Advent

 

A bit of a way from the usual look with a more casual grey short trousers look although they're typically longer than some of us are used to with trainers which I do wear fair bit out of doors when exploring, reserving dress shoes for more formal occassions.

I'm a more t shirt and sports shorts sort when it comes to purely casual playing sort of boy which is probably tied into my childhood and the battle for shorts back then. 

It's Advent and the calendar is up suitably child-like as Crimbo is just that experience for me free from anything really grown up and that's so much better than trying to fake adulthood.

Might as well watch some classic cartoons while I'm at it.

Chill out zone

This week of necessity has had to be a bit less active with me because Winter returned with a vengeance with a good deal of snow about and that does make getting about when you have difficulties walking and staying upright more challenging.

Thus I spent time listening to a double album of Mozart's Wind music  and  the last part of series of recordings of Bartok's String quartets apart from being in story time on Sunday afternoon that I find rather relaxing.

The funny thing was earlier on Saturday I had actually seen a good many small birds in the hedgerows  where it was cool but sunny!

I am making my way through this years Beano Christmas Special, savouring each section a bit at a time rather like I will be as I start my way on the Paw Patrol choco advent calendar, one bit at at time!

 
It wasn't the only bit of box opening as I had a new pair of trainers on Monday.

Advent thoughts

I'm here, my ankle isn't good thanks to a stone that remove the skin and left it looking a bit bloody and battle worn while trudging around in the frost and ice but I'm still around, getting things done as usual.

We're getting set toward Crimbo here, our time of year in lots of ways with memories of Christmas Pasts flooding back as you paw through old address books and find the odd old card from someone who's no longer with us.Things I recall include being trudged around stores to get things for relatives, helping mummy out carrying the bags from department stores like Boots, BHS, M&S and those no longer with us like British Home  Stores and of course Woolworths where if I was a good boy I'd be bought a meal in the restaurant some of these stores had and maybe a gift.

Christmas also could mean competition and things like how it was if you were given a chore to do girls would push in saying they wanted to help but in reality trying to take over so if she tried muscling in here he should be able to say clearly no, this is MY thing to do and if she won't accept it, a firm hand being taken to her.
They need to learn to let boys and men do what it is they can do and have agreed to do without this taking over which you see elsewhere with women so they learn to accept their place.Boys need to learn by mistakes and so don't benefit from having their roles taken off them rather than learning to master them properly.

Advent

Yes it's getting to that time of the year and guess what? I didn't have to get mine this year because Mummy bought it me!

 With the help of the Secret Life of Pets, I can count down the days toward Christmas while noming on small squares of milk chocolate.

Don't ask what Marmalade, the original "fat cat" may make of it!

In other news, our community Christmas Tree is up, ready for it's inaugural switching on and carol singing.