...a reluctance to post anything lately, other than the Further Adventures of Grrr and Her Crew. I may be over-sensitised to it, but I cannot help but wonder if the rest of the Club is wrestling with the same, given the cautious silence since the change in the US administration.

As only one part of my plan to deal with the next few years for example, I have sworn off all US and internet news sources for bias and the joy they seem to feel by stirring up anger and hate. I now read my small-town paper for local news and the international feed of the Beeb for world events, the latter limited to twice a day.

This might strike some as hiding my head in the sand, but not the case really when one considers most of my youth was spent with news twice a day and the rest of the day given over to far more meaningful pursuits. I'm going back to that level of intrusion, a level that keeps me informed and informed by sources far less contentious than anything coming out of the US.

I want nothing to do with the social media, as little interaction as possible with others in this unfettered nasty environment which, given the "tech brotocracy" and their influence on American and world social affairs, will shed whatever might keep the internet from total anarchy in the name of "free speech". Let others verbally duke it out and think this is great fun; I have better things to do with my time.

Which brings me to the few of us here in the Club. I put this out for thought and your opinions, but our little corner of the internet needs not become silent. Perhaps we serve each other the best by keeping this little place we populate one where we all consciously show each other the good and the light.

Let us not be silent in fear of offending each other, Yanks and Brits and expats and repats. If that is a fear, let's nip it in the bud now.

Instead, talk of cars and trains and aeroplanes; films and music and art and beauty; explore the light for ourselves and let the rest wallow in the mudpit throwing punches, and celebrating boorishness and bullying.

We are good with ourselves, by ourselves, and amongst ourselves. I say, let us support and uplift ourselves. If anyone here despairs, ask and we'll lift you.

You alright, then?