FESTIVE GREETINGS.......

A snowman greeted me this morning as I trudged through the town in Dostoyevskian fashion this morning to the railway station. He was still there as I trudged back tonight.

It is COLD, dark and I am looking forward immensely to the Christmas break which starts on Wednesday evening.

I just want to take this opportunity ( not having had much time to blog of late) to wish everyone I know a happy and peaceful Christmas.

2010 will be a challenging year for all of us I have no doubt. In the meantime time to recuperate and gather one's energies for the struggles ahead.

The good thing is that from now on the nights start getting lighter. And hopefully I will have time to return to the blog in the New Year. Thanks particularly to all who have supported me politically and personally in 2009. Happy Christmas, comrades.

RABBIT CAUGHT IN HEADLIGHTS .....

The old year draws to a close and three days before Christmas I am running round Hebden Bridge with a terrified expresion on my face as I realise that yet again I have left it all TOO LATE. The Floris eau de cologne I was going to buy a male friend has sold out, none of the jewellery Ican see is suitable for a woman friend who is very particular. So ( horror) am going to have to get the train into Manchester hours earlier than I needed to and brave last-minute shopping hell.....the season of goodwill.....as sales are beginning early maybe this aftrenon will yield a stupendous bargain. More likely claustrophobia and panic.
The political year has also drawn to a close and has been full of the usual disappointments and defeats. Plus reasons to be positive, too. More of that anon but in the meantime the blogging stops for Christmas. Have a good one. Back next week....

RETAIL THERAPY

Today is not a good day in our family calendar as it's 21 years today since my mum died. But instead of dwelling on the past I did what she would have wanted me to do. Which is go out and celebrate life by spending some money on myself.
Oddly enough, I was stopped in the street by someone from BBC Woman's Hour doing interviews and, for once, the media were not remotely interested in my political views. No, I was asked what I thought of the Whistles shop window in King Street, Manchester. Well, I had two thoughts, One: I could not really afford any of the clothes ; Two, they were all about size 8 so a bit impractical. But I gave it my best shot which, to anyone who knows my penchant for NOT shopping, is a bit of a laugh, really.
I tend to scour the charity shops , buy shoes when the existing pair are completely done for and so on..... Anyway, in the wake of this interview I proceeded to spend quite a bit of the hard-earned money that I have in reserve on utter fripperies.
I hate consumerism and think Christmas is basically a huge commercial con which gets too many people into far too much debt but even so occasionally we all need the odd treat. Then I got back and opened the big box of chocolates which a friend brought round the other day. Probably not quite such a good idea.......