Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly [Micah 6:8]

I try to avoid getting political on my blog. But the words of the prophet Micah are good advice in these days - especially to the leaders of the nations.
In 2018 I went up to London to meet Liz and join those who were marching in protest of the arrival of a certain person. A number of people told me I was wrong to do this. That the President of another nation deserved respect. That as a Christian I should be loving and accepting, even if I disagreed with someone.
My answer then was that I believed that my responsibility was to speak for the poor and the marginalised, to speak in defence of those who could not speak for themselves. To uphold people's right to life and liberty. I have not changed my position on this issue.

While I'm Waiting

My Analogue Bag has proved useful lately. After the fun I had with Wisteria Cottage, I decided I ought to get on and finish all those random little cross stitch kits I have been accumulating...

Here are five small cards, all stitched and mounted, which are ready to use. 

The photo was taken on the back seat of my car. Bob was at his Dr's appointment I waited outside, and used the time to stick the completed stitching in place with double sided tape. 

A good use of my time! 

A Case Of Mistaken Identity?

It was 6pm and dark outside.  The doorbell rang "that will be my package" said Bob. I jumped up and opened the front door. "Good  evening!" I said cheerfully"Good evening young lady" he replied, handing me a parcel with one hand, holding his phone in the other to take a photo. YOUNG LADY? I was old enough to be his mother. I debated saying "I'm neither young nor a lady" but instead I just glared at his camera. I closed the door. Bob was chuckling when I returned to the lounge. I was worried that someone with such poor eyesight was working as a delivery driver. Maybe he just says that to all the little old grey haired grannies... Was he being flirtatious or patronising? I couldn't tell - either way it was inappropriate

But my experience in John Lewis a few days later was even more bizarre. We were engaged in conversation with the assistant about vacuum cleaners. Two people walked past chatting, then stopped and turned to stare at me.

Bob whispered "I think that couple know you" The woman looked across at me and said "Hi!". I left Bob and the assistant discussing Turbo Heads and went over to the smiling couple [who I did not recognise at all] 

"Sorry, do I know you?"

"You're our neighbour Daphne"

"No, I'm Angela from Swanton Morley"

"Well why are you with him?" she said sharply, pointing to Bob

"He is my husband of over 40 years"

"He looks just like Daphne's boyfriend. Doesn't he?" the chap with her nodded

"Yes he does. We both thought 'there's Daphne and her boyfriend"

"Sorry, I'm not Daphne.Excuse me"

They walked away. I went back to Bob and the assistant. 

I wonder what Daphne's boyfriend is called...

Who Is My Neighbour?

Jesus answered the man with a story…A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead…A priest, and a Levite passed him by…But a foreigner, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
Jesus asked the man "Which of these three was neighbour to the man who was robbed?"

Swallowing, Snorting, Rinsing, Spitting, MORE Swallowing...

 My 'health regime' is getting more and more complicated. I was managing OK with swallowing a few pills just after I wake, and before I go to sleep. And then I added into that the whole sinus saline snorting thing [it is helping, I was aware of that over Christmas when I went to Manchester without my kit] 
But then my dentist noticed problems with a gum infection around one molar.* 

Now I have to rinse&spit with another saline solution three times a day, and take a large antibiotic tablet ['swallow a glass of water each time, and do not drink any alcohol until at least two days after you've finished the course' said the Pharmacist 'otherwise you will have a very upset stomach']

I am diligently following all these instructions. If these extra things do not clear up the infection, it appears there may be some root canal work necessary...
*I have not had any toothache, for which I am extremely grateful. He just spotted the problem at my routine checkup on Wednesday.

Are You A Bag Lady?

Specifically, do you have an analogue bag ? [nb if you read TikTok, you may spell it analog] I came across this term recently. The idea is that many people would benefit from less time doomscrolling on their screens, and participating in activities which do not require a screen has positive effects on mental health and wellbeing.
So in order to do this, you prepare an analogue bag which you keep with you throughout the day, or leave by your armchair in the evening, so you always have a positive activity ready to hand. I first read about it here.

What's in your bag? well it could be a newspaper or paperback to read, a book of sudoku or crossword puzzles, a sketchpad and art materials, a piece of knitting or crochet, a small embroidery or quilting project... you get the idea. This will help prevent screen burnout.

The name comes from analogue as opposed to digital. Slow technology. I'm all for this idea - but I imagine many of you are reading this and muttering "this isn't a new thing, I've done that for years..."

I always take a book along when I am going to see the Doctor or Dentist. They call it the waiting room after all - so it is good to use that time doing something fun. Similarly long train journeys go so much better when you can finish your knitting or do some stitching. I know Kirsten and others make use of portable art kits. 
When the girls were small, they knew Mummy usually had a boredom bag to hand - containing a storybook, some paper and crayons, a couple of finger puppets, a toy vehicle, a small canister of bubbles. Liz and Steph have done this with their children. You do not need a large tote bag - just a few things inside a small zip bag, enough to work on a little project, rather than get out your phone and start tapping away.

We were given a lovely food hamper at Christmas, and I am thinking of designating that as my 'analogue basket' for the lounge. I've found a longterm knitting project I would like to work on. To have all the components tidily stored there, ready to bring out when I want to knit [and later in the year, carry outside to work in the summerhouse] would be useful. Such activities definitely contribute to the restoration  of a good state of mind, helping us to unwind, leaving the stress behind for a few moments. And because they are easy to pick up and put down again, this works well for those snatched minutes. We cannot all go for an hour's calming walk in the forest, or randomly take an afternoon out to work on the sewing machine - but these little interludes of creativity and joy can do so much good. Really old blog readers will remember that black and white film of a potter's wheel which the BBC used as a filler between programmes [you can find the whole 'interlude' series here] OK, that was on a screen, but it was a good 'time out' interval.
Do you have anything like an analogue bag already? 
What would you keep in it?
What would you put in a bag for the children?

Sew Christmassy, Sew Sparkly...

 

This is Kirsten's December patch. She used a piece of Christmas print fabric [I am sure I had a scrap like this, years ago] 
Each little rectangle has been overstitched with backstitch, running stitch, satin stitch etc. It has given this small square a wonderful dimensional quality, it is like a miniature quilt!
Wisely she avoided trying to stitch metallic threads, and worked around the parts of the design printed in gold, which emphasises their sheen. 
Having made so many attempts with metallic thread on my snowflakes, I think that was sensible. It does twist and knot alarmingly.
It is very Christmassy, what with the star, the tree, the gifts, a snowy windowpane and the conifers - as well as the hints of snowflakes, holly, a cracker, a crown, bunting and an elf's hat. So much detail in a piece no bigger than the palm of my hand. 

My flat gift for December was a lovely rust silhouette which may be hung in the greenhouse pro tem whilst I consider a permanent home for it
This is about 15cm high. It reminded me of the wonderful art work of Rob Ryan, which often features birds. 
Rob has recently published a book about his work, entitled "I thought about it in my head, and I felt it in my heart, but I made it with my hands" which ought to be a motto for handcrafters everywhere! 

Here's a lovely Rob bird design for Kirsten as we work at our collaborative stitching.
We are both late finishing the December piece- so our next 'swap date' will be Valentine's day. But I am not doing anything 'hearty' I have another idea which I need to work on...