Getting a tattoo

Greenland and Stephen Millers comments about the possibility of direct US military intervention lead the morning news. The poor Danes are bemused as Americas 'unfriending' of Europe continues to pick up pace.  Seen from Copenhagen it's a bit like dealing with an old friend who suddenly leaves his wife and kids, gets a buzz cut, trades the Suburban in for a Harley and moves into a unit on the beach with a Russian waitress half his age he calls 'hot stuff'. Whatever happens next will be interesting - maybe a tattoo ?

The snow has arrived and with it leaden skies and what the morning weather forecast calls a 'grinding' wind.

Out here on the coastal fringes there's a smattering of the white stuff but further north and inland it's deep and drifting. Schools have been closed.

Easter eggs make it into the supermarket. There's still no sign of Burns Night biscuits in the bakers. I'm guessing he's waiting for the students to return.

Five yards further down the aisle advent calendars and shortbread selections are on special offer. The ceaseless round of the commercial calendar is unforgiving.

An urban robin follows us along the road to Starbucks.

The souvenir shops have redressed their windows for the New Year.  Highland cows are out and stag candelabra are in.

We shall be spending our day indoors in the warmth. Sleet and strong winds are expected by late morning.

Much I didn't know about Mexico :https://www.kvetch.au/p/54-observations-about-mexico

Some thoughts on Pakistan:https://rshinde.substack.com/p/the-puzzle-of-pakistans-poverty

A French mystery :https://bigthink.com/strange-maps/submarine-wall/

25 thoughts on current events :https://flyovertakes.substack.com/p/25-thoughts-on-venezuelan-regime

A long read about getting to Afghanistan - but worth it. The photos aren't what I expected :https://mattlakeman.org/2026/01/05/notes-on-afghanistan/