Pond update

About a year ago I got a pond dug at the end of the garden.  It's now looking nicely established.  I got pond plants via Freecycle, which also brought snails.  The snails have thrived, as have the plants.  The banks created from the topsoil have been covered by mostly weeds, but ones that I want such as brunnera & forget-me-nots.  I had a few bulbs, and there are a couple of arum lilies which I hope will have survived the winter.

The pond shape has worked out OK.  One change I would make would be to lower the ridge slightly, as whenever the water level drops the liner is exposed, which isn't very attractive.  However, I hope that eventually some weeds will grow over that.
A slight disappointment is the lack of frogs.  I hoped for frogspawn this year.  But after the snake incident last September, perhaps they've been scared away.  I've seen one small one, so maybe more will find it eventually.

Spring fever

Being off work can do wonders for my state of mind.  I've got over 2 weeks away from work, thanks to the bank holidays, 4 day week & a few days' leave.  Yesterday was spent in a very leisurely way, ending up with a lovely meal at Frank's Bar in Norwich.  Today was sunny, went to conservation on the marshes.  It was incredibly hot in the sunshine & by the fires that we burn to dispose of the scrub.  Then had a large Sunday lunch with friends, followed by a drink by the river.  Came home, made a banana cake & chocolate torte.  Andnow feel good and very very relaxed.

Thought this article was good about the current aim to make people happy.   And the fact that markets & much of the Tory ideology makes people unhappier.  I especially like the idea that we should have Action for Things to be Basically OK.  I've tried some of the self-help techniques, and the affirmation stuff didn't really work for me.  And I'm uncomfortable with the idea that anyone can achieve anything if they put their mind to it. I think that getting through life causing the least harm to the environment and others should be our aim.

Having a moan

Been feeling a bit low for a while now.  Just under the surface all the time.  A kind of gnawing sadness.  And I feel resentment.  I resent that it feels like Leon has exchanged my happiness for his own.  Which is not how it is, and is also a very selfish view.  And there's a fear that the best, happiest part of my life is over, gone.  Which is ridiculous. And because of the hard winter some of my favourite plants have died which feels symbolic.

OK, so let's do a bit of positive thinking.  The weather is very clear, not hot today, but sunny.  Birds are singing.  Adam & Joe show is back.  Got time off work over Easter.  Hmm.  To be lonely in.  No!  To enjoy.  Maybe I need to get a dog.