I have a nasty cold and have been laid up for a week. It was my birthday yesterday – 61, where has the time gone? I sat in my chair all day feeling absolute pants. I had phone calls from those who care for me but none from my family. My niece J did not send a card, and I think that maybe she did not receive my Christmas card and present to her, but because they never have any contact with me I would never know.

I have been thinking about the cards I make, how difficult is it to sell any when the world and his wife have decided to make cards also. I still have this urge to share them with others so will think about how I do this.

I was listening to a Radio 4 program which was discussing the dangers in the Winter Olympics being held in Sochi at present. Is it too dangerous? Young people are being injured…What a load of tosh! This year snowboarding, half pipe and similar events have been included and the enthusiasm and skill at which the young have embraced the sport is stunning and infectious. However, the health and safety ‘police’ are asking whether we should allow our young people to take risks of injuries! Good God can they hear themselves speak. Ask every young person if they are willing to risk their life to live it to the fullest and I have an idea not one would say no.

As Eleanor Roosevelt said:

The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.