Thoughts & Reflections – Kizzia Mildmay

The obligatory “it’s the new year” post

January 9, 2021

I am aware that it is now 9th January and thus the year isn’t exactly new any more. In fact given everything that’s happening at the moment it feels more like we’ve just experienced six months in nine days. Which is … fun. Not. However I am trying not to let myself retreat from the … More The obligatory “it’s the new year” post

A crocheted Christmas pudding decoration (a circle made of brown yarn with its top covered in white yarn appliqué and, two green stitched holly leaves and a red stitched berry) hangs from a pine branch on what is clearly a real Christmas tree. In the background are strands of thin gold tinsel, tiny glass baubles and wire lights.

Outdoor Advent Day 24

December 24, 2020

On Christmas Eve we bring the outdoors indoors! This is our tiny little potted Christmas tree which is small and crooked and all the more perfect because of that. Once the holidays are over this tree will be thanked for its service and planted in the back garden where I’m sure it will be welcomed … More Outdoor Advent Day 24

A close up of some old man's beard (the climbing shrub with seed pods that are long white and furry) next to some bright red berries. Nature doing its own Christmas decorations.

Outdoor Advent Day 23

December 23, 2020

You don’t pass or fail at being a person, dear. – page 239, The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman When I first read these words I had to put the book down and have a bloody good cry. Since then they have been written into the first page of every … More Outdoor Advent Day 23

Outdoor Advent Day 22

December 22, 2020

This peaceful little video of one of the local coots doing a spot of dabbling in the mill pond is for anyone who is having a hectic, frustrating day and everyone who isn’t but would like a moment to just breath. ___________ Today I am the sort of tired that hurts. This is mostly thanks … More Outdoor Advent Day 22

A view of the stream from a bank set on a sharp bend, so it looks as if the photographer is standing in the water to take the shot. The water is dark and muddied, the reflections of the woods surrounding it partial and shaken with the ripples in the water. The banks are a tangle of greenery, the trees bear moss and ivy rather than leaves. In the distance is just possible to pick out the bridge crossing the stream.

Outdoor Advent Day 20

December 20, 2020

The things we want are transformative, and we don’t know or only think we know what is on the other side of that transformation. Love, wisdom, grace, inspiration – how do you go about finding these things that are in some ways about extending the boundaries of the self into unknown territory, about becoming someone … More Outdoor Advent Day 20

A very autumnal corner of the wood, with a leaf strewn path leading away through the trees to the right. The ground to the sides of the path is green as well as as russet orange thanks to the ivy and ground plants mixed with the leaves. Most of the trees are bare but a few have yellow gold leaves clinging on.

Outdoor Advent Day 19

December 19, 2020

I believe that the great stretches of forest in northern Europe, with their constant seasonal changes, their restricted views, their astonishing biological diversity, their secret gifts and perils and the knowledge that you have to go through them to get to anywhere else, created the themes and ethics of the fairytales we know best. There … More Outdoor Advent Day 19

A close up of vivid green fluffy moss growing on a rotten branch. Behind, out of focus, are orange brown fallen leaves and a dark green growth of what might be ivy.

Outdoor Advent Day 18

December 18, 2020

Look to your soul, for that is where you originate. You write the story of you every day with your thoughts, words and deeds. You create yourself. You get to decide your story. No one else. You. – The Twisted Tree by Rachel Burge I’ve said before that change is the human condition. What I … More Outdoor Advent Day 18

This picture is mostly shades of woods and forest green. It is dominated by two huge trees looming above the camera, leaning towards each other to make a pointed arch. They look to be covered with so much ivy and other evergreen climbing plants that you cannot tell they've lost their leaves for autumn. it is almost impossible to see a path through them.

Outdoor Advent Day 16

December 16, 2020

This I choose to do. If there is a price, this I choose to pay. If it is my death, then I choose to die. Where this takes me, there I choose to go. I choose. This I choose to do. – page 10, Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett How I think about choice has made … More Outdoor Advent Day 16

A leaf strewn path meanders away through the trees. The trees that border the path have mostly bare trunks but those further into the wood (and the one closest to the photographer) have ivy climbing all over them and hints of moss too. The sky, seen through the tree branches, is mottled grey and white.

Outdoor Advent Day 15

December 15, 2020

‘There’s no greys, only white that’s got grubby. I’m surprised you don’t know that. And sin, young man, is when you treat people as things. Including yourself. That’s what sin is.’ ‘It’s a lot more complicated than that-‘ ‘No it ain’t. When people say things are a lot more complicated than that, they means they’re … More Outdoor Advent Day 15

Branches covered with golden leaves are outlined against a brilliant blue sky. The leaves seem to glitter in the sunlight.

Outdoor Advent Day 13

December 13, 2020

All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again … More Outdoor Advent Day 13

Kizzia Mildmay

Word Herder and Yarn Wrangler

Category: Thoughts & Reflections