The celebration of the New Year is a bit odd, isn't it? It'd make more sense to celebrate the solstice, when something does turn, and at one time, the official year didn't begin in January, but in March. If you want to read about all the variations, check out here.
And why do we pin hopes of change to this one day? Why not on our birthdays? That would make more sense. (I've always thought it would make sense if on our birthday we gave presents to our parents for bringing us into the world. Don't you think?)
The New Year doesn't even happen at the same time, as our global community makes clear. Anne celebrated yesterday. Nicola and I are doing it now, and the American Wenches have 5-8 hours to wait. Really, it's time that drives us crazy, isn't it, if we look at it too closely. No wonder Doctor Who is a Time Lord.
My resolution is to seek joy in my daily lives and to appreciate the simple things, and in that spirit, I offer some pictures of Davy, who went with son #2 to Japan in 2009.
Meditatingenjoying the sun and scenery
contemplating different spiritualities
and making new friends.
To start our 2010 pleasures, here's the list of historical TV that people here have enjoyed. Foyle's War
Cranford
Forsyte Saga
Upstairs Downstairs
Wives and Daughters
Cadfael
Lord Peter Wimsey
Deadwood
Robin of Sherwood
Onedin Line
North and South
Sharpe
Horatio Hornblower
Merlin
Joan of Arc
Here Come The Brides
The Last King
The First Churchills
Pallisers
Barchester Chronicles
Mayor of Casterbridge
Mapp and Lucia
Anne of Green Gables
I Claudius
Roar
House of Mirth
The Aristocrats
Flambards
Six Wives of Henry VIII
Crossbow
The Scarlet Pimpernel
Brideshead Revisited
The Tudors
Young Victoria
Blackadder
The First Churchills
Poldark
John Adams
Sherlock Holmes
Into The West
Jeeves and Wooster
Now for the winners. Alas, many of you didn't specify where you are, and I did say one copy of Chalice of Roses would go to North America and one to the rest of the world. However, as it happens, I think it worked out. If not, I'll have to pick again. A promise is a promise.The first pick was Cynthya, and as she was recommending John Adams, I suspect she's from North America.The second was Carol Thompson, and she spelled "favourites" the British way. E-mail me at jo@jobev.com with your addresses.
Chalice of Roses is out officially in a few days, but it's probably on shelves now in some places. We hope it'll start your year of with great reading pleasure,
All best wishes,
Jo