Beautiful

I wasn’t going to post today 
I have nothing much to say. 
By breakfast time I’d already worked eight hours, driven home and shopped. 
By 2pm I was awoken by sunshine streaming in from the Western sky
It felt warm on my face
whereas the cottage air felt just above zero

Mary lay on the bed with me. Her head facing the sun
She was obviously enjoying the moment and looked as though she was smiling gently to herself.
I watched her for an age


My New Year’s resolution ? 
To note something of beauty every day,
No matter how small


74 comments:

  1. A nice way to start the new year, John. xo

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    1. It’s been a restful day Ellen, good tv , a gin and tonic , and both dogs under a blanket

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  3. I learnt from my chickens how to bask in the sunshine when it shines on the coldest of days. Taking time to enjoy the small things makes the bigger things so much more manageable. xx

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  4. Anonymous4:35 pm

    Mary looks blissful x Kath x

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    1. You can see her matted muzzle and her old eyes

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  5. There are so many beautiful things around that we all miss, because we're "too busy". Mary's smile is the start. xx

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    1. She’s an old girl with not much time left and this view of her broke my heart x

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  6. I have nothing much to say every day and post anyway. It's surprising how something always comes once I start. Even when it turns out to be nothing much. Keep 'em coming, I say!

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  7. I think that is the very best New year's resolution I have the pleasure to have come across old lad, thinks I will be stealing it as I have made any myself.
    All the very best for the year ahead

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  8. Barbara Anne5:26 pm

    I recently read that it's important to take note of small happiness because much of it is really big. Like dear Mary smiling during her sleep in the sunshine and your taking pleasure in the moment. Perfect!
    Happy Day 2!!

    Hugs!

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    1. I love that she moves people
      My old gal

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  9. I know we shouldn't judge on appearances, but Mary is quite beautiful.

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    1. In this photo she is…..her hair has lost its lustre, she’s scruffy and has never made a true Welsh silhouette
      But to me
      She’s magnificent

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  10. Beautiful Mary is a good place to start with your New Years resolution!

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    1. You resolution of be happy
      Is wonderful

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  11. I love your resolution and will give it a go too... Mary is a fitting start.

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  12. Jo in Auckland6:04 pm

    Mary looks so content enjoying the sun on her face a small enjoyment in the scheme of things, but something we should all contemplate. It's a great resolution!

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  13. Anonymous6:22 pm

    Old dogs , sweet

    Lee

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  14. Look at her chops, heart melting.

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  15. You have reminded be that I've not done a being grateful list on a post for ages.

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  16. Anonymous7:32 pm

    I love your resolution (and the photo of Mary). I’m planning on making notes when I see something that makes me happy and grateful and putting those notes in a jar to review at end of 2025.

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  17. Anonymous7:42 pm

    Mary looks so happy and contented in the sun. We have a sunny day today and my Peggy is curled up in a patch. The wind is blowing and it feels cold outside. I did banking and mailed a bill this morning and that was enough outside time for me. I am trying to eat up what is in my freezer and tonight I thought I was having creamed salmon on toast but now that it has thawed I am having creamed tuna in patty shells. I have so many frozen leftovers I guess I will be surprised every night. Maybe I should have labeled them. Enjoy the small things John, I try to do that too. Gigi

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    1. Right now both terriers are with me on the couch and I’ve covered them with a blanket

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  18. She is beautiful.

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  19. That's a lovely thought and a lovely share. Thank you for taking the time to post it.

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  20. Haven't got one.8:18 pm

    Mary, Bun, Weaver, Roger, the first snowdrop, a snowflake, blue skies, white fluffy clouds, a beam of sunlight, a rainbow, beautiful Wales, the sea... you are surrounded by beauty if you take time to enjoy it.
    It's all free too.
    Enjoy John.
    Jean.

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    1. Haven't got one.8:30 pm

      PS. Leisure by Welsh poet William Henry Davies often comes to my mind.
      Jean.

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    2. Anonymous9:23 pm

      I know that poem
      We have no time to stand and stare


      Keith

      Xx

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  21. What is this life if, full of care,
    We have no time to stand and stare.
    No time to stand beneath the boughs
    And stare as long as sheep or cows.
    No time to see, when woods we pass,
    Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
    No time to see, in broad daylight,
    Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
    No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
    And watch her feet, how they can dance.
    No time to wait till her mouth can
    Enrich that smile her eyes began.
    A poor life this if, full of care,
    We have no time to stand and stare.

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  22. Jean,
    I need to do it once daily , we all do

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  23. If Wales has been anything like London, you've seen no sun to speak of for weeks. It's been amazing to have it reappear today! I walked around town with the same blissed-out expression as Mary's.

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  24. This is as good as a resolution as any and better than most.

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  25. Sweet Mary, basking in the sunshine with a gentle smile. All is right in her world.
    Your resolution is the best I've heard yet. This is one that can be kept and would be helpful to anyone. Great thinking John.

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  26. I try and do the same thing every day, to notice and appreciate something simple, but easily taken for granted.

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  27. A wonderful sight, thank you for sharing.

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  28. This photo of dear Mary is heartwarming. Thank you.

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  29. What a great photo of a dear friend.

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  30. The sunlight, her shut eyes, a wonderful photo.

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  31. You got it right! A toast to a 2025 full of blessings- large and small.

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  32. She needs a deckchair and beach towel.

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  33. Spinoza said something like this: "An aesthetic experience a day is beneficial to your health." So, a good resolution is that!

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  34. I can see why you watched her enjoying her time in the sun. It is a beautiful moment. Your dogs are such a gift. It was wonderful to see some sunshine at last and feel the warmth even if through the window.

    A great resolution to look for beauty and joy wherever you can find it.

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  35. Anonymous7:34 am

    Amen
    Alison in Wales x

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  36. That face. She glows like the sun.

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  37. Long ago, a wise woman told me that whatever I look for, I will find, and to get into the habit of looking for the good in every situation and every person. I often forget her sage advice. Thank you John, for the reminder. Mary's serene face is beautiful.

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  38. Carole R.1:03 pm

    Beautiful Mary, her joy and pleasure at the winter sun on her body is a joy to behold. It's like the sun on the back of your neck, so wonderful. Mary doesn't seem old do terriers not live to an old age? I wish her many more sunny days.

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  39. We keep the house warm for our dogs, our vet said arthritic joints are more painful when it's cold and their body temperture soon drops. They're not Huskies! You often mention your house is cold, is there a reason why you don't keep a warm house?

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    1. The cottage is warm when i light the fire. Its cold before i do so. The welsh have their warm beds
      So if you are suggesting misstreatment you can fuck off

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    2. Anonymous5:12 pm

      I didn't read that as being suggestive of maltreatment but it obviously touched a nerve.

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    3. It was passive aggressive and cowardly

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    4. Anonymous7:24 pm

      No John, it wasn't, you're beng ridiculous and reading something in to it that isn't there, prompted by guilt perhaps? You say the cottage air felt just above zero which isn't warm enough for dogs but I think you already know that. I'm surprised that you think it's acceptable, there are other forms of heating besides your open fire, some fan heaters for instance.

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    5. Anonymous7:48 pm

      lol I haven’t heard that put down before

      Leexxxx

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  40. Good for you!
    I did something like this last time: I wrote down in a diary 3 things I was grateful for that day. I enhanced me to be more aware of things for which I am grateful.

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  41. I really think that picture is one for the wall.

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  42. Anonymous1:32 pm

    I love your resolution! Mary looks so sweet!

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  43. Anonymous5:10 pm

    John I love the posts when you have ‘ nothing to say “ they usually are rather lovely . Thank you x Bernie

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I love all comments Except abusive ones from arseholes