Running to catch the Poetry Bus.

This week we are invited to write about the worst Christmas present we have ever given or received. I must be fortunate and have never had a worst present, but thought this little tale might amuse you.

The 'Perfect' Gift? (A true story)
My mother-in-law
enjoyed her little garden
but had to move
to accomodation with none.
So, one Christmas
I gave her an amaryllis bulb
all nicely potted,
which she could have on her windowsill.
Something to grow, I thought,
but without any mess.
The perfect little gift.
A few months later, on my birthday,
as I opened my presents
I came to one from my mother-in-law -
vaguely familiar in size and shape.
Inside was the very same amaryllis!
I thanked her politely
and we continued our loving relationship.


A few chilly photos before the thaw sets in - though there may be more to come as very low temperatures are forecast for the end of the week.
Something with big feet - could be a nosey seagull.

This is the surface of our pond - hope our cat doesn't try this after the ice has thawed, though I don't mind if our neighbour's marauding cat does!

I have kept an eye on the waterfall every day to check that it is still flowing - this lovely little ice bridge gradually formed over a period of days.

It's even lovelier in close-up.

This little pied wagtail doesn't seem to mind ice cold water, but he wouldn't turn sideways for me to get a clearer picture of him.

I don't think we've ever had one of these in the garden before and had to look it up in the bird book. We think it is a brambling - it is so pretty and quite colourful.

It spent several minutes tucking in and was very obliging, posing this way and that for me.

We had a very quiet and restful Christmas Day then thoroughly enjoyed the mayhem of Boxing Day evening. I must be getting old as I had forgotten the chaos that toddlers can create, but it was wonderful and lovely to have four generations of family all together, even for a short time.