Our Urchins

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas Day.  Today is a quiet day for us, just the two of us together munching on yesterday's left-overs.

We had a lovely day with our family.  Nathan and Daniel were a delight as usual, both so good.  They loved their presents. Nathan told me, on the quiet, that today he is going on a spaceship. When I asked him where he was going he replied "the moon."  I asked him if Mummy and Daddy and Daniel were going as well to which he replied yes.  I asked about us.  "Course you are coming Nanny and so is Grand-dad."  I am still waiting for blast-off!  They both entertained us with their singing and dancing.  I also got told at regular intervals throughout the day by Nathan "I like presents."

I had some lovely gifts.  A book, a DVD,  a collection of four CD's of old Music Hall songs which I love, a beautiful soft pale blue jumper, a crystal Hyacinth and a crystal Daffodil (I love crystal) and I might well post a picture of them next time,  a cushion with a cat like Leo on it, a talking book, a large diary and some toiletries from our friend and 92 year old neighbour, Vera.  Our journal friend Sandra, sent me a beautiful wind chime which we already have hanging up in our sunlounge.  Thank you so much Sandra and Mike has asked me to thank you and Jim for his present.

We all did very well for gifts and the food was lovely.  All in all a very nice day.

I also had an extra little present handed to me by the boys.  A photograph, different to any we have had before.  The boys in period costume.  They are not smiling but it is a beautiful photo and when I saw it a real lump came to my throat.

They look the parts.  Daniel seems to have a sort of confidence, a look of "I belong here, do not mess with me."  It reminds me so of the Artful Dodger in Oliver Twist although Daniel is the youngest of the two as you know. Nathan, on the other hand looks like Oliver Twist himself -  apprehensive, uncertain, wanting to get back to Mr. Brownlow. The poses and looks compliment each other so well.  On the other hand they could be merely a couple of Victorian street urchins caught by a photographer of the time.  I will leave it up to you, dear friends and readers, what do you think?

Anyway, we are going to enlarge the photo and it will be hanging on our wall in the near future.

Well, that is about all the news. We are just going to have a relaxing day doing nothing in particular but very much looking forward to watching The Old Curiosity Shop on t.v. tonight.  It has an excellent write-up and I am an ardent fan of Dickens.

I hope none of you have hang-overs and that you did not over indulge on food.  So, that is Christmas over for another year.  It goes so very fast.

With love to you all,

PS.  This Christmas has seen the passing of two journallers, Lahoma and Kim.  They both put up such brave fights and were an inspiration to so many.    Please leave your condolences and support for their families at

Lahoma's Laments

I shaved my legs for this?