Happy, productive and positive New Year

Yes, 2016 had its moments . . . some of which are coming to further fruition (rather mildewed fruition): a neon-haired, totally-unsuitable person takes office in the USA, and an unclear, Europe, or no-Europe, and 'how long will any possible process take' thing for the UK.
New Year's resolutions . . . they never really work but I'll try for: being more in the moment - making each day count, less procrastination, and encouraging us to making a guilt free house  - less, 'Oh, no you didn't break another teapot,' or 'well, it was you who had the car key last'. This stuff is wearing and unnecessary; we all make mistakes, break things and lose things. I believe there are people somewhere on the planet who don't have a word for blame - 'oh, the teapot broke' or 'okay, let's all have a look for the car key', I don't know where they are, these people but I salut them and wish them also a happy and contented New Year.
So, today, after a small and contained party last evening, I'm briefly alone, the men folk and dogs out on a hike; the sun is shining like a mad thing, there are chickens gathering on all the window sills as in Hitchcock's masterpiece, and I'm feeling good - cue, who was that song by, must check youtube/Spotify . . . No, I will curb the urge and finish the list of jobs, happy 2017 phone calls, and then get back to Chapter 5 in my latest writing project.



Image for the first day of 2017: a small, well-looked after, bright blue, perky boat. May we all feel as sea-worthy/river-worthy for the majority of the coming months.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Common sense

I was in our favourite small French seaside village a couple of days ago when an elderly friend waved me over to his table outside the café.
'Is it not great zat your London Town 'az a new mayor?"
"Uh?' I had said thinking of the blond . . . person who seemed to have there for ever.
"Yes - et, c'est incroyable 'e is of the workers' party!"
I sat down, ordered tea and discussed this amazing piece of news, feeling pathetic that he, in this tiny village, knew, and I did not. Mind, I had gone away specifically to turn off all stuff connecting me to the outside world for a few days.
So, how brilliant and wonderful to have a Labour party, Muslim mayor born of a seamstress mother and a bus driver father as the mayor of this vibrantly multicultural city of Europe. He probably even went to the same horrible comprehensive school that I went to in Haringey.
I was interested to hear that dear Mr Trump said, (as an exception, mind), that he (Khan) would be allowed in to the USA if he himself (God forbid) becomes president; and even more interested to hear that Mr Khan would not choose to enter (in in fact could not enter on account of his religion) that same landmass if the afore-mentioned other blond . . . person did by some bizarre, freak parallel universe accident/God-joke, end up in the White House.

                          

                          

fragrant hair extensions

Thanks Penny for passing this on.

I have an urge to jump up and down and say 'what is the world coming to, etc, but I can't; it's too oddly charming. Apparently, weaving flowers into one's beard is a new fashion craze rampaging florally across the USA, well, pockets of it. I can't imagine it being too popular in Texas or many other states. Will it catch on in France or the UK . . . Mmm, maybe for a few heat-waved-crazed minutes in Paris or London . . . or perhaps not.