Twas the night before Christmas 2018

Charles Dickens’s book A Christmas Carol is generally accepted to have been the catalyst to the popularising of Christmas to the masses. The London Times for December 25th. 1843 had not one mention of the word ‘Christmas’, not a single mention. In 1843 Christmas was not celebrated widely. The very wealthy, including some royals, did carry out some German traditions of dressing up a Christmas tree (They were of German heritage after all).  Charles Dickens was a celebrity author at the time having had success with earlier novels The Pickwick Papers, Oliver etc. and his middle class outlook aspired to what the upper class were doing and their Christmas celebrations. Charles wrote his novella in six weeks and it was printed and hand coloured and it’s first edition of 6000 was a sell-out.  The book was essentially a tale of ‘redemption’ and a second chance for Ebenezer Scrooge   

Dickens also saw the wretched poverty around him in London and stitched this into his story. He wanted to make sure the reader saw the virtue of generosity. For all of his human flaws Charles Dickens saw the joy of giving to those in need at Christmas.

This best seller is credited with the Christmas we all now enjoy.

Sincerest best wishes to all of you this Christmas. As with all of my blogs there will be links back to related pieces. In this particular post there are many links (indicated by lines under words). Have a wonderful, restful and healing Christmas. Make the most of the Magic.

I swear I blinked and 2018 just passed in a flash. Although a year of incredible high’s and a few low’s it still passed numbingly fast. So we are nearly at the Christmas dinner table, which of course is the joy of the year for most. Many also have a gnawing ache in their heart at this time of year. It is a time of reflection, memories and emotions. However I’ll endeavour to keep this blog as upbeat as possible in keeping with the time of year.

Well, the reason 2018 disappeared in a complete blur was probably down to the little Santa above. Mr Rory Benson Draper, my one and only grandchild visited this side of the globe. To say he filled every waking hour was an understatement. He arose a 6 am, ravenous and went like the clappers until 7/8 pm. Sweet lord he has energy and his hungry mind needs constant stimulus.  Exhausting but so full of life, it is unmissable.

He’s only just out of hospital this week in Sydney and this little video will give you some appreciation of his get-up-and-go.

From driving snow and ‘Brennan’s’ sliced pan frenzy to the longest dry spell in Ireland’s history we have had a really eventful year on this little green isle. The beast from the east dumped more snow than we had seen in a long, long time. It was both scary and fun at the same time, but we Irish made the best of it. There was a lot of snow in Irish terms.

The summer of 2018 was dry, very dry, but as luck would have it the rain arrived for my daughters visit from Sydney and her few days in Kilkee were a wash out. However from early June we enjoyed a spell of warm dry and very pleasant weather which went on and on and on and on. It was a joy (now the farmers might not agree, grass growth stopped, hose pipe bans throughout the country, crop yields seriously impacted). However we spent the first half of the year in anticipation of a gathering of our family from around the globe to celebrate a significant birthday for a significant lady. Saturday 18th. August 2018.  It was such an unbelievable occasion to have everyone together again after many years.

My summer was filled with the music of Moana as little fella would only sit quietly to get breakfast into him while this movie was playing on the TV. Turns out to be a great animated movie.

2019 New Years Resolutions – A year of action

Finally, President Trump does not believe in it. However the recent UN report has issued DIRE warnings. We have to act. We have to raise our voices. Our snow in March, our drought  over the summer are all due to OUR impact on the earth. Speak to your local representatives, and act. Every little bit will help. This short 6 minute video from Australian public broadcasting service reminds us of a year or serious weather. We all have to ACT in 2019.

100 Ways to reverse Global Warming

Oh! one more thing, so finally, finally. Friday 3rd. May 2019 I’m going to be having a few pints in a certain pub in Kilkee, Co.Clare to celebrate my sort of coming of age. If you are nearby, or in need of a west Clare fill-up after the Irish winter and spring, sure it would be great to wet the whistle. And if you are not then rest assured I will be in that certain establishment most Friday and Saturday nights between May and September 2019, God willing and I’d be delighted with your company. I had a few ‘Stents‘ inserted into the ticker in October so I reckon I should celebrate every birthday with those around me who mean an awful lot in my life. And with that……

Happy Christmas and may 2019 bring you health, healing and happiness.