I love daffodils. They’re a very cheerful sort of flower. Bright, after the gloom of winter. Harbingers of spring and sunny days (even if you can now buy bunches in January when the rain seems unending).

And, certainly, there have been more sunny days of late. Gaps of blue in the grey clouds. Optimistic glimmers that the end of winter is nigh.

We still have sharp winds, though, so sitting outside isn’t really advised, however lovely the sunshine is. Fortunately the library is always wonderfully warm (and has underfloor heating).

But the daffodils. Yellow patches of joy and hope.

Another thing making me happy this week has been collecting books for the next round of (self-guided, this time) books to study. Well, sort of self-guided. I’ve collected several course books for Open University undergrad modules, to work through (thank you, eBay). Starting with Shakespeare, and Othello. I’ve found a Globe production to watch along with while I read the text. Other Shakespeares to follow include Julius Caesar, Hamlet and As You Like It.

I’m being slow with Othello, though. My brain is only so awake in the evenings, when I actually have time to read it, so I don’t get through very much at once. Never mind: the advantage of studying this way is the lack of deadlines.

I look forward to the bit of this where I get to watch Austen adaptations and call it studying.