Greetings!
Sorry this is a bit later than usual, but I decided to be kind to myself. Let me explain. A few days ago I had a wisdom tooth taken out, so I’m having to endure about a week of discomfort, by which I mean varying degrees of pain. Yesterday we had a hard day, going to see relatives who came over from over the sea and far away. We thought perhaps if we left here at 10 am, and arrived at their hotel at 11 am, we’d get away by around 1pm or 2pm. Well, we were chatting away, having a lovely time, and didn’t get away until 5, so we spent six hours in company, which for introverts is about five and a half hours too long, and left us knackered.
As it was a lovely day, and stuff needed doing in the garden, and as I’m trying to get fresh air and sunshine to assist with the healing process, I deferred this missive until now, when it’s supposed to be raining.
I trust you will understand.
As it happens, our presence was required. We saved a baby spider and several worms, and fed our tame and very hungry-looking fox:
But enough of this persiflage! On with the newsletter.
Terry
Inside Freedman Towers
Me: I’m thinking of putting a basketball net in the garden.
Elaine: Why? (Suspiciously)
Me: I was thinking of using Mocha instead of a ball. She’s so rotund that it’s hard to tell the difference.
Elaine: Yes, I thought you meant that.
Mobile crane
During our peregrinations yesterday I saw the words “mobile crane” emblazoned on the side of a crane. I’d always assumed that all cranes were mobile, otherwise how do they get to places where a crane is needed? I mean, they don’t build them in situ, do they? Do they? 🤔
My April Fool’s joke
When, last Monday, I announced that we’d built a replica of the Oval Office in Freedman Towers, I was not being entirely truthful.
Yes, that is me, but the Oval Office was a mock up at the London Book Fair a few years ago.
Culinary Sculpures
I hope you like my re-creation of ancient standing stones using chocolate comestibles:
Works in progress include Sconehenge, the Leaning Tower of Pizza and the Offal Tower.
A puzzle: the solution
Last week I asked readers what they thought was special about this, my latest work (apart from the fact that it has no literary merit whatsoever):
I am now able, ready, almost willing. Moreover, hereafter, adventures -- exhilarating!
The solution is given towards the end of this newsletter, but have a go before you peek. The only person to get it so far is
. Well done, Beth!Videos
Here are some video you might like. First, Simon’s cat, which is incredibly true to life. At least one of these events happens every day in Freedman Towers, and the quantity of food they consume has to be seen to be believed.
After that mayhem, I thought you might like to relax with some Thomas Tallis.
Articles you may have missed
Behind the time loop experiment, in which I discuss time loops, time travel paradoxes and parallel worlds, and give a preview of a forthcoming ‘experiment in style’. These deep dive posts are usually for paying subscribers only, but this one is open to all.
No, I don’t wear saffron robes, in which I talk about my Transcendental Meditation journey.
You may have noticed that on Sunday I didn’t post another ‘experiment in style’. I’ve decided to experiment with a different schedule, in the interests of not driving my readers or myself mad. I’ve usually been publishing an ‘experiment’ every Sunday, more or less, with a premium post about it (or a different topic) the following Friday. However I’m going to try publishing an experiment on Sunday, and the deep dive the following Sunday, then another experiment, and so on. So the experiments will be every other week and the deep dives will be in the alternate weeks.
Other people’s articles
gives an insightful account of how writers can use AI ‘legitimately’. AI denial? Get over yourself. provides an informative and entertatining look at the beefeaters and ravens at the Tower of London in London Diaries: Holy Cow! That’s a Beefeater. announces some great-looking opportunities for writers in The Write to Know, Issue 7. But my favourite part is the cellist’s quote. has written a moving and compassionate piece about a man called William in "Hello, William!?".Puzzle solution
˙llɐqʍous ɐ sɐ uʍouʞ ǝnbᴉuɥɔǝʇ odᴉlnO uɐ sᴉ sᴉɥ┴ ˙pɹoʍ snoᴉʌǝɹd ǝɥʇ uɐɥʇ ɹǝʇʇǝl ǝɹoɯ ǝuo suᴉɐʇuoɔ pɹoʍ ɥɔɐƎ
I hope you enjoyed reading this. Please share, comment, subscribe or upgrade. A paid subscription helps a lot, because it means I can spend more time on Substack newsletters than on other outlets. I know these articles seem effortless, but they do take time for planning and research, and writing. Thanks for considering it!
PS I forgot to mention,m despite having it on my outline, that it's my turn to reply to Rebecca Holden's letter: https://rebeccaholden.substack.com/p/138-a-letter-to-terry-reply-24-07 <snigger>
Oh wow, go Beth on working that out. I was focussing far too much on the specific words rather than looking for some other pattern. Excellent. Also, enjoyed having to rotate my laptop 180 to be able to read that answer.
Cute fox!