Moving towards the day

One more week before we go on the CatMas pause here as not much Tm will happen until after we've actually got through the christmas period with things like cards to write, preparations to be with friends just before Christmas week - bit of a first with me - and the inevitable visits although to be fair CatMas with Mom doesn't seem the same.

This weekend scouts will be out ho-ho-ho with Mr Claus although due to leadership recruitment issues the local Brownies folded a few years back, more's the pity  so they won't but in GirlGuiding there is a actually a Christmas badge and this is one from that bleak period in 2020 that I'm sure really helped.

As ever, across the area the signs are all though from candy canes, reindeer's of many sizes, post boxes for santa to leave his presents and many elves.

The official trees are are up, the council tree on a green presently soggy lung, one by the CoE church and this the one we the community raised funds for as it is where it can be used for carols and other gatherings, all illuminated and decorated.

I might just add this is first post on the new Chromebook since it arrived last week and was set up.

Another week in the countdown

 Cold enough?

It's been a very cold few days here with temperatures well in the minus region - we don't do degrees f here - so being out has meant being wrapped up even when its been okay to be out on wobbly paws.

Catmas is beginning to take shape with a christmas carols by the tree event being held last Saturday for everyone young and old who was up to it.

Yesterday one Mr S Claus put an appearance in as the christmas lights, reindeer and sleighs are multiplying in the gardens coupled with local shops being decorated out.

 

This is one of two official trees, outside a local church, the damp excuse of a tree provided by the council, wilting and at a bit of angle due to the ongoing subsidence issues here is being by us cos it just isn't a proper Christmas tree we can use for things.

The church is also open at certain times for anyone needing a warm faced with problems with heating costs being a struggle.

Going backwards for Christmas

This weekend may not seem up to much so I'm getting this done earlier than usual as it is blowing a gale outside as I type this.

That if you did not recognize it is the front cover from Princess Tina in an 1971 edition, a comic from the 1970's drawn by the Spanish comic artist Purita Campos who died in 2019 aged 82.

What you may not know is she was a prolific contributor to girls comics in the UK throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

Her most popular strip was Patty's World which began in Princess Tina in 1971. She also illustrated many covers for that comic and others.

To me such series were very much the whole nature of girlhood specifically as it applied to school life writ large.

That was taken in these conditions too, this years "Christmas" tree to which majority opinion is somewhat under impressed by paid and put up by the Council.

The cottages  in the background date to the late Victorian era built for workers at the local mill since demolished for housing and yes the ground they are on is lower than the road thanks to subsidence.

Things for Christmas are arriving here as I get on with writing a few cards with torch at hand lest the power go off today.

Until next week, bye.

Oh Christmas Tree

After last week's post in this crazy year I went out for a stroll only to find something familiar had returned.

In among the many Christmas decorated houses and gardens, the community Christmas Tree had come back which normally would be the focal point of carolling this weekend but that is presently out with singing in any close public setting but at least it's here.

A beacon of hope for the incoming year, something we could certainly use.

The countdown begins...

After last weeks post we'll start the countdown toward Christmas as I work the blogging schedule as I'm usually pretty busy but i think it should be two full posts and something on or around Christmas Day.

 At the start of last week, our Christmas tree came which in this age of elf and safety had to planted and wired by people with certificates not sophisticats lest somebody either climb up it or try stealing the bulbs whilst turned on.
The Parish Council pays for the tree which is as well as we do want something like this at Christmas and keeps the lights that have to put on it.
I think every town and estate should have one.
On Friday the good folk here had a Carol Service under the tree enjoying themselves and going to a chapel for refreshments afterwards
Normally people such as the Round Table have a mobile santa visiting waving at everyone  as we wave back with the Scouts providing the trailer - yes I love this bit of Christmas  - while blasting out christmas tunes and collecting for the needy.

 Meanwhile as we're into Advent, the Advent calendar is up and most nom'able, a day at a time as we count down Xmas having consumed the Rabbit yesterday!

Ready girl?

So the season moves ever closer with just a week to run as you put the finishing touches to your card writing, present wrapping and personal deliveries to family such as my aunts who have played an important part in encouraging me to just be myself.

Christmas unlike in previous childhood is set to be a very feminine girlie thing whatever errors the odd relative might make with presents that are suited for a girl, a staring role with mommy in the kitchen making chrismas leaving the boys with the men doing their thing.

I'm to dress very femininely with frills, pinks and no hiding under track pants and the like because I feel so much better for being who I am.

That is the real gift of the year.

Happy Christmas!