Snail Brain as Summer Shines

Has my brain slowed to snail pace?

White clouds hang in the sky as I explore a new little bay

Hello there!

I’m pleased to say that the last few days have been a perfect tonic for my slightly over-stimulated self and my brain now feels a bit like mush.* In light of that, I’ll be showcasing some photos I’ve taken in the past week rather than writing much.

Summer days are long and glorious here, with the darkness of winter only a distant memory. Everything blooms with a vigour that still takes my breath away.

A blooming summer gallery

My extended time off ends tomorrow when I return to work at the visitor centre. I wasn’t expecting to have 12 days off; some shifting of my work schedule allowed it, and the molasses feeling I have now in my body probably indicates I needed it.

Nearly midnight at the eastern harbour in Mariehamn

The weather has been glorious! Sun and warmth have meant we can swim, have a sauna, and enjoy being outside. We’ve had lovely friends visit us - a return visit, no less! - and the few days we spent with them, being tourists in our own town, was refreshing. Let’s hope they’ll return again next year.

Pommern, the four-masted barque.

Today’s wind and rain are a nice change. I’ve been listening to the wind in the trees and enjoying the scent of the rain on the warm earth, as

Kathryn A. LeRoy

so eloquently suggests we do in her latest post.

I’m reading a book: Orfeia by Joanne M Harris. I borrowed it from the library and had to extend my loan because I hadn’t opened it. Now that I have, I’m enjoying the ‘other-world’ imagery of this modern-day fairy tale, complete with illustrations by Bonnie Helen Hawkins. My reading has slowed down this year as I focus on other things—new challenges, new ventures, new ways of being and seeing the world and my place in it.

A superb sunset: taken at 11 pm

I commented on my Instagram that my brain had gone a bit doolally (I love this word!). My synapses were sparking over time, my thoughts flitting from one thing to another - it’s something I’ve observed happens if I’m over-engaging on social media or reading too many short snippets. Combined with a few nights of terrible sleep (thank you, menopause!), I was feeling a bit frazzled. Perhaps the current state of my mush-like brain is a result of this? Over-stimulated by the constant stream of content.

Walks in the countryside, sitting by the water, reading a book, listening to the wind, sweating in the sauna, sliding into the cool water, and sitting beside my husband, enjoying his company, have all been what I’ve needed to soothe the frazzled-feeling.

I hope you are feeling soothed, wherever you are in the world. Let me know what helps keep you calm in this content-laden world we live in now - I’d love to hear from you 💖

Stay well,

Lisa x

View from our sauna window - it never gets old!

*a shout out to snails who perhaps may not have the largest brain capacity but they are amazing in their slimy ability to build their own houses and generally slide around the place. 🐌