Haven't had much to say for ourselves of late. Would say too busy but then would have to trouble the Parish Priest with an addition to my long list! Not much is happening in the BillnRosie household except preparation for Christmas. We've just put up the tree rather belatedly. It looks so good and I have to say that I'm more of a Merry Christmas person than the Bah Humbug brigade. I listen to the radio as I write and just starting is Tom Lehrer singing his version of the Christmas song. If you haven't heard it or any other of his takes on the popular song you really must!!! But back to Christmas. Jonathan my No 1 son remarked about giving, on his blog, and referred to his charity of choice. Ours as well. I walked along Princes Street, Edinburgh last weekend. It's just re-opened following the addition of tram lines (sadly no trams just yet). At Christmas with the Castle and Gardens as a backdrop it's unbeatable. There are old fashioned fairground rides next to the Scott Monument. With the lights etc Disney couldn't beat it. Down the Royal Mile you could really picture Pickwick et al. But I digress. In one of the shop doorways was the Sally Army band playing Christmas songs and Carols. We donated as we always do 'cos "they're worth it" (to steal an Ad punch line). What really saddened me was that so few of the other shoppers/passers by followed suit or, even worse, seemed to notice them. By contrast, just along the street was some bozo covered in makeup playing at statues. He was mobbed. We really have lost something when we can't appreciate genuine charity/Christmas traditions but instead prefer tat and the garbage that passes for T.V. I'm not talking religion, that's your choice, but surely we can the see the wonder and sheer pleasure in little childrens faces when on the fairground rides or looking at the lights or meeting Santa. We really must get a grip! It doesn't even have to be the traditional version. A couple of years back we had Christmas & New Year with No 1 daughter in New Zealand. More different that Edinburgh you couldn't get but it was fabulous. Why? Apart from New Zealand being fabulous and the extended family/friends, it's simple, they generally haven't forgotten what Christmas is about and to smile and be nice to each other. It was quite simply fabulous.
I suppose the long and short of the above is that we, BillnRosie are blessed with wonderful family and friends and happen to live in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year everyone!!!!