And so a new year begins

How does the beginning of 2026 contrast with the beginning of 2025? Well, the major thing (obviously) is that I am cohabiting with a lovely, lovely man. At the beginning of last year, it did seem as if this turn of events might be possible. At the beginning of 2024 I would have laughed in your face if you suggested anything like this. It’s a funny old world.

Actually, for the most part it is not a funny old world. It’s largely a horrible, horror-filled world. The other day on the news (which I can only watch in small doses) there they were together in Washington, grinning and spouting some awful crap – the Wankmaggot and Netanyahu. Why aren’t these vile pieces of excrement in jail?

I am so lucky and I know it. As I said to Dirk the other day, if it weren’t for having him in my life my head would be exploding. My head should be exploding. It’s all so appalling. And yet, against all odds, my life is filled with love and laughter and so my head remains, if not in the clouds, at least in one piece.

And then there’s the art. Something I’ve mentioned before. There was an agreement that when the time came, when I was ready to move in, he would take down all the art, I’d bring mine and together we’d decide what went where. It hasn’t happened exactly that way. For one thing, my moving in has been gradual. But art has been creeping in. There were the travel posters back in August. And just before Christmas, Casablanca made its way into the bedroom.

There is a rock formation on the island that is quite famous and has been photographed and painted many times. In early December we went to a local gallery so he could add some glass pieces to his display and I could look for a few Christmas cards by local artists. While we were there, I pointed to an image of said rock formation and said I thought it was the best rendition I’d ever seen. I should have known. When we exchanged Solstice presents there it was.

It’s now part of this yours, mine, ours wall.

The big batik piece of art was moved into the bedroom from somewhere else in the house, the photograph in the middle is one he took in France of a still-standing Roman bridge, and my new piece of art. Getting there.

His birthday is in two days, but tomorrow he’s flying to Calgary to visit his son and family, so we’re making today an early birthday. This was his big present from me.

It’s going to take a while to decide where this booby is going to live. I look forward to finding out.

I also look forward to finding out what new adventures await us in this new year.

Long live seniorlescence.