Analogue

 

Good evening, everyone. I trust that you are ok. The week has been uneventful here, which is a blessing. Today was Mothering Sunday, as you know. Rather excellently, without any chivvying, both children came up with excellent presents. I got a pamper basket from FOW2 with lots of lovely things in it and a game for my Switch from FOW1.  I usually don't make much of a fuss about any kind of "manufactured" celebrations, as you know, but, historically, with Aged Parent, sometimes Mothering Sunday could be quite hard work, and I became quite keen on having a bit of wholesale appreciation as a kind of recovery strategy and I have never got round to telling them that they can stop.

You will notice the Cliff Richard card, which my son thinks is a hilarious joke about what Christian women of a certain age like. When I was young, it was considered quite the thing to like Cliff Richard if you were a Christian and female. I was never mad keen (although I was a fan of his Small Corners Christian album). I have been to see him live quite a few times  - selflessly accompanying chums who were very keen on him, and I will say this - his voice is exactly the same live - he could certainly hold a tune. HOH, who was involved in obscure Northern Soul clubs and was impossibly cool when he was younger (not so much now - it's difficult to be cool with a bad back), just raises a judgmental eyebrow when the Cliff days are mentioned. 

Most of the telly I watch seems to have fallen off the radar now. The Pottery Throw Down has finished. I didn't think anyone was THAT good (and yes, I am aware that I couldn't do it), but they all seemed very nice. Also, Landscape Artist has finished. I thought the lady who won was brilliant, and I loved everything she did. And then, as the prize, she got to paint a legendary mountain in Ireland. This involved interviewing random Irish people, drinking Guinness, singing in an Irish pub (not on her own - she was with some men with banjos) and talking to a priest she met at the top of the mountain. This was all presumably to get her in the mood to paint. I have to admit, I didn't love the winning painting (Again, I am aware that I couldn't do it), but I don't think it can be that easy to paint a big, brown, hulking mountain. At least it was better than when the Portrait Artist winner got to paint Lenny Henry, and he came out looking like that little man with glasses from the Halifax adverts. 

There is a Marlow Murder Mystery this week, which always passes a pleasant hour or two, and HOH would very much like to recommend The Capture to the room. And obviously, there is always Match of the Day, which I am watching again now that my team seems to have bucked up a bit. (For now.)

You are all probably aware of the "Analogue Revolution", which is being recommended by lots of online influencers as an antidote to anxiety. (I'm assuming that their tongues are firmly in their cheeks.) The idea is that you put down your screens and do something with a crafty or analogue bent instead. Maybe knitting, sewing, baking, reading, or gardening. It's a long list. I read a very good book about it by Rachel Bearn. She is a Christian woman who is dealing with chronic illness and is a natural crafter. The book is full of recipes and patterns, and seasonal tips. I read the book from cover to cover, enjoyed it very much and then promptly sold it on. I'll never do any of that stuff. As Aged P used to say - I haven't the patience to learn anything that complicated. I knit a bit, sew millions of fat quarters into hexagons (if anyone has any ideas what to do with a bucket full of hexagonal patches, I'd be happy to hear it), and I have several cake recipes that I make - quite happily, on rotation. Also, we can't keep chickens. We live on the first floor. Their droppings would keep falling through the balcony onto our neighbours' Chicken Jalfrezi outdoor supper. 

I think the idea is a "good thing". People are on screens too much as a rule. (I am being hypocritical here. As I said, FOW1 bought me a Switch game today, and I have spent a happy afternoon on it.) I just think that switching to a more Analogue lifestyle can be an answer to stress - it's just not THE answer. 

I was in the shower this week, explaining to God everything that I was dealing with and how anxious I was and, if it wasn't too much trouble, I wouldn't say no to a bit of divine intervention. (I do all my best wingeing in the shower. No wonder HOH is complaining that there is never any hot water.) Then I thought of something Aged Parent (Male version) used to say.

"When you're stuck and in a fix. Turn to Philippians 4 v 6"

Obviously, I couldn't because I was in the shower. But I know it - because I often need it. Unusually for me, I think one of the older versions of it has more weight and poetry, and I prefer it, and I'm leaving it here. Hope it helps. Helps me a lot. Have a good week.

 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.