December

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by Arundhati Basu

I have been gone long. But at the back of my mind has been this constant hum, “don’t be a numpty, get back to the blog already!” So the days have passed while I have been thinking of making a return, but words seem strangely sparse nowadays. Do you know what I mean? I think you do. I might meet you and talk endlessly, as is my wont, but when it comes to blogging, I feel like a dried-up well.

An endless litany of days just merge into the other, though I do not imply that I am discontented. Sure I have my wobbles (like any of us), but I have never looked more inward than now, to keep my soul invigorated. In all of this nature has made the biggest difference. I have found great comfort in watching the machinations of the birds that haunt the bay here. The season has brought about its customary visitors – flocks of Canada geese that honk in the evenings as they fly home, wherever that is, in perfect formations; the ring-billed gulls who perch themselves on the walls unafraid, even as one jogs by; the Snow Goose that looks picture perfect; the male mallards with their glistening green heads and the females with their speckled brown plumage; the cutesy Buffleheads that bob in couples on the waters. I have learnt to tell the young ring-billed gulls from the mature ones, by virtue of their plumage. Maybe because I have poring over Audubon’s wonderfully detailed field guide.

Meanwhile a snow storm in the last two days has coated my world pristine white. It has brought such a spark of joy. So what if I find myself slipping on the ice that has formed in the tracks on the park or sinking deep into the snow as I try to get to the many snowmen that have cropped up around us. Everyone is out there, sledding down the gentle slopes in the park, making the most of the landscape bathed in snow. We all need what we can get to tide us over this odd year, isn’t it?

I have been recharging myself through art. Watercolours and charcoal drawings. I have also started an etsy store: www.etsy.com/shop/Artbybasu?ref=seller-platform-mcnav. I hawk my wares on it. That apart I have been working on going the self-publishing route with my book. It is daunting and involves loads of research, but at least I have some control over the process. One needs control where one can find it, don’t you think? Anyway, I hope to get back to blogging more regularly, now that I have gingerly made my way back here, and catch up with my feed. Needless to say, but I shall put it out nonetheless, I have missed you all.

To you my lovelies, I send the brilliance of snow and oodles of love from Bayonne. Off I go to demolish some quiches and making December count.

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Arundhati Basu

The great affair in my life is to travel. I count myself immensely fortunate that my partner shares this passion. We are a team that likes to spend time planning and plotting out places to go. Destination check, flights check, accommodation check, cheesy grins check. Off we go.

25 thoughts on “December”

  2. Not much to talk about thee days but restrictions, I’m afraid, but it seems vaccines are underway?
    Still, I think it would be wise to refrain from personal contact for yet another 2-3 months at least since we don’t exactly know who nor when somebody has been vaccinated?!
    But yes, I have noticed you have been away for quite some time, and I did contemplate whether you had decided to terminate your blogging? However, a ‘closed door’ have a tendency to remain closed?! Are you quite sure about this? 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi Svein, I am looking forward to checking out your beautiful photographs.

      The vaccines are indeed underway but it should be some time before we actually get vaccinated. We have not met anyone since March. It is a bit trying.

      I will try and keep up with my posts. Not a fan of closed doors. 🙂 Trust you are doing well and keeping safe.

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    1. Hi Neek, how have you all been? I have missed our chats. It may take time, it is true, to get our former selves back. Meanwhile, I hope you have all kinds of foodie goodies to keep you happy this holiday. Love and hugs. xx

      Liked by 1 person

      1. We’ve been trying to be careful and not meeting with family during the holiday season. Zoom meetings have been our mode of transportation to visit with family and friends. I’ve missed you too! So glad to hear that you are okay. I have done some baking with cookies and a rum cake. Wish you could try some. Hope you are keeping your tummy happy with treats also. Love and hugs to you my friend – Neek

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I would have loved your rum cake. I am so greedy for Christmas cakes that I do lose the plot when it comes to them. I have finished four mini loaves that I baked in the last few weeks. Adi has been more cautious. His loss! 😛 Zoom meetings. Ah, I will never be more glad than to see the back of them. And to return to a life where we meet our loved ones, instead of exchanging notes virtually. I am getting excited. Three sleeps more! 🙂 xx

        Liked by 1 person

      1. Working from home still and only allowed out for exercise. No social exercise anymore as there’s a new more infectious strain on the loose. Not sure if the schools will reopen in January but our daughter is fine with that! Managing ok but like you, looking forward to when it’s all over!

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      2. I have forgotten the gym. I miss it so badly, especially since I had grown fond of Peloton. I am glad to hear to that you are wfh. What malarkey! I really don’t know what to think of it. But, something’s gotta give soon.

        P.S.: Your daughter is a trooper.

        To better times! 🍷

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  5. I’m currently working on a December/January offering and yes, words have been elusive as I head out each day to bring back seasonal treats, precious library books and images of twinkling lights dancing in my head.
    Your lovely offering is a joy to read (welcome back!) and I hope your winter week unfolds in beauty…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hiya! I have missed reading your beautiful posts. I will head over soon to catch up. It has been an odd time. Trying to squeeze words out of the head. Books and the telly. What would I do without the twain? 🙂
      Thank you Kim. Looking forward to your blog now. And may your week be filled with festive cheer. 🥰🧡

      Liked by 1 person

      3. We turn on our fairy lights each evening at 7 pm to honour our healthcare workers (mine are blue cork lights tucked into an empty cobalt blue wine bottle that sits on our table in the window!)! A local hospital nurse calls it “shine a light” and she hopes it goes viral (to replace the hand-clapping and cheers)…

        Liked by 1 person

      4. That is beautiful and a great way to acknowledge the service of the healthcare workers. What a gruelling year it has been for them!

        Am picturing your cobalt blue bottle and twinkling lights and smiling. Raising my glass of wine to the hope of it going viral. xx

        Liked by 1 person

      1. Doing good my friend. Yes trying to make the best of the festive season here . Wish you and yours a happy holiday season and a wonderful new year !

        Liked by 1 person

  7. I notice that you are still not quite back on track? (Who would be these days?) But a few things have been changing – at least for me! During the last months of 2020 I made the jump and – after some hesitations – operated on both eyes for glaucoma! It all went very well and I may continue shooting nature shots whenever they appear.
    The next thing happened when my physician called, asking if I wanted a ‘corona vaccine’? I like to play safe, so here I am – vaccinated – at least with my first shot.
    But I fear that the future will require such a vaccine on an annual basis?!
    ‘Drying up’, you say? Well, now – if you do not find things to write about (now that Trump is out of the picture 🙂 ) there are a lot of new photos at my place!
    And you are very welcome to take a peek! Stay safe!! (There is still a lot of infection around!)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hehe. I am back, Svein. Revived and refreshed after the long break. I have managed to tide the dry spell. 🙂

      Hah, on the re to Trump.

      First of all, let me congratulate you on your glaucoma-free eyes. It must feel liberating to be able to view the world well. I hope you have recovered fully from the surgery and are back to your beloved photography sessions outdoors. Secondly, congratulations on getting jabbed. The vaccine is our ticket to some measure of normalcy returning to life, and it is also about being thoughtful to people around us. We are yet to receive it, but are happy to wait.

      Looking forward to dropping in at yours to check out your amazing stash of photos. Cheers, Arundhati.

      P.S.: I have integrated my blog into a new website. Hope you will check it out.

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