We have skipped from Monday #505 straight to Monday #509 as I took an unannounced (and longer than anticipated) Christmas break. Nothing untoward happened – I just had so much on and decided to down tools a bit early. This is the first time I have opened my laptop since then, and it has actually been quite nice. But I have several ideas I want to get on virtual paper now, so it’s time to get back to it.

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas, New Year, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, or generally just a good time in the last month whether there was a celebration or not.

Five Have a Mystery to Solve

and

December round up

Oh, little New Year, we are glad you have come,
You’ll bring us the snowdrop and crocus again…

This is the beginning of Little New Year, a poem that reminds us that although January is cold, dark and often a bit depressing after the Christmas decorations come down, there is plenty to look forward to.