15th January 2026
This doesn’t feel like a new year, it’s still old and lifeless, nothing is alive yet, so why do we call it new? Winter is time for reflection, for planning, for rest, the new begins with growth and the dawning of light and warmth, but that’s not until Spring, now that is the new year.
We were expecting more snow today, the hatches were battened down, the fires were stoked, but nothing. The predicted storm missed us, sorry for the ones it hit, but we’re all right Jack.
The cold wind cut through us severing our comfort, even the slightest effort felt heavy and uninviting.
There was a feeble attempt at working in the garage, but when the door was opened, it was hard to remain enthusiastic.
I did set the saw up to trim some drawer parts that I repaired, and somewhere along the way I found myself thinking about some stands I had to make for speakers in my music room.
I had a plank of walnut, so my attention was drawn to that.
I enjoy the idea of just making something, no planning, no designing, making by instinct, total free form, and in ten minutes they were done, sanded, oiled and ready for their intended purpose.
Maybe I was inspired by Henry’s approach, no thinking, work by feel and thought, hands guided by unseen influences.
I was reminded by a discussion we had yesterday about creating a fence to hide the boring house just beyond the edge of their woodland.
One thought was lots of figures forming a crowd, dense at the front and thinning out. Great idea, but might freak out the house owner.
Another idea, influences by Andrew Goldsworthy, was a meandering line of stacked branches that flowed between the trees it would add density, but also clean up the woodland itself, this would take a lot of work, but would look natural and quite beautiful.
Gosh! I’m sounding quite dreamy, must get a grip of myself, a good walk with the dogs would get my nose running, just what winter is all about.
Today is five weeks since we brought Winnie home, it’s been an interesting time, having a younger in the house reminds us that should never do it again.
Another Lifetime to go 