Love your take on Substack as a library. I am engaging a little more recently and finding joy in reading some of my favorites. Have a blessed summer my friend. I will pick up The Summer Book in July and read it's beautiful words once again.
Thank you Matthew. I think the idea of Substack as a library works for my brain (and, I suspect, those of others). It is a comfort, to think of unread letters as books on a shelf, awaiting just the right moment to read, rather than the guilt which goes alongside unopened emails.
I hope you and your family have a lovely summer too. I’ll be rereading The Summer Book in August, when @Ailsa Ross is planning a slow read (to be fair, I’d have read it then, anyway!).
Such a lovely read to begin my morning and my July. Thanks, Alexander and for the introduction to W Social. I hadn't heard of it before and am intrigued to learn more about it!
Thank you Rebecca, that makes me happy (also, I’m very grateful to have found your work here, too, looking forward to reading more).
I think the reason I’m a little bit hopeful about W Social is the EU law side of things, alongside the verification process this promises to make things a little bit more civil, in theory. Being able to follow and interact with others on Bluesky helps, too. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it works okay, and shall report back here after a while—at present, it’s still in public Beta, so there’s not too many people there!
But spreading the word definitely helps. That’s how these things start. And I truly believe that people’s platform usage is changing… engaging in the platforms that align with our ethics and values. Thanks again for reading and your content is refreshing.
Interesting you say that about summer, I've noticed the same but only unconsciously really. I'm taking a bit of a break myself for the first time since I started here, but I'll be back soon enough :)
I think a break is sensible, people just seem to be online less in summer, which is a good thing, of course. I feel I need a reset of sorts and summer is a good time to do it.
I’m okay, thanks, coming out of the long darkness associated with the realisation of the direction our species is undoubtedly headed, but reframing and refocusing hope, nevertheless. Hope all is well with you?
Alex, a thousand thanks for adding me to your library, that feels like high praise indeed coming from you my friend. Have a fabulous summer! I know you have plans... may they all be the best kind of adventure with just enough wonderful hidden around the edges! Love to you all. x
PS I am willing the hours speedily on their way until Midday Friday, then they can pass as slow as they like!
We’re nearly there Susie! Ailsa has her big school trip today, then the last day tomorrow. It’s time for the holidays, that’s for sure, she’s been wound up rather tightly over the last few weeks, as have all the kids, so I can only imagine how challenging your work has been.
And I can’t wait to catch up with your writing and photography, I’m really looking forward to it. I want to get back into a better habit of commenting on the work of others, interacting more than I have been, and I think the summer is the perfect time for this.
I made it! It was touch and go at lunchtime, emotions were running too close to the surface for us all, teachers and students alike but the day closed with smiles and grateful tears—some of relief admittedly! Eight weeks of peace lay ahead… just the thought is bliss!
I hope Ailsa enjoyed her school trip, ours was all a little rushed this year due a late departure but the kids seemed to love it which I guess is the main objective!
I too am hoping to catch up here on Substack and hopefully be a little more present on Notes, its a big hope though, I seem to have a list of urgent projects to do all of a sudden!
I’m glad you liked them! It is very photogenic up on the mountain, no matter the season—the switches between all the little micro seasons can mean a lot of photographs!
A very fine post, Alex … excellent summer offline intentions … and a wonderful dollop of hope, and we all need that! Delighted and honoured to be on the reading pile for your library visits.
Thank you! We certainly could use hope, it’s something I think about a lot, how and where to channel it. Once reshaped, especially after going through a period of darkness and difficulty, I think hope can be all the stronger, even if it has been altered in direction.
Looking forward to catching up with your letters, thanks!
Love your take on Substack as a library. I am engaging a little more recently and finding joy in reading some of my favorites. Have a blessed summer my friend. I will pick up The Summer Book in July and read it's beautiful words once again.
Thank you Matthew. I think the idea of Substack as a library works for my brain (and, I suspect, those of others). It is a comfort, to think of unread letters as books on a shelf, awaiting just the right moment to read, rather than the guilt which goes alongside unopened emails.
I hope you and your family have a lovely summer too. I’ll be rereading The Summer Book in August, when @Ailsa Ross is planning a slow read (to be fair, I’d have read it then, anyway!).
I just got a new to me copy of The Summer Book. I'm planning to start reading (slowly!) this evening.
Such a lovely read to begin my morning and my July. Thanks, Alexander and for the introduction to W Social. I hadn't heard of it before and am intrigued to learn more about it!
Thank you Rebecca, that makes me happy (also, I’m very grateful to have found your work here, too, looking forward to reading more).
I think the reason I’m a little bit hopeful about W Social is the EU law side of things, alongside the verification process this promises to make things a little bit more civil, in theory. Being able to follow and interact with others on Bluesky helps, too. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it works okay, and shall report back here after a while—at present, it’s still in public Beta, so there’s not too many people there!
But spreading the word definitely helps. That’s how these things start. And I truly believe that people’s platform usage is changing… engaging in the platforms that align with our ethics and values. Thanks again for reading and your content is refreshing.
Interesting you say that about summer, I've noticed the same but only unconsciously really. I'm taking a bit of a break myself for the first time since I started here, but I'll be back soon enough :)
Hope all's well my friend
I think a break is sensible, people just seem to be online less in summer, which is a good thing, of course. I feel I need a reset of sorts and summer is a good time to do it.
I’m okay, thanks, coming out of the long darkness associated with the realisation of the direction our species is undoubtedly headed, but reframing and refocusing hope, nevertheless. Hope all is well with you?
Alex, a thousand thanks for adding me to your library, that feels like high praise indeed coming from you my friend. Have a fabulous summer! I know you have plans... may they all be the best kind of adventure with just enough wonderful hidden around the edges! Love to you all. x
PS I am willing the hours speedily on their way until Midday Friday, then they can pass as slow as they like!
We’re nearly there Susie! Ailsa has her big school trip today, then the last day tomorrow. It’s time for the holidays, that’s for sure, she’s been wound up rather tightly over the last few weeks, as have all the kids, so I can only imagine how challenging your work has been.
And I can’t wait to catch up with your writing and photography, I’m really looking forward to it. I want to get back into a better habit of commenting on the work of others, interacting more than I have been, and I think the summer is the perfect time for this.
Sending love to you all too! x
I made it! It was touch and go at lunchtime, emotions were running too close to the surface for us all, teachers and students alike but the day closed with smiles and grateful tears—some of relief admittedly! Eight weeks of peace lay ahead… just the thought is bliss!
I hope Ailsa enjoyed her school trip, ours was all a little rushed this year due a late departure but the kids seemed to love it which I guess is the main objective!
I too am hoping to catch up here on Substack and hopefully be a little more present on Notes, its a big hope though, I seem to have a list of urgent projects to do all of a sudden!
Happy Holidays Alex! X
Enjoyed the photos of your exotic landscape. Thank You
I’m glad you liked them! It is very photogenic up on the mountain, no matter the season—the switches between all the little micro seasons can mean a lot of photographs!
A very fine post, Alex … excellent summer offline intentions … and a wonderful dollop of hope, and we all need that! Delighted and honoured to be on the reading pile for your library visits.
Thank you! We certainly could use hope, it’s something I think about a lot, how and where to channel it. Once reshaped, especially after going through a period of darkness and difficulty, I think hope can be all the stronger, even if it has been altered in direction.
Looking forward to catching up with your letters, thanks!