CHRISTMAS 2016

I really didn’t enjoy Christmas. I had no presents save one I gave myself. Nobody knocked at the door and nobody phoned. There were no guests at the dinner table either. The problem is,  I don’t have any family and the people I know hereabouts are busy with their own families which is exactly the  way it should be.

Please don’t feel sorry for me. I was warm and comfortable and had plenty of excellent food including a beautifully cooked turkey crown. (I'm actually not a bad cook!)

I passed the time watching way too much Christmassy telly and beating my lodger at Trivial Pursuit.

I watched the Christmas day service from Bristol Cathedral and imagined what my Christmas might be like next year. The idea is that once I’ve moved back to Devon, to make much more of an effort to get out and about and meet people. Top of the list is to find somewhere to sing, even if that means joining a church choir.  I have found that hard to do in Leeds as it’s that bit too big to get around easily by public transport. I don’t drive which doesn’t help. Exeter is so much more compact.

I forced myself to take two days off from writing. I also took a break from working through my new self help book – Self Parenting by John Pollard. Working through this book is helping me on so many levels. I finally think I may have found something that really helps me to learn how to love myself. Having spent my life, not even liking myself, that, to me is HUGE. 

In case you're wondering, and why wouldn't you be - the photo was taken at this year's Swanwick. It's definitely NOT  me and my lodger having a party! 

Today, I have been working on a serial, aimed at The People’s Friend. I have just finished part one. It had to be expanded from 3300 words to 5500 to suit that market which means I have written more than two thousand words today which is good. Even better is that I’ve enjoyed every moment.

I’m not sure how often I will be doing these blog posts so in case it’s a while – HAPPY NEW YEAR and a big big thank you to everyone who has read my posts or left any comments. I appreciate that so much.