Stay in the UK girl! You don't want to come back here until some normalcy comes back within the government, mercifully so. You are blessed. Take that walk or jog or jog/walk and give gratitude for where you are even if you don't like the neighborhood right now. You just might find you will grow to love it..good luck with the jogging and take it slow, don't go hurting old joints and bones! :)
oh I'm not jogging, that's too much for my knees now, although I used to like. I was writing about a dance step called "running man" --and I haven't moved to a new neighborhood yet, I won't move until I find a great place I want to be. and no, I am not moving back there, my life has expanded here wonderfully. thank you for reading!
Mmmmm yes....chips are my passion more than sweets.... therefore I must abstain as I have no business consuming an entire bag in a single session.... I've never had one of anything in my life!
You will land where you are meant to be ....sounds like such an exciting experience with new sights and people! Texas ....well ....ya know....will always have a love/hate relationship with my home state.... Somehow always end up coming back but yearning for change simultaneously. Keep up the running woman! Ha I'm working on being motivated to get in 15 min of chair yoga!
Morning routine: brush teeth, take meds, make sure kid is awake and getting ready for school. Read Substack/news feed. And either go walking or journal before getting cleaned up for work. Oddly, I rarely eat breakfast.
Here goes: a stream of consciousness on where to live in London.
First off, I’m a long-term Londoner with permanent fantasies of escape outside the London Orbital motorway / the M25. That aspiration gets filtered into country walks in Surrey, Kent or Sussex.
Here’s my fantasy London locations if I get round to escaping glorious Croydon.
1. South-west: Twickenham, Richmond, Wimbledon – you’ve got the Thames and it’s less air polluted – prevailing south-westerly wind. Bit posh. Easy connections to central London.
2. Tufnell Park/Highgate/Hampstead: expensive and aspects of pseudery and privilege BUT pleasant and so well connected: trains, tubes, buses.
3. I personally would avoid East London (Hackney, Shoreditch etc.) and central South Brixton, Kennington) as too busy and young person-ish – dare I say, an under-40 zone? However, Herne Hill / Tulse Hill worth a look.
4. Somewhere quieter includes most of the outer boroughs. Sutton is on my wish list. Train services into Blackfriars and Thameslink.
Thanks for indulging. Have I opened a can of worms with your other readers? Haha!
Sometimes I mystify myself as well. Last year I thought, "hmmm, I've always wanted to learn to play drums". Bought a set and took lessons. Guess what? I can play drums now! Guitar is next. I'm 60 this year, and got nothing but time until I die. Might as well use it learning new things. Perhaps I too shall take up the running man.
amazing Cindy!! Drums has been on my list for a long time. I no longer have a kit set up in my home though so I may have missed my opportunity for awhile!
Enjoyed this read. Fun combination of political and personal commentary. Concur that ossified self-esteem is a benefit of aging (at least so far). Had one of your best-known bass lines running through my head while reading. Actually worked well as background. Looking forward to following.
KV, I love LetterBoxed! But I use it to unwind at night. I'm MD'ing a musical at St. Ed's right now and get home around 11p. I make a small pot of herbal tea and grab two individually-wrapped pieces of dark chocolate (that's my workaround for eating too much at a time -- the fact that they're individually wrapped feels like an indulgence, but they're actually very small), then I get in bed with my iPad and do the daily LetterBoxed followed by one or two rounds of Tiles. The games have been great at quieting the ear worms so I can fall asleep without rehashing the rehearsal in my head.
I totally get it about the snacks. I'm often disappointed to find the pint of ice cream I bought yesterday is already gone when I go looking for more. As to the rock star thing, I get that you are also a regular person. But to a fan, you're always a rock star first. Fans aren't looking for love - only attention. If we (as fans) are lucky, we'll get a story out of it - one we can tell our friends for the rest of our lives. As fans, we should not have the expectation to cross the friend/fan divide. It's there for a reason. Thank you for sharing your regular person-ness. Your American optimism has perhaps given way to your English perspective on life: "It'll all end in tears". :-P So it does, so it has, and so it will ever be. Nevertheless we persist. I'm here for all of it.
Hi Kathy, I totally get it about the snacks! I am also that way with fresh fruit. I will eat it all in a matter of an hour or so! Can’t seem to keep any of that in my home for very long.
Hi Kathy! It’s been a while since I have treated myself to your writings. I have no good reason, other than too much doomscrolling. I love reading your musings and will be catching up!
I am working on creating a morning routine. I used to love getting up early while it’s still dark outside because then the day, at least that precious slice of time, only belongs to me. I like to make a hot cup of tea with lemon, settle myself in my sunroom with a cozy blanket, burn some incense, plug in the twinkle lights, and write my morning pages. This sounds glorious. I’m going to work to begin this again!
If you had a morning routine, what would you want it to look like? Thanks for sharing your lovely thoughts with us!
thank you for writing Laurie, sorry for my delay in response. I do have a morning routine, it's all stuff I enjoy. It would be good to add movement and stretching to it.
My morning routine-whether it starts at 9 AM or at 1 PM-usually consists of filling the kettle and turning it on, brushing my teeth while it comes to a boil, then making a concoction of my drug of choice: caffeine.
Some days it's dark roast coffee from a French press, and some days it's a nice pot of loose-leaf tea. Tea gives me gentler pick-me-up, when I don't need the kick-up-the-arse jolt from coffee.
And sometimes, it's simply my taste buds that decide which brew I start my morning cuppa with.
I then turn on my computer and play my usual Wordle-the lowest number of guesses I ever got, without a hint, was 2. I think I've done that twice. Once, my high school science teacher, who's a friend on Facebook, left a hint on his Wordle score-too good a hint, as I got it in 1 guess!
I have other games I play, including a daily "extra entry" for whatever instrument Tom Lee Music in Vancouver is giving away that month.
I took early retirement from my former employer, so my days are mostly unstructured, and I realise that I have to set up a structure, in order to accomplish anything worthwhile. And improving one's own talents and abilities are always worthwhile.
To that end, I have been trying to get up at the same time every morning-trying and failing. I have guitar and singing exercises on my "Daily Routine" list as well, but I tackle these sporadically.
I promise to "get at 'er" this evening though.
Regular exercise is on that list. Stretching is the main one, as I tend to walk a lot regardless of any such goals. I have Tennis Elbow, and there are certain stretches I need to do, in order to get my elbow, wrist, and the muscles connecting them back into shape. Sore wrist joints and muscles can be a right pain in the arse when playing guitar.
I've gone on too long about this in my comment, but I thank you for posing such questions to us readers and fans, as you give me a gentle prompt to engage in another pursuit I enjoy: writing.
Thanks for your writing as well, as I truly enjoy reading your dispatches.
By the way, I too have to avoid buying certain treats, as I'll devour the entire thing. I have a savoury tooth rather than a sweet tooth, so I have to keep myself away from the salty snacks aisle. As it is, I already have enough "junk in my trunk"!
Thank you, Kathy, for taking the time to reply. I know you are a busy rock star these days, so I'll just briefly say you and Psycher sound tight-you've obviously found a groove you all share. How serendipitous is that!
And "I Love You More" is a banger-just in time for Your (Valentine's) Day.
First, regarding propagating your Substack: You may not see this happening in England, but the rightward lurch of America's corporate media has caused many of its former star writers, like Paul Krugman (NYT) and Jenifer Rubin (WaPo) to quit in disgust and start their own substacks. We are getting bombarded with new substack connections, and right now there is a widespread sense of substack fatigue. If your subscription rate is lagging, it is little reflection on you.
Second, regarding being "a catch." At our advanced ages, I hope it is not pervy to express admiration. I admire your intellect, musicianship, and beauty. You are the epitome of the term "rock star." Be proud. Be happy.
thank you Don, both for the compliment, and the Substack insight. I experienceSubstack fatigue too and have had to trim my subscriptions a couple of times. I think rotating subscriptions is a good approach.
"...and no guys my age are into me."
I beg your pardon, ma'am--not to test your modesty, but I wouldn't have any problem watching you mow down a bag of chocolate chip cookies. :)
The GIF post pic is a banger to get things started and it got better from there.
glad ya liked!!
Stay in the UK girl! You don't want to come back here until some normalcy comes back within the government, mercifully so. You are blessed. Take that walk or jog or jog/walk and give gratitude for where you are even if you don't like the neighborhood right now. You just might find you will grow to love it..good luck with the jogging and take it slow, don't go hurting old joints and bones! :)
oh I'm not jogging, that's too much for my knees now, although I used to like. I was writing about a dance step called "running man" --and I haven't moved to a new neighborhood yet, I won't move until I find a great place I want to be. and no, I am not moving back there, my life has expanded here wonderfully. thank you for reading!
Chris lived in London 32 years he recommended Highgate.
Rock Star? Abso - Fucking - Lutely:) love all of your work. Stay well
Mmmmm yes....chips are my passion more than sweets.... therefore I must abstain as I have no business consuming an entire bag in a single session.... I've never had one of anything in my life!
You will land where you are meant to be ....sounds like such an exciting experience with new sights and people! Texas ....well ....ya know....will always have a love/hate relationship with my home state.... Somehow always end up coming back but yearning for change simultaneously. Keep up the running woman! Ha I'm working on being motivated to get in 15 min of chair yoga!
Keep loving life!!
chair yoga sounds like my kind of yoga!
Morning routine: brush teeth, take meds, make sure kid is awake and getting ready for school. Read Substack/news feed. And either go walking or journal before getting cleaned up for work. Oddly, I rarely eat breakfast.
Hi Kathy,
Here goes: a stream of consciousness on where to live in London.
First off, I’m a long-term Londoner with permanent fantasies of escape outside the London Orbital motorway / the M25. That aspiration gets filtered into country walks in Surrey, Kent or Sussex.
Here’s my fantasy London locations if I get round to escaping glorious Croydon.
1. South-west: Twickenham, Richmond, Wimbledon – you’ve got the Thames and it’s less air polluted – prevailing south-westerly wind. Bit posh. Easy connections to central London.
2. Tufnell Park/Highgate/Hampstead: expensive and aspects of pseudery and privilege BUT pleasant and so well connected: trains, tubes, buses.
3. I personally would avoid East London (Hackney, Shoreditch etc.) and central South Brixton, Kennington) as too busy and young person-ish – dare I say, an under-40 zone? However, Herne Hill / Tulse Hill worth a look.
4. Somewhere quieter includes most of the outer boroughs. Sutton is on my wish list. Train services into Blackfriars and Thameslink.
Thanks for indulging. Have I opened a can of worms with your other readers? Haha!
Bon chance
Danny
thanks Danny, sorry for the delay in response. I agree with you about all the places you've mentioned, my feelings too.
Sometimes I mystify myself as well. Last year I thought, "hmmm, I've always wanted to learn to play drums". Bought a set and took lessons. Guess what? I can play drums now! Guitar is next. I'm 60 this year, and got nothing but time until I die. Might as well use it learning new things. Perhaps I too shall take up the running man.
amazing Cindy!! Drums has been on my list for a long time. I no longer have a kit set up in my home though so I may have missed my opportunity for awhile!
Enjoyed this read. Fun combination of political and personal commentary. Concur that ossified self-esteem is a benefit of aging (at least so far). Had one of your best-known bass lines running through my head while reading. Actually worked well as background. Looking forward to following.
Hi Peter thank you for reading and being here! sorry for the response lag, a lot of off screen life slamming me!
Check your iron and potassium levels now.
Hi Charlie, curious why you are suggesting this?
KV, I love LetterBoxed! But I use it to unwind at night. I'm MD'ing a musical at St. Ed's right now and get home around 11p. I make a small pot of herbal tea and grab two individually-wrapped pieces of dark chocolate (that's my workaround for eating too much at a time -- the fact that they're individually wrapped feels like an indulgence, but they're actually very small), then I get in bed with my iPad and do the daily LetterBoxed followed by one or two rounds of Tiles. The games have been great at quieting the ear worms so I can fall asleep without rehashing the rehearsal in my head.
Letterboxed is just hard and challenging enough. I always get a kick when I do it in a couple words less than limit!
I totally get it about the snacks. I'm often disappointed to find the pint of ice cream I bought yesterday is already gone when I go looking for more. As to the rock star thing, I get that you are also a regular person. But to a fan, you're always a rock star first. Fans aren't looking for love - only attention. If we (as fans) are lucky, we'll get a story out of it - one we can tell our friends for the rest of our lives. As fans, we should not have the expectation to cross the friend/fan divide. It's there for a reason. Thank you for sharing your regular person-ness. Your American optimism has perhaps given way to your English perspective on life: "It'll all end in tears". :-P So it does, so it has, and so it will ever be. Nevertheless we persist. I'm here for all of it.
Cheers, mate!
Curtis
haha, thank you Curtis, enjoyed your comment.
Hi Kathy, I totally get it about the snacks! I am also that way with fresh fruit. I will eat it all in a matter of an hour or so! Can’t seem to keep any of that in my home for very long.
fruit is the best!!
Hi Kathy! It’s been a while since I have treated myself to your writings. I have no good reason, other than too much doomscrolling. I love reading your musings and will be catching up!
I am working on creating a morning routine. I used to love getting up early while it’s still dark outside because then the day, at least that precious slice of time, only belongs to me. I like to make a hot cup of tea with lemon, settle myself in my sunroom with a cozy blanket, burn some incense, plug in the twinkle lights, and write my morning pages. This sounds glorious. I’m going to work to begin this again!
If you had a morning routine, what would you want it to look like? Thanks for sharing your lovely thoughts with us!
Laurie
thank you for writing Laurie, sorry for my delay in response. I do have a morning routine, it's all stuff I enjoy. It would be good to add movement and stretching to it.
My morning routine-whether it starts at 9 AM or at 1 PM-usually consists of filling the kettle and turning it on, brushing my teeth while it comes to a boil, then making a concoction of my drug of choice: caffeine.
Some days it's dark roast coffee from a French press, and some days it's a nice pot of loose-leaf tea. Tea gives me gentler pick-me-up, when I don't need the kick-up-the-arse jolt from coffee.
And sometimes, it's simply my taste buds that decide which brew I start my morning cuppa with.
I then turn on my computer and play my usual Wordle-the lowest number of guesses I ever got, without a hint, was 2. I think I've done that twice. Once, my high school science teacher, who's a friend on Facebook, left a hint on his Wordle score-too good a hint, as I got it in 1 guess!
I have other games I play, including a daily "extra entry" for whatever instrument Tom Lee Music in Vancouver is giving away that month.
I took early retirement from my former employer, so my days are mostly unstructured, and I realise that I have to set up a structure, in order to accomplish anything worthwhile. And improving one's own talents and abilities are always worthwhile.
To that end, I have been trying to get up at the same time every morning-trying and failing. I have guitar and singing exercises on my "Daily Routine" list as well, but I tackle these sporadically.
I promise to "get at 'er" this evening though.
Regular exercise is on that list. Stretching is the main one, as I tend to walk a lot regardless of any such goals. I have Tennis Elbow, and there are certain stretches I need to do, in order to get my elbow, wrist, and the muscles connecting them back into shape. Sore wrist joints and muscles can be a right pain in the arse when playing guitar.
I've gone on too long about this in my comment, but I thank you for posing such questions to us readers and fans, as you give me a gentle prompt to engage in another pursuit I enjoy: writing.
Thanks for your writing as well, as I truly enjoy reading your dispatches.
By the way, I too have to avoid buying certain treats, as I'll devour the entire thing. I have a savoury tooth rather than a sweet tooth, so I have to keep myself away from the salty snacks aisle. As it is, I already have enough "junk in my trunk"!
Hi Fred, thank you so much for responding! Good luck with your good habits and routines--I also am very sporadic with the good stuff.
Thank you, Kathy, for taking the time to reply. I know you are a busy rock star these days, so I'll just briefly say you and Psycher sound tight-you've obviously found a groove you all share. How serendipitous is that!
And "I Love You More" is a banger-just in time for Your (Valentine's) Day.
Two comments.
First, regarding propagating your Substack: You may not see this happening in England, but the rightward lurch of America's corporate media has caused many of its former star writers, like Paul Krugman (NYT) and Jenifer Rubin (WaPo) to quit in disgust and start their own substacks. We are getting bombarded with new substack connections, and right now there is a widespread sense of substack fatigue. If your subscription rate is lagging, it is little reflection on you.
Second, regarding being "a catch." At our advanced ages, I hope it is not pervy to express admiration. I admire your intellect, musicianship, and beauty. You are the epitome of the term "rock star." Be proud. Be happy.
thank you Don, both for the compliment, and the Substack insight. I experienceSubstack fatigue too and have had to trim my subscriptions a couple of times. I think rotating subscriptions is a good approach.