Well, we’re nearing the end of the first day in February and I have to wonder where January went! January always feels special, not just because it’s my birthday month, but because it always seems the doorway into a new year. I’m not sure went awry with the back end of 2025, but somehow I was jolly glad to say farewell and move into 2026, feeling more positive and optimistic (there was no reason why I was feeling a neggy-Nancy or a pessimissy person!)
In a small way I have got to grips with my writing, plodding through my next Radwinter novel, which I’m not sure will ever see the publishing light of day. I have also written a few more short stories for my self-imposed twenty word challenge, I have a firm idea for the next writing group challenge, and am looking forward to a couple of rendezvous of a foody nature with various people this week. We are also going to get in touch with someone to attack our hall, staircase and landing with a pot of paint and brush or roller, and maybe the area beyond the kitchen which houses the washing machines and freezer. We had hoped to move house last year (which was part of the cause of my anxiety) but for various reasons that didn’t come to pass, so we are going to have a sort out of this house instead. We packed a load of boxes and put them in the garage – we need to look at what’s inside them and decide what can go and what, if anything, we need. So positive plans!
So February – the book my reading group are discussing is my suggestion, ‘The Emergence of England’ by Charles Bound, which I thoroughly recommend, the writing group is writing about Apeth Blunt, which I have already mentioned here, the lovely coastal town of Watchet is holding its second writing festival, and not only are we attending but my talented poet friend Macaque is on the menu (and the wonderful Damien Boyd) There is also a village quiz in Uphill Victory Hall, which we are looking forward to. Altogether, February is going to be busy!
Lois Elsden 