
Welcome Dear Friends.
Here we are, February has arrived, the first day of the seconf month of a new year. As I write at my desk the snow is falling outside. BRRRRR!
2021 continues to be a challenging year for everyone at home and across the world in so many ways. Last week I had the first of my Covid-19 injections. Another booster one to follow in a few weeks time.
The new year continues to teach one to value life and nature. A new year that appears to provided the world with a flickering of hope for the future.

Here, the surge in deaths from the pandemic and its variants continues with more than 100,000 recorded. A total higher than the total civilian deaths recorded during World War 2. We continue to remain in total lockdown.
Hopefully the role out of the national inoculation programme will, with everyone adhering to the simple set of rules, be successful in curtailing the spread of the pandemic.
It is a tragedy that there still remain a minority that do not believe and cannot see for themselves the realty of the tsunami of suffering and deaths which is engulfing us.
At least there appears to be a way out of this darkness and a possible return to some sense of normality. However the impact may not be seen until late into the year.

The overcoming of the pandemic continues to bring individuals and communities; both, at local and national levels closer through meeting the various challenges that Covid has thrust upon us. Innovative ways continue to keep people in touch, entertain and boost morale.
I am in awe of; and, so grateful of the selfless sacrifices made by so many to keep all of us as safe as possible.
A very special huge thank you to all those, on the front line, who care for us and tend to our needs, for the heroism shown on their part, for their love, understanding, patience and support to keep each one of us safe.

Again how quickly, even with all its individual tragedies, trials and haunting difficulties, January has flown and here we are into the second month of 2021.
February the month when thoughts begin to turn away from Winter and look towards the beginning of Spring. Against all the odds that Winter’s weather throws at them buds are forming on the trees, snowdrops, primroses and daffodils begin to peep from below the chilled earth. My little garden begins to feel the warming touch of Spring.

Blessed be Thou for all the joy
My soul has felt today!
O let its memory stay with me
And never pass away!
I was alone, for those I loved
Were far away from me,
The sun shone on the withered grass,
The wind blew fresh and free.
Anne Brontë

February sees some Aquarians and some Pisceans celebrate their birthdays. February’s / March’s birthstones are amethyst and aquamarine.
Amethyst, is said to strengthen relationships and give its wearer courage. At one time, only royalty could wear the gem.
Aquamarine is said to symbolise eternal life, as well as youth, hope and fidelity.
Happy Birthday Folks!

I would like to take this opportunity to express a special note of appreciation to all of you who visit, follow and read my blog.
I also extend a very warm welcome to all new visitors, readers and followers.

To those many writers I follow an apology for not spending more time visiting and reading your valued blogs. There continues in ever increasing numbers so many artists, photographers, poets and writers with such beautiful and interesting blogs; and, so many new exciting emerging bloggers.
I wish that I could read every single one. I am finding, with my increased writing commitment it ever more difficult to pay each of you regular visits; this is something that continues to bother me. I trust you all understand.
There will in time be a need for me to look again at ways of rescheduling the ever increasing writing workload by reducing the number of daily posts that at present that I am committed to. I will see how things go. Here’s to the future then.

Stay Well: Stay Safe: Stay Smiling.
