...and the warmth of friendship
February is the bleakest time of the year. Today the sun is shining but it wasn't like that yesterday. Yesterday tree branches stretched across a mud-grey
sky like witches talons. It was so desolate that I didn't notice the clumps of snowdrops with
their promise of better weather to come. I photographed them today but, even though the sun had lifted my mood, the wind made me shiver,
reminding me that we’ve more harsh weather to endure. This is a time for
gathering friends around us. So I got to thinking about what a friend really
means to me:
A friend is someone who you can chat with,
even when there’s nothing special to talk about; someone who knows exactly what
to say when you’re feeling down; someone who’s always there when you need a
hug. That goes for virtual hugs too.
So thank you to all my friends, including my blogging friends, for
being around through the bleak mid-winter. Here is that photograph which I took in the garden this lunchtime. Spring is on its way and Summer
will be just around the corner. Keep warm.
i was thinking of going to find a snowdrop garden this weekend because it would be nice to see some spring flowers. Thanks for sharing yours!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Anne. Mine are just a clump. A whole garden full of them sounds amazing. Where would you go for such a garden? Anywhere my side of the County?
DeleteSnowdrops are lovely and they bloom just at the right time sending us the promise of better things to come and that every season has a purpose. It's dull and raining here today but my snowdrops are lkie yours, nearly ready. I agree all you said about friends.I'm missing mine being so far away now so sending you a virtual hug.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the ((hug)) Anne. I'm sending one back and hope you get a look-in with the sun too.
DeleteYour photo is hopeful, and I send a hug across the pond from Texas. We are at 32F which is quite brisk for Texas - especially since this weekend kids were wearing shorts. Hang tough with a warm cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds properly cold, Joanne. I would have expected Texas to be warmer than that. Sending a ((hug)) straight back at you!
DeleteWhat a lovely picture of your snowdrops.I have seen quit a few flowering and nearly flowering(like yours) recently. There seems to be quite a few varieties..I have also seen some primroses flowering too. I would have loved to have picked some but it is now illegal in the U.K. Spring certainly does seem to be around the corner.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I remember as a child picking bluebells in the countryside. I wonder if it was illegal then. I wouldn't dream of doing it now.
DeleteLovely picture. Cheers me up as in Virginia USA we are in a VERY deep freeze. Yesterday, President's Day Holiday, it snowed and snowed and snowed. We've wanted snow so we can't complain. And I'm glad the flakes were thin so we didn't get hip high snow. No flowers anywhere, though, so I'll keep your photo in my mind. Clumps of snowdrops. The best kind. Virtual hugs are also good. (I'm so glad to see you again; I'm back to blogging, and enjoying revisiting old friends :)
ReplyDeleteHello, Ann, how lovely to hear from you again. I do hope all is well with you. Keep warm in all that snow and I'm glad my photo has helped to 'warm' you. Sending big ((hugs))
DeleteWhat a great photograph.Let us hope that spring and then summer is not too far away. Do not forget that we can sometimes get a cold snap at this time . A virtual or actual hug is always appreciated. I meet most weeks with a small group of friends who are quite reserved and we usually end with handshakes-maybe I will suggest hugs next time! Petra.
ReplyDeleteIt would be good if you could encourage your group to give each other a hug when you next meet although you have to be aware that some people are uncomfortable about actual physical contact with non-family members.
DeleteToday I met with my small group of friends. As it was such a lovely spring-like day I suggested(after our hand shakes) that I would like to give a hug to any that would accept one. They all said "yes please" Indeed they all shared hugs with each other. One cried-she said it was so emotionally powerful. Thank you Rosalind for blogging about hugs. Also I saw my first butterfly this year so maybe spring is just around the corner! Petra
DeleteOh, what a beautiful picture!! We have all white on the ground here today (actually for the first time this winter!). Completely off subject - I love how you write history books for children! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Melody. My writing children's history books happened by accident really. I never planned it this way but it is great fun to do.
DeleteAh, snowdrops - about the only thing I miss while I'm away! But I'm home very soon, so mayve it's not too late to see them. And hopefully catch up with a friend or few!
ReplyDeleteHopefully you'll get to see the snowdrops, Jo, and when you say catch up with a friend or few, are we going to finally have our blogging friends meet-up do you think? That would be brilliant!
DeleteFebruary is always my worst month although the days are becoming noticeably longer and shoots and buds are developing.
ReplyDeleteHope I am considered one of your blogging friends and you will accept my virtual hug.
Your virtual ((hug)) is very welcome. Thank you.
DeleteHere in Montreal, Canada, we are having THE coldest weather in February....since 1993! You have a lovely blog. :)
ReplyDeleteOh no! Keep warm, Linda and thank you.
DeleteYesterday was a record breaking temperature in Chicago. There were even school closings due to the dangerously cold weather. Your snowdrops look lovely, and oh so springlike! Sending you a virtual hug with a steaming cup of hot cocoa!
ReplyDeleteJulie
Thank you, Julie. Do take care and keep warm in those freezing temperatures.
DeleteWinter is usually pretty gentle with us here in Georgia, but it's still wonderful to see all the daffodils in bloom all over the place. It'll be spring before we know it.
ReplyDeleteFeel it? That was a virtual hug.
Hi Ros - we should probably all be out on long walks with friends, a log fire to come back to and crumpets on the tea table! It's not nice down here - but could be worse. I'm forcing myself out for walks to walk the new hip in ... but trying to avoid the showers, or rain lashings!
ReplyDeleteThe bulbs that are popping up are lovely and I guess if we have the cold - they will last longer and give us greater blessings as each day passes ...
Cheers and happy Spring - Hilary