I am halfway through reading The Fellowship of the Ring. There is something rather perfect about reading of the Shire, elven meals under the stars, rivers and woods, at this time of year. Not only that, but it feels like we need stories like this more than ever. (That is, tales of overcoming and hope in the face of darkness.)

We can relate, also, to characters who seem small and feel small but are able to do big, beautiful things. I pray for a bigger, bolder heart to face the dark things in my life and the world.

Another story with such characters is The House in the Cerulean Sea, by T J Klune, which I have just finished listening to on audiobook. It follows the story of Linus Baker, a meticulous but rather underconfident case worker, who visits ‘homes for magical youth’. He is sent to inspect a particularly unusual one, and the children and adults he meets there change his life. I found this refreshing, funny and heartwarming, and was very invested in the characters and their story.

I have had a lot of time at home this week, so small things have meant a lot to me: cutting herbs, drinking tea, the beautiful morning frosts…

I walked by the river, taking in the birds and the autumn colours. We watched herons, geese and kestrels. They reminded me of Mary Oliver’s Wild Geese. This week, I also liked this poem, in a (sort of) similar vein, by Alex Dawson, and this one, by Rae Mcminn.

This week, struggling as I was with burnout from my own life, I felt particularly small in the face of the global news, which rumbles on, by turns sad, shocking and sometimes sickening. A post that encouraged me was this, by John Roedel.

Community and connection, both online and in person, feels so important right now. I have felt so encouraged, this week, by people who have taken time to read and comment on my Substack posts. Similarly, check-ins from friends, quick visits and small get-togethers have kept me going through the week. This weekend, we sat with friends in a driftwood shack on the beach, sharing hot chocolate and cinnamon buns, and just keeping each other company.

At times like this, it is so important to laugh and play, too. (Did you see Miranda Hart talking about this on The Traitors?) We were tired this weekend but we did make a tyre swing for the kids, and a hilarious moment ensued when I found myself stuck in the thing. I also came across this jolly Substack publication, which made me chuckle and was a great spirit-lifter.

What are your small things this week?