A New Year’s Dispatch

Welcome to a slightly different Monthly Dispatch. This is usually a space for highlights from the van build and my art, for thoughts from the month, and for a recipe. But as it is New Year’s Eve, I thought I might I do something a little different. So, instead of the usual look back over the last month, here are my wishes for you all over the coming year.

Old Man Winter at Rogue Theatre a few days ago was gathering wishes. The entire Winter Wood was full of dream catchers, cloutie trees, and wishing fairies, for wishes made in the depths of winter have power. You plant them deep in the cold world, like bulbs waiting for spring, and as the year takes shape so do your wishes. Or at least, that is what Old Man Winter told me and I am choosing to believe it.

In the woods I made a wish for a smooth and fun van build, supported by the incredibly generous van themed Xmas gifts my family gave me. As Old Man Winter gathered our wishes and wrote them down, I wished for success in using my art to fight the climate crisis. At the heart tree I made a wish for a friend’s health.

Today, on New Year’s Eve I make this wish for all of you:

I wish you all have adventures. I wish a year of more ups than downs, of challenges and joys, of love and laughter. May you spend your year with family and friends, caring for each other and the world around us. I wish you art and words and books, and all the fine things of the world. May you have hugs and a kiss from someone you love. I wish you wonder and new horizons. I wish that your wishes come true.

And, now I shall sign off with one final New Years Eve note… I am not a fan of New Year’s Resolutions as I much prefer a New Year’s Revolution. Mine is to read more books, I’m aiming for 16 in 12 months. I shall keep you updated as I go along. What are you hoping to do to revolutionise your life this coming year? I’d love to hear it.

Love, luck, and Happy New Year to you all.

I will be back on Jan 10th to commence my regular updates. In the meantime, please share this newsletter with anyone you think might enjoy it in 2022.