Turn Off And On Again

Another post with photos from the pages of Wellbeing magazine!

Reset – generally relating to adjustment or change of a setting in a device, in order to make it work correctly again.

We don’t seem to question the need to reset our electronic devices when they malfunction, but it’s harder for most people to see when they need to reset themselves. Are you glitching, running slow, turning off at inconvenient moments? Stop and recharge. Dig your feet into the grass and feel the breeze. Stay there until you’re ready to switch back on again!

Explore – travel through (an unfamiliar area) in order to learn about it; inquire into or discuss (a subject) in detail.

Dive in to your corner of the wild world while you’re taking time off to reset. Explore the reasons you’ve been burning out. Recognise and seek out the adventure of your life!

Tenderness – delicate, soft, or gentle; feelings of deep affection. Sensitivity to pain.

You can’t help but feel the aches and pains of those around you, of the world at large – but don’t forget to treat yourself with kindness. The world will keep spinning while you savour a cup of tea and refill your heart with peace.

Share – use, occupy or enjoy something jointly with others.

Sharing doesn’t mean diminishment – it’s connection and community, ultimately leading to enlargement of life, purpose and love!

We are all changing, and sometimes that change squeezes us into uncomfortably small and awkward spaces.
Wait for the metamorphosis.
And fly!

Published in:

Thinking....

on July 16, 2019 at 9:59 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: wellbeing magazine

What Was; What Is

I’ve been listening to this song, which was a recommendation for me on YouTube. Made me think…

We all have regrets – those things we’ve done, or haven’t done. Life rolls over us. Events happen, and we end up feeling scoured out by circumstance… cleaned out and hollow. The person we thought we were, wanted to be, lost in time.
Sometimes it’s the appropriate time to mourn and to heal.
Sometimes it’s time to get up again and move forward.
It’s never too late to find the good things again,
and to rekindle the fire.
What used to be can still be.
Just changed, and even sweetened, by personal history.
I can never be who I used to be – not completely.
I can be the best of who I am now.
And so can you ❤

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on July 14, 2019 at 8:20 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Sara Bareilles, She Used To Be Mine

Communing And Coffee

Went back to Oikos cafe with Babe and Sweet Bean – it’s nearly the end of the holidays, and we haven’t been out much. They do great tea there, too. Loose leaf, proper pots…

Here’s the sign on the wall (Sweet Bean didn’t want to be seen in the photo)

IMG_0418 (2)

We had a lovely “communing” time – shared a Bounty slice (coconut/chocolate/raw ingredients), discussed a Life Hacks calendar that was on the next table, had a giggle.
We sat at one of the bigger tables, which was made out of an old door.

All in all, a sweet way to farewell the holidays
and a refreshing interlude for the heart!

Published in:

Thinking....

on July 12, 2019 at 11:56 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Oikos

Where Everyone Has A Seat At The Table

Went to the library the other day, and took the opportunity to do a bit of op shopping as well. We’re not long getting over the sniffles, so I felt a bit drained after hiking up and down the streets… decided to check out a cafe I’d been meaning to go to. There’s nothing like a cup of mocha (especially 12oz of it) to revive flagging energy! Here was my view while being refreshed. There’s a main road just outside, but you’d hardly know it from the peaceful feeling inside.

Oikos Cafe opened a few months back on the site of a previous cafe. It’s at 61 Limestone Street, more or less between the library and the centre of Ipswich. My title for this post is written across the main wall, and it seems everyone is welcome – everyone is included, and grace wins the day. Food is sourced locally, and there seems to be a good selection of gluten free, raw etc. options. Buying the beans used for the coffee also helps to feed hungry children in Uganda. Apart from that, it also makes a very good cup of coffee!
Oikos is a Greek word, meaning “circle of influence”, and refers to family or community. I liked the feeling of community there, and will be going back…

I am undecided whether to have an early night, or to read for a bit. I’ll finish with another quote from Oikos…
“Rest is holy… get some!”

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on July 11, 2019 at 8:53 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Oikos

A Heart In The Clouds

Through stormy hours
and rainy grey,
blue skies remain
and love is constant.

…and even when a cloud
looms up in your blue sky –
love still appears
in various guises!

Published in:

on July 8, 2019 at 4:23 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: hearts

Pumpkin Reprised

A few days ago I was gifted with another pumpkin – this one is a heritage variety, although we don’t know what it’s called. The last one was dark green with yellow spots; this one almost looks like a Renaissance still life.

My camera couldn’t quite bring out the subtle greens and oranges. It almost glowed in the sunshine. I think this one will be nice roasted, although I’m not discounting pumpkin scones, or maybe a pie!
I decided on a whim to search for a poem about pumpkins. There seem to be plenty of children’s verses, but I only found one for adults. Here it is.

The Pumpkin

by John Greenleaf Whittier

Oh, greenly and fair in the lands of the sun,

The vines of the gourd and the rich melon run,

And the rock and the tree and the cottage enfold,

With broad leaves all greenness and blossoms all gold,

Like that which o’er Nineveh’s prophet once grew,

While he waited to know that his warning was true,

And longed for the storm-cloud, and listened in vain

For the rush of the whirlwind and red fire-rain.

*
On the banks of the Xenil the dark Spanish maiden

Comes up with the fruit of the tangled vine laden;

And the Creole of Cuba laughs out to behold

Through orange-leaves shining the broad spheres of gold;

Yet with dearer delight from his home in the North,

On the fields of his harvest the Yankee looks forth,

Where crook-necks are coiling and yellow fruit shines,

And the sun of September melts down on his vines.

*
Ah! on Thanksgiving day, when from East and from West,

From North and from South come the pilgrim and guest,

When the gray-haired New Englander sees round his board

The old broken links of affection restored,

When the care-wearied man seeks his mother once more,

And the worn matron smiles where the girl smiled before,

What moistens the lip and what brightens the eye?

What calls back the past, like the rich Pumpkin pie?

*
Oh, fruit loved of boyhood! the old days recalling,

When wood-grapes were purpling and brown nuts were falling!

When wild, ugly faces we carved in its skin,

Glaring out through the dark with a candle within!

When we laughed round the corn-heap, with hearts all in tune,

Our chair a broad pumpkin,—our lantern the moon,

Telling tales of the fairy who travelled like steam,

In a pumpkin-shell coach, with two rats for her team!

*
Then thanks for thy present! none sweeter or better

E’er smoked from an oven or circled a platter!

Fairer hands never wrought at a pastry more fine,

Brighter eyes never watched o’er its baking, than thine!

And the prayer, which my mouth is too full to express,

Swells my heart that thy shadow may never be less,

That the days of thy lot may be lengthened below,

And the fame of thy worth like a pumpkin-vine grow,

And thy life be as sweet, and its last sunset sky

Golden-tinted and fair as thy own Pumpkin pie!

**********************

Now you can serenade your pumpkins!

I’ve also been taking some photos of lone flowers which I will share with you, to brighten your winter evening…

May you grow and shine – even when it’s cold!

Published in:

Thinking....

on June 21, 2019 at 5:00 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: John Greenleaf Whittier

Sweet Cadbury, And The Size Of Food

Have you seen that Cadbury ad? I’ve been seeing it a lot lately, and I have a little sniffle and a smile every time. Yes – I know it’s scripted specifically to tug at the heartstrings and make me buy chocolate. I love it anyway.

I’ve been trying to not eat sugar lately, but sometimes a bit of chocolate seems like a happy choice for the day. I had a bit of a wander round the shops this afternoon – picked up some bargains, and a bar of chocolate for this evening. I also decided to treat myself to some KFC, as I haven’t had any in a Very Long Time… what is with the meal deals? Who would need a bread roll and mashed potato? It seems like getting more costs you less, and soft drink is part of the deal, even though I wouldn’t want it (yes, water can be a substitute, but I don’t want a plastic bottle. That I more or less am paying for.) I asked if they did any deals on one or two pieces of chicken and a small chips. Answer – not really. The cost is the same if you buy them separately. I ended up getting one piece of chicken, which I enjoyed very much 🙂 You can specify which piece you want, as well.
Tomorrow I’ll reduce the sugar/trans fats portion of my diet… I just had a bit of a holiday today 😉
Got the bus home. Enjoyed watching “My Neighbour Totoro”… which is also sweet.
And the sun set on my Very Nice Day.

June Sunset

June Moon

Published in:

on June 15, 2019 at 9:20 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Cadbury Ad

Love Story For The Ages (Revisited)

Celebrated with Sweet Bean today, after his morning spent in a maths exam. He was calm and collected, and finished in plenty of time. We picked up some treats on the way home, in preparation for watching a movie this afternoon.
He’s been studying Romeo and Juliet this term – we’d already watched an older version which kept to the story and script. This afternoon I thought we’d have a look at Romeo + Juliet (the weird 1996 version). We barely lasted till the lovers’ meeting…
On the plus side, I can tell that he’s familiar with the source material. He was picking up inaccuracies from the start, and eventually he got quite distressed with the modern-mixed-with-original-speech interpretation. Perhaps I’ll watch the rest on my own sometime… we’ll get West Side Story from the library and watch that instead.

Walked in the sunshine after the darkness of the movie afternoon – off through the cemetery. It’s a contemplative place. Very quiet.

It was such a beautiful afternoon that the moon came out very early – it’s the tiny white circle in the bright blue sky!

Time for bed.
“Come, gentle night; come, loving, black-browed night…”
Until tomorrow!

Published in:

Thinking....

on June 12, 2019 at 11:52 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Romeo and Juliet

Musing In The Grey

We haven’t really got out of bed today.
Obviously there’s been breakfast. And coffee. That’s just been the results of a mad dash to the kitchen and back before we get too chilly…

Such a grey and gloomy old day – hasn’t decided whether it wants to rain yet, but that definitely seems a likelihood. There’s nowhere for us to be today, so wrapping up in a duvet, reading and watching YouTube seems to be the best option.
It’s been a week of fluctuating temperatures, where it’s been hard to choose between a heavy coat and a tshirt for going out. Some days have needed both. I’ve come up against memories of childhood, and had days where I couldn’t be sure of the difference between “getting older” aches and pains, and twinges that perhaps should get further investigation. I’m still standing! Well, lounging around, but you get the point.
Had a truly amazing cupcake the other day – evocative of cheerful indulgence in its proportions and calorie content. I very much enjoyed it, but it was also a bit like swallowing a bag of sugar all at once. Still, a tasty bag of sugar served on a bright and sunshiny plate!

I’ll be watching some catch up TV this afternoon, but for now I’m listening to a bit of Sara Groves… songs of remembering, and songs of hope and moving forward.
Just right for a grey day.

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on June 8, 2019 at 12:44 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Sara Groves

When Stars Begin To Fall

Woke up this morning to the news that an actor from one of my favourite TV shows died yesterday. I’m of an age now when a lot of people I remember from my childhood have died, but it’s always a bit of a shock.
I’ve always enjoyed the classic sci-fi shows (vintage Star Trek and Doctor Who, as well as their more modern revivals) but Blakes 7 was my favourite. It only ran for four years, had seemingly cheap (but not cheerful!) production, and sometimes seemed to lose its way a bit, but I still watch and enjoy it. Avon was my favourite character, so hearing of the death of Paul Darrow gave a sad start to my day. He portrayed Avon as cynical and sarcastic, but also oddly vulnerable and, at times, sympathetic. The snark is legendary…

As the series was made in the days when you couldn’t just google an episode to guard against continuity errors, it sometimes doesn’t quite hang together. The acting can be quite theatrical, the scenery in danger of falling over, and the dystopian universe doesn’t provide the feel good factor. The titular character (Blake) is only present for two series, and there never seems to be exactly seven in the crew, unless you include one or both computers – depends on who else is still alive at the time. Despite all this… watch it. You’ll be glad you did.
So, it seems that Avon is no longer with us (along with Blake, Gan, Orac/Zen and Servalan). Having originally seen the final episode back in the early 80s, and clearly remembering the shock and disbelief I felt then, I can only paraphrase a tweet I saw earlier in the day – “It occurred off camera. I choose to believe he made it out…”

Here’s a fan made music video I found on YouTube a while back. It seems appropriate.