Bad back, Social media and Latest jumper
Ren Cuming
Goodness... I'm walking like I'm over a hundred and closely resemble a mobile coffee table! No idea, how or why, but my back decided to give up on Monday and that was that as they say. As our old doctor told me once, no one wants the prescription that the Dr wants to give them for recovery, time. How true those words have proved over the years. I am trying to be patient, because it will get better, I will get back up the steep stairs to my shed loft workshop, and sewing will reconvene before I know it :)
In the meantime... I am shuffling around the house / or doing small stretches of crochet on the new jumper, based on the popular traditional hexagon jumper where everything is worked from the underarm. I haven't made one for years. Im using all the loveliest tweedy woodland colours I could find. Its going to be a beauty! This is alongside the blueberries Tilda. I like having a few on the go at a time.
On the footwear front - Soling a big batch of boots is in progress so its going to be about 2 maybe 3 weeks till I can pop those in the shop. Incredibly excited to see those lasted, polished and be-ribboned.
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Why the newsletter and not instagram? Simply because I am struggling to find even an ounce of joy in using social media anymore. In fact I find it increasingly alarming at how it is shaping and influencing society. I know we get fed all this endless twaddle about how vital social media engagement is for visibility and small businesses in general, but goodness me, at what price?! And more pertinently, does it really matter or even help? I question if it gives as much as it takes. I can answer that for myself, if I am honest, it takes far more than it gives.
I have a busy life, I make things and do literally everything for Fairysteps, I help run another business which, again keeps me busy, I have a husband with an endless appetite (he works hard here and grafting needs fuelling, being a farmers boy basically means he is a stomach on legs 😂), I cook everything from scratch which I love, I have 3 children, grown up now but still very much part of my days, and I recently was lucky enough to become a grandmother, hopefully the first of many many more. So my dears, I ask you, where on earth does instagram and facebook fit in 😂
Plus, on Top of All This there's all the jabberings about 'algorithms'... do my social media posts even reach anyone? I probably have as much luck of a new purse being seen by a customer / follower, as going down the woods and burying it on the off chance that someone may dig it up.
Wasn't that a deliciously rebellious little speech. I bet I'm not alone though! I reckon if many of you asked the same question of yourselves you would reach the same conclusion - social media takes away time and energy you probably never really had. Despite nearly Every Single account on instagram telling you that you do in fact have time, you're just not organised, or your house is cluttered, or painted the wrong colour, and your tops tucked into your skirt wrongly... and on and on.
I don't blame the internet, its a wonderful tool and I am so grateful for it, life changing for small rural businesses like mine. I wonder, what do feel about social media? Do leave a comment if you fancy having a rant.
In other news - drought here, usual nonsense, spring drying up, trees dying, grass like walking on cornflakes and soil has turned to cocoa powder. No rain forecast alas, fingers crossed we will get a good drop soon. Sadly my plum crop has given up and decided to either drop the fruit or ripen as teeny plums which are all stone. Thank goodness I removed so many branches from all the trees a few months back. I reckon I took over 500 plums off of one Victoria in particular, if I hadnt I think I would have lost her for certain.
Well, thats all my dears, on we go, Ren x
2 comments
I agree with you about social media, Ren. I use it in a very limited way, but I’ve seen how it draws people into its web, with negative effects. And don’t get me started about AI, which is where a discussion like this can easily lead. I fear for our ability to think critically. And then there’s climate change, which is, most definitely, a thing. It saddens me to think of your glorious English woodland so parched. We’re parched here, too.
I’m sorry about your back – I know what you’re going through! This too shall pass, eventually. But congratulations on the new addition to your family! That’s a bright spot, for sure. And finally, I have a friend who goes through the same thing every year with his plum trees. No one seems to have a solution.
But we’re still alive and kicking! I look forward to seeing your latest creations when they are ready. Your work makes the world a more beautiful place. :)
P.S. I like the blog. Hope my comments aren’t too long. In my head they were a lot longer!
Congratulations on becoming a Nanna,,it was one of my most happiest of times. Take care of your back and be kind to yourself.Bye for now 🌸xXx🌸