Tis a few
days to Christmas and it feels like only yesterday there were weeks left for
preparation. I cannot remember a single holiday where everything was ready well
in advance, bows tied on package ribbons and Christmas lights in every window –
none blinking. But feeling as if everything is going to fall to pieces is part
of the frenzy and by now the feeling is as cherished as the smell of
gingerbread men. Not that there will be any smell of gingerbread men in my
house this Christmas. For this I would need the 23rd to be 27 hours
long.
When there
is nothing on the news here it is quite common for the internet papers to post
articles showing before and after pictures of crystal meth addicts. I do not
know why as there is no crystal meth here but I guess the ravaged and ruined
faces have an appeal beyond police prevention tactics. I find them horrifically
sad. Why anyone would take such a drug is beyond me but then again I am lucky
enough to have been born in a country where almost everyone gets their chance
at life – not by any means the same odds at a good life but a chance.
I have the
flu. It is horrible and my face resembles the crystal meth addicts. Or a leper.
I have not made up my mind which likeness is more apt. Neither are particularly
a festive look. But salvageable come Monday.
To those
reading this I wish you and your loved ones happy holidays. Here Christmas is
called “hátíð ljóss og friðar” or: the festival of light and peace. On that
note one cannot but reflect upon the incredible sadness now being experienced by
the parents, friends and relatives of those who died in the school massacre in
the US. I for one cannot believe otherwise than this staggering tragedy will be
a turning point in the approach to gun ownership in the country. Anything else
is unacceptable.
Yrsa - Wednesday
Posts
Yrsa, Thank you for your kind wishes for my countrymen. The majority of us want what you want for us Whether they will give it to us is another matter, unfortunately. I wish you peace and light and complete recovery from the flu before your celebrations begin. Hugs to you from NYC!
ReplyDeleteYou're a remarkable (and attractive) human being, Yrsa, with or without the flu:) Thank you for your good wishes and I wish you and your countrymen the same.
ReplyDeleteAs I mentioned in a comment I left on Tim's Sunday post about the Newtown slaughter, my take on how that horror challenges America to act went up on my US publisher's website today. Bottom line: If common sense change doesn't come now, it never will.
Hátíð ljóss og friðar.
You are absolutely correct Jeffrey - it is time to put the political rhetoric away and bring back common sense.
DeleteHappy holidays to you, Yrsa, and I have the same flu you do, complete with pimples or meth Zits. Very appealing. Also, I have to tell you, it lasts for years.
ReplyDeleteBut I hope you have a sneeze- and cough-free Christmas.
Hope you all have a flu free, and wonderful, Christmas with those whom you love!
ReplyDelete