It's 2019 - Happy New Year!

We made it to midnight last night, wished each other happy new year, then went to bed.  Not bad for two Olde Phartes who don't usually keep late hours.

Let's hope it's a good year full of great stuff like love and happiness and some excellent coffee and chocolate, because the world turns more smoothly when it's lubricated with chocolate.

Day one of the year, and I am looking at a quilt I designed 18 months ago (after the Lesser Flood, before the Great Flood) and which has now been changed slightly, being inspired by a quilt seen in Canada.  While I didn't go overboard with the fabric purchases on our travels a judicious amount was bought, some of it black and white with this quilt in mind.  Now the design has been refined on EQ7 and printed out, and I am gobsmacked by its amazingness.  Because it's foundation pieced it won't be a quick make, but it will be worked on from time to time during the year......and before we know, it will be finished.

Meanwhile, the charity challenge quilt mentioned last week will get done.  Pieces are all cut out, the gold/orange solid idea has been dropped in favour of the random orange spot, and it will be quite bright when complete. 

How about a chuckle from Canada.

 The slightly indistinct hand-written sign (it was a drizzly day) says "local squirrel carver"; it was a few days before Halloween, so houses and shops were decorated with pumpkins.  A local squirrel obviously thought it could do a better carving job than a human could, what do you think?

Here's Captain Harry.......

 ......and here's Captain Harry's sign.

 Here's Captain Harry in 2012.  He looks much happier in his new incarnation, but he was wonderfully weathered and lugubrious in those days.  I'm not so sure that I like his sanitised spick-and-span look as much as the old style!

He's not even hanging onto his wheel in the same way.....his new boat must steer differently to the old one.  I reckon Captain Harry has been slurping from the fountain of youth.

When the bloke who shares one's life likes to watch summer sports - mostly cricket and tennis - one realises just how much sport is shown on TV.  Far too much, in one's humble but very honest opinion.  It all becomes interminable, and it goes on forever too.  However one has an agreement with said bloke whereby he watches TV with the sound off, and I listen to a classical music station instead of the inane commentary and drivel which usually accompanies these sports, and we are both happy. 

Now that the rush and bustle of Christmas and new year is over it's time to knuckle down to some uke practice.  It's nearly three weeks until our gospel gig and, while the songs are all familiar, a little playing beforehand is probably a good idea.

"Requisites for a good talker.
To be a good talker then, one should be possessed of much general information, acquired by keen observation, attentive listening, a good memory, extensive reading and study, logical habits of thought, and have a correct knowledge of the use of language.  He should also aim at a clear intonation, well-chosen phraseology and correct accent.  These acquirements are within the reach of every person of ordinary ability, who has a determination to possess them, and the energy and perseverance to carry out that determination."

This is indeed so, and something that I wish the weekday morning announcer on the classical music station would take note.  I don't mind that he has an accent - Scottish, not too broad - I do mind that he mumbles, stumbles and fumbles every morning.  If I wasn't such a nice person I would reach into the radio and give him a severe whack around the back of his mumbling head.

Enjoy your days!