And it's December?

Wondering ... where did the year go? And yet, it seems an age. Time has both expanded and shrunk in dizzying and successive cycles, like the "Drink Me" potion in Alice in Wonderland. And with only a month to go, and huge uncertainties around lock-downs, tiers, Christmas and the steamroller of Brexit heading inexorably our way, I'm not sure that a new year is going to breeze in cheerily, saying "Hi, everyone, let's party!"

Grateful for ... the 25 Days of Gratitude Autumn Photo Challenge in November (thank-you so much, Deb!) to grab my attention and keep me focused a day at a time; in case you didn't seem my contributions on Instagram or the first six photos, I'm interweaving the rest of them here ...

Thinking about ... whether to do a December Daily. Or not. Probably the latter, though I'll keep a record of the month in my This is Life 2020 album. I'm not sure I have the energy for another project.

Marveling ... at how our little sixteen-month old granddaughter, now chattering away in a language all her own but with perfect intonation for exclamations and questions, knows how hang a bauble on a Christmas tree. The little video snippet popping into my phone shows her being passed a glass bauble; without a fumble, she slips her thumbs expertly into the little cord loop at the top to make it bigger, then steps back to look consideringly at the tree, before reaching up to slip it over the spiky end of a branch in a patch still bare of decoration, and says happily with a smile "Dere!" Sometimes I think she has been here before ...

Regretting ...having largely abandoned my Word for the Year in 2020 by April. Especially as it was 'vitality' and I could really have done with a super-dose of it.

Pondering ... a word for 2021. Nothing is moving clearly towards me yet, though I have a vague sense of what might be useful. Even as I type that, 'useful' seems such a dull adjective for something which is intended to be life-enhancing! Perhaps I'm just tired of peering into a foggy future, even if only a few days ahead, and weary of navigating uncertainty. Sometimes I think it would feel lovely to tie up at a port and just feel the world is steady for a while. Am I alone in this?

Enjoying ... a neat and tidy garden. I know. Little things. Usually, I completely miss the bulb-planting season, fail to clear up all the dead leaves before they become sodden and frosted, try not to go into the garden for a few months because my sins of omission depress me, and then feel miserable when Spring arrives because there is so much to do and it all needs doing at once. Some years ago on a frosty winter's day, we visited the wonderful Royal Horticultural Society garden at Harlow Carr near Harrogate, and I so admired their immaculate planting and perfectly forked-over soil that I became determined that we too, one year, would Get Ahead. This was the year: daffodils and tulips planted, bushes trimmed, flower-beds weeded and leaf-free, paths swept, and the lean-to we optimistically call the greenhouse tidy and organised.

Remembering ... my lovely Dad, a sensitive and erudite man, who died three years ago today. It seems appropriate to end this post with my 25th photo, with him and my wonderful Mum in its centre. Sending you all warmest good wishes, and hoping all is well with you and yours, x Alexa.

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Paul]

Such a beautiful and inspiring post. You have a magical way with words, delivering a mental hug. Loved seeing your photos in November pop up in my feed. I'm envious that you motivated yourself to tackle the garden. To my shame, I still have a list as long as my arm. In fact i'm picturing right now, the leaves on the front step which still haven't been gathered up. Hope the days improve and small pockets of calm sneak in occasionally. As you say, the New Year feels like it's going to be another challenging one. I too gave up on my word of the year. I should make a poster of my next one, to keep it in mind more often. P xx

[Mary-Lou]

A lovely post. It has been a year of challenges & revelations. I am not going to worry about OLW finding me in 2021, if it does, great, if it doesn't, great. I too marvel at little ones learning skills so easily & then mastering without any help. Such a lovely collage of family in the end.

[Karen Walker]

I so enjoyed your gratitude project on Instagram. My list for the 30 Day Gratitude project is still on my desk, but I decided it's never too late to proceed. I just couldn't keep up in November---lots of card making and less of everything else. I'm also impressed with your garden. We did get some bulbs planted, and I cleaned up my cutting garden as best I could. Matt usually comes and finishes up, but told me this year, it would be better to leave what's there for the winter (protection, I guess, from the bitter cold we get.) He said he'd take care of it in the spring. Grateful for a son with a landscape business! Thanks for all the lovely comments on my blog that I discovered this morning. An email is coming with the answers to your questions!

[Juliann]

I am slipping into a December daily-ish practice although it has very little form - just going day by day. I have been reading older posts and have so many questions about Simply a Moment. I am loving the idea and might give it a go this month. Your posts always inspire me

[Deb]

What a lovely post Alexa. It was an interesting project to think of 25 things to be thankful for - especially in a year like this where it would be easy to dwell on more negative aspects of life. So here we are at the end of the year, already almost one week into December - sometimes I feel like I'm in a Time Machine that has been put on 'fast forward'!

[Dee]

Isn't it amazing how time seems to stand still and fly at the same time.

I think the beginning of 2021 will be a lot like 2020, but at least in the U.S. we can look forward to a change in political atmosphere that should be a bit calmer. At least I hope so.

I love looking at your photos. I'd love to respond back to you when you comment on my blog. Would you be comfortable sharing your email address with me. (I totally understand if you would rather not though.)

[Leslie Susan Clingan]

Gosh, your photos are tremendous. Enjoyed reading about your granddaughter. I have an 11 month-old grand who is speaking her own language, too. Usually in impatient screams!!

My word for the year for 2020 was 'believe'. I haven't written much about it but seeing the word here and there has been uplifting. It has helped me believe that there will be brighter days ahead.

While all of your photos are lovely, I particularly liked the collage for family. Had to look up ERUDITE because it is not a word I hear much. I like it. And what a wonderful adjective for your father. I could use it for mine, as well.

Thank you for joining us!!

[Melissa Gross]

Oh, such lovely photos & reflections Alexa! I, too, am ready to move on to having a little more certainty and less changes and uncertainty. I didn't totally abandon my word (Health) this year, but neither did I fully embrace it. Still pondering whether I'll choose a word for next year or not. I'm not doing a December daily this year, but I am documenting my monthly numbers and believe I'll have the entire year scrapped and documented within a week of the new year. All this extra time at home has been good for my creativity this year, and I've been lucky to jump on Zoom and crop with friends fairly often.

Three years you're dad's been gone; wow, it seems like it was just a little while ago. Love all those family photos! Sending hugs & best wishes for a happy December! :)

[Barbara Eads]

I love these sorts of posts---so many interesting bits. I've abandoned "One Little Word." The first time I did it was the most successful, but even then I only lasted about 6 months. I did it a second time about 3 years ago and only made it a few months. Honestly, I have so many scrapbook albums now that I don't know what my family will do with them all! Still I keep at it...

Love those old family photos. I hope you have a very happy holiday season!

[Cheri]

As always you have such a way with words, and have managed to describe this strange time perfectly. I've been MIA since May - turns out that building your own business really is a full time job!

[Susanne]

It's just not fair that COVID and your Brexit transition just won't seem to end. We had our own false hope that an election would bring about change, and I suppose like Brexit that too will happen EVENTUALLY!

I can never stick with a word all year either - tried it two or three times and I'm not sure I ever made it as far as April.

Your description of the little one hanging the ornament brought it to like before my eyes. I do so enjoy your storytelling and photography.