As we watched the snow falling with icy roads and bitter cold nights in January, I remembered saying a few weeks earlier, as nearly every Christmas card had snow scenes, “I think with this global warming, we shall never have snow again.” Famous last words!
I love to see the Robin in our garden as they are so friendly and I was interested to read that the Robin became Britain’s bird of Britain largely because Victorian postmen, who wore red tunics, were known as Robin redbreasts.
Then Robins began to appear on Christmas cards as a symbol of the red-breasted messenger. Because they feel the cold in winter, Robins fluff out their feathers which make them look even more endearing. They are one of the few British birds who sing throughout the winter. Does anyone remember as a child singing, “The North wind does blow and we shall have snow and what will the Robin do then, poor thing? He’ll sit in a barn and keep himself warm and hide his head under his wing, poor thing.”
Years ago the humble potato was the staple food of the British people but now I am amazed at the different sorts – red or white potatoes of varying varieties, sweet potatoes, small potatoes, new potatoes, salad potatoes – the list goes on. Then in the freezer we have chips, jackets, mash and more. It seems we potato lovers are spoilt for choice.
“Happiness is something that comes into our lives through doors we don’t even remember opening.”
Marie Cove.