I just want to write a couple of words about the council election results.
Not one single news item has discussed tactical voting.
We've elected a Lib-Dem candidate, with 2020ish votes. The second highest candidate was Reform, with 800ish votes. The other candidates had about 950 votes between them.
I know that many people, us included, voted L-D simply to make sure the Reform candidate did not win. I'm sure our area won't be the only one where this happened... but do we hear this on the news reports?
Moving on. I try not to let politics seep into this blog!
...
On substack someone, I forgot who, is starting a club where you will receive every month a new, nicely presented laminated card, (or maybe a few cards, I wasn't to sure) with a short poem to memorise, interesting philosophical or 'life' question, a quotation or two, a riddle, naye a conundrum.
The idea is that instead of reaching for your phone when you are waiting or bored or whatever, you take out the card and think about something on it.
I thought that was an interesting idea! So I've taken a spare small notebook
and copied out some short poems and haikus, and a couple of quotes and questions;
There are a couple or more pages, but that's all. The notebook can live in my handbag, and I can add some more next month. I could also jot stuff down on the back pages as well if I wanted.
......
Walking seems to take more effort each day, but I think that's because I'm doing better each day... getting a little bit further before I have to stop, for example. Maybe I now need to go slower, take time to enjoy the walk, and the sights along the way like this beautiful tree
rather than using all my grit and determination to make it to the post box and home again! More of an amble, less of a yomp!
You *ARE* doing better each day! Trust me, and wait until you read the blog I am just writing up now {Oh! What A Day}
ReplyDeleteThat's an excellent idea, I bet you will soon have a collection of handbag size books to draw upon.
I am trying to avoid discussing the events of this week, but I have to give credit to Eluned Morgan, the first Female First Minister of the Welsh Assembly, who lost her seat and has resigned. Whether you like her or not, she conducted herself with grace and decorum in a considered speech of resignation, and unlike so many others, she has accepted full responsibility for the current demise of Labour in Wales, and did not point a single finger or underhand remark at any other person or party. I cried for her pain.
I listened to her speech; it was very well done.
DeleteThanks for your encouragement! My, but it can be such a challenge, getting round every day!
I love that GMH poem!
ReplyDeleteIt came from the little book of poems, 'A Poesie' that y
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Deletethat you sent me a while back.
DeleteYes to the ramble instead of the yomp! By rambling slowly we made it around the lake something that we used to do but more recently were not up to. The slow pace enabled me to spot a garter snake ( that I photographed and when I looked at the picture later I saw the he (it) had just cast off its skin. There it lay.)
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of a small notebook with poems and quotes etc.. to ponder when waiting for whatever to happen.
That snake was a real reward for the walk.
DeleteBoth these sound like good ideas. Especially enjoying the walk rather than grimly trying harder each day. Maybe you can do both? I like the idea of finding your own meditative thoughts rather than buying a program. Your choices are as good as theirs.
ReplyDeleteI'm also inspired by the other bloggers who, like you, intentionally go for a walk every day.
ReplyDeleteI try on my daily walk to note at least one thing from nature that lifts my soul. It is not hard to do once I get into that mind frame. Yesterday I saw a peacock butterfly sunning itself for quite a long time, I smelt some wisteria before I spotted it tumbling over a house in all its purple splendour, and lastly I noticed a mass of huge cumulus clouds gathering over the downs towards Beachy Head. All very uplifting. You are doing well with your walk and the dark pink blossom is wonderful. That is a good idea about the note book. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteI do like the idea of adding 'nature notes' to my walk... I shall try and keep that going. Thank you for the suggestion. The other day I used my merlin app to identify a birdsong... not robin, not sparrow, turns out it was a dunnock!
DeleteI love the short quote from Flaubert. I may follow your example and start a book to keep in my bag. I need positivity,especially with the awful rise of Deform!
ReplyDeleteI'm using it already to divert me from my phone when I'm sitting on the settee
DeleteI'd never heard they who may not be named called 'Deform' before. That is very cheering!
DeleteThat would be a miniature Commonplace book, wouldn't it? Splendid idea.
ReplyDeleteYes, a pocket version! I've duplicated some entries from my larger heavier commonplace book,
DeleteWhat a great idea! I keep meaning to pop a small sketchbook in my bag so that I might take it out and try the journalling again, but I keep forgetting!
ReplyDeleteIf the notebook came from stash or a heap in the craft room would it count as a declutter success???? 🌟
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