I wish I could share some adventures with you this week, Saloners, but sadly the weather here is still firmly stuck in winter and we haven’t much felt like going anywhere. Well, that’s not true; I’d happily travel somewhere, but having started a new job, opportunities for longer holidays are few and far between for a couple of months. The spring cleaning fever has hit us without the spring, though; we spent Monday night on a trip to Ikea and now our house is full of boxes and things pulled out of their places to be reorganized. No bookshelves this time, although like most book lovers I am perpetually running out of space for the many books that seem to find their way into my home. Nope, this time we are reorganizing the bedroom, but in the middle of building a bunch of furniture, my husband overdid it and now we’ve got boxes lying around for a week or so while he recovers.
I did have something unusual happen to me this week, though; on the train on Thursday morning, I spotted an unoccupied seat and without thinking, sat down. Next to me was a Japanese man who proceeded to chat to me about the weather in York, the daffodils which sadly haven’t come up yet (remember last year?) and then asked if I liked roses. He proceeded to whip out a piece of colored paper and created this:
I was so impressed! The rose now lives on my desk at work, a nice little reminder that complete strangers can surprise you with their generosity and friendliness.
In bookish news, I finished two completely different books: The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey, which I loved up until the ending, and The Devil’s Heart by Cathy Maxwell, the last of the Chattan curse trilogy, which was okay. I’m now in the middle of Four Sisters, All Queens by Sherry Jones, which is dragging considerably in the second half of the middle after an engaging beginning. I hope it picks up by the end.
And now I’m off to go practice driving and recycle some of the boxes that are littering my house. I hope you all have lovely weeks and that spring arrives very soon!
That origami rose is so gorgeous! I have an origami dragonfly that I keep on my desk!
Marg´s last post …Sunday Salon: Ramblings
That’s so excellent and a story you can tell forever. And that flower is probably the only one visible at the mo, unless you’ve got snow drops (hope the snow isn’t too bad by you, Cumbria looks to have had the worst).
I also liked ‘The Snow Child’ but wanted a different ending. The author was fleshing out the traditional story so I guess it was inevitable, but still sad and I want a revisionist telling now.
Jodie´s last post …‘The Vampire Diaries': Series Three: Episodes 16 – 20
That rose is beautiful. What a nice touch to the day. Good luck on the reorganization of the house.
Beth F´s last post …Weekend Cooking: Minette’s Feast by Susanna Reich
We are so ready for winter to leave as well. Good luck with the driving – I’m not sure I could drive on the left side of the road.
bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last post …Review: Marbles
Hmmm, now I’m rethinking whether I should read The Snow Child. A patron at the library where I work told me I should read it, but now I wonder, thanks (or no thanks) to you.
Waiting for spring here too…*sigh*
Bryan G.´s last post …¡Ándele! ¡Ándele! ¡Arriba! ¡Arriba!
Lovely rose, what a nice gesture. As much as I loved The Snow Child, the ending was difficult to read, I have to agree. It’s the not knowing. Hope your driving went well
Charlie´s last post …Anna Belfrage – A Rip In The Veil
aw that’s such a lovely story!! I wish I had origami skills so I could do the same thing for strangers, but sadly I’ve always been really bad at it.
Wishing you warm weather, soon!
Amy @ My Friend Amy´s last post …The Sunday Salon: Here Comes the Sun…..
What a beautiful rose and story to go along with it! I hope the weather gets more agreeable in the coming weeks
Svea´s last post …Suddenly Sunday
I totally sympathise about not wanting to go out in this weather. I’m missing the daffodils! But what a lovely story about the rose. Here’s hoping the sun returns soon.
jessicabookworm´s last post …Challenge: Once Upon A Time
That’s kind of cool. I’m impatiently waiting for the daffodils this year, too!
Good luck with the home. I feel like we are always in a state of organizing…seems like the job that is never done! Hopefully not the case for you guys. The flower is beautiful and what a kind gesture on the train. I hope you see some signs of spring soon! We’ve been warm (but rainy) this weekend but another cold front is supposed to blow in tonight. I’m ready to plant some but want to make sure we’re out of freezing night danger!
Hope you have a lovely Easter today Meghan.
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