Cheery

The first day of summer time - and we remembered. (Two of our friends at church forgot and turned up without having had any breakfast; they live quite a distance away). The sun shone straight into my eyes at 7.30am and suddenly the world looked a better place. It also looked a much chillier place: the hills to the north were white with snow and there was even a delicate sprinkle on our own hills, but the sun was shining and making everything seem possible - even summer, some time. 

Church was all it should be today - interesting, thought-provoking, moving. I was doing Intercessions, as well as singing, and afterwards there was much jollity with the family of two of my former pupils who all turned up unexpectedly. The gospel was John's extraordinary tale of the raising of Lazarus -  in the middle of the sermon I couldn't help thinking of just how many metaphors there are in the story, how much symbolism. It's always pleasing when you think of such things for yourself instead of reading it from someone else, even though others have been there before.

After yesterday's horribly sedentary day, I was determined to get out in the afternoon, so we took ourself off to Toward and enjoyed the random clumps of daffodils by the roadside and the sudden light on the hills of Arran which defined the ridges and glens I know so well. There were peewits in the field near the school and a curlew flew low over the rocks where a pied wagtail was bobbing along. We weren't home till 6pm, and realised as we walked in the sun that winter really is past; whatever the weather is doing the dark has gone for now!

Dinner was insanely late - my body clock seemed to have a wee relapse - and it's now well past midnight despite all my good intentions. But before I go, let me draw your attention to my extra photo. It's taken from this morning's pew sheet, which my pal Di produces every week. She chooses some great illustrations for the day, and this week's mediaeval raising of Lazarus is no exception: look at the expressions on the faces... and what is Mary (or is it Martha?) carrying? 

Main collage is from today's walk.