Nature Impact Factor: [New post] News – December 2021 – A Special Thank You Letter from Goff James

Respond to this post by replying above this line

News – December 2021 – A Special Thank You Letter from Goff James

by Goff James

Hi, Dear Friends

Welcome to December's News Letter

The image depicts a photograph titled poinsettia by the photographer Goff James. The work is a colour photo of of a red poinsettia and whit lilies. The image supports A December / Christmas News Letter.

Here we are again December and winter has stepped over the threshold.

November weather-wise was an unusually warm and mild month; however, in it's final week there was a sting in its tail. The weather turned really wintry, chilly frosty mornings, grey skies, crisp sun blessed afternoons and bitter cold nights.

Child of the grand old winter,
December floateth by;
And the ground without is bare and white
As the moon in the cloudless sky.

The wind blows cold and dreary,
Across the whitened plain;
And we see the oaks with their branches bare,
Through the frost on the window pane.

Joseph D. Herron

The final month of the year continues to be a challenging one for all at home and across the world with an upsurge in the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly in Western Europe.

Winter here in the U.K. is going to be a challenging one with regards to trying to keepthe worst effects of the pandemic at bay. The successful vaccination programme appears to be playing an important role in keeping it under control.

However infections are still rising and many deaths occurring. And yet there remain individuals who refuse to be vaccinated. It might be necessary to make vaccination mandatory; and, to reintroduce certain precautionary aspects of previous lockdowns, such as the wearing of face masks in all confined interior spaces at all times to be able contain the spread of infections.

The ongoing pandemic continues to teach one to value life and freedom.

My garden, now, has truly stepped into the nakedness of winter; and, shivers with the onset of chilling days.

The days are ever getting shorter and shorter, colder and colder and snow is forecast. BRRRRR!

December the last month of the year. Christmas is but a breath away. Time travels so quickly and before one can blink a whole year has passed.

The star sign for everyone born in December is either Sagittarius or Capricorn. Sagittarians are born between the 21st. of November and Capricorns December 22nd. January 19.

Sagittarius is the ninth astrological sign in the Zodiac. The birthstones for Sagittarius are sapphire, amethyst, ruby, turquoise and topaz.

Sagittarians are known for being loyal, smart, assertive, and compassionate, talented, impeccable discernment and caring.

Capricorn is the tenth astrological sign in the Zodiac. The birthstones for Capricorn are garnet, sapphire, topaz, agate and lapis lazuli.

Capricorns are known for being the ultimate worker bees; they're ambitious, organized, practical, goal-oriented, and they don't mind the hustle. They're ready to give up a lot in order to achieve a set goal.

Happy Birthday Folks!

I would like to take this opportunity to continue to express a special note of appreciation to all of you who visit, follow and read my blog.

I also extend a very warm welcome to all new visitors, readers and followers.

To those many writers I follow an apology for not spending more time visiting and reading your valued blogs.

With a need to keep up to date with all my varied interests, hobbies and blogging; I am, constantly aware that I need to update my scheduling in an attempt to to give myself some more 'Me Time'.

Regular followers, readers and visitors will have followed my thoughts and concerns with this matter over the last several months.

For me reading and replying to all comments remains very important; as, does checking the numerous e-mails received. I set aside around about two hours each day to enable me to keep on top of this.

I continue to prioritise a maximum of ten e-mails each day to read and follow up. However on the weekends, recently, I have started to limit the number to five. This strategy has enabled me to free up more time myself.

I wish that I could read everyones posts. I am continuing to find, with my increasedcommitments, it ever more difficult to pay each of you regular visits; this is something that continues to bother me. I trust you all understand.

Over the last few months concerns were raised over certain issues with my health. These have, thankfully, been to a large overcome.

However I have to continue listen very carefully to what my body is telling me and act seriously upon it and all the medical evidence and advice.

These issues raised the need for me to consider reducing the number of my daily posts by some 50%. All options were on the table.

Over the last few months I have been slowly reducing the behind the scenes workload which has been extremely beneficial.

As regular readers will know, I have spent some time over the last few months, planning the rescheduling deadline for the end of the year / beginning of 2022.

That time has arrived; and one of my first acts is to announce that this will be my last monthly newsletter.

Over the last few years I have really enjoyed writing this open letter to friends, followers, readers and visitors.

Another initial step will be to wind up my daily round-up posts.

Over the coming weeks I will also, slowly, be reducing the number of daily postings.

Each of these in turn will hopefully create a breathing space for me to enable my reaching my set goal by the end of 2021.

I continue with working on my first book of haiku / senryū poems. Rewriting, drafting and redrafting the manuscript remains very much on going. Progress is being made.

I am still working on creating a cover design. Over the last few weeks a couple of designs have definitely become front runners; and, a couple of possible titles have popped to the surface.

Here are a few tasters.

I have decided to arrange the poems in no particular order or theme.

I am still trying to decide which will be the best way for me to publish.

I continue to be drawn to the idea of self publishing and releasing it as a download document or to publish it in instalments. This aspect remains very much up in the air.

Any advice would be truly appreciated.