The Year Turneth...

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Winter Solstice is upon us yet again: I have to say this one of my favourite days of the year, despite the insistent late afternoon crepuscule that lies beyond the windows of our house; when we look forward to the coming spring and summer, and leave behind the gloom and despair of winter. One other good thing about this particular coming week of course is the annual seasonal excuse to for once be nice to one another, and share food and wine at table with friends and family, no matter what has travailed us in the year past. Over the years our number has sadly depleted, but, as always we look forward to our Christmas meal in good company; to eat and drink far more than we need, and ignore the hole the whole thing has left in our finances, for just a few days, at least. The point of this time of year is the looking forward to the future whilst absolutely enjoying simply being present in the moment. Ignore the religion, ignore the commercial Christmas pressures, and ignore the mawkish sentiment pedlars who have ruled the roost since Dickens' Christmas Carol was written: just raise a glass with and for your closest and mostest and enjoy the moment: the year has turned. Onward...

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