Thursday, December 24, 2009

Marooned on Christmas Eve


We have lots of supplies and luxuries - especially after receiving a Fortnum and Mason’s Hamper from our family in Australia but I had planned to nip down to the town today to get some little extra gifts for MTL; he has already had and worn his main present and who knows – in spite of his stoic exterior, there could be a little boy inside disappointed not to have something under the tree. Some of us never quite grow up. However unless the ice melts I have to be sensible and stay put.


Here’s a timely homily to all you busy housewives:-

The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once.

Samuel Smiles (1812-1904)


This made me smile – from Alan Bennett’s ‘Writing Home’

Gore Vidal is being interviewed on Start the Week along with Richard (Watership Down) Adams. Adams is asked what he thought of Vidal’s new novel about Lincoln.

’I thought it was meretricious.’

‘Really?’says Gore. ‘Well, meretricious and a happy new year.’

Love it.


I hesitate to say I'll be dormant for a few days as it often signals a daily post but I aim to do some delayed writing so see you when I see you.

35 comments:

Ms Scarlet said...

Have a good one Pat, Merry Christmas!
Sx

Pat said...

And to you Scarlet

kenju said...

Don't you dare go out in the ice, Pat!! Merry Christmas to you and MTL!

Pat said...

Judy: it melted and I did:) And to you and Mr Kenju.

Leah said...

Happy Christmas, Pat, and I hope you have a productive writing time!

xo

Pat said...

Leah: thank you - fingers crossed:)

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Wishing you the Happiest of Holidays, my dear Pat. Hoping Santa is very good to you and yours.

And I LOVE your NEW Profile Picture. Such a Pretty Happy Open Face....DELIGHTFUL! Perfect for The Season and for all time!

Pat said...

Naomi: I'm glad you like the photo. my son took it at the week-end of the two of us but I'm only allowed to show me:)
I've just told MTL that the Queen opens her presents on Christmas Eve - a German custom - but I have to wait till Christmas morning he says.

Charlie said...

It has been a wonderful year getting to know you, Pat. Here's wishing you and YTL a Merry Christmas!

Kim Ayres said...

Fortnum and Mason’s Hamper delivered? I'll hear no more complaints about M&S being 30 miles away then...

Wishing you and yours all the very best :)

Pat said...

Charlie: likewise and it was all down to lovely Kim.

Kim: mustn't grumble:) Thank you for the friendly bloggers I have met through you.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

My Dear...It is Christmas Day where you are and by now maybe you have opened your presents...I hope Santa...AKA MTL was very very good to you...! It is almost 3AM here on Christmas Day and I am going to go to bed now.
Have A BEAUTIFUL Day, with you and yours, my dear Pat....!

Pat said...

Naomi: thank you - presents are opened and gratefully received and worn where possible. Finally showered and dressed and about to swan down and prepare the table. Sleep well Naomi and I look forward to another year of your friendship.

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas, Pat, and to YTL.

Jack

Pat said...

Thank you Jack and to you and yours and keep on snapping;)

Anonymous said...

I trust all went well and that the tea and biscuit are holding out.

Cheers.

Pat said...

Randall: 'twas peaceful and quiet and we needn't shop for days. Just as well as most of the day I am madly revising and determined to keep at it for a few more days.
Hope yours was lovely too.

rashbre said...

Merry Christmas!

Pat said...

Rashbre: thank you and a happy 2010 to you:)

Kevin Musgrove said...

apologies for the late "Merry Christmas!"

Hope you stayed put and had a safe one. The pavements are like a skating rink round our way (I seriously considered taking up my mum's offer of the loan of her spare walking frame for the journey home).

Pat said...

Kevin: thank you - we did stay put and had a safe one. I'm not allowing myself to wander into cyber space until I have a few more chapters under my ever expanding belt. I hope you are having time off and a rest.

Rosaria Williams said...

Stopped in from another blog, curious about the title. You have quite a sense of style here. Love it.

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

And I hope 2010 is wonderful!

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Watership Down...haha...I bought it for my mother for her birthday a few years ago. She looked at it with slight...puzzlement, not too happy.

Then she COULD NOT STOP READING. I still laugh at her.

Pat said...

Lakeviewer: thank you that is very encouraging:)

GG: thank you. You have such a great relationship with your mother - makes me realise how much I miss mine especially as the period I'm writing about she was very much a rock in my life.

Barlinnie said...

Stay warm doll, and most of all.. stay you.

Daphne Wayne-Bough said...

Too late for a Merry Christmas so I'll wish you a happy New Year instead.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Wishing you a very Happy New Year, Dear Pat. May 2010 be a Healthy and Happy Year for ALL of you...but most especially you and your dear MTL!

Mage said...

Stay warm and dry....we will see you on your return.

Pat said...

Jimmy,Daphne, Naomi and Maggie: thank you for your sweet wishes. I'll be back soon.

Anonymous said...

Ice? Cold? I know it's likely a big bother for you but to me right now it sounds heavenly. It's over 30 degrees and isn't even 10 am yet...

Anonymous said...

Popping in to wish you a Happy New Year. Not to many fizzy drinks tonight, dear.

Cheers.

Pat said...

Miss Diarist: we get that same reaction frAm our family in Brisbane. and it sounds heavenly to me:)

Randall: funny you should say that. We had a bottle of fizzy stuff in the hamper but decided to save it for one of our many anniversaries next week. I trust you also have been behaving and all best wishes for 2010.

Blazing said...

Pat, thanks for dropping by. May I wish you a happy, but more importantly, healthy new year. Keep up the great work in 2010.

Pat said...

Blazing: many thanks for your wishes and also to you. I had trouble finding your comment;)