A Dedication.

On Christmas day, my company, a loving dog, the ticking of a clock, the wild breeze blowing out yon window.  I was lost, lost in my thoughts, lost in hopeful thoughts that I could make a difference, for you, for me.

The phone doth ring.  That ring of love, of hope, from my mother, my family, so far away in Vancouver. A magical moment in a day of magical moments.

I dedicated Christmas Day to you.  I dedicated the day of peace to be here for those who might be feeling anything but peace.  Lost souls in a lost world.  I dedicated that day to be here for anybody who just wanted soothing words of comfort.  My destination of hope.  A journey well travelled.

I stayed online until three in the morning.  Boxing Day for me and still Christmas Day in North America. Exhausted and yet exhilarated, I switched off the computer.  Beyond the blank screen, humanity in all its wondrous diversity, its extremes of emotions, slept, smiled, cried and sang.

A dedication.  I dedicated that day with all my heart.  Alone, yet not alone, words of your support flow through my soul.   I stare at my beloved dog as she gently sleeps.  All is as it was meant to be.   Thank you. Bless you.

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.