Happy Christmas!
Twenty-twenty has been somewhat lacking in the joy and 'magic' department, but this morning I had one such moment.
Well before dawn, I harnessed up Toby Too and headed out towards the village. I had one last Christmas gift to drop off, a surprise for a friend. The lane was ankle deep in mud and standing water, but the air was still and cold, no rain, which was a real bonus after so many wet and soggy days. It felt good to be out and about.
Apart from one or two cottages which had bedroom lights ablaze, the village was in darkness. No traffic passed, no early morning dog-walkers, just a Tawny Owl hooting and the sheep, across the road, bleating. It was beautiful.
Mission accomplished, I decided to take a quick walk around Owl Wood, say 'Hello' to Old Toby who is buried in that place which he so loved.
I had just spoken the words "Hello, old boy" when snowflakes began tumbling from the inky sky. It was very special, it felt like a reply.
Things may be very different from normal, but I hope you are able to find a little magic in your day.
Happy Christmas, everyone.
x
Happy Christmas - good to hear from you. Snow!?
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas, Sue. Large snowflakes fell for approximately two minutes, by the time I had reached the other side of Owl Wood they had stopped! Later in the afternoon we had another five minutes-worth of snow, nothing that lingered, thankfully.
DeleteMerry Christmas Elaine,
ReplyDeleteIt was good to hear from you. Unless I misunderstand (entirely possible), I wish to extend my sincere condolences for your loss of Toby.
I am too old to stay up until midnight on New Years Eve, but SOMEONE needs to do so. Not so much to usher 2021 IN, but to make sure 2020 goes away!
I wish you blessings on this Christmas Day.
Happy Christmas, Brett. How lovely to hear from you.
DeleteOld Toby died about 8 or 9 years ago, he was a wonderful companion. (Within a few weeks of losing him I found Toby Too at a rescue centre. He came with a lot of problems due to neglect and abuse, he also came with the name Toby, we simply added on the 'Too' to avoid confusion...although these days we rarely use it.) I totally love Toby Too, but Old Toby still has a big piece of my heart. Thank goodness our capacity to love is boundless.
It is very good to hear that you will be ushering in the New Year, I am afraid that I am a total lightweight when it comes to the new year, I would much rather sleep. Did more than my fair share of celebrating when I was younger, I must admit.
May your 2021 be a good one.
I too am thinking you have lost your special friend Toby. Sorry to hear that. Merry Christmas from across the Atlantic. It's just mid morning here as I write awaiting the family that we now live around the corner from here in New Hampshire. It is a very different Christmas for so many reasons and not just because of Covid. The magic of this day is yet be be experienced but it will happen here too.
ReplyDeleteHello Marcia, No, I am glad to say that I still have Toby Too, although he is decidedly elderly and has some health problems but I try not to think too much about that.
DeleteYou have moved! I hope you are nicely settled and enjoying your new home. Wonderful that you have family so close at hand. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I love my early walks out around the village with Rick when no one else is about. There are moments of magic to be found.
ReplyDeleteBest part of the day, Sue.
DeleteI am sure it was a reply.Funny old world.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day.
Bx
It brought tears of joy to my eyes (but I am a silly old thing these days).
DeleteGreetings of the Season, busybusybeejay!
Happy Christmas Elaine xxx
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas Molly. I hope all is well with you.
Deletexxx
Merry Christmas, nearest we got was frost on the lawn but yours sounded magical
ReplyDeleteHello Billy Blue Eyes. I hope you managed to have a lovely Christmas.
DeleteFrost on the lawn can look quite magical too.
Merry Christmas. I live in Norfolk which missed the snow as it went down to Suffolk. Keep safe.
ReplyDeleteHello Pat, I believe it was very hit and miss. I was just fortunate with that split second timing! It quite made my day, silly as that may sound.
DeleteA touching post...beautiful in fact! Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas xx Amanda x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Amanda. Best wishes to you for a Merry Christmas and a Happier New Year.x
DeleteMerry Christmas Elaine. My sole memory of snow for Christmas was on the Old Racecourse outside Oswestry when we awoke to a blanket of snow on Christmas morning on my first visit "back home".
ReplyDeleteHello Susan, Now that sounds like a beautiful and magical memory, as long as the heating was adequate! Merry Christmas!
DeleteThank you for a real and pretty Christmas story. Happy holidays to you.
ReplyDeleteHappy holidays, Joanne. Four of your beautiful tea towels were given a good workout yesterday...by me! (Back to frugal fare again today, feels much healthier.)
DeleteA wonderful tale of your magical walk. Wishing you and your family all the best of health and happiness for the holiday season
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda. Sending good wishes for a healthy, wealthy and happy New Year to you and yours. I hope the sun is still shining upon you.
DeleteReally good to hear from you, Elaine. I've been waiting months for you to walk into that lovely kitchen, move the cat from the arm-chair, settle down and have a good talk.
ReplyDeleteMagical, isn't it, when a response to an unvoiced wish comes in an unexpected form, such as snowflakes. Happy Christmas!
Hello CG, I have just flicked through a file of kitchen photographs, some dating back 14 years, and I can scarcely find one without at least one cat snuggled up in the armchair. Up until a couple of years ago we had a Rayburn fitted there which meant that corner was always warm and cosy. I suppose old habits die hard because they still tend to hog that chair.
DeleteThe snowflakes fell completely unexpectedly, but merrily and strongly. It felt like a Christmas gift. I accepted it most gladly and felt truly happy.
Sending my best wishes to you. Happy Christmas.
What a sweet post. Merry Christmas x
ReplyDeleteI hope your Christmas held some sweet moments too.
DeleteSeasons Greetings to you and yours.
x
Happy Christmas to you as well, and wishes for blessings throughout the new year. Lovely seeing you in my inbox! Take care...
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Tehachap, lovely to see you. My postings have been few and far between this year, I hope to do rather better from next week, but don't hold your breath!
DeleteTimes without number I have tried to comment all to no avail... maybe this time? Certainly a magical sign from the much loved and still sorely missed Toby.
ReplyDeleteLet’s all wish for a happier and healthier new year for all.
LXX
Goodness, LL, gremlins in the works? Mind you, I do live in a peculiarly challenged area, when it comes to electricals, interwebbery, magical airwaves, etc. Ask Ian, he experienced plenty of 'strange' things when he lived hereabouts!
DeleteWishing you all the best for 2021!
So good to read your post and know that there was a little bit of Christmas magic for you.
ReplyDeleteWe are finally on the move (15th January), Covid permitting. I'll let you have our new address.
All the best for 2021- let's hope it is better for everyone.
Hello BB,
DeleteSorry about the tardiness of my reply.
I hope all goes as smoothly as possible with the move. I know it is a huge amount of hard work, especially with all the restrictions and precautions, but how exciting!
I look forward to being able to send you a card and a catch up letter.
Very best wishes to you and your family.