Shady Deals

After weeks of cloud cover we at last have blue sky.

We also have blue fingers as it it freezing, but no-one appears to mind that.

An adventurous trip to the charity shop to dump some rubbish used items that no longer fit or are required.  Barnardo's gain is no loss to me.  Whether they will actually gain anything from that lot I am as yet unsure.  Still, it cleared a space and I have already begun filling the next one!

However, as expected the new contract with the landlord might see an increase.  I wish I had taken the stuff out now and placed it on E-Bay instead!  

More success for privatisation!

Ofclot sorry, Ofcom, the official regulator, has stated that Royal Mail, now owned by a shady Cheque, can deliver 2nd class mail on only 2 or 3 days a week and less on Saturdays.  

Now how will this work?

Mail goes through a machine, it sorts mail into little boxes which land, eventually, on a postman's frame from whish he sorts he mail into your pigeonhole.  How are they going to separate 2nd from 1st?  Will mail be left lying in a box under the frame?  Guess what can go wrong here?  Will it remain at the main sorting office till the right day, just imagine what will go wrong there, or is it just another balloon to ensure the profit grabbing crooks running Royal Mail can cut the number of employees and increase their profits?  

Gas, water, Royal Mail, electricity, buses, railways, you name it and privatise it and watch the service element disappear and the COE and his directors profits increase.  The UK is now run by corporate and greedy big business.  Keir and Angela from accounts are well behind them and taking the benefits home.

THE ROMAN EMPEROR RUNDOWN 2: Year of the 4 Emperors

O Jesus I have promised

Charlie and Rabbie

BBC

A bit if fanfare here as the king, that is King of England Charles III, poses in his new kilt to commemorate 'Burns Night.'   I am left wondering how much this cost?  The tartan alone is one designed at great cost for him, the material will be the best available, and the cost of the photographer will not be small.  The pretend highlander may pay between £25 and £100 for a kilt these days, I suspect Charlies cost more than this.  The whole outfit could, if you wish, cost up to £500 to the man in the street.  How much would Charlies cost?

Now, consider this, during the week Charles got into his multimillion pound helicopter wearing his highland outfit, flew up to Alloa where there are no Highlanders as this is the central belt, popped into a Food Bank, flew back, acknowledging the dignitaries who were there in obedience, the public was kept well away, and left no donation of any kind to the hungry people of the area.

Is there any wonder Scotland is turning against this King?

The cost of his outfit alone would be a good donation to any foodbank, and his Tory government created 3000 of them by starving the people!  The thousand spent on the helicopter flight, and he an environmentalist too, the cost of the lackeys to pilot the beast, the cost on the ground of the police operation to keep the hungry away from him, it all adds up just for a short photo op!  

I will not mention his income, nor his demand for a rise of £45 million this year!

Come the revolution...

On Turning Her Up in Her Nest with the Plough,
November, 1785

Wee, sleekit, cowrin, tim’rous beastie,

O, what a panic’s in thy breastie!

Thou need na start awa sae hasty,

Wi’ bickering brattle!

I wad be laith to rin an’ chase thee,

Wi’ murdering pattle!

I’m truly sorry Man’s dominion

Has broken Nature’s social union,

An’ justifies that ill opinion

Which makes thee startle

At me, thy poor, earth-born companion

An’ fellow-mortal!

I doubt na, whyles, but thou may thieve;

What then? poor beastie, thou maun live!

A daimen-icker in a thrave

‘S a sma’ requet;

I’ll get a blessin wi’ the lave,

An’ never miss’t!

Thy wee-bit housie, too, in ruin!

Its silly wa’s the win’s are strewin!

An’ naething, now, to big a new ane,

O’ foggage green!

An’ bleak December’s win’s ensuing,

Baith snell an’ keen!

Thou saw the fields laid bare an’ waste,

An’ weary Winter comin fast,

An’ cozie here, beneath the blast,

Thou thought to dwell,

Till crash! the cruel coulter past

Out thro’ thy cell.

That wee bit heap o’ leaves and stibble,

Has cost thee monie a weary nibble!

Now thou’s turned out, for a’ thy trouble,

But house or hald,

To thole the Winter’s sleety dribble,

An’ cranreuch cauld!

But Mousie, thou art no thy lane,

In proving foresight may be vain:

The best-laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men

Gang aft agley,

An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain,

For promis’d joy!

Still thou are blest, compared wi’ me!

The present only toucheth thee:

But Och! I backward cast my e’e,

On prospects drear!

An’ forward, tho’ I cannot see,

I guess an’ fear!

Trump

NBC NEWS

The USA lost a reasonably decent and efficient President the other day when Jimmy Carter passed away.  Now, with Biden standing down and heading for the lounge where he has wished to be for the past 4 years we have the orange balloon Donald Trump in charge.

I sat through part of his inaugural speech while having my dinner but I found both hard to swallow.  

Here again was all the absurd conspiracy theories being played out in front of us.  Here again was all the nonsense offered during the election.  Here again he had the power to put some of this into practise.  

Already he has begun sacking those around him who do not toe the line, just like Adolf did in 1933. Already he has begun calling the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America!  Already he has passed absurd policies too many to mention, all of which, such as leaving the WHO will endanger thousands of US citizens.  He has also ended the protection on drug prices that benefit the less well off in the USA!  Already he has left the agreement that is intended to prevent tax dodging across over 100 countries.

We see where his heart lies, money!

The American people, those especially who voted for him, will be the ones losing out.

However, he has claimed there are only two genders, and is now imposing this on the USA.  I must say I agree with him there, though sexes is the word, not gender.  It will take a while before Keir receives instructions to do the same.  

I see nothing else positive, only trouble and strife for all normal people around the world.  The US was considered a batshit nation under Trump before, the world laughed at what they had done, and now he is back because they voted for him!  Unless of course we can have a word re those electronic machines that Musk has interfered with.

It is a long 4 years ahead, but we can rejoice that Jesus remains in control.  He rules the world, not these rich men.  Their time will come and there will be nothing too see once where they stood. 

High Sunday, Low Monday

Here we are, the contributing members before the service with a short prayer before beginning.  It's the usual short prayer, 'HELP!' which is offered.  We then retire to our positions, breath deeply and pray it all works.  

It usually does.  The man leads, songs are sung, the book is opened and read, a sermon is given, and one intercedes for the masses.  This time it was me.

I took my place quite relaxed.  I had a thumping heart all week, I was very tired, and found many were in similar but different situations.  These bugs are affecting so many people these days I wondered if we would all make it.  I clambered up to the rostrum, took out my script and as we had been reading Jesus at the wedding in Cana, where he turned water into wine, I mentioned my friend from long ago.  When the church was going through a charismatic change he read this story and decided to act.  He placed several glasses half filled with water around the flat so that as he passed he would command them to turn into wine.  Sadly, this did not occur.  However, this is always something we ought to keep in mind next time the shops are shut.

I blethered on, joking about the vicar taking a week in the tropical paradise of Oxford which went down well. Prayer is often full of respect and almost fear among some, I think being ourselves and straight talking to the Father is best.

Some appreciated this, so it was OK.  I felt this Sunday relaxed and 'at home' as it were.  Very good indeed.

Listening to Trump as he was sworn in, this was what came to my mind.  I do not think he will prove me wrong.  I also regret eating while watching this, I ought to know better not to listen to US politicians at such time.  

Private Eye

The Lawman and the Lawless.

 

Denis Law 20th February 1940 - 17th January 2025

Scotland has lost one of her greats, Denis Law, one of the finest footballers to come out of Scotland has passed away.  A loss to his family and to his nation.

Law's professional football career began as a 15 year old with Huddersfield Town in 1955.  He suffered from a squint which was fixed while there greatly improving his game.  A man called Bill Shankly, later famous at Liverpool was manager at the time.   Four years later he went to Manchester City for a then record fee of £55,000.  However, one year later Torino in Italy paid £110,000 for him.  Italian life was good but difficulties arose for Scots and English players there at that time, the style of play was far too  defensive at the time, soon Denis Law went back to Manchester, this time Manchester United paying £115,000 for his services, services which he duly repaid with outstanding football.  These appeared to be enormous sums of cash in the 1960s, however, if he played today he would outrank Lionel Messi when it came to transfer fees and weekly wage, his ability was greater than the Argentinians.

Denis Law became a Scotland regular at a time when some great Scottish footballers could be found, Jim Baxter and Dave MacKay played in most games alongside him for one.  Law scored 30 goals in a mere 55 games, other player may score more however, Scotland play many more internationals today.

Born in a poor area of Aberdeen during the war poverty was to be found in a home with 7 children.  He endured the same struggles many others had at the time and later in life was happy to receive the 'Freedom of the City Aberdeen.'  In 2012 a statue to Denis Law was unveiled at the Aberdeen Sports Village, in his famous pose having scored against England, his favourite hobby!  

Sadly Denis endured a type of dementia in his last years.  I recall him speaking of this a few years ago.   Many great players suffered this way in their last years, especially those where heading the ball was featured, and Denis Law was famous for his heading ability.  Whether this was part of the cause must be unclear for now.  

A great player and a great man, much missed by all Scots and lovers of football everywhere. 

The Conservative Disability Bill, not passed before the election, will be passed by the so called 'Labour Government.'  This Bill takes billions from the disabled with little care if they live or die.  This from a  Labour Government!  

We no longer have Labour and Tories these days, today we have class warfare between the very rich and everyone else.  The unemployed, the disabled, those badly paid, and pensioners are all targets for the elite who now run the UK, and indeed the USA and other western nations.  These are bankrolled by rich Billionaires, corporates who seek to end all benefits, and the NHS is a benefit to them, and force the masses to pay through the nose while they sit back and reap all dividends.  

Therefore Freeports and SEZs have become the norm, and soon they will begin reducing workers rights, attacking benefits of all sorts is now normal, and only the upper levels of society, that is those who have now bought all politicians on all sides, will benefit.

And the people have let this occur.

Where are the Keir Hardies' of today?

Where are the men standing up for the workers?

Where is the outrage from the workers?

They do not appear to exist.

Media propaganda has many looking at migrants in boats as the enemy.  Pointing 'over there' to an enemy that can be seen but in reality does not exist.  All the while the rights of the 'Farage Rioters' are being eroded before their very eyes and they cannot see it because of propaganda. 

Energy companies, supermarkets, Freeports and SEZs laugh at the people who sit back and take the price increases and vote for the people who are encouraging such increases!  The people were warned Labour was no more, the people ignored this.  We are now owned by billionaires and few realise this or how it will end.  Law is a fickle thing, any opposition will soon fall under a new Law, easily enacted by a parliament looking only to self interest.  The future is bleak and the lower orders and the middle classes will be paying for it while blaming everyone else!

The White Heather Club (10/10/60)

Toothless

 

What a good feeling, not having pain in the tooth!

The very good dentist quickly explained all, drilled and cut and removed almost painlessly the offender.  How glad was I!

Having eaten little for a week I am now attempting to make up for what I missed.  Sadly, this means rising early tomorrow and visiting Sainsburys before the crowds get in.  I could do without this.  However, that is where the food is stored, just behind very large price tags that provide huge benefits for shareholders and CEOs.  

How nice not to have that pain.

How do people survive on real pain I wonder?   Over the counter drugs do not always alleviate pain, and if they do it does not last.  How lucky and grateful I am today!

Of course, the wood pigeons gathered up in the trees preening themselves after eating have cared little.  All day they have sat there soaking up what sunshine there is, all puffed up to keep in the heat.

I cannot understand how they survive when it snows.

 Keir has stated that he is fully behind the Chancellor Rachel Reeves.  This has resulted in the 'Daily Star,' the paper that contested a Lettuce against Liz Truss, to offer up another lettuce to see if she can outdo Liz and beat the vegetable.   By vegetable I mean lettuce, not Keir.  Rachels new idea is to cut benefits for the disabled!  What an idea, something that has been going on for 14 years is to be tried again.  I also have an idea, keep the benefits and TAX THE RICH!

Nicola separating from her husband has all the wags talking.  Is this to avoid going to jail along with him, or is she going to jail?  Is this because she is a lesbian as many have thought and she is moving in with that story writer in Kirkcaldy?  Will she be letting go of her place in Holyrood (NO!) and should she be put on trial for her offences (YES!).  

We wait and see.

Frost and RMT News

The frost covered field was beginning to slowly thaw as I returned from the shop this morning.  The low temperature had not bothered me during the night, snug as a bug with my bedbugs as I was, but it would have been a problem for those working the night shift.

It always amazes me how bright the sun can be when the whole world is covered in whiteness.  The roofs, the fields, the cars, one of which was being driven by a chap who had not bothered to remove the inch thick frost from his windscreen.  Mr Plod was not impressed.  Quite how anyone could consider driving when he could not see though the windscreen is a question that cannot be easily answered.  Not that he is driving now of course.

The gritter vehicles will have been out and about, almost all of these giant yellow vehicles, lights flashing as they go, have been given names in Scotland and elsewhere.   The Scots vehicles names include-

'Blizzard of Oz'

'Yes Sir, Ice Can Boogie'

'Snow Connery' and 

'You Only Grit Ice.'

This is good and keeps people freezing to death happy as they see these vehicles pass during the night splaying the road with grit, ensuring some degree of safety to the roads and enabling the kids to get thrown out to school, well out off Mums way so she can get some peace.

Vast amounts are spent on grit each year, and it is not unusual to hear, in Summer, Tory like people complain about the cost.  In Winter they are the first to complain about the roads!  Bah!

This is sad news for the RMT.  Mick Lynch has always appeared as a clear headed, well spoken negotiator, always ready to oppose the rich stealing from the poor and to protect what we used to call 'working class' people.  He became famous as the Conservative government deliberately refused to negotiate during the rails strikes.  Questioned by hostile reporters employed by government state TV and radio he quickly disposed of their slanted questions, stated the case for his people, and made clear the rail companies, under government orders, refusal to negotiate.  

His appearances on hostile TV programmes made him famous as he indicated the lies from government ministers and others, stated his own case clearly, and refuted all and sundry when opposed. The union movement, and the working people of this nation will miss him when he goes.

His million pound salary, less than most CEOs of the companies he opposed, was criticised, as was his remaining in a council house.  He did nothing wrong in this, the only problem was the well paid Tory questioners seeking hypocrisy to match their own.  

I fear there is none available to take his place.  The UK is now owned by corporates, usually based in the USA.  Freeports and SEZs are taking away the rights of the workers, few there are who can speak for them as clearly as this man has done.  

The future is bleak in industrial relations in the UK.  Thinking Conservatives have been replaced by an intellectual level that in days past would not have allowed them to be elected.  Many in both sides of the House would fail to become MPs is Churchill, Attlee or Thatcher were around today.  Making the rich richer, and getting a slice for yourself is the key for most today, the future is bleak.

Thursday Twaddle

Another day of joy and happiness passes by, the usual suspects playing silly games for us.  

I note Liz Truss, she of the £40 or 70 Billion disaster as PM has sent a lawyers letter telling the present inept PM to stop saying she was at fault for her fault.  'Cease and desist claiming I crippled the economy,' she writes. 

If I were PM I would reply,

'Thank you for your letter, I acknowledge receipt.

Your letter has been filed in the bin alongside a 44 day old lettuce.'

I remain etc... 

I suspect he will not desist or cease, and if she does sue, which she will not, it will be interesting to see what else comes out of this.  Her future will be assured as a failure sadly.  What a waste of a life.

President Musk, soon to be officially sworn in, is apparently desperate to replace Farage as leader of 'Reform.'  Now Reform is not a political Party, it is a business.  Those who sign up have no voice, no vote, and merely pay in money which ends up in Farage and Tice's pockets, Farage taking around 2/3rds of the cash.  He has already made £600,000 they claim from his other jobs since become MP.  Quite how Musk can replace Farage at the top with another billionaire who he does not know is worth considering.

Every so often a tyrant of some sort arises, Hitler and Stalin, and who thinks of them today?  Others in their locale have been dictators, now forgotten, others will rise like Putin, threaten the world, but can be seen off.  No worries here.  

Choosing a New Bishop | Yes, Prime Minister | BBC Comedy Greats

Teeth Get on my Nerves.

Much prayer and paracetamol has passed in the last few days.  One of my rotten teeth became rotten and has given me increasing pain.  It was touching on unbearable at times, sleep was difficult as was eating, and today I went round the dentists trying to get in. 

The first two I tried possessed friendly, even caring receptionists, who threw me out as there was no NHS openings with their men.  Both were helpful and looked willing to aid me if possible however, that was not possible so back home to pray for guidance or healing.  

Healing was not given, not while there are dentists around to do the job it appeared.  Instead I was led to a dentists who had an open door for trauma teeth.  This was not NHS but by now I had stopped caring, I also had some idea of the prices and considered this was worth it.  

So, of I ran at high speed, crashed in the door and fell at the receptionists feet demanding mercy.

This was given.

Highly efficient and polite she enabled me to see a man in an hours time, less actually as they called me to come early, again I ran.  As I entered the door a second receptionist was on duty, she recognised me by my desperate face.  

Soon I was ensconced in a  fancy chair, a man prodding my teeth here and 'ouch' yes there, while a lovely young lass floated around silently providing his requirements.  Proddings abundant, X-Rays, note how they both run away to the far side when X-rays are taken thus providing assurance, and other bits were on offer, along with relevant questions and photographs of my teeth. 

So, he decided the nerves in a broken tooth had died, thus leading to swelling, this pain, thus he froze it somewhat and made a date to remove the beast next Monday afternoon.  So, armed with antibiotics and hope I gleefully went home, at the moment able to eat again.  How soon the pain will return I know not but paracetamol is abundant today in here.

The lack of NHS dentists is clear, no money for the dentist in this.  Today my examination cost £60 and the tooth extraction will be £165.  I can afford this, though some other work will cost vast amounts, in the 500s or so.  Therefore I was not recommended this.  The emergency fund has a use, and is being used as it ought to be.  

One small tooth ruined my week.  It is years since I have had toothache and I do not want it again.  I may however, take more care of my teeth now.  

All else is at a standstill, nothing else mattered, nothing else interested or kept me occupied.  Even the plan to clean the oven has been put back, and this is a shame.  Maybe later.

US Rail

These early mornings, while the sun decides whether or not to appear, I often drink my coffee to the background of US railways.  This is merely to show some sign of life in the world, while I attempt to find my head.  The coffee ought to do this, especially now I am slurping to a Sainsburys 'Winter Edition,' ground coffee. 

 

 'A medium dark roast coffee,

with hints of cinnamon, dried fruits,

and bittersweet dark chocolate.' 

Hmmm, thought I, this sounds like the scrapings of the leftovers from the other coffee's.  And lo and behold, on the back we read this coffee comes from Ethiopia, Guatemala and Indonesia!  As I thought, the leftovers mixed together to create a 'Winter Edition,' dark, strong and rough.  Still, Sainsburys only made £30 billion profit last year, I understand when they have to scrape things together.

What the coffee on Amtrak railways is like I cannot say, though it must be better than this.  As the greyness seen behind closed curtains lightens slowly I watch Amtrak, interrupted by an occasional CSX freight hauling over a hundred wagons, heading from Richmond, just a short ten minutes south of Ashland, all the way to Boston Massachusetts.  This is a long trip and I wonder why people board the train here at 6:19 in the morning.  Leaving Richmond at 5:35 am it arrives in the far north at 15:47 pm, all things going well.  Notoriously, Amtrak trains do not get priority on US lines.  These lines are owned by the bog US rail companies,  CSX, BNSF and Union Pacific amongst them.  This means they own the lines and their freight gets priority.  As a result many trains run hours late, though on this line such delays are less common than on other lines.  

So, when they board in Ashland, Virginia early on, where are they going?  Washington DC is the first major city on the run and arrival just before 9 am would suit commuters I suppose.  If you do commute this way at what time would you return?  Allowing for delays you might not get back that day, or that week if the snow falls and lies deep.  Most either remain in town for a week or have other business up that way.  

I would love to travel these long lines in the USA.  This one goes through Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York, before the engine become electric and continues to Providence and Boston.  More than a thousand miles covered here, so few must do the entire trip in one go.  Surely for Americans aircraft would be better on such a distance?  

There are of course other stops along the way, and other trains cover a similar route, some beginning in Miami where Donald Trump plots to remove President Musk, and goes all the way to New York or Chicago.  Such long rail trips, and I can hardly get a train to Liverpool Street these days.  That is something I must do soon.

There is something about rail travel, apart from commuting, which is enjoyable.  If you commute daily it becomes a slog, especially if using one of London's stations, however, a reasonably long trip by rail can be enjoyable, much better than by bus, as long as the train is not crowded and the passengers, sorry we must call them customers these days, behave.  I must get among them this year to commemorate 200 years of rail travel since the opening of the Stockton to Darlington line in 1825.  200 years of innovation and indeed disaster, fun and joy, economic growth and the opening of new vistas to people of all levels.  Rail changed the way the world lives more than computers I say, I say while using a  computer...

Railway Museum

New Year Continues...

 

Christmas is over, England, well some of it, has returned to work, normal life restarts and individuals begin to understand what day it is once again.  Traffic shows signs of life, the supermarkets raise their prices and energy bills have gone up again.  Normal UK life.

Already 'spam' messages call my mobile.  Where is Pontypridd anyway?  Thankfully these are marked as 'spam' as clearly this crook is well known.  The electric crooks call to inform me I need a smart meter on both gas and electric, ignoring the fact that they know I cannot install one, and anyway they do not provide gas.  

Interestingly, the family have not called.  Tsk!  This means I have to pay to call them, meanies.

So, as the sky is blue, the yellow thing hangs around in the air, and the temperature drops once again, we march into a new year, not concerned re the dating system but looking to the arrive soon of Spring.  That has been going on in this place for thousands of years, long before the ice ages came and went, long before those standing stones or cursors were created.  Man has looked to the warmer weather with hope and cheered by brighter days.  We have not changed much since those days of long ago.  Basically we remain the same.  I suspect however, we live longer and have warmer homes.  Plus overpriced supermarkets which save us the requirement of hunting deer or fishing for lunch.  

Of course the USA has trouble.  Not only has a man blown himself up outside a Trump Tower in a Musk car, but another ISIS impersonator has killed 14 in New Orleans.  I believe there has been two shootings, involving several people, also.  God bless the freedom of the USA.  

Scottish Football continues to shock, not only did a lousy Rangers side romp home against a feeble Celtic for the first time in 10 years but the Heart of Midlothian won a victory and did not throw this away!  

Onwards and upwards...

Happy New Year 2025

May you walk in light and happiness throughout 2025.  

May all obstacles and difficulties be overcome and may joy be with you always.

Hogmany 2024

 

Post-Christmas Ramble...

BBC

An Azerbaijan aircraft flying over Southern Russia crashes while landing in Kazakhstan.  It appears to have been shot down by eager Russians fearing Ukrainian drones, possibly.  A South Korean airliner crashes while landing, the landing gear failing leaving at least 179 dead.  Add to this a Norwegian aircraft also had problems near Russian territory, and others in the Baltic region have found interference in communications also.  Those who suffer have all been NATO partners, now questions are arising re Moscow's involvement.

Could the man who sent his people to poison opponents in Salisbury, killing anyone who got in the way as you do, and who has found opponents and  critics falling out of high buildings across Europe be involved.

Nothing new in Russia killing people far from home, the Tsar did this in Germany to critics, Stalin removed Trotsky in Mexico via an ice pick, and Neo- Stalin Putin is eager to do similar.  Would he be involved in these plane interferences and crashes?  Of course he would!  

Enjoy your flight...

Christmas comes but once a year, and with it comes Amazon vouchers!  This is great!  However, as most of the vouchers will go towards second hand books obtained from er, Amazon, I am going to need more bookcases.  O woe is me!  Especially as I have no more room for a bookcase.  

On top of this I still have not finished the books in the waiting queue, yet here am I beginning to plan for more.  Some on view have to be read, some in the loo, some in the west wing, and some lying in front of me.  Just where am I going to get the time for this?  

I might end up with piles of books lying on the floor leaning half-heartedly against things.  This will make the monthly hoovering difficult, and I may spend much time falling over them.  All this because of Christmas generosity.

Tsk!  Life is so difficult these days.  

One Christmas benefit was the roast dinner offered to me yesterday.  How lovely to be in a clean house, well run, with a wonderful roast dinner given by good people.  The trouble was trying to remember how to eat properly, not dropping bits on the floor, or messing up the clean table cover.  Today of course I am unable to eat, nothing whatsoever in this house tastes so good after that!   

Pie and chips tomorrow...

Dreich!

Boxing Day 2024

Boxing Day, a day to recover from yesterday's excess, or indeed to contribute much more to that weight problem.  The day begins slowly, dreich weather greets the dog walkers, dull clouds span the horizon dampening enthusiasm for the Boxing Day walk.  However, already one or two well wrapped joggers pass by full of an enthusiasm I do not copy.  

They say Boxing Day was the day boxing fights occurred but while such events may have taken place, often illegal prize fights, it appears the idea may have developed over a great many centuries.  This being the Feast Day of St Stephen in some types of church, boxes were placed at the door where money collected was used for gifts to those in need.  Later, a gift box on that day was given to servants, tradesmen and employees, or others in need, and servants were given the day off, usually.   Today, for many it is merely a shopping trip, though with all the goods collected over the previous 24 hours you might wonder why?  Shops will be open, staff forced to work, money collected abundantly, yet folks will still grumble.  Those with no money will of course not participate in such dealings.

The day continues with Twitter revealing masses of pictures showing families dressing matching pyjamas.  Now where on earth did such a trend begin?  And indeed why?  A family with young kids may do such a thing, but placing photographs across social media does indicate an outlook I do not share.  Twitter also offers many people telling us cheerfully if their sick relatives, or indeed how grannie died during the night!  Now this is relevant to those who know you, it is not relevant to the entire world.  I suspect with many users who have fled Twitter and joined BlueSky the algorithm offers anything to fill the empty spaces.  This is why I receive info on Pakistan politics, Brazilian murders, and things in Chinese or Malayan that make no sense to me.  The tarts are much more obvious also.

Christmas tv, which I avoided, was full of Black and White films from before the war, action films from 30 years ago and kids stuff, which all the grannies watched.  

Today, in between the spam from online shops made use off in the last month, we see Twitter filled with pictures of royalty walking to church.  People, often in wheelchairs, line their path offering gifts to the multi millionaires who care not a jot about them, certainly not about the cost of heating and the lack of a winter fuel payment.  What is it about England that they need a monarch to bow down to? 

The Princess fills the pages of the media while propaganda informs us of their popularity, but in Scotland that has waned much in recent years and dim Willie will not become a welcome addition to Scotland.

All in I find Christmas is lost in sentimental slush, present buying, supermarket visiting and money laundering to pay for it all.  It's a relief to be in a church and find a stable environment (stable, geddit?).