Dear friends, my last post was a bit of an outpouring https://msmuddles.blogspot.com/2025/08/changes.html. It needed to be said, ‘cause bottling it up isn’t healthy, but I wanted to end the year on a more positive note.
In amongst seismic shifts there have been highlights to the year. A few holidays, some of them at exactly the right time, and some new endeavours.
Of the topic of new ends one of the most fun was taking part in my friend’s ghost story podcast. My first involvement in it included writing something, which was a great new challenge, as its not a genre I usually focus on. I wrote a short story, got some brutal but necessary feedback from my other half, who pointed out the glaring, clunky cliches, honed the story, read it out on my writing class, edited it again and eventually got to read it aloud.
Once I’d got over the shock of hearing my own voice – nasal and strangely immature, and witnessing my hammy acting, I acknowledged that I absolutely loved the experience and it was so nice to do something completely different. I had always wanted to act https://msmuddles.blogspot.com/2025/05/tuesday-club.html and I finally got my chance after all these years.
Here it is, in all its glory: https://theruepapers.podbean.com/e/s2-ep7-thats-not-my-story/
The other new thing I did was attend a poetry open mic night. [picture?] I didn’t actually read anything myself and was primarily going to support a friend, but it was lovely to be in such a supportive environment. The compere made sure that we clapped and cheered everyone on – cos it’s bloody brave to read your stuff aloud to a room full of strangers, and I’m going to force myself to get up there next time we go.
I haven’t tried white water rafting or anything like that. I did clamber up and down some rocks at a waterfall in Devon and my legs nearly seized up with fear. As my family skipped on ahead like mountain goats, I made my ungainly way along, swearing under my breath, gripped with a self-consciousness and self-loathing I hadn’t experienced since childhood P.E classes. [picture?] Why am I including this? You know that "sometimes it's great to do things you are afraid of" inspirational quote, sometimes it's great to acknowledge your limitations and sit in the café with a cup of tea while everyone else goes full Steve Backshall.
 |
| A waterfall - possibly not the one in Devon |
We were staying in a luxurious looking holiday house (definitely more style than substance, it had the most uncomfortable sofas I’d ever sat on – like someone had fashioned the shape of a couch out of bricks and covered them with velvet). There was a bath in our bedroom and I decided to try and ease my aching knees after our hike by sinking into a hot tub. The hot water ran out halfway through running it and I was left with lukewarm water, reminiscent of my childhood again, where there was never enough hot water to take a bath in the evening.
 |
| I never want to see another boulder |
 |
| Style over substance, my friends |
Still, we were very lucky to be able to go on holiday, I do appreciate that. I can’t count the vicarious stress I experienced from driving down those twisty, narrow lanes as post traumatic stress or anything…(even though I may try).
Ooh and I went to a proper gig for the first time in years – The Smashing Pumpkins and Skunk Anansie
I enjoyed dancing to Skunk Anansie and I was in my element, sitting at the back of a field, eating a burrito while the music washed over me.
So there you are. They say that one of the ingredients for contentment is to count your blessings, and this is me counting mine. If you are reading this then thank you for reading and I hope you have blessings to count (I’m not even going to apologise for that sounding wanky). I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year and, if you hate the festive period, or are struggling with some difficult things, then I hope it goes quickly for you and that you find some solace somewhere.
Big love xxx
