Talking it through

I knew I'd get my head around Christmas eventually.  As with most problems or dilemmas, it just takes time and talking things through (a couple of shots of brandy seems to help, too!) and eventually some kind of resolution is reached.  Perhaps it's having the courage to make decisions based on your own values rather than attempting to conform - whatever, we are at ease with the stance we have taken.  

We finally managed to get some cards in the post today.  Oh dear, it happens every year, this last minute rush, and it's always of my own making.  But there is a bit more of a plan for the next few days emerging, and organisation in any shape makes my happy ;-)

We walked into town this afternoon (to post said cards) and on the way back, as the light was fading, we spotted a large dog fox slinking into someone's garden.  I never fail to be thrilled to see any wild animal, and even in such an incongruous setting of a residential road, the sight of that fox made my day.  Those are the things that are special and to be treasured.

This time of year makes me very reflective - for a number of reasons - and although I'm not usually one for New Year resolutions, which have a nasty habit of running out of steam by mid-February, if not before, I have found myself pondering over a few options and challenges for the coming year. When I turned 50, a few years ago, I cheerfully wrote myself a 'bucket list' of 50 things to do before I was 60, although I have a feeling I ran out of ideas by about number 38 or so.  I cringe as I recall some of the items which I felt, at the time, were crucial and quite indispensible to my future happiness (owning a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes was, apparently, vital - I am quite ashamed to admit to that).  A big shift in perspective and a desire for a far simpler life have changed my conception of what constitutes happiness and contentment.  I think, come New Years Eve, I shall reconsider my 'bucket list' and jot down a few alternative ideas that resonate far better with me than the consumeristic diatribe I wrote last time!  

I also think I need to take some more photos - my melancholia this week seems to have curtailed my artistic flair!