The joys of a monochrome world and 10 Things on the 10th ...

The Joys of Monochrome ...
... may be hard to find after a while, but I do love the plain beauty of January after all the colour of Christmas (though it was a little muted this year). Underfoot it's been treacherous but we've made a determined effort to walk for miles every day. I suspect that this year's This Is Life photobook is going to have a slow start ...

I'm planning a greater variety of page design this year, rather than a consistent 'pocket' pages look, though I'm not expecting it to stray much outside the clean and simple; and now that Cathy (Zielske) has moved away from scrapbooking and into card-making, I fear I'm a bit of a lone lover of this style now. But it makes me happy :).

Leslie, over on her blog at OnceUponATimeAndHappilyEverAfter, shared an inspiring list of ideas at the start of the year for 10 Things On The 10th - thank-you, Leslie. This month, it's ten memories or ten things learned in 2020. Here's mine ...

10 Things Learned From 2020

1 Expect the unexpected. Allow yourself to wobble a bit, feel all your feelings and name them (if only to yourself), then take a deep breath, get grounded and steady, and decide how best to respond.
2  Podcasts enlarge horizons. In 2020 they were, and continue to be, a wonderful resource for new learning, deepening, and expanding my knowledge of the world even - or perhaps especially when - I find them challenging in some way: Americast, Pantsuit Politics, The Hive, Accidental Gods, Everything Happens, Economics Update ... And, of course, our very British institution of The Archers: 'a contemporary rural drama', the world's longest-running soap opera (since 1951) where everything happens at what seems a glacial pace seemingly in real time and there are no car chases. It has a wonderful range of characters and some very strong and socially important storylines. Perfect for a big pile of ironing :).
3 A diary really only works if you remember to look in it. (Yes, there is a backstory but it's too long for here and now).
4 My body really misses hugs from little ones. There are few things as warming as little hands clasping your neck, or a hot little breath on your cheek.
5 Blog friends are just the best in these difficult days. Being invited to share in other lives and worlds is so enriching. And the kindness of a message or an email lifts the spirits - so thank-you :).
6 I'm not as self-disciplined as I thought I was. That's been hard to admit. When days spill over into other days in a seemingly long grey stream, it's easy to say "I'll do it tomorrow". And then still not do it tomorrow.
7 Two hot water bottles are always better than one. One for the feet, the other to hug :).
8 You can go a really long time without using cash. I don't think I've taken money out of a cash machine for nine months. However, I appreciate its anonymity. I don't like the feeling that whatever I purchase is being recorded somewhere. Am I paranoid?
9 Marshmallow tea is not as nice as it sounds. Supposedly soothing, it's a tad soapy and the bits of root feel slimy. Going back to mint.
10 We need to find a new way of organising our world equitably and sustainably so that all feel respected and can fulfill their potential. So many events have peeled back what was hidden or or half-hidden from view (or perhaps I didn't take the time or make the commitment to look more deeply). I want to feel that whatever I do in the the rest of my years helps to effect change.

Sending warm good wishes to you, wherever you are ...

Comments

[Melissa Gross]

Wow, it looks quite cold, but beautiful, there. We had snow today - yep, for real. It snowed for about an hour - we headed out for a walk immediately so as not to miss it. Another hour later & it was all gone & the rain has taken its place.

Those are great lessons from a tough year. I can relate to so many of them, especially five and six. So thankful for the blogging community & glad that my lack of self discipline somedays right now is ok. The important is taken care of & the rest will get taken care of ... eventually.

[Mary-Lou]

I like your style of clean & simple; I took miss Cathy Z's scrapping posts, but I at least have her 2 books to refer to. Both your January pages are beautiful in their clean lines & repeat theme.

I agree with your #8. These lockdown days are certainly a challenge to our beliefs. And yes I am also now living #6 as this pandemic has worn me down.

[Ruth]

Your photo montage is fantastic!
You're list is a fun read and I may borrow the idea, if that's okay?

[Ruth]

**Your list** - Oops!

[Karen Walker]

The monochromatic photos are simply beautiful---and what a lovely page they create! I'm happy to say there has not been much snow here, but your photos are inspiration to get out of the city once it arrives. As always, your writing is so thoughtful, and many of your learnings resonant with me.

[Juliann]

What a beautiful page. I am inspired every time I see your pages and I also miss Cathy Z’s inspiration. Another idea I am adding to my future page plans. I absolutely agree that we must find ways to practice equity and sustainability. This has been on my mind a lot lately.

[Paul]

Wow such a beautiful page, love the monochrome style of your winter walks montage. Great list, fascinating to read :) xx

[Susanne]

Monochrome is just how things are! I scrapped a little January field trip on grey and black paper and the photos didn't add much color. This makes us appreciate the colors of spring all the more.

I don't follow Cathy Z or even Stacy J anymore, I've come to scrapbook in the style I like - which changes and evolves and even changes back. I have been drifting more toward your style which I describe as magazine layout style. The clean neatness of it is calming - it is timeless.

Blog friends are the best - anytime I feel like I may have been too whiny, self-centered or emotional in a blog post I write - I am always met with empathy by my fellow bloggers. That has been proven time and again over the last 9 months. Social media is not the same safe environment and I find myself using it less and less.

I agree! Organising our world equitably sounds like a noble goal, but first we must get back to treating each and every person we come in contact with the utmost respect. Labeling and name calling has become second nature and has wrought lots of havoc with our society. I think we have to fix this problem one piece at a time, like a puzzle. And really, the only control most of us have, is over our own actions. Reminding myself often to try and set an example (and stop moaning.)

[Barbara]

I love your scrapbooking style. I am very linear in my approach too. You won't find photos in a catywampus (sp?) way. I like the monochromatic layout. It almost looks like black and white photos. Also, I really like your "10 Things" post. I'm thinking that would make a great layout. Or maybe I'll try my hand at it for a blogpost of my own!

[Leslie Susan Clingan]

Thank you for the kind mention and for joining me for 10 on the 10th. Your post is lovely and inspirational. Sounds like you miss hugs as much as I. When I retired - reluctantly - I so missed the hugs and the connections I had with my students. Covid has made me feel that way again.
Your photos are just breathtaking. Partially because they are so frosty-looking! And haunting. And delicate. Just beautiful. Love the bridges, the little stream. Seeing you in all that splendor.
Glad to read your recommendations for podcasts to iron by. I never seem able to get the ironing finished. I go from mounds to mountains of wrinkled clothes.

[Dee]

We still have color in our yard ............unfortunately, it is mostly brown. I sure will enjoy seeing the green shoots popping up again in a couple of months.

[Deb]

I love those monochrome pages, they really show off the beauty in the cold start to the new year.
How interesting to learn ten new things from you! Like you, I can't remember going to the cash machine for months and months, swiping your debit or credit card now comes automatically even for the smallest of amounts.
It's so hard to go without seeing grandchildren isn't it? My daughter is in urgent need of childcare this afternoon - just for an hour but boy how I am looking forward to every one of those 60 minutes! I've even made a cake - with buttercream in the middle AND on top, just the way Leo likes it ;-)