DOORS AND DAUGHTERS

ags is my youngest, but even she has clocked up a fair few birthdays now. Last Sunday she turned twenty-five, which leaves me asking the age-old question: how on earth did I end up with a thirty-year-old and a twenty-five-year-old?

​There was no grand party, but I always enjoy it when the whole family gathers under one roof. Since Rags didn’t have any specific plans and Harley was coming over, we decided to cook a proper traditional Sunday dinner. I’ll admit to a brief pang of guilt, as I found myself enjoying Harley’s presence just a bit more than the actual birthday celebrations. But I suppose that’s only natural—Rags still lives with us, whereas I don't get to see Harley anywhere near as often.

​Besides, Rags has plenty of her own reasons to celebrate at the moment. She’s starting a new job soon (more on that in a future post), so it feels like a genuine new beginning for her.

​Speaking of new beginnings and entrances, a portal is defined as a gate or doorway—particularly one that is grand, imposing, or visually distinct. Nobody would argue that if you want to travel from one space to another, a portal is essential. Which brings me to a rather significant upgrade in my own life: I bought a new portal.

​I am, of course, talking about our front door—arguably the most important portal in anyone's daily routine. We moved into this house when it was a fresh new build, just before Rags was born. It had watched the children grow up, seen pets come and go, and welcomed a quarter-century’s worth of deliveries. But Tuesday was its final day in service. In its place stands a proper, solid new door, complete with a high-security lock and a smart new Welsh slate house number plaque to finish it off.

The spirit of the Urban Viking—and the occasional absurdity of navigating the modern world—lives on in my webcomic, Northman. 

You can read the latest chapter here: northman.kirt.me.uk

I’ll be sharing more of my journey and the daily reality of staying grounded in the modern world over on social media. Join in.

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