Happy Holidays, Friends

[Diane]

That's lovely, Eija. I hope you and Jarkko have a wonderful Christmas:-) And everyone else here xxx.

[musicmania]

Happy Holidays Friends! I hope everyone has a wonderful time and for those who find this time of year difficult you are in my thoughts!

[merton]

Hi,

As ever in this Christmas period profound thanks to Eija & Jarkko. A peaceful and relaxing Christmas to the moderators and all of us who connect in serious or casual way through the Forum.

Advent - Patrick Kavanagh
We have tested and tasted too much, lover-
Through a chink too wide there comes in no wonder.
But here in the Advent-darkened room
Where the dry black bread and the sugarless tea
Of penance will charm back the luxury
Of a child's soul, we'll return to Doom
The knowledge we stole but could not use.

And the newness that was in every stale thing
When we looked at it as children: the spirit-shocking
Wonder in a black slanting Ulster hill
Or the prophetic astonishment in the tedious talking
Of an old fool will awake for us and bring
You and me to the yard gate to watch the whins
And the bog-holes, cart-tracks, old stables where Time begins.

O after Christmas we'll have no need to go searching
For the difference that sets an old phrase burning-
We'll hear it in the whispered argument of a churning
Or in the streets where the village boys are lurching.
And we'll hear it among decent men too
Who barrow dung in gardens under trees,
Wherever life pours ordinary plenty.
Won't we be rich, my love and I, and
God we shall not ask for reason's payment,
The why of heart-breaking strangeness in dreeping hedges
Nor analyse God's breath in common statement.
We have thrown into the dust-bin the clay-minted wages
Of pleasure, knowledge and the conscious hour-
And Christ comes with a January flower.

All the best,
merton


And draw us near
And bind us tight
All your children here
In their rags of light

[MaryB]

Happy Holidays to everyone and all the best in the New Year!

[Cheshire gal]

Wishing all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Many thanks also to Jarkko and Eija for another lovely card.

[Mkevenson]

Tis the day before Christmas, Merry Christmas to all!

Mark

[Goldin]

Merry Christmas, Dear Friends!

[Mollydog]

A very Merry Christmas Eija and Jarkko and to everyone on this wonderful forum.

[holydove]

Thank you to Eija for the very beautiful & elegant ice crystal photo.

Peace & joy to Jarkko & family, & to all the forum members, during this holiday season & always.

[uncleerwinone]

Wow, it is already this time of the year! To me, it feels last year's holidays just happened. Although I am not posting very much these days I am still here and wish everyone peace and good health (unfortunately not always guaranteed).

PS: You will not believe it, but just a few days ago I was in the tube with our man or at least with his songs.I had to undergo an MRI and the hospital staff asked me what music I would wanted to listen to during the procedure. I replied not really seriously "Leonard Cohen" and his music came on.

I wonder if this is a first for him and I am so happy that I got the opportunity to get this little story off my chest.

[Gentle Reader]

Happy holidays to everyone. May 2016 be filled with (Leonard's) music!

Linda

[tikied]

Thank-you, and Happy Holidays to you!

[Goldin]

Happy New Year, The Cohenites!

May the forthcoming year be full of love and happiness and magic!

[Mkevenson]

Tis the day before the new year, at least in my time zone. After a year, my body feels a bit beat up , but no matter, I have another year to recover .

May the new year bring much joy and peace to all of you and your families.

Mark

[jim devlin]

Happy Belated Christmas ... and ... A Wonderful New Year to you all in 2016.
Jim