Gifts from my Magi

Look what I got from Hodmandod Senior for Christmas: in this tiny clip I can store as many tracks as I can possibly need so I have no more excuses not to go to the gym (I need music to exercise). If this was my gold, then from Hodmandod Major I got some myrhh...




...an interesting and rather potent air-freshener (the china base holds aromatic oils which travel up the small piece of decorated wood rather like a solvent travels up the paper of a chromatograph);





and from Hodmandod Minor some frankincense in the form of an assortment of lotions and bath oils.






And also this - a rather splendid Dr Who mug, replete with daleks. I am looking forward to taking this out to the shed.

I have also indulged myself looking at some Life photos via the Petrona link, and now am looking forward to reading THE RINGS OF SATURN by W.G. Sebald.

So, a good day, but as I dusted the old candlesticks we only use at this time of year, it was as though my tongue was exploring the familiarity of my mouth and finding gaps and tender places where things have gone missing - and I remembered other kings, and other gifts and other Christmases.