Christmas 2023

So it is Christmas, not that is the same Christmas as in the past as with one Aunt unwell and of course Mom not being here that's two faces missing, two hugs less apart from the rituals before that you are abruptly reminded.

Still despite everything there is Christmas, tree, nativity scene and fairy is out plus cards arranged across the window sill and mantle place and dinner is underway.

There were some presents such as the Triple Pack of Beano and Dandy annuals from past and in the case of the Beano very modern and present day.

For enjoyment later is this up to date compilation of  eighties synth pop from Erasure taking us from O L'Amour to the mid twenty tens via unforgettable songs like Stop! spread across two lps.

And then there's a Winnie the Pooh dairy which given my brain is invaluable for noting what is happening when as I forget.

I had some money to put toward some feature purchases in the new year which should see me away earlier on the year.

Christmas edition

It's the norm on this blog for as many years as I care to remember to pause matters just before Christmas as I have more than enough to do as people come and those we used to visit are no longer around.

For some of us Carolling was always a thing and to hear at least traditional carols being sang if not to join in community singing for me is a magical recreation I love as an adult little girl that runs through the core of Christmas.

*** HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE ***

The tree is out!

After last weeks music 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 people here have a collection to  pay 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.

Obviously it isn't going to be the same as Mom's not around anymore as messed up as last Christmas was with both of us very unwell although I have got The Grump tm to bring out the Christmas tree and the Nativity scene Mom and I so looked forward to setting up plus things like the milk and a Turkey have been sorted out.

It's just the memories of going around the shops looking for gifts, trying out clothes, seeing Santa Claus on the district shopping centre and walking to visit family and friends with presents and cards that I'll miss.

Warming up with Genesis

Brr it's very cold and has even snowed here so we're going to be in and rather wrapped up so it's time to spin some discs, keeping occupied.

Nearly all of my albums by progressive rock group Genesis are on cd as the few I had on tape got converted over the decades but the sounds a bit hit and miss on some of those early titles so I have a few on vinyl.

This is a epic story of Raul a Porto Rican boy finding himself spread across four sides of vinyl which was remixed in 2007 by Nick Davis but I found the original UK lp from the 70's much better.

This to my ears does work bringing tracks like The Carpet Crawlers to life.

Duke was a bit of an event in early 1980 coming out around the same time as Rush's Permanent Waves which was the first call on my pocket money.

I had a friend who was heavily into the group and played it to me for most of that year before I got around to getting my own copy.

It found a way of mixing long tracks that segue into each other on a concept album with hit singles such as Misunderstanding and Turn It On Again which I did like.

What went wrong recording and mixing this remains a mystery but the production just doesn't expand having a cardboardy feel to it and next to no bass.

While nothing can rectify all of that the 2007 remix does bring some bass, better projection of Phi Collin's vocals and inner clarity.

This will do very nicely until someone does any better at fixing this album.

Advent 2023

While I'm wrapped up with fleecy top and bottoms with hot cocoa with the minus temperatures here waiting for the postman to call collect a parcel return as Amazon goofed up totally and being smartphone free return options as most now use QR codes at the collection point it kind of reminds you we have only so many days to go before CatMas.

Usually like most littles I countdown the days and traditionally that involves an Advent calendar with chocolate to be revealed as the days get fewer and fewer.

This years is a little different for being that of the arch nemesis of CatMas, the Grinch who as you'll remember tried to steal Christmas but included with this is a Happy Christmas greeting.

Perhaps the Grinch gets the point?

Anyway get set to enjoy the countdown yourself!

Taking stock of the found records

It's been another damp weekend not being helped here by having NO Beano although I have a subscription and another comic was a few days late too so it was find something useful to do time.

One strange quirk since the events of earlier this year has been the sporadic reappearance of things from the past presumed lost or chucked out and this has included a clutch of records but some go back ages so in order to sort them into those to stay and any that might need replacing you do need to not just look at them but play them too.

This three lp set was one on the list to check over so seeing this was going to take time I did play.

These accounts of Beethoven's later piano concertos are amongst the finest ever recorded but playing them did reveal some wear - constant noise in the groove - from the earliest record player I had apart from some wear and tear to the actual box so I think I'll replace this set as the playing is enrapturing rather like I did with the odd Beethoven symphony from the whole set I bought in the 1970's.

This will be used as the amount of new vinyl reissues for classical has been lower pop and rock although it is starting to show signs improvement.

Remembrance

Weekend whatever the popular press was focused on for some of us is about Remembrance when we remember all who served, the dead as much as the living however they served our country.

That link between those who served and those of us who gained from their sacrifice the peace and freedom we benefit so much from is one of the most profound links which for all who served in guides, scouts, boys brigade and so on honour through marching and taking part in the remembrance service while leaders teach as we we taught about it and what as guides and scouts we contributed ourselves on the home front.

The cenotaph is where we lay our wreaths as some of us recall doing forming a line with other representatives to lay them in order. 

I like many others this weekend will remember them.