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Your card is in the mail … email!

“We haven’t received many Christmas cards this year,” said a somewhat bemused Carol.

Christmas, as we all know, is a time for giving and caring, but I disregarded all that and had a moment of meanness:

”Bugger them, then,” mocked I. “Take a note of who didn’t send one and we’ll cross them off the list for next year.”

Then came the moment …

The moment I checked our email and logged into Facebook.

And what should arrive by the bag full? Christmas cards! Christmas cards and Christmas greetings from all the people I’d threatened to cross off our list. And cards from people who weren’t even on our list (though they will be added to next year’s list).

I guess that traditions change … and that’s just one of them.

Here’s another:

I was always led to believe that Christmas was for the children. Not anymore, apparently. These days it’s for … wait for it … the pet dog.

Yes, you heard right.

Dogs.

A friend noticed a lineup in Sydney of people waiting to meet Santa. The line stretched out the building, along the footpath, and around the corner. But young kids weren’t in tow, instead, lining up with them were their excited canines. Tails wagging, slobbering at the mouth, waiting to jump on Santa’s knee, having a chat with the old bloke, and hopefully pose for a snap.

And I hear it’s not just Sydney! All over the world, dogs have embraced Christmas.

One would hope that Santa has strong knees. Imagine posing with a great dane perched on lap.

What’s next? Goldfish? Horses? Canaries? The prized bull?

Anyway, where was I?

Oh, yes … Merry Christmas from Carol and I to all our writers, admin team, regular and new commenters, our readers, and those who donate to The AIMN. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing on Christmas Day, may you be filled with peace, happiness, and good health.

Our most sincere regards to you and your loved ones.

 

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17 comments

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  1. Robert REYNOLDS

    Hello Michael and Carol,

    I would like to take this opportunity to wish you both a Very Joyful, Pleasant and Merry Christmas and also to wish you a peaceful, healthy and happy New Year in 2018.

    I know Michael, that we have exchanged views that have at times been perhaps a little ‘forthright’ and ‘frank’ during the time that I have been at the AIMN but it is not my purpose to be mean-spirited or churlish, especially at this time of the year.

    Best regards,

    Robert

  2. Lurline O'Brien

    Merry Christmas to all at the AIMN. I might not comment much, but I regard you all as a slightly disfunctional extra family.

  3. Joseph Carli

    Thanks, Michael & Carol…best regards..

  4. sandrasearle

    And here is our best wishes to you and Carol. Thank you for all you do for TAIM, Happy Christmas to you both and let us hope that 2018 brings a bit more sanity to our world (not much hope of that happening tho, with all those who don’t get what it like to live the real world with the rest of us plebs).
    Good wishes from Sandra and Barry Searle

  5. Patrice

    Greetings to you from the top end where our Christmas will be hot and steamy! Thank you for the important work you have done during the year, keeping us informed in a way that we no longer can rely on in the MSM

  6. Annie B

    Again, best of good wishes for the Season. … May your days be Joyous and Happy.

    Yes, the dog — Miss Ruby is organised. Our new kitteh, 11 month old Benny Bengal has 3 gifts, for his 1st Christmas. Am still pondering on Yuletide Eve, my 3 chookies. ( cheese – they love it as a special treat ). 😉

  7. Ricardo29

    I endorse what Patrice said. In the broadest possible context — the world and Australia— its been a pretty crappy year for all but the 1%. But at the micro level, on our five acres, this year ends as well as ‘76 did. That year it was the first Christmas with our newborn son, this year we have a new granddaughter. It now behoves us to use whatever means we have to ensure a better world for both of them. And in addition to the peace and goodwill I hopethere’s A bit of turkey, ham and whatever else is chosen.

  8. vicki

    I read your pages every day but haven’t commented for a couple years.I find the articles very informative and sometimes the comments even more so. I wish all at AIMN the very best for Xmas and the New Year.

  9. dragonnanny

    Merry Christmas everyone, and a happier New Year……… I enjoy reading the posts and have learned so much from both regular writers and those who comment – to all of you thank you and I look forward to seeing what 2018 brings with it.

  10. Carol Taylor

    Merry Christmas to all and thank you for your kind wishes. I hope that everyone has a relaxing plus enjoyable time and ready for whatever this government might find to dish out to us in the forthcoming year.

  11. Terry2

    Michael

    Thank you for your patience during the year in helping me overcome my computer settings which were denying me access to AIMN. Without the common sense of AIMN contributors everyday Australia would be a poorer nation.

    All the very best to all to you all for Christmas and the New Year

    Terence Mills (Terry2)

    PS: I adopted Terry2 as a handle as at one time there was an accident prone Chief Minister in the NT with the same name as me and I was frequently confused with him.

  12. paul

    Thank you to all you marvellous contributors and posters over the year. I have learned lots…
    I wish everyone a very merry saturnalia or bacchanalia if that is your preference, hoping that the season brings you peace joy and love.
    Labrokes market on DUI offences over the holiday has queensland long odds on a per capita basis.
    Cheers

  13. Leanne.J

    Merry Christmas to you and your wife, Michael Taylor, may the new year be blessed and prosperous.

  14. Kaye Lee

    A Merry Christmas to all of our AIMN family and a special thanks to our hosts, Michael and Carol. It is comforting to know there are people who care.

    “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” – Albert Einstein

  15. Shutterbug

    To all at TheAIMN, I wish you the very best of the Season and many good things for 2018.
    In a time where The Guardian is now becoming a Truffles Turnbull Fan Club, I find much comfort and excellent factual reportage here at The AIMN. Your writers and contributors are beyond reproach, and for this I am thankful.
    Please, stay safe and well during the Festive Season and I hope that your deity of choice does the right thing in 2018 and boots this pathetic, evil government and all it’s foetid policies into a fiery pit. Now , that’s on Christmas present I wouldn’t mind getting after New Years.

  16. Jaquix

    You forgot CATS Michael! They love Christmas too, though not into Santa at all. Best of all they love playing W the discarded wrapping paper! 🎄🎄🎄🎄

  17. Florence nee Fedup

    Merry Christmas to Michael & Carol. Thanks for all the work that has gone into the site.

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