And so the seasons change…

There are a couple of ways to work out the change of the seasons. You can mark the solstices, or you can go a bit earlier with the Meteorological Office’s theory that they are December 1st for Winter, March 1st for spring, June 1st for summer and September the first for autumn.

Both those are good in theory, but I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s noticed that the weather isn’t very good on ‘theory’ any more. That’s why I’ve found my answers in the past, in the way that I so often do in fact and fiction. The old wisdom, like the leaves coming off the trees, the Brent Geese arriving on the Harbour works far better. I know that’s tough for those of you who don’t have a beautiful Harbour a nice walk away, but I promise I’ll share mine.

Or there’s that moment when you step outside into the dark, as I do each day when I open the windows and back door to air the house while everyone else sleeps, because that’s when the air pollution is lowest. Then I do the biggest stretch I can, stare up at the night and get a feel for the day while I mentally run through what it’ll bring me and decide what fun thing I’m going to do.

This morning, there was frost on the shed roof, and the cats shot past me to take control of the comfiest chairs in the living room. There were bright stars against inky blackness and clouds coming in. Most of all, there was a definite something in the air that seemed to be saying to me. ‘You’ve had a busy spring, summer and autumn so now it’s time to slow down a bit. Snuggle down, light the candles, and put the diffuser and some nice relaxing music on. Look back at the past and smile or maybe shed a few tears, and then, after the winter solstice, you can start to plan an even better year next year.

Or is that just me? Anyway, I’ve learned to listen to that voice so my LED candles are lit, the curtains are firmly drawn, the washing is chugging round in the machine, and the diffuser smells of ginger, black pepper and vanilla. There’s porridge for breakfast, with maple syrup and a handful of raisins. I hope I get out for a walk because yesterday was beautiful despite the bitterly cold wind. The birds were singing and out-cuting each other in a way that had nothing to do with the bird food we’d brought with us. Absolutely nothing at all..

The Brent Geese were so close to the shore that I could take pictures, and so was this gorgeous egret. The sky was a vivid blue instead of the horrible, dank pale grey it’s been. and told me that wnter has come early. It may leave again in a few days time, but today I shall enjoy it. I’ll decide after breakfast whether it’ll be sweeping up or going for a walk, but it will be good.

There’s nothing quite like coming in from the cold, is there? Especially if there’s hot chocolate and a good book involved, so there are my special offers for this week at 99p in the UK and 99c in the US.

There are three books from my Shadows series, which I write as Eleanor Neville, which are Accidental Hero, Strange Harvest and Kisschase. Kisschase is ideal if you need a taste of summer, or you might enjoy the story of Becky, the romantic suspense writer who’s dreamed of having an adventure, then decides that she’d much rather write knitting patterns when it becomes real, even though she doesn’t know how to knit!

If you need something gentler, then why not visit the cosy town of Oldcastle, which is just coming back to life after years quietly declining. Those are Tia Brown, so gentler, kinder, with plenty of cake and guaranteed happy endings. Meet the tough guy who faces his biggest challenge ever in the Toddler and the Tough Guy, or spend some time with an archaeologist who has to face facts about her first love and then realises that what people call facts all too often aren’t in Buried Trouble. Or why not visit a not-so-glamorous auction house where a woman is mourning her boss and cursing him at the same time because his will means he’s got the last laugh in Where There’s a Will?

Or if you’re in the other half of the world, it’s all the other way round. That’s a strange thought, isn’t it? You’re in summer and I’m in winter, but take care wherever you are and I’ll see you on Sunday.