horsemouth sings for his breakfast (in poverty granted)

horsemouth posts patty pravo's il paradiso the original for the amen corner's 'if paradise was half as nice'.

he does not so much sing for his supper (as the saying has it to describe a means of earning a living) as sing for his breakfast (an altogether smaller meal). contained in this is an implicit critique of the musician, writer or poet's role in society - as someone required to dance attendance on the whims of the mighty. 

in fact he does not even do this. he has funds that should enable him to survive a while longer (in poverty granted). that reminds him he should refuel for the year ahead. 

horsemouth plans to travel to his brother's and thence to birmingham (and thence to his parents in the countryside). his main concern is not to arrive ill (people cannot afford more illness).

yesterday he went to visit andrew minty (who is recovering well). they watched the first two episodes  of children of the stones and then a view from a hill (a later bbc ghost story at christmas).  he walked over (and walked back) about an hour each way. later he rested. 

picasso is nearly dead (horsemouth has a few pages to go).  his death will be attended by other deaths - retainers going to serve him in the afterlife (it's all a bit grim). in other reading horsemouth has still not started in earnest on the alexandr blok italian poems project (there will be plenty of time for this at his parents). his decarbonisation meeting is delayed (til next friday) - good it gives him a chance to do the reading. there's a meeting of the communal endeavour on the 15th - horsemouth is unsure whether he will attend in person or phone it in  via zoom. 

ok time for breakfast.