PETE MALONE COLUMN: Make a Christmas wish for peace in the Holy Land
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The Postie Notes by Pete Malone
The poet Tennyson wrote that in spring a young man’s fancy turns to thoughts of love but, by the end of November the thoughts of postmen, young and old, turn to the ever-increasing volume of parcels to be delivered.
It is not quite as romantic an idea but as November rolls into December and Christmas starts to loom large in the minds of many.
Adverts for local Christmas fairs and craft sales show that there is a wide variety of unusual and unique items to be found locally.
I am always amazed at the breadth and depth of local industry that goes on beneath the surface in rural communities.
You can buy just about anything – cakes and dog collars, jewellery and cushions, goat’s cheese and soaps, woodwork, and calendars, knitwear and decorations, glass ornaments and decorations, candles and even Christmas bunting.
Some items are more exotic than others with the most creative pieces ranging from drawings, paintings and photographs to handmade items such as dream catchers and mandalas.
No – I did not know what a mandala was either and had to look it up. Mandala means “circle” in Sanskrit and is a pattern or object of various geometric shapes (but usually circular) symbolising the the universe. Mandalas are mainly used in Hinduism and Buddhism as an aid to meditation.
They are said to help people achieve an improved state of tranquillity and can be very helpful in improving mental health either while making them or as a part of developing mindfulness. After last month’s article on roads, perhaps I should have one in the postvan with me.
I am in complete awe of people who make handicrafts, household goods or clothing. If I tried to knit a pair of socks, they would end up looking like two extremely short scarves complete with tassels at the end.
If I tried to throw a pot, I would most likely end up throwing it on the floor, and if I tried to enter the exalted world of basketry, I would most than likely end up as basket case myself.
About the best I can do is to make myself comfortable with a good book, a nice dram and some shortbread at the end of the day.
This is the time of year for traditions – cards and carols and homemade crackers and mince pies and mulled wine. I like Christmas traditions too. My wife makes a cake and a pudding every Christmas and we both stir a wish into them. I think this is just her way of making the difficult job of stirring the mixture easier by making me take a turn, but it has become a tradition that we follow every year and my wish gets stirred into the cake along with some of my best booze.
I am sure that there are many other wishing traditions that others have at this time of year, but perhaps the most common is pulling apart the turkey's wishbone.
At this time of year many people’s thoughts turn to the Middle East and the events of 2000 years ago when the Christ child was born.
Sadly, our thoughts are there right now for far more distressing reasons. I hope that, whether you believe in it or not, your stirring wish or wishbone wish, or perhaps just your unspoken wish, is that we might see some peace for all in the Holy Land.
Pete Malone runs Bettyhill General Merchants – the local shop and post office.
