As Christmas is almost upon us, I have decided to take a short break from blogging so that I can recharge my mental and physical batteries.
Getting older (I am now seventy-five years old) tends to mean that one has to inevitably slow down a bit ... but hopefully not too much! The colder, darker, and shorter days can easily bring on a dose of SADness (Seasonally Affective Disorder) and its inherent susceptibility to visits from the 'Black Dog', and I have found that the best way to cope is:
- To try to get exposure to as much gentle sunlight as possible (and/or to take vitamin D tablets).
- To eat well ... but not to overindulge.
- To rest when I feel tired (i.e. taking a short doze in the afternoon!).
- To tackle projects that are not too physically and/or mentally demanding ... although doing the odd crossword or quiz (or fighting a wargame!) in order to exercise the 'little grey cells' is no bad thing!
- To try to have as much fun as I can and to laugh as often as possible ... even if the cause of the laughter is due to my own stupidity!
None of the above are positive defences against SADness ... but they sure help to keep it at bay!
I intend to return to regular blogging in the New Year ... or possibly even before then if the mood takes me. In the meantime, may I wish my blog readers Merry Christmas and hope that they and their families all enjoy the festivities and stay fit and healthy so that they can look forward to having a great 2026.
BOB,
ReplyDeleteA Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and Sue. Looking forward to your return to Blogging in the New Year. All the best. KEV.
Kev Robertson (Kev),
DeleteMay I wish you both a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
All the best,
Bob
Merry Christmas Bob.
ReplyDeleteI'm already looking forward to see what comes on your blog in 2026.
Roger,
DeleteMay I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a great New Year!
I’ve got a few irons in the fire, and hope to continue to write interesting blog posts about my wanderings through the byways of wargaming, military history, and cruises!
All the best,
Bob
Enjoy the holidays. Merry Christmas and a very happy new year!
ReplyDeleteMark Cordone,
DeleteMay I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a wonderful and healthy New Year!
All the best,
Bob
Merry Christmas Bob! I hope you find some time for toy soldiering in one for or another during the season.
ReplyDeleteKind Regards,
Stokes (Michigan, USA)
WSTKS-FM Worldwide (Stokes),
DeleteMay I wish you and your family a eonderful Christmas and a great New Year!
With luck, I hope to fight a wargame or two before the New Year … real life permitting.
All the best,
Bob
Hello there Bob,
ReplyDeleteRest easy my friend and just roll with where the mood takes you - reading, gaming, painting, planning or any combination thereof. I am sure all the storage ‘finds’ will give you plenty to think about!
Very best seasonal wishes to you and Sue and I look forward to catching up with you in the new year!
All the best and thanks for all the support and encouragement you have given me!
DC
David Crook,
DeleteIt’s my intention to do as much sitting in the sun, exercising, wargaming, reading, and eating far too much rich food as I can! So far, I seem to be managing that quite well … so you can probably guess where I am!
Have a great Christmas … and make sure that your lovely wife and family enjoy themselves and start the New Year with a bang.
All the best,
Bob
Set a spell and put your feet up; keep a nip, tot or dram or two of your fluid intake of choice to hand, and a roaring fire or equivalent thereof close by; a book, or selection of other entertainments within reach - but seriously, Im wishing you all the compliments of the Season -
ReplyDeleteWe antipodeans have, of course, to make do with warm weather and sunny days. Yesterday I knocked together a few jars of plum jam, the fruit from a self-seeded tree out front that has produced early ripening little plums of outstanding sweetness. I halved the sugar called for by the recipe, and the jam is still very sweet. Now - will I, or will I not, make up some plum sauce...?
Cheers, and best wishes,
Ion
Archduke Piccolo (Ion),
DeleteAs I get older, I have begun to appreciate warming weather during the winter, and this Christmas Weber taken steps to ensure that we will at least see a bit more of the sun that is usual for the time of year. As to food and drink … well, I’m sure that we’ll be eating and drinking far too much rich food and that will give me a good reason to take some not too rigorous exercise.
My father had a plum tree in his garden that produced wonderfully sweet fruit but I cannot remember the variety. They were the only plumbs I enjoyed eating.
Have a great Christmas.
All the best,
Bob
Merry Yule and Jolly New Year!
ReplyDeleteThose are good strategies for anyone any time of year, I would say. Although, more so as we get older, I grant you.
Cheers and best wishes!
Fitz-Badger,
DeleteIt’s one of the problems of aging; you’ve got lots of wisdom and ideas based on a lifetime’s experience but not enough youthful energy to put them all into practice. Still, we can but do the best we can!
Have a great Christmas and New Year.
All the best,
Bob
Merry Christmas, Bob…and Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteThanks for another year of great blog posts!
Martin S.,
DeleteMay I wish you the same … and I’ve already got some ideas for blog posts fermenting away in my head!
All the best,
Bob
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Enjoy the break Bob.
ReplyDeleteChris
Nundanket (Chris),
DeleteCheers! I hope that you have a great time over Christmas and the New Year!
All the best,
Bob
Sounds like a plan to me! Have a truly wonderful Christmas
ReplyDeleteIan Dury,
DeleteIt’s a plan that’s worked in the past and hopefully it will do again this year!
Have a great time over Christmas and the New Year,
All the best,
Bob
A Merry Christmas to you and yours, all the best wishes, Tony
ReplyDeleteThe Good Soldier Svjek (Tony),
DeleteI hope that you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and can look forward to a great New Year.
All the best,
Bob