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Welcome to Newsletter #171

A bunch of tales I wanted to share with you

A tale I read

Christmas Poetry by John Hegley

A tale I heard

Chef Nigella Lawson on her plans for Christmas:

"I’m not a planner – apart from when it comes to food! But to be completely honest, I’ve never been able to take for granted that I’d be alive by this age. My mother died at 48 and my sister at 32. And then John [Diamond, her late husband] at 47. So, even if I were the sort of person who planned ahead, I don’t think I would have seen myself here. I kind of think you can’t do anything about it ageing so why complain?

I also know what the alternative is, so it feels wrong when you’ve been surrounded by people who have died young to say ‘My hair’s awful, I’ve got to get my roots done’ or ‘My hands look like lizards’. So I don’t dwell on it. As long as you’re healthy, that really is the most important thing."

A tale I saw

Letter From Father Christmas by Rob Auton

(If you get 10 minutes at the end of today, I really recommend giving this a watch / listen. I don't care how many times I've shared this before.)

A tale I wrote

There aren't many days
I'd put up with an orange in my sock
or my pudding being set on fire

but the ceremony warms
the child I'm slowly forgetting.

A tail I like

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