no complaints

 

I can't complain. Not when we have family in various parts of the north who are truly stuck because of the weather, who are housebound, and who have a snow-plough at the top of their current wishlist. Not even when Simon phones from Bangkok, then Singapore and now Melbourne and tells me of 28-32 degrees C temperatures when we have 28-32 degrees F. But mostly I can't complain about the weather after sitting at the same table as three people in a crowded cafe yesterday who were were completely and utterly miserable about the bus service in Berkshire and the problems of getting to and from work in a little snow and ice. I had to leave my tea and shortbread undrunk and uneaten before they engulfed me in their misery.

I cheered myself up with a Gertrude Jekyll 'flower glass'' ready for the tulips in spring, and a box of clementines with leaves (always a treat to have the leaves as well), then by soaking a bowlful of dried fruit in brandy for a Christmas cake, and making pizzas for everyone to warm us and the kitchen. But the thing that cheered me up most was reading Philip Larkin's Letters to Monica (this review is worth reading) and the descriptions of the poet's bedsit, bachelor life in Hull and his 'fusspottery' as Andrew Motion described it this wonderful radio programme. The thing I hadn't realised about PL is how cruelly funny he could be, how much he liked washing-up as well as jazz and dyeing his socks mauve, and how brilliant he was with ordinary words both in letters and poems (I'm reading the poems as I go along and as he writes about writing them). It's all a seriously good antidote to complaining; even though he does plenty of that himself, he does it with such insight and self-deprecation that he becomes good complaining company, and not miserable complaining company.

Comments

[Rebecca]

And your beautiful zingy photograph has cheered me up now, I shall stop feeling grumpy about the revolting frozen fog outside the window and go and bake something citrusy.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the Letters to Monica broadcasts last month, I must search out a copy of the book, I think it may be the solution to the last of my Christmas shopping.

[Janice]

I'm not great with incessant moaning, it's such a waste of time and I think you're right to make your excuses. It's good to acknowledge that some things aren't as great as they could be but if we take a bit of time we can focus on more of the positive, surely?

[Sue]

I haven't read Larkin since I was a student. I must look him up again.

You won't find me moaning about the weather. I love it.

[Anne]

There is a definate art to complaining well - has to involve humour and end on a positive note as a minimum requirement. I like being housebound and you can always walk! Which I did for one hour to my crafting group last week and it was worth it - completely. Loved the walk, loved the crafting group. And Edinburgh is so achingly beautiful in the snow, notwithstanding the gridlocked roads. Enjoy!!

[maggie]

Where would the British be without a good old moan?

[LoriAngela]

Interweave Knits Winter 2010 page 18!!!!

[oxslip]

I read the Andrew Motion biography of Larkin years ago and found it fascinating, not someone I would want to live with (and Big Up to Monica that she stuck him and his philandering and awkward and sometimes cruel ways for the sake of the person and his poetry), but I'd love to have spent a long train journey talking to him.
Sadly this is a tiring, depressing and stressful time of year for many, glad the grey isn't getting you down and love the orange

[MissHeliotrope]

Being in Melbourne, while it may be high 20s C & warm, we're still complaining because it is nasty & humid, rather than our usual lovely dry weather...coming out of 10 years drought, all the rain we're getting seems just plain wrong.

Coming out of ten years (severe) drought also means that when the rain starts, especially when it is very heavy, everyone keeps showing small children the windows & explaining how this wet stuff works...

[frances]

Ahh Jane Brocket, I do thank you for this post. I do agree with you about the power of moaners to enter one's cheerier state of mind, and that it's often a good idea to just get away from those negative vibes. If you can!

I am going to look for that Larkin letter book. Will get it from the library, put it on the top of the stack of books to be read, and hope to read it before the date it will be due back at said fabulous library.

Sharing favored books is a very cheering, friendly gesture. Many thanks.

[suse]

Melbourne?! You should have jumped on the plane with him and come and had a cup of tea!

[Ann]

Love the pics, but a little more understanding for those who had long, tedious journeys due to the snow, might be thoughtful too; not all of us can work from home/don't have to work, & can afford to leave updrunk cups of tea & uneaten biscuits in cafes. Yes, other people's moaning can be dull, very dull indeed, but so are 3 hour journeys in the cold & wet that should be 30 mins.

[marge]

well said Ann

[Roobeedoo]

Did you see the Andrew Motion documentary last night? About Betty and PL? Fascinating stuff! I didn't know about the mauve socks. I was always struck by his penchant for a salmon pink cravat, though!

[Scarlett]

I know what you mean about oranges with the leaves still on-it's weird how it makes them taste so much better somehow!!

[alison]

maybe if you had to travel to work every day.....