This arrived today. Spent some Christmas gift money. Pierre Hadot is often quoted by some of the more recent writers on Stoicism, particularly The Inner Citadel. I thought I’d better read it myself.
Took a trip over to Steart Marshes yesterday. Happened to be a bright dry day in among the grey and murky ones. A cold wind – cleared the head after spending a lot of time indoors. Walked out to the Breach.
Waders and wildfowl aplenty – lapwing, shelduck, redshank, curlew – but the highlight was a male hen harrier quartering the reed beds. I’ve only ever seen one before, years ago, and as a breeding species in the UK that is almost non-existent, to see a winter visitor was a real treat.
2021 has made me think all over again about what we are doing to this planet. And ourselves. About what really matters. I like this quote from Donald Robertson’s [How to think like a Roman Emperor](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39863499-how-to-think-like-a-roman-emperor?):
> ‘…to desire something is to imagine having what you don’t have, the presence of something that’s absent. Gratitude, on the other hand, comes from imagining the absence of things that are currently present: What would it be like if you didn’t have this? If we don’t occasionally picture loss, reminding ourselves what life might be like without the things and people we love, we would take them for granted.”
If this is the only thing that sticks in my sieve-like mind over the coming year, I’ll take it.
Our postponed trip to the coast went ahead today, complete with one perky dog – no after effects of his seizure in evidence.
Got a decent walk in, and good to get some fresh air after several days at home. Usually, the views from Selworthy Beacon are stunning. But…not today…
We were planning to go off to the coast for some walking today but our dog had another seizure last night. He has to rest for 24hrs afterwards so instead we have an enforced day of taking it easy.
As it happens, the weather was pretty grotty this morning so not such a bad thing.
A family discussion about Christmas films. The question came up: which is more violent, Die Hard or Home Alone?
One week to go before the days start getting longer again.
Finally managed to book my booster jab at a time that works for me. I’ve ended up checking several times a day as there are so few slots available and they get snapped up within minutes. So far they’ve all been at times that I can’t do either.
I checked again just now and there is suddenly loads of availability so I’ve got one booked for an evening next week.
Yikes! Over £100 to fill the van up with fuel. That’s a first.
Help! I’m stuck on a llama. And it’s immortal!’
Overhearing in-game multiplayer chat has become the norm in our house over the last year. This has got to be the best heard so far.