Category: dates & time

cattle prattle

One of the wonderful things about living in a multicultural society is the way it offers you so many opportunities to celebrate so many things. Or, perhaps, so many opportunities to celebrate the same thing several times and in different ways

I don’t like the commercialisation of festivities, so I’m not a great one for Christmas and the like, and I don’t usually celebrate New Year, either. But there are years when I’m beginning to feel a little more positive a bit later on in January, and if that’s the case, I can celebrate Reyes (aka Epiphany) on January 6th. Or I can wait and celebrate Old New Year on January 14th.
Continue reading “cattle prattle”

signs of spring

To be frank, despite the post title, I don’t think I’ve seen many signs of spring yet this year. But I did open the kitchen door wide on Friday morning to a bright early morning and think perhaps the air smelt fresher and milder. Then, of course, there was cold rain later on and yesterday brought sleet, although not the heavy snow that had been forecast.

Of course spring, like most of the seasons, is a wonderfully confusing concept: when does it actually begin?
Continue reading “signs of spring”

of hope and happiness

So many people have been anxious to see the back of the year 2020 that I suppose it’s a bit of a pity that the New Year couldn’t have been celebrated more extensively. Personally, though, I’m just glad there aren’t more headlines today reporting illegal gatherings and events to greet 2021.

But much as we have looked ahead to 2021 with optimism and anticipation, I can’t help thinking of Gatsby’s elusive green light – “the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us.”
Continue reading “of hope and happiness”

straight ahead

Since it’s New Year’s Eve, I feel I should make an effort and try and post something about the year that’s almost over.

But, really, what can I say? 2020 has been a bit of a trial for pretty much everyone and I think most of us will be glad to see the back of it.

It’s tempting to think about just crumpling the whole thing up and throwing it away.
Continue reading “straight ahead”

(not) visionary poetry

This week I failed to celebrate two fairly important days.

Wednesday, 30th of September was International Translation Day, and Thursday, 1st of October was National Poetry Day in the UK. (I’ve mentioned before that I don’t understand why the UK has a different Poetry Day and a different Book Day from other countries, but I’m not going to chase that red herring today.)
Continue reading “(not) visionary poetry”