Another New Year

        As a writer, as well as a psychic in a former life, it's impossible to ignore the fact that tonight is New Year's Eve. This is the last day of 2014, tomorrow is the first day of 2015. A brand new year, a clean page, as yet unwritten upon. We all know it's just a day like any other, yet it can't help but be imbued with special signifigance...a fresh year, a new start, another chance to do better than before. It's a sort of 'slates wiped clean' sort of time. Of course it isn't, but strangely....it is!

         We party, if we are able. We celebrate with a drink or a kiss at midnight, better yet, both. We try to spend it with friends, or family. With the people we love, those who we hope to have even better times with next year, than last. If not with people, at least it's a time for reflection, for a girding of the loins for another year Most of all we make resolutions...although some of us will staunchly refuse to do that. But it's still there, in your head, around you, saying go on, go on. Make some resolutions, promise yourself to be better at this or that. At the very least it's tradition. At its best, it's a great opportunity, not to be missed.

         As a writer, ideas intreague me, customs interest me. As a psychic, who saw and felt the kind of spiritual changes that happened on that bigger new beginning, for the millennium of 2000. I know its significance, I realise its opportunity, its importance. Let's face it, why would any sensible person ignore a positive opportunity. No one would, of course not. Yet it's a well known fact, that of those who make a whole raft of new resolutions, few are kept beyond the first month. Before they fizzle out, or are forgotten, just given up on. That doesn't mean you shouldn't make some thought. I think we should. Maybe we should be a little more subtle, a little bit realistic...or, as I like to think of it, smart! By smart, I actually mean that instead of making neat, tight resolutions, you should be sweeping, be grand, be...impressive with your imagination. I actually dislike the word realistic a lot! Mainly because when I am trying to explain about being positive, about attitudes being important, about having a more 'gung ho' attitude to life, people respond by saying ' you have to be realistic.' Well...not if that means you must accept what you have now as being the only possibility for you, the only reality. Not if it means you stop yourself improving, in growing, in allowing the magic in. No, folks, forget your ideas of realism, dream big, without fencing those ideas around with the mundane. Fencing them with what your head tells you is achievable. 

        Yes, I know, it's complicated from the outside. You do have to have a little trust in the Universe, to let down the boundaries your life has taught you to erect...for safety's sake, the 'just in case' things. Also to realise that very small changes in attitude, can allow the big dreams to grow and flourish. Words are important, so watch what you say. Either to yourself, or to others. We all know that if you tell others your new resolutions they can and do chip away at them. So we try to keep them secret, or at least I used to. For example, if you say 'right, I'm going on a diet, I am only eating proteins,' or 'cutting the carbs' or 'the sugars'. Someone is bound to say, 'have a biscuit, a cookie, or, 'come out for coffee and cake.' Or, 'once won't hurt you' or even, have you lost any weight yet?' How demoralising is that when you are struggling, it always was to me. Instead, say 'I am slim, fit, healthy'. Or, some phrase of your own imagining, as long as it is all positive words. You can still calorie count, or follow a plan, but it's the words and attitude which is important. Believe, believe, believe, visualise yourself slim, fit and perfect. Why not, you can be, the world really is your oyster. Yes, yes, I know, 'gobbledygook', but you really have to trust yourself, your inner you. Trust the knowledge and instinct we all have inside us. Then, follow your vision, follow your nose, trust! The right answers and opportunities will come, I promise you.

          You know, we all have things we must overcome, it may be a temper, a bad habit, a bad home life as a child, or a personal disaster lurking in our background. It may be anything at all which causes us to feel 'less than'. Most of us have something, few of us are positive flowers of enthusiasmn and confidence. I had many things, you wouldn't know to look at me through my life, because I was a strong woman, I had to be. Although again, it took me many years to acknowledge my own power. Nevertheless, I had many 'black holes' it was only too easy to fall into at times of stress. Each crisis in my life was hard won, many times there was only me to sort out the problems for me and my children. At those times when a good friend did step forward to support me through a dreadful day, or a family member say or do something to help me, or help me feel better, are well remembered and cherished. I'm like the elephant, I never forget. But...those time, those problems and hardships do not define you, it is not who you are.

       Tonight, this new year, sit down and write your perfect life. Perhaps as a list. Not writing what you think is achievable, but writing exactly how your perfect self and your life IS! Don't worry about how that could happen, where the money has to come from. In fact don't  even consider how, what steps and miracles are necessary to reach there. Trusting the Universe, you never have to think of how it can come about. In fact every time one of those doubts or questions pop into your head, dismiss them. Build anew the full picture of the perfection you envisaged. Go through your list every day, ten times a day if you can, build it strongly. When you look back in a few months, you will be surprised how much of the things are already yours or within your reach.

          Trust me, trust this information and trust yourself. The world is yours. All you have to do is believe it, and tell it you believe it. Happy days folks.

           HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL. MAY IT BE THE BEST ONE EVER.

Sitting by the beach at Christmas.....😎🎁🌅😎

        Funnily enough, for one the worlds least domestic goddesses, it s a great relief it's over..Christmas I mean. It's not that I haven't done it all before. The big family meals, the full table, kids of all ages...paper hats, presents, the turkey, the pud, wine flowing...a lot of it on the tablecloth....I have. It's just that you get beyond it. To be honest, despite how this year fate delivered me, with the task again, I would really rather be sitting down in a fancy restaurant, with attentive waiters and no mess in my kitchen at all. Best of all, no planning, shopping, or cooking. Well that's me being more than honest, but it all about family isn't it, so something must be done if you love them..which I do.

           Yes, Christmas, It's a vastly over rated occasion. Although it is better here, in Brasil, not anywhere near the commercialism. Religion? Well, I don't think that's the driving force anymore. Not in most families anyway. Instead, there is so much expense, so much work, so much worry that people will be comfortable and have plenty to eat. But, for some reason, it seems I am again, in charge. Drat fate!😎. Being pragmatic, I just swing straight into the process. I've done it so often before, I can do it again.

         I had the perfect plans for this year. The family were coming, along with (my suggestion ) inviting two lovely people I really like..the female of the couple,said she was keen to do the honours and cook, I discover. A bonus as far as I was concerned. It was to be in my house, which as it's the biggest this year..made sense. I spent considerable time and money upgrading and enlarging the outside seating. With new hammocks, loungers and sun shade  (it's only rented), I bought crockery and glasses (I own next to nothing, as it's only temporary for now), then, borrowied the big pots and serving dishes etc. Then, our good friend became ill, we thought recovered again, but not to be. Suddenly, at the last minute, it's all off. No special friends coming, and no one planning the food, or cooking it....help!!!!😎 sun or not...help!😟

         I was devastated.....I had prepared everything as perfectly as I could, now I had to start thinking 'food'....ah no! I live alone, it was my house, so who had the shopping to do. Yes...ME! My daughter in law, the only other woman, just opened a new business, her head was not in Christmas at all! I went around the supermarket, in Brasil not that brilliant a choice anyway, it's definitely not Waitrose, or even Tesco. Trying to find some sort of inspiration. One son was bringing the giant prawns, ( thank god for the fish market in Porto) I had fresh salmon, wholewheat pasta, brown rice, lots of garlic, cream, onions, olive oil, butter etc, etc, as you see, they wanted seafood pasta. But I bought wine, beers, soft drinks, salads, fruits....no such things as Christmas pud in the supermarket here of course, or Turkey. Although I did find, at the last minute, a lovely small ham, which I just had to have. Faced with a heavy load, I tried in very bad Portuguese to ask for delivery. Well that was fun, but I eventually got it all put to one side..but hell, they left the ham sitting there as well. I had no idea how to sort that one out, as it would do no better outside with me in the sun.😎

       Suddenly discovering my son was in town, my daughter in law, brasilian, who speaks Portugese...YESSSS, I thought. Result! they had shopping to do too, more beer, more fruit, another third stacked on my shopping hill by the door. It's all ok she said, it's being delivered in two hours, all organised. So relieved, we all sloped off for a drink, well it is Christmas and we deserved it. Although it's not quite the same, sitting outside in the sweltering heat, watching scantily clad holiday makers pass by, I still enjoyed it. Well anythings better than shopping in a busy supermarket. After two hours, I'd better go, I said, by this time my other son had turned up. Deliveries nearly due I said..no! Six o clock daughter in law said looking quite adamant. What? Another two hours? Well she speaks minimal English, we speak bad Portugese, my other son speaks good both languages,  so he backed her up, no six o clock she says. ahhhh relax again, somewhat uneasily. After all we must have food tomorrow..😎

         Before six I was there at home, at the security gate, which has to be hand operated by my key, waiting for the delivery. It didn't come. I tried phoning the number on the receipt...no comprende? the girl said and put me on hold. Nothing different there then. An hour later,  with several other phone calls and after running back and forth up and down four sets of steps, looking for the van, I was tearing my hair out. My landlady said, 'give number to me, I will get them'. She tore them off a strip for a good ten minutes before saying, 'they come!' But two hours later and ready to go out for the evening, they still had not come. 'Ahh Biaha' she said, which is what everyone says when people fail to show when expected here....ahh Biaha..what else can you expect, manyana land. Tomorrow is as good as today, next week as good a last week....which is all true. But...it's my ham! My food! The old Christmas panic! Lots of people coming, no food..... I was stressed, but had people waiting so off I went, locking the door behind me.😎

          Returning still stressed about it, after midnight, very tired, there was the shopping stacked at the door. Someone had let the delivery man in to the complex, but not into my house. What sat on top of the load, but the precious ham, after how many hours or sultry heat? Next day, my landlady said 'I saw meat, if bad..return, they change! Oh yes, I thought, that's all I need. So, there I was, getting on for one o clock in the morning, carrying in stacks of beer, bottles, vegetables and all, trying to fit it all in the fridge. Of course it wouldn't all fit, but I did the best I could.😎 at least we now had food.😋

           The next day, after much walking to view my sons new property, we walked more, the length of the beach..in the scorching sun. The beach was crowded, Christmas Eve is supposed to be the big one here, the official exchange of presents big, but the beach was packed as usual and I for one was very pleased to finally find somewhere to sit, under an umbrella. I think we all had a busy week, because instead of returning to the house after a couple of hours, people turned up and we stayed and stayed. Still being there when the beach bars started stacking chairs at early evening. We were chatting, putting the world to rights, as you do, starting on the Baileys, that tastes just as nice in the sun as in the frost. Finally moving away fro. The beach, no taxis left, so another big hill to climb..I walked miles that day. We had to rest again of course, in the bar at the top. This time with coffe. Asaie, and more friends. Eventually, we all decided we were too tired, and went home to respective homes having snacked on rubbish and little else all day. I was relieved I must say...I certainly couldn't have eaten then, let alone cook.😎

               The next day, I was up early making chicken stroganoff, brown rice, egg salad, getting beers cold, making green salad, setting tables, then when my son and daughter in law arrived she had a mad session making sea food pasta, I made white pasta (for the children) cut the ham, served drinks as my other son and family arrived..finally it was Christmas Day. Who would have thought it. Christmas Eve just didn't happen, and we had Christmas Day celebration as always. With my often too forward granddaughter, saying 'I didn't know you could cook?' Ahh, God save the young who know it all!  How did we ever manage to live so long, without their wisdom.😎

                But, as always Christmas happened, it always does. The young got another bit of useless information about their family, as they always do, and I survived unscathed, or reasonable so, for another year. Everyone loved the garden furniture when it came time to relax after lunch cum dinner. I was able to see a happy and contented family sprawled out, content in the warmth of our tropical Christmas. After all, isn't that why we really do it all....family. But I am sorry our friends didn't make it. May his health improve with the New Year.😎

         Happy New Year everyone....won't be long now! Next year is going to be wowser!🎈🎉🎊🎈

              

           

Stealing .....taking what is not yours

       This week my daughter was mugged in London. It's a great word mugged isn't it. To a Londoner, or an English person, to be 'mug' is to be stupid. If someone 'takes you for a mug', they make a fool of you in some way, treating you as an idiot.  Following on from this, to 'be mugged', is to be robbed and often beaten or hurt in some way. The greater act of being taken advantage of. This is the act perpetrated on my daughter just last night. By someone cowardly, who thought she would be an easy touch. By someone who wanted what she had, or what they thought she had. In reality she has to struggle for every pound she has. With her disposable income being about as low as it can be. Nevertheless, on a rare night out, they cleaned her out and abused her.

         I know it could have been worse, and for the fact it wasn't, I am extremely grateful. She could have been seriously hurt, raped, even killed. Thank you all the powers that be, that she wasn't. That's the positive of the situation. The negatives are of course that she has had a frightening experience, which only time will tell how she copes with it. As a Mother, I am frustrated that I couldn't protect her from it, even though she is an adult. Also that I am not near her to give other than comfort from a distance. It is at these times, that living in a different country is the worst.

         I cannot be ruled by anger, or by fear. I can only hope that she, my lovely daughter, is struck by the same spirit of defiance. I wish with all my heart that she can maintain an ability to see and expect the best in her life. Even more so, that she has up to now. That she does not allow this crime to colour her attitude. Violence, robbery, coming in contact with cowardly people who are willing to lie, cheat, hurt or attack the weak for gain, can happen to anyone. It is a random mischance, or a series of bad decisions or incidents that come together to help creat a small...or a large disaster. She no doubt was in the wrong place at the wrong time. She had the misfortune to look as she had something worth stealing. She is a smart, well dressed girl. Then the worst misfortune, she caught the attention of a selfish, unscrupulous thief. Someone who thinks, if they think at all, that it is acceptable to take what they want, how they want.

           This person, I think a female, spiked her drink at a bar. The next thing she knew, she was on her knees in the toilet, with vomit over her shoes and her bag, or her money, was gone. With no memory of what happened in between the two. How dreadful and frightening trying to make sense of that scenario must have been. How cowardly of the person responsible to target her, drug her, bundle her into the toilet and rob her. Without one thought of her injuries, her state of mind, or her ability to manage, injured and without money. She was injured, spending the night in hospital, she has been left afraid and in a muddle financially. The assailant has, for now and probably for good, walked off scott free. No doubt well pleased to have got something for nothing.

            I read somewhere today, just by chance...which of course is never by chance. That every commandment, except one, in the Ten Commandments is about theft. I find that an over exaggeration,  but nevertheless, many do refer to taking what is not yours. There is straight theft of goods, theft of a wife, theft of a life, taking the day of rest as a working day, taking the good name of your parents, even wanting, coveting what is your neighbours. The majority do refer to wanting what you have no right to have. In the case of violence, or a mugging, the taking of a persons peace of mind too.

              Well, I said they probably got off 'scott free', perhaps Karma will hit them back at some point. That is not for me to say, but they do say 'what comes around, goes around'. Sooner to later, I think it does go full circle, as I have seen in many instances of this for myself. You are supposed to 'turn the other cheek', as if to say....hit me again if you wish. I can't go along with that. But I won't wish them ill, I won't be as they are. I only wish my daughter well and stronger, even richer, than before.

               I will remind you all to take sensible precautions about where and when you travel, or spend your time. Just to be sensibly cautious, to keep most of your money elsewhere than your purse. To keep your keys separate, not to flash expensive things in public if you can avoid it. To be vigilant with your drinks, don't leave it unatended. In fact, be very aware of who is near and what is happening nearby. It can be worse than the Wild West out there, but that doesn't mean you should be a prisoner in your own house. Learn to use your instinct and if something feels wrong, it probably is! Don't be fearful, as fear draws disasters, but walk confidently, stand confidently and feel confident, but be smart, be aware. Even if, like my daughter, you are abused, or taken advantage of, remain strong. Remain better, stronger and more able than the scum who would like to take what is yours. Including your peace of mind.

                Be safe out there....sending you all love and protection.....especially my daughter.

                 

Living in a new country

        There is nothing so educational, or mind expanding as travel. I, for one seem to have been born restless. Or, is it adventurous, yes maybe I can agree with that. Too adventurous for my own own good perhaps, certainly as a child. I ran a little wild I think, or was allowed to. Maybe it was having a Father away for many years, or spending the early years in my Grandmothers house. Either way, my Mother and I were not close...is the only non abrasive way to put it. Then my Father returning, with all the problems of them having to learn to live together again, must have been difficult. With me, always too sensitive, keen to disappear from the house whenever possible. An adventure my brother was always ready for, if not already involved in.

         We lived in the country, remote from even the village. Trees, the pond and the river were my/our habitat. I and my brother, both with lively imaginations were always busy, often independently of each other. Our paths crossed for various games. But often we adventured alone, with me often as not at the top of some tree. Me, being the eldest by just over a year, was supposed to be the responsible one. A job I was expected to take seriously. Which with my brothers perchant for disaster, was onerous. He did everything backwards, dangerous or without planning. You can imagine the result. He fell off narrow bridges into the river six feet below, often because he insisted on walking backwards. He fell into the deep mud at the side of the tidal river, luckily on his back, not on his face. Where he lay spread eagled with arms outstretched until I could fetch a grown up to rescue him. He lassoed a big tree branch, swinging on it until it fell on his head. This resulted in another run for help and several stitches. He dived headfirst down haystacks attracting the wrath of my Grandfather and the destruction of the stack. He walked through fields of the deepest snowdrifts, up to his chin, both arriving home, frozen, wet and with the hot aches as the blood supply came back. Or toiled hip deep through streams, lined with tall grasses, pretending we were a boat on a river in the Amazon jungle. He/we dug deep holes in my grandmothers rose garden digging for Australia. He set off a rocket on bonfire night, setting light to the nearest straw built pig sty. Another run for help, rather more serious as the pigs were still in residence. It was almost roast pork for supper, the farmer was not amused. All happenings with me either beside, or behind him, well someone had to rescue him and it was my job. He always went at life full pelt, although I wasn't innocent by any means. I was around and involved in some way in all the mishaps. Eventually he discovered motor bikes, when he went roaring off in another direction. Before his twenties were out, sailing for New Zealand.

         Me, well I was more of a dreamy child if left to my own devices. I liked being at the top of the tallest tree, swaying in the wind...for hours. Or discovering if I could walk from the branches of one tree into the next, along a whole avenue. Or, spinning on a hilloc, before falling on my back to waltch the sky spin around above me. Or running through corn fields with our dog. I liked to find baby rabbits, snowdrops or violets, catch tiddlers in a jam jar, or watch the birds build nests. I spent hours alone in the top of my grandmothers house, playing with old stuff stored there. Or drawing and cutting paper dolls and designing clothes for them from magazines at my grandmothers table. I was keen to learn how to wallpaper at ten-ish when my grandmothers house had its annual spring clean. Yes, we had a lot of freedom, in which school, which I hated, was only an intrusion. Although once I learned to read, I became an avid reader. By nature, without my brother, I would have been a naturally solitary child. We just grew like two wild weeds..and stayed that way, I guess.

            As I said, he emigrated quite early, first to New Zealand, later to Australia. But with a London Father and a Norfolk Mother, we always travelled more than anyone else in the village. London was always our second place of destination. A place we were quite at home in too. I may have been naturally solitary, but I wasn't afraid of anything. Not the streets, the buses, the bustle, or the tough London kids. I was always far too interested in everything before my eyes. I liked to make sense of what I was seeing, to understand why things were as they were, why people behaved as they did. Then despite marrying early, I moved to live in london with my family. Not for me, one house for always. I moved so many times, for reasons beyond my control, I thought nothing of it. Of course, once I could, I travelled everywhere in Britain, then later....around the world.

              Each country is an adventure and I have lived in quite a few. Each country is a whole new learning experience. Each country offers me wonderful new friends, new ways of living and new opportunities. I tried living back in England for a few years..I've only recently escaped again. I really mean that, it was an escape. I cannot live there any more. I consider myself a World citizen now and happy to be so. It's great to travel, it's great to see how others live, to learn new cultures, to fit in and be happy.

              One thing I will stress, is that in none of the places I lived did I ever ask the government to keep me. Nor do I expect hand outs of any sort. I earn my own money, I keep myself and I fit in with the culture of the country. I never expect any country to offer me special privileges of religion, custom of home, or anything I may have had in my home country. I know if everyone who went to live in new countries had the same attitude, there would not be the unrest with emigrants we are finding so often today. Travel,  broaden your mind, expand your knowledge and awareness of the World. But ask no one for special privileges. The new country should not be expected to change to accommodate you! Your task should fit in as seamlessly as you can, to take what you work for, but to give back respect and honour to that country who has let you stay, who has welcomed you.

              Viva the world, viva travel and new experiences. The world has so much to show you. All I can say is, see all you can, for somewhere...is the perfect place for you. Or...perhaps the perfect places. Because everywhere you travel is an exciting adventure. Far more so, than the all the practice adventures we had as children. For that was pretend, now I am able to have the real thing.

 

Loss...is a big and emotive subject

       After all, it can be any kind of loss I'm talking about. The loss of a contact. A friend, a loved one, parent or sibling. It can be a permanent loss, a temporary one, or outcome unknown. It can be the loss of something you value. Such as a personal possession, or a lost opportunity. Worse sometimes, it can be loss of confidence, or trust, loss of self esteem...a loss of  self. Yes, there are losses of all kinds. As there are reactions of all kinds to each loss. Your reaction could be stoic, devastated, even an emotional breakdown, or any combination of a dozen vastly different emotions.....but for me, I must say that it's usually an emotional reaction. Even if it's only one of anger, or frustration, even if only fleeting. Or, it can be one of refusal to accept loss at its worst....the 'why, me?' Syndrome. 

         Many of us are unable to accept higher forces at work, ones you are not able to change completely. The having to accept drastic change was necessary, when you can't see it, when you think they, or you did not deserve it. As I was told long ago, so...it's not fair, well...who said life was fair? This life can be many things, but fair is not one of them. It's not been unknown for me to rail at the skies in anguish. To shout out my anger, frustration or helplessness at its unfairness. Which doesn't help...does it? You know, especially if you lose a loved one long before their time....except it's never before their time. If they have gone from this vale, then it was their time, hard as that may be to accept. I believe you go when it is your time. No, I know, that doesn't help to make it easier either, because it's not always near, or pretty. Really we are only very small cogs in the big wheel that is the Universe.

          We know we cannot get through life without loss of some sort...but that doesn't mean we have to wait for it. I know people who go through every day, expecting and saying they expect the worst. Oh, that won't work, this won't be good, this will be a disaster. Or this must crash and burn, No, it's dangerous, don't do it. You can't live like that. I believe one of the greatest things you can give anyone, is hope. That applies to yourself too, allow yourself hope instead of constant apprehension and fear. Relax into trust....go with the flow, even the worst things must be followed through to its conclusion. Those vibes you send out, attract others on that same wavelength back to you. So, my friends...raise your expectations and the rewards will follow.

           No, it won't stop the deaths, disasters and set backs. But it will enable you to get through them with the minimum stress. Give thanks they are no longer suffering, or the last fun time you shared, or a sunset you saw together. No, we don't have to be destroyed by them. My attitude always is, go through life with a positive attitude. Expect the best results, the best things to come your way. I know, you can't sustain it every second of the day. But, when the opposite emotion strikes and you feel fear, or dread search it! Search through the situation, the fear and find something you can applaud, something you can give thanks for. Because it's when you get beaten down by circumstances, or life, without picking yourself up, that worse disaster strikes. Further disaster, bigger problems and horror. Honestly, the only way is to be positive...even when it seems futile. Build up the positive picture...see everything happening in the perfect way, in your minds eye.

            That's a wonderful expression isn't it....in your minds eye. That is exactly IT! As you see things in the eye of your mind. Not your actual vision. But inside your head.....with your higher self...all that airy fairy stuff, as some call it, really works. You never have to profess what you're doing, just do it. So, never mind what you see before you, skim over it, replace it...'in your minds eye' with the perfect picture. It works for me, it can work for you. It only takes a bit of practice and self belief. The best things in life are yours for the taking. The best support system, the best health, the best situation, anything my friends, anything! The more you can persuade yourself to believe, the more you can achieve. So, change what you can and accept what you can't change.

         So, if a loved is injured or in hospital, give thanks they are receiving treatment and will survive. Or, give thanks it is only them and not their child, or the whole family. Give thanks they are having a break, some sort of rest they badly need. It may not be in the best way, but the body is sneaky entity. It will organise a way to get what it needs. Give thanks they are in a place with either affordable, or good health care. If it's a financial disaster, give thanks they are healthy, they can earn again. Or that they know where to get help, or have good friends supporting them. Give thanks they are young enough to begin again, or have the imagination to find another way around the problem. If they cannot do any of those things, then give thanks that there is a need to make drastic changes in their life. Which in time, will prove to be for the best. 

         Sometimes, in the midst of a distasteful, or a setback we cannot see any positives. Yet that is the exact time we must do so. The exact time we must search the hardest for any glimmer of hope, or any sliver of a positive viewpoint. Accept calmly, give thanks for all the good things in your life and trust......Trust that you will come through this and emerge stronger, no less! Yes, because it's as they say...whatever does not kill you, makes you stronger! I've seen that proved many times. So...trust, chill and be positive. Believe and accept that what comes after, will be better, than what you had before.........BELIEVE........and it shall be so.

            To anyone with any problems, worries or setback tonight, I am sending love, strength and healing. May the Universe be at one with you at this time. Tap into its strength and believe.

            Sleep well, rise well and spend your day well.

Christmas is coming? Really?🎅🎁🎄🎆🎉🎈🎅

       I can't believe it's the fourth of December already. That means twenty days until Christmas...I know it's different here, it's a hot country and not what we, from the Northern Hemisphere expect for Christmas time. Yet, a hot country is not that unusual for me. I have, after all, spent many years in both Australia and New Zealand. So Christmas is definitely cropping up during Summer time there. It's just that in South America, especially in this small place in Brasil, it seems even more unusual, or unlikely. It just doesn't feel like Christmas should, nor look like Christmas should.🎅

         One good thing here, is that Christmas does not start before we have had Halloween, or Guy Fawkes night. As it always does in Great Britain, or......where I lived in, England. Well, let's be clear, they don't even have a celebration for catching Guy Fawkes here. Catching out Guy and those involved in the famous gunpowder plot, before he was able to blow up Parliament. Of course not, that was British politics, not South American. Halloween here, I wrote about was great. Nothing pushing its way in long before it was due. No, it was purely Halloween celebrated, definitely no sign of Christmas decoration about then. I tell you, it's actually quite wonderful,  not to have that big money making machine shoved down your throat for the best part of three months. The magazines, TVs and the rest. The decorations, the few there are here, went up in December. RESULT!🎄

          Of course, as in the Antipodese, the usual decor are lights on a fir tree, Santa in a red coat, plus various depictions of Santa and all his merry band of reindeer, sleigh, bells, elves...whatever. Copied exactly as in England, America, Holland and various other countries. Strange isn't it, Santa is always fat and cold, wrapped in fur trimmed red coat......well, jolly as well I suppose. Let's not run him down. Maybe because of the lack of advertising, shop displays and films depicting Christmas, there is just not the same build up....the same excitement. Its actually good not to have the kids all stirred up with a big list of wants. With a bit of luck, it may pass without the usual crazy expenditure. It's long past time that someone put a stop to large,  expensive presents. It's really all gone completely mad during the past twenty or so years. With parents spending hundreds of pounds on children. Even if they can't afford it, they believe they must get it debt to do it. It's necessary......why?....Crazyyyyyy......🎅

          Now, how can that be enjoyable? Worried about where the money is coming from, or how it can be paid back after the event. I can understand thinking you must get into some debt for covering expenses in a business, or illness, family emergency, that kind of thing. But for buying children presents they were brainwashed into wanting. No, I just don't see it. I've heard very little whinging about 'I wants' those, I stress from children who have spent Christmas in England for many years. Indoctrinated, that's for sure. Let's hope they will align themselves with their peers who don't expect to need so much here.🎁

        In the meantime, I, for one am going to enjoy a last minute Christmas, without the dragging on for months of all the build up. Then I shall look forward to a cruisier Christmas with friends and family. I'm not a Religious person, but I shall say my own thanks to the Universe for all the good things of this year. Then send good wishes to all, as I enjoy relaxion, laughter and nice food with loved ones. May you all enjoy many blessings this year and next.🎈

Yes......seems to be working

       Not my best effort, and the machine swallowed four ready to go blogs...then I wrote that last posted one on friends, quickly. Tomorrow is another day and now the thing is working, I shall soon be back in the swing. My whole iPad had to be reformatted and restored...a long job. Thank you dean. What would I do without you. I was thinking it was throw it away time. Don't you hate this throw away society. I do.

       You've had it how long......? My goodness its time you had a new one! What were you thinking? Nasty hey.

No...I want the old one. I want to get a new one when I decide to upgrade for whatever reason. Not because it reached the end of its (to me, very short) shelf life.

     Look out for me soon folks.....I've got lots more rubbish to spout yet. Oops! Shouldn't have said that!

      Love you all...really I do. It's such a relief to reach you all again. How can you be a writer, with no readers.

      Thank you one and all.

       Also, on the subject of friends....welcome back one dear friend who has turned up from the past. Seven years since I last saw him, a truly good and dear friend. Marlon.