Monday, December 14, 2009

Don't We All Have Our Secret Things?


And this is a good winter. Some rain. But there have been frosts, mostly, and clear skies, and I had my old, familiar dream of ice in the waves last night. Our house is warm. I was worried, at first, that it might not be, for its windows are huge, and the floors are more wooden than not. But we have lived through several winters in it, before this one, and we know how it is there, now-where the warmest places are. The landing; the attic room, where he paints; the kitchen, of course. It matters-for if I'm to walk about in the cold, by a wintry sea, I want to return to a house of heat, and kettles, and radio songs. And a bath to run. It's all part of it. Don't we all have our secret things?

* I love to take down a box of old pictures and spend an hour laughing, remembering. *
* I love to go to my Mom's house, light a candle, dim the lights, and soak in her huge tub with a great book in my hands. *
* I love to come home to a crackling fire and a pot of stew at the ready. *
* I love to wedge my chilled feet between Jeffrey's warm legs. *
* I love to sit at the table and write a letter while the radio plays sentimental, old songs. *
* I love to reread old favorite books. It's just like checking in with an old friend. *
* I love to wash a big pile of dishes while I listen to Winter Solstice on my iPod. *


What are your secret things? The quiet pleasures of this winter season?


Excerpt from the most amazing book, Oystercatchers by Susan Fletcher.

39 comments:

Jeanne said...

I love everything you share
Love you
Kisses

Laura said...

My favorite thing so far this season is finding all of the Christmas cheer and friendship on blogs.....it warms my heart. My heart is always warmed after a visit with you......oh, and candy....another fave of the season

Mrs. E said...

Beautiful post, Relyn!

beth said...

I love watching the same movies over and over again...and organizing my desk and papers while my ipod plays really loud, so I can dance in between this pile and that....

I love to do laundry and I really love clean sheets on the bed and warm towels from the dryer.....

Char said...

I love sipping on a warm coffee while listening to music and staring at a christmas tree, I love the smiles on the children's faces, I love opening a bag of peppermints and the good cheer on everyone's faces when they're doing a good deed.

Andrea said...

I love to visit quiet, tranquil places...places with no phones, tvs, etc.
I love to curl up with a good book or my bible and journal.
I love to capture pictures with my camera.
Blessings, andrea

Tracy said...

Such winter sweet, Relyn! With winter very much here the little things mean even more... hot chocolate features frequently, cooking warming soups & stews--can't get enough, flowers occasionally from the florist, candles flickering, fireplace glowing, Baroque choral music lifts the spirits, writing in my journal, dreaming... Winter's not sounding so bad. ;o) Happy Week, my friend ((HUGS))

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Marilyn Miller said...

I love reading your lists. Oh the visit to your Mom's house sounds divine.

I love burning tons of candles throughout the house on a cold winter evening.
I love freshly baked cookies with a cup of tea.
I love listening to Christmas music even when it isn't Christmas.

My Castle in Spain said...

Ah...all your secrets sound sweet ! in cold winter weather, i like to stay at home, cup of tea in one hand, a good book in the other hand and my boyfriend not too far away !
xoxo

Patti said...

I have many secret things. I love to turn on the Christmas lights and listen to music and read or cross stitch. I love Lifetime movies on a Sunday afternoon while I do crafts. I love a long phone conversation catching up with a friend. I love wrapping up in a blanket with a nice warm cup of tea and sit on the front porch while the snow is falling. I love looking up at the winter sky and imagining...

Suz said...

I love holding my mother's hand in mine

Sue said...

I love to curl up with a blanket, a book and the lights of the Christmas tree...my sweet beagle in my lap.

Sue

d smith kaich jones said...

This year the Christmas season is so busy and I so harried that I admit to taking pleasure in a supper of Cracker Jacks and a Coca Cola while watching whatever terrible Lifetime romance Christmas movie is on. My apologies to Lifetime, but they are perfectly mindnumbing enough, requiring no thought, that I can just zone out and relax.

(Don't tell anyone.)

:) Debi

Heart2Heart said...

Relyn,

I am happy to have days where I am feeling better, they may only last a few hours but to me, then mean the world and something that should not be taken for granted of.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Anonymous said...

Hi Relyn,

My family and I are having a raffle to raise funds toward postage for our gift bag mission. We hope you will drop by and take a chance to win two awesome gifts!

Postage Raffle Drive

SE'LAH... said...

love learning about you Relyn. I am addicted to quilt shops and fabric. but we all have our vices, right? ;)

Anonymous said...

i love to read and indulge in sweets.

Roban said...

I love laughing with Hannah, rewatching great movies (Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail), settling in with a great magazine or book, rereading my favorites (again), finding the perfect writing pen in a multitude of colors, and visiting your blog because it's such a cozy and inspiring place to visit!

Great post!

dulcy said...

Doing yoga in the upstairs bedroom on sunny cold days. I can see the pond....and love the way the light shines into the bedroom. Loved seeing you today...but looked like a doozy for you.

xo
dulcy

gkgirl said...

oh.

i like this.

i am going to have to think
about this for a bit...
and get back to you...
but i loved reading your list!

xo

Elizabeth Halt said...

The one time of year I kind of miss my TV is Christmas, because I did love curling up with those sappy Lifetime movies - they always had a happy ending. Alas ..

I love curling up with a fleece blanket and cup of hot cocoa and a book - and listening to the rain beating down.

Anonymous said...

watching my favourite movies (ones where i know every dialogue by heart!), looking through old photos, baking...

you actually enjoy doing the dishes??? that's crazy!

Dutchbaby said...

I love to read a good book on the Kindle App of my iPhone when I can't sleep in the middle of the night. Shhh, don't tell.

Jessica said...

I love to stay up too late reading a book (even though I have early meetings)

Yiota said...

I like the 'book- old friend' point. So true! I need to get a recorded version of W.S. Maybe then I won't be so bored doing the dishes.
The illustrations you liked on my blog are from a German book entitled "Wir sagen euch an den lieben Advent" by Gaby Scholz. We've got the Greek edition. I don't know if you can find it there.

Anonymous said...

I love your blog and the name is so welcoming, too. :) Thanks for all of your kind comments on my blog. Have an extra special Christmas!!!

Yolanda said...

I have enjoyed all of your posts of late. I also have winter solstice and loe it.

Isabel said...

Love all of your secret things. Yes, fire places and warmy blankies, hot chocolate and marshmellows, my daughter's head leaning on my shoulder, bear hugs from my husband and son...blue jay and cardinal flights by the bird bath...drops of rains sliding down my window panes...

spread your wings said...

always love to read your lists. usually nodding my head - "yes i love that too." ; )

i love to build a good fire, turn the lights off, except for the Christmas tree, pile up some blankets and take a nap right there on the floor - soft music playing, kitty at my feet and the heat warming me all over.

Joy said...

I love going walking on clear, crisp winter nights. Everything seems so much more peaceful and calm.

S. Etole said...

and a good peanut butter sandwich with some chocolate kisses ...

Tess Kincaid said...

Love your secret wintry things!

Caroline said...

I love to snuggle into warm blankets and watch romantic comedies...

bigBANG studio said...

Relyn- I just found your blog via Gigi at Magpie's Fancy, and man o man have I been missing out! What a marvelous warmth you've been able to create in this magical place.

Looking forward to many posts to come..
holiday hugs and cheer,
lily at bigBANG

Lynnelise said...

I love sipping a cup of something warm and wonderful - cocoa, tea or coffee - and leisurely reading the blogs of all my cyber-friends. I love writing my blog.
I love curling up on the recliner under a fleece through and reading a book that takes me far, far away.
I love catching snowflakes on my tongue when no one is watching.
I love sitting in the dark, with only the lights of the Christmas tree on, and thinking about the history of each of my ornaments.
I love gazing at my beautiful nativity set and listening to Christmas Carols.
I love... I love... I love...
I love sitting by your fire.
I think I've just come up with a blog entry! Thanks Relyn

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Ragamuffin Gal said...

What an absolutely beautiful post. I could feel each of those moments~ they were so real. How do you do that ~ live life and remember such details? Love you!

susanna said...

*smile* Aside from the washing of dishes, I'm with you on everything, Relyn. To have a huge tub with candles and a good book right now...sigh...well, I can daydream.

Jaime said...

Pure poetry soars out of that book...every word. Makes me want to pick it right back up and read it all over again.
I wish I had a claw foot tub. I wish I knew someone who had a claw foot tub. xo

Oldies, but Goodies