And Then No change here…

   Very best wishes to one and all who occasionally take a glance through this rapidly misting over with age, mirror.

              DESIDERATA

         Max Ehrmann, 1921

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.  

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labours and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Quote; Jimmy Kimmel.

“It’s that special time of year when your whole family gathers together in one place to look at their cell phones.”

And Then Still No Change…

   ...so the message remains the same. Very best wishes to all who gaze through the Foggy Mirror on occasion and may all you hope for in the New year come to pass and remember, face piles of trials with smiles and keep on thinking free...
   Be well, be happy and always remember the closing lines of Desiderata;

                    DESIDERATA

            Max Ehrmann, 1921

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labours and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Finally, a number for those doing business upon the sea. Keep on keeping your barnacle side down and your shiny side up and never forget your old shipmates;

Quote; Kin Hubbard.

"A ship is always referred to as 'she' because it costs so much to keep one in paint and powder."

And Then Not On…

   Well, so, is that the stunning Christmas televisual receiving devices offerings over? I’m quietly confident in typing that I’m sure y’all were as unimpressed with wot was offered as I.
   I searched and searched but could not find Billy Smarts Circus at all. However, not to be beaten, I settled for the fine old number below.
Note; do NOT try any of the stunts portrayed unless there’s a doctor in the house, okay?

Quote; Charles Bukowski.

“We're all going to die, all of us; what a circus! That alone should make us love each other, but it doesn't. We are terrorised and flattened by trivialities. We are eaten up by nothing.”

And Then No Change…

   ...so the message remains the same. Very best wishes to all who gaze through the Foggy Mirror on occasion and may all you hope for in the New year come to pass. Face piles of trials with smiles and keep on thinking free...

  Be well, be happy and always remember the closing lines of Desiderata;

                    DESIDERATA

                Max Ehrmann, 1921

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labours and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Finally, a number for those doing business upon the sea. Keep your barnacle side down and your shiny side up;

Quote; Julius Sharpe.

"The office Christmas party is a great opportunity to catch up with people you haven't seen for 20 minutes."

And Then, A Little Late...

   This is a couple of days late – story of my life and please don’t get me started on being a few dollars short – but if you can tear yourselves away from the wonderous entertainment emanating from your televisual receiving appliance, wot’s below is both funny and relevant. Thanks to a friend, who will remain nameless to protect his privacy, for pointing me to this bit o’ fun. Thanks Colin. Oops...

         

   Isn’t Boxing Day a big sporting day? Wot? Co-co cancellations you say? Be of good cheer, here’s an exciting race for y’all to enjoy, also provided by the above good old friend;

         

   You seen this ‘news’? Obviously all just scary made-up rubbish as, yet again, it was just something laughably stupid wot was put about so very long ago by all those conspiracy nutters. ‘Being considered’? Not so damn funny now is it?

Quote; Winston Spear.

“I haven’t taken my Christmas lights down. They look so nice on the pumpkin.”

And Then, Have Good Days...

   May I, once again, wish all who occasionally take a peek through the Foggy Mirror a very happy Christmas and as good a New Year as those wot would rule over us decree we should have. 
   Illegitimi non carborundum – you looking over my shoulder Rick? - seems as good an aphorism as any for these crazy daze we find ourselves in. T-shirt anyone? Who knew eh? Now I just need to find a long sleeved, triple extra thermal one...
   Enjoy wot’s below, again, and drink in the words; they mean so much.

         

   And to those doing business on the sea? Keep on keeping your shiny side up and your barnacle side down.
   And of course, Desiderata. Never gets old and never will. Have good days good people and stay strong, remember, you’re on the side of all that’s good in this World.

DESIDERATA
Max Ehrmann, 1921

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labours and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Quote;  ??

“Three phrases that sum up Christmas: Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men, and Batteries not Included.”

And Then, Seasons Greetings...

Firstly, it was my birthday a couple of days ago and I must say that, after the unprovoked attack on my heart, it was quite comforting to still be here to celebrate it. The celebrations continued when I suddenly had a stunning idea. So stunning was the idea that I stupidly took a moment to congratulate myself for thinking of it. Sadly, as my self congratulatory phase faded, I found the stunning idea had also faded away like a ghost in the night. Such is life with an old head.

And thus, as we spiral towards yet another year**, with no apologies for repeating wot follows, may I wish all who gaze through the Foggy Mirror on occasion a most enjoyable Christmas and may 2020 be all you hope and wish for.
**Freedom year?

          

                     DESIDERATA Max Ehrmann (1927)

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Finally, for those doing business on the sea, be cool; get home safe.

          

           

Okay, okay, it wouldn’t be Christmas without some cake, right?

          

Take care good people.

Quote;  Bridger Winegar.

“Keep your friends close, your enemies closer, and receipts for all major purchases.”

And Then, Very Best Wishes...

In line with tradition, there’ll probably be a blank here over the holiday period so from me, myself and I, I’d like to wish all who peer through the Foggy Mirror on occasion, a most enjoyable Christmas and I sincerely hope all your hopes and aspirations come to fruition in the coming year. Most importantly, stay well and happy; always be on the lookout for something, anything, that’ll make you smile regardless of wot our ‘betters’ may throw at you.

I make no excuses, again, for inserting the Desiderata, again; everyone should read it. In fact everyone should read it every morning while partaking of their first coffee.

DESIDERATA - Max Ehrmann (1927)

   Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
   Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
   Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
   Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be critical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
   Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
   Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it’s still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

Now three songs I hope you enjoy – okay, okay, so they’re all repeats. So what? First, a sob of sentimentality followed by a slice of humour and lastly – but not leastly - something for all those who, rather than being at home, will be doing business on the sea; exactly where most of my Christmases were spent which is probably why I now only think of Christmas day and New Years day as the two days in the year when everything’s shut...

                                           

Quote;  ??

“I'm dreaming of a white Christmas; but if it runs out I'll drink the red.”

And Then, Drones...

Seems some airport down the smoke has been shut for a long time now with thousands upon thousands of customers stuck and unable to leave or arrive. Seems the police can’t locate those who are operating this/these drones. If this isn’t an act of terrorism, I’ll lay odds the bad fellows are watching with interest and taking careful notes for the future.

If I’ve got this right, the police, special branch and, I assume all our national security agencies, can’t seem able to stop a model aeroplane – for that is wot it basically is – being flown over an airport and shutting it down? No wonder they struggle to stop folk getting blown-up here.

Anyhoo, it’s Christmas, almost, so let’s have a wonderfully festive number to get that family party started.

           

Quote;  Emo Phillips.

“When I was ten, my family moved to Downer's Grove, Illinois. When I was twelve, I found them.”

And Then We Prepare...

Today my little nest of vipers dug out the kit she adorns the sitting room with for the ‘festive’ season.

This mainly comprises her collection of lighty-up stuff. You know wot I’m typing about; snow storms, Victorian cottages, water wheels an’ such. She’s built up quite a collection since we’ve been here and you may wonder why - as indeed do I. In fact she spotted yet one more today and her eyes were twinkling as much as the twinkly thingy. This one also played a selection of jingly carols which, on closer examination, I discovered couldn’t be silenced. So it was twinkle and jingle or off. I pointed this out to her and much to my relief, we left the store without.

Anyhoo, this is the time I tot up the huge number of batteries I’ll need to purchase to keep this kit going for the twelve days of Christmas. Twelve? She can run it at twenty plus thus a small fortune in batteries.

Then I spotted this bit o’ kit wot is illustrated below. Pop in instead of batteries, plug in and you’re all lit-up. I got just one for the lighty-up jobbie I remember as being the main battery eater this time but may consider more for next year. Assuming I’m still here.

Obviously no financial saving as there’s the purchase price and the joy of watching the electrickery meter spinning but, plugged into one of they remote socket switches, alleviates the annoying task of locating and operating minute, all but invisible on/off switches. We shall see shall we?

                             

Quote;  Victor Borge.

“Santa Claus has the right idea: visit people once a year.”

And Then, Toys...

Whilst whizzing through TV channels recently I was reminded that Christmas is the next spend-a-fest on the calendar and was struck, not for the first time, by the huge number of kids toys that are available. I was also prompted to wonder how many kids will be throwing hissy fits on Christmas morning when it transpires that the kit they begged for isn’t quite as the cleaver TV adverts depicted it and, in fact, all those cars an’ such whizzing about actually need to be pushed along with a pudgy little finger.

Never mind the mega tantrum throwing by a six year old when a ‘new’ iPhone isn’t located amongst all the packages. That would be the ‘new’ iPhone with the ‘new’ hugely expensive feature that’ll only be used by one in every hundred users.

Then I remembered one of my favourite toys and this I ‘made’ myself and the ‘making’ of said toy was prompted by those good ol’ Western movies we used to watch at the kids Saturday morning movies. Remember that? Six old pennies to get in, a cartoon, followed by the Flash Gordon serial that always had a cliff-hanger, come back next week final scene, followed by a couple more cartoons, an interval for the rich kids to buy ice cream then all rounded off by the main movie; and that would usually be a Western.

Anyhoo, wot was it I built? Why a Winchester rifle of course. Or to be more precise, I took an old broom shaft,** cut it to small boy Winchester rifle length and screwed an old door bolt onto it to serve the dual pretend purpose of a click-click breech and a trigger. You know wot? It became a treasured item and I must’ve played Cowboys an’ Indians with that stick for longer than I care to remember.

These memories prompted a Googling for images of kids with sticks and guess wot; I ran into the glorious image below that couldn’t get any better. Sums up childhood days long gone to perfection.

                       

**I now have no memory as to how a wooden broom shaft could possibly become ‘old’.

Quote;  Marvin Davis.

“As men get older, the toys get more expensive.”

And Then, Enjoy...

Well, here we all are again. So, may I, like, wish all who pay me the honour of peering into the Foggy Mirror occasionally all the very best seasonal wishes. To quote yet again, “Thanks for taking time to listen to an old man; your time is a valuable thing.”

As is my wont, this season wouldn’t be complete without my Desiderata reminder for you would it?

DESIDERATA  Max Ehrmann (1927)

   Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
   Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
   Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
   Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be critical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
   Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
   Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it’s still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

On a personal level, I could say so much more but I’ve said it all before so just stay well and, against all the odds, enjoy yourselves. Please see the legal small print below wot  I remembered from a little bit after a while ago and which is becoming ever more pertinent as time tears by.

   I wanted to send some sort of holiday greeting to my friends and colleagues, but it's difficult in today's world to know exactly what to say without offending someone. So I met with my lawyer yesterday, and on advice I wish to say the following;
   Please accept, with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non addictive, gender neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday practised with the most enjoyable traditions of religious persuasion or secular practices of your choice with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.
   I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2018, but not without due respect for the calendar of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make our country great (not to imply that England is necessarily greater than any other country) and without regard to the race, creed, colour, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.
   By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms;
   This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for him/her or others and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. The wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.

And to all those who do business on the sea, get home safe, ya hear? This song’s for you. Sorry if it chokes you up...

         

Finally, here’s my card to y’all. Merry Mind-That-Fan.

Quote;  John Leo.

“The principal advantage of the non-parental lifestyle is that on Christmas Eve you need not be struck dumb by the three most terrifying words that the government allows to be printed on any product: ‘Some assembly required.’”

And Then, Half Way...

That’s the jingly bit over for this year so it’s just that new year hog-many thingy to do now then it’s all back to ‘normal’. Or as normal as I expect 2017 will be.

We went for a drive to the big town yesterday and, unlike the last time, we were almost alone. We bobbed into a couple of supermarkets and our loneliness was pretty much explained by the number of empty shelves. Man, those places must’ve taken some really serious coin prior to the holiday.  I’m happy to report the shops didn’t get too much of mine  and I’m sure my little nest of vipers, given time, will come to love her new loofa. Until such time the stony silence is something to savour.

I guess over the next two days they’ll stock up ready to be emptied again as everyone panics in anticipation of the next one day closing.

Oh, and wasn’t the holiday TV amazing? We were amazed that so many channels managed to show so much trash simultaneously. And the repeats were so old they should really only have been shown on the History Channel. Truly riveting TV - and if I’d had a rivet gun to hand I would’ve.

Even the Inter-Web seemed to take a break. Pardon? Yes, I agree – why not? 

Quote;  Kurt Vonnegut.

“Future generations will look back on TV as the lead in the water pipes that slowly drove the Romans mad.”

     Daniel Marsh.

“If the television craze continues with the present level of programs, we are destined to have a nation of morons.”

And Then, Very Best Wishes...

As it’s the ‘big’ day tomorrow I may not be here because I’ll probably be there. Hay, I can’t be everywhere.

Those with sharp eyes and superb memories may well spot the remarkable similarities this post bears to last years post but really, what else is there to say? I could re-writ or change the word order but the message would be just the same, right?

So, to all family, friends and all who pay me the great honour of looking into the Foggy Mirror and also to all the Blog authors of the sites listed on the left, and so many others, who work tirelessly to give so much enjoyment, insight, information and brain food, stay well good people and, against all the odds, enjoy your days. My sincere best wishes to you, one and all. And a special thought is with all those working on rigs, wet and dry, and ships plying the worlds oceans. Stay safe one and all.

Here’s a lovely piece of seasonal music by, I believe, The Merry Wives of Windsor.  Drink deeply of the lyrics good people.

    

Once you’ve cleared that choked-up sensation and dabbed that tear away, please proceed to read Desiderata – a piece I never tire of. Read on and, if you’re ever feeling a little down, feel the words pick you right back up right quick.

DESIDERATA  Max Ehrmann (1927)

   Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
   Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
   Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
   Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be critical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
   Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
   Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it’s still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

Now you’re suitably uplifted, here’s a fine renditioning, by The Poxy Boggards, of another Christmas favourite, ‘Miss Fogarty’s Christmas cake.’

     

Be well and of good heart my friends. And remember,  Illegitimi non carborundum. Now that may well be a bit of fakery, but it still works for me...

Quote;  Aaron Machado.

“The imaginary friends I had as a kid dropped me because their friends thought I didn’t exist.”

And Then There’s Very Little Jingle...

We went for a drive to a large town down the way to check-out the Christmas decorations, tree and lights to get us into the jingly mood.

It should be a pleasant run and a leisurely walk round as it’s Monday so everyone’s at work, right? After a short time on the road it became apparent that there’s nobody working in the UK as it was nose to tail traffic. This was the case all the way and we were all obviously following some old guy who should’ve hung-up his license many years ago. No, I told you, we were at the back! Well, at the back when we joined in the queue for a festive rush but very soon there were others behind us. Get it? For further clarification, there was also a brief moment when we were right in the middle and there did also occur another brief moment when we wuzz, indeed, the leaders of the pack. The new guy right at the back was probably thinking, ‘I bet there’s some old guy up ahead who should’ve hung-up his license many years ago.’

We finally got there and eventually found a parking place - which was about a fifteen minute walk from where we started out an hour ago - and had a walk round and found all the shops were total zoos but there was little in the way of festive trappings around and about the streets.

In fact we saw more in the way of jingly festive lighting drifting through the murk of a dark afternoon from many houses during our surprisingly uncluttered drive home. A lot of folk sure do go to a lot of trouble to light the season up do they not?

To make up for the disappointing lack of jinglyness out and about in the shopping streets, I intend to imbibe in  some festive spirits of my own this evening.

Quote;  Linda in Disguise.

“The amount of time and energy we spend putting up and taking down holiday decorations tells me our 'top of the food chain' claim is invalid.”

And Then They Start...

Going by the TV adverts this, rather than being the festive season, seems to be the smelly season as TV advert time is, like, totally focused on perfumes, aftershaves and deodorants with the usual scantily-clad, big lipped pouty young ladies cavorting with similarly scantly-clad, stubbly, thin lipped and tattooed young bucks.

Yeah, I know it’s only pretend and to sell stuff but the not so subliminal idea on sale there is a country mile away from perfume. Wouldn’t you love to, on occasion, jump through the screen and slap all involved back into the real world? And when you got ‘em here just slap ‘em all again. As for the couple in the Tesco advert, a ballpeen hammer’s needed...

Let’s have a dose of reality in the ‘art’ of TV advertising. Why not a fully clothed young lady climbing on a rush hour tube and  strap-hanging with a young dishevelled, in a day after the night before sort o’ way, buck who remarks, “Nice perfume but...”
“Why, thank you.” She replies through huge pouty lips.
“...it doesn’t quite mask your bad breath. You get smacked in the puss last night? Hope the swelling goes down okay.”

How about a young fellow from somewhere foreign splashing aftershave everywhere to mask his body odour as he can’t be assed to have a wash? How about an old girl using copious amounts of ode-toilet, prior to heading out to hit the bingo hall, to mask the smell of boiled cabbage? The old guy crawling out o’ bed of a freezing dawn and grabbing his shower-in-a-can as he can’t face cold water so early.

Wouldn’t work would it? Okay, what can I pick fault with now?

Quote;  H. L. Mencken.

“An idealist is one who, on noticing that a rose smells better than a cabbage, concludes that it makes a better soup.”

And Then Those Gifts....

Is it over now? It is over, right? Right, so time to review the gifts. It’s a competition isn’t it? Who’s spent the most? Who’s gift is the most expensive and the biggest? Her indoors got me a huge box of very fancy chocolates of which I managed to get three while my fellow sofa dweller hauled through the rest with the customary, “Just one more then.”

It’s a shame as wot I really wanted was a new high pressure washer for the paved areas front and back of the house. However, by a stroke of good fortune, that’s exactly what she got. How weird is that then?

The above is a joke, okay? I mean, who’d buy a woman a pressure washer for Christmas? Anyway, who needs two? She already got one for her birthday.

Seriously, just before the ‘buying and giving and buying yet more’ season kicked-off, we asked each other what we’d like. We couldn’t think of a damn thing between us and if you can’t think of anything you need then you’re old and really don’t need anything. Does that mean we have everything? Of course not, but add ‘we need’ then we’re pretty much in that fortunate position. And thus it came to pass that we just exchanged cards and cards only. By the way, I’m pretty sure my card to her cost more than hers to me did - and it’s a tad bigger...

Quote;  Anthony Robbins.

“Every problem is a gift - without problems we would not grow.”

And Then A Log....

Yesterday, mid afternoon, I thought to myself - and the other folk in my head at the time, “I do believe I’ll have a portion of that chocolate Yule log cake wot we got the other day.” We all agreed and also agreed the sentence was reasonably well formed so I repeated it out loud. Not too loud you understand. I also added an unrehearsed bit and asked her along the sofa if she’d like a chunk. This was met with spooky silence and a slightly guilty shifty stare. A stare suggesting that if I’d knocked, there’d be nobody home.

                           

Taking this blankness as a ‘yes’ I prepared to the kitchen where I discovered the Yule log was either well hidden or well
missing. Called I to her, ”Where are you hiding that chocolate log lookin’ cake? Remember it? The really big chocolate dealy-bob?”
”I done eat it all when you shower yesterday afternoon.”

I took this information with a little disappointment and a big shock. Okay, it was only a Swiss roll dressed-up festively, but it was a big, thickly chocolate coated roll; close to big enough for a family of four for four feeds. This thus goes some way to explaining why that old circus tent I got her last year and modified into a dress, is starting to look a tad tight already.

Please note it was just a regular circus tent and not one of they huge three ring jobbies. Although on reflection...

Those floods are sadly back again and so are our intrepid TV reporters standing in water. One such reporter, filmed in front of a drain that was dramatically disgorging water, helpfully informed the viewers that the drain water was, “...coming up”.  He further clarified the situation by adding, “...from below.” Certainly gets you thinking don’t you think?

Quote;  Dave Barry.

“Your hand and your mouth agreed many years ago that, as far as chocolate is concerned, there is no need to involve your brain.”

And Then A Festilude....

The mirror of foggyness may be off the grid for the next couple or three days while I sit rivetted to the plethora of top quality entertainment that’s going to be available on TV over the festive{?} period. That’s called wishful thinking by the way. Guns Of Navarone on again? And again, and again...

Anyhoo, as is my wont, with absolutely no apologies, below is my annual offering to you all for the season and the year to come.  

                   DESIDERATA  {Max Ehrmann (1927)}

   Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
   Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
   Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
   Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be critical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
   Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
   Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it’s still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

Onwards to yet another repeat; Seasick Steve, who’s most memorable line is probably, “I started out with nothing and I’ve still got most of it left.” A number wots words the older of you will understand and the younger should ponder. Treat it as a small gift from old me to young you and whatever you do, “Don’t give up on your dreams or they’ll give up on you...”     Trust me, let the words drift in.

And lastly, a festive{?} sing-along; Miss Fogarty's Christmas Cake. Yup, it’s a repeat. Is that a pun?

And so, to all of you who pay me the great honour of passing through the Foggy Mirror, to quote the above song, “Thanks for taking time to listen to an old man; your time is a valuable thing”, also to all the Blog authors of the sites listed on the left, and so many others, who work tirelessly to give so much enjoyment, insight, information and brain food, stay well good people and, against all the odds, enjoy your days. My sincere best wishes to you, one and all. 

Quote;  Dame Edna Everage.

“My mother used to say that there are no strangers, only friends you haven't met yet. She's now in a maximum security twilight home in Australia.”

 

             Bart Simpson. 

“Aren’t we forgetting the true meaning of this day; the birth of Santa?”

And Then, Early Doors….

Today was a day of early excitement followed later by disappointment with a little  sad bit between the early excitement and later disappointment.

Let's start on a high-tide. When I turned on my Windows 7 desktop computer this morning, joy of joys! Windows 10 is ready for me! For me! Just me! With mounting, hardly containable excitement, I clicked the button to indicate the process should start. Guess what? Start it did so I thought, so far so good.

It took a little over an hour all up and let me tell y'all, Windows 10 is so, like, totally, like, awesome!! Here are some of the incredible changes from Windows 7 I've come across so far;

1) It boots up noticeably quicker.
2) The Start menu, the lack of which in Windows 8 seemed to exercise so many people, is back, but as I use True Launch Bar I rarely used the Start menu in 7, never missed it in 8 so I'm guessing I'll continue to rarely use the Start menu in 10 now it's back. 
3) Errr…. I'll get back to you if I notice any other awesomeness.

Hay, it's the bit that makes software work, right? And all the software works the  same as it did before. What else do you want then?

I trust, when you get the upgrade, you'll select 'customise settings' and go carefully through the 'privacy' pages rather than letting Microsoft just go ahead with its 'recommended' install thus granting themselves the freedom to rummage around your hard-drive should they wish. If you've gone done and updated without customising, go to settings and change the privacy stuff to suit your own level of paranoia. This page may be of interest to some of you. It helped me;

https://fix10.isleaked.com/

The disappointment bit occurred late afternoon when I turned on the laptop, running Windows 8.1, to discover I still don't feature in the Windows 10 Update priority list. How weird is that then? 7 yes, 8.1 no. Although having sipped at the cup of Windows 10 I'm not too fussed if Microsoft cross me off the 8.1 to 10 list altogether.

The tad sad occurrence occurred while doing a little bit of early morning shopping at one of those big places they call garden centres. You know the ones I mean; huge places wot sell stuff for the garden in a little area out back with the rest of the vast store selling all kinds of everything you really don't need.

After a brief look round my little nest of vipers settled for a fruit cake from the food area. You noticed how the food areas in garden centres tend to fool even hardened, cynical shoppers into believing the food is all being prepared and packaged by little old ladies happily cooking away in warm, cosy farmhouse kitchens, using only locally grown produce, working from family recipes that have been handed down through the generations and thus well worth the seventy-five percent mark-up on the same cake you can get down Asda the ways.

It being quiet, the nice checkout lady was busy unpacking one of many big boxes. She was taking out long clear plastic tubes containing what looked like largish white sparkly balls.
"just taken delivery of some duck eggs I see." I said, somewhat humorously.
"No. It's the first of the Christmas decorations." She shot back; devoid of humour. "We open our Christmas display the first week of October and from now 'till then, it's chaos here."
"Oh my. How sad is that then?" I observed sadly.

With the transaction completed, and heading for the door, I turned and called, "Oh, happy Christmas by the way." to which she replied, "And a happy new year to you."
All I had left as we got to the door was, "And I hope Easter lives up to your expectations."

Upon arriving home, I checked to confirm that it is, indeed, just number four of the month of August.

Quote;  Frederick P. Brooks Jr.

“Good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement.”