Waitin' for the Weekend

"Ride" by Vintage Photomontage.  A pleasant little video with a consistent theme, for a change.

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Happy New Year 2026

Does anybody really know what time it is?

In my foggy old mind, I've been trying to think what to say for the beginning of another year, how to sum up my thoughts and feelings at this turn in the road. Once again, I have been surprised to find that I already said all that as well I as could ever do. So with a few changes, I'm reprinting last year's post, for whatever it's worth.

The quiet days at the end of the year have always been a time of retreat and reflection for me.  This past year, a dark new era has begun, and the old certainties have gone out the window -- no one can be sure what will come next.  

The world has been in a parlous state all my adult life, what with wars and rumors of wars, crisis upon crisis, rebellion here, revolt there, and no end of foolishness among the peoples and leaders of the world.  And yet, at some points there has been greater hope for the future than seems apparent just now.

Somehow, I have lived through many years of light and shadow, joys and sorrows, ups and downs, to be a very old man.  And I have learned that nothing is guaranteed but change.  The currents of human affairs are always shifting, now quickly, now slowly, like the winds and the waves; the pendulum is always swinging to and fro.  

Human nature does not change; if it did, we would have become a different kind of critter long ago.  But the world around us is always in flux.  Moderation and balance, the middle way, is the best course to follow, but fools young and old are always chasing after something "new and different" - which soon enough they despise as "that old stuff."  So the old lessons must be learned anew by every generation.

Human life is a mixed bag, a game of skill and chance - win, lose, or draw, you have to play the hand you are dealt, and do the best you can.  Have fun, but don't be a prick.  Be honest, fair, and kind to everyone.  Do your part, don't leave a mess, and mind your own damn business.

That's it.  That's the wisdom of the world, in a nutshell.  Take it or leave it.  There are other, spiritual truths worth knowing as well, but you'll have to find those on your own.  (But beware of fakers and fanatics, who are legion.)

When I was a kid, I used to think it would be a fine thing one day to be old and wise.  Well, in a way it is somewhat satisfying to finally have seen through the world and all its illusions - to see things and people as they really are, not just what you imagine them to be.  

But at this late age, it doesn't do you much good.  Your body and your finances (unless you are exceptionally lucky) don't allow you to do much with all that wisdom.  And nobody wants to hear what an old man has to say.  So you just keep it to yourself, mainly, while you contemplate the view from the top of the mountain.

When you have lived into old age, you can feel the rhythm of time passing:  a river always flowing, a cycle of stars always revolving above our heads and the earth rotating under our feet.  Generations come and go; empires rise and fall; war alternates with peace; wisdom and folly, love and hate, poverty and plenty, life and death - the wheel keeps on turning, endlessly, regardless of our petty wants and wishes here on this little rock in the vast depth of the cosmos.  

A rather frightening picture, if we are not in tune with the Love that moves the sun and other stars, as Dante put it.  And that Love is closer than breathing, nearer than hands and feet - if you are willing to believe. And I do.

We can't be sure what 2026 holds in store for us; but no matter what comes or goes, we can each be true to the goodness within us, and do small things with great love - with gratitude for all the good things we have.  So here's wishing all my truckbuddies health, happiness, and peace in the New Year.  God bless you all.

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The Pork Boys Do Christmas, 2025

 At long last, M.P. has finally figured out how to send pics from his smart phone to my email address.  

As I mentioned the other day, this Christmas has been quieter and much less hectic than usual, without a houseful of M.P.'s family to feed.  So we have done less and done it when we felt like doing it.  We had a little Christmas buffet for just us two last Friday night in front of the Christmas tree - I'll try to add a pic of that here - with a tasty array of hors d'oeuvres, including homemade liver pâté, a creamy homemade cheese ball, some pigs-in-a-blanket, with honey-mustard and barbecue sauces on the side, and more cheeses, assorted crackers, homemade shortbread oookies, and brownies with chocolate-mint icing.   And some mulled wine to wash it all down.  All quite scrumptious, believe me when I tell you!

We had our Chistmas dinner on Sunday, the 28th, and oh was it good.  It began with our traditional Cream of Green soup (green beans pureed with green onions and parsley in a cream sauce) - it's much more delicious than you might think.  Next, M.P.'s famous Red Cajun Duck stuffed with jambalaya was the star of the show, as seen below, accompanied by braised baby carrots and pearl onions, fried turnip slices, and crescent rolls.  Alas, not until we had finished dinner did M.P. realize he had fogotten to set out the deviled eggs and Green Fluff!  The latter being pistachio pudding mixed with Kool Whip and mini-marshmallows.  It was all good, though, and we had it again last night, and will have it again tonight.  No problem!

Wish I could hand all my truckbuddies a plate.  Hope your Christmas fare was good, too.

Click to enlarge.

For desssert, we had what has become our favorite holiday tradition:  chocolate mousse cake topped with real whipped cream and cooked reaspberry sauce.  I'm afraid this picture, taken in a hurry at the end of our meal, looks rather pathetic.  But I assure you, it does not taste pathetic!  It's really a most delightful thing.  The portion size is small because it's so rich and filling.

We have plans afoot for our New Year's Dinner on Thursday, so check back later in the week for more pics. 

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Long-Term Couple: Elliott and Clark's Story

Two Alabama boys from my generation found each other in college back in the early 70's and have managed to survive and thrive together for the last 53 years, ending up as wealthy property developers in Northwest Florida.  A lovely story.

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Sunday Drive: Amazing Grace

'Twas grace that brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

The beloved hymn, sung a cappella by six Irishmen known as Celtic Thunder in 2010:

The Lessons Appointed for Use on the Feast of the

First Sunday after Christmas Day

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Waitin' for the Weekend

"Take a Picture . . ." by Clint Collide:

You can save time by pausing the video and right-arrowing through the pics, though you may miss some of the captions that way.

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The King's Christmas Broadcast, 2025

From Westminster Abbey, His Majesty the King delivers his annual Christmas message to his peoples in Britain and throughout the Commmonwealth.  The King is a deeply spiritual man, befitting his role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England, not to mention his historic title, Defender of the Faith.

Bonus:  The Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte, age 10, perform a piano duet that was filmed for the annual service of carols at Westminster Abbey, which took place on December 5th and was broadcast in the UK on Christmas Eve.  The composure of the young princess is most impressive.

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Merry Christmas to All 2025

The Lessons Appointed for Use on the Feast of

Christmas Day

Madonna and Child by Il Sassoferrato, circa 1650

Well, fellas, Christmas has come round again, with its timeworn message of peace, goodwill to men.  A message this old world desperately needs to hear - but is anyone listening?  

As I've been preparing this post, I've tried to think of how to express what Christmas means to me, but my sluggish old man's brain has been slow to respond.  However, I happily discovered that I already said those things in this Christmas post from 2022, if anyone cares to read it.

Sadly, Christmas at our house is not as merry and bright as it has been in Christmases past. For one reason or another, none of M.P.'s family are coming to enjoy the usual big Yule feast with us.  So no need for all that cooking, baking, and decorating: a single wreath over the fireplace is enough.  But M.P.  has begun preparations for our smaller Christmas dinner a deux, probably on Sunday, which will feature his luscious Red Cajun Duck, a real bell-ringer.  I do wish some of my truckbuddies lived nearer, so we could invite them over for a really festive dinner now and then. 

Anyway, I wish all my truckbuddies a very Merry Christmas with the ones they love.  Here's one of my favorite Christmas songs in a thrilling a cappella version by Heart that I just now discovered.  Crank it up, sit back, and enjoy.

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Bonus:  Pope Leo delivers a brilliant and beautiful homily during Midnight Mass at St. Peter's Basilica:

This is the Christian faith.

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Matt and Jonathan's Cozy London Townhouse

Well, isn't this nice. These handsome fellas have got their pretty little home all decked out bright and gay, and they'd like you come for a sleep-over.  I just can't tell you when I last had an offer like that.  

Click the link in the video description box for details.

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It's a Wonderful Life: The Real Bedford Falls

Distinguished journalist Ted Koppel takes us to the town that may have inspired the setting of that wonderful movie.

I think of it not so much as a Christmas movie as an inspirational one. Your Head Trucker saw this film in the student union theater during my first term at a big university, nearly half a century ago. Mine was not the typical college experience:  I was broke, friendless, and terribly homesick for a place I could never return to. But the quiet inspiration of Frank Capra's magnum opus gave me comfort and lit the way ahead; it was the grace of God that I needed in that lonely time. I am still grateful for that.

When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on tight.  When you come to the dark tunnel of despair, go through it -- and at the other end, you will find Hope.  

Keep on; do what you can.  Your life matters more than you know.

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Sunday Drive: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Emmanuel means "God is with us."

The ancient hymn as performed by Enya in English and Latin, with stunning choral effects:

The Lessons Appointed for Use on the

Fourth Sunday of Advent

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