The last Friday of 2011. And so begins a slow walk to the end of another year.

Ambushed by Christmas (my own fault, of course: same date every year, nothing to be scared of), tending sick animals and children, reigning in the oldies while fighting the desire to sleep spontaneously with bouts of manic activity that appeared to achieve very little, I am reminded that the best things in life are three.

When I was a (lot) younger, and Martin O’Neill was no more than a twinkle in my footballing eye, and I still got a satsuma in my stocking from the big man (and while satsumas may not be the only fruit, they are a damn fine one), I never thought life could still be so complicated.

Good job I got a number of fine books this year to distract me, as well as a little bird and some flying saucers (filled with sherbet, not aliens I might add), not to mention the tunes… Music remains as ever an original soundtrack to life, offering guiding lights, signposts and memorial stones to our experiences. Comfort and joy.

Wishing you a musical bounty in 2012, as well as some Lovehearts in your pocket.

Mrs Mackerel x

Download The Eels – Old Shit/New Shit mp3 (from Blinking Lights And Other Revelations)

Download The Dutchess & The Duke – Out Of Time mp3 (from She’s The Dutchess, He’s The Duke)

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