Post 413. A FAST FAREWELL TO 2021

 A  CRAP YEAR.

THAT ENVELOPED US IN A DARK CLOUD..
I am going to waste scant time on this. It has been a darkly clouded year for our family and I hope yours has been a better one.

For us, the death from cancer of daughter Roz on 12 April is constantly brought back by the myriad reminders of her residency here for the two years throughout her brave, subsequently unsuccessful, fight for life.
She is, rightly, always on our minds, though we try hard not to give way to self-indulgent grief.

Grandson Ellis is still with us and maintains remarkable outward composure.
Granddaughter Jess clearly misses the close friendship of her mother but does not allow it to become self-pity.

They are their mother's children and her obvious pride in them has been utterly justified.
Other than that, is has been a crap year. I do hope yours has been better.
THAT'S ALL FOR NOW.

AND TO HELL WITH THE BLOODY COVID!

        

Post 412. IF YOU READ THIS BLOG

HAPPY CHRISTMAS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND.
With especial thanks to our pal of many years, Maxine Boyd-kerr and her mother, Gail, for the totally unexpected invitation to join them and family for lunch on Christmas day. They are lovely people and, though predetermined plans for the festive weekend precluded our acceptance, we were honoured to have been considered in such a thoughtful way. 

Have a very merry couple of days, dear friends.
Your kindness has cheered us immensely.

CHRISTMAS CARDS IS A COMIN'.
Christmas cards is a comin'

Their Santas are in sight.
Christmas cards is a comin'
There'll be reindeers in flight

And presents even though we're stuck at home

And presents even though we're stuck at home

Look here! The Christmas cards is a comin'

There'll be worries tonight.
(Did we send one to them? Did we send one to them?)
FESTIVE ENTERTAINMENT.

It will be television again. Much of it repetitively dire stuff filmed last July by perspiring participants in full winter getup. Much of it I shall sleep through or otherwise avoid.

Way back when our Sky set-up was amended I lost coveted recordings of Lars Vogt (Beethoven piano 1 and 5) and Daniel Barenboim (Brahms piano 1 and 2). Disconsolate, I wrote to Sky Arts and was advised by two helpful staff ladies that those offerings were no longer on their play list. An optimistic staff male later begged to differ, but the ladies, of course, were right.
However, I now have two splendid replacements that will ensure a happy Christmas for the cat Angel and me. I have the wonderful Dutch violinist Janine Jansen playing 12 Stradivari violins and I have the splendid Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki playing Beethoven piano concertos 1 to 5.
We shall be happy.
One small point: have been interested to note that the presenters of the Beethoven piano concerto are billed as Krystian Zimerman, Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra.

Would be interested to know where Jan Lisiecki, Tomo Keller and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields went. But I do love a good billing cock-up.
Thanks for recordings and the laugh,

WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY AND COVID FREE CHRISTMAS  

 .