I'm so behind with reading on Substack (life has turned a bit hectic) but I will always find time to read/catch up with your writing, Susie (so if you haven't written much, it helps me too, lol).
What a week you had! All those activities with lots of little people made me shudder, but your description of the pool outing also made me laugh; the English and French facial expressions 😂😂
Been there with sons and revision - prelim results usually gave them the proverbial kick up the backside that any amount of parental wisdom couldn't 🤷♀️
But your owlet, how wonderful. I was out for a walk about a week ago and came upon a roe doe and her calf on the track. The doe ran off and left her teeny, tottery calf; I waited until it got itself into the undergrowth before I walked by and it just gazed up at me with its liquid eyes. Just gorgeous, and what a privilege to see it so close.
And if you happen upon the ability to prevent the 60th birthday happen, do tell! Mine is next year, but the way time is whizzing by it'll be here before I can say 'soixante'!!
Never apologise for writing little, Susie. Every word you pen is gold.
How utterly delightful to have an owlet sitting there, watching and waiting and no doubt totally at peace in where it is. Perhaps it, too, looked on at you and nodded internally at the passing Susie, grateful that you have offered it this barn.
"the fruitless task of trying to persuade my fifteen year old son that 30 minutes of revision is not even close to sufficient minutes to take in four years lessons on six different subjects" -- I couldn't help but crack a wry smile at this, sorry. It makes me think of my own students, who perhaps have similar feelings of what and how much constitutes "revision".
You are an absolute gem Nathan, I seem to be wrapped in a blanket of failing inspiration over the last few weeks, perhaps due to being lodged in our third month of March of the year...? I don't know but thank you so much for your encouragement, I really do appreciate it.
The owlet hasn't returned since to his position in the window, I imagine he 'found his wings' as they say but I hear him each night at dusk calling, swooping silently through the branches of the old oaks, as if he is wishing me a peaceful evening before beginning the business of hunting for his meal.
Ahh, revision... isn't it a curse! For us and them! My son is very like me, he needs a constant stimulus of ever changing subjects, studying just one he dissolves into a sort of blur where concentration has no place! But he is lucky enough to be pretty damn clever, unlike me, and so far has managed good results - I'm still waiting for the last mock exams to be marked, always a worrying time given the input!
Oh that's a shame about the owlet moving on (though that's a lovely thought of him swooping through), but at least it knows where there is a barn available.
I just had a first revision session for a subset of my 2nd year cohort (it's the final week of semester) and it was a good turnout and they seemed to get a lot of out if, so that at least makes me feel better.
I'm sure you're lying... you are no doubt just as smart as your son ;)
Seth had two sets of results in today, suffice to say, they passed but only just. He’s already planning study for the finals in a month, I didn’t say a word! I’m glad you’re getting pleasing results Nathan, I’m sure it’s a reflection of a charismatic approach to method!
Hmm, well let’s just say, he got a the mathematical side and I got the arty farty side!😂
Bless her heart LIsha, she was trembling with fear, no amount of persuasion was going g to get her into the water so we just sat and watched... its suited us both! Thanks for reading lovely xxx
its crazy for us as teachers and the students... I know I am always exhausted by the time the summer holidays arrive! Thanks so much for reading, you still here in France Betty?
Ouph indeed! Much as I would adore to have an owlet peeking at me (maybe there is!) I would not swap weeks with you. That number of small children in those particular circumstances is terrifying! You must have the patience of a saint….. xx
It really is terrifying Vanessa, I dread days like these! Last year I accompanied 82 children aged 4 to 11 on a sports day event which unbelievably was being held by a river, not a stream, a real river with a name! There were no safety barriers in place and the whole length was wide open with raging waters after a stormy week prior. I think my heart may have stopped about 100 times that day! Patience is definitely the word and eyes front sides and back!
Thank goodness for little owls sitting in barn windows!! xx
Goodness, I am exhausted just reading this! But glad for the pause and peaceful moment that your owlet brought you, with his gaze. I could just imagine being there in that changing room as a child and as a supervising adult - both of which fill me with dread. I had to get some assistance from Google translate for ‘va te faire foutre’, and it made me chuckle 🤭 and oh the fun of hand made cards with a class of children!! A wonderful read as always Susie 🤩
Belated thanks Emily, it was quite a week! thank goodness this one seems calmer, although I have a ghastly feeling we are still short staffed in the school and I may have to repeat the whole thing tomorrow... yes apologies for 'les grow mots' I don't usually but it was an immediate furious response🙈
The cards actually turned out quite well (eventually) what an incredible mess we made though, I'm sure you would have dealt with so many petals and glue in a far more professional way! 🙃xx
Like you I detest public swimming pools, can’t stand the smell nor sharing water with lots of strangers or see bits of who knows what floating around! Yuck!!!
Owls are wonderful magical creatures. It’s a blessing and honour to have been chosen to build a nest in your space. I must tell you about the one we rescued, stayed the night in our office and flew away the next day! Love n light always my Sweet Susie ✨💖✨
We are so fortunate to have the owls returning each year, I thought they hadn't this year after searching and searching in the barn but there he was... quietly waiting to be noticed it seems!
I think I have to repeat the whole swimming pool debacle again tomorrow! Noooo!!!
hugs sweetie, it was so good to talk 5without being cut off) on Monday xxxx
You are my spirit sister, for we think alike! I love the way you talk about random things and events altogether and then you go for a walk or Nature comes to you, and the world comes suddenly back into alignment. That totally resonates with me. Public pools are loud and overly warm and smelly, I agree. I can't imagine going there as a school though. That makes everything on me clench up. I have been a part of a similar pressed flower project, as well. Thanks for sharing!! XO
Belated thanks Danielle, I have a feeling we may have a good few soul sisters and brothers here on Substack - so many seek the silence and solitude of nature for myriad reasons. I am so very fortunate to live in the middle of it, surrounded by all that is natural and for the most part silence too. I only have to step out of the door to profit from natures abundant gifts which is likely why I find my work, on occasion, simply overwhelming! Last week was one off those times... I give thanks every day for being here...
Huge thanks to you for always leaving such a kind and thoughtful comment - I wish you peaceful and joyous day xox
Ive just saved your last publication to read later 🙏🏼
Blessed little owlet! Oh how lovely. I found myself in deep fantasy mode last night as I fell asleep that a lost baby raven would land in my path so I could care for her and become her momma. A terrible thing to long for, I know… it’s much better that no baby bird is lost from her mother! But still, I long for that kind of intimacy with a wild animal. That owlet has his eyes on you and you on his, I just love picturing the two of you in pause, communing without words. 🤍🦉
I was so relieved to see his face staring at me, to know they were back after searching for weeks for small signs in the barn, finding not even a pellet or a feather… I feel very blessed to even get this close but I had such a deep yearning to hold him, to touch his quiet wisdom.
So I understand your longing Kimberly, an even more terrible thing is to wish for an owlet to be abandoned by the mother. Even so, it is my dream every year for the same reasons.. I want an owl friend, an owl son or daughter to take care of, to learn from and to know as part of my family. My absolute life long dream of all dreams is to find a leveret… I never lose hope no matter how cruel which probably makes me the worst type of nature lover in the world!
Wow -- quite a week! Hope it's calmer from now and that the birthday is wonderful -- I have one at the end of May and was 60 in our first year in France. I love the 30 minutes of revision! And my French language just gained a phrase -- thank you ;)
Ha ha! Thanks Jan, in truth I have never used that phrase in French but I am slowly perfecting the look! My absolute favourite 'gros mot' here is one I learnt from my father as a child, the only one we ever heard him use in fact (until my mother died which changed him completely) the word of course, 'merde' somehow it just doesn't sound too terrible!
As for the 3à minutes of revision; we've had two results in as of today and, lets just say I think he may be learning a hard lesson! x
I love a good stormy Sunday evening and happen to be there with you right as you post this Susie, although it's my Monday morning.
Public swimming pools are my worst nightmare. So relate - that noise, the chlorine. One day I think compulsory school swimming sports will be banned - surely. It can be so distressful for some kids.
I hope you find some breaths amongst this next upcoming week. xx🦉xx
Thank you Jo, so the storms continue here, apparently the meteo experts say we are sitting right under a cold drop - they're not kidding! I'm hoping better weather will arrive with the new moon on 06/06 - it sounds fortuitous. Is your side of the world calmer now? I am beginning to struggle here, too much grey just dulls me!
Swimming pools, yes aren't they just the most ghastly places... I'd swim in a muddy pond with eels writhing in the middle and frogs and toads any day in preference to all those chemicals and skin particles and human heaven knows what!!
So far so good this week ignoring a rather unnecessary 100 km round trip to do shopping with my old neighbour... I simply can't say no though, the dreaded conversation was had and he admits to the dangers of continuing to drive - I just gained another job as chauffeur!
I'm so behind with reading on Substack (life has turned a bit hectic) but I will always find time to read/catch up with your writing, Susie (so if you haven't written much, it helps me too, lol).
What a week you had! All those activities with lots of little people made me shudder, but your description of the pool outing also made me laugh; the English and French facial expressions 😂😂
Been there with sons and revision - prelim results usually gave them the proverbial kick up the backside that any amount of parental wisdom couldn't 🤷♀️
But your owlet, how wonderful. I was out for a walk about a week ago and came upon a roe doe and her calf on the track. The doe ran off and left her teeny, tottery calf; I waited until it got itself into the undergrowth before I walked by and it just gazed up at me with its liquid eyes. Just gorgeous, and what a privilege to see it so close.
And if you happen upon the ability to prevent the 60th birthday happen, do tell! Mine is next year, but the way time is whizzing by it'll be here before I can say 'soixante'!!
Never apologise for writing little, Susie. Every word you pen is gold.
How utterly delightful to have an owlet sitting there, watching and waiting and no doubt totally at peace in where it is. Perhaps it, too, looked on at you and nodded internally at the passing Susie, grateful that you have offered it this barn.
"the fruitless task of trying to persuade my fifteen year old son that 30 minutes of revision is not even close to sufficient minutes to take in four years lessons on six different subjects" -- I couldn't help but crack a wry smile at this, sorry. It makes me think of my own students, who perhaps have similar feelings of what and how much constitutes "revision".
You are an absolute gem Nathan, I seem to be wrapped in a blanket of failing inspiration over the last few weeks, perhaps due to being lodged in our third month of March of the year...? I don't know but thank you so much for your encouragement, I really do appreciate it.
The owlet hasn't returned since to his position in the window, I imagine he 'found his wings' as they say but I hear him each night at dusk calling, swooping silently through the branches of the old oaks, as if he is wishing me a peaceful evening before beginning the business of hunting for his meal.
Ahh, revision... isn't it a curse! For us and them! My son is very like me, he needs a constant stimulus of ever changing subjects, studying just one he dissolves into a sort of blur where concentration has no place! But he is lucky enough to be pretty damn clever, unlike me, and so far has managed good results - I'm still waiting for the last mock exams to be marked, always a worrying time given the input!
🤗
Oh that's a shame about the owlet moving on (though that's a lovely thought of him swooping through), but at least it knows where there is a barn available.
I just had a first revision session for a subset of my 2nd year cohort (it's the final week of semester) and it was a good turnout and they seemed to get a lot of out if, so that at least makes me feel better.
I'm sure you're lying... you are no doubt just as smart as your son ;)
Wishing him the best with all his exams.
Seth had two sets of results in today, suffice to say, they passed but only just. He’s already planning study for the finals in a month, I didn’t say a word! I’m glad you’re getting pleasing results Nathan, I’m sure it’s a reflection of a charismatic approach to method!
Hmm, well let’s just say, he got a the mathematical side and I got the arty farty side!😂
Poor little girl! I'm glad she had someone to stay with her and make her feel safe ❤️
Bless her heart LIsha, she was trembling with fear, no amount of persuasion was going g to get her into the water so we just sat and watched... its suited us both! Thanks for reading lovely xxx
How I remember those crazy end of school years in France ! June was worse. But this too shall pass!
its crazy for us as teachers and the students... I know I am always exhausted by the time the summer holidays arrive! Thanks so much for reading, you still here in France Betty?
Yes, I've lived here since 1990! It seems impossible. I quit teaching in 2019 though. I definitely enjoyed your article.
Ouph indeed! Much as I would adore to have an owlet peeking at me (maybe there is!) I would not swap weeks with you. That number of small children in those particular circumstances is terrifying! You must have the patience of a saint….. xx
It really is terrifying Vanessa, I dread days like these! Last year I accompanied 82 children aged 4 to 11 on a sports day event which unbelievably was being held by a river, not a stream, a real river with a name! There were no safety barriers in place and the whole length was wide open with raging waters after a stormy week prior. I think my heart may have stopped about 100 times that day! Patience is definitely the word and eyes front sides and back!
Thank goodness for little owls sitting in barn windows!! xx
Good lord 🙈🙈🙈 I mean I’m fairly relaxed about H&S but really! Xx
Goodness, I am exhausted just reading this! But glad for the pause and peaceful moment that your owlet brought you, with his gaze. I could just imagine being there in that changing room as a child and as a supervising adult - both of which fill me with dread. I had to get some assistance from Google translate for ‘va te faire foutre’, and it made me chuckle 🤭 and oh the fun of hand made cards with a class of children!! A wonderful read as always Susie 🤩
Belated thanks Emily, it was quite a week! thank goodness this one seems calmer, although I have a ghastly feeling we are still short staffed in the school and I may have to repeat the whole thing tomorrow... yes apologies for 'les grow mots' I don't usually but it was an immediate furious response🙈
The cards actually turned out quite well (eventually) what an incredible mess we made though, I'm sure you would have dealt with so many petals and glue in a far more professional way! 🙃xx
No apologies necessary- I loved it 🤩 always love reading you stories xx
Like you I detest public swimming pools, can’t stand the smell nor sharing water with lots of strangers or see bits of who knows what floating around! Yuck!!!
Owls are wonderful magical creatures. It’s a blessing and honour to have been chosen to build a nest in your space. I must tell you about the one we rescued, stayed the night in our office and flew away the next day! Love n light always my Sweet Susie ✨💖✨
We are so fortunate to have the owls returning each year, I thought they hadn't this year after searching and searching in the barn but there he was... quietly waiting to be noticed it seems!
I think I have to repeat the whole swimming pool debacle again tomorrow! Noooo!!!
hugs sweetie, it was so good to talk 5without being cut off) on Monday xxxx
Dear Susie,
You are my spirit sister, for we think alike! I love the way you talk about random things and events altogether and then you go for a walk or Nature comes to you, and the world comes suddenly back into alignment. That totally resonates with me. Public pools are loud and overly warm and smelly, I agree. I can't imagine going there as a school though. That makes everything on me clench up. I have been a part of a similar pressed flower project, as well. Thanks for sharing!! XO
Belated thanks Danielle, I have a feeling we may have a good few soul sisters and brothers here on Substack - so many seek the silence and solitude of nature for myriad reasons. I am so very fortunate to live in the middle of it, surrounded by all that is natural and for the most part silence too. I only have to step out of the door to profit from natures abundant gifts which is likely why I find my work, on occasion, simply overwhelming! Last week was one off those times... I give thanks every day for being here...
Huge thanks to you for always leaving such a kind and thoughtful comment - I wish you peaceful and joyous day xox
Ive just saved your last publication to read later 🙏🏼
Blessed little owlet! Oh how lovely. I found myself in deep fantasy mode last night as I fell asleep that a lost baby raven would land in my path so I could care for her and become her momma. A terrible thing to long for, I know… it’s much better that no baby bird is lost from her mother! But still, I long for that kind of intimacy with a wild animal. That owlet has his eyes on you and you on his, I just love picturing the two of you in pause, communing without words. 🤍🦉
I was so relieved to see his face staring at me, to know they were back after searching for weeks for small signs in the barn, finding not even a pellet or a feather… I feel very blessed to even get this close but I had such a deep yearning to hold him, to touch his quiet wisdom.
So I understand your longing Kimberly, an even more terrible thing is to wish for an owlet to be abandoned by the mother. Even so, it is my dream every year for the same reasons.. I want an owl friend, an owl son or daughter to take care of, to learn from and to know as part of my family. My absolute life long dream of all dreams is to find a leveret… I never lose hope no matter how cruel which probably makes me the worst type of nature lover in the world!
🤍xx
Wow -- quite a week! Hope it's calmer from now and that the birthday is wonderful -- I have one at the end of May and was 60 in our first year in France. I love the 30 minutes of revision! And my French language just gained a phrase -- thank you ;)
Ha ha! Thanks Jan, in truth I have never used that phrase in French but I am slowly perfecting the look! My absolute favourite 'gros mot' here is one I learnt from my father as a child, the only one we ever heard him use in fact (until my mother died which changed him completely) the word of course, 'merde' somehow it just doesn't sound too terrible!
As for the 3à minutes of revision; we've had two results in as of today and, lets just say I think he may be learning a hard lesson! x
I love a good stormy Sunday evening and happen to be there with you right as you post this Susie, although it's my Monday morning.
Public swimming pools are my worst nightmare. So relate - that noise, the chlorine. One day I think compulsory school swimming sports will be banned - surely. It can be so distressful for some kids.
I hope you find some breaths amongst this next upcoming week. xx🦉xx
Thank you Jo, so the storms continue here, apparently the meteo experts say we are sitting right under a cold drop - they're not kidding! I'm hoping better weather will arrive with the new moon on 06/06 - it sounds fortuitous. Is your side of the world calmer now? I am beginning to struggle here, too much grey just dulls me!
Swimming pools, yes aren't they just the most ghastly places... I'd swim in a muddy pond with eels writhing in the middle and frogs and toads any day in preference to all those chemicals and skin particles and human heaven knows what!!
So far so good this week ignoring a rather unnecessary 100 km round trip to do shopping with my old neighbour... I simply can't say no though, the dreaded conversation was had and he admits to the dangers of continuing to drive - I just gained another job as chauffeur!
I hope your week is a calm one too xox
Swimming with toads might be pushing it for me!
Wishing you sunny skies Susie. xx
Now you mention it… 😝