The Melancholy of Monochrome
Time away does not necessarily equate to time productively expended. Words have been tacked up less than frequently of late leading one to believe that I may have used that energy in a more useful manner.
This is not the case.
The allure of winter wonder has all but faded. The varying degrees of contrasting shades of white and gray have grown monotonous. Sky gives way to barren landscapes. The lines are blurred. They are all vying for the same colors and the palate is as monochrome as it is cold.
The pilot light of a boiler 60 years past it’s prime provides singularly the warm hues I seek yet thoughts of it’s ceaseless activity, it’s constant labor, do little to provide the warmth I so desperately need.
There are drafts everywhere. Small children are incapable of appreciating the value of sealed entryways.
The occupants in my head have grown as restless as those in my home, confined for too long in spaces that are small. And confining.
Such is the nature of winter. Once again it has persisted beyond tolerance. Like conversations with acquaintances that offer detailed soliloquies to the cursory “how are you today?” I’ve grown weary. And yet, I am powerless to make an exit.
And so I’ll make do. I’ll continue to smile and nod agreeably maybe even chuckle from time to time as if I’m interested, at least I’ll try, and I’ll get through another one. But just to be safe, I’m gonna keep my head down.
Holy crap! Someone could lose an eye!


Its cold this year isn’t it, working from home means sitting at this desk all day long, sitting here noticing draughts, wondering why we didn’t get the walls insulated, not daring to turn the heating on at all until 4pm every day because we’re burning £80 worth of gas every month, telling the kids that it used to be like this every year when we were kids !
I’ll tell you what though – no-one in this house has had even a sniffle of a cold this year, I’d forgotten how effective a cold house is at killing off germs

Gary´s last blog ..Asquith, demolition expert
Ed Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
We are just seeing the first sniffles. I think we were supposed to have a booster on the flu vaccines after the first of the year and we missed it. Otherwise–besides the unbearable cold and snow, we’ve been healthy. I suppose I should stop complaining.
I was totally thinking that about those icicles. Damn those are sharp!
Kami´s last blog ..The On Going Effect of THAT Diet
Ed Reply:
February 18th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
And destructive! Just this afternoon one fell on Maura’s car. Nice big dent and a chunk of paint taken off.
God, I love winter!!
Probably not the time to gush about our NW Spring weather. Everything is in bloom. It is rather odd but pleasant.
Plan a visit to Seattle next February!
Seattledad (Luke, I am Your Father)´s last blog ..A Page from the Hollywood Playbook
Ed Reply:
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:14 am
That’s just not right!