Day 8

Writing 2026

With the central heating boiler still not fixed, and having slept fully clothed – including two pairs of socks – I decided to bring my dog walking boots in from the car this morning, before putting them on.

We do have a functioning gas fire so I warmed my boots, and my gloves, in front of that for a while.

It did the trick as my feet were toastie during the walk and only the ends of my little fingers were cold.

Lydia doesn’t seem to feel the cold through her paws or, if she does, she doesn’t let it bother her.

She only tried twice to get out of her new collar this morning and we had a good walk through the woods.

Struggling with some negative thoughts at the moment, I came across a suggestion in one of my social media feeds to thank the thought before letting it go.

I’m trying this, as well as referring to the guidance that came from the New Year’s Eve teaching at Manjushri Centre, choosing to go in the direction of positive; also choosing to meditate as a way of helping my mind to do this. Meditation helps me to find a better place, within.

Day 27

Writing again

It was a bit frosty and misty this morning when I took Lydia out.

We were earliesh because I was taking her into kennels and then going straight to a poetry group meeting.

After the meeting a few of us went for a festive drink, and I have another sociable event lined up for this evening, going to visit friends.

Lydia will enjoy her weekend break with friends and I’ll enjoy mine.

I’ve also been to a Christmas Tree Festival in our local church, and bought what I think will now be the last of my Christmas presents for this year while I was there.

The house isn’t the same without Lydia but I’ll be picking her up on Monday morning, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed – and that’s just me!