I'm back!  Hello, welcome, and thanks to everyone who's joined in so far.  I am feeling positive and hopeful about this thread and grateful for people joining.  I won't try to tag everyone, just respond where I'm able to.  But I have read all your posts and am loving the sharing.  I think this thread will be a bit like Friday Feast - you can join in without reading back all the pages between visits.  I don't want anyone to feel any pressure to keep up, or fomo. And I want it to be free for everyone, not 'my' thread, I just put it out there.

Loving your choice of music @Silenus  I saw them when they were doing that tour, in Sydney.  It was one of the best concerts I've ever been to.  Total sensory immersion.  There were huge moving props, including the flying pigs and even a hospital bed that went over our heads and appeared to slam into the stage.  Also wind that changed directions and an amazing laser light show - quite a new thing in those days.

I totally agree with you about the pleasure of gardening and the use of permaculture principles.  We have a number of large raised beds here and can feed several families at certain times of year.  

@Ali11  love your choice of Ben Harper too.  Special guy.  I nearly put him on here earlier this morning.

@eudemonism and @PurpleKathy  I'm hearing you about the energy taken to interact with more than a small circle of familiar people.  Hope I've tagged the right people here.  That's one of the reasons I love the forums - we can come and go as and when we are able, yet still maintain relationships and meet new friends.  Yay for learning how to tag purplekathy!!

@Sophia1  yes we definitely need a toasty fire to gather round.  Great idea.

@MDT @greenpea @CheerBear @Sophia1 @BlueBay @The-red-centaur @TAB 

What a great gang this is shaping up to be!

Cheers!! as I sip on a virtual hot toddy of mulled wine ......