Author: Judith Russenberger

Environmentalist and theologian, with husband and three grown up children plus one cat, living in London SW14. I enjoy running and drinking coffee - ideally with a friend or a book.

Count Down

 Action 63: Make some quince jelly. You can make this with fruit from a japonica bush. These ‘quinces’ are ready to  pick when they beginning to turn yellow. Cut them in quarters with a string knife. Cover with water and boil until soft. Strain through a muslin cloth or ‘jelly bag’. For every 600ml of liquid, add 450g sugar. Bring to the boil and boil until the setting point is reached – 105C. If you don’t have a sugar thermometer, use a wooden spoon: stir the jelly, then hold the spoon curved side up and count to 20. Tip the spoon and if the liquid coagulates as it drips, it is at setting point. Pour the jelly into sterilised jars. It should be lovely pinky orange colour.

Falling in love 24

Sea view, north Brittany coast

Peeping through the trees and bushes, the view of sand and sea and a further promontory suggests adventure, but maybe also suggest time to play, relax and unwind enjoying the novelty or newness that sand and sea offer to those of us who live inland. 

The world around us is full of curious, beautiful and amazing things. As small children our curiosity and our amazement knew no bounds. Every day would produce novelties- things to see, things to chew or eat, things to grab and hold, things to poke and explore. 

As we have grow older we have often lost that sense of wonder. Things that were new have become mundane. In the rush to be busy, small things flop below the radar. Decorum dictates that we shouldn’t prod or lick things and, unless we’re wine tasters, swirling stuff around our mouth and spitting are frowned upon. Stopping suddenly just to look is discouraged – it interrupts the flow of traffic. Daily routines take over. 

And our love for the world wains and falters. 

The season of creation-tide runs from 1st September till 4th October, the Feast of St Francis. Let’s fall in love again with creation. 

Falling in love 23

Wengwald, Switzerland 

Fresh thick snow blankets the ground and weighs down the branches with heavy white lace. 

It is fascinating how this coating in white transform the view. Uneven surfaces are levelled off, empty spaces filled, sharp edges smoothed. Sounds are muffled yet hearing becomes more acute. What was grey and winter-worn, becomes a magical world – a world of new possibilities.

The world around us is full of curious, beautiful and amazing things. As small children our curiosity and our amazement knew no bounds. Every day would produce novelties- things to see, things to chew or eat, things to grab and hold, things to poke and explore. 

As we have grow older we have often lost that sense of wonder. Things that were new have become mundane. In the rush to be busy, small things flop below the radar. Decorum dictates that we shouldn’t prod or lick things and, unless we’re wine tasters, swirling stuff around our mouth and spitting are frowned upon. Stopping suddenly just to look is discouraged – it interrupts the flow of traffic. Daily routines take over. 

And our love for the world wains and falters. 

The season of creation-tide runs from 1st September till 4th October, the Feast of St Francis. Let’s fall in love again with creation. 

Running Prayer

 

Running, step by step

Mile after mile.

Left, right, left, right.

Leg forwards and pull back.

Breathe.

Running, step by step

Mile after mile.

Under trees, across the grass, 

along a track, follow the path.

Breathe.

Running, step by step

Mile after mile.

Frees the mind to engage with God.

God in this space sharing my thoughts.

Breathe.

Running, step by step

Mile after mile.

Green, the glory of God,

grandeur of trees, panoply of sky.

Breathe.

Running, step by step

Mile after mile.

A rosary of prayers for those I love, 

for those on my heart.

Breathe.

Running, step by step

Mile after mile.

Baring my soul, God may your will be done –

this world: its plight, our mistakes.

Breathe.

Running, step by step

Mile after mile.

Strained, worn down, 

stay firm, keep faith.

Breathe.

Stop. Rest.

Amen.

Falling in love 22

Tree ferns in a courtyard at the Royal Academy, London

With a bright sun overhead, the fronds of the tree fern appear as black silhouettes of intricate detail. 

The world around us is full of curious, beautiful and amazing things. As small children our curiosity and our amazement knew no bounds. Every day would produce novelties- things to see, things to chew or eat, things to grab and hold, things to poke and explore. 

As we have grow older we have often lost that sense of wonder. Things that were new have become mundane. In the rush to be busy, small things flop below the radar. Decorum dictates that we shouldn’t prod or lick things and, unless we’re wine tasters, swirling stuff around our mouth and spitting are frowned upon. Stopping suddenly just to look is discouraged – it interrupts the flow of traffic. Daily routines take over. 

And our love for the world wains and falters. 

The season of creation-tide runs from 1st September till 4th October, the Feast of St Francis. Let’s fall in love again with creation. 

Falling in Love 21

Nature provides its own patchwork. How many flowers can you identify here?

The world around us is full of curious, beautiful and amazing things. As small children our curiosity and our amazement knew no bounds. Every day would produce novelties- things to see, things to chew or eat, things to grab and hold, things to poke and explore. 

As we have grow older we have often lost that sense of wonder. Things that were new have become mundane. In the rush to be busy, small things flop below the radar. Decorum dictates that we shouldn’t prod or lick things and, unless we’re wine tasters, swirling stuff around our mouth and spitting are frowned upon. Stopping suddenly just to look is discouraged – it interrupts the flow of traffic. Daily routines take over. 

And our love for the world wains and falters. 

The season of creation-tide runs from 1st September till 4th October, the Feast of St Francis. Let’s fall in love again with creation. 

Stewardship of Things

‘A dog is for life, not just Christmas.’ A message created 40 years ago by the Dogs Trust and still valid today. The Trust encourages people to think carefully before buying a puppy, to thoroughly research the implications of being a dog owner, understanding the needs and demands a dog will make and assessing whether these are compatible with the family’s own lifestyle. And remembering that ability to,love and care for the dog needs to be there for the whole of its life span. 

Each year scientists calculate how much resources are being used globally and the rate at which those resources are being renewed. Are we using more resources than the planet can sustain or less? In 1987 the first recorded Earth Overshoot Day was 23rd October. This year (2021) it was 29th July. We are consuming way more resources than the earth can sustain. In such a world we need to give the same consideration when we buy and use things, as we do when we buy a new pet.

  • Only buy what you need and want. Don’t feel forced into buying something you won’t feel happy with.
  • Consider the life of the thing: will you use it to its full life span? If not, can you see an obvious way in which you could pass it on so that it can continue to be used? Books can readily be passed on to another reader, children’s clothes to another family.
  • Be willing to buy second hand/ pre-loved items.
  • Be willing to rent, borrow or share things. 
  • Research before you buy. Is the item ethically produced? Is it durable? Is it easy to repair? What is its carbon footprint? Can it be recycled when its life ends?
  • A well designed item may cost more: can you be a patron of good design and workmanship?
  • An item made with long lasting materials may cost more, but balanced out over its life time, it may be more economic too.
  • Extend the life of what you buy by ensuring you use it properly and keep it well maintained. Eg keep shoes clean and well polished. Regularly clean and service cycles. Don’t over wash woollen goods.
  • Repair things that break. Some things you will be able to repair yourself. Others may need to help of an expert. There is growing trend for repair cafes where even fiddly electronic items can be mended. 
  • Think about the end life of what you are buying. Can you recycle it once its life has come to an end? If not is there something else that is recyclable that you could buy instead?
  • Is what you are buying made for a sustainable or recycled material?
  • Single purpose items may be ideal, but might you get more value from something that serves  a multiple of purposes?
  • Can we repurpose things when their initial use has come to an end?
  • Do all gifts need to be things? Could you gift experiences or services instead? Do we always need to give things to show our love or thanks?