A stormy night. While the wind throws itself against the chimneys we start watching the second season of Fisk on Netflix. It takes a little time to get into its stride but the writers have produced an Australian comedy classic. The lead actress plays her role in a subtle and very dead pan style. It's another of those Netflix series that only have six , half an hour, episodes. Just as you're getting into the swing of things it's over. Why do they do that ?
Angus is up at five talking to the super smart Los Angelinos. Venezuela makes the morning cut as does the new Polish government , Hungary and, of course, Jack Smith. One of the Los Angelinos thinks there's a chance Biden won't stand again. His colleagues disagree. This is probably our last call before Christmas. Give it another week and the Los Angeles folks will be leaving Bel Air and heading off to Hawaii or the ski slopes. Their feeling is that if we thought 2023 was crazy then 2024 is going to be just wild.
After the storms the morning dawns cloudy but mild. No need for woolen hats or scarves. By the pig pen we meet the farmers wife who reminds us about the village carol service . We promise to be there. ' There'll be time for a wee dram and a blether after the service '. With that she, and her three Jack Russells and a black labrador that's joined them, head off down to the coast. The Jack Russells rush ahead while she walks behind with the labrador. The dogs find a dead badger in the field which , for them, is about exciting as things can possibly get. The farmers wife is wearing a red and white self knitted bobble hat made by one of her daughters. It has a psychedelic pattern that on closer inspection turns out to be snow flakes.
The book store has copies of 'They Flew'. The young man behind the counter tells me it's proving to be very popular. ' It's a counterbalance to how people understood Newtons rationalist view of the universe' he says. Not sure how to reply to this I make a half swallowed ' Uh Huh' noise. Some conversations are better left until the grey cells are awake.
Although it's early there are shoppers about. The modern crime section has three serious looking browsers standing lost in concentration. They're probably looking for something 'entertaining' to give Uncle Albert to read.
'The Font' is looking for striped candles. There are coloured candles but no striped ones. The shop does however have soft cloths and silver cleaner. A reminder that the candle sticks need polishing.
Town now beginning to look quite jolly. The shop and restaurant owners are hoping for an extended bout of` last minute Christmas shopping madness . From the number of 50% off signs in the clothing store windows I'm guessing this season isn't going to set any records.
We stop off at the wee Italian coffee shop. The owner has set aside six bottles of the really good passata. It's a brand we could get in Italy but not here. Angus carries these back to the car. The coffee shop owner says things are getting quiet. Usually there's a rush of students in between lectures. Now they're all staying at home revising. This time next week and they'll all be gone until January. The kilt store next door is doing a brisk trade in new sporrans ahead of Hogmanay.
.JPG)
9 comments:
Music a bit overpowering this morning. I suspect the village carol service (plus wee dram and blether) will be a more low key affair.
Cheers! Gail (who would appreciate book suggestions for a car-obsessed nephew).
I notice A Northern Wind on the bookshop table - I'm about to order it, as I have all the others so far. I wonder if David Kynaston will get as far as his target date of 1979 in his survey of post-war Britain. If only he would stop getting distracted to write books about cricket!
How often do men buy new sporrans?
Angus, might it be an idea to buy yourself a new sporran now, to save all the angst of searching for your usual one on the 31st?
The star at the beginning of the music is just what I need for a touch of one-upmanship on my neighbour's huge Ikea stars! I'll pass on their blue flashing lights round every palm tree - I keep thinking the police have arrived!
In the USA 2024 is going to be an interesting year for sure.
Hari OM
Crikey, dare I say out loud how Halloween that organ introit was? Not one of my faves, that. In the Southern winter, KI is every bit as raw as the East coast of Scotland... and those prices were enough to freeze the blood! YAM xx
I loved today's song and video. I was always jealous of my Catholic friends (my family attended a Presbyterian church) because they had all the fun stuff - ashes, mortal sins, thuribles - and today's post reminded me of that.
I love coincidences! At our Singing Group this morning we were singing "O Come All Ye Faithful" but my husband and I were brought up as Catholics and went to Catholic schools in Scotland and this carol always seems wrong to us.It should be Adeste Fidelis of course. We just couldn't remember most of the Latin words,not even with the help of a retired Classics teacher in the group, and went home disappointed. Now you have solved our problem Angus, we will sleep better tonight! Thank you for all of your great Christmas music. Megan.
She will re-open.
She, and her "cher et vieux pays" have survived worse.
Post a Comment