The Grim Reaper returns home (A5 ink 2016)
I’ve already written about the celebrity cull which happened this year, but that 1-2 punch of Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds just after Christmas seemed like the Grim Reaper’s parting flourish – something he’d been planning all along to show just what he could do if he put his mind to it.
Let’s hope that 2017 brings us all some peace and a return to kindness after a year of division and polarisation. Those of you with a faith of some kind will no doubt be calling on that for support while the rest of us, perhaps, ‘open our hearts to the whole universe and find it is loving’. Let’s hope so.
The above drawing owes something to the great Austrian artist, Paul Flora. To open 2017 on a note of wistful beauty, here is a piece of music written specially for this occasion.
A happy and peaceful New Year to you all.
A Certain Line 
Hear, hear. Happier 2017 Michael. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Cid.
LikeLike
Many thanks, Michael, and a lovely new year to you, creative, serene and very exciting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Michael, Congratulations on a wonderful drawing! I really love it! And, as usual, I love your text – its humanity. May you have a happy New Year, dear Michael. Yours Bálint
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much, Balint. I wish you and your family a very happy and healthy 2017.
LikeLike
Happy New Year to you and yours, Michael – have a good evening, whatever you’re up to. Look forward to more of the good stuff here next year! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jacob, and the very same to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And the same to you and your family, Laura.
LikeLiked by 1 person
For me the greatest cultural loss this year was Leonard Cohen. I still remember when someone introduced me to his work 50 years ago via the Judy Collins version of his song “Suzanne”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah yes, the great Leonard Cohen. His last album was to me his best – how often does that happen? A happy and creative New Year to you, Steve.
LikeLike
By the way, the Finzi piece you linked to was followed by his “Eclogue for Piano and Strings”, Op. 10, which I found captivating [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkQbzZgwfl0].
LikeLike
Yes, there’s a whole album conducted by Adrian Boult of gorgeous short pieces by Finzi which is well worth hearing.
LikeLike
2017 will be great. I know it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love Finzi works, and Leonard Cohen too – plus Boccherini. Eclectic if nothing else!! Great post – and wishing you well in 2017. Let’s hope the world regains a sense of balance and common decency.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m all for eclecticism. How dull to only enjoy one sort of music. It’s all just sound after all! Thanks as always for your kind words: I think the world is stronger than a few small despots who strut around on its surface for a brief time.
LikeLike
Happy new year Michael, all the very best to you for 2017 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
And to you, Phil. Thanks so much for your kind support. It’s always much appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy new year, Michael!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And to you, Richard.
LikeLike
Definitely a rough end to a strange year. Here’s wishing you all the best to you and yours for 2017, Michael! 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi hefyd 😀 Wonderful drawing, so poignant xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
My Welsh is, er – a little rusty, Rosie, but thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Peace and happiness to you in 2017, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person