‘the Word became flesh’ and walked the earth…
Walking, respond physically to ancient ground beneath our feet…
From my head to my fleshly heart…
Gratefully “Like a craftsman, planing wood, to the glory of God…”
Each step like a candle burning in the night…
Sharing grace… sharing gratitude…
Learning to walk again, easier than you might think…
Love came down at Christmas…?
I try and keep cycling posts to a minimum, ‘cos riding a bike is just a way of getting from a to b and should be normal but…
A friend of mine asks… How many drivers pass too close to people on pedal cycles?
I do not use major city roads so am not ideally placed to comment but in my subjective experience about 1 in 5 do pass too close when passing people on bikes. 1 in 10 pass very dangerously close. I film all the 7miles x 2 commutes I do ever weekday – I’ll check when I have time! But 1 in 10 is too many! Fine for fit, strong, attentive ‘cyclists’ but for the average person in the street that could pop to the shops on their bike, the traffic is not acceptable. Forget getting the kids cycling!
Some academic research is interesting if you’re that way inclined.
When you are on a bike and are experiencing dangerous driving, occasionally it takes superhuman discipline to not get very angry!
I agree with the below, on any ride into town:
It takes significant concerted tolerance, concentration, and both physical and mental strength to stay safe cycling regularly on Britain’s roads.
That’s why I believe separating hard-fast motor vehicles from mortal vulnerable people on bikes is what’s needed if the healthier* option of cycling is to be encouraged.
One might ask… Why do we not care about other people’s wellbeing? Why do we only think of ourselves? Why is illusory personal gain so celebrated?
Yes there are laws and new ones can be created or perhaps existing laws might be actually enforced. There will always be bullies, there will always be the uneducated, there will always be ignorance – we need laws and education to help with this. But also we will always be ‘people’. We are faulty, but we can aim to be healthier people.
On our roads, all I ask is for a little consideration…
All I ask is for a little consideration, but perhaps I ask for too much.
*healthier: much has been written on the benefits of increased cycle use, on personal, community & economic levels – google it – cycling is good….
OK we all do the calendar thing – well those with kids in the house probably do.
But what can ‘Advent’ do for us? …and I don’t mean the Religious, candley, purpley rituals – although they have their uses.
Waiting at the lights, waiting in line in Alidil, waiting… I have to admit it, I am working on it but, I am not very good at really waiting… finding extra patience and tolerance… and over the coming month it’s likely that we’ll be waiting in a Christmas-infested queue, a seasonally longer queue at the pumps or tills, or just waiting for it all to be over!
The period Advent is about waiting… from Latin adventus, arrival. Waiting for the arrival of something…
Entertaining the experience of waiting for something. Finding a chance to slow, stop, and consider our place, can be a gift! Stop all the clocks…
Perhaps we might use the experience of waiting this December as an Advent reminder.
Back in the day, the Jews were waiting for a Messiah.
What are you waiting for?
PS: Have you eaten all of the chocolates behind the doors? …and it’s not started yet!!
On a 45 year-old’s bday, one might receive a ‘baking stone’ and a home baking book of recipes… and lo it came to pass…
Those who know me know that the girls often have a home made pizza on a saturday, the dough bashing and proving is therapeutic and I recommend it.
Now our pizzas are stonebaked! and it worked really well, no more soggy botts, but crispy! Thanks inlaws!
I also find bread making therapeutic, better than kicking the dog.
And the first recipe from my gift of Gino D’Acampo’s ‘Italian Home Baking’, has been:
Filone All’Arribbiata (Spicy Loaf with Chilli and Paprika).
But my version, using ‘erps and spice brought back from Italy by the folks (‘cos I’m all out of paprika).
Everything and anything, the whole wide world, at the touch of a button! brillyunt!?
I recently saw a post about a small church (remember them?) in north London. The local library(remember them?) and community centre was threatened by budget cuts and the church was discussing plans to offer space for a new library in their new church development.
Like many small towns, the population there is growing and more facilities, are needed – not fewer. As might be expected, the church is looking to increase its “community involvement”. Community Centres, Libraries, Churches, Health Centres and the like, are vital places where people have traditionally found information, help, succour and strength. These places have in the past been vital assets for community integration and interaction.
All that happy-clapping, rainbow guitar straps, hearty singing, and WWYD stickers etc came later. I’m told that originally “churches” (or synagogues in bible daze) were central places in communities where families (remember them?) might help each other, where widows, orphans, strangers etc might be ‘looked out for’. The church would administer and manage support and help for those in need. Over the last 100 years the government took over looking after the community’s heath, education, and wellbeing. What was the church to do? Sing another hymn? Also note that back in the day, “families” were not the 2 adults & 2.4 children of today (or even the growing 1 & 1.2 of contemporary life) – The fully functioning “family” was the grandparents, parents, bob’s ur uncle, aunties, brothers, sisters etc.
But now, you can get everything and anything at the touch of a button?
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” King James Bible. or “What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you?” The Message Mark 8:36
Yes we can and do get ‘loads of stuff’ all online… or you can get everything at the uber-store… indeed you must get everything… ‘cos “every little helps” and “mum’s gone there”…
However it might be my age, and yes the Aldile’s do have some great deals but…
If I want a quality, value for money, bit of beef (and a chat) I go to the butchers…
If I want quality, value for money, fruit & veg (and a chat) I go to the green grocers…
If I want to browse for quality (and value for money!?) brain fodder (and a chat) I might go to the library…
If I want quality beer and nuts (and more importantly a chat) one might go to the pub…
If I want quality insight and support of well-being (and more importantly a chat) one might go to a church…
Real people, real places, and real life!?
March 2017 – again the BBC called me asking about my experiences of ‘riding a bike’ in and around Leicester … Read more here from March 2017: People on bikes again
August 2016 Again, BBC Radio Leicester called me “Do you think Leicester’s a model cycle city… yet?” #CycleCity Leicester
May 2016 Again, BBC Radio Leicester called me “What do you think about proposals for more cycle lanes…” #CycleCity Leicester?
October 2015 BBC Radio Leicester called me “What do you think about proposals for more cycle lanes…” and stuff…
Jan 2014 I was asked by the BBC “What do you think about cycling on pavements…” and stuff…
Nov 2013 I was asked by the BBC “Did I think cycle infrastructure was a good idea?”
Riding a bike:
Where it’s available, I always use segregated cycle ways – vehicles and bikes don’t mix.
It took a year of cycle commuting to realise this.
With political will it is possible to separate people on bikes and people driving motor vehicles fully where speeds and volumes of traffic are not safe to share. “Safe to share” requires less than 20mph (measured not the limit) and less than 2,000 PCU (passenger car units) per day. See http://rachelaldred.org/writing/20mph-2000pcu-using-it-for-local-campaigning/
Where sharing is needed, people on bikes need protection;
Onwards!
And so the kids went off to the Space Centre to play Syston Messy Church, thanks to Anne, Paul, Katie, Dave, Jane and clan – don’t think they knew what they let themselves in for!?
And the dog took us for a walk ‘up Bradgate’, as they used to say in Leicester – now we’re all multicultural I’m not sure what they say at the mo.
Sunday morning messing came up with this – it’s far from perfect but gives a certain satisfaction:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58480027@N02/10642613215/
Those of you that know the wonders of Photoshop will know it’s easier than it looks. and bit of layering, cloning and bish bash bosh.
Here’s the Panasonic’s originals:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58480027@N02/10642615275/
And to give it it’s due, the HTC’s auto-panorama produced this:
500g packs of ‘Shredded Wheat’ from the major supermarkets:
ASDA and Tesco £2
Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Ocado £2.49
and then there’s…
Aldi’s ‘Harvest Morn Wheat Shreds‘ for £1.29
The Nutritional Info is the same for Shreds and Bitesize.
Prices shown are guide prices only – referenced from mysupermarket.co.uk.
I do not assume liability to anyone for loss or damage resulting from errors or omission in respect of information presented.
I have a curious interest/attraction to fungi… and this autumn has seen more that it’s fair share.
A recent trip to South Devon saw an abundance of the stuff.
Jules P Richards 