Wednesday 1 January 2014

How was it for you?

So, that's it for another year. The tinsel is tired, the compost overflowing with uneaten sprouts, the balloons popped.

I hope you all enjoyed the festival you needed. If eating, drinking and being merry is your thing - then I hope you are sated. If settling in a corner by the fire in glorious silence, knowing the shops are closed and the phone won't ring, is what floats your boat - then I hope no doorbells rang for you.

Me - I had the best of both worlds. On some days my walls echoes with the laughter of grandchildren (I shouldn't be surprised that people so small can make so much noise); and on others I sat with a book and let the hours swim by.

And so to 2014. The shiver of excitement that comes with a New Year. The days will get longer (promise); the birds will sing again; the snowdrops will bloom and we'll look for catkins.

Some of you will make resolutions - not me. I can't see the point of setting myself up to fail. I can do that easily enough without the excuse of the date. If you're promising yourselves a slimmer, fitter body by the time the clocks go forward - the very best of luck.

For it is a time of year for looking forward - and as you know, I have travels to look forward to. But before I head for the airport I shall think, for a while, about those who cannot - for whatever reason - share my excitement. It can be a painful time of year - for many reasons, and I won't speculate about yours. For those of you weeping into your cocoa, I hope that 2014 takes the shape you need it to. That the lonely will find comfort, that the needy will find succour, and the beleaguered will find peace.

I raise a glass to you all.

ps. I've had a rather wonderful start to the year - I submitted Over the Hill to a competition so long ago I'd almost forgotten, and then this happened: click here! So I might eat cake as I raise my glass to you!

18 comments:

  1. You've made at least two resolutions: to travel and to write. Congratulations on the first achievement of the year. May there be many more. Happy 2014!

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    1. Thank you, Miriam. I don't think of travelling and writing as resolutions - I do them anyway! All the best for 2014.

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  2. Congratulations Jo well deserved,I agree about the photos but I suppose it would be more expensive to make happen. My holiday time has been a bit like yours,noisy toddlers followed by lovely peace sitting reading or watching tv doing nothing just enjoying relaxing.
    Enjoy you holiday,Im excited for you and I know when you write about it I will feel I was there too. Stay safe Jo,no tigers or monsoons hopefully. X safe journey. X

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    1. Thank you, Anne - like you I take their point about the photos. But it would make the cost of the book prohibitive. But they likes the rest of it, which was lovely.

      I can say for certain there won't be tigers in Cuba, but can't make any other promises! Happy 2014.

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  3. Wonderful start to your year :) I also find resolutions counter productive and do a thing with three words instead! It floats my boat and works for me :) http://feistybluegeckofightsback.wordpress.com/2014/01/01/three-little-words-five-years-running/

    Where are you travelling to? I am in Borneo right now which is a cool way to start the year :)

    All the very best for a continued wonderful 2014

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    1. Welcome. I'm heading west this time - to Cuba. A totally new destination for me, so it will be an adventure.

      Enjoy Borneo - another one on my list of must-visit-one-day.

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  4. My holidays were mixed but overall excellent. Just way different from usual with all the changes happening in my husband and my lives. Congrats on your award! That is very nice praise!

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    1. You have some wonderful excitements coming - I'm so looking forward to reading about those!

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  5. Lovely Jo..may your travels enlighten you, your grandchildren enrich you and your friends encourage you in 2014. XX

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    1. And may your 2014 be full of snails ... (Carol knows what I mean!)

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  6. Jo, as you know I am more than a little envious of your upcoming trip, but I also know I'll be able to share it with you once you have returned and written about it. You share your experiences so beautifully. Congratulations on the award for the self publishing prize. That is wonderful praise and as I know for sure, well-deserved! I hope it serves to help you with tickets to your future travels and books! Hugs and best wishes for a wonderful 2014 xx

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    1. Thank you, Val. And I hope all is peaceful on your lovely boat in 2014.

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  7. Wow! Well done, Jo! well deserved indeed. You are very modest, slipping it in at the bottom of your post, and with a link too. Trumpet it from the rooftops! what an achievement.
    I'm glad your Christmas was wonderful. Ours was too, in total contrast with last year, and I am very grateful.

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    1. I hope 2014 is kind to you, Jenny - it's your turn for a good year.

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  8. What a lovely blog post. It felt as if you were talking to me personally. I'm so pleased you had a good Christmas and massive congrats for the competition. The judge certainly said some lovely things about you and your book and it's all very well deserved :-)

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    1. Look after yourself, Ros - let's hope 2014 is wonderful (when the rain stops!)

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  9. Congratulations Jo on Over the Hill. I tried to buy the ebook but Amazon said it wasn't available. Can you help ?

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