New

Change, Happiness, Hope, Life, New Start, New Year 3 Minutes

I don’t really like new. When people show me their new kitchens, I smile and nod but often prefer them the way they were. I like places with character is what I mean (‘falling apart’ is what the OH says). I was brought up in old houses and somehow I feel comfortable with things that feel lived in and well used, preferably for many years.

The kind of house I’d like to live in: –

The kind of house my husband would like to live in: –

i.e. new (I am coming round to his way of thinking)

I don’t like new clothes. Apart from the whole buying process being infinitely depressing these days (eg. half a jumper that has no chance of even glimpsing your hips let alone covering them), the joy of acquisition has waned. Even if I do find something that works, my overriding feeling is one of woe; I’ve wasted a whole morning when I could have read a book or gone for a walk.

My favourite kinds of new are new places, new friends, new books, new ideas for books. We did a 2 week tour of Scotland last year, driving the north coast from Inverness to Inverness with a detour to Skye. It. Was. Glorious.

The view from the Torridon area (I think)
It’s true what they say about John O’Groats. It literally freezes your face off. That smile cost me so much – I was stuck with it for hours until my face warmed up
Dunett Head Lighthouse at the northernmost point of the Scottish mainland (John O’Groats is the northernmost town)
heilan coo
Kyle of Lochalsh with a view of the Skye Bridge – we stopped for coffee here and I paid 50p to go to the toilet but the barrier opened and shut too fast so I had to crawl underneath. I am old and slow and it was painful. When I finally stood up and turned round, I saw a family of six behind me. I tried to explain, but they didn’t speak English. I didn’t wait to see what happened next

New books are of course another wondrous source of newness. Here are a few of my reads from last year.

Have you read any of them?

I’ve met some wonderful people this year too, such as Alan and Joyce from The Black Isle who not only fed us the most incredible Scottish breakfast but spent ages showing us various routes on the map and advising us where to visit. This was the view of the Moray Firth from their breakfast room.

I’m ambivalent about New Year. There have been bad ones – watching Dad grow weaker is still vivid-but this year is happier. I’m counting my blessings and, after a bit of a writing slump – I hesitate to say writers’ block as I’m not sure I believe in it – I have new energy and new ideas. I also have a new computer screen the size of Egypt. It’s so big that when I’m sitting in front of it, the rest of the world doesn’t even enter my peripheral vision. If that doesn’t get me writing again, nothing will…

I wanted to thank you for reading my blog posts. And if you bought/borrowed and read any of my books, a HUGE thank you. Writing is a risky business. You put your heart out there along with a tiny part most of your soul and try not to think about how stupid you are. Why we do it, God alone knows, but I believe in God, so that’s OK. I’ve had a couple of messages from readers in the past week that have filled me with joy, If you’ve read a book and loved it, especially by a lesser known author, please review it or find a way to tell them. It will give them such a boost.

It will make them feel less like this

And more like this

I was listening to something on the radio recently that ended with, We wish you a responsible Christmas and a fully costed New Year. Bit brutal I thought.

For 2025, I wish you peace and hope, and joy in small things like cake and coffee and walks in the woods. Also blinis. I’ve realised blinis are really nice. I wish you books and travels to new places and people who greet you with big smiles whether they know you or not.

A bit like this

My beautiful granddaughter – sorry, couldn’t resist

Happy New Year to you, reader, however it’s costed…

Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this, you might enjoy my books. You can find out more about them here

Published by 20angel13

Rambler, teacher, dancer*. Lover of words, hats, Radio 4. Favourite things: trees and listening to other people’s conversations, particularly on buses. Least favourite things: flying, liver, Monday mornings. Ambition: to write things that people read. Conviction: we’re not alone. *in the kitchen, usually to “Ain’t Nobody” by Chaka Khan

Published

18 thoughts on “New”

  1. Hi,

    I fell into your blog for the first time via a link on the LICC e mail. It turns out you wrote one of the most enjoyable books I read last year! I read Winter Lights on a long flight to Canada (not a fan of flying!) It was just the thing I needed, really uplifting and now I’ve been reminded of it I will read again.

    Thank you 😊

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    1. Hi there, What a wonderful encouragement for me to read this! Thank you so much for telling me.I’m thrilled you loved the book. And I’m with you re long flights to Canada. We flew there 2 years ago (to Vancouver) and I think it was only books and films that kept me alive really.
      Thanks again for commenting and a happy, blessed 2025 to you 🙂

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  3. Thank you, Deborah, you really made me giggle several times! I loved your photos. did you mean to say you travelled from Inverness to Inverness? I love the Caithness Coast and travel fairly regularly up that way up to the islands you see across the water from Dunnet Head. Often get the Wick to St Margaret’s Hope crossing as I have a sister called Deborah who lives in Orkney. 😀

    Happy New Year and new books, new writing inspiration and new travels to you both.

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    1. Hi Dawn. Happy New Year to you! Thank you for reading and commenting. Yes, we did the North Coast 500 which starts and ends at Inverness. We did it anti-clockwise which was an amazing experience and highly recommended! Wow, a sister called Deborah who lives in the Orkneys! That should have been me!! I love that part of the world so much. Happy New Year to you and wishing you every success with your writing too 🙂

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  4. Such a beautiful piece of writing, Deborah. I love how you combine humour and wonder. May this year be a(nother) productive one for your writing.

    God bless.

    Liz

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  5. Lovely post, Deborah. I’m always interested to see what others have been reading. I have read A Shepherd’s Life, but none of the other books in your pile. I also enjoyed Braver. Some of your photos brought back memories.

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  6. Happy New Year, Deborah, I enjoyed your blog especially the lovely photos of places in Scotland I have not visited. We are enjoying the new house of our youngest son and his girlfriend in North East Thailand and the new experiences of the local community here. We cannot speak their language but admire their sense of community and kindness to each other and the respect they show to old people (like us). They have built their own house which was blessed in a moving ceremony by Buddhist monks and food shared with all members of the village. So the new beginnings this year are wonderful. Also the weather is warm.
    I was interested in seeing your reading experiences, good to see what authors read.
    Hoping to see you sometime this year, more Nelson gatherings are intended after our jolly reunion recently. I also help readers there weekly which I find most enjoyable.

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    1. How wonderful! I bet you’re having an incredible time. I think that’s something Steve wanted to do years ago, build his own house but not sure if he’s still got the energy for it. It sounds like a wonderful community to be part of even for a shorter period of time. I think it’s great that you’re still connected with Nelson. I would love to make a reunion and to see everyone again. Hope you have a great year!

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  9. That was a very warm and funny read and I do envy your skill with the photography! You’re very good at composing a picture. Out of the book pile, I’ve read the Whalebone one and the Rebanks and maaaaaaaybe Godmersham Park – it sounds familiar.

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    1. Thanks for reading! It’s hard sometimes isn’t it, when you read a lot, to remember them all. There are things you planned to read but you’re not sure if you did or not. HNY to you!

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