Well that was Christmas. This morning Scotland woke up to new lockdown statuses. The Outer Islands have gone from Tier 2 to Tier 3 and everywhere else is now Tier 4. The only difference for me is that I won't be able to meet family or friends in their houses just in a café. At least I saw The Family on Christmas morning however, as only two families are allowed to meet in one house I left my in-laws to enjoy the day with their family and, for Christmas Dinner, I went to friends close by my home who were alone because their family is in Edinburgh so unable to visit the Island.
After I retired from being a bureaucrat I went full-time into our pottery business and ceased to wear ties. The pottery involved a mixture of manual jobs as well a running the business which at it's busiest (ironically at the time when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer) had 22 staff.
Since lockdown I have started wearing ties again - happy ties. I'll show you some time.
However, I have always worn plain socks (blue, black or brown). Yesterday my Goddaughter surprised me with her family's Christmas present. So in future I shall be wearing happy socks too (except at Lewis funerals!). The following was taken after Christmas dinner yesterday in front of my friends' roaring fire.
Those are pretty impressive socks, Graham. That is a lovely photo of you too.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed your Christmas Day, despite all the current turmoil everywhere.
Best wishes for 2021 x
Thank you, JayCee. The socks are certainly a pretty radical departure but wotthehellarchiewotthehell.
DeleteNow those socks make a statement! All praise to your Goddaughter for having the good sense to introduce them to you, and kudos to you for accepting the challenge. As for neckties, it once appeared on a list I read of the most useless things ever invented, and I tend to agree. In the days when businessmen still wore suits as a uniform, I always wondered why we had to tie a piece of coloured bunting around our throats to be properly dressed. Now I have three ties in my closet, all worn very sparingly and only at weddings, along with my only suit, bought in 2003 for - you guessed it, a wedding. But, I will look forward to seeing your happy ties, Graham. I always admire those worn by Richard Dawkins. I think, however, I shall continue to be tieless. That's the way it is!
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting point about neckties, David. I think that I shall expand my post on the subject when I write it. All I can say is that I'm pleased now that I didn't get rid of all mine even if a great many went. They are still quite common in the UK I think, particularly in slightly more formal settings like the opera or ballet performances.
DeleteAs a female necktie-and-fedora enthusiast (I have a collection of over 30 vintage neckties) I applaud your newfound joie de vivre and savoire faire! Very sharp! For me, wearing a necktie has nothing to do with anything except how snappy I feel when wearing it. I don't care what everyone else is wearing, I just wear what I feel like wearing. It makes me happy, and if I feel happy, I guess that colors the world around me just a little bit. If you make tie wearing a voluntary statement instead of a function-based societal requirement, it becomes a fun thing!
DeleteGood to see you looking happy - tie and socks included :) I got a pair of "Christmas socks" sent to me by one of my "New-Year-friends" whom I won't be seeing this year (my usual NY Eve party cancelled because of the virus). I did figure out what your fox was looking at, but (with the card) had to use a magnifying glass to make sure... - I don't think I ever knew that your pottery was such a big business (employing so many people). Perhaps some time you could blog a bit more about the pottery as well and show some photos and items made back then?
ReplyDeleteOver the years I've been asked (by you more than once) to blog about the pottery and I keep either forgetting or putting it off because it's a big topic and would require a lot of thought even to distill everything into small readable sized chunks. Most of the time the potter had far fewer staff than that but we had just taken over another pottery as well as having more lines in our own. I'll try and do something this year. It's in the new year 'to do' diary.
DeleteI love the idea of happy socks, especially as we could definitely all do with some happy just now.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got to see your family on Christmas morning and I hope the situation will be much improved this time next year. X
Thank you, Jules. I would like to think life will be much improved long before then but I whilst I'm always an optimist sometime I can be a bit unrealistic as well.
DeleteI wear happenchance socks. Rarely do they match as I get dressed in the dark.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got out and don't have to self isolate or immolate, extreme though the later is it would help contain the sniffles.
How do you know what tier you are in. They never send me a letter so I assume it's not that important.
Adrian you are in Tier Adrian so they won't send you a letter.
DeleteTa, I did wonder as I have to go to Glasgow on Monday. If I get stopped I'll tell them you said it was okay.
DeleteGood luck with that one Adrian.
DeleteSnazzy socks! When you put you feet up, you can cheer up at the same time. Lo e seeing a roaring holiday fireplace.
ReplyDeleteStay safe
Thank you, Maywyn. Fortunately I am usually cheerful even if I always wore boring socks.
DeleteI knit socks .My OH loves them and the brighter and bolder the better!!!
ReplyDeleteGood heavens, Barbara, what a few days you have had. Well you'll have plenty of time to knit or whatever now. When I was a child and a very young man we used to stay at my Godfather's cottage in Pantymwyn. I've probably visited Mold over my 'English' lifetime more than anywhere else in Wales. I say 'English' because I was brought up in Liverpool in those days known varyingly as the Capital of Ireland and the Capital of Wales.
DeleteRight Bobbie Dazellers those sox, and even better for not being a 'pair'. My socks get hidden in boots when out with The Dog and the ever-worn trousers would hide them unlike your display. Is that a pair of mouse ears on the fireplace? I think it's a mouse... Lesley
ReplyDeleteLesley, all the sox in the box were different. There is a large bronze cat on the fireplace. I think I bought it as a housewarming present about 15 years ago. Looking at it though the ears are definitely mouse ears. Hmmm. It may well be a mouse. I obviously am very unobservant or have a terrible memory (or both).
DeleteIf those socks do not spread the cheer, I don‘t know what will!
ReplyDeleteLike Monica, I would like to read more about the pottery some day, whenever you feel like it.
Meike, we could all do with a little cheer at the moment so I hope that they do. I really will try and make the effort to do some pottery posts.
DeleteHow nice to see your smiling face in front of the fire with the fun tie and socks. I love fun socks. So used to wearing stockings and dress shoes to work, it's lovely to have some fun with bright colors and comfy flat shoes. Happy Christmas from Across The Pond in Maine.
ReplyDeleteRegina, thank you for your lovely comment. I hope you stay safe in 2021.
DeleteYou sure are in the Christmas spirit in that pic, Graham! You're looking very colourful, sprightly and happy. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I went out to my driveway a few minutes ago to collect the Sunday paper, two hares were busy chatting to each other out in the middle of the yard. Unfortunately, I disturbed their Sunday morning gossip and they hopped off.
It sounds, and looks, like you had a most enjoyable (and colourful) Christmas, Graham...I hope the joy continues through the coming week and beyond...take good care. :)
Lee, I was bright and cheerful and happy and I'm conscious of how fortunate I am. On the other hand I've never sen two hares gambolling so I'm a tad envious of you there. Thanks for your good wishes which I also wish for you.
DeleteI know my colour perception may not be the same as others' but can I ask whether your Goddaughter bought you two pairs of socks?
ReplyDeleteTasker, my Goddaughter bought me six socks in the box so by my calculations that will make 15 pairs. Please correct me if I am wrong.
DeleteWell thanks for the hint on the fox . Nice photo for your Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThank you Red.
DeleteYou look like a most happy fellow. I wish you continued joy into the next year. I love the socks! and the tie! You look spiffy.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jill. I was, indeed am, a most happy fellow.
DeleteWhat cheerful socks! They made me happy just looking at them (lovely photo of you too).
ReplyDeleteMargaret, that's very kind of you.
DeleteMay I suggest you hang those socks on next years tree! Thank for pointing out the ears... I was looking in the wrong spot.
ReplyDeleteCro, I haven't had a proper Christmas tree for many years so I'll just continue wearing the sox. Glad you found the ears.
DeleteGraham, If there's one person who doesn't need bright ties and colourful socks it's ypu. And if there's one person who can pull them off (you know what I mean) it's you! Lovely to see you looking so happy and relaxed. I kept thinking the fox was looking at the bright spot in the snow, trust you to spot the ears.
ReplyDeletePauline, that made me laugh. Yes, I'm still supple enough to get my own socks on and off. And thank you for your kind words.
DeleteHappy socks, indeed!
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Pipistrello.
DeleteThanks for the wonderful photo of you - it's so good to see your face again!
ReplyDeleteAnd what a lovely fireplace, with such wonderful details... I am just lately on a "fireplace jag"... have been haunting the YouTube channels that feature ambient rooms with roaring fireplaces... so lovely and relaxing!
Thank you, Marcheline. You are fortunate in that you don't have to look at it every day. There is nothing like a roaring real fire (for giving one lots of work).
Deleteoh yes! I like your happy socks, I'd wear them too. I'm guessing Tier 4 is like lockdown there? Stay safe. Kia kaha
ReplyDeleteThank you, Amy. Tier 4 is a slightly watered down lockdown with children going to school and essential shops still open. Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui.
DeleteThose are some pretty colorful socks, Graham, and that tie and red sweater are very snazzy as well. Thanks for sharing the photos of yourself in front of that wonderful fire! I don't wear neckties, but do like socks in any color and red is my very favorite color whether at Christmas or NOT. My best wishes to you for a happy end of year however you will spend it. We will do so happily at home, like many others, and without complaint.
ReplyDeleteMany apologies for being late to respond to your comment, Beatrice. I'm just doing a quick check of old posts. Thanks for your thoughts.
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