'The DSM' Editorial - Issue 104 Jobs

Noah had forty days and forty nights of rain. Well, he got off lightly. It hasn’t stopped chucking it down for what feels like weeks. My wellies are full of water when I venture outside, the grass is like a paddy field and very slippery I have discovered, as I went into some forced splits on my way to the post box. But to look on the bright side the pond has never been so full and the drainage channel I dug last year to guide water away from our back door is working a treat. I can stand for hours watching the water as it whizzes down my flume. 

Life can seem like a long list of things to fix and mend. Particularly living with Anna who is not known for her delicate touch. I wince every night as I hear her yanking the curtains shut. We don’t own a cup or mug that isn’t chipped. I am the tortoise to her hare. Slowly, slowly catchy monkey.

Some jobs are lovely and fill one with a sense of pride when complete. Some jobs are infuriating and will send me into an apoplectic rage, like Basil Fawlty thrashing the mini. Some jobs will create other jobs; jobs I didn’t even realise needing doing until I embarked on the initial job. One step forward two, three, four steps back.

If this weather continues, my next job will be constructing a large wooden boat into which I will usher two of every animal. Coypus, wild boars, whip snakes, feral cats will become my new travelling companions, and together we will sail across 79 (and surrounding areas).

We don’t produce a January issue, but will return in February, dried out for the new year. A huge thank you to all our advertisers, contributors, distributors, our eagle-eyed proof readers and of course, to you, dear reader. Happy Christmas and see you in 2020.