Does anyone know that expression? I haven't heard it for a long time but I think it's an accurate assessment of the time remaining in this calendar year - just two days left. But I looked it up:

shank |SHaNGk|noun1 (often shanks) a person's leg, esp. the part from the knee to the ankle: the old man's thin, bony shanks showed through his trousers.• the lower part of an animal's foreleg.• this part of an animal's leg as a cut of meat.2 the shaft or stem of a tool or implement, in particular:• a long narrow part of a tool connecting the handle to the operational end.• the cylindrical part of a bit by which it is held in a drill.• the long stem of a key, spoon, anchor, etc.• the straight part of a nail or fishhook.3 a part or appendage by which something is attached to something else, esp. a wire loop attached to the back of a button.• the band of a ring rather than the setting or gemstone.4 the narrow middle of the sole of a shoe.

It doesn't sound as if it's time-related, does it? But speech, well, English speech, is all metaphor, isn't it? We speak in images and colour. We see red when we're annoyed; we are blue when we're depressed, black when the mood is really dark; we're yellow when we are cowardly, and go white with fear. But we spring back when we recover. We unwind at night; we wind up our business affairs; we are wound up when we're excited. I don't have to say any more. You get the picture.

This is not what I was going to say at all. I was going to get maudlin about the end of this year that was. I guess there's time enough for that. Don't hold your breath.

My REM this morning was about writing a blog and I think it was good but I don't remember it. Perhaps it will come to me. Blogging is so specific, for most people. I just read of one this morning by a person who specializes in book lists, of which there are a plethora at this time of year. Every magazine, newspaper and self-styled critic, plus every organization with a particular angle, all of them create a best-of-the-year list. Lists are all very well in their way, and I love my lists, whether they're of groceries or tasks or thank-you letters to write - soon! (When I was a girl it was considered good luck to write your thank-yous before the new year, another indication of how OLD I am. Does anyone except a few of nature's aging gentlewomen write thank-you letters any more?.) But lists can be daunting, especially book lists, as you realize yet again how many books you have NOT read. I've said before that I will defend to the death every person's right to write. But so many of them get published these days. They are IMpossible to keep up with. Some I can easily dismiss as not for me; others are harder and, in fact, guilt-inducing. Therefore I will never read that blog listing book lists. Too much! A couple of organizations send out lists of petitions to sign, with an addendum that a donation - as little as a dollar - would be appreciated. There aren't that many dollars to give, at least not in my purse, not right now. More guilt. Oh, dear. I wish I could remember the blog I dreamed about.