Happy New Year!

I have been in a state of semi hibernation since the novelty of fresh white snow wore off after week two!  Never a fan of the period between New Year and March 21st, I was glad this year to have some "events" to look forward to.  Its hard work providing activities at this time of year because energy levels are low and enthusiasm hard to muster. Thank heavens for Robbie Burns and his timely birthday at the end of January . It's a good reason to have a bit of a knees up and enjoy a tot of whiskey.  I was privileged to provide musical entertainmnet, poetry, a quiz and games to celebrate the birthday of the bard  for an activities group who also sampled the haggis as part of their Scottish afternoon.

Later there was Valentines Day and opportunity for a tea dance and red roses with of course chocolate and the best of the popular love songs to bring fond and sometimes tearful memories. Love is not only of the romantic kind and one activity which is a good self esteem booster is for each person in the group to write three things they appreciate and like about the person next to them. The "love letters" are then collected and read out to the entire group, mentioning no names of course. It is a nice way of making positive affirmations for everyone to share and raise morale when the energies are low.  Of course it can be done any time an activities group needs a pick me up.

Next comes St Davids Day on March 1st and this provides the chance to sing some rousing hymns from Wales like "Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah" and also to sing some of the lovely Welsh somgs such as "Mfanyw", "The Ash  Grove " and "All through the Night". I shall be reading extracts from Dylan Thomas' "Under Milkwood"  and seeking out a CD of a male voice choir.

Right now ,  I am looking forward to the first daffodils - particularly relevant because of their value in the treatment of Alzheimers.  I shall be planning a day celebrating the Daffodil including painting and poems to bring the vibrant energies of this lovely flower into the activities session.

"I wandered lonely as a cloud which floats on high oer vales and hills

When all at once I saw a crowd, a host of golden daffodils...." [William Wordsworth]

Great mood changers, bright yellow daffies!  Make the most of them and  may we have a lovely early spring!!

 And remember St Patricks Day-downloads coming soon! Here's a taster

DOWNLOAD  A LEPRECHAUN HERE

http://www.inspiritbuxton.com/leprechaun.pdf 

WHEN YOU AND I WERE YOUNG

 I wandered to day to the hills, Maggie

To watch the scene below

The creek and the creaking old mill ,Maggie

As we used to long long ago.

The green grass is gone from the hills, Maggie

Where once the daisies sprung

The creaking old mill is still , Maggie

Since you and I were young

 

They say I am feeble with age,Maggie

My steps are much slower than then

My face is a well written page, Maggie

And time all alone was the pen

They say we have outlived our time. Maggie

As dated as songs we have sung

But to me you're as fair as you were,Maggie 

When you and I were young.