To be brutally honest, now into my seventieth year on the planet, I bloody despise Christmas and all the commercialism involved. Yep, I could happily live without this festive period and be a proper "Grinch" However, Bev sees things very differently and this is her favourite time of year, so I have to play along. It's our 21st wedding anniversary on the 29th, so I seem to be doing okay despite my inability to be enthused by the over-hyped celebrations. In 2024, it has to be about the grand-kids, so I am quite looking forward to doing the rounds tomorrow morning as "Nanny & Grandad" deliver the presents (money!) to our five and spent some time winding them up before saying "Happy Christmas" and leaving Mun & Dad to cope with the aftermath. Even if I say it myself, I wasn't much of a Dad for my two kids but, sure as hell, I'm a great grandad and tomorrow will be very special because of how much I appreciate the role. Because of family tradition, Bev's daughters kids, Emily & Harry, have the added bonus of a Christmas Eve Box, which we delivered just before 17.00 hrs this evening. Half an hour of total lunacy ensued, before we headed off to peruse some Thanet Christmas lights, en route to the relative calm of our bungalow.
I took those two photos in Cliffsend, purely because it was relatively easy to park up and grab the image, however, there are so many other wonderful displays around the area and a big "well done" to all those folk who've made such efforts. Back at home, my focus was on the feeding station, in the hope that I could make it twenty-four days on the spin, for the month. It was like magic, as soon as I'd placed the work-lite above the feeding bowl, there was action. Three different hedgehogs have visited the bowl thus far tonight and allowed me to grab a few images, completely oblivious to my presence.
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| I couldn't place a football result under the dish because there aren't any. |
So finally, I would like to wish everyone who has visited my blog, over this past year, a Very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. 2024 has seen my blog visitor stats go into hyper space. Well over one hundred and twenty five thousand visits is just amazing and I am truly humbled by this level of interest. Thank you all for the support and I hope I can continue to offer my slant on life, via this platform, for a few more years yet?
My feelings exactly about all the Christmas hype, I've hated it pretty much all my adult life. Roll on the 1st of Jan., have a good next year Dyl.
ReplyDeleteLike minds and all that stuff. Wishing you all the best for a happy, healthy and peaceful 2025 - Dyl
DeleteBearing in mind that Christmas is really a new year festival hijacked by Christians (so called) in the middle ages. We should make allowances. Sure it's a commercial over blow, but since it's something that provides pleasure to vast numbers of people, I think it's worth looking after.
ReplyDeleteAs for the mention of the 'Grinch'. My sister sent me an email declaring she wasn't sending out cards this year because of the cost of it all, especially of the stamps. A lame excuse considering the new Porsche etc. So in response, Bron sent a card addressed to her dog Bob, first class. The owner might have got a mention somewhere.
Happy new year all
Ric
I have absolutely no issues with those folk who are able to derive pleasure from the Christmas experience yet, for me, it is basically a day for kids? Much of the other stuff associated with this period has absolutely no relevance with regard to religious or seasonal celebration, it is purely a quest for that "extra" dollar! The holiday is certainly worth looking after, yet it would do well if the religious significance could return to the forefront.
DeleteAs for your family story, I think Bron's response was exactly the correct way to counter such trivial nonsense. Money? It does very strange things to ordinary people.
Happy 2025 - Dyl
Dyl, I tell you, there's one thing my sister wouldn't countenance and that's being regarded as ordinary.😉
DeleteI can go with that!
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