Leaps And Bounds.

I have found out that 2012 is a 'leap year'.   And so, it will be a good year for kangaroos, frogs, toads, gazelles, grasshoppers, spittlebugs and 'leaping lizards', our friend, the gecko.  Note the 'Jacket rabbit' getting ready for the leap year.
I do hope that 2012 has us improve our lives in leaps and bounds.  Maybe a leap into the great unknown, but a leap, nevertheless.  Yes indeed, a leap into action in the spirit of a leap year.   Just make sure you look before you leak, I mean leap.  So let's leap for joy and not leap to any conclusions that would prevent us from a leap forward in a positive way.
And what an ideal time for a quantum leap.  Or a mini quantum leap that is being practised on a group of islands in the South Pacific.  Take for instance, Samoa, which is going to skip December 30, 2011 and suddenly find itself fast-forwarded to December 31, 2011.  Imagine having your birthday on December 30 on Samoa and discovering, tough luck, your birthday has been cancelled.   If you have no idea what I'm talking about, perhaps this link might help: Samoa and Tokelau to skip a day for dateline change.   
So, in the coming leap year, I will hop on buses, planes and trains.  I will think about all of those born or getting married on February 29 and wonder if they use February 28 or March 1 to mark their anniversaries in 2013.
And in 2012, Americans can say to you, 'have an extra nice day!'  I say to you have an extra nice Happy New Year.
And to finish off in the spirit of leap.  I recall those memorable words said the day they landed a man on the 'Nevada desert'.  "That's one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind."

Another 'Thawt' Or Two.

I 'thawt' you might like to know how the thawing of the 'old bird' went.   And yes, once again, I'm referring to the turkey and not my dear ex.
You will be thrilled to know that the turkey did indeed turn out succulent and juicy.   I can measure the success of how well it turned out by the noticeable lack of white meat left in the fridge.  A certain young man is most partial to the white meat on the turkey.
And jiggle my giblets.  The wrapper on the turkey stated that it "serves 8-10".  Really?   8-10 Munchkins, maybe.
I recall that one year when I cooked the turkey upside down.   No, not me!   What I mean is that I inadvertently stuck the turkey in the oven the wrong way round.   I also recall, much to my delight, that turkey cooked just fine.
We had a nice, peaceful Christmas.   I ate in the living room and attempted to watch some television.  Television was crap and by seven at night, I said to heck with it and went to bed.  I'm grateful I'm under no pressure to do the social scene.  
This will be a very short posting.  Now we can look forward, with realistic positive anticipation, to a better, more uplifting New Year.  

Before I go, there will be some of you who link into the following blog and may have not realised that this writer,'W.M.Morrell's Musings From Down Under.' has done a recent posting.   Unfortunately, she has encountered some internet problems and thus, I would like to draw your attention to her latest article, which can be found here: Support Fellow Writers By Buying A Book For Christmas. 

Thank you and I 'thawt' I should let you know how grateful I am for your positive interaction.

Defrost The Old Bird.

Well now, I have come to the realisation that it's time to defrost the old bird.  And no, I'm not referring to my ex wife.

Of course, as I quickly move on, I'm referring to the defrosting of the turkey.  I just hope I've worked it out.  Um....lets see.   Okay, if I leave it in the fridge, the temperature should be 4 degrees C or 39 degrees F.  I must allow about 10 to 12 hours per kilogram.  Or, in a cool room where the temperature is below 17.5 degrees C, 64 degrees F, allow approximately three to four hours per kilogram, or longer if your room is as bloody cold as my kitchen is.   At a room temperature of about 20 degrees C , 68 degrees F, allow around two hours per kilogram.
Whoops....I'm already confused.  Yet somehow, each year, my turkey seems to turn out okay.  As for the ex wife....well.....
At this point, I would usually try to do a bunch of predictable puns.  Puns such as wasn't this a fowl blog and I'm not one to duck the issue because that would be the chicken's way out and I'm just trying to write a very pheasant article.  No, I'm not going to do that and send you on a wild goose chase.  

The 'wee folks' who live in my garden, wish you a most peaceful Christmas and that the dawning of the New Year shall see you feeling positive and truly inspired.

And it seems only fitting that Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet star, the real talent on this shy, humble, unassuming site, has the last word.
"My dear friends, human and otherwise, here's wishing you a pawesome Christmas and a pawfect New Year.
Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses, your way, Penny xx"

Each Christmas.

Each Christmas, over the last few years, I contemplate not bothering with putting up a tree or adorning my home with all the decorations.  Those special moments of Christmas past, had become just a faded blur. Why bother with seasonal lights when nobody would come to see them?

And I went for a stroll in the heart of Leek.  I gazed at blue twinkling lights adorning the branches of two trees that stood beside the Nicholson War Memorial.  And on that cold snowy night, alone with my thoughts,  I realised that in actuality, I have much to be grateful for.  I got in my car.  I headed home.

I went into my living room and I suddenly found myself putting purple lights on my fake flower arrangement that sticks out the top of a big tub that looks like something a snake might come out of.  If you click on the photo it might give you a better idea.   It appeared that I might be giving in, yet again and would soon be merrily covering the house with pretty little lights and seasonal adornments.   Oh my.....

Before you could say, 'Merry Boxing Day Eve', I found that I had gone into some kind of Christmas trance and my living room was sort of transformed into some kind of magical wonderland.  Even Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet star, was dazzled by the light display.  You may note her staring up at her 'Santa's Little Helper' bib she proudly wore in her previous posting.
And so, despite the probability that I will have no visitors, I realised that the soothing ambience, the gentleness of the scene, was giving me a sense of peace and tranquillity.   Yes, I have a son who may take a fleeting glimpse at the Christmas tree.  And yes, we have a dog that will provide us with much needed company.   So really, it aint so bad.  

I stared into the candle.  Found my thoughts absorbed in the warm, reassuring glow.  I thought about the gifts that have nothing to do with money.  Gifts that are truly priceless.  I am determined, more than ever before, that I will praise my son, bestow upon him the positive affirmations he craves within his heart.  I give him the gift of a smile.  And I wait for the smile to return to his face. I wait for the flickering glimmer of hope to return to the eyes of a sad young man.

The 'Wee Folks' Christmas Special. Revisited.

And thus, Fidelina, the beautiful fairy princess, Geoffrey the garden gnome, and their wee son, Einahalk, rejoiced in the warm, reassuring glow of the twinkling Christmas lights.

The 'wee folks', such wondrous, magical creatures, had come in from the cold and gathered in the comfort of the living room.   All different, all equal, celebrating the magic of a special time.

Such diversity.  Their's is a world where all is possible and no judgement is ever passed.

See the joy, the sheer delight on the faces of the wee folks.  They know that life should be a celebration of all that is good.

And the party continued.  They danced and they sang to sweet tunes of love, hope and understanding.

In the above photograph are Venetia, the sister of Fidelina, and bridesmaid from the enchanting wedding of Fidelina, the beautiful fairy princess and Geoffrey, the garden gnome.  Standing beside her is the 'best gnome',  Teagan.  There was a hint of romance between the two of them at the magic-filled wedding on the first day of summer.  Note the gnome in the background, Yrag, who is the best friend of Teagan.

And here is a happy little monkey, with his great long arms, wrapped over a couple of friendly garden gnomes. Nice tinsel effect, happy little monkey.

Dreams can come true.  Dare to believe in yourself.  Fidelina, Geoffrey and their beautiful little boy, Einahalk, wish you a peaceful, happy and so very positive Christmas.

And the wee folks gazed out the window.  They looked out, looked up, at moon drenched sky.  Tis a marvel to behold the shining orb through winter branches.  Soon they would leave.  Return to their world of love and peace. 
Their message to us is simple, yet profound.  For the wee folks live in their wee world, where stigma, labels and the passing of judgement, are bizarre and baffling concepts.  May we learn from them.   Let us celebrate and rejoice the diversity of mankind.  And just like in their world, we can truly be, all different, all equal.

My dear friend, this was a posting from last Christmas.  During the uncertain times that have been encountered in my house and the fact I'm struggling to focus, I do so hope that you will share in the joy and the wonder of the message in this reposting.   In kindness and hope for a better way, for you, for my son, for all of us.

Santa Paws.

Seasonal greetings.  Yes, it's me, Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet star.  Do you like the title of my pawsting?  I really like this time of the year. You might call me a 'Yule dog' which must not be confused with a Yule log.  Or, if you happen to be a dog from the southern States, a 'Y'all dog', or maybe that's a 'Y' all dawg'.  So this here is my Yule dog blog.

Gary, the human I so kindly allow to live with me, has told me that this can be the loneliest time of the year for some folks.  While others are getting together with family and friends, they are sad and all alone.  This distresses me.  So I was thinking it would be very nice if you humans found the time to go and check out that lonely neighbour.  Made sure they were okay.  You may well receive the gift of warmth and genuine gratitude from a poor soul who may have felt invisible.  

Now my human spends most Christmas Days by himself.  Yet he is grateful.  For he has a roof over his head,  a son he loves and me the Jack Russell who is his companion.  In the past, he has spent Christmas Day feeding the homeless and this has given Gary an acute awareness of just how much he has to be thankful for.  After he fed the homeless, he came back to me and our lovely home.  Many of those in such a desperate situation  would be spending a cold night in an underground parking lot.   

Gary has also told me that some people get puppies and kittens as 'gifts' to be placed under the Christmas tree.  'Awe what a cute little puppy!   Oh wow, what an adorable little kitten!'  And with some the novelty wears off.  The reality of responsibility becomes too much.  Little puppy becomes an older dog, becomes a burden and gets neglected.  Little kitty becomes a cat and gets ignored.  Humans really need to think it through before they make the decision to bring an animal into their lives.   

You know what?   Those who truly love and respect their cats will forever see the playful kitten.  And me, yes me, I will always be a puppy at heart.  You should see how I make Gary and his son laugh with delight as I race around the house and do my silly dance.  

May you have a peaceful and positive Christmas.  Be grateful for what you have, remember the lonely and yes please remember that famous slogan, "A dog is for life, not just for Christmas."   

Depression Is A Thief.

Depression is a thief.  Robs the colours from the rainbow.  The dreams, the hopes, the beautiful colours, I so embrace, had faded to a teasing, taunting background blur.  Faded to murky shades of black, of grey, of white.   

No, not again.  Please, not again.  And I lay in bed.  Watched the shadows dance upon the wall as the cool autumn breeze drifted in through open window.  And I lay in bed.  Hardly noting the tears streaming down my cheeks.  It had all become too much as I lay there and thought of my sleeping son.

Depression is a thief.  It robs you of the joy of the simple things in life.  Blocks out the sounds of the singing birds playing gently on the branches of winter trees.  Depression is a thief.  Steals the wonder from your heart and suffocates with impending doom.  

And yet, despite it all, I have received gifts of caring, compassion and hope. You have reached out to me and your kindness is clear, profound demonstration that we can all be here for each other.  Thanks to you and thanks to my determination to cling on to those delicate strands of positivity that linger in the back of my mind, the colour is beginning to return.  It's a little bit blurry, a little bit hazy, but the uplifting colours of optimism have started to immerse my being.  I even heard the sweet sounds of winter birds playing gently on the branches of winter trees.

And thus, thanks to David at,  A Day in the Life  and Kim and CindyLu, over at, CindyLu'sMuse,  for doing guest postings while I have been trying to work through this bout of depression.  I am heartened and encouraged by such genuine and inspirational concern.  I thank each and every one of you for reaching out to me.  For thanks to you and your warm wishes, the thief has been apprehended.