On second thoughts, don't answer that question. There is little more eye-stabbingly tedious than hearing a list of everyone else's Christmas gifts but that, of course, will not stop me from boring you telling you of mine because I know you are really fascinated. First of all, and following some subtle hints, you know, like 'this is what I really want for Christmas', 'SoD' produced a ticket for the Paul Klee exhibition at the Tate Modern. It must be over twenty years ago since there was an exhibition of his work in London and I can barely wait.
The 'Memsahib' surpised me with a slim volume whose title alone delighted me - Old, Bold and Won't Be Told: Shakespeare's Amazing Ageing Ladies by Yvonne Oram. Increasingly I am turning to those books about Shakespeare that aproach him from an unusual and mainly historical angle. For example, there is a book I posted about recently which concentrates on the actual actors in Shakespeare's company and how their physicality is reflected in the roles he created. In the course of her book Ms. Oram provides a useful guide to the deeply-embedded opinions and prejudices of the all-powerful male society of the Early Modern period. The other gift given to me with love and affection by the 'Memsahib' touched me deeply - a new cover for my ironing board! I use the possessive word 'my' because, as I may have told you before, as a result of my deeply entrenched army training I do all the ironing in our household!
You may, one day when I have mastered the art or craft of transferring photos from a digital camera (my gift to the 'Memsahib') to this machine, be able to admire another gift from her to me - a pair of 'Loungers'! Those of you who fail to keep up with the very latest trends in men's fashion may be unaware of the 'Lounger' revolution. However, earlier this year I spotted in M&S some loudly-checked, rather baggy pantaloons for chaps which are made of soft wool with pockets. These are called 'Loungers' and are meant for gentlemen to lounge around in during the evening when the doors are shut and the curtains drawn because you would not wish to be caught dead in them outside the house by your friends or neighbours! Anyway, the one's I bought were a fairly restrained criss-cross check in various shades of gray. The pair the 'Memsahib' bought are in vivid tartan. The cat took one look and hid behind the settee!
