Silently moves the fog

Aha; a new element has arrived to join the snow. Fog. If it was still and contemplative walking home along the burn before, it was stiller and more contemplative tonight... there is nothing like forgetting you are in a city when you are in a... city.

There are two marvellous trees at the end of the park; poplars with ivy coats, which have looked amazing every day in the snow and tonight they were at their eerie finest looming out of the murky dark. I say 'dark' but that has been one of the wonderful things about the snow; when combined with the streetlights the park adopts an other-worldly orange glow and it is light enough to see your way despite being unlit directly. The creak of my feet was tonight joined by the slow and gentle drip as the thaw set in; long may it last. Despite the beauty and the amazing light effects I am getting to see every morning and night, it would be good to know that my car can function once more and I can move further than a couple of miles away from my house...

There is undoubtedly something calming and settling about adopting a rhythm based on walking however, which reminds me of last spring when I got in the habit of walking every day, and on Arran last year when needs meant much more communing with nature. Mental note; walking is a definate aid to the removal of anxiety and encourages contemplation in place of stress. Also means less guilt about eating things made with sugar.

About to attempt the wrapping and organisation of Christmas gifts; only one to go really which is for a random relative's child who I have never met. Not at all sure why I bother, but know that it would cause raised eyebrows and tutting from the older generation if I stopped, so I continue. I do wonder how long this will be expected, however; not sure if my imagination (or tolerance) can stretch to buying gifts for unknown teenagers...

So, cards and paintings all round, and I hope not too many disappointed faces on Christmas day upon discovering the lack of dodgy perfumed products or M&S fleece gloves.

Outside the fog continues to move silently past the street lights.