Christmas Day and Beyond

Merry Christmas, I hope it is a good one, without any tears. Talking of tears, does Christmas come at the end of the year, or does it provide its turning point?

Is it a moment when we close the door to all that has passed in the month that has preceded it, or is it a time when we open our arms and say, 'Come, we are ready, we will embrace it all'?

Christmas begins with a baby, Christmas is all that is unknown, all is cherished and all we must shield from the winds of fortune like a candle’s flame.

I hope Susan stops looking at the mountains of email and looks at where she is and what she really wants to do.

Woke up to a sunny cold Christmas Day, and after a quick coffee and catch-up with those down under, we headed for our traditional Christmas swim. Not for the faint-hearted, but as Robert said, it is character-building.

Wind was strong, and with the outside temperature hovering around 5 degrees C, it was a struggle just to undress, quick swim, and then we had the task of getting our frozen fingers to orchestrate getting dressed as quickly as possible. Zips proved to be extraordinarily complicated; we got there, and we have the pictures to prove it.

I do take umbrage at the lack of support for our traditional Christmas Day swim. I will not even try to justify why it was only Susan, Robert and me there. Those in the images I have attached, where is your Christmas spirit and family support?

Went home for a much-needed coffee and then the Christmas breakfast. We had forgotten the pigs in blankets in the air fryer last night, so we warmed them up to be accompanied by fried eggs, bacon, avocado and toast.

Presents: I was very lucky to get some T-shirts, boxer shorts and a thermal vest. Robert and Lauren gave me a big tin of Perello olives and an olive picker. Not sure if that will be used, except by Alex. 

This Christmas was like so many other Christmases. After opening the presents, we went outside and threw snowballs at Mrs Merrydews three legged cat and then Susan and Robert made a snowman. Robert put his Christmas jumper on over his running gear and went for a run, thereby terrifying the neighbours. Turkey and stuffing with Gammon and vegetables warmed us later in the day. A festive bottle of wine was sampled and found to be exceptionally festive, so, with a glass of mulled wine on the side, we sang carols until the log fire was burning low and it was time for bed. Dreams are the fountain of youth.

Boxing Day went by so quickly, it was here, and then it was Saturday, and we were waiting for Tiny Tim, our local electrician, to try and get the wall charger for my car to work. It is turning out to be a challenge. Tiny Tim had done all he could, and we decided it was the charger at fault, so we gave up and phoned Tesla support, who took our details and promised to get back to us shortly. When is it shortly? 

I tried to insure Robert on my Tesla, but the insurance company said he was too young to drive a Tesla, had to be at least 32. The ironic twist in the tail is that he owns and drives a Tesla, which he has for three years. I would have thought it would be a limit on old age, some geriatric struggle to push a shopping trolley around without bumping into people. They will be fine to drive a Tesla!

Is it just me, or are all big ears and the Welsh getting Turkish haircuts, a pot on your head, shave under the pot and you have a silly hairstyle. Some mothers do have them! 

New Year is now with us, I know, this blog is taking longer than I thought to write. I have attached an image below of Susan and Lauren after our morning swim, which somehow tells the story of the coolness of the water at the moment. It is at times like this that I think of my brother, languishing in Tanzania, without the benefit of a early morning cold dip. Michael in Australia must be feeling homesick, or did he leave to avoid our winter swims? Angela is a lost cause; her idea of a refreshing swim is in 28 °C, essentially bath water. People can be hard. When you put yourself out there, your reputation, your passion, it is a big risk, but that is how you connect to the ones you love. It is like striking gold.

Jigsaw puzzle

Robert and Lauren were given a Lego puzzle for Christmas and decided to build it on New Year’s Day. Well, they powered through and completed it with everyone chipping in. Last year’s puzzle took three days. The image above shows Lauren holding up the completed puzzle before it came apart, brave girl.

What is Truth? 

I bought a bottle of windscreen cleaner for my car. The bottle said 75% less plastic, which was what was stated on the bottle. What is truth? The windscreen wash is 75% less effective, actually not effective at all. Was I missing something, or am I just using a summer screen wash in winter? All those out there who use this brand, please let me know. I have attached an image of the useless bottle.

Truth is a rather difficult term to quantify. I did a little research, and this is what the Moral Maze had to offer. Robert disagreed, and I am sure he will add a comment to back up his theory. (Go for it, Robert, no holds barred)

What is truth?

The simple answer to arrive at the truth in our world of Al and authoritarian control is through provable facts and empirical data. However, this can only ever get us so far because the truth is always told from somewhere. Even objective facts can be curated from one perspective. Stories about ourselves and the world have been necessary, alongside partial data, to keep the social order and to prevent us from being overwhelmed. The historian uses limited sources to tell a story about our past. Language constrains how we articulate who we are, what we do and how we think and feel. Where science falters in expanding the horizons of truth, artists and theologians step in with their own insights that truth can be discovered through poetry and mysticism. That's before the postmodernists come along and state that what we think of as truth is constructed rather than discovered; that the 'truth' we seek doesn't really exist; that it's all a fiction to give our lives meaning and purpose.

There you have it, hope you understood, I am still lost. What is truth?