NICE WEATHER LIFTS SPIRITS -

Don't you think that sunny weather makes such a change - humans probably need at least 12 hours of sunshine to be healthy and the enforced hibernation makes everyone tired and lethargic. Yesterday we cleared up 99% of our fallen leaves, washed down the patio and had a good clean up outside. It might not be warm but looking out the window everything is neat and tidy and it really could be a sunny March day.

As an aside, what constantly amazes me is when we get to January, almost everyone feels a tad down and one of those latter days (Mid to end January as people survive until pay day) represents the saddest day of the year for most people. IS IT ANY SURPRISE!

Here we are at the last day of November with Advent this year tomorrow. However, since 1 November we have been subjected to a daily barrage of Christmas adverts, messages from Coca Cola, dragons, a reindeer dog and watching thousands of people have a Christmas lunch that many of us can only dream of, not to mention black Friday.......and there are still 25 days to do.........................for a day that will pass like all others and will still last just 24 hours. The children are (note not kids! - I hate the use of the word "kids" - they are our children, for goodness sake) tired, feeling almost let down that their day only lasts such a short time. Mums and Dads have broken the bank to make everyone's day a super day and although everyone has had a great day, it lasts just 24 hours.

How many of us will go to church sometime - Goodness, when I see an angel in a bath for the Christmas tree topping at Asda, it makes me wonder if Christ has been superseded by the £. More importantly, how many children will have been brought up with the significance of children or will our modern parents blame the lack education at school for this hole in their education?

I love these sunny crisp days and detest the long dark spells before we get tot the half way mark and the days begin to get longer. But we have to put up with the good and the bad to get there. I just wish Christmas was not so industrial these days and we remember the real meaning of it and that it generated the wholesome family Christmas it was meant to be. These sacks - yes sacks of toys and electronic equipment heaped by the Christmas tree (up since November in some cases) just make no sense and carry no sentiment of the bigger picture and who forgot the batteries!

Roll on March - Merry Christmas everyone - I really love Christmas - if it snows and the robin sits on the yule log........"Where did you put the Yule log last year darling?"

[Sunnie2day]

The 'bathtub angel' sets my teeth on edge. Who thought that was a nice topper for the tree, I'd really like to know. And please don't ask me to go into an M&S for anything after seeing their 'Christmas' advert - if that doesn't scream 'Christmas is for Consumers', nothing does.

I love Christmas, I even love the slightly risque panto our local group puts on. But I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm sad the public Creche is gone from the town centre and the primary school Nativity 'director' this year for some insane reason thought she'd modernise the music from traditional carols to what can only be described as 'gangsta rap'.

And unless someone is off on an extended holiday, I refuse to say 'Happy Christmas and a very Merry New Year' to anyone before tomorrow (1 December 2019 - First Sunday of Advent and yes I have my wreath and candles of the correct colour combination at the ready).

[chubby2x22]

Sun shine here this morning and it does make you feel better just looking through the window. The lawn and rooves are a sparkling and this daft big black labrador thinks he is heaven rolling in the frost. Jane

[Dolphin14]

Oh my....

[Hidden]

British people are not as rigid as the French attitudes to their own language. Having said that it might be worth considering the "sentiments" by Expats from the USA, using this site, living in the UK.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Hidden]

It was def a little degrading to read.

[Hidden in reply to Dolphin14]

Oh, come on! People read into things.

You must be a little down?

Might be worth upping your rehab regime or eat some chocolates! OK, amended for the "hypersensitive" types. . .

[Dolphin14 in reply to Hidden]

No, just " sentiments"

[Hidden in reply to Dolphin14]

Degrading? Are you being serious?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

What a spectacular day!

Thank you for the uplifting thread, ticking-ticker!

Fantastic!

[Dickyticker26 in reply to Hidden]

I cannot find the post I am trying to respond to

I do not think "anti-Americanism" is technically racist

What about the captain of their ladies' football team openly mocking the brave English girls by pretending to drink a cup of tea at the end of the game the USA rather luckily won-something to do with the "Boston Tea Party"

Anyway apologies for any offence given I will stick to cardiology in future!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Not a problem - especially on a fine day like this - The English language is so beautiful and adopted by so many Nations round the World, no wonder the French envy us - Oops! sorry Rana's - I am however, always surprised that the word Yank has not been banned as being unfit for human consumption although I find nothing wrong with the word Brit. Remember the old fag end - now called a cigarette butt - now why would you call a fag end a cigarette bottom or is that a fanny as in fanny pack for a bum bag so why not just call it a cigarette fanny. A fanny is a metal container for carrying rum in as opposed to an aluminium (notice the spelling there) cigarette fanny or spit kid - which is a receptacle to put ones rubbish or spit in - similar to a spittoon seen in wild west saloons also known as bars or wine lodges or pubs - even Ye Olde Worlde Inn. Lets keep a perspective on this - and not fall out over euphemisms or we will never be able to talk to each other again - meaning one nation to another and not a personal issue

[Sunnie2day in reply to Hidden]

I went to school in the USA - divorced parents, Dad said GB wasn't big enough for the two of them to safely coexist so he raised us in the American Desert SouthWest with extended trips between the UK and US.

So at school I was in trouble for saying fag end (as it was considered an unacceptable slur against a segment of the population) and when home (GB) I'd find myself in trouble for saying cigarette butt. There were several other words and phrases that got me into trouble, now I think back, but calling it a cigarette end (nice mash-up, I thought) got me called 'prissy'...sigh.

[Hidden in reply to Sunnie2day]

Nice reply - that was exactly one of the finer points I was also eluding to but did not have the courage to say it out loud, so to speak, since it would appear I carry my very own panel of critics who will pick me up on any small grammatical, political or ethical element of a post I put up. This form of help is most welcome and any help in such areas can only be viewed as positive since there is no malice in the criticism what so ever.

Nice to hear from you again hope you are well - did you have an enjoyable thanksgiving? A far more likeable and logically adoptable tradition than having our CHILDREN running round on 31st October shouting "trick or treat" wearing phantom and Batman outfits! LOL

[Sunnie2day in reply to Hidden]

With the grown children and their families still in the USA, Thanksgiving 2019 here in the UK was Skype with the family then oven BBQ chicken with mash, corn and a bakery bought apple pie - close enough for horseshoes as we used to say back when

My husband said 'Next year, please, real Thanksgiving?' - he's never been to America but I've got him hooked on turkey for Thanksgiving and beef for Christmas but this year I simply wasn't up to the effort, the angiogram last week took a lot of me!

Naturally my grandchildren love American Halloween. The oldest is 15 and sorely disappointed he was greeted at every door with 'Aren't you a little old for this?'.