Yesterday, my friend asked me how my week had been and I replied, honestly, that it had been rather ordinary. Good ordinary. I didn't go into all the boring detail but the rain poured, work and school happened, rooms got cleaned and tidied, the rain poured some more, cakes were baked, laundry was washed, ironed and put away, and I did the weekly shop. Some weeks are like this and I am grateful for them. Life isn't all about amazing days out and notable accomplishments, and it's weeks like this that give me the time to catch up with those little jobs and mundane tasks which allow for the more memorable ones.
The weather has had a huge part to play in this ordinary week. All around us is so wet and muddy, and even though I wish I was spending more of my time outdoors it really isn't very nice out there. Wellies are definitely my footwear of choice at the moment. Even my faithful walking boots would struggle to cope with the washed out pathways and ankle deep mud. It may be that we are seeing hints of spring, although it is quite clear we are still in the grip of winter here and the biting cold winds along with the constant rain mean any time I've spent out walking has been opportunistic and fleeting.
At the weekend there was such a moment and a short walk through the woods beckoned. It's close to home, reasonably sheltered and one of my favourite places when I want a quick countryside fix. The winds had quietened and it seemed eerily still, compared to the previous night's stormy weather. The earth, which has been sleeping for so long, showing signs of awakening. Snowdrops, sadly gone now, making way for the daffodils, of which I'm sure there will be an abundance here in the coming weeks. Catkins adorn the hazel trees and, just like a child, I still cant resist touching them as I walk past.
Returning home the skies poured with rain once again. My hands wrapped contentedly around a hot mug of tea, grateful for this snatched moment of fresh air and sunshine on, yet another, rainy day.
J. X
It's a case of grabbing half an hour here and there in between the rain at the moment. We've woken to sunshine this morning, though it's still windy, but heavy rain is forecast again for this afternoon, I'm going to take the opportunity and take Archie for a nice walk soon as his outside time has been limited just lately too.
ReplyDeleteIt really is, I can't wait for spring to arrive now. A lovely long dog walk without the threat of heavy showers will be something for you to look forward to. Hope all is well. Xx
DeleteYour weeks sounds so like mine has been. Beauty in the ordinary. Glad to hear you are all safe in this near constant stormy weather we are having. I hope you have a lovely weekend x
ReplyDeleteI think we're in for another night of strong winds. I can't wait to see the back of this miserable weather now. I hope you're keeping safe and well. X
DeleteYour photographs are lovely especially the catkins - I wanted to touch them even in a photograph!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pat. They looked lovely hanging in the sunshine. X
DeleteYou write so beautifully...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stephenie. X
DeleteI'm glad you had a good sort of ordinary week, Jules, and was able to take a short walk when there was a break in the rain. You make me appreciate the sunny days I tend to take for granted at this end. Hope you have a lovely weekend and the week ahead will also be a good one. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bless. I've been snatching time outdoors whenever possible, but it hasn't been easy. The week ahead is forecast to be mainly dry so, you never know, I might even get chance to hang some washing on the line. X
DeleteI always think ordinary, everyday life is good, much better than endless drama or worries anyway. They also make me appreciate those extra special moments that occur. I'm beginning to wonder if this rain will ever stop and make way for spring but your photographs have put my mind at rest :) Have a lovely weekend. xx
ReplyDeleteI much prefer ordinary these days. It must be an age thing 😆
DeleteHope all is well and that you're getting reading for an enjoyable season at the van. X
Soooooo true! Ordinary is the very best!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd clutching a bit of outdoor time, is also "the best"!!!
A lovely post. Thank you.
Hopefully we won't be waiting much longer before we can enjoy a lot more time outdoors. X
DeleteThere seems to be no end to this rain - after a damp start it's been mainly nice here today with plenty of sunshine but by 5pm it was pouring down again :( It's good that you were able to get out for a short while, I'm sure Lily enjoyed splashing through the puddles. Your photos, as always, are lovely, I love that first shot :)
ReplyDeleteAt times the rain has seemed never ending but, thankfully, the week ahead is forecast to be mainly dry. Lily loves the wet weather, especially the puddles ☔,
Deletealthough, just like mum, she is not a fan of the strong winds. X
I love ordinary weeks. They're such a wonderful way to get back into the rhythm of being a family without all the rushing about. You are so lucky to live so close to such beautiful woodland that seems to change so much with the seasons. xx Susan
ReplyDeleteYes, exactly that. I really feel like I've got on top of things this last week. The enforced time spent at home gave me the opportunity (and no excuses) to have a really good clean and tidy. X
DeleteOrdinary days are the best!!
ReplyDeletexx
They really are and yet I don't always appreciate them as much as I should. X
DeleteI do love an ordinary week, although they are few and few between sometimes! We’ve had catkins down here for a while now. I do love them, but as soon as they make their gorgeous appearance, I know I’ll have a bunged up nose (tree pollen allergy) But it’s a small price to pay for seeing them. Here’s hoping our sunny spells will last a bit longer soon :)
ReplyDeleteI do hope the sunnier days are not too far off now. The catkins are a welcome sight, although I'm sorry they signal the beginning of the pollen season for you. X
DeleteYou are absolutely right, Jules. Life is not all about amazing days; there is much to be enjoyed in the everyday. I see from others' comments that I am not alone in that thought. If we cannot delight in the ordinary, then most of us are in for pretty disappointing time. It's cathartic to 'get things done' and so a day or a weekend, or a week just spent pottering at home is a treasure.
ReplyDeleteIt just feels so good to have been able to (almost) get on top of those chores that have been hanging over me for a while now, as well as the everyday housekeeping. X
DeleteOrdinary is underrated. Who needs unnecessary fuss and drama in our lives? It's lovely live in the moment, enjoy the occasional dry moment and seek signs of Spring amid the gloom.
ReplyDeleteLove those catkins! xxx
You've summed it up perfectly, Vix. I definitely don't do drama. X
DeleteRefreshing images! It's so nice that there are places where people can go and takes walks without a crowd of people around. Beautiful photos, thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI feel very fortunate to live close to so many open spaces and beautiful scenery. I feel even more fortunate to know where to avoid the crowds :)
DeleteIt's been another wet and wild weekend again, Mother nature seems to wait till the weekend to give us another dose of heavy rain at the moment.
ReplyDeleteEven though the weather has been persistently miserable, it has really been at it worst on the weekends. Fingers crossed we've seen the worst of it now and can begin to look forward to spring. X
DeleteThe days are lovely when its not raining. I was able to get into the garden between the downpours
ReplyDeleteJulie xxxxxxx
I am glad you had the opportunity to get in the garden. It's been so wet recently that it's not been easy to get any outdoor chores done. X
DeleteYour photos seem even lovelier than usual (and they are always a joy to the eye) - do you have a new camera?
ReplyDeleteI suspect we do not usually appreciate ordinary weeks until something knocks us off course and we yearn to have 'ordinary' back again. I hesitate to say I would like an "ordinary week" to be dry because I still remember the awful three month drought of 2018, but a few days without rain would be a welcome relief.
Thank you, Jayne, but it's still my battered old phone camera. Maybe it's the rare glimpse of sunshine that made the difference! :D
DeleteI'd like to think that, after all this rain, we won't experience a drought this year, but we've been here before. X
Yes, ordinary days are nice. I don't like too many excitements, every day. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm relieved it's not just me, Nil. There's a lot to be said for ordinary. X
DeleteIt looks as if Lily is walking along a stream rather than a path! x
ReplyDeleteYou'd think, wouldn't you? You can easily see why we are wearing wellies on our walks at the moment. Lily got some shiny new ones at the weekend. X
DeleteI do love, as always, your contra jour photos. Mind you I can't think of many of your photos that don't happify me.
ReplyDeleteI'm never quite sure what ordinary days are. Some of my days are exceptionally busy, some are very quiet, Sometimes I walk and sometimes I don't. Sometimes I have friends staying for days or weeks and sometimes I'm on my own. Even the days I spend in hospital on a fairly regular basis are now just part of life. So I suppose for me an extraordinary day is just a day that I wasn't expecting.
That's very kind of you to say so, Graham.
DeleteI suppose ordinary is very subjective. I think, for myself, I was just quite glad of the time to be able to catch up with some chores, freeing up the fine weather days (I'm hoping there will be some soon) for more exciting activities :)
It is much brighter and warmer here now - I am hoping it will stay like this a while. Ordinary days are quite comforting I find - I get fed up of all the busyness of life - just recovering slowly this week from our weekend away and enjoying being at home. x
ReplyDeleteOrdinary gives us a necessary opportunity to recharge between the busier times.
DeleteThe weather has been much drier here this week. It's still very cold, however, in fact the gritter has just gone past. X
Jules, we'll try again. You never realize how much you appreciate "routine" & ordinary until it is no longer present. It's a two edged sword, you need them both to realize what each one is by itself. There is beauty in ordinary, where memories are collected in the heart on the day to day simple things. It's always good to come home again.
ReplyDeleteYay! I hope this means posting is sorted for you now and that you have no further issues. Thank you for your beautiful words. X
Delete:) Enjoy your weekend....
ReplyDeleteYou too. Xx
DeleteThank you for stopping and leaving comments..Love it. Jules..I hope you get to stop over my Crochet blog Tinkering with yarn...it's all crochet projects, do you Crochet?
ReplyDeleteI'll be sure to have a look but I can only manage simple crochet. X
DeleteOrdinary days can be so good!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your pictures and words, and have to say you finished the day perfectly with your "hands wrapped contentedly around a hot mug of tea, grateful for this snatched moment of fresh air and sunshine on, yet another, rainy day."
Bliss :)
All the best Jan
Ordinary is underrated. In these uncertain times I think we would all prefer ordinary right now. X
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