Snowflake

A grumpy old Blipper writes…“Another year over, and a new one just begun” as John and Yoko once said.

I can’t say I’m desperately sorry to see the back of 2022. Another pretty grim year after the grimness of 2021 and 2020. Globally we’re still staring into the climate crisis abyss, and hoping for the best possible outcome in Ukraine - amongst many, many other scary situations. At home we’ve had a year of two monarchs, three prime ministers, poisonous political posturing at the expense of lives and livings, the ongoing Brexit fallout really starting to bite and economic meltdown causing so many industries and professions to say ‘enough is enough’ and resort to industrial action in the absence of any willingness from the government to act or show any contrition. 

On the personal front, the first half of the year saw the decline and passing of my father. Thanks again to my excellent brother, Rocknerd, for everything he did over those months. The second half of the year has been dominated by M’s cancer diagnosis and treatment, with all the stresses and uncertainty which that has brought. Thank you to her for putting up with my cooking when she’s already had more than enough other stuff on her plate… and thank you to all the friends and family members, including so many Blippers, who have offered their support and encouragement throughout.

I can only hope that 2023 will bring better days for all of us, wherever we are in the world - and that kindness, compassion, community and common sense will triumph over populism, bigotry, self interest, and short-termism. Love, good health and happiness to all this year.

(PS Thanks to Rocknerd and LOH for the snowflake badge!)

As evidence of my folky credentials, here are The Watersons with ‘Here We Come A-Wassailing’ from the classic 1965 album ‘Frost and Fire: A Calendar of Ritual and Magical Songs’ https://youtube.com/watch?v=ggkJTKqboIY

“Now is wintertime, strangers travel far and near
And we wish you, send you, a happy new year.”