Snow days

It's beginning to feel a bit like lockdown, since this last week of snow, ice and below freezing temperatures have made me disinclined to venture out of my cosy little apartment. I've run out of chores. (It doesn't take a lot of effort to keep this place clean and tidy.) I've been feeling incredibly blessed that I don't have to go anywhere and have nothing better to do than play. 

I have books, of course, and time to process a few photos on my computer. I completed an incredibly detailed and therefore absorbing jigsaw (below) called 'London from Above', which included most of the major London landmarks. I thought it would be easy (not much blank, blue sky) but, although I didn't have to source pieces just from the shape like you sometimes do, it did require meticulous attention to tiny details like lamp-posts. It took me all week, on and off, so it was most enjoyable. 

Then I decided I'd get out my watercolours. It's a long time since I did any painting and I'm still learning how to use them - to mix colours, get the right amount of water versus pigment and so on. It is another of those 'whole brain' activities that are so good at keeping one's mind off the dreadful state of the world. I was just playing with random patterns and these are not 'keepers', just experiments - but I really had fun messing about. 

Now the snow appears to be melting a little. I was able to go out and clear the dumped snow off my car without too much effort. It may freeze again overnight but hopefully I'll be able to drive to the supermarket and stock up. I've been living off what I have in the freezer and cupboards - thankfully plenty of stored home-cooked meals, as when I cook I usually make a few more portions than I need and then freeze them. I nearly always keep some bread and milk in the freezer too. I am so fortunate.