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Yay! The terrier is back. If dogs and babies can steal the scene in a movie, then they probably steal the Substack-show too. Hehe. So glad he's healing up.

Curating. What a great word and preferable to "spring cleaning." Maybe it's an American idiom?Curating is a necessary tedium.

Your novel sounds fascinating. Not a bad characterization for an AI.

Thx for the restack!

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Spring-cleaning is a term used here as well, and in most of the western world, I'm guessing.

But curating gives the whole thing a finer edge, doesn't it? Something quite special and elevated above the mundane. I think a life curated sounds so much better than a life spring-cleaned!

The Terrier had swims galore today - gorgeous day on the beach. I walked him home and then went back to swim alone. Drifting round like a jellyfish. Perfect.

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Lovely. And yes, “I think I’ll curate the garage” is more exciting than, clean out, or spring cleaning. Hehe. Looking forward to curating the weeds from my garden this summer.

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What you're doing is actually curating your garden space so that it is elegant and special.

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"I marvel that within minutes of exploring, one child had not just found a shell with a beautiful hermit crab inside, but also caught a baby catfish about the size of a tadpole!" Our family live near the Maine coast. One of my favorite things about taking the kids to the shore has always been how much they discover - and over time, as they've grown, they've shown and taught me more than I think I would have ever discovered on my own! :)

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Feb 3·edited Feb 3Author

I agree, Sydney. They teach so much - and I'm willing to learn, that's for sure. But what I really love is how willingly they welcome us into their swimming circle, we old crusties, and treat us as part of the gang. Makes me feel quite young...

Thank you for reading and commenting!

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Beautiful. So much here that resonates. So glad the Terrier is well again!!! SO glad. I can see that those AI images might be inspirational. Quite fun in their own way, despite my aversion to so many of these images. And yes I definitely curate my online presence. I prefer my authors and sharers to be calm souls who have learned that ranting and raving doesn’t solve many problems, though the occasional rant or rave is definitely necessary! A sense of humour, an ability to think a little, an ability to feel, the joy of sharing with like-minded souls, a love of nature - these are all very cool attributes. Enjoy your summer dear Prue. Very hot up this way finally. Hugs and best wishes.

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You have pretty well enunciated my requirements for most of what I read, listen to and view.

Husband and self no longer watch TV news, we watch things that (mostly) don't send our adrenalin climbing the walls. I will say though, that we do watch a bit of Nordic Noir, when we feel we can manage it. However the crime shows we are most likely to watch are things like Endeavour, Morse, Lewis, Rosemary and Thyme, Shakespeare and Hathaway, McDonald and Dodds etc. There is a similarity to the style in all of them.

Ah Beth. I confess I do rant and rave a bit (ask the family). I've been known to do a bit of environmental protesting and currently I can feel the beginnings of a seethe about part of our precious coastline.

Hot here today (29 so far) - beginning of fire season and so dry it's a real worry. The farm is now a taupe and buff landscape - sheep in gathers beneath the shade of wattle and gum. Much as I love the beach and water, I hate heat and fire season makes me a tad nervous.

Stay cool, Beth and thank you so much for your wonderful comments.

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We never forget where we were in those awful firestorm years. Shudder. It’s still surprisingly green up here but with 36 predicted for tomorrow it’s not going to stay that way for long. Praying that the fires stay away and that the land gets a chance to heal properly. These years of rain have been wonderful but they won’t last forever. Sounds like eastern Tasmania has been in a rain shadow for way too long. It used to be so green when I visited through the 89s and 90s. Take care dear Prue. 🤗🤗😘

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Wishing all of you and your communities get through fire season safely.

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Thank you, Susan. We're in for a few warm weeks, I think.

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Endeavor!!! We just love it to pieces. I can watch it over and over and often will listen/watch it on a quiet night when I'm not tired and start to draw. Beach Boys, yes! Quintessential American summer music when I was a teen. So happy your terrier is back to being on the beach with you. "Curating" translates to "gathering" for me. Great post.

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Another evocative word...

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Feb 3Liked by prue batten

So glad to hear terrier is back to hid usual form, and I'm sure that you have been forgiven,

I suppose I do a bit of spring cleaning and curating as I sort out things and recyle stuff...although probably not as much as I should.

Sounds like you have been having a wondrful time with those you love, I think as I've got older I'm more picky about what I want to so and spend my time..

You won't find me spending days walking around the shops for clothes etc I'd much rather spend my time doing thinks I love and enjoy then aimlessley trundling around tring to find something to wear.

Time is much better spent with those we love and doing things we love.

Wishing you many more days full of love and happiness

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I agree, Libby. I hate shopping for clothes. Hate shopping for shoes as my feet get worse and worse. So many better things to be done.

It's wonderful with summertime activity, but I'll let you into a secret - too much sun and salt each day and I'm showing my age. I come home exhausted! I used to be able to go all day once - we'd swim all morning, race home and have a quick lunch and then back for a whole afternoon. No more. The couch looks ever so inviting...

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Feb 3Liked by prue batten

With you on the shoes Prue, when I find ones I like I buy them in different colours, job done ;)

I know what you mean I was like that with gardening, I'd spend all day in it working like a trooper, now its usually a morniing, unless its something I want to finish can't do it like I used too.

Don't know how we managed it all when we were working x

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Such a good idea buying multiples of comfy shoes. I'm doing the same but have it down to three colours - navy, camel and leopard-print. They go with everything.

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Feb 3Liked by prue batten

Curating or divesting as my Dad called it is a twice yearly event and something that I actually love to do. I am, however partnered with someone who holds on to every art project, card, treasure found by his children/ grandchildren.

I find, now that I am in my 70th decade I have a uniform of sorts and happily wear a few select items that are comfortable and utilitarian! A friend and I joke that twice a year we switch our winter black wool leggings for our summer black capris!

I have such fond memories of exploring tidal pools in New England and then introducing them to my children and now the grands! Like tiny waterworlds!

Each of your postings are like a parcel of small wrapped gifts! Many thanks!

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Thank you so much, Susan . I shall treasure the compliment. I too am in my 70's and now find that only the really special story-telling objects are kept in the house. As for clothes, yes - much the same year on year (denim and denim) despite that I do like observing how others dress with elegance. My life covered in dog's hair, sand and garden pruning (I'm also a messy cook) precludes wearing anything smarter.

Tidal pools - waterworlds beyond our ken. When I bend to examine a world that seems so private, I feel enormous privilege - a miniscule view of darting fish, of blossoming sea anemones and myriad starfish. They seem safe from the mad bad world above the sea. Thank heaven.

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I too have a partner who holds on to *everything* and is very comfy with clutter! And I agree that Prue’s posts are a true gift 😊

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That's so nice of you!

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There must be some universal pulsing energy as the seasons turn. Two of my local friends today shared their purging efforts, and another, last week, asked me to drive to a meeting explaining that her car was filled with items intended for donation. I'm feeling too pressed for time, just now, but long to be among those who are clearing out the clutter (literally and figuratively).

Thank you for sharing your process, Prue, and especially for the link to the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves, which I'm listening to as I type. Such heartening music!

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Feb 4·edited Feb 4Author

I'm not exactly an opera buff but there are pieces I adore and that is one. I find it spine-chilling, hauntingly beautiful. Actually I might do a post one day on music that raises goosebumps - Mike Sowden https://everythingisamazing.substack.com/ would be able to tell me why the goosebumps are raised, I'm sure.

PS: Just googled it - here's why: https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-do-you-get-goose-bumps-when-someone-sings-beautifully#:~:text=People%20can%20feel%20intense%20emotions,take%20them%20for%20granted%20today.

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Another beautiful and deeply soothing post, Prue. I love that you wear your mum's swimsuit and you feel protected by it.

Hurrah for the Terrier! He's looking very chipper, which is fabulous. Paddling again at last!

Curating is such a fantastic concept, and how you've described it here is absolutely wonderful - you're an inspiration! My wardrobe is STILL awaiting my curating attention. I HATE clothes and clothes shopping, and only ever wear the same few things - so why is my wardrobe full of 15-year-old clothes that I don't wear, nor ever will? I don't want to replace them - I circulate through a small number of very comfy but ancient clothes - but oh boy, I need a clear-out!

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Hi Rebecca, I love that my wardrobe is getting smaller and smaller. I can see gaps between things that are hanging now. But I can also see the scuffed wardrobe walls which means I should paint them. I'd love to paper them in something fabulous, or if I was talented, paint a scene from Narnia on the back wall. I've always thought how fabulous it would be to meet Mr. Tumnas in the snow under the lamp post.

Maybe I need to contract an artist to do it for me... you paint, and I'll curate your wardrobe!

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Oh, I love the sound of your own wardrobe gateway to Narnia, Prue!

YESTERDAY I CURATED THE BOOKCASE ON THE LANDING. So proud! (and totally your fault - for which: THANK YOU!!!!!). 😘

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PLEASURE!!!!!!

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I loved the sweet story of your Mum! And I’m delighted your pup has healed enough to go back to the beach!

Your “curating” really spoke to me—I too am doing more of it with not just “stuff,” but how I spend my time. I also got such a kick to learn so many of your readers are on board with the same kind of curation…plus hate shopping for clothes (me too!)!

And thank you oodles and oodles for another lovely Japanese concept. “Oubaitori” is yet another way to be peaceful with what is.

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Susan, I think there are possibly so many other philosophies and shall try and dig them out.

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My husband is quite a “Japanophile” (sp?). So we are both enjoying your lovely Japanese concepts 😊. He and I are especially fond of “itadakimasu” at mealtime, paying respects and being grateful to all the people who grew the food and brought it to our table.

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