trimmingthesails

Hellos and ...

It's been ten days of happy hellos and wish-it-wasn't-goodbyes, with lovely family members to spend time with - a comforting interlude in a cold January. And now they have safely returned to their homes, there have been other things to wave to ...

A hopeful hello to finding ways of making very dark chocolate more enjoyable: the 70% cocoa solids sort, supposedly brimming with good things. In truth, I prefer mine a little less 'pure'. But I'm trying coconut and almond milk with a sprinkling of spices ...

And a heart-warming hello-you! to a little hanging-on-in-there hedgerow rose, as I held tight to Himself to lean across a lingering patch of snow and snap it with my phone ...

 And a glad goodbye (for not all goodbyes are sad) - to my sling, as I fold it up gently and tuck it away, hopefully for a very long time ...

And so, onwards and upwards. Literally, in my case, as this fortnight's physio task is to work at raising my outstretched arm up to shoulder level - here's to actually waving hello to you very soon!

Memorandum Monday 11 January

And a warm thank-you to Sian, whose lovely inspiration for a start-the-week post this is; you'll find lots more new things to discover when you pop into From High In The Sky ...

And what did I learn this weekend? That the original range of Mr. Men and Little Miss books, beloved of my children and now eagerly requested by theirs, has expanded into additional story books about each character: Mr. Tickle Saves The Day, Mr. Bump Loses His Memory. You get the idea. Where will it all end, that's what I want to know ...

A wizard (marketing) wheeze, if ever there was one :).

5 weeks and 5 things ...

I wish I had a cache of wise words to offer you this bright and glossy start to the year, five weeks into my one-armed world. Or a dash of exciting aims and projects for 2016, full of creative zing! But hey, I can offer you five observations and a picture ...

• Healing of any kind takes energy. More than you might imagine. Be gentle, rest often, go slow.

• There's always a workaround. Can't unscrew the top of the smoothie flask because you don't have a spare hand to hold it steady? Grip it between your knees or your feet. (NB Sit down first or things may get messy).

• There's a difference between pain (stop!) and discomfort (tolerate), when stretching body or psyche. Breathe into the discomfort and it will soften and relax.

• Let go of being pulled forward in pre-determined steps, even if self-chosen, towards a goal. In the desire and haste for achievement, you may miss vital information on the way and discover when you arrive at your destination that it no longer serves you.

• Choose a direction of travel. A word, if it helps. You don't need know in advance how it will all pan out. Pause. Notice what's within and around, and how they dance together. Then let the next step unfold: it will be just what you need ...

So, my friends, there are no big plans or goals here this January. I'm settling in to enjoy small. And I am out of the sling when indoors, as long as my arm is kept tight to my side from elbow to shoulder. Today, I managed to sit on the stairs and tie my own shoe laces. Happiness in a bow :).