Saturday 21 November 2009

Sloth and Torpor Abounds.

Rain, rain, rain...

The country has been awash. Literally. And being so close to the sea is often cause for worry as the winter months close in. We have had the sea in around the house on three occasions in the past, but so far this year we have been okay.

But the rain... oh...



So, naturally we are indoors most of the time, and while this provides plenty of opportunity to be creative, it doesn't help with the likes of mundane things like laundry! Six people in a household engenders a significant amount, believe me, and so drying has been on my mind all week.



But the creative juices still flowed, and we were even surprised by a little peek of sunshine on occasion.



And as my 'just because' roses began to fade, (I think I love roses best as they begin to fade...) and everyone settled in to that winter feeling of pottering and musing about what to do with ourselves as the dark days creep upon us, there was a definite edge of sloth and torpor to us all. A kind of hibernating sloth and torpor. Like we need to slow down to just pottering and musing and eating for the next few months.

What a nice thought!



And I've no doubt our fingers will be kept busy, and the stacks of books will be read, and all those Christmas plans will come to fruition.

But I'll need to keep myself on my toes, because I have a feeling Christmas is closer than I think...!

25 comments:

Unknown said...

Beautifully written, and gorgeous photos. I know that feeling. As winter settles in you just want to curl up and stay warm and cozy.

Pandorah's Box said...

Lovely. Makes me feel warm and cozy inside as this is what I try to have over the winter months: warmth and snuggling and family.

So amazing!

Gigi Thibodeau said...

Yes! We are in definite cozy mode at our house, too. Lots of crocheting and trying of new recipes and book reading and such. I love this time of year so much! Lovely photos, Ciara!

Rebecca S. said...

Speaking of laundry for six...I washed all our bed linens today - the ground is still too wet for planting bulbs.
Your first photo is stunning, and the children's embroidery sweet!
Cheers

Martin said...

Ciara

Another nicely composed post. The photographs convey the sense of warmth.

Stay snug.

Sahildeki Ev said...

Lovely photos, reflecting the nice times spend at home during winter. I kind of like those days..

Annah said...

So lovely Ciara. Is that Ed embroidering? Amazing.....

Formerly known as Frau said...

The gray, wet winters are not spreading much Holiday joy are they. I'm buying a sun, mood lamp this week in hopes to break the winter blues I had last year. Also have plans for lots of knitting and crafts. Have a wonderful Sunday.

emma said...

I've been struggling to get my washing dry and there's only two people in my house! I don't envy you at all!

I would LOVE to hibernate for six months of the year!

Acornmoon said...

This made me smile with recognition, especially the photograph of the child sewing, and what lovely sewing that is!

My son used to stitch all kinds of things when he was little and was especially fond of needlepoint. He once came home from school and said "If I don't stitch something soon I shall burst". A phrase my other son never lets him forget!

Mimi said...

I can identify with that laundry difficulty..where does it all come out of?
And the last straw? As I put a wash of school uniform jumpers on the clothes horse last night, it just packed up and collapsed!

Tia said...

Hi Ciara ,
oh YEAH living in an old cottage with just an open fire I TOTALLY understand the how to get the clothes dry thing :0) My house looks like a Magdelen Laundry these days , every available space has clothes hanging there....and I LOVE that feeling of hybernating , its sad that as we live our "modern" lives , we have started to ignore our natural "hybernation" pattern...

Elaine Prunty said...

pottering,musing and eating ....now that really is heaven...love your sloth and torpor title ...
I'm thinking .... SLOTH AND TORPOR ,
Irish detective agency.. don't call us , we'll call you....

A Daft Scots Lass said...

love your shots..

Jess said...

I am VERY impressed with the embroidery! It's so nice to see skills like this being passed on to the new generation, there are so many people even my age who don't even know how to sew on a button. As I write this midday on sunday I can hear the wind and rain rattling against the windows. I find it comforting to know there are so many others at home pottering away!x

Bryan Boru said...

You house looks like a wonderful home.

Dixie@dcrelief said...

Hi Ciara,
I found your blog through "Blogs of Note" section of 'Blogger'; no disappointment here. What a delightful read, and I'm glad I visited.
You have a certain eloquence to your writing and photography. I hope you don't mind that I added you to my reading list.
In peace,
dcrelief

Anonymous said...

We call it "duvet days" in our home - a nice snuggly duvet day...

Hermione said...

Oh, gosh , how lovely and cozy! Hope you get to be dry inside this year!

Karen said...

I hide my mountainous heap of washing in a cupboard now. At the moment its selected items to be washed ie: school clothes! Just a few windy dry days would be nice :)

You all look cosy there! x

Linda Oliverio said...

Beautiful thoughts, beautiful photos. Thank you.

Acornmoon said...

Dear Ciara,

Thanks for your comments re my new bookshop/big cartell. The shipping is from my house and I will ship anywhere in the world, I have probably not ticked a button or something? I will investigate now. Thanks for alerting me!

Laura said...

Oh that top photo is just breath-taking! Ever since my husband and I started taking some online Buddhist meditation classes through audiodharma.com sloth and torpor is his favorite phrase...he just likes the sound of it I think...and how it is not something to "judge" it is just a state of being...

stay warm and cozy,
Laura

Kerry O'Gorman said...

dear Ciara, my thoughts are with you and your countrymen...Ireland is dear to my heart and as I watch the RTE online, I am hoping you will all get some reprive from the deluge taking place...we too are having flooding problems north of here on Vancouver Island and I feel lucky to live on high ground...the barn floods but its nothing that can't be dealt with...I thank my stars for my little studio and my needle felting..keep your fingers crossed and busy! take care

Fine Little Day said...

Boring with rain but nice with creative indoors activitys, this looks cosy. The embrodery!