Christmas has been lovely. A visit to an elderly aunt in the morning, and then a sumptuous meal cooked by Richard. Stephen was here the whole time, and we spent a couple of hours chatting in the afternoon. He was telling me his opinions of the orchestras and conductors he's played with (he's a trombonist). We can always talk about music, which is a lovely connection to have. Then Dr. Who on the telly, which is a must. I never thought any revival could work, having been brought up on the programme from the age of nine. Indeed, I can still remember the fascination of those early episodes. I can say I was haunted by them. I wouldn't miss an episode now.

My frog colony has increased - a large barometer, which now resides outside the front door, to be read every time the newspaper drops through the letter-box. There's also another frog to adorn the bathroom, yet another  one of the red-eyed-tree-frog variety sitting in state on the antique bookcase in the bedroom, a marvellous Hawaiian tee-shirt emblazoned with Peace, Love and Frogs on the front, and a mug with about thirty frogs on it, each one different. Life is full of frogs. Wonderful, eh!

And I also received more Lebkuchen and marzipan from Anke than I know what to do with. Wow. So much for a 1000 calories a day.

I also have two new books to read. One on Brahms and the other on Bach, both in German. I've started the Brahms one already. What a sad story it contains about Schumann's last years. Probably suffering from Bipolar disorder, and tinnitus - he suffered from a constantly roaring note in his ears - and was finally sent to a sanatorium for two years, where his wife was not allowed to visit. The last few minutes of his life were finally accompanied by Clara, however. I wonder how she must have felt in those moments. And what did Schumann suffer, being entirely separated from all those aspects of his life that made it bearable - music, his wife and children, his way of life, his freedoms, his ability to travel where he wanted, compose how and when he wanted. What differences there have been in the last two hundred years in psychology. I often think that when we consider the ways in which the world has improved - human rights issues (women's rights, for example, rights for children, greater freedom of movement and beliefs and so on) it's a fine seam of optimism against these troubled times.

Back to Christmas. Of course, the love of my family continues to be the anchor in my life. And I never thought that could happen.

More OU checking through the scripts tomorrow and then I'll send them back. It'll be then done and dusted. I have really enjoyed it.

Love to you all, Moira x