Well, here we are. The big Day has arrived and all over everywhee - every Christian country at least - stockings are being emptied, parcels unwrapped and sadly this year parents left heavily in debt bec..ause they can't really afford all the presents they are buying for their children but they don't wish to disappoint them. And it is no good looking backto the 'old days' when we didn'texpect much and only got one or two presents. Times have changed or are changing as Bob Dylan said.
I had a pleasant day yesterday with various callers - friend J with her adopted Border Terrier Jack was one highlight. Jack's 'Mum and 'Dad'have gone to their flat in Thailand until the Spring and J has adopted Jack - or maybe it is the other way round. He is very well behaved, very friendly, and made me miss my own dog Tess terribly (a few tears after he had gone.)
The other highlight of the day was watching Carols from Kings - always broadcast on Christmas Eve and for many years watched with my dear friend J, long dead now. Another tear-jerker I'm afraid as I listen and reflect on our friendship for many years and our many Christmasses spent together.
I reflect as I get older and more infirm and more and more old friends 'drop off the perch', Is it better to die 'younger' or is it better to live long enough to see one's great grand children growing up? We have no choice of course - but each side has its fors and againsts.
Santa brought me lots of presents - it took me all morning to open them all and get rid of all the wrappings. T and |S came and T got rid of all the rubbish forme. Now they have gone and an hour remains before my carer brings my lunch so Ican go, put my feet up and read the new Ronald Blythe book that Santa brought me - I have almost finished the book about rooks - my pr- Christmas present to myself he brought me. Have a nice day friends.
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27 comments:
Merry Christmas Pat, pleased to hear you had a doggy visitor (and friends). I love the pictures of your dear little dog in the sidebar. Thank you for keeping blogging, love Jan Bx
More fool the parents in your first paragraph then. No cutting the coat according to the cloth. Children would be happy with presents like we received. It is only parents who think otherwise I assume pressurised by something I don't know what. A few years ago I watched the grandchildren of a near friend on Christmas Day overwhelmed by sheer number of presents they had received under the tree and no desire to play with any of them except one they selected for the day and all the rest laid in a heap of wrapping paper all left to be cleared up by someone else.
Merry Christmas, Pat, and a Happy New Year ahead. --Elise
Merry Christmas, Pat. I agree there's too much spending at Christmas. One Christmas memory I have of my father is watching him gaze proudly at the presents under our tree. He turned into a child every Christmas and a great pile of presents to him meant Christmas was a success. I found myself staring at the presents under our tree last night wondering if my father would approve. I probably spent too much on unnecessary things but it's hard to fight old family traditions.
I am feeling nostalgic (trying not to feel forlorn) for the old days too. It is sad to think of all the people I used to share Christmas with and now so few left (so to speak). But as you say it is not our choice who remains and who has left us. Wishing you the Blessings of the day and thank you for continuing writing your blog. I so enjoy reading about your English life as I live in the Midwest USA. Kaye
Merry Christmas, Pat! Glad you are having a happy day!
I had never heard of Ronald Blythe until a couple of weeks when I saw his latest book reviewed in my paper and loving books about the countryside, I ordered it.
Sadly, I just can't get into it and have given up on it. Too much religion in it and just don't like his style of writing.
Children may only get a few presents these days, as Rachel suggests, but they're very expensive as children try to keep up with friends by having latest smart phones or smart wrist watches.
Ronald Blythe was made famous by his book of a Suffolk village, Akenfield, many many years ago. I could never get into it and couldn't understand the rave reviews at the time. I have never read another of his books.
Thanks Rachel, I don't feel so bad now, perhaps I'll donate this brand new book to the library.
I borrowed from the library and thoroughly enjoyed his books. I think you will too Pat
I think Pat already is, Anonymous, fear not.
Merry Christmas! We were sent a video of a great niece "opening" a gift - she is not quite 2 and was obviously a bit baffled that it was encouraged to tear paper on a package but book pages are not for tearing. Hopefully a book distraction relapse won't ensue!
It did make us a bit sad for past little kid Christmases!
ceci
Merry Christmas Pat! Happy you are having a good day!🎄🎁🎄
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Thank you for your blog posts. They are a Joy.
Love from across the pond.
💛🎄💛🎄💛🎄💛
Wishing you and lovely Christmas and much joy in the New Year.
Thank you for your continually bright spirit and sharing yourself with us.
Hugs!
Glad to hear that you had visitors.
It's not only Christians who celebrate about now..I think nearly every belief has something celebrating Light, in one form or another about now.
Here's looking forward to the new year!
Merry Christmas to you, Pat. Stay warm and enjoy your friends and family visits.
Bonnie in Minneapolis
Merry Christmas, Pat, and a happy new year coming. You have many friends left to wish you cheer and joy in the new year.
Merry Christmas again…listened to the King’s speech…I always enjoyed the Queen…her holiday speech especially in 2020.
There are practical parents out there. More than you'd think.
Merry Christmas. Your day sounds like a pleasant one.
Merry Christmas Pat! I'm glad you had a good day.
I love your thought and question about as we grow older. Is it better to die younger or get old? I will be 79 next month. My 2 husbands both died young, one age 27, other age 46. And I continue to live on for 40-50 years. I often ask "why"? But, as you say, that is not up to me. I often think there must be a reason, but I know not what. My one child is 55 yrs. now, my one grand is 22. Both full adults living their adult lives. So I live on...yes, thankfully blessed with good health and a secure lifestyle. But, I often ask myself "why me"? It's a question with no answer but I ask myself often, I guess especially during the Holiday times.
I really enjoyed the Carols this year, there were no bizarre arrangements, and most of the songs I knew. Sadly one or two lesson-readers looked as if they were auditioning for Hollywood, but otherwise a very good show.
Merry Christmas, Pat!
I am sure you had a fabulous meal, your carer sounds an excellent cook on top,of everything else.
With so many deaths in my personal sphere this year, I can share your reflections, and have been having tearful moments, too. Your Tess was a treasure to you and brought you so much joy, as did each of my cats.
Your friends and your son would never allow you to be lonely at Christmas.
My sister and I were born in the late 60s, so our childhood in the 70s was obviously different from yours; our grandparents loved making presents and sometimes gave us more than what my parents found appropriate. But we enjoyed our toys and books and games and were very rarely bored.
Merry Christmas!!!!
Cro - I enjoyed it but one or two o thee readers were not dressed appropriately I thought. What did you think to the addition of a cello and a baritone?
I find Ronald Blythe's books wonderful - yes he has a lot of religion in his books but he doesn't 'push'it at the reader - merely states the facts; as a Humanist I can take that and his knowledge about wild life more than makes up for it. I wish I had his syle of writing about nature.
Thanks everyone for your Christmas wishe
It sounds as if you had a very pleasant and relaxed Christmas Day. I have read some of Ronald Blythe's books too. Most informative and so enjoyable to read.
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