Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas


My favourite Christmas music

I've been off the radar of late as this is a very busy time of year.

This is our first Christmas in our new home and it's wonderful. Mrs Kinch has worked very very hard to make it as good as it can possibly be and I can't tell you how happy I was to arrive home to her, bearing our first Christmas tree over my shoulder. The cats have been enjoying a feast of low hanging baubles.

Another treat was being finally able to open a wedding present from my Mother in Law*, a beautiful hand painted Nativity from Germany, a country which celebrates Christmas very well. It's on the pianola in the hall and I'm eyeing it with definite plans for expansion. I forsee a sort of triptych arrangement for next year, with three painted backdrops. That said, thus far it is one of only three cribs in the house. Plans for expansion indeed.

It's been a very surprising year and I can't begin to list the things we have to be thankful for. I've weathered another year professionally, without being found out as the fraud I sometimes feel myself to be. Mrs Kinch (mainly her and her father to be honest) and I have managed to turn what was a real fixer upper into a home. Admittedly, a home that has some way to go - but a home nonetheless. There are a hundred and one other things, but I won't go into them now.

I'll be working over Christmas, but I'm due some time off afterwards, so you'll hear more from me after.

Firstly, Christmas is a wonderful time, but not for everyone. If like me, you're bad with money, I recommend thinking of a small discrete unit of money. For me it is the price of a gin and tonic, it could be the cost of a cup of coffee or a packet of chewing gum. Try and think of something that you buy everyday. There are twelve days of Christmas, try to give that much every day of Christmas. I won't advise you where to give it, there are plenty of homeless shelters, charities and other organisations that could find a good use for those few coins. There are some sacrifices so small, that it is shameful not to make them. Pick something different everyday. It's a good feeling.

I guarantee you'll get greedy for it by the end.

Secondly, for those you who like to drink at Christmas, I raise my glass to you. However, I would beg you to please stay off the roads. Delivering bad news at Christmas is never easy, it can certainly spoil the day of the deliverer. Receiving it is far far worse and can blight lives for years, if not longer.


I missed the Messiah in St. Patricks this year as I was working.
But this is still good.

Lastly, Mrs Kinch, Sisi, Sir Harry Flashman VC and I all wish you a very, very Merry Christmas, be it sacred or profane, and hope you all enjoy a peaceful and prosperous New Year.


*She and my wife are very much of the opinion that setting up the tree and the cribs are "boy jobs".

16 comments:

  1. With every good wish for a blessed and peaceful Christmas

    Paul

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  2. ith every good wish for a blessed and peaceful Christmas

    Paul

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  3. Seasons greetings, and I hope your shifts are not too onerous or distressing this Christmas... Sláinte!

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  4. Thnaks foir sharing these beautiful music pieces. Merry Xmas and the best of happiness in 2012 to you and your family

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  5. No joy like home and family at Christmas I wish you all much joy now and in the year to come.

    -Ross

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  6. There is nothing like that very first Christmas tree together. You'll always remember it. Merry Christmas, Conrad, and here's to 2012!

    Warm Regards,

    Stokes

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  7. Merry Christmas from all at the Duchy of Tradgardland!

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  8. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  9. Thank you Conrad. Blessings to all denizens of the Kinch home. I will toast you tonight when safely home from midnight mass. My vote for best Christmas music: "Angelus ad Virginem" as sung by the Tallis Scholars. Cheers mate. Mike

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  10. Hi CK,

    Compliments of the season to you and Mrs K - not forgetting the felines!

    All the best,

    DC

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  11. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

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  12. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

    Rob

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  13. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

    Rob

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  14. Wonderful blog & better sentiments. Hope you and yours enjoy a Happy Christmas and Peacful & Prosperous New Year.

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  15. Merry Christmas to you and your family (not to late to say that here, not quite!). I hope that it was as delicious a day for you there as that which is coming to its end over here.

    Jim

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