For the last 3 years I’ve tried to note one natural thing I saw each day. Here are 2025’s notes
I keep a yearly note in the drafts app and update the text file on my pi occasionally.
I’ve struggled to mange every day this year, perhaps because a lot of notes came from my commute?
I did write more in each note, which I decided on at the start of the year.
Read: The Benefactors by Wendy Erskine ★★★★ 📚
She has read that in Belfast during the conflict there were séances because so many were taken unexpectedly, leaving behind unanswered questions and husbands, wives, children who didn't get to hear or say a last I love you. Who couldn't understand why they wanted an ectoplasmic gush of revelation or reassurance? All bullshit of course, but a dark table in a house, a woman in a mantilla, Miriam would go there, if she knew of such a place.
A girl is sexually assaulted by 3 of her "friends". The novel explores the families involved, individual's histories, personalities & class. Their stories are mixed in with other connected or disconnected fragments. No easy answers.
Watched a couple of dabchicks fishing on the park pond this afternoon.
The park pond in reflective mood today. After so much rain I hope the blue sky hold for a while. Just short of 7 hours daylight today.
Just before dawn, song thrush singing loudly in the lime tree across from our close. Clear sky too.
My hopes were raised today. But it turns out to be a small plates restaurant, not John Smith & Son reborn.
Read: This must be the place by Maggie O'Farrell ★★★★ 📚
You see, my mother’s idea of a good time was to spend the evening re-reading The Divine Comedy, whereas my father liked to have several beers and watch the game. That they were woefully mismatched seemed a given, a background presence in our lives; like others of their generation, they just got on with it, circling around each other, making the best of it.
A tale with a host of POVs, locations & dates, all somewhat mixed up, circle round the two principals.
Every character has connections & disconnections, problems & strengths. Some are improbably gifted & unusual but that didn't stop my engagement.
The 12 Days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge ✨ Day 5 prompt: sparkle.
The 12 Days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge ✨ Day 5 prompt: beard.
Searching my photo library found this among the faces, The word beard is on the broken headstone, left and below the centre of the image. Taken 1 January 2021 at the Necropolis.
The 12 Days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge ✨ Day 4 prompt: Evergreen 🌲
A Scots Pine at the edge of the Kilpatrick Braes. A young one sprouts in the foreground.
