dhw: A Christmas Message

For Christians it’s a holy day, and for others it’s a holiday. The word “holiday” is derived from the Old English “haligdaeg”, which literally means holy day.

Holy day, or holiday?
Well, I reckon either way
It calls for celebration.
Present-giving,
Joy of living,
Mutual appreciation.
(But if you drink,
Be sure to think:
“All things in moderation!”)

To theists, atheists, Buddhists and agnostics – may your Christmas be happy,
and may all your days be as happy as Christmas.

I shan’t be posting anything until next week. Guess why.

Christmas with your lovely family

For Christians it’s a holy day, and for others it’s a holiday. The word “holiday” is derived from the Old English “haligdaeg”, which literally means holy day.

Holy day, or holiday?
Well, I reckon either way
It calls for celebration.
Present-giving,
Joy of living,
Mutual appreciation.
(But if you drink,
Be sure to think:
“All things in moderation!”)

To theists, atheists, Buddhists and agnostics – may your Christmas be happy,
and may all your days be as happy as Christmas.

I shan’t be posting anything until next week. Guess why.

Our government does not inspire us
With its handling of the virus,
Brexit, climate change, the economy,
And buffooning Boris's bumbling bonhomie.

The rest of the world's full of running sores,
With famines, floods and civil wars.
So my advice to everyone?
Switch off the TV and have some fun!

dhw: This will be my last post until next week, as the family will be arriving today and will rightly demand my full attention! Many thanks once more to David for keeping us up to date with all the latest research, and best wishes to anyone who is reading this - whether theist, atheist or agnostic. When all is said and done, we're actually all one family, aren't we?

Wishing your family good cheer and fun. I'll restart entries after.

The rest of the world's full of running sores,
With famines, floods and civil wars.
So my advice to everyone?
Switch off the TV and have some fun!

This will be my last post until next week, as the family will be arriving today and will rightly demand my full attention! Many thanks once more to David for keeping us up to date with all the latest research, and best wishes to anyone who is reading this - whether theist, atheist or agnostic. When all is said and done, we're actually all one family, aren't we?

George: Nicely put. I will be on my own as usual and devoting my time to solving some problems, of the chess or mathematical kind, rather than anything intractable like the state of the world. Enjoy your break and keep safe.

We enjoy your company. Have lovely Christmas and stay well!

dhw: Covid Christmas

Whether we believe or not,
We’ll do our best to stop the rot.
Our politicians have no clue,
Praying priests are helpless too,
Theologians can’t inspire us –
Why would God design the virus?
Fear is rife – Death’s on the way,
And yet there’s joy on Christmas Day!
We’ll meet and greet (best not to hug),
We’ll laugh and sing (forget the bug),
Relish each moment of existence
(Try to keep our social distance)…
In the midst of devastation
We find the will for celebration.
And this defiance makes me proud:
The human spirit is unbowed.
In truth, we cannot stop life’s rot,
But we’ll make the most of what we’ve got!

Let’s hope our scientists will at least find a way to stop the Covid rot. Meanwhile, best wishes to everyone who reads these lines, and my apologies to anyone who might be offended that they bypass the religious significance of the day.

As my family will be here just for the one day that is allowed, I shan’t be answering posts tomorrow.

Lovely couplets. Merry Christmas to you, your family, and the twins we do not know personally

Whether we believe or not,
We’ll do our best to stop the rot.
Our politicians have no clue,
Praying priests are helpless too,
Theologians can’t inspire us –
Why would God design the virus?
Fear is rife – Death’s on the way,
And yet there’s joy on Christmas Day!
We’ll meet and greet (best not to hug),
We’ll laugh and sing (forget the bug),
Relish each moment of existence
(Try to keep our social distance)…
In the midst of devastation
We find the will for celebration.
And this defiance makes me proud:
The human spirit is unbowed.
In truth, we cannot stop life’s rot,
But we’ll make the most of what we’ve got!

Let’s hope our scientists will at least find a way to stop the Covid rot. Meanwhile, best wishes to everyone who reads these lines, and my apologies to anyone who might be offended that they bypass the religious significance of the day.

As my family will be here just for the one day that is allowed, I shan’t be answering posts tomorrow.