The Bruce McMouse Show at 20 below

Bitter cold outside. I'm sitting in the unbelievable jumble of my office, until yesterday the desk covered with tablecloths to keep off the dust, which is all over the floor. So much for needing tidy tranquillity to work. What I do need, though, is the heater blasting at my feet. It's cold in here too.

Seven more weeks until we're done here, they say.

The bird feeder is full. That's my most important job - to keep the birds alive till spring.

You'll laugh at me. Yesterday I went to an important cultural event, a special one-time only screening of The Bruce McMouse Show, a goofy film made from clips of live concerts of Paul McCartney and Wings in the early seventies, with a bit of animation, the McMouse stuff, added. My young friend Holly came with me, and we met Jessica there, a friend of Anna's, one of the few people I know as mad about Macca as I am, and she's 32! Yay! The film was silly fun, the music was fabulous, and the fashion was insane - mullets, overalls, hideous clumpy two-toned shoes, pants ending three inches above the ankles - even Macca couldn't carry off those looks. But the music! Maybe I'm amazed.

Went to visit Anna and family on Sunday, where little Ben found he could fit in one of their laundry hampers. Then Eli and I came back here for Beer Batter fish and chips, two of the only things he eats.

As I was leaving Anna's later, after bringing Eli home, a woman and her young son were arriving to spend the night. Anna told me in passing that the woman's husband is abusive, she and her son have to find a new place to live, and so will be sleeping at Anna's for now. In her crowded two-bedroom apartment, my daughter made this distressed family welcome. She'd be embarrassed and even angry if she knew I'm telling you this, but she has never read my blog and never will, so she won't know. As I've written, she is far to the left of me, and we argue about various issues, especially pipelines. But she doesn't just talk the talk, she lives her principles. My dad, a left-wing political animal who spent his life fighting for his principles, would be very proud of her fierce spirit, her huge heart and kindness. As am I.

Want to share with you another great richness: my Holds list at my local library. At some point, these luscious books will arrive and be mine for 3 whole weeks. Does life get better than that?

All things consoled : a daughter's story Hay, Elizabeth, 1951- author. Book Parliament Street		#85 of 283 (68 copies)	13 Nov 2020	ACTIVE
		The art of the wasted day Hampl, Patricia, 1946- author. Book Parliament Street		#10 of 10 (12 copies)	21 Jan 2021	ACTIVE
		Dear Evelyn Page, Kathy, 1958- author. Book Parliament Street		#184 of 360 (70 copies)	2 Dec 2020	ACTIVE
		How to live : or, A life of Montaigne in one question and twenty attempts at an answer Bakewell, Sarah. Book Parliament Street		#7 of 7 (6 copies)	21 Jan 2021	ACTIVE
		Human voices Fitzgerald, Penelope. Book Parliament Street		#5 of 35 (5 copies)	8 Oct 2020	ACTIVE
		Kitchen yarns : notes on life, love, and food Hood, Ann, 1956- author. Book Parliament Street		#34 of 66 (14 copies)	6 Jan 2021	ACTIVE
		Normal People Rooney, Sally Parliament Street