Autumn Cottage Diarist:

Test

Ahem. Oh, dear me - my ears and whiskers!! Now where was I before I so rudely interrupted myself ? Ah, yes - I was in the garden, wasn't I? and that is where you find me once again, dear readers. I have not 'gone to ground' completely, just scurrying around, doing other life-stuff things…which have included a return to University studies, and the piloting of some new writing workshops.

These days, I do communicate online mostly via my Facebook friends network, but the essence of those 'instantaneous' posts - however well thought through they may be, is that they are - by being instantaneous - also scrolled away in an instant. I have pondered this, and decided that - though the Blog format seems to be waning in popularity in some quarters, it is also a format through which I can get to know a poster more, by having an easy, public archive, compiled over a period of time, though which I can browse and learn.

So I have decided that there might still be a place for 'Autumn Cottage Diarist' to post here on this blog - hopefully with the same result - that we can become longer term, rather than only instantaneous acquaintances - and maybe friends. So here I am, flawed but hopefully honest and real, ready to dive into 2015 with enthusiasm. I hope you will come along for the ride…or maybe just walk, stroll or ride? Whatever your means of transport, I will once again welcome you on the journey.

But yes, it is to the garden here at Autumn Cottage - and to other gardens and places in the natural world, that I return at the beginning of this year, to return me to the Real, after the pleasant but somewhat artificial trappings of Christmas; trappings that I enjoy when I am in control of them, but despise when they become more in control of me. Such a fine balancing act to ensure that the two states do not tip over, one into the other, wouldn't you say?

We've been blessed in the UK with some first-class wintery days over Christmas - of frost and freezing nights but clear, brilliant days when all colours have seemed to sing. The images below are some of the places I've been fortunate enough to visit this past week.

But while I am 'hunkered down' in the dark depths of winter, I am also finding my own spiritual nourishment by partaking of a year-long writing and otherwise creative course (both through exciting packages through the post and online) based on the Celtic festivals which occur around the Wheel of the Year, and incorporating story, memoir, myth, fairytale, ritual and an exceptionally interesting community of women living diverse lives in many countries on the planet. All with an interest in the interconnectivity between all human and non-human beings and the lands which we inhabit. The course is called 'Singing Over the Bones' - I cannot recommend it too highly - and you can, if you wish, find more about it here.

Now - are you all ready to leap into 2015?? Here we go, then…hold hands and hearts, hang on to those around you… and - all together…..JUMP!!!

Last writing group of the year