Sorry that it's been so long!

I've just been back a few days from a trip to the Dorset coast and a stay at a retreat. It was a time for rest and meditation and I do feel changed by it. It allowed me to think about various things without the distractions of modern life - television, radio, papers, the ringing of the phone and the temptation to shop! Instead they were replaced by conversation, meditation (or just time to allow thoughts to ramble), walks, a little writing and simple activities done as part of a community. Cliff even started to play guitar which he hasn't done for a very long time.

It felt both as if we had been there forever and that the time was going too quickly. I started there wondering what I would do, realized that I didn't have to do anything (other than the simple activities) and left feeling that I had lost something very important. It was something that I knew I couldn't recapture back in my regular life. However, I did find a direction for life in Surrey. It will take discipline and time to get there but I'm going to try. More of this later!

Bye, bye bird seed!

I wasn't wrong. All bird seed with peanuts is now banned. Apparently, toxic gases from peanuts could come from the bird feeders and effect those who are allergic. Does this strike you as odd? Could it actually be the case?

Peanuts and the birds

Is it possible that my school has banned bird food with peanuts in it? If it's true, I wonder what they envision? Students shimmying up the poles or climbing trees to eat it. The lunch lines are long but surely not. I think we can all imagine a number of cartoons based on this. Perhaps you can share some ideas.