An unfurling, a cluster, an awakening, a renewal, a memory.

 

It's January 28th.  The end of January is in sight.  I don't usually prescribe to this 94 days of January thing, but bloody hell, the constant rain, the fog, the GREY; it's definitely getting me down this year.  I see from my snaps on my phone, that last January/February was much brighter. However!  Today was sunny and my hyacinths are coming through.  I usually have a couple in these bulb vases as I love to see the roots reaching downwards.  

I love the smell of hyacinths, it's that Proustian thing.... takes me right back to my youth.  I remember my mum used to put them under the sink just before Christmas and then around mid January there would be little shoots of a very pale green.  Out they would come and by my birthday (4th Feb) they would smell beautiful. The days would start to get longer and then Spring would be here..... full of promise, excitement, hope for the coming months.  I am not sure the thing about my birthday is right, but in my memory that is what happened. So there!

Now, although I don't do that under the sink thing, I do like to have hyacinths at the end of January that are going to make February smell delightful.  I like these bulb vases because I like to watch the roots.  I love the way the flower is in that bulb. That magic that reaches up and grasps the light. All in that small shape.  

Some sketchbook musings.  

As it's been sunny today, I have been at the allotment. Hooray!  I cleaned up the studio and did some quick sketches.  Will get going on some monoprints tomorrow.  I think rain is forecast again.  Boo.  

Still it's cosy in my studio with the fire lit. 

Will update tomorrow.