Eve



 I’m sat at Sainsburys cafe with a liberal amount of avocado and poached egg down my front.
I’m not surprised only mildly disgusted with myself 
My second best navy jumped splattered 
The woman at the next table gives me that benign bless him look, as if she spied someone with learning difficulties out alone. ( I remembered I was wearing sweatpants that were bleached on the arse- from a distance they looked as though my left cheek was hanging out) 
I can’t wait to get home .
I dropped off Animal Helper Pat a gift . She was busy cooking and baking and  now Bluebell is empty and devoid of cards and gifts. 
I’m watching a gay couple too, they are dressed in matching Santa hats , and they bicker lightly over what to order and I feel a little envious 
But the weather is mild and the sun is shining albeit in a watery way so I wish you all ( including anon troll) a happy Christmas Eve 
I hope you are all ok xx

118 comments:

  1. Wishing you a very happy Christmas, John, and a wonderful New Year. Thanks for all the posts that have made me laugh, cry and think! Reading your blog keeps me sane and helps remind me that there are some good people out there.
    I hope Santa has something special for you in his sack! xx

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  2. Ooh, you are a messy boy!! But don't panic, Alan isn't much better, I usually have to make him change before he is seen in public. ;-)

    I was in our Sainsbury's at 7.10 am this morning buying all the things that Alan had forgotten yesterday. He'd remembered all the goodies and sweet stuff and forgotten his milk, bread and chicken for Mavis and Ginger.

    Happy Christmas to you and the little furry gang. I hope it's peaceful and restful for you all. xx

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    Replies
    1. Watch this space, I have the awful feeling Mary is pregnant

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    2. I was confused about this comment at first...Mary is pregnant, Christmas eve
      ...then I realized which Mary you mean...OH NO! :)

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    3. Or it’s a phantom , she’s nesting

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    4. Anonymous7:22 pm

      How, when? Who?!!!!

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    5. Maybe it is the kittens, her wanting her own babies and it is phantom.

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    6. Which Mary?? Clarity, please and thank you!

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    7. Ye gods. Merry christmas.

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  3. Jan from Perth12:17 pm

    Happy Christmas Eve, John!

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  4. Oh dear, I had to laugh a little at your sartorial splendour!

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  5. Kala Christouyenna. Wishing you a most enjoyable Xmas day. Eat, drink and be merry

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  6. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas John.

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  7. You are just wonderful, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.

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    1. No you are dear David xx love to both of u

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  8. Anonymous1:10 pm

    Merry Christmas John (Sandy mid wales)

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  9. Athene1:29 pm

    Hope you have a happy Christmas

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  10. Yorkshire Liz1:55 pm

    Honestly, John, what AM I going to do with you? You should know by now runny poached egg is lethal, and always an accident waiting to happen....but if it's any consolation I was putting the last minute shopping carton of cream in the fridge, caught my anorak cuff on the corner of the fridge door and ended up pouring half of it up my sleeve and painting the outside of the fridge in cream. Christmas accidents have their own special - er - magic of the season. Keep your Christmas happy and relaxed, and all love and best wishes to you and your/our Going Gently family. And onwards to a bright and better New year. God bless, all.

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    Replies
    1. I have lots of cream in the fridge , I’m making trifle shortly , god help me

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  11. Anonymous1:56 pm

    Have a Merry Christmas John! Wishing you a Happy New Year filled with love. Cali G

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  12. Happy Christmas, John. Thank you for your blog. X

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  13. You're like a gay, straight man:) My husband will walk around with a hole in his pants, covered in dog fur, and food on his shirt.
    Have a good day John. Sending you hugs and love across the pond.

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    Replies
    1. It’s been said before , it used to drive my ex wild

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  14. I have no idea why but reading this just made me cry. Merry Christmas, John Gray.

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    Replies
    1. Ms moon, I understand x

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    2. Anonymous4:00 pm

      Oh, I had the exact opposite reaction - I laughed out loud at your description. And despite being a 60+ year old woman, I have been there. I love the way you can manipulate a situation to create either tears or laughter in your readers. Merry Christmas.
      Nina

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    3. Or both in my case , thank you Nina x

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  15. If I had been there I’d have a photo of you and your seemingly bare ass for my blog.

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  16. Merry Christmas John and thank you x

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  17. Ana Dunk2:43 pm

    John, John...what are we going to do with you? Do you not know about napkins? Or to lean forward when eating a soft boiled egg? Anyway, sloppy John, I wish you a very merry Christmas and a new year filled with all you want and need.

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  18. Anonymous2:44 pm

    Happy Christmas John, i hope you have a great time and i wish you every happiness in the new year, best wishes from Julie king

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  19. Kelly3:01 pm

    Merry Christmas! 🎄

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    1. Ditto Kelly 🌲☃️🎅🏼🌨️☺️

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  20. If you are going to drop something down your front on Christmas Eve - make sure that it is a seasonal red and white - not green and yellow! For example - tomato ketchup and plain yoghurt. HAPPY CHRISTMAS JOHN!

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  21. I'm taking the opportunity to say Merry Christmas John, to see if this comment disappears like my other one. Have a wonderful time, all the best for 2025. Cathy x 🎅

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    1. No it’s here Cathy xx I will check spam

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  22. Eating at home could save you a fortune in washing powder! Have a wonderful Christmas.

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  23. Happy Yuletide Squire!!!!!! I always say it not a meal enjoyed till something is down the front of you.

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  24. Merry Christmas, John! Fortunately sweaters can be laundered. :)

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  25. Anonymous4:15 pm

    Merry Christmas John, enjoy every moment as disgracefully as you can must⛄️😂. Jan in Castle Gresley

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  26. Merry Christmas John, Steve is right, sweaters can be laundered! We all "food" ourselves from time to time, it is what it is, and it's not a big deal.

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  27. Anonymous4:54 pm

    It’s not noon yet here, but like you I’ve been out to a cafe,
    It’s icy cold.
    I too watched a couple ( these with children) and felt envious , it’s a burden us singletons carry at Christmas
    I cried too

    Much love squire John

    Lee

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  28. Anonymous5:03 pm

    This is shaping up to be the most miserable Christmas since the one Boris cancelled but it could be worse, so plastering on a smile and wishing for it to be over. Hope you enjoy your time off and have a peaceful Christmas. Kath xx

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  29. krayolakris5:22 pm

    Good Christmas wishes to you John. It’s a difficult time for many, those of us who are missing friends and relatives no longer with us. Doing something nice for others is a good antidote for the melancholy as you have shown. I’ll be glad when it’s all over with but sad to say goodbye to a few relatives I rarely get to visit with. Hugs and belly rubs for your four-leggeds. Your blog is a gift.

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    1. I hope you have a peaceful one, I’ve just made a trifle x

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  30. My best to you and your village, John. Happy Christmas! May our collective new year be better than we expect.

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  31. You're a braver man than I, John dear, to brave Sainsbury (or any store) on Christmas Eve.
    And thank you for all the wonderfully told stories and each & every blog post!!!
    Merry, Merry Christmas to you, your family & friends, and dear Bun, Weaver, Roger & Mary!

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    1. The animals are playing up somewhat what this space x

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  32. Merry Christmas dear John. xx

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  33. Assorted pashminas per jumper colors. You could change once a meal was over. :)
    Love you and yours at Christmastime and always.

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  34. Be careful with the trifle. That is what I spilled down myself and all over the floor yesterday. Warmest wishes for a Happy Christmas. ? the patter of little paws in the New Year.

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  35. Happy Christmas John x

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  36. All the best to you, Johnny, and thank you for another year of excellent, personable blogging: top of my reading list.

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  37. Happy Christmas John.
    Extra jumpers are always great to have. Everything washable makes them ideal and like new.
    Enjoy!

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  38. Barbara Anne6:19 pm

    Ah, and 45 years ago I had a C section so suddenly, "unto us a child was born, unto us, a son was given" and what a joy he has been!
    It sounds like a lovely place to be and don't mind the splatters on your jumper. They will surely wash out.
    You've made Christmas so much happier for many others, now hear and take to heart our greetings to you.
    A very Happy Christmas to you and the fur family! Write on!!

    Hugs!

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  39. My daughter was born a week before Christmas 38 years ago... The doctor and all the nurses were singing... 'SilverBells ' as she came into this World... Always a happy memory for me.. She has two little ones of her own now.. Merry merry Christmas John.. Hugs! deb

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  40. Anonymous7:06 pm

    For Christmas, I bought myself a bib, as I am a very sloppy eater. It is black and printed with a string of pearls around the neck..they make men’s ones also. I just made myself some mashed turnip to go along with a turkey dinner for one from the grocery store.. they aren’t that good but hey ho. Thank you so much for your wonderful blog, love you John. Merry Christmas gigi

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    1. An ideal gift no one has bought me yet

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  41. Anonymous7:10 pm

    I love trifle. What do you put in yours. Merry Christmas John. It is 2 PM here on Christmas Eve in Pennsylvania. I like CE more than Christmas Day. Wishing you the best in 2025. Linda

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    1. Lady’s fingers drenched in Sherry, thick custard then thick cream

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  42. The biggest loving Christmas hug ever is on the way. XO

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  43. This post has the makings of a gay Hallmark holiday romcom, meet-cute in Sainsbury...cute lonely bearded guy at the next table. You talk, time passes, he leans in for a kiss--and his face falls, his lip curls, he turns a Christmassy shade of green---looking at the front of your food encrusted sweater. John: "I am what I am" Bear guy: "Gotta go, wife's waiting and the kiddies..." John: "damn."

    Merry Christmas, John!

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  44. LOL! Oh, John, you have such wonderful experiences! Merry Christmas!

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  45. Jumpers will wash!! Sainsbugs on Christmas Eve....desperation!
    Just mind that trifle.I hope you have a kitchen bitch apron ?❤️
    Thanks for all your writing and just being you...I'm alone at Christmas too...but hoping for a promised phone call...

    Then son and friend on Thursday...I bet he brings some washing 😆

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  46. Happy Christmas John. May 2025 be a wonderful year for you and yours. 🇨🇦

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  47. Anonymous8:57 pm

    Happy Christmas John . Hope you get some relaxation after a busy year . Thank you for your blog which. May you thrive in 2025 x Bernie

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  48. Traveller9:46 pm

    Merry Christmas to you and the four footed ones.

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  49. Anonymous10:14 pm

    Merry Christmas John xx from Jane in the antipodes

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  50. Merry Christmas John x Sue

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  51. Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year, John.
    I too have been cleaning dog snot off the kitchen cabinet doors today, you’re not alone…

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  52. Merry Christmas, John. I wouldn't trade you for anything.

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  53. 🎄 Merry, merry Christmas John …… wishing you a brilliant day and a wonderful 2025. Lots of love. XXXX

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  54. Anonymous2:03 am

    Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
    Linda from Alabama

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  55. Jo in Auckland5:46 am

    Merry Christmas John, hope you have a great day and a great year ahead. Love to your furbabies.

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  56. My old friend Jock was like you. We used say we could boil his jumper to make a good hearty soup.

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