This wasn’t going to be a Christmas entry but now it has to be because I’ve left it so late. I was going to have written this three weeks ago. But my mood changed.
J’Aime Paris I Love Paris Le Moulin Rouge 36 75 0433 Editions d’art Yvon 30 Av Jean-Jaures-94-Arcuell by S.P.A.D.E.M Made In Italy
The children will kill children. It’s apocalyptic. It’s an enemy without a head and tail. You can’t get to the jugular. It slithers away. Like sand through our hands we just can’t get a hold but we’re being dragged down. Last resort.
Unmarked photograph
I want to create colour in otherwise sad and desperate times that’s why I’m drawn to visual artists of all kinds.
From Picture Post Magazine 28 January 1951 article on Club de Bateau near Nice frequent visitors include Picasso and Chagall by Duncan Melvin
Picturegoer Cover Week ending December 24 1955
Here are some Christmas covers I have found which I rather like.
Picturegoer The National Film Weekly Week ending December 26 1963
Scene We Couldn’t Forget from Picturegoer Film Annual 1956-57 ‘wild, wild party in ‘I Am A Camera!’ Remember Julie Harris – as a gay British girl in pre-war Berlin
Season’s Greetings from Daryl Hall John Oates copyright 1985 RCA:Ariola International New York
I have travelled far this year. To the island of Ischia via Naples and discovered the music of William Walton and his wife Lady Walton’s beautiful garden…
Napoli Galler Umberto I printed in Italy AMG
Lettie in Lady Walton’s Mortella Gardens Ischia September 2015
Bathed in the volcanic pools on this wonderful island…I’ve been travelling many volcanic islands and Mnt Etna has erupted only in the last two days. The song ‘Volcano’ is all about that on the new album with Mark Vernon.
From leaflet for Ischia giardini Poseidon terme 20 pools (thermal, Kneipp, ocean-water) have been installed according to the latest technical and medical knowledge from the island of Ischia of volcanic origin
S Angelo D’Ischia Ancient radioactive Thermae of Cava Scura Ed. Di Meglio Ischia
Lacco Ameno The Island of Ischia The Sporting Swimming Pool printed in Italy dated 30 August 1970 ‘Ale veehio amieo, sveglia!’
Dolly admiring the Nestor’s cup at the Arbusto Museum Lacco Ameno Ischia the first known writing of Greek in the world
To New York to see my old boss for Thanksgiving who so kindly paid for my flight…
From Gillo Dorfles A Giccs Gondolat Budapest 1986
I took Dolly with me. She had been to New York before so wanted to show me some sights…
Dolly trying to show me the Statue of Liberty and Jersey City November 2015
Dolly hiding outside Julian Schnabel’s Villa Palazzo Chupi New York November 2015
Dolly looking at the building work from The High Line New York November 2015
I saw Bob Dylan recently my hero and my greatest living legend.
I return time and time again to his records Oh Mercy is one of the later ones I love (and ignore the fact that Tom Jones murdered ‘What Good Am I’) or Infidels which has a particular resonance for me.
Unmarked photograph date unknown
It was great to catch up with my old writing partner David Baron who was in town with the hugely talented and beautiful person that she is, Simi Stone.
Simi and David Sunday 8 November 2015 at Green Note
David Baron and Lettie in a pub in London November 2015
I have signed up with Claps Records in Italy. I have done a track with Luca Guerrieri who had a fantastic No 1 UK dance track last year with Harmony. It’s very different from my own music but I’m really pleased with the result. It should hopefully be out next year. We’ll see.
Marco Roncetti and Lettie at the Jane Hotel November 2015
In the meantime Mark and I continue to mix the album, which will be called ‘Weightless’.
I took ‘Maria’ my other doll character in this endless journey of mine to Milan – here she is admiring this manger scene…
S. Ambrogio Basilica Milan Maria the doll admiring the Manger Scene from German Lager at Wietzendorf Christmas 1944
Dated 24 December 1910 from USA signed Bessie and Fred to Delma Montanye of Broken Bow
3.30pm Dec 20 1909 Dear Jammy This is just to wish you a sincere and Happy Xmas and a Bright new year and future hoping you are well with love from Maude
Christmas Joy unmarked Souvenir Post Card
Christmas Greetings marked 24 December 1913 Wishing you a Bright and Happy Christmas With Love Janis
xxx
PS Although this was not obviously taken at Christmas this photograph depicts the photographer Angus McBean who always sent the best Christmas cards – some of which you can see on the internet. This picture where I’m opening something reminds me that Christmas is often a time to remember those who are no longer here
Lettie 
Have just been reading 2015’s entries (apologies, it’s taken me a while to return to your blog, it’s been a long year) but I’ve enjoyed catching up, your blog has brightened an otherwise dreary midwinter day. You do bring colour to a difficult world and so, perhaps selfishly, I hope your blog carries on ad infinitum and I hope Weightless is not your last album. Season’s Best.
Thank you so much for your lovely message! Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year! You inspire me to carry on collecting ephemera …!