Only 3pm...

It becomes evening early at this time of year. This is a weir close to Mid-Calder. As the bough has yet to be cleared, I presume it was recently felled- probably by the wind. I liked the way that it offset the line of the crest of the water.

It was nice to relax this afternoon with two good friends - Peter and Lottie - strolling along the banks of the Almond. I had been leading a Remembrance service this morning- which I always find difficult. But at only 3pm, the light was already sning at a low angle.

So it was nice to be close to home. I had been running a little late myself- so it was a relief to receive Peter's call, apologising for running even later. It didn't matter to me. That was the point of this afternoon. There were no deadlines to meet. So I had time for a shower, and then just sat with my book for a while.

Often when I am with these two, it si part od a complicated web of logistics. We may be trying to fit a weekend in the hills into both our crammed diaries. Or we may be putting together a social gathering of old friends now spread across the country... But today was simplicity itself. Okay, so our conversation did turn to our plans to spend New Year with friends in a remote part of the Highlands, but Lottie seems to have this well in hand already.

I hope that I'll be disciplined enough to spend many more afternoons like this one. I use to run about from one thing to the next (well, I say used to- it was so up until a month ago, and I'm sure I'll fall back again into the same trap). I'd not manage to do nearly as much as I'd hoped, or at least do it less well than I'd have liked. So a month back I decided to try and take things a bit more sensibly. Now, I'm not saying that I've suddenly become wise, and I can see the things that are important in life, and I'm just focussing on these. I wish. I still have very little idea where life is leading. But rather than rushing from one event to the next trying to find out, I'm happier to admit that I'm lost.

And I'll try to enjoy not knowing quite where I am.