Yuletide Greetings

 

Here’s hoping that all of you, friends, relatives, and other readers of the blog have a really Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Yule, Splendid Saturnalia, or whatever other very enjoyable holidays that you may be celebrating in this season.

I got presents early this year, including the opportunity to meet two very old and close friends in person, after several years of pandemic-related restrictions and mobility issues had prevented it. Another old friend very graciously agreed to make the trek up to the Saitama/Gunma border country and perform some excellent guitar numbers as part of an anniversary celebration for the hospital where I do rehab. Another present was an invitation to a company get-together at an izakaya near the office, fun to see colleagues and friends in person and hoist a few tankards after about four years of only digital contact; it was almost like old times,  and well worth it despite a certain amount of fatigue and logistics hassles.

When the year winds down it’s time to arrange for the annual production of nengjo New Year greeting cards.  Updating the data base has sometimes been a little sad in recent years, as notices of old colleagues and other acquaintances having passed away have become more frequent. Each year there are a few less cards to send, but I’m still encouraged by the number of friends who—like me—have so far beat the odds and keep on keeping on.

May all of you be happy and healthy, and hale and hearty, throughout the holiday season and the year to come. As I said at this time last year, may peace and good will prevail for everyone, everywhere, may generosity and kindness carry the day, and may the greedy and selfish be confounded. 

Truth and justice will win out in the end, and all the sooner if we help them along. 

Still I'm Sad

One of the very first records I ever bought, back when I was 16 or just about to be, was The Shapes of Things, by the Yardbirds.  It featured, prominently, their then-recent replacement for Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, whom they'd taken on board at the recommendation of Jimmy Page. 

Yes, that is a lot of  legendary guitarists for a singe sentence.

I've just learned that Jeff Beck has passed away, following several other iconic musicians who--to me, anyway--contributed significantly to the soundtrack of my life. Jeff Beck was an astoundingly good guitarist. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice (as one of the Yardbirds and as a solo act), he's been cited as one of the very first of the psychedelic rock musicians, but was undeniably skilled at blues, too, and has influenced countless other guitarists.

Although I might not have thought so when I was 16, now that I'm somewhat older I think that at 78 he was too young to go. I'm sorry that he's gone, as I'm sure many of my musician friends and other music lovers are, too. Jeff Beck had a remarkable life to go along with his remarkable talent, but Still I'm Sad to hear that he's gone. 

Peace and Wisdom

 

I wish all of my relatives, friends, and other readers a very happy, healthy, exciting, and prosperous Year of the Rabbit.

 With my usual disclaimer that I’m not a believer in astrology, Oriental, Occidental, or otherwise, nevertheless I do find the lore amusing and intriguing, and consider it perhaps worthwhile to consider the legendary characteristics of the year's representative animal, with a view toward emulating the strengths and avoiding the weaknesses with which it’s associated. 

 The rabbit is said to endow people born in its year with the traits of wisdom and caution, which might be mistaken for timidity but actually reflect careful consideration of options before jumping into a new situation. Rabbit people are also said to be good listeners and kind and sweet by nature, with appreciation for art and beauty.

 Appropriately for the current world situation, the rabbit is also said to impart calm and tact, being cool headed and slow to anger. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are likely, it is said, to be peacemakers.

 I fervently hope that the coming year brings peace where there has been strife, and justice where there has been iniquity.

 May the coming year be better by far than any that have preceded it, for each of you and for those you hold dear, and indeed for all of us. Happy New Year and joyous holidays!

(Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik)