HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN

I have a theory. I have held it for many years now but I reveal it with some trepidation because I suspect that you will disprove it dear reader.

My theory is simple. I believe that for most people, their favourite time of the year is around their birthday. I don't mean the day itself. I mean the seasonal aspects of that time of year.

In my own case, although I love the energy and vibrance of spring with its bursting new growth; although I love the hot summer sun and the balmy days spent on carefree holidays; although I love the crisp, chilly, wintry days, especially when accompanied with a fresh fall of snow; although I love all these, my favourite time is Autumn. To be more precise, it's the latter days of Autumn when the smoke of fires is on the air and the mists begin to appear.

My birthday is on November 6th and this falls the day after 'Guy Fawkes night'. This is when we celebrate the failure of the Gunpowder plotters in their attempt to blow up our parliament in 1605. Traditionally, this involves a large bonfire and letting off fireworks. Nowadays, this is usually done in large public gatherings but when I was a child, each household tended to do their own bonfire and fireworks - health & safety nightmare! Of course, my birthday celebrations turned into a bonfire and firework party which was the most magical way to spend your birthday as you can imagine.

So that is my theory. I think the reason why it holds true for me and for so many others, is that we never quite forget those childhood days of eager anticipation for the big event of our birthday and the accompanying cards and presents. The falling leaves and misty, smoky days were a harbinger of my special day. I hope your birthdays are as special for you.

LETS DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN

It's 30th August and back in July one of our local stores had Christmas decorations for sale. Presumably the thinking is that people had stopped buying for Summer so are thinking ahead to Autumn and Winter. Since there are always some who like to be well prepared, Christmas items will sell. Also, charity Christmas cards are a much needed source of revenue for good causes and to maximise this they need as long a sales period as possible. Maybe.

I remember that last January we had a cold snap and I wanted to buy a pair of leather gloves which Father Christmas had forgotten to put in my stocking. No chance. The shops were full of beachwear. It is Summer now and of course the racks are heaving under the weight of chunky sweaters and the shelves are packed with boots. Did I miss the memo? Is August the new November? Should I post now in time for Christmas?

As I said, it is the end of August so how come that the October edition of 'What Hi-Fi' magazine is on sale now? My wife is forever complaining quite rightly that her magazines are full of Autumn and Winter articles when she reads them in Summer.

We can only hope that as the time warp continues, it will eventually come full circle and we will be able to buy Summer clothes in Summer even if they are next Summer's styles. We might get to read the September magazines in September a year ahead of time. Or maybe we could buy Easter eggs at Easter - or is that too radical a notion?