Back in a wee minute

Life just keeps racing along and just like that, a month has passed since my last entry. My blogging dwindled towards the end of last year and I attribute it to two factors. For some reason, it is harder to find the brain time when employed..which is the reason it took me awhile to realize the second factor. The second factor is that I have been spending much of my free time doing activities that are not unique to living here. Nothing seemed particularly noteworthy. While there is nothing wrong with that, I want to take full advantage of this opportunity and enjoy why this place is so special to me. Noted and action taken:)

Some random notes...

Handshakes have a new meaning for me. The only time I had ever shaken someone's hand prior to Scotland was on introduction in a business environment. In effect, I had only shaken hands with strangers. My experience here is just the reverse. Upon seeing my colleagues after the new year, the first order of business is a handshake to wish each other the best for the new year (and a kiss on the cheek from some). Someone announces an engagement or pregnancy? Folks will come forward with congratulations and a handshake. An action I had always looked at as formal, stuffy, cold...now feels warm, happy, and caring.

January means the Celtic Connections Festival and once again, it brought lovely evenings of music. Each year I stumble upon musicians that end up on my favourites list. Although strangely, a large number of those musicians are American. Funny how it took me moving to Scotland to cross paths with them. Punch Brothers were the stand out for me this year.

At least once a day, I take note that the natural light in Scotland is stunning. This time of year the sun never reaches a great height in the sky. Instead, the light drapes across the landscape in a most flattering angle. Clouds are given beautiful definition. That warm glow that hints at dusk nearing lasts much of the afternoon. On Glasgow's Buchanan Street (a central, pedestrian only shopping area stretching from the River Clyde to the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall), the sun sits at one end and shines directly along the street. I love how it highlights the texture of the stones and we all become shadows.