25 Comments
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Kate's avatar

thank you Prue,

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prue batten's avatar

And to you for being a reader.

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Joanne Tracey's avatar

Wishing you all that is good and peaceful this season. It's been a pleasure getting to know you.

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prue batten's avatar

And you, Jo. Philly is becoming a favourite fiction character.

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Beth T (BethOfAus)'s avatar

Beautiful. Sending heaps of hugs and best wishes. Enjoy the rest of this year. Let’s hope that 2026 brings lots of love and joy. Take care dear Prue. 🤗🤗💕

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prue batten's avatar

And you, dear Beth.

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Anna Belfrage's avatar

Lovely!

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prue batten's avatar

Thank you, Anna.

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Denyse Whelan B.Ed M.Ed 🇦🇺's avatar

Thank you Prue! I miss easy access to salt water but I'm glad to have had it for much of my life. Merry all you doing & anticipating.. not much in the nicest way possible! Always good to know you are writing here! Denyse x

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prue batten's avatar

And to you, Denyse. We all have to hope that 2026 brings us more peace and kindness.

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Martha Osowski's avatar

Pooh’s sticks! And the music…..incredible. Happiest of holidays Prue!

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prue batten's avatar

I can see that we all grew with Pooh. Elementary joy, isn't it? XXXX

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Your holiday sounds just right, Prue, and I am so happy for you! May we all have a Blue Mind state of mind as one of our New Year's resolutions. You live in a beautiful place, and the horror of this week's incident can't change that. Love on!

Oh...and Pooh sticks. *chef's kiss!*

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prue batten's avatar

Love playing Pooh-sticks, even when I'm old. It's timeless joy and grandson turns it into an Olympic sport, whereas I just 'glide' along. I must teach him that not everything is a race...

We do live in a beautiful place and as I wandered along the river to the ocean this morning, just me and the dog, not a soul in sight, the seabreeze just beginning to whiffle and the water perfect for wading, I thought of the good fortune of those who are safe and can do that and I sent thoughts to those who can't.

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

💗

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Susan Colleen Browne's avatar

The best present is often the one you didn’t know you needed: the “power of the sea” that you shared was an absolute gift to me—it feels like one of the truest things I’ve ever read. *Now* I know why I feel so vibrant and peaceful and happy when I’m at the ocean.

I hope you’ll keep sharing your adventures in/by/near the sea!

Before I forget…if I may say so, your lovely “Knots in the String” isn’t an *account*—it’s a heartfelt, uplifting weekly boost of positive energy! Thank you for all that you share here!

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prue batten's avatar

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Janice Walton's avatar

Happy holidays, Prue - and here's to more peaceful years for all of us.

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prue batten's avatar

Thank you and yes, for all of us.

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Sue Sutherland-Wood's avatar

How very interesting to read the facts behind the ocean's appeal - and perhaps that is why magnesium is often touted as an anti-anxiety vitamin? Your cottage sounds so tranquil without being too precious. I know your readers show up for this glimpse into another calmer world.

As for 'Knots' being compared to 'muzak' I must disagree, Prue. I mean, I've heard some very unfortunate versions of Barry Manilow in elevators here but Chopin? *Never.*

(Just saying ...)

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prue batten's avatar

XXXXX

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Jennifer Granville's avatar

Loved all of this. The piece about the sea - yes! Totally. And yes to this too:

‘Maybe Knots in the String is a kind of ‘muzak’ online – not necessarily the kind of account that snaps up the algorithms, but the kind that loosens the knots in your own strings…’

It so does. Enjoy your alternative Christmas Prue. So glad to have found you.

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prue batten's avatar

Our Christmas is a movable object. As of today, we're all spending Christmas Day at our townhouse. Easier for those in the family who are still struggling with the virus - ie daughter. Thank the stars it is movable - I can't envisage moving turkey, veg, pud etc. As it is, we've only got to do spuds on the BBQ and I've made a Nigella Icecream pud, which is wholly transportable and we're due to pick up BBQ chickens On Christmas Eve. Amongst a host of coughing and spluttering behind hankies, the plan is to make it in good health to the Between Time.

XXXX

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Janice Anne Wheeler's avatar

Aaahhhh-- the power of the sea. That is such an interesting confirmation of what we know and feel, isn't it? Those who spend time on the edges and immerse ourselves. I did take the liberty of copying your facebook find and will use it somewhere, with your permission.

Have a beautiful, peaceful holiday Prue. You did unknot me a bit this morning! ~J

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prue batten's avatar

Feel free with the quote, Janice. I can't even find where it came from. It just fits both of us (and probably many in our ambit) really well. Happy days!

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