R's rue

 The problem with always being busy is that sometimes when you stop, you can come down, just a little,  with a bump.  I was feeling like that this evening, feeling I wanted to do something but at the same time feeling tired and sore  Then the above photo was sent to me . It was from Hattie . Of her daughter Freya  with the toy of  Mary I had given her when she was born    It’s made my day. from Going Gently https://ift.tt/chntLS4

I haven't been on holiday for a while so this afternoon I took a flight to The States courtesy of Google Streetview Airways. I decided to visit the very centre of the forty eight contiguous states which took me to a small town called Lebanon in the northwest of Kansas. Just north of the town you find the stone monument shown in the top picture. It marks the very heart of America. Lebanon's population has been dropping every decade from 822 in 1920 down to 178 in 2020. This reflects the progress of agricultural methods that require less human labour than ever before. Lebanon knows poverty well for 22% of the population live below the official poverty line. Methodist Church in Lebanon Google Streetview allowed me to cruise around the town. It appears very spacious as many towns do in Middle America. Even poor people live in detached homes, some distance from their neighbours. Very different from Europe where there are generally far more people in every square mile. In Smit...

 Saturday’s questions What is your favorite vacation? Domestic and international What is your latest order? What is your latest find? Favorite charity? Favorite authors? My answers Newport RI and Assisi Italy Groceries Weetabix. I’m hooked World Central Kitchen and Nova Ukraine Jennifer Loy and Jenny Proctor Your turn from R's rue https://ift.tt/zfA9ye8

 This morning I helped with a new Community project. On a small plot of land on the east boundary of the village a small orchard of fruit trees have been planted. Apple, cherry, pear and plum trees, ten of them all told have been planted and staked this morning, the fruit from which can be utilised by any of the village population . It’s a lovely idea. But I must admit Laurie ( from Well street) and I were effing knackered by the end of it. from Going Gently https://ift.tt/xY7PdHQ