Anthea Turn er

How I See It...

Hello,

Well let’s get the elephant in the room dealt with straight away. I’m struggling with lockdown 3 far more than I ever did during 1 and 2.

The word I’m using to describe it for all of us is Attrition – dictionary definition, The process of reducing some thing’ s strength or effectiveness through sustained attack or pressure.

I honestly cruised the last two, I’m a positive person not a doom-monger or prone to negativity, but this one has really got to me. Obviously, the time of the year isn’t helping– January, February and March are a little dull at the best of times – but my big girl optimistic pants are having to be pulled on daily and I’m standing in front of the mirror literally giving myself a talking to.

I do believe this is the last push, and when the spring flowers pop their noses up out of the ground so will we… which brings me on to the best £1 I have ever spent.

Last week President Macron of France and his wife Brigitte were hauled over the coals in the press for spending £541,000 on flowers for the Elysée Palace. Shock horror ensued due to the pandemic leaving France as brassic as the UK. But the cost was spread over four years, and umpteen events have taken place in the palace and its grounds, many raising money for charities. So although it is a hefty figure, never let a headline get in the way of the truth. However, it did get me thinking of the uplifting power of flowers.

From the first time I heard William Woodsworth’s poem Daffodils I’ve loved it. I wandered lonely as a Cloud That float son high o’ er Val es andHills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host of golden Daffodils; Beside the Lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze… And then my heart with pleasurefills, And dances with the Daffodils.

Daffodils are one of my favourite flowers. They pop up after winter signifying warmth and new beginnings. The colour alone makes you feel happy. It’s bright, vibrant and makes you think of sunshine.

Do you buy flowers for yourself? If you don’t, this is an order: spoil yourself this week. The bunch I have in my hands cost £1 from Sainsburys. When I bought them they were closed, then at different times over the next two days each one opened and their blooms have made me smile every day since.

Obviously if I had Madame Macron’s budget, every My Weekly reader would get a bunch.

Big Hugs and Big Pants Anthea X