Cheer Up

So, this link may explain why today is, ah, a little gloomy around here (well, it may not explain the events that have transpired on this particular day, but at least it is fitting):

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/features/Cheer-up-it39s-Blue-Monday.6010954.jp

It seems that the last Monday in January is the most depressing day of the year. The article (and the news report during which I first heard of this earlier today) mention things such as post-Christmas blues, bills, and grey weather as possible contributing factors. In my case, today, you could add a not-very-pleasant work-related email, a frightening one-hour computer crash (it turned on again eventually, but I lost lots of work time after already being off to a slow start), topped off by a growing sense that I am already running behind in 2010. It is also possible that I had a subconscious hope of waking up to a perpetual day off - like the movie, "Groundhog Day" - but alas, it is Monday.

Must get back to work again in a moment, but first, here are a few photos of the past couple of weeks:

First, the hounds, meeting a new friend. 6-month-old basset, Sydney, came for a visit. And it's a good thing our campground won't let us have three dogs (and that our friends seem to plan on keeping her), because this little beauty looks just like a Gladwyn-Hesper combo, and is a lovely dog. Our girls thought she was fantastically interesting.


Next, my Motet. Here, she is the subject of a test photo on our new camera, with Geoff holding the lens about an inch from her face:

Also a new-camera test shot, using the "retro" feature:

And, lastly, a little outdoor friend who hung around for a day (hopefully not trying to find a way to make our attic its new home - been there twice already):