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The Trembling's Newsletter 2023
In the 23rd and 2000th year of our Lord, this being the third year after the Great Ailment which is named COVID, Significant Events took place in the City of Bath, at that House on the Road known as Mount which is the dwelling place of the Tremblings.
For in the Summer of that year, Paul, Father of Tremblings, Author of Books, Dreamer of Dreams, and part-time bookkeepers assistant at the the Church of Saint Michaels Without, did declare:
”Enough of this! I shall retire: for I am become aged, and tired of the rat-race, and what is more I am now receiving my pension. Therefore shall I wrap it in, sling my hook, and shuffle off to my dotage. Yes, I will put in my notice and be done with work!”
And his family did gather round him, and it was said: “Why bother? For who shall notice any difference should you retire or continue as you are?”
And he replied: “Thou art impudent! And moreover, inaccurate, for many at St Michaels Without shall deeply mourn my absence. But I have other matters to attend to! Have I not this year published yet another Writing? (This being my novel ‘Local Killer’, fourth in the series of ‘Local’ crime novels and available at some bookshops and many on-line retailers, not least the Mighty Zon). And my heart speaks of many other adventurous tales to be recorded, and I am now part of a great Enterprise known as Resolute Books, whereby new opportunities for marketing arise - should I not therefore devote my time and intellectual energies to the cause of Literature?”
And Annie, who he loved greatly, spake unto him and said “Well, if you’re going to be round the house more, you can make yourself useful. And - looking ahead - we need a Santa for some Church Events in December.”
”Then I shall grow my beard longer,” he replied “For that artificial thing doth itch most abominably.”
But Annie did think further and said: “You know what? I like the sound of retirement. For I have laboured long in the fields of Diaconal Ministry, and brought forth such fruit as has been granted unto me. Surely, I have earned some time with my feet up?”
Paul replied unto her “Of course you have, my dove, my precious. But are you sure of this? For I knoweth you right well, and after a week of putting your feet up you’ll be climbing the very walls from boredom!”
”Worry you not on that matter,” she assured him. “We have the camper van and the dogs, and when the mood takes me, we shall be off on the road to see new sights and experience new cuisines! No, I shall put in my notice, and by this time next year we shall have our freedom!”
“Then certainly, my darling, you must by all means do so,” said Paul, though some foreboding touched his heart at her generous use of the pronoun ‘We’, fearing that his vision of the future might be required to endure a measure of change. Yet his heart was also stirred by the prospect of new adventures: and the food sounded good as well.
Thus was the matter decided, and plans laid for the future. Verily, the year to come offered the prospect of great changes. For Andy, youngest of the Sons of Trembling, would be finishing his studies at Liverpool University, and be out looking for a job as a vet - preferably in London, since his heart yearned for the bright lights and fast action of that great metropolis. And also Matt, Second of the Sons of Trembling, was planning to move to Wales with his girlfriend Demi, there to take advantage of cheaper housing.
But as to the very youngest of the Clan, Otis - First Grandchild and light of everyone’s life - cared naught for such matters as the passing of years, being filled with a constant desire to wonder at the world and all it contained. Whilst his family constantly wondered at him, and said amongst themselves ‘How quickly he grows!’ ‘How clever he is!’ ‘How tired his parents are!’ And the aforesaid parents, Tom and Charlotte, were proud indeed, if somewhat knackered.
And so it drew on towards the Turning of the Year. And Paul, whilst greatly rejoicing in the freedom of his retirement, was sore troubled by a cough that would not go away. Rather, it grew so mighty that he was forced to relinquish his starring role as Santa. He was much distressed at this, for had he not grown a most wondrous beard for this very thing? Yet it was said unto him “Go, rest. For should the children see Santa coughing like he’s on forty cigarettes a day they shall be much distressed, and will go home saying unto their parents ‘Oh calamity, calamity! Christmas is in danger, for it seems that Santa may not make it that far!”
And it came to pass that Paul did go to the Doctor, and the Doctor did say “Behold, your oxygen levels are low, get thee hence unto the hospital!” So he went, and there dwelt several days, then several days more, for the bug he had incubated proved to be that of the most stubborn variety. And Annie did attend many times, with words of encouragement and love. But in due course of time, it came to pass that Paul was released with many pills and a warning to rest, for the matter would not be resolved in days or even weeks, but he might expect to cough his way into the New Year.
And thus he returned unto the bosom of his family, with many greetings and much joy, especially from Willow and Edna.
Thus and thus have things gone: yet not everything awry, for the year has had it’s blessings also. And if 2023's ending is less than what may have been wished, 2024 offers many bright hopes and promises for all the Tremblings! And Christmas time will see us celebrating together and enjoying the blessing of family.
For in the Summer of that year, Paul, Father of Tremblings, Author of Books, Dreamer of Dreams, and part-time bookkeepers assistant at the the Church of Saint Michaels Without, did declare:
”Enough of this! I shall retire: for I am become aged, and tired of the rat-race, and what is more I am now receiving my pension. Therefore shall I wrap it in, sling my hook, and shuffle off to my dotage. Yes, I will put in my notice and be done with work!”
And his family did gather round him, and it was said: “Why bother? For who shall notice any difference should you retire or continue as you are?”
And he replied: “Thou art impudent! And moreover, inaccurate, for many at St Michaels Without shall deeply mourn my absence. But I have other matters to attend to! Have I not this year published yet another Writing? (This being my novel ‘Local Killer’, fourth in the series of ‘Local’ crime novels and available at some bookshops and many on-line retailers, not least the Mighty Zon). And my heart speaks of many other adventurous tales to be recorded, and I am now part of a great Enterprise known as Resolute Books, whereby new opportunities for marketing arise - should I not therefore devote my time and intellectual energies to the cause of Literature?”
And Annie, who he loved greatly, spake unto him and said “Well, if you’re going to be round the house more, you can make yourself useful. And - looking ahead - we need a Santa for some Church Events in December.”
”Then I shall grow my beard longer,” he replied “For that artificial thing doth itch most abominably.”
But Annie did think further and said: “You know what? I like the sound of retirement. For I have laboured long in the fields of Diaconal Ministry, and brought forth such fruit as has been granted unto me. Surely, I have earned some time with my feet up?”
Paul replied unto her “Of course you have, my dove, my precious. But are you sure of this? For I knoweth you right well, and after a week of putting your feet up you’ll be climbing the very walls from boredom!”
”Worry you not on that matter,” she assured him. “We have the camper van and the dogs, and when the mood takes me, we shall be off on the road to see new sights and experience new cuisines! No, I shall put in my notice, and by this time next year we shall have our freedom!”
“Then certainly, my darling, you must by all means do so,” said Paul, though some foreboding touched his heart at her generous use of the pronoun ‘We’, fearing that his vision of the future might be required to endure a measure of change. Yet his heart was also stirred by the prospect of new adventures: and the food sounded good as well.
Thus was the matter decided, and plans laid for the future. Verily, the year to come offered the prospect of great changes. For Andy, youngest of the Sons of Trembling, would be finishing his studies at Liverpool University, and be out looking for a job as a vet - preferably in London, since his heart yearned for the bright lights and fast action of that great metropolis. And also Matt, Second of the Sons of Trembling, was planning to move to Wales with his girlfriend Demi, there to take advantage of cheaper housing.
But as to the very youngest of the Clan, Otis - First Grandchild and light of everyone’s life - cared naught for such matters as the passing of years, being filled with a constant desire to wonder at the world and all it contained. Whilst his family constantly wondered at him, and said amongst themselves ‘How quickly he grows!’ ‘How clever he is!’ ‘How tired his parents are!’ And the aforesaid parents, Tom and Charlotte, were proud indeed, if somewhat knackered.
And so it drew on towards the Turning of the Year. And Paul, whilst greatly rejoicing in the freedom of his retirement, was sore troubled by a cough that would not go away. Rather, it grew so mighty that he was forced to relinquish his starring role as Santa. He was much distressed at this, for had he not grown a most wondrous beard for this very thing? Yet it was said unto him “Go, rest. For should the children see Santa coughing like he’s on forty cigarettes a day they shall be much distressed, and will go home saying unto their parents ‘Oh calamity, calamity! Christmas is in danger, for it seems that Santa may not make it that far!”
And it came to pass that Paul did go to the Doctor, and the Doctor did say “Behold, your oxygen levels are low, get thee hence unto the hospital!” So he went, and there dwelt several days, then several days more, for the bug he had incubated proved to be that of the most stubborn variety. And Annie did attend many times, with words of encouragement and love. But in due course of time, it came to pass that Paul was released with many pills and a warning to rest, for the matter would not be resolved in days or even weeks, but he might expect to cough his way into the New Year.
And thus he returned unto the bosom of his family, with many greetings and much joy, especially from Willow and Edna.
Thus and thus have things gone: yet not everything awry, for the year has had it’s blessings also. And if 2023's ending is less than what may have been wished, 2024 offers many bright hopes and promises for all the Tremblings! And Christmas time will see us celebrating together and enjoying the blessing of family.
May it also be
a time of joy, of celebration and of peace
for you all according to your traditions,
and may you also be granted bright hope
and many blessings for the year ahead.
a time of joy, of celebration and of peace
for you all according to your traditions,
and may you also be granted bright hope
and many blessings for the year ahead.