My apologies. The delay in reponding to comments and posting blogs was due
to the death of a laptop. Again.

Impulsively having spurned the offer of a repair a new, shiny, smarter, faster, more irritating, laptop
is now in my life. My usual  back up
procedure allowed the loss of programmes and lots of work including an almost complete Sirius Page 18. There was also the mislaying
of access to the website admin. It has been that kind of period - when shoe laces snap, light bulbs pop, a mugs full of coffee get knocked over. My favourite mug,  it's short fall to the Indian carpet was enough to break the handle off and into two pieces. My time has not been wasted however.

I learned that comic books have now officially achieved the status of literature. Two graphic novels are on a list for the Costa awards. These are literary prizes. The books are Dotter of Her Fathers Eyes written by Mary Talbot and drawn by husband Bryan Talbot in the biography section and Days of the Bagnold Summer  by Joff  Winterhart short listed in the best novel category. This is great for all concerned.

I learned that I am not alone in feeling that Windows 8  is not an unqualified blessing. There is stuff on the internet
with suggestions on how to get it back to Windows 7. Presently too insecure to
try that but might well one day. I am presently ready to blame Windows 8 for the smaller type face, double spacing when new line starts and eccentric line length and  that appear here.  

I learned that keeping a tidy beard requires more time in front of a mirror than shaving does.
Whether looking like an extra  from Games
of Thrones is worth the effort is still in the balance.

One by-product of the disaster is that reconfiguration of
the website email site has by chance made it possible once again to reply to
emails. Every cloud etc. but the word random comes to mind.

Thursday January 3rd. Dotter and Her Father's Eyes was winner of the biography section in the 2012 Costa book awards. Congratulations to Mary and Bryan.