I’m Stuck
The Internet is so sloooow today. I had forgotten what it was like to have to
wait for sites to open and it is most frustrating. I wonder why it's happening. Perhaps it is responding to my body and brain
in some way. They too are on a 'go slow'
at the moment.
Also on a go slow is the increase in the
number of followers on my blog. In fact,
I think it may be stuck for ever. It has
been on 196 for some time and I have been waiting for it to reach the 200 but I
think Google have changed the system so people who decide to follow now are referred
to Google + instead. 196 is such a
frustrating number to be stuck on!
GB
In January GB passed through Heswall on his
way from Shrewsbury to Glasgow (intentionally – not through some misinterpretation
of his satnav!).
We had lunch in Avanti
and caught up on each other’s news. It’s
a while since we saw each other and there was so much news we didn’t even have
time to do a crossword!
Walking
I am trying to ensure I do at least two reasonable
walks each week, whatever the weather.
Sometimes it’s poor
Sometimes it’s pleasant.
On a more local walk – just to the post office
– I found these Deer Mushrooms (Pluteus
cervinus) outside the Pensby Nursing Home.
As I walk I have been making up Haikus. It’s great fun. The
essence of haiku is "cutting" (kiru). This is often represented by
the juxtaposition of two images or ideas and a kireji ("cutting
word") between them, a kind of verbal punctuation mark which signals the
moment of separation and colours the manner in which the juxtaposed elements
are related. Traditional haiku consist
of 17 syllables, in three phrases of 5, 7 and 5 respectively. Modern
Japanese haiku (現代俳句 gendai-haiku?) are increasingly unlikely to
follow the tradition of 17 syllables or to take nature as their subject, but
the use of juxtaposition continues to be honoured in both traditional and
modern haiku. There is a common, although relatively recent, perception that
the images juxtaposed must be directly observed everyday objects or
occurrences.
Calves ache, knee
twinges,
Thighs burn, toe
throbs, and hip pains.
All in a day’s walk.
Rattle of long-dead
beech
Cars whoosh, crows caw
and siren blares;
Pensby, ten a.m.
It’s time for chocolate
According to LoveLoveHealth chocolate reduces
anxiety and decreases depression.
http://www.lovelivehealth.com/ten-foods-decrease-anxiety-depression/2/
“Yes, that’s correct, chocolate. However, I’m
not talking about your average gas station chocolate bar. Dark chocolate is
highly beneficial for your brain health. The darker and purer the chocolate,
the better. Dark chocolate contains tyrosine, which is linked to an increase of
dopamine. Dopamine has a direct effect on our emotional well-being, and
stimulates the pleasure centres in our brain. Dark chocolate also releases endorphins,
allowing you to feel a sense of happiness. In terms of anxiety, dark chocolate
reduces cortisol levels. This is the hormone that makes us feel stressed. Time
to get your chocolate fix!” It’s just a
shame I don’t really like strong chocolate.
The Kittipusses
Annabel and Mac have now been given the Freedom
of the House (excluding kitchen and main bedroom) and are enjoying roaming. But at the end of the day Annabel would rather
find a lap and Mac is happy just cleaning himself as he lies on the floor.
