Beautiful, Prue! And you sound strong and so upbeat after yet another ordeal - very impressed with your attitude. A really lovely pic of you and that trusty Terrier also. I crave alone time and feel jangled if I don't have enough. For me, and you too I think, it's healing, necessary and restorative. Keep on doing what you're doing. So many of us are holding you in our thoughts xo
Prue you sound so much cheerier and upbeat in this post, which can only be a good thing. Or is just me reading it that way?
I always think of solitude as a positive word and situation. I see lonely as its opposite. Alonement. Do we need another word?
Not sure what my spirit animal is but I did have a similar experience with a wedgie. Oh my it was so humbling. I think it would be a bird though, I feel deeply connected to the birds.
Agree on all counts, Kate. Including the one that I feel so much better. I'm sure Monday's lighter surgery and this nifty little vacuum pack are responsible. Here's to all wild birds. Maybe that's what we were in another life...
Much I wish to acknowledge, you've set many thoughts my way. Bridgeton, I'm too adoring parts like head gear, the gowns, the lust, all the reproduction in scenery, if only could be truth in society. I'd love to have someone dress me fancy for an occasion or for all to be engrossed within each other no matter any differences in self and value. It's really good
Glad both touched by an eagle, I do believe in signs in nature, may it bring him healing energy, especially you, as you put another dip in road behind you. Bless your heart! Sure it brought you both excitement and positive thoughts. I felt it. I look for the positive in any magical presence, as much as I can.
Alonement, I'm reminded of my semi recent dark times but thankful grown more now to accept I'm OK. I worried I was a lost ship. I'm now so involved in my self and accepting that this is my time whether in solitude or it's OK to just be me. Grey, white capped waves crashing! I'm a cool, misty, foggy, windy, grey girl.
Signing off my day, taking Ludovico with me. Lord, handsome and musically talented! Much love, you bring so much life here.
I agree with you - solitude is a positive word and one of choice. Alonement? Yeah, right, whatever. Even though I'm alone a lot, I need solitude from time to time to recharge - and the two concepts are very different. Wishing you healing vibes.
Thank you, Joanne. It's great to feel vindicated. I think we have a club going here - 'solitudo in aeternum', if Google translates solitude forever correctly!
Terry, that's a beautiful piece on exactly what I believe. Thank you so much for the link and I think Vaughn William's piece speaks to it with it perfection.
Getting there swiftly - going home from hospital on Friday. Onwards back to my normal life I hope.
Super, super words, Prue! I'm so glad that you're mobile and positive and doing so well! Ditto for your son's news, too - awesome!
I enjoy being alone, but take comfort in the knowledge that I mostly have the opportunity, should I choose to take it up, to not be. I'm not lonely, but I like to be alone, and I relish my solitude.
I loved reading this week’s piece. Solitude is a beautiful word and state. You captured it perfectly. Good news all around on the health front. I have been reluctant to watch the next season of Bridgeton. Not sure why. Instead I am watching the new docu-series on Hitler. Go figure.
We’re lucky to be introverts. I made the comment on Terry Freedman’s post that ‘I’m an introvert so the separation is a place where I can recharge, something positive. But to extroverts, any absence of stimulation possibly feels like isolation...’ and the ‘alonement’ author freely admits that she’s an extrovert.
I love all your photos. Such contentment, no matter what the weather. (And oh boy it’s literally freezing this week!!! SO cold!)
Sending heaps of healing vibes. Not long now. Hopefully it won’t take long for everything to return to normal. Hugs dear Prue.
Stimulation stresses me - it has to be peaceful and gentle, like mizzle and fog or spring sunshine. It sounds as if you're the same and yes to the bitterly cold.
I gather from friends and family that I really have missed nothing. I know if I was looking out the hospital window each day and seeing that wonderful winter sun, I would be spitting chips, I can tell you!
Hopefully home tomorrow, Beth and life as I know it can be reclaimed. Thanks so much for your thoughts here.
I understand that too much solitude ("alonement" -- insert tiny eye roll), particularly if not of one's own design, can be isolating and difficult. But I crave my quiet time, increasingly, it seems. Prue, the pictures of you making your way along the path, one on your own, one with just the JRT, are precious and inviting. I can imagine how centering a solo walk or swim on the beach must be!
I hope you're recovering speedily, and to your liking. Have you taught the medical staff any of your ballet steps? Cheers to your animal friends showing up just when you needed them most!
There was a day in hospital, before the vacuum dressing was removed, where I was active (bored!) and I realised my bathroom towel rail was the perfect barre. And so I did one round of tendus, (front, side and back) and was so happy as two weeks ago, trying to do the same thing hurt a lot. But that's the limit - I don't want to jinx this and now I'm at home with a packed deep, bandaged wound. So caution and all that.
As to telling the nurses what I had done - I kept it a secret. I didn't want to blot my copybook!
Beautiful, Prue! And you sound strong and so upbeat after yet another ordeal - very impressed with your attitude. A really lovely pic of you and that trusty Terrier also. I crave alone time and feel jangled if I don't have enough. For me, and you too I think, it's healing, necessary and restorative. Keep on doing what you're doing. So many of us are holding you in our thoughts xo
Heartfelt thanks, Sue.
And you're writing throughout this health ordeal. Lovely alonement. Sounds like a word Shakespeare made up. But he did invent Lonely.
I'm a Scorpio but I don't think that is my spirit animal. Yikes. I don't know. My daughter is sure hers is the wolf.
Hate the word 'alonement' - there's a whole Thesaurus filled with wonderful words that roll off the tongue. Alonement is just so... sooo boring!
I love the word solitude! It always feels soulful to me. So I will stick with it, vs alonement. 😉
So good to hear, Amy.
Prue you sound so much cheerier and upbeat in this post, which can only be a good thing. Or is just me reading it that way?
I always think of solitude as a positive word and situation. I see lonely as its opposite. Alonement. Do we need another word?
Not sure what my spirit animal is but I did have a similar experience with a wedgie. Oh my it was so humbling. I think it would be a bird though, I feel deeply connected to the birds.
Agree on all counts, Kate. Including the one that I feel so much better. I'm sure Monday's lighter surgery and this nifty little vacuum pack are responsible. Here's to all wild birds. Maybe that's what we were in another life...
Much I wish to acknowledge, you've set many thoughts my way. Bridgeton, I'm too adoring parts like head gear, the gowns, the lust, all the reproduction in scenery, if only could be truth in society. I'd love to have someone dress me fancy for an occasion or for all to be engrossed within each other no matter any differences in self and value. It's really good
Glad both touched by an eagle, I do believe in signs in nature, may it bring him healing energy, especially you, as you put another dip in road behind you. Bless your heart! Sure it brought you both excitement and positive thoughts. I felt it. I look for the positive in any magical presence, as much as I can.
Alonement, I'm reminded of my semi recent dark times but thankful grown more now to accept I'm OK. I worried I was a lost ship. I'm now so involved in my self and accepting that this is my time whether in solitude or it's OK to just be me. Grey, white capped waves crashing! I'm a cool, misty, foggy, windy, grey girl.
Signing off my day, taking Ludovico with me. Lord, handsome and musically talented! Much love, you bring so much life here.
Thanks so much, CJ. Good to see you here on Substack. Nature is pretty amazing, there for us to cherish.
I agree with you - solitude is a positive word and one of choice. Alonement? Yeah, right, whatever. Even though I'm alone a lot, I need solitude from time to time to recharge - and the two concepts are very different. Wishing you healing vibes.
Thank you, Joanne. It's great to feel vindicated. I think we have a club going here - 'solitudo in aeternum', if Google translates solitude forever correctly!
Very beautiful. I agree with you about solitude. I wrote about it: https://open.substack.com/pub/terryfreedman/p/solitude-and-isolation?r=18suih&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
No need for a neologism like alonement. I like that sort of weather too!
A wonderful sign in the form of that eagle. Well done to your son. How does one find out about spirit animals?
Hope all is well after your surgery.
Terry, that's a beautiful piece on exactly what I believe. Thank you so much for the link and I think Vaughn William's piece speaks to it with it perfection.
Getting there swiftly - going home from hospital on Friday. Onwards back to my normal life I hope.
Super, super words, Prue! I'm so glad that you're mobile and positive and doing so well! Ditto for your son's news, too - awesome!
I enjoy being alone, but take comfort in the knowledge that I mostly have the opportunity, should I choose to take it up, to not be. I'm not lonely, but I like to be alone, and I relish my solitude.
The freedom to choose. It's a wonderful thing...
Yes, it certainly is. I'm very grateful to have family and friends. 😘
I loved reading this week’s piece. Solitude is a beautiful word and state. You captured it perfectly. Good news all around on the health front. I have been reluctant to watch the next season of Bridgeton. Not sure why. Instead I am watching the new docu-series on Hitler. Go figure.
Thanks, Alice. Solitude is such a gift I think. From what I can gather, reading Julia Quinn's Bridgerton books are better.
We’re lucky to be introverts. I made the comment on Terry Freedman’s post that ‘I’m an introvert so the separation is a place where I can recharge, something positive. But to extroverts, any absence of stimulation possibly feels like isolation...’ and the ‘alonement’ author freely admits that she’s an extrovert.
I love all your photos. Such contentment, no matter what the weather. (And oh boy it’s literally freezing this week!!! SO cold!)
Sending heaps of healing vibes. Not long now. Hopefully it won’t take long for everything to return to normal. Hugs dear Prue.
Stimulation stresses me - it has to be peaceful and gentle, like mizzle and fog or spring sunshine. It sounds as if you're the same and yes to the bitterly cold.
I gather from friends and family that I really have missed nothing. I know if I was looking out the hospital window each day and seeing that wonderful winter sun, I would be spitting chips, I can tell you!
Hopefully home tomorrow, Beth and life as I know it can be reclaimed. Thanks so much for your thoughts here.
Ooh I will have to check out Wisting. I love Nordic noir!
Re alonement, you might enjoy the book A Biography of Loneliness if you haven't read it already.
Thanks Shona. Will have a look and you will enjoy Wisting hugely. If you haven't seen the previous series, watch them all.
I understand that too much solitude ("alonement" -- insert tiny eye roll), particularly if not of one's own design, can be isolating and difficult. But I crave my quiet time, increasingly, it seems. Prue, the pictures of you making your way along the path, one on your own, one with just the JRT, are precious and inviting. I can imagine how centering a solo walk or swim on the beach must be!
I hope you're recovering speedily, and to your liking. Have you taught the medical staff any of your ballet steps? Cheers to your animal friends showing up just when you needed them most!
There was a day in hospital, before the vacuum dressing was removed, where I was active (bored!) and I realised my bathroom towel rail was the perfect barre. And so I did one round of tendus, (front, side and back) and was so happy as two weeks ago, trying to do the same thing hurt a lot. But that's the limit - I don't want to jinx this and now I'm at home with a packed deep, bandaged wound. So caution and all that.
As to telling the nurses what I had done - I kept it a secret. I didn't want to blot my copybook!
"...blot my copybook." Might steal that one! Heal well, Prue,
Had to share this as I enjoyed the indulgence of Bridgerton too - and this is so much fun: https://bridgertonportrait.com/
Thanks, Camilla. Such a fun show that leaves me with no memory or after taste. Is that a good thing? ;)