Historical tradition maintained today (Jan 22nd) by pruning the vine in the greenhouse. Took all of 15 mins. but created a profound sense of continuity with my medieval ancestors. (Pretty sure they were the ones outside in the cold doing the pruning rather than inside with a nice log fire quaffing the results of the previous harvest). From Robert Lacey's 'The Year 1000'
#winemaking #vine #gardeningNoteworthy: China’s population falls for the first time in 60 years. Have we seen ‘peak China’ - demographically?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-64300190
China's population falls for first time since 1961
The birth rate fell to 6.77 births per 1,000 women - the lowest it has ever been.
BBC NewsCan’t help thinking that if you go to ransack a national congress building and presidential palace on a Sunday, when no-one’s there, it’s more that you’re doing it to put on your social media and get some short-lived cachet. Vandalism for likes. It’s deplorably pathetic.
#brazilTom Hanks’ advice to his son appearing in the ‘Otto’ film who hadn’t acted before: “Turn up on time, and have an idea in your head”. (ClassicFM)
Pretty good mantra for most of us intending to have a productive new day.
So, tomorrow is ‘Plough Monday’, the first Monday after Epiphany on Jan 6th, when, in medieval times, work started after the 12 days of Christmas in getting the ox teams harnessed and beginning turning the soil and burying the weeds of last season. A good day to consider burying last year’s failures, embarrassments & disappointments, and turning a renewed face to receive sustenance for a fresh season. Hoping you feel replenished to grow well this next year.