Christmas – what was it; where has it gone? I lost it. The sick bug took it. Not very nice of it to do that because I love Christmas.  Christmas Day – sick, Boxing Day – miserable in bed, Saturday – very sorry for myself, Sunday – coming round slowly, Today, Monday, I am beginning to see a glimmer of light; well, at least I have got on to my blog. But I’ll not be writing much more – it’s getting exhausting – will I ever write another novel?   Oh, come on, Bill, there must be a rosy road ahead and the New Year might bring it in. Hope so.    HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL.

Yesterday evening at my meal time, as sometimes happens, I did not know what I was going to have. I am not a good planner ahead of meals for myself. Inevitably I therefore take the easy options – egg, or baked beans, or tinned mackrel etc. This evening I wanted an easy option but felt like something different. I had half a big onion left over from a previous meal. What could I do that was different? I opened a book THE BOOK OF THE ONION which was publishd in 1933 !! I had bought it for my wife on 5 July 1945 in Newark (I used to inscribe my book purchases in this way – recalling memories). In this one part of the insciption I had made reads ‘When in doubt fry an onion.’  on 15 August 1945 I added a footnote ‘but don’t burn them, (added after VJ day dinner)’  Now all that tells a story.  I must have been in Newark for the day – a day off from my duties as a Bomb Aimer instructor at the RAF Winthorpe not far from Newark, posted there after my tour of operations.  And I must have been on leave and at home on 15 August. My wife, Joan, must have burnt the onions! An error in the early days of our married life !  Or, maybe she was just adding more taste to them !! 

So this little book of only 86 pages provided me with a simple and quick satisfying meal and brought back memories which would not have been so vivid if I hadn’t made those inscriptions.

I’ve negleted my blog for a while. Why? Excuse – Christmas got in the way. Anybody else out there who lets Christmas get in the way? Oh but what the … ? It’s a great time in all its aspects. The real truth about my neglet was that I got on with Christmas early. I seemed to be much more organised this year – got my overseas cards away a week before the final date for posting in time to cross the world for Christmas. Then that washed off on me – I got all my Christmas cards done, all 125 of them. That seemed to take a load off my shoulders and spur me on even more. Yes, I actually got a present list made out. Then my eldest daughter said she would come and we would do our annual Christmas shopping expedition. That worked well and everything on my list finished with a tick beside it !! Wonderful. No pondering or thinking about that aspect. Well, they were to wrap up and by noon the next day that had been accomplished.  This was wonderful !  In the middle of this my daughter disappeared. Where was she? Up in the loft – ‘Dad, here’s the Christmas tree!!’  Yes, she handed down the imitation tree we have had since imitations trees really made a mark on the market. (I must say it is a good one and many have remarked on its appearance) She handed down the lights and decorations as well. Before she left the next day the tree was decorated and the lights up and running. So Christmas was really taking shape. Now I had time to think of the Christmas menus that will cover 5 days. That too is taking shape nicely. The Turkey and gammon are ordered, the main shopping has been done and there only remains the ‘bits and pieces’ to buy. Oh, yes, I’ve done some baking. Now I’m working out a working time table and finding the best way to ease time in the kitchen. I keep telling myself not to worry – if that works out as well as Christmas has so far I’ll have nothing to worry about. I tell you what:- Getting on early has made things so much easier and relaxing.

Hi, to all who read this – have a Happy Christmas.

 

 

 and   

Went to the cinema in a local Arts Centre in nearby market town a couple of nights ago. Saw Brideshead Revisited. I have to admit, I have never read the book, never saw the original film, never saw it on TV and only knew a little about its theme. I found a multi-layered film in which various themes were handled well, interwoven so that not one predominated and each drew something from the others. It was well acted and the camera work was excellent. You can tell I thoroughly enjoyed it!

The Northern Branch – we should have had our Christmas lunch today  but there was snow! Woke up 6.30 to find it just beginning to snow on top of a thin layer that had come a little earlier. It snowed continuously until 12 noon. There was no way I could make it to Beckwithshaw near Harrogate. At 9 a.m. I rang the Blacksmith’s Arms where we were to dine. Landlord very understanding as he said it was bad there as well and he doubted whether any of his staff would get in for work. So I had to be contented to stay at home. Now 2.pm there has been no more snow, the gritters have finally got to the village but the road is still slushy. Any RNA member reading this – stay content and here’s to the next meeting.