One of the highlights during our holidays was the Walk in the Woods. It was amazing – we had over 50 people from about 7 months to over 70 years old, tramping through the woods and along the river beat. Afterwards we enjoyed hot chocolate, hot wine and some cake and biscuits. It was great fun. Thank you to everyone who came and made it such a special event. I’ve only got a few photos, which are on-line here. (If any one has more please email them to me.)
It is a time of new beginnings. The first signs of spring, a new President in the US, New Years …
They say that yesterday was Blue Monday – the third Monday in January when people are supposed to have come down from the highs of the holiday and feel the winter blues – but it seemed fine from our point of view: The children are back in school and the sun was shining after a tempestuous weekend. By now you might have noticed the slowly lengthening days as winter begins to look forward to spring. It is a month since the winter solstice and, though we still get up in the dark, we notice the light coming over the horizon a little earlier each week and the sun sets a little later. It is still winter, with bouts of freezing temperatures and gusty winds, and February can be brutal, but signs of the new season are showing through: snow drops and daffodils are beginning to push through the soil. The earliest lambs are out in the fields. Trees are beginning to bud. The pace of life is picking up again.
Yesterday was also Martin Luther King day – a worthy memorial to a person that made a huge and positive improvement to the lives of many around the world. Perhaps he was even instrumental in laying the ground for today’s historic inauguration of Barack Obama. The change in administration of the US is certainly seen by many as a harbinger of a new, more responsible way of doing things. It would be foolish to think that one person can change the rest of humanity, but he is certainly a role model which more politicians could aspire to emulate.
Chinese New Year, a favourite festival of mine, starts in a week or so. The coming year will be the Year of the Ox. Sometimes that is translated as the Year of the Bull, though probably not the stock market. It is said that The Ox is the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work; the sign of a born leader, being quite dependable and possessing an innate ability to achieve great things. The Ox is unswervingly patient, tireless in work, and capable of enduring any amount of hardship without complaint – all characteristics which will help us manage what are going to be difficult times.
But don’t worry, yoga is still on! A convenient and rewarding escape from the daily grind. And so much cheaper than a night out on the town or a trip to Ibiza! Spring Yoga is starting this week. The format of 2 classes on Tuesday has been popular. The gentle hatha yoga class (for those just starting, or looking for a bit of a stretch and relaxation) starts 7pm and the shadow yoga (introductory to “opening flowing sequence”) starts at 8.15pm, both in Teach Bride, Tullow. (10
week course for €80.) The Tuesday classes start today, 20th December. Please go along to the class to sign up for the course, or call Pam for more info (086 089 1141 or 059 9155037).
There will also be a Thursday class at 7.30pm at Mount Wolesley. This class will begin when the list closes – there are still a few places. This is a classic Hatha Yoga class designed for beginners and continuers. If you’re interested in this class please book with Mount Wolseley Leisure Club at your earliest convenience as it would be great to get the class going soon (Thursday 22nd maybe). Theirgeneral tel. is 059 91 51674.
Pam is also looking at doing some focussed classes in the newly renovated “Shed” – with underfloor heating mmmmmmm 🙂 Let Pam know if you’re interested.
On the gardening side, there was sad news as it appears some farmers are asking to bend organic rules in the UK. This would set a bad precedent and I hope the sentiment doesn’t catch on here in Ireland. Nature is already so depressed by humanity’s footprint it would be a serious step backwards to further compromise on organic standards. Farming in general needs to take better care of nature and we need to value food more highly than we do. Perhaps a slowdown in the pace of life, brought on by the recession, will help us appreciate the good things in life, like nature and real food.
A final note on a strange website I came across. Returning from some meetings for PestalozziWorld I saw a billboard for SupremeMasterTV with phrases such as save the planet, go green. I wasn’t sure if it was real, so I checked it out. And it turns out to be a free satellite TV station broadcasting positive messages about lifestyle and spirituality. Maybe it will give some ideas or help lift your spirits, even if it is a bit weird.
Happy New Year
Tom
I checked the article about the UK organic farmers. The main issue: Organic certification bodies want their members to be able to use conventional animal feed instead of organic food concentrate, which costs double; a sensitive issue when sales slumped last year. But this is a bad precedent, I think; and a slippery slope, although the certification bodies say other organic regulations still have to be followed. So what? As it is there is confusion or suspicion among consumers as to what constitutes “organic”. It seems to me that if farmers don’t want to farm organically, THEY can change; the standards shouldn’t.