The still of the morning is magical isn’t it? What is it about that tiny pocket of time as the light spreads that makes it seem like anything is possible?
Sunday Glimmers is my little round up of things that have brought joy, provoked some thought or something else lovely. It’s usually a post for members - but for the second time I’m lifting the paywall on it because I want to connect with everyone here after a little time away.
It’s been an undulating week as ever, in which I have mostly immersed myself in writing the screenplay I’ve been plugging away at for a while now (around mumming and working and all the acrobatics that entails, obviously). It’s a 90 minute or so coming of age film, of sorts and the writing of it has been a top glimmer for me this week.
When the writing feels good
When I was a young teenager I wrote a (terrible of course) short novel, ripping off the style of Judy Blume. It was basic but I loved writing it. I could see it all so clearly and it fell out. I wrote it by hand, furiously, in dozens of school exercise books. I’d think about it all day in class, then rush home to write a chapter. After that, I’d get on a bus to my best friend’s house and read her the latest installment.
Just like all those years ago, this week the writing has felt good. So many of us here will be writers and I know you will share my joy in this. I’ve rushed to get back to it at every given opportunity, knowing where my characters are going and looking forward to getting specific scenes drafted. The momentum has been exciting and I haven’t felt quite like this about writing since those teenage days of scribbling with abandon and not being caught up in the what ifs and self doubt. I’m so near to finishing now so I hope this feeling sticks around to push me over the line.
Bike rides
I’ve got more to say on this, so there’s a post developing but getting out on my bike this week has been a highlight. It’s the simplest thing and of course it’s something lots of us do - but if you’ve got a bicycle idling and you haven’t bothered for a while - go. Get on a path you can cycle as if you were simply meandering on foot and be in the moment of the wind rushing at you (and likely rain right now, especially in the UK). Find a hill, do the work then feel the stomach flipping joy on the way down. Ride your bike the way you rode it as a kid. Don’t ride it like you’re 27, 36, 44, 58…..whatever you are - ride it like you’re 8-years-old with no fear.
A phone call - that you actually really want
A while back I wrote a love letter to the voice note so you’ll know I’m not the biggest fan of the phone actually ringing.
But, when it rings and the name or place that flashes up fills you with a feeling of hope or happiness - that’s when phone calls do their job good.
Even when the timing is bad - you’ll answer that call because the message it will bring could be about to change your day…week, month…..(or even your year…sorry couldn’t not).
I got one of these calls this week and even though I wasn’t in the best place to take it it turned my day around. There was hope and joy in it…..and the hope lingers…I’ll leave it there for now.
Podcasts and people
This week, tootling along canal paths on my bike I listened to Greg Davies on the Desert Island Discs podcast. It was a tonic (I think using that phrase affirms I’m getting old - who says that?).
Greg’s story is inspirational and I love hearing about how he went after his dream of being a comic a bit later in life. He’s got so much insight on what it is to live and be human. He’s honest and gritty but with warmth and his story telling talent is his biggest charm.
One of his tracks in one of my all time favourites - Glen Campbell’s Wichita Lineman. Listen to the episode for the story he tells about taking his dad to see Glen Campbell.
Also this week I was surprised to be captivated by an interview with author and broadcaster Danny Wallace. Don’t know who he is? I sort of did but had very little knowledge or interest. But I gave his episode on James O’Brien’s Full Disclosure a go and I was hooked.
There’s something about Danny Wallace that draws you in. He’s a gentle page turner of a man as he softly describes his work - something in which he seems to have the confidence to just do, without worrying too much whether anyone will care or it it’ll sell. And that is the essence of creating proper stuff, isn’t it?
He’s written a book about how he accidentally started a cult, one about saying yes to everything (made into a film with Jim Carey) and now he’s looking into conspiracy theories and he weaves some great stories here about the people he’s met along the way.
Mostly, I just loved listening to a man who seemed so at ease with who he is - oh and who really loved his parents. The way he spoke of them and how they parented him, was a real clue to how he’s become who he is- there was a lesson in that, for me on parenting, for sure.
Being in the right mood
Say what? I know, an odd one but you’ll know what I mean….
To get stuff out of life, in certain scenarios you have to be in the right mood don’t you? And you can’t always choose that mood. I mean, I do think you can give your head a wobble and work on getting yourself out of certain funks, but not always.
So, now and then - let’s just say there’s a place I have to go with a person who can be a bit tiresome. I really want to be honest - but honesty has to has to have limits for the sake of people’s feelings so I’ll just say that.
But often I don’t want to go. And then I’m grouchy and the whole thing is painful and I come home resentful and anxious.
But this time, I was actually in the mood! I felt positive about going along and I knew it was because there’d been a good bit of space since the last time.
I’d said no for so long that I was ready to say yes.
I know this is a little cryptic but the message in it is this - if you don’t want to do something/go somewhere/hang out with someone - don’t. Because the glimmer is that when you actually do - and you say yes for you and not just to make others happy - you get so much more out of it. And that’s not selfish, that’s good for everyone, all round.
Sparkling Substackers
This week Substack has been full of love and brilliant writing as ever.
I want to shout out this gorgeous piece on giving no f*cks by
There is so much here on life. On giving a f*ck. On the lingering words of people who pass through our lives. On anxiety. And learning to look it in the eye.
I loved
’s ‘Y’all like crabs?’ this week too - there was something sweet in it, that I actually wasn’t expecting at the beginning.And this by
is the glimmery stuff I come to Substack for. An easy, life-affirming reminder about the things we need more of in life. Cowbell….we all need more cowbell.Enjoy the day…I’m off to ride my bike like I’m an 8-year-old BMX champion.
P
x
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Penny,
Thank you for reminding me of a great song. You wrote, ..."One of his tracks in one of my all time favourites - Glen Campbell’s Wichita Lineman." I then had to look that song up to learn to play it on my guitar. There are some tricky cords so it will take a while. Great lyrics - “And I need you more than want you / and I want you for all time.”
Joel
Thanks for the mention, and happy biking!!