The year begins. I can’t say I’m filled with eager anticipation. I’m expecting another difficult year.

The political uncertainty in both Canada and the US will affect all of us in many unanticipated ways. There’s “Canada as 51st state of the Union” – our Arctic is going to feature in Canada-US relations in an increasingly signifiant way, as well as issues over tariffs and our southern border. There’s China’s hovering over Taiwan; the ongoing conflict in the middle east; the Ukraine/Russia war; and other hot spots which could flare unexpectedly.

There’s the swarm of misinformation that has taken over social media (I participate in as little of that world as I can get away with) affecting everybody’s perception of “truth”. I see Artificial Intelligence creeping onto my screen (as I write this, for example – it’s anticipating what I’m writing, filling in words, suggesting what to write next). I’m choosing to ignore the prompts – I’ll do a personal revision when I’ve got my thoughts sorted out.

I was born at the end of WWII. 80+ years later the economic and political stability that has been the backdrop throughout my lifetime is changing quicky and in unanticipated ways. It leaves me feeling unsettled. I feel it more this year than last – not just because of the outcome of the US election but that certainly is a factor. There’s nothing I can do about that.

I’m also in limbo artistically. I have that silk floral appliqué I should be thread painting – can’t get myself to work on it. In the next day or so I want to go through my fabric stash, picking out all the batik and sort it by colour so I have an idea of what I have. Jordan fabrics has lots of beautiful batik fat quarter bundles but given the current value of the Canadian dollar I figure I better check my stash before adding to it!

I have fabric to make a boiled wool jacket sweater; I have patterns that would work – can’t get going. I picked up some bamboo velour to make a new housecoat – stuck there, too. Maybe the first step forward will be going through the batiks….

Today, it’s foggy and damp; the snow from last week is almost gone. The days are getting longer (the winter solstice has come and gone) – we won’t notice that for several weeks yet. However, my phaelanopsis will respond to the change in daylight, and if I’m lucky, some of them will flower for me!

This morning I replied to the New Year wishes letter from the eldest daughter in an Afghan family of seven (sponsored by the group to which I’m connected). They arrived in Halifax on Christmas Eve. For the past three years their lives have been unimaginably difficult and terrifying. She and her sisters speak English. Her parents do not. I explained what my role has been with two other immigrant families. I offered to visit for tea and conversation if her mother, in particular, was interested in learning English. Her mother is 60 – more than young enough to have a go at learning a bit of the language; certainly enough to engage with the world outside of their apartment. We’ll see if they take me up on my offer.

Time to get on with the rest of my day. Shortly, I’m off to visit a friend for tea and conversation! That will brighten my day. I just have to take 2025 one day at a time….