Aunty Laurie

As i said yesterday, I picked up Aunty Laurie along with Charlotte prior to visiting Janet in hospital. I am so glad to tell you that Janet is now back home after twelve days in Southmead, generally fixed, hale and hearty. Telling me how I've let the house go to wrack and ruin while she's been away - she is back on form at last! :-)

An oasis of calm during this inspection, Laurie sits and knits woollen blankets for Africa. Now over ninety, she was for many years a missionary and midwife in Uganda, and even now works at a food bank in London as well as singing in a choir to bring peace at a hospice. She is a force of nature and has often been seen marching in many a protest.

It's a pleasant way to transit through the Winter Solstice. For three days, the noon Sun remains at the same level, neither rising higher than the previous day, nor lower. It marks the shortest day and in times long gone would have provided a vital marker for the priests to guide the farmers when to plant their seeds.

From tomorrow (technically at just after four in the morning but who's counting) the days will begin to get lighter, the warmth will return and the Sun will be re-born. Haile Yule! Hail Sol Invictus! Between you and me... I can't wait for Spring!