Another Monday! They seem to come around very quickly. I seem to remember reading long ago that the sensation we have of time passing more quickly as we get older has something to do with the rate at which your heart beats. Babies hearts beat very rapidly, children’s hearts beat less rapidly but still faster than adults’ hearts. Thus, time passes more slowly for them. This is why we all remember the looooooong summer holidays of our childhood - especially those of us who have worked as teachers and always wondered why the summer break was always over so quickly.
Of course, it might all be rubbish. But it seems that time goes more quickly and we grow shorter as we grow older. This last was confirmed by one of those silly question and answer things in today’s newspaper. You know the kind of thing:
Is it true that … women snore less than men?
… doing puzzles prevents dementia?
… almost anything you want to ask an expert about?
I sometimes think people send in such questions just for that moment of fame of getting your name in the paper!
I read an article about former footballer, now property developer, Gary Neville, taking down Union Jack flags that had been put up at one of his sites, because he believes the flags are being “used in a negative fashion”, and that “we’re all being turned on each other”. He urged his followers to question what it means to be patriotic.
As I read the article I must have clicked on something or other, as you do, and I was linked to an older article, from 2022, which told of Rishi Sunak saying that Gary Neville should not comment on social issues but should stick to football. In an odd bit of stereotyping it seems that it’s fine for actors and singers to express their opinions on political and social matters but sports people should “stick to football / tennis / whatever”. Being an actor or singer is recognised as a sign of being able to think. Being a sports person just means you have some physical skill but maybe not a lot of academic ability!
Beware of stereotyping!
For example, protestors are not necessarily violent thugs!
Here’s a letter to the Guardian about police action regarding recent protests or proposed protests:
“The decision of the Metropolitan police to ask the organisers of a protest against the Palestine Action ban to postpone it in order to free up officers in the wake of a terror attack raises serious questions about the logic of law enforcement’s approach to these protests (Report, 2 October).
If these activities are, as the police describe them, a protest, then why have participants been arrested in the past? If, on the other hand, they are crimes, then why write to the organisers to postpone their criminal activities until it’s more convenient for the police to make arrests? Are they also writing to criminal gangs or real terrorist groups, asking them to reschedule their illegal activities for a more convenient time?
Can I also point out that apart from supporting freedom of speech, these protests are about people being murdered on a daily basis in large numbers. Are these lives less valuable than British lives?
Gabriele Hodgson
London”
Quite so!
Getting back to it being Monday again: the heron was by the millpond this morning, as was a cormorant, showing off his wingspan. I took a phot of the cormorant as he is a less frequent visitor.
I also took a photo of a rather fine, bright autumn bush.
Those who know such things assure us that because we had a long dry spell innthe summer we should expectvsome splendid autumn colours on display.
Something to look forward to.
Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!
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