My Aberdeen Monday...

As those of you in America are celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day...

which appropriately coincides as a National Day of Service...

over here in the dark and dreary UK...

my first email of the day was from EasyJet telling me to cheer up.

Apparently, today is known as the most depressing day of the year.

A fact unbeknownst to me until EasyJet informed me and of course I was in a funk for a few seconds. 

The Hilton Hotel in London has devised a way to combat this unfortunate nickname for an innocent day in January.

They have created a pop-up beach, regardless of the snow on the ground, right on the banks of the River Thames.

The photos of the bathing suit clad models trying their best to keep their feet off of the real snow covered ground trying to get to the fake sand has lightened my mood already.

Huffington Post

Is anyone else out there wondering who has the power to wake up one day and declare a day as the most depressing day of the year.

If only the sun would shine just to spite the guilty party.

Meanwhile,

the alternating sleet and snow are being pushed around by a bully of a frigid wind outside.

In Aberdeen there is...

so grab a buddy and head to Thistle Street in the west end

where you will find a precious haven for weary souls.

Filled with chairs and couches embracing tartan pillows,

the chill you walked in with dissolves away with every sip.

The allure of Rosie Thistle's Tea Room is present any day...

snowy or not...

most depressing or not...

 and also serves coffee, light lunches 

and of course, Afternoon tea.

One of my favorite quotes of MLK is fitting on this gray day.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. 

Hate cannot drive out hate; 

only love can do that." 
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Such an amazing example of a life of service.

Happy Monday.