Wednesday, 7 January, 2026
Have you been catching yourself typing 2025? I don’t think I have yet but… Anyway here it is another new year. I keep thinking back to 2020 where I reasoned (and prayed) that 20/20 was perfect vision so I was ready for a good one. Instead, it was the beginning of a downslide. Hasn’t stopped yet. Hope is eternal, right?
I’ve been writing up my Cancer Journey stuff but not ready to publish anything. As usual, lots of writing in my head and difficulty getting photos to cooperate. My eyesight is terrible and I haven’t yet got back to scheduling my eye surgery. Waiting for that call. And, honestly, 2025 was the Year of Waiting. It’s just a spillover. I’m very reluctant to post without my photos. They remind me of what to say and add context. Taking photos is still a big deal for me, a great companion when I’m out, and I find myself wishing I’d been documenting more of my life. The past is done with. On to the future and enjoying the present as much as I can with all the nonsense I’ve been going through. The truth is I’m far from feeling well and hoping that as time passes, I’ll feel more myself — better! Meanwhile, welcome to my melancholia – no excuses.
Christmas was quiet. I had many quiet Christmases in London but then everything seemed serene and pretty. I got used to having no one around and having no transport to go anywhere. We’d stock up on M&S treat-like foods and turn on all the lights, candles everywhere, snug if alone. There are family around now but I can’t decorate in the same way (not yet) and we don’t see anyone anyway. On the 27th there was the usual family get together. Krish had asked not to stay too long then asked to delay our departure so that was nice. There was plenty of food at my niece’s. Everyone was smiling. It was nice and I’d like more.
I wanted to make little gingerbread houses but didn’t want to go the graham cracker route again. Ikea, for the second year, let me down on mini house kits. Instead they had tree kits. I bought two boxes meaning to assemble four sets as gifts. Wrong! My energy level just wasn’t there, my icing skills – as poor as they are – were even worse than usual. I soldiered on. I struggled with the decorations but in the end made a decision to finish just one set for now. They could fight over it – or fight because no one would want it. However, the finished result was OK – I mean in a Gaudi-esque way. I have three sets left to finish and suspect they will be a project for next year.
My decorations were all I could manage this year. A little cheering up for sure but not at previous levels! The first photo is from Hackney Christmases — my Christmas advent treehouse from Roger LaBorde. I wanted to buy one for my brother but only the small non-advent one. I really want to unpack my things…
The next picutre is this year. We miss the whimsy of what we were used to but it will come back. Hopefully this Christmas. We each have a toy that isn’t packed and that’s the best of us.
Truth told, the colours of winter now are grey and white. (I read that on Instagram!) I haven’t seen much in the way of decoration anywhere. I would have explored had I had the energy. As well, it’s been a very snowy winter so far. Not an easy slog. The renamed Dundas (now Sankofa* Square had a small Christmas market. I swung by after a hospital visit. It wasn’t open yet.
Talking of hospitals, some of it is actually fun. Every third Thursday at Toronto General, they run a wellness kitchen. It’s set up like a TV show. The chef, Jeremy, makes three courses of healthy and simple meals and at the end we get to sample it. A few of the recipes are regulars for us now. You can watch it yourself at home – recorded or live on the third Thursday at noon EST. Maybe you’ll see me there. Pictured is Jeremy, and the Moroccan style chickpea stew I made at home.
We have to move soon. We like it here. More than like it. I hope we can find something soon and that it’s not far away, if not right here in the building. Every night I watch the windows opposite. It’s a guilty pleasure. I can’t see into the places, my eyesight isn’t that good, but I do think about the individual stories that are going on every day behind those windows.
Meanwhile, it continues snowy and cold. At night in the lights of the stadium opposite we watch the rain or snow falling thick and fast. These are good days for winter naps.
 
Are we a city of idiots, hibernating in the Toronto way of things?
I hope your Christmas was merry and your new year will be splendid, all year long.
Considering 2025’s physical issues you did OK. I know it was difficult and it would have been easy to settle into an apathetic rut but you got some interesting things done and learned a few new tricks. When you’re feeling better I expect you to pick up the pace and inspire us all even more! (o:
Challenge accepted, John. Now to discover what it will be.
A Gaudiesque tree sounds just the thing. So sorry you are going through this ‘nonsense – such a brave and gallant way of putting it. Can’t decide if I like the double decker or the Noddy car more – it’s a genuine tie! The wellness kitchen sounds fantastic: NHS, take note. Do hope you can stay in the same building or close by – Thank you for the introduction to Roger LaBorde advent calendars. But most of all thank you for your writing. What John Simmons said. A very splendid New Year to you and Krish.