Beginnings

It seems I’m starting the New Year, the same way I ended the previous one by saying “where has the time gone?” January is nearly over and here I am only getting back into the swing of writing now.

Excuses are many but very valid. On the top of the list was a house stay looking after an adorable Spoodle; Springer Spaniel; miniature Lop eared bunny; gorgeous garden and delightful home. We were certainly kept on our toes with a dreadful heatwave during part of our stay. Oh the joys of a sizzling Aussie summer! I was so concerned about the pets that I looked up different sites to find ways of keeping them cool, as inside with the air conditioner seemed quite boring for one and not appropriate at all for another. I had no idea two dogs and a bunny would love carrot and cucumber ice blocks, but they went down a treat and took quite a while to lick to the veggie treats in the middle. Iced water bottles to lie on, was also appreciated by the bunny. I’m wondering why I had never thought of these rather obvious ideas for our many pets in previous years! They all always had plenty of cool water and lots of shade, plus we did live in a cooler part of the country where temperatures were milder. Oh the memories and a twinge of nostalgia remembering days gone by.

I do hope your New Year has started with anticipation and excitement about what lies ahead. I’m sure you all have marvellous plans, hopes and dreams of things you want to achieve in the days ahead. With our communities being so varied with different cultures, life styles, religions, desire and abilities, there is a common thread between us all ~ we are all facing the start of a New Year. New beginnings can be very daunting, especially if we feel we haven’t yet achieved all we hoped for in the previous year.

Well if that is you, it’s time to start a new chapter. Put the old behind you and look ahead to the new beginnings. They ‘are’ there,  just waiting for you to prise open the pretty box and take a peep to see what is inside.  I love a quote I read recently which says:~

The New Year stands before us,

like a chapter in a book,

waiting to be written.

Melody Beattie (1984 – 2025)

Now that is something I know a little bit about… writing a new chapter. Sometimes the words come so easily, that my fingers can’t keep up with my thoughts and at other times, I sit with my fingers on the keys waiting for them to move. When they don’t, I know it’s cuppa tea time and a stroll around the garden! There is no better way to stay calm and bring peace to one’s mind. I wonder what special moments are awaiting you at the start of this New Year. Maybe you are going to put some of your unique and precious thoughts down on paper, to share with the world. What’s that you say? Not the world? Well maybe with your family, friends and loved ones at least. Everyone has something to share with those around them, even if it’s just a special thought in a card to a lonely neighbour or someone you admire and want to encourage them.

Maybe this is the year that you want to begin a new hobby. What amazing and countless choices we have in the creative world. Gifted arty crafty people, seem to be coming up with so many different ways we can make beautiful and useful things. You Tube is full of tutorials that are free and apparently the most popular things on trend at the moment are resin art; pottery and embroidery. Yes, isn’t that a surprise? You can get out your entire dear Mum’s beautiful hand embroidered doilys she left you and be inspired!  Apparently candle making is having a big comeback with different ways and means to infuse lovely perfumes and embellishments into the melted wax. I have even found a tutorial recently where you can easily bonsai roses, if you are one of those very blessed people to have a green thumb. I have passed this one onto my hubby! Being a decorative artist, I love to while away the hours with acrylic paint and brushes. I do miss teaching this art form in my own studio, but painting with friends now, in their homes is a lovely and relaxing time to spend a day… and tell a tale or two, that will often find us giggling so hard that brushes have to be put down until we compose ourselves and have another cuppa!

Now that is a great idea! Have you ever joined an art, craft, book, gardening, bird, woodwork, or train group? The extremes of different groups are many and varied. From knitting groups in pubs to a Kazoo band in the woods, the list is endless. There is even a Cloud Appreciation group where members spend hours gazing at the fluffy, floating parts of creation. They say it saves hundreds of dollars in therapy bills. Haha! The list is endless and I’m sure one is right there just waiting for you to bring your unique smile and ideas to. Be brave too ~ I’m sure you are not the only person in the world who loves to collect fine bone china plates and hangs them on the wall?!😍 What a wonderful way to begin the year. The school term is only just starting, so it is the right time to make those enquiries ~ go on! I’m sure it will bring a whole new dimension to your days and fill the gap that you wondered what you were going to do with. New friendships are always a beautiful thing to start. Your new b.f. may be there waiting for you… she says with a wink! 😉

I’ll finish these little thoughts with a beautiful verse I often think of. It brings me hope that there is always something beautiful and new waiting for us around the corner… do you see it?

For I am about to do something new.

See, I have already begun!

Do you not see it?

I will make a pathway through the wilderness.

I will create river in the dry wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19

Have the best time in your new beginnings and may 2026 be everything you hope for.

Love and blessings

Cathy. xx