in those squares soon as have lots of great published features and book news to share but for now, I'm just enjoying this space. Rambling on for me and anyone else who wants to partake. Musings of a botanical world and all that entails. The nature of plants and humans and crazy viruses, of my home, my family, my feelings and the world that's out there somewhere. We are all part of nature after all. . .