New light

 

We are almost there. I always think that the waiting is the worst time of all. This weekend we will have the shortest day when the daylight hours are few and the darkness overtakes. The sun will rise, only to set a few hours later. Here in Shropshire, we will have about six and a half hours of daylight with the sun rising after our breakfast. I sit at the table and see the trees in our woodland turning red with the sun’s rising glow. Then well before tea I see the weak spread of gold glinting across my neighbour’s sheep filled field as the sun sets for the day.

We had a strange autumn this year with people saying that the leaves were staying on the trees too long. The autumn was mild. Our hornbeams clung on to their orange leaves at first but then came the storms and the ash leaves dropped overnight with the delicate silver birch doing the same. We have tumbled into winter without warning.

Our café here in town was asking for a warning when we ordered out food yesterday. On these dark days we go out to eat more often as it is a treat to brighten our day. Have you noticed how careful menus are these days? There are allergy warnings on everything especially for nuts and gluten. I do not know how we managed when I was young. Perhaps we did not eat out very much.

I was with a friend who does not eat gluten, so she explained to the waiter.

“Do you mind my asking if you have coeliac disease?

“No, just gluten intolerant.”

The waiter went on to explain that if someone has Coeliac disease which is an immune disorder triggered by gluten, the restaurant clears all the normal utensils away and cooks with completely fresh cutlery and pans to avoid contamination. I had no idea that they did this but if you have coeliac disease, it is lifesaving, but of course time consuming.

On a much less important point the time-consuming issue of writing Christmas cards is here with me again. Last year I decided to send cards to those who sent us one. That was not as simple a solution to my dilemma as I thought because there were some who could not send a card and I did not want them to think I did not care.

This year, I'm saving the joy of opening Christmas cards until Christmas Day itself. I've sent Seasons Greetings by email, but I like the tradition of receiving cards. So here I go again wishing everyone a wonderful a joyful time filled with new light and happiness.

(Taken from my column in the Shropshire Star)