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We’ve had a great summer here in Caithness. You may think that this is a premature statement, but think again!!! We were one of the toastiest corners of the country last week and now it is all dull and grey, and so cold outside that my window has almost completely steamed up. It’s been a long while since I wrote a blog, a very busy while as I hatched plans (or more like laid them and am currently sitting them to make them hatch!) and coached and entered pupils for their exams.
I suppose in spite of our weather issues March really does come in like a lion and go out like a lamb. A bit like a person charging into something before regretting haste and retreating gently in the hope that the outburst might go unnoticed. I really hope that my current schemes don’t end up like that. If you read these blogs and have been doing for some time, you will know that I am not a person who believes in planning decades in advance, but planning is rather crucial to getting things done, and while I still maintain that the ten, fifteen or even twenty year plan is such a waste of time, I have found myself thinking ahead to a goal that does not look set to be achieved for the next couple of years at least. To me the difference is that I shall keep things moving over these two years and not just view them as put off dreams.
On the subject of keeping moving, I am going to shamelessly use this blog as a way of encouraging you early readers to support a man on a bike already over halfway across the country in aid of Help For Heroes. Why am I nagging people on all my social media pages to support him? For a number of reasons, really. First of all he is someone known to our family, and was in the same class as one of my sisters - that is how we found out about his trek! - secondly because, despite refusing to “retweet” any of my words of support for this bike ride, Help For Heroes is a good cause. Our forces metaphorically march all around the globe, something I only discovered when I signed up as a forces penpal. Some of our troops travel places I have never even heard of - in spite of spending some time teaching geography! - and when they are wounded return to their country having to pick up the pieces of the life they left, often with serious disabilities. It’s not an easy change to make.
I did consider joining the navy once - don’t laugh, I could have done it! Well, I probably couldn’t actually!
This blog is the living [artistic licence because it’s not really living] proof that smiley thoughts make the sun shine because as I have been writing it the sun has begun to shine! And the world looks and feels spring-like again!
But March has not just been a month of making plans that shall be shelved to the wishes and dreams pile. I have made a conscious effort to update parts of my website with snippets - which is a word sorely lacking in everyday use! - of my writing. So if you think my blogs are ok, have a read of my prose. Still no poems up, I’m afraid, as Shiver Wriggle is publishing our book of poetry shortly. On the subject of which I have been asked to spread the word about Pip Sherbet… Don’t ask me, but you should find out more on the twitter page!
Spring should be a time that lifts all spirits, and I’m not talking about the whisky types! For who cannot be cheered by seeing lambs bounding over the fields, calves on shaky legs following after their mothers or the bursting into bloom of such colours that winter forgot? I can’t help it - I’m smiling just thinking about it!
