Caught some grief from a falling leaf
As she tumbled down to the dirty ground
Said I shoulda put her back there if I could
But everyone needs a better day
And I’m trying to find me a better way
To get from the things I do to the things I should
~ Counting Crows, All My Friends
Just a few random photos taken on a run last week. You can tell from the fact that I was able to stop and take photos during a run that I was doing a lot more walking than running: my running schedule has been totally out of whack for most of this year, and by that I mean “I’ve hardly ever been doing it, and the people at the gym have forgotten what I look like”. I have lots of excuses why this has been the case, of course, but that’s exactly what they are: excuses. Now that we’re on the long, slow slide towards winter, though, I’m going to do my best to get out more often (I say that every week), if only to make sure I get as much sunlight as I possibly can. I know I joke about hating winter, but I genuinely get really depressed by the lack of light at this time of year, and the sad lamp doesn’t seem to make much of a difference, so I’m hoping some fresh air and exercise will. Even although my town looks a bit like a prison camp:
I’m always impressed by how Instagram filters can make things that are really very dull and dreary look beautiful. Someone should make Instagram filters for you EYES, seriously. Just think how popular they’d be!
When I was a kid, we used to call these things “Itchy Coos”:
We’d open them up and put the seeds down people’s clothes. It was ace. Terry tells me that, round here, they called them “Itchy Poos“. Which is just WRONG, really.
Also on my walk run, I found this mysterious piece of paper on the ground, and obviously I had to stop and investigate it, because it could totally have been a treasure map, or had some dark secret contained within it. Isn’t that always the way of it? It was for Nancy Drew. And the Famous Five.
I saw it as a prison at the foot of some mountains, and thought it was an interesting insight into how the children from this town view the place. Then Terry pointed out that it’s actually a submarine surrounded by OMGSHARKS. Which isn’t an insight into anything, really, but is still pretty cool. I mean, that’s a LOT of sharks, you guys!
In other news, as the clocks went back on Sunday morning, I downloaded a “countdown” app for my phone, which informs me that there are 143 dark days to get through until the clocks move forward again. DAMN. I wish I could just hibernate…
We call them ‘Itchy Backs’ on account of them generally being put down the back of your tee, and then giving you an itchy back.
Ingenious, I think you will agree.
Brilliant pictures
Oh yes, always down the back: lol!
We called them ‘Holy cows’! Just because when you put some of the seeds down someone’s back we joked they’d be all ‘Holy cow, that’s itchy’! Erm…
It’s a good idea to get out during the day – in the winter I really feel it, being in the office all day. I have to make sure to get out for a walk at lunchtimes or something, I always feel better for it when I do.
Haha, “Holy Cows” is a brilliant name for them!
Hoping the running etc will help a bit… I do get out during the day anyway for dog walking, etc, but that normally makes me feel worse, because I hate the cold so much. At least with running, you’re always warm!
Yes, we called them “itchy backs” too. There was a bush of them just outside the junior school gates and someone once told me they could kill you, so I lived in fear of having the seeds put down my back. Thankfully, I escaped with my life…
I find the lack of light hard to cope with, too. But I like Autumn apart from that and enjoy feeling Christmassy. It’s Jan-Feb when I find it really hard to get up, or move. I would LOVE it if someone could invent Instagram for the eyes. *prays*
Oh God, yes, January and February are just horrible months! I think I’m just feeling particularly low now because I know they’re all still ahead of me: at least once we actually get to February there’s some light at the end of the tunnel!
OMG Steven has never heard of itchy coos! he’s never lived lol. I have a countdown timer too but it’s for the wedding coz i’m just that sad!
I’ll bring some on Saturday and we can stick them down his neck
And it’s not sad to countdown to the wedding – I might start doing that too! Always good to have something to look forward to
I hear you on the SAD. I rarely cry (I’m hard as nails y’see) but this past fornight I am Cryie McCry. It’s getting embarrassing, and I’m pretty sure it’s the lack of sunlight that is ultimately responsible. It’s very hard to feel hopeful in gloom
It’s very hard to feel hopeful in gloom
Oh, I so relate to this: I could deal with the cold, but the constant darkness is a killer. Sorry you’ve been feeling bad, too – big virtual hugs all round, I think
you dont need a sad lamp you just need to come to canada for a while. our winters are cold but we get blue sky and sunshine all day. the cold doesnt stop us doing anything. so come on over.
xx