2009 has come at last,bringing the Winterfest Day and the Hoganinny Celebrations to a close. I had a lovely time of course but will forever remember the finale to 2008 as a time of extreme cold. Inside or out, I had to keep adding more layers to keep fingers and toes ,and other vulnerable spots toasty and warm. Pendragon and I sat up to listen for the New Year bells and fireworks, before sloping off upstairs to the comfort of our oaken four poster bed. On our Ne'er day rest day I made a tomato risotto with all the trimmings for Pendragon's lunch. We are simple folk with simple tastes and enjoy the full bodied flavours of the simple vegetable. Later we walked down to the Big Water to smell the cold air by the waterside, and to feel our limbs moving against the frosty wind. I almost disappeared under my thick wide woolly yellow scarf ,so large is it and so wide, but I was grateful for the extra few feet of warmth it gave my sensitive elven ears.
I did take time to contemplate my resolvings for the New Year. I have not really decided which ones of my more meaningful changes I intend to make, but there are several in the pipeline which I will mull over in the next week or two.Never do anything quickly or without due consideration,else these conscientious attempts to improve will surely slip and slide into the dark recess we like to call Sloth.
We haven't seen much or our neighbours over the festive fortnight. They came and went occasionally, carrying gifts, or welcoming wellwishers, but in the main, they were lying as low as we were.
It seems to me that if there were not the joyous aspects to the season we should be as wise as the birds and beasts, and set in motion a period of hibernation.
Even the starlings, winter's last little soldiers, who hang in there, refusing the dash to warmer climes in favour of persisting their daily round of garden hopping to feed their wee bellies - even they didn't stay long at the feeding bowls and hanging coconut shells. They preferred to return more often for short visits, than hang upside down for an hour scraping the remains of fat balls to the bitter end.
We have not seen the Shilpits for a fortnight. So,there have been some blessings. The large silver four wheeled motor carriage slipped away on Winterfest Eve, returning only yesterday with no trace of where they had been. Oggie the Hood ,with hands shoved clumsily into his pockets, shuffled off to the Senior Academy yesterday at early light. I was just making a cup of acorn latte as he passed. No doubt his teachers and school mates were as reluctant to see him back as I am sure he was to return. His grizzled visage told all. Still no sign of Mrs. Shilpit. I haven't seen her for many a month. Mr. Shilpit occasionally mentions her in the passing, so he clearly believes she exists. It is just the rest of us she has failed to materialise in front of. There is a mystery there,I fear, maybe 2009 is the year we will solve it.
Weedy Primpole, next door, has had a very active time this Winterfest.In the high winds of the past two weeks he woke to find several boards on the roof of his motor carriage holder dangling dangerously close to other people's precious transport vehicles. He has been out there for days, up high , banging and sawing, gluing and nailing, to restore all former glory to his carriage protector. I saw Severity surveying him from her front window yesterday, somewhat sternly I felt, considering the haar frost which had settled. It will have to be perfect or he may never get back inside number six.
Maybe his little motor carriage holder will also be able to accommodate a hammock or put-me -up bed to cope with such an eventuality.
The one person I have been concerned about has been the Fearless Faery at number four. I have the feeling she spent Winterfest Day on her own. She did not seem to go out at any point then or in the days that followed. Maybe she just wanted her own company, but then again, maybe she didn't. She went out early on Hoganinny Eve and did not return till New Year's Day,so clearly that celebration is more to her taste. She is a strange little soul. She has quite a merry sense of humour when in the mood and has a good heart, but also carries an air of sadness about her . I hope her 2009 will be a good one. As indeed all of our neighbouring folk.
Tomorrow Thessalonicus Timberwolf comes to give my e-mail box its festive check-up. He always comes with new stories of his travels and of his life in the Rolling Hills of West Dingley.After a couple of coffees and some of my fresh berry pasties he becomes quite wistful, and regales me with talk of his old homestead and his huge family ,left behind in the mountains of Old Mehinca.
He is a fine fellow, a good fellow and I hope one day he will find his way back to the land that he loves. In the meantime my e-mail box will benefit from his knowledge and perennial light touch.
I am knitting winter woolies for Pendragon and myself. I need to work harder, or he will be wearing heavy knits in late April instead of casting a clout. My tunic will be black, his a dark navy and they are sure to keep the warmth in and the cold bugs out............
Till tomorrow, my friends, may your plates be laden with homemade soups and preserves and may all your woolies be complete .
From the darling Ms. Willow , the Rainbow Faery, number five, Lobelia Drive.
