hot and cold

A comment that has made me laugh was left by Suzy, who says, 'I...love it that sometimes you are a grump and you don't care.' Too right about the grumpiness and true, too, that I don't always care. I can't imagine writing a blog for so long and sustaining a constantly cheerful, positive, upbeat tone - it would wear me out. I imagine the blog would also end up being rather sickly and unreal. So, yes, like the rest of the world, I blow hot and cold. 

The contrast between hot and cold is something I enjoy (maybe even cultivate) at this time of year, but I'm aware this is only possible because I'm fortunate. There is never a day in winter when I am not grateful for a warm house and hot water, a fire and a kettle. Every time I go out on a dark, cold evening to put something in the bin, I think of people living rough and imagine how awful it must be (the Big Issue and Pret get my full support). I'm also horrified that so many people in Britain need to rely on food banks (it's very easy to donate money or food or to get involved).

At the end of every year, Simon and I go for a morning wander round Wisley and usually manage to time it for a cold day which is the best way to do it. This year, on a day without storms and rain, we saw it with a light frosting, when leaves and lettuces were outlined in tiny shards of ice. I don't know if this is technically rime or hoar frost, but it makes everything look delicate and extra-special.

Although we don't usually bother with the enormous glass-house (it makes our glasses steam up), at this time of year I do like to see the colourful orchids that are grown just inside the entrance. The contrast between the stripped-back icy whites, browns and blacks outside in the cold and the lush foliage and flowers in intense pinks and yellows and purples inside the steamy glass-house is wonderful (although, no doubt, extremely expensive and not at all green to maintain). 

I also saw these chilli chandeliers this time and have decided I wouldn't mind seeing more of these instead of tacky Christmas decorations in future. (Whoops, bit grumpy. Not sorry.)

Nature, the world, and everyone in it - we all blow hot and cold. And a good thing it is, too. While the 'glad game' is a good strategy for much of the time and Pollyanna is a fine role model in terms of giving to and helping those less well off, a planet full of Pollyannas permanently playing it would be too much to bear.