A New Year

And so we come to the end of 2020. What a weird, difficult, endless year it’s been. I hope you and your loved ones have survived it. And so, we’re heading into 2021.

What am I hoping for in 2021?

Well, first and most obviously an end to COVID. I truly believe there is light at the end of the tunnel and there is good reason to feel hopeful about 2021. The human spirit is a wonderful thing, and I am confident that we will beat this disease, and hopefully learn from the lessons it brought us.

But less globally, and more personally, I am hoping to finally, finally get underway with the renovation of my house. It’s been planned for so long, and for various reasons have been put off, but this year, I tell myself, it will commence.

I’m going to have to move out for it, too, so that will be an adventure, finding a new temporary place to live. Where to go? Nearby, so I can pop in to the house and see how the work is going? Or in the country — maybe near the sea for a while? It’s been so long since I’ve lived anywhere else, the various options are exciting. 

The less fun part of the adventure is that I also have to get rid of MOUNDS of Stuff. How on earth did I accumulate so much? But I did, and heaps of it has to go. I’ve had various decluttering attempts over the years, but there is plenty still to go. And I really have to cull my book collection which is huge. That’s going to be painful.

I know I’ll feel much happier and lighter and freer once it’s all gone, but oh, the anticipation (the word is really dread) of beginning. But I’m starting with baby steps — 15 minutes a day — and I have a charity collection booked for the end of January, so fingers crossed for me, please.

In other areas, I have a new book coming out in September and another one due in before that. And my little self-published novella, The Christmas Bride  has done so well, I’m encouraged to try to squeeze in another novella to self publish. We’ll see. 

So I’m wishing you a much better year in 2021, and sending you this photo of a rainbow lorikeet feasting on pink gum blossoms — they’re small, cheeky, wild native parrots, and I love them, not just for their bright colors. They swoop around my garden, chittering and screeching and when they find nectar-laden blossoms or fruit they feast loudly and joyfully in the trees, hanging upside down and ‘talking’ non-stop. The very sound of them makes me smile.

Of if birds aren’t your thing, how about this picture by one of my favorite Australian artists, E. Phillips Fox? He painted many beautiful, enticing pictures of women outdoors, often reading. You might enjoy this 1912 painting — especially if you’re deep in winter — and imagine a better future to come.

Stay safe, stay healthy and enjoy life as much as you can. Thank you for all your support and kindness through this terrible year. All the very best for the future. See you in the new year.

What are you hoping for this year?