Simplicity...

for Knots in the String...

The above quote is very much how I would like my life to be.

Simple, and empty of the unnecessaries. But I say that and then I think ‘What if…’ ‘What about…’

And suddenly simplicity disappears – poof – as insubstantial and delicate as a wisp on the breeze.

I’m reminded of the Uncarved Block which I discovered in The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff, which is a favourite book. Pooh has the knack of never overthinking, never overdoing and lives so simplistically. As he says, he’s a ‘Bear of Little Brain’.

 I’d love to be an Uncarved Block because then I could do without worrying about an outcome. And I could just live on honey all day… (is that as good as chocolate?)

But looking at the quote, something else that sprang out was the freedom to be mediocre. And why not? Is mediocre so bad? It means, ordinary, common, average. Aren’t we all really just ordinary beings?

I think it’s rather nice. Accepting being ‘ordinary’ removes all the pressure from a world filled with those who introduce a competitiveness we just don’t need in our lives. Accepting being ‘ordinary’ frees you. Allows you to live that simple life.

Which circles me right back to the original quote. (I love circles…)

Simple Things:

Birds: Yesterday the Native Spotted Doves came back to the city garden and it means spring is knocking on the garden gate. They perambulate across our miniscule lawn, head tucked back over a proud chest, pecking at the lawnseed I’ve scattered to refresh the tiny patch, and then they lift to the skies with a sound like hands clapping – flap flap. When they call, I’m drawn to a quiet meditative place. There’s nothing strident of showy about the sound, nothing showy about them either really. They sound calm and mellow and they never fail to lull me back to a safe quiet place.

Tiny Tasmanian Silvereyes are back too. They dart hither and yon with frenetic energy, as if they have forgotten something. And then if the dog sits under the weeping silver pear, they chitter and snit at him. I hope they’ve found safe nesting places. I’ll clip the dog this week and leave the white clippings on the lawn for nest-linings for any bird so inclined, and we’ll carve a small hole at the top of one of the shed doors so the swallows can dive in and out to safety. It’s taken awhile for them to return after the very old decrepit shed was pulled down and a new timber one built in its place.

Ballet: Class is now extended for another hour weekly and we’re learning a choreographed piece to the music of Amelie that I linked last week. I should be clear - I’m not a dancer of long standing, I’m a part of a class of seniors who have chosen classical ballet as their mode of fitness. What none of us expected was that we would bond as a group - the Black Swans (birds again).

Dancing a longer piece is always a challenge because it really extends the mind-body connection (great for old age!) and to make sure I can dance, I had a glucose shot in two of the glutes yesterday. I’m always up for anything to keep my body moving but the necessary shots hurt. But then, Courage, mon brave!

Writing: I go to bed every night imagining the next part of my manuscript in vivid colour. Best sedative I know. I do try and remember to make the odd note in a journal but by and large, it’s freeform. Not every writer’s cup of tea, I know. Maybe it’s how Pooh would write a novel – not overthinking.

Anyway, back to the quote. I could do with a smidge more ‘mundanity’ and less rushing. More of the Uncarved Block, less of the finely chiselled life sculpture.

It just takes practice.

Reading:

On Kindle, still Marillier’s Saga of the Light Isles. Still five stars.

Via audio: The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Australian writer, Holly Ringland. The book is to become a film with Sigourney Weaver in one of the leads. I am in two minds about the story. Every time Alice gets a fingerhold on happiness, it snaps off. Thus far, it’s sad. But I haven’t stopped listening which is a good sign. Great wordsmithing too, but more on the book later when I’ve finished.

Watching:

Persuasion on Netflix. Hmm – not very Jane Austen, but (a little Bridgerton) fun.

The Commonwealth Games – great viewing for someone who doesn’t really like watching sport that much. Some of the gymnastics, cycling, aths and diving was breathtaking and the gold medal win of the (Men’s) Kookaburras Hockey! Wow! So proud!

Our Kind of Traitor – brilliant TV movie on Britbox with Damien Lewis and Ewan McGregor from a 2010 John le Carré novel of the same name.

Substack: Oh my gosh! I follow some legends, I can tell you. Reading these is a special kind of privilege.

That’s it from me for the week. Thanks for reading this far and please feel free to share, communicate with me if you want via the newsletter or my website – whatever you like. This is a free broadsheet and I’m happy just to bring joy to folk.

Toodles till next time.