Hello! How are you all doing in this wee lull before New Year? I am actually rather enjoying the festive season, and can say in all honesty that this is the first time I have done so in many, many years. The reasons for this are threefold: 1) I am feeling the benefits of taking some proper time off 2) We are living in this special place, discovering the distinctive pleasures of a coastal winter 3) Most importantly (and definitely related to both 1 & 2) I am not suffering from depression. Number 3 is what has really made the difference, and though I am personally very happy to be feeling on an even midwinter keel for once, I’m holding space in heart and mind for those who (for whatever reason) find December difficult or challenging.
Tired of carols and Christmas movies? Here are some things to watch or listen to which, while not specifically festive, are certainly both heartening and joyful in the general spirit of this time of year.
1. Stream
My album of 2024 is Fergus McCreadie’s Stream – full of energy, space, and generosity, this gorgeous record is (to my mind) the best thing that this talented Scottish pianist has yet produced.
2. Alien on Stage
This marvellous documentary about a group of Dorset bus drivers adapting, and – yes – staging, Ridley Scott’s Alien in London’s West End is worth every minute of your time. I laughed and cried.
3. Comb n paper
Have you heard of the world comb n paper championships? Held annually in Stonehaven, it celebrates this infinitely accessible (yet surprisingly challenging) musical instrument at an event that genuinely sings with creativity, community spirit and collective silliness. Ian Sansom went along to join the fun in a brilliant programme for Radio 4.
4. But First, This
Whether or not you are as much of a Radio 4 devotee as I am, you’ll enjoy this insight into the work of BBC radio’s continuity announcers, whose familiar voices and unseen personae colour the sound of Britain’s spoken word radio, from the shipping forecast to headline news.
5. The Long Shadow
I’ve recommended Celia Fremlin’s novels – British noirs with a unique feminist flavour – before – but not this title, which is one of my favourites. I really enjoyed Claire Corbett reading this deliciously wry festive chiller as an accompaniment to my current knit.
Speaking of knitting (and yes, I have been doing rather a lot of it, of which more very soon) there’s an article about me in the new issue of Knitting Magazine Many thanks to Sarah Neal and Christine Boggis for writing and publishing this lovely piece, in which I actually recognise myself. The January issue of the magazine will be on sale in a few days time.
Enjoy the last days of 2024, and do look out for a wee book sale in the KDD shop, which I’ll be announcing in our newsletter shortly.
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Thanks for the amazing links, Kate.
Congratulations on your first Depression-free Christmas too. Empathy from a SAD-sufferer – though (I think) I’m managing it with 40+ years experience. The main things being 1) not to have Too Much To Do between October and New Year, 2) Use the Light Box every morning; from 30min in early October to 90-120min through December – end of January. 3) Get out when it’s light, preferably when the sun is shining, or at least sit in the sunshine. 4) Have things to look forward to each month (or week) 5) Keep knitting!
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Living near the ocean as I do, I love, love, love Tom’s moody, seaspray-y images. We’re in summer, but we still get lovely grey days mixed in with the blues. And there’s nothing like a walk along the beach (and swim) to lift one’s mood. Admittedly everytime I step into the cold water in winter/spring, I think ‘why am I doing this?’, but when I get out, its ‘ahhh, that’s why’.
exactly!
Thanks for the inspiring email. Would love to know where I can get the Celia Fremlin audiobook, not coming up on any web searches. Thanks and all the best for 2025 Pat Davis
I just watched Making. What a BEAUTIFUL film! Thank you, Joan, for the recommendation ♥️
So happy to hear your glad tidings, Kate. Best wishes to you and all for a joyous new year!
Love your blog and so pleased that you enjoyed such a joyful holiday season. Depression is a terrible disease and so happy you were able to overcome it to find your happy place in your happy place. Wishing you happiness, joy, peace and good health for 2025!
Thank you for all your recommendations! It is such a treat to discover new and interesting books/magazines/music. So happy for you that you are having a wonderful Holiday Season.
Thanks to Tom for the wonderful pictures. I’m home-bound for the holidays this year due to family responsibilities, and such phenomenal images really carry me away to the winter seashore. Such texture! I can almost feel the mist on my face.
Kate, I’m loving your list of bests–thank you for that, too. I’m especially intrigued by the Fremlin book on audio. But I can’t find it! Amazon has physical copies, but there’s nothing at my library or on Audible about the audio version. If you have any suggestions, I’d be grateful!
Thanks again, and Happy New Year! Meg
https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B0CJJZY91T?source_code=ORGOR69210072400FT&share_location=player_overflow
Foiled! Not available in the US. I wonder why? Ah, wellâThank you for trying.
Sent from My iPad
WHY?? must be a rights issue – come on Faber / Audible!
Audible is on to me, but I’ll check out Faber. Thanks.
Happy New Year!
Meg Wickwire, Tutor (978) 505-5090 (cell) meg@aya.yale.edu megwickwire.com
Can you see the link, Meg?
I’m curious about your depression comment (and SO happy you are not suffering this holiday season). Is there some reason behind it that you could briefly mention with the notion of possible helping others? Therapy? Meds? If you don’t want to, it’s completely understandable, just wanted to ask.
Have you come across/listened to the music of Midlothian Composer and pianist Donald Thomson? His pieces are mostly quite short – though he has written for cello/piano duet – and have a disinctly Scottish flavour, such as the ‘Legend of Loch Ness’ (which inspired me to write a short poem) and also a touch of humour such as the ‘Brownie of Ballachulish’ and some seasonal pieces too. He has a You Tube channel.
I have not! Thank you for this recommendation – I’m off to have a listen
Hope you enjoy his work. Let me know!
If you haven’t already seen it I would recommend the Pat Collins’ film Making which is about people coming together and making very beautiful things (shelters, furniture, fabric, music) in rural Cork at the studio of Joseph Walsh.
Thank you – off to watch this!