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As the song ‘And so this is Christmas’ by John Lennon goes

 

And so, this is Christmas

And what have you done?

Another year over

A New one just begun

 

So, what have I done? Like a lot of people, not an awful lot. Just trying to stay safe and keep others safe too. I have done a lot of reflection, and self-analysis. Mindful of the phrase ‘analysis leads to paralysis ‘.

Back in Christmas 2018, if anyone had said that the world would come to a screeching halt by the end of 2019, I am pretty sure no one would have believed them. I wonder if Nostradamus or the psychics predicted this? If anything, ‘The Simpsons’ seem to be the greatest predictors of the future. So far, they have predicted

 

1. Donald Trump’s presidency.
2. Lady Gaga flying into the super bowl.
3. Holmstrom and Oliver Hart winning a Nobel prize in 2016 in economics.
4. Siegfried and Roy being attacked by their tiger.
5. The UK horse meat scandal.
6. The virtual reality game ‘Farmville’.
7. Two Beatles fans receiving replies to their letters 50 years after sending them.
8. Smart watches featured in 1995.
9. Disney buying Fox was predicted in 1998.
10. US winning an Olympic medal in curling.
11. In 1993 the ‘Osaka Flu’

 

Perhaps we need to look to The Simpsons for 2021?

 

Happy Christmas Eve and have a great day tomorrow.

Stay fab.

Adele

 

I love this cartoon.  Although some part of me says ‘Well’, and what if she was female? what of it? .

I was rather pensive this morning and wrote the following in anticipation of the upcoming lockdown.

 

 

2020

We are the masked crusaders

Struggling to be cheerleaders

Masking our tears

Masking our fears

Grieving those departed

Lost, heavy hearted

Longing to touch

Missing them so much

Trying to keep active

In remembering how to live

We honor their memory

By living to be free

Exercising resilience

Defying defiance

Being helpful and kind

Minding our minds

We will overcome this plight

With our will and our might

And be stronger still

Emanating good will

By Adele Leahy

 

http://www.raesidecartoon.com/

What a year?  Apparently after this year if you have a bucket list it can now be officially called a fuckit list. In adopting this philosophy my list has been amended to include the following.

 

1.    ‘Travelling the world’ has now become ‘travelling to the local shop’. And if I manage to not step in dog poop there is a cause for a celebratory cup of tea upon my return. It’s all about the small wins.
2.    ‘Go white water rafting’ has now become ‘having a bath after a very hot curry’.
3. ‘Read Dostoyevsky’ has become ‘reading my Viz magazines’ again.
4. ‘Go Shark cage diving ‘has become ‘wearing a mask outside and washing my hands continuously’.
5.    ‘Go to an Airport and book a random flight anywhere’ has become ‘Close my eyes and press a button on my remote control whilst in Netflix, and watch whatever I press’.  Also known as ‘Netflix roulette’.  I know. I am soooo living on the edge.
6.    ‘Learn to fly’ has become ‘Chase a butterfly’.
7.    ‘Say yes to everything for a day’ has become ‘Yes, I will wash my hands repeatedly and wear my mask, and try to complete a random act of kindness without the person knowing’.

Well. Now. I am off to have a curry and a bath.  It’s never too late to take action.  Afterwards I may play ‘Netflix Roulette’.

Have a great day.

Stay fab.

Adele

 

I was so excited last night going to bed and imagining this morning’s swim.   I got there at 7.10 this morning having first walked Buzz and Finn. There were a few of the organizers there setting up as one of the girls in the group was celebrating their birthday. Sunrise came around pretty quick and we all started stripping off to head into the sea.

The sky was grey and drizzling us with rain but everyone’s spirits were high. It was freezing walking into the sea and freezing in the sea. The waves were great fun and I swallowed a gallon of sea water as I tried (unsuccessfully) to swim through them.

I had a lovely chat with a girl who loves walking but was not too keen on sea swimming.  Trying to convince her of the benefits of sea swimming was futile. It is certainly not for everyone,

Regardless of the cold my icy upper lip prevailed.  I remind myself that my favorite pastime is not all starfish and gentle playful waves and that I must not be a fair-weather swimmer.  Coming to think of it, it is never starfish and playful gentle waves. More like hydro masochism but I still love it.

That’s all for now.

Have a great day.

Stay fab.

Adele

 

It was a glorious day to day. regardless of the cold wind. The sky was blue and the rain was nowhere in sight even though the weather report had mentioned a 50%   chance of it.  Tomorrow is the solstice and I am looking forward to it.  I marked it last year with a lovely group of people in the Dublin mountains at a Celtic ceremony where Liam ‘O Maonlai was in attendance and treated us to some music and dancing.

https://www.thetrailblazery.com/blog/ritesofwinter

Tomorrow I am heading to Portmarnock beach for a sunrise swim. Apparently, it will be raining but as we will be in the sea it will not really matter.  I will make my intentions for the coming year and attempt to emerge from the sea with a modicum of grace.  However, it is more likely that I will resemble a shivering Grinch crossed with a hypothermic Shrek.

To be honest the best thing about swimming in the freezing cold sea is that how you look no longer becomes an issue as it is overcome by the sheer exhilaration of completing the act. I have wanted to sea swim for so many years and am so pleased that I am finally doing it.  I cannot wait for the Christmas morning swim as again this is something that has been on my to do list each year.

 

Have a great day.

Stay fab.

Adele

 

Finn

Hey, how’s it going?   I am Finn and my human ‘Adele’ advised me to share who I am to get a little doggy girlfriend.  There is something called an App and the doggy dating one is called ‘Wagger’?

Here is the link to Adele’s other three blogs where she explains it all.

http://adeleleahy.ie/elf-on-the-shelf/

http://adeleleahy.ie/the-elf-contd/

http://adeleleahy.ie/new-wagger-app-and-buzz/

 

I am not sure why I need a girlfriend as I have a fab brother called ‘Buzz’ and Adele is pretty amazing too.  But here goes.  I love cuddles.  I mean seriously love them.  As soon as Adele takes her hand away, I use my paw to remind her that her hand is meant for only one thing. And that one thing is stroking me and giving me cuddles.  So, I suppose that means that I am a bit needy.   I can’t help it really.   I just love them so much.

Ooohh and belly rubs.  They are just the best.  My day needs to begin and end with cuddles and belly rubs or else the day will not be a blissful one for me.  I adore playing with Buzz.  He is the best. I particularly love grabbing his collar with my teeth and pulling him across the bed. He loves when I do this.

Sniffing is another fav pastime.   With poo being my preferred substance.  I like to eat it as well.  But Adele doesn’t really like it when I do this.   Or when I roll in it.  When she leaves me off the leash. I get right down and dirty with the smelliest poo I can find.

I believe that my personal best drop and roll in poo was 20 times.  It’s just heaven.  But the bath when I get home is not so good as Adele has to wash me for a long time.  But once my fur is dry, I get lots of cuddles again.  I run a lot, when I am off the leash and am very fast. It drives Buzz mad as he can’t keep up with me and yelps in frustration.

I hope you like my photo.  I am not really a poser, although this photo does seem to look quite posey.  Say Hi if you would like a very outgoing doggy friend.

 

Pawsibly your next best friend

Finn

Over the last few days, I revealed that ‘The Elf’ got married, and is no longer on the shelf. We are unsure as to whom the life partner is but we do know that it used the new App ‘Wagger’ to find love.

This App was initially designed for dogs but went on to develop an exclusive membership option to include festive characters and mythical animals. As I have been appointed the agent for ‘The Elf’ I am awaiting the announcement to reveal The Elf’s new partner. Please refer to my previous two blogs re betting odds

http://adeleleahy.ie/elf-on-the-shelf/

http://adeleleahy.ie/the-elf-contd/

 

In the meantime, Buzz has created his Bio for the Wagger app.  He has a brother called Finn who will be uploading his tomorrow.

---

Buzz

Hi, I am Buzz, a four-year-old Morkie.  My human is Adele.  My hobbies are barking, wagging my tail, playing with my chicken chew toy that squeaks and drives me wild, and playing with my brother ‘Finn’ who is crrrrazy, a bit like Adele. Oh, and sniffing, how could I forget that? Without a doubt my all-time favorite hobby.

I like to think that I am almost forensic at sniffing. And I also like to think that I have healing qualities. When Finn hurt his eye, I licked it regularly for 2 days and it got better. I adore Adele and Finn so much. I also work full time, well, more than full time. 24/7 to be honest as a security guard for Adele, at home, in the car and whilst out walking. I can get very anxious as I don’t like being away from her or my brother.

I am looking for someone who likes to play and sniff.  Someone who is maybe the same age as me, as Finn is too fast at times when we play. Sometimes he whizzes by so fast I can barely see him. Sniffing is important and I don’t mind poo sniffing.  I am partial to it myself. But I draw the line at eating it. Finn does that and it grosses me out.

Adele still gives him lots of cuddles even though he eats poo but he is definitely more affectionate than me. Always has been. I have had to seriously up my game with the hugs and cuddles to make sure that I remain top dog.    Even though Adele and Finn are my best friends I still feel that I need a girlfriend to spice things up a bit. I hope that you are out there.

 

Pawsibly your new boyfriend

Buzz

Continuing on from ‘The Elf’s’ latest adventure featured in yesterday’s blog

http://adeleleahy.ie/elf-on-the-shelf/

As you can see from the photo The Elf is now officially off the shelf and may I say looking all the better for it.

I realized this morning that I would need to possibly elucidate how The Elf became betrothed.  It would also be prudent to share that I have been asked to be The Elf’s agent which I am rather pleased about. Considering the upcoming  furore due to the impending Panorama interview and the onslaught of the paparazzi my appointment is timely.

The Elf has announced that it met its partner through ‘Wagger’, a new dating app for animals, originally for dogs. This is one of many apps for dating for animals but what sets this apart is its exclusive membership for exotic animals and festive stars such as reindeer, unicorns and elves.  The other unique feature is that both the animal and the human can both find playdates/ romantic dates.  The Elf has been asked to be the spokesperson for this app however it is as yet to identify who it has married.  Paddy Power is taking bets for the following

1. Rudolph – Odds 8/1
2. The Grinch – The Elf has recently been discharged from rehab for its addiction to its wild and self-sabotaging lifestyle. Some say that they may have met in rehab. My sources have yet to clarify. Odds 15/1
3. The gingerbread man- Odds 20/1

Tomorrow I will share Buzz’s ‘Wagger’ bio (as he is desperate for a lady dog friend) and any further news on the Elf’s lifetime partner.

Have a great day.

Stay fab.

Adele

 

 

‘Elf on the shelf’ so there is a sexist statement if I ever heard one? Ouch, that hurt. I just fell off my self- righteous high horse. The feckin elf pushed me.

According to its name it must have been female and unmarried. It’s just as well that reports now confirm its elopement and betrothal. I am looking forward to the renaming ceremony where ‘on the shelf’ will be removed.

My sources have also confirmed that it will soon be publishing a tell all book to reveal the squalid and oppressive conditions of its employment for the last many years. This will be a full expose where details of torture such as being stuck to a toilet overnight will be revealed. Staying awake overnight in a fridge and suffering hypothermia as a result are also experiences that the Elf would rather forget.

Apparently, Santa was unaware of the Elf’s dreadful experiences. The Elf did not want to risk being the whistle-blower.  ‘Martin Bashir’ will be airing a panorama interview with said Elf on Christmas Eve where every detail of its torturous life will be discussed. There are rumors that it will be retiring in 2021. Elf has suffered from COVID this year following double pneumonia caused by hypothermia.

For now, we are unaware of who The Elf married. But rumors abound that it may be Rudolph.  If this happens Christmas for 2021 will be in serious jeopardy as Santa may well be down two of his most loyal staff.

Have a great day.

Stay fab.

Adele

I bought this feckin Bonsai last year. And look at it I can’t even return it.

All kidding aside I’ve realized that life is often about expectations. And how I manage them can determine my peace of mind at any given time. A mind in pieces or peace of mind? I prefer the latter anytime. And a latte if there is one going.

I’ve also realized that whilst I can be quick enough to pick up and learn new things that I can be just as dim in many other respects.  I suppose I am as good as I am bad.

Case in point.  I left Finn in the crate in the car the other day with Buzz.  I was gone no more than usual, 20 minutes.  As Buzz is 4 years old, I can trust him to not eat my car therefore he is not in a crate. Finn has done this. As in eaten my car. He chewed my gear stick, seat belt, brake and arm rest.  For some reason I hoped each time that he would not. Optimism (stupidity) reigned supreme.  Each time I was proved wrong. Hence the crate.

I need to put a harness on Finn as he still pulls whilst walking.  I don’t mean pulls other dogs, as in gets his jiggy on (like yesterday’s blog) but pulls me along like he is a feckin Rudolph pulling Santa on his sleigh.

Anyhoo I left the harness on him, again, thinking, that he would not chew it off him. And guess what? Gobshite extraordinaire Leahy has to buy a new harness. I would like to say I have learnt for the final time but there will be another day when I will try and see if he is over chewing anything and everything phase.

Maybe I will get him to tackle the overgrown Bonsai tree?  I have no doubt that he could whittle it down to a pencil in a few hours.

Have a great day.

Stay fab.

Adele