And it’s back to me.
Yes, after a well earned break, and the wonderful, thoughtful input of the totally terrific Tina, it is a completely unearned return to the inane ramblings of the household seated person (i.e. me)
But what to write about? Well, for once that’s an easy one because, once again, ‘tis the season. The sleigh bells are starting to ring. The geese are beginning to get fat. Take a deep breath and dive right in because, as someone once famously said…
It’s Chriiiiiiiiiiiistmmaaaaaaassss!!!
Food For Thought
Alright. No. It isn’t. Not quite.
As I type, though it’s two weeks exactly until the big day we’ve seemingly been preparing for since September. Two weeks, Thirteen shopping days, assuming Amazon next day delivery is working on Xmas Eve.
It’s going to fly by.
So, presents… done!
And that just leaves the trimming up. Something I’m usually completely ambivalent to. After all, even if one were to ascribe to the Judeo-Christian reason for the season (I don’t) there’s not many Scots Pines or bit of tinsel the baby Jesus would have come across in his 33 years in the Roman run middle east.
However…
This year we have a special guest. This year Sarah, my super-duper Step-Daughter is staying with us for Xmas week which means all stops will be pulled out.
Top Of The Tree
A new tree is on order, although my quite novel idea for a topper (I'll leave it to your imagination) has been mooted, new lights have been bought along with window decorations. I’m under no illusion more will follow. It will probably look like Xmas has thrown up all over Chez Rankin, although as long as I can leave the putting up of said decorations to the ladies, perhaps while offering constructive criticism, I’ll be a relatively happy man.
That is not to say I’ll be in any way ‘bah humbug’ (humbug, Baldrick?). An Xmas jumper and Santa hat has already been procured, and I’m more than happy to lend my hard fought expertise when it comes to matters of port and mince pies.
Two weeks, eh?
Until next time!
#
Hey, there! If you enjoyed reading any of the above, why not take a look at some of my published work? Below you’ll find links to a number of short stories I’m lucky enough to have included in anthologies. I’d love to know what you think.
New Tales Of Old
Death Ship
Pestilence: Drabbles 1
Reaperman: Drabbles 3
The Musketeers Vs Cthulhu
Eldritch Investigations
Which makes it a boon that, for once, yours truly and ‘er indoors, are uncharacteristically prepared.
True, none of the food shopping has been sorted, but, as a lot of said food will be of the fresh variety, and as Xmas dinner is being hosted by my wonderful sister-in-law, Jen this year there's only a partial contribution to worry about. I’ll do the bird, especially as last year's brining worked a treat and I’m keen to give it another go. I might even repeat my triumphant spiced, braised red cabbage.
Apart from that, though, it will be booze, sweet treats, nibbles, booze, chips to accompany the cold meat, booze, and maybe a drop of booze
So food and drink, check! Easy peasy.
A Wrap
Gifts are a piece of cake, too. Not an actual piece of cake, you understand. That would show a lack of thought and imagination, although it might also save a few bob. No, we’re talking individually chosen shop vouchers accompanied with a small but keenly chosen ‘opening’ gift for the most part and we’re also talking past tense, as the gift shopping was done and dusted with one relatively painless (Primark Xmas jumper shopping aside) visit to The White Rose Centre and the gentle interventions of Amazon.
True, none of the food shopping has been sorted, but, as a lot of said food will be of the fresh variety, and as Xmas dinner is being hosted by my wonderful sister-in-law, Jen this year there's only a partial contribution to worry about. I’ll do the bird, especially as last year's brining worked a treat and I’m keen to give it another go. I might even repeat my triumphant spiced, braised red cabbage.
Apart from that, though, it will be booze, sweet treats, nibbles, booze, chips to accompany the cold meat, booze, and maybe a drop of booze
So food and drink, check! Easy peasy.
A Wrap
Gifts are a piece of cake, too. Not an actual piece of cake, you understand. That would show a lack of thought and imagination, although it might also save a few bob. No, we’re talking individually chosen shop vouchers accompanied with a small but keenly chosen ‘opening’ gift for the most part and we’re also talking past tense, as the gift shopping was done and dusted with one relatively painless (Primark Xmas jumper shopping aside) visit to The White Rose Centre and the gentle interventions of Amazon.
So, presents… done!
And that just leaves the trimming up. Something I’m usually completely ambivalent to. After all, even if one were to ascribe to the Judeo-Christian reason for the season (I don’t) there’s not many Scots Pines or bit of tinsel the baby Jesus would have come across in his 33 years in the Roman run middle east.
However…
This year we have a special guest. This year Sarah, my super-duper Step-Daughter is staying with us for Xmas week which means all stops will be pulled out.
Top Of The Tree
A new tree is on order, although my quite novel idea for a topper (I'll leave it to your imagination) has been mooted, new lights have been bought along with window decorations. I’m under no illusion more will follow. It will probably look like Xmas has thrown up all over Chez Rankin, although as long as I can leave the putting up of said decorations to the ladies, perhaps while offering constructive criticism, I’ll be a relatively happy man.
That is not to say I’ll be in any way ‘bah humbug’ (humbug, Baldrick?). An Xmas jumper and Santa hat has already been procured, and I’m more than happy to lend my hard fought expertise when it comes to matters of port and mince pies.
Two weeks, eh?
Until next time!
#
Hey, there! If you enjoyed reading any of the above, why not take a look at some of my published work? Below you’ll find links to a number of short stories I’m lucky enough to have included in anthologies. I’d love to know what you think.
New Tales Of Old
Death Ship
Pestilence: Drabbles 1
Reaperman: Drabbles 3
The Musketeers Vs Cthulhu
Eldritch Investigations
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