Plodding On

Down here in my neck of the woods the snow has finally decided to bugger off and leave us well alone. The British weather in its typical mercurial way has rebounded from the cold snap by swinging to heights of frankly terrifying mildness. Despite it being what I would term the depths of winter the temperature rose to an incredible 13 degrees Celsius, forcing me to forgo both jumper and hat. Even the gloves came off, my winter beard now feels entirely extraneous. This unexpected bloom of warmth fits rather nicely with my equally mercurial mood. At the start of the month I was not in the finest of fettles, but now the grim introspection has gone, although the existential dread remains. But I’m okay with that he’s a reasonably okay guy when you get to know him, bit misunderstood and maligned, but always does the washing up and takes his shoes off when he comes through the door. So January’s ending on something approaching a high. I remain gainfully employed, I’m not dead and I have a house with function heating. everything’s coming up rose. Though not literally, give it a few months though.

Our wordascopes this month are not very cheery, but this was to be expected from an image chosen from a pit of despair in the darkest depths of winter. But they are all made from different facets of sadness and hopelessness. From loss to grim stoicism in the face of your inevitable doom. This month also sees the debut wordascope of Pinaz. She does not write very often, but she wrote something for this. It’s very good. Without further waffling on my part I give you the spoils of January’s Pictonaut Challenge: Plodding On.

Ali George – A little girl’s wish

Pinaz Pajnigar– Love in Blood River

The Rogue Verbumancer – We’ll see this through to the end

James Clayton – The Path is Yours to Choose

Remember to check back tomorrow for the start of February’s Pictonaut Challenge