Winter Wasteland

From somewhere inside the M25 (UK)
The local populace is in the midst of their annual dillema - who do I buy for, and who can I skip this year. What if someone sends me a card - and I don't have a gift or a card for them ? What will they think ? The fear of reciprocity fills the air - not one of giving and peace. Not one of self-assuredness - but one of fear. Fear is the fuel burning throughout. The year has been horrid. Jobs are being lost by the hour. Woolworth's has gone bankrupt - along with the cheap easy gifts. Gone is the purchasing power - the GBP is now almost at parity with the Euro. Heaven forbid the summer vacations in Europe will be lost - but the papers are full of holidays in Southampton - the mainland vacations have moved to Conde Naste. As the torrent of shoppers slog through the water flowing down the streets - There is a fear of their lifestyles moving down the sewers with the water.

But the British are resilient. They have weathered worse. The Blitz, The Norman Conquest, and the ban on smoking in pubs. The will rise from the ashes of this latest setback and rise again - maybe in 10 - 20 years; but rise again they will. Hopefully by then the miserable rain will have stopped.

Happy Solstice - if we can see the sun.