An Affirming Flame.

"I thought you were going to light a joss stick," says Ailz.

I don't know why she thought that. I was just getting up to do- actually- I don't know what exactly- maybe adjust my bones before sitting down again- but a joss stick is a good idea...

"There are a whole lot of candles on the floor of the wardrobe," she says.

That sounds like an even better idea. Not only scent but light.

We bought them to give away as Christmas gifts last year or the year before- but never did. They are different colours and have names like "festive vanilla" and "mulled wine"- and there are quite a few of them- enough to keep us going through the Christmas period.

I drop one in the frosted glass container that it came with, light it, and place it on the dining room table.

It's a dim sort of a day, with cold, intermittent rain.

And Of A Rose I Sing A Song...

Woke up this morning in an expansive mood, decided it was Christmas...

Hence the lighting of the candle.

Also the breaking out of the whisky. I was watching the remake of Whiskey Galore last night. It's a footnote to McKendrick's little masterpiece but it has generosity and scenery- and Gregor Fisher is adorable as postmaster Macroon.

And thanks to a hint from an online friend (you know who you are) we've got Joglaresa singing mediaeval (mainly) Christmas songs to us. Sorry Bing, sorry Noddy, but if it's not in Latin or- at a pinch- Old English, I don't want to know....