On Remaining Positive

Here we are in the second month of a new year.

Not much has changed.

The pandemic is still rampant worldwide

and we need to find every way possible to remain positive and safe.

Having colourful plants and flowers in our homes is certainly very uplifting.

Going for daily walks, whatever the weather.

Good for our minds and bodies.

I particularly liked walking in the snow when it came!

This was an invigorating walk alongside the torrent in my neighbourhood.

This part holds a plantation of trees sold at Christmas time.

This map shows where the water takes it source as a small stream way above the town,

it gets wider as it travels down towards the lake. It runs over a distance of 8km.

Right now it takes the form of a torrent  because of melting snow

and plenty of rainfalls.

I tend to look up quite a lot of the time during my walks, searching for mountain tops

between the buildings and sometimes a single bird on a tree

makes us feel joyful and glad to be alive!

The winter-flowering Viburnum is looking so lovely and springlike.

So pretty when seen close-up

This one too against a background of grass which I used for my February header.

As I was coming back home from this particular walk,

I had a sweet brief encounter with a young lad, of about nine or ten, on his skateboard.

He looked up with a smile and said: "Hello!" to my silly masked face!

What a darling...

It made my day!

"Hello", I said back to him!

Human connection

is everything!

It's good to remember this and also think of initiating it too!

Reading is something that I have been doing even more of lately.

I've just started this book.

Reading brings us out of ourselves

out of our minds

out of possible ruminations about things.

It certainly opens our horizons.

I've been making these crochet hearts.

I just need one more before I make them into a garland.

The first hyacinth bud opening on my four hyacinth bulbs in a little box

Here they are opening more and more flowers in the morning sunshine

I love taking macro shots of these tiny blooms

I like the touch of green still on the unopened bud.

A Swarovski crystal star hanging in front of a Christmas card

brings in some joyful colour.

I still have the cards from my children and grandson on display.

They make me feel happy!

Cooking and trying out new recipes is also a way of remaining positive.

The photo above shows my individual apple and cinnamon mug muffin.

It's made with almond and coconut flour.

Delicious!

Baking bread has been part of my life for a long time, but when I swtiched

to eating gluten-free, it became more of a challenge.

I finally found a mixture of flours which worked

and here is my latest loaf, still warm from the oven.

Cloud gazing.

I see an Easter bunny jumping over the clouds in the lower centre.

I feel sure you can see him too!

The first tiny Narcissus opening in my box of spring bulbs!

We only need to look at nature to be reminded that life carries on

whatever else is happening around us.

Let's remind ourselves each day of all the positive things in our lives,

despite Covid-19.

I had my first vaccination in January and will get the second in three weeks' time.

The only way to stop this virus from continuing to spread is to get vaccinated.

In the meantime, we continue with our masks and hand hygiene and social distancing.

The most challenging part for me, and for many others also living alone,

is the lack of social contact.

Giving phone calls to friends in a similar situation is helpful.

Keeping in regular touch with family members is so important too.

I hope that you are finding lots of things to remain positive in your own life.

Remember:

- the daily walks

- reading good books

- watching uplifting films and documentaries

- cooking and trying out new recipes

- phoning or writing to friends and family

- if you have hobbies, do them...

I love doing crochet, crafting and photography

and buy yourself some flowers!

All the tiny things we can do make a world of difference!

Now all I have to do is practice what I'm saying here!