Christmas 2018

25th December 2018

Let's deal with the formalities first & a "Merry Christmas" to you all and thank you for taking the time to read my blog over Christmas which to myself is a real passion of humble but meaningful words that emphasis my daily life and allows me to open my heart and release the demons that lurk within for others to laugh or cry at my life. It feels like a type of therapy with the only real cure being that I addressed the issue and let it all out for others to maybe recognise within themselves.

So, what is my plan for 2019 that I failed to speak about that I didn't manage to get around to or speak about in 2018, the clue is to the left and it's quite easy to see when you look or stair long enough and it's really quite simple. My pleasure and passion was always fly fishing and sadly I found no time at all in 2018 to even tie a fly, let alone go fishing, so 2019 is a true focus on casting a line in a variety of rivers and lakes in the search for the elusive "Brown & Rainbow Trout"in the vein hope that I might catch a decent rainbow to put on my plate for dinner and if you look closely at the tree to the left, you will identify that this tree is special in that it was completely made from "Fishing Flies" for teasing or enticing trout. I found this image quite creative and simply had to share it with you all and my commitment for 2019 is to carry on where I left off with a hobby and passion of casting a fly whilst enjoying the environment and challenges of trying to catch the perfect fish for dinner.

Whilst we are covering the subject of Christmas and all it's celebrations, I would like to pay a special tribute to all the people around the world who stand in for Santa to bring a little happiness to children & families who delight in the opportunity to meet this great figurehead who commits his/her time to making dreams come true for all good and kind children in all four corners of the world and despite being so busy throughout the December month, still finds time to visit supermarkets and shopping malls to speak with so many about what they would like for him to bring on Christmas Day. Im not quite sure what the big event was all about on this occasion but I recognise the theme from the similar event that we hold in my home city each year which is a charity run in aid of various charities in which the only entrants must be Santa impersonators of which I can safely tell you that when I went to support this event, I was shocked to see so many all on the same day and it truly was an amazing spectacle to see. I'm not quite sure how far the run covers but I would guess it is at least a half marathon as it attracted so many from my City which is known as a City of sport and one might suggest that they would not take it serious unless it had a real distance to the run but whatever the distance, it was nice to see such support for this event for a good and worthy cause and well done all who were involved.

I have shared this image with you for a grumble and moan but with a twist of positivity to the image which is designed to catch your attention. I like yourself also was touched by this picture and it made me think just how many puppies will be bought and sold in aid of Christmas day but by the middle of January will be turned out onto the street as unwanted and un-loved gifts because the little cute bundle of fluff made a mess on the floor or chewed a piece of furniture within the family home. I ask you nicely that you do not buy these presents with your heart but use your mind instead as it must be understood that a pet is for life and not for a short smile over Christmas and unless you have true experience of animal welfare or history of keeping animals in the past, please do not ask Santa to bring them as I know he will know better and refuse to do so and as such it is better to seek out a more practical present instead of expecting one of these to be only disappointed on Christmas morning.

My final comment is to remember just how lucky and blessed we all are to live in a country of wealth and prosperity. We accept food and waste so much over this festive period and without even a thought for where it came from and who is going without. There are countries around the world who would live a whole week on what we throw away over the next few days and whilst I can't ask you to feel responsible about this madness, I can ask you to prick your conscience and spare a thought for others less fortune than ourselves in the hope that if you could give something toward a genuine special cause to help others, it will make provide you with a special feeling of goodness inside and whilst you will never see the end result of your kindness, it might make the difference between life or death to someone somewhere on our planet and we all have to share our space with others, we should also accept that sharing is also about sharing our daily wealth also. I now want to wish you all a very safe and "Happy Christmas" from myself "Peter Hulbert" and look forward to a better future for all in 2019.
   
29th December 2018

So, Christmas came and now it has gone for another year. It looks kind of weird outside when you travel around and yet still see so many houses dressed up with trimmings and festivities still going on to celebrate something that passed a few days ago but it is nice that people are still enjoying themselves and despite it being largely a commercial time, it's still good to see that it is celebrated more and more each year and is a growing market.

For myself "Peter Hulbert" I spent my time wisely surrounded by family and friends and in a simple way. I never expect too much about Christmas and then I am not disappointed if it turns out to be a little bit of a let down. I was very proud to see my daughter making such a big deal of the time off, she decorated her tree and house for the first time in her new home. It was good to step back and see your history grown and glow before your very eyes and now that I am gaining in years and running up the miles on the body clock, it is god to see her pick up the baton and carry on the family race. I stood back and watched her week in and week out shopping for presents for her family and friends and enjoy her time wrapping them all up, only to be unwrapped by others to get at the object inside but it made me question my own morality a little and think about others around the world who can only ever dream about the things that we in the west take so much for granted and in many ways I woke up to the reality that what we take so much for granted, others would value so much and treasure with all their heart to have toys and gadgets that are everyday things in the west and it truly made me feel a little humbled in so many ways.

I cannot guarantee it at this moment as much depends upon how I feel but their is a likelihood that this may be the last update on this site for 2018 as there is but a few days left and the excitement is already building toward Monday night when we all celebrate the new year. For me, it's going to be a double celebration like 2017 as my special person is overseas right now and I will open the new year with them and then after a few hours, re-visit it again and link up with them for my new year some 8 hours separating the two. It's an unusual way but it works and we enjoy the moment together in our own way. For 2019, who knows whats coming and as I sit here writing, A news item just flashed across the screen saying that the wonderfully talented "Dame June Whitfield" has just passed away and for that reason, I make no real predictions as life can be so cruel and so quickly cut short and for that reason, I will leave it until the new year to share my plans for the coming months and year but for now, all it leaves me left to do is to wish you all a "Very Happy New Year" for 2019 and hope that your own personal dreams and wishes come true.