Patience

When it comes to bird watching, you have to have patience. You have to be able to move slowly in the shadows, to stand perfectly still, to hold your position for the longest of time. It is a test of wills. You against the silence of the woods. And sometimes you get lucky. Sometimes you get to see a glimpse of the magic which birds of prey adds to the world. Moments like that will haunt you forever. A moment like that can be the beginning of the strangest of journeys, or simply change your life.

"They were above a stand of pines, right there. And then they were gone. One minute my pair of goshawks was describing lines from physics textbooks in the sky, and then nothing at all. I don't remember looking down, or away. Perhaps I blinked. Perhaps it was as simple as that. And in that tiny black gap which the brain disguises they'd dived into the wood."

"H is for Hawk" by Helen Macdonald, p. 9

This book is the story of how Helen Macdonald became the owner of a hawk. Of her struggle to train it. In between the pages you will find beautiful descriptions of the nature surrounding her, and she will enlighten you about falcons and hawks. Her words will make you long to get out there, to see the wildness for yourself and, perhaps, to be a part of it all.

Sticky toffee pudding and my book - loving quiet days at work.

Existing in the pause

Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer are perhaps two of the most amazing writers I know. They have a way with words that borders on magical - words that burrow deep into your heart and stay there for the longest of time. I wish I could do something to help them through the difficult days they are facing just now. I wish I could do more than simply send my love.

"my god there's so much hate.
 but there's so much love."

Amanda Palmer in her journal

"It doesn't feel like real time. Normally, we breathe in and we breathe out, and we never notice the beat between the breath. Right now we are living in the place between the inhalation and the exhalation, existing in the pause."

Neil Gaiman in his journal

Life, after all, is in the detail

"A year of doing good" by Judith O'Reilly

A new day - a new place - a new book

Girl: reading. 

Boys: fishing.

A girl needs to be prepared for the wait, and what better than a book and some binoculars? I was all set for hours.

"H is for Hawk" b Helen Macdonald