Lovely essay, Tom. I’ve long been interested at how “talking about the weather” got a bad rap. In addition to the small-talk scenario you describe so well, weather is important in its own right! One has to be pretty insulated with umbrellas and thermostats and polar fleece to look down on weather talk and think there is something more pressing and abstract to put in its place.
St. Ives itself is a very special place where the quality of light is greater than normal because of its geographical position, hence why it attracts many artists. I also noticed that the sky generally tends to be a much deeper blue in Cornwall than where I live now in Kent - a beautiful background for those passing clouds.
Ah yes, I remember the days of bemoaning small talk. Now it’s what I look forward to most when I log on to my Zoom meetings at work. Great observations
“ How foolish I was to not see the paradox that the extraordinary parts of life are to only be found in the depths of the ordinary”. Brilliant observation.
Such a great post! My husband and I make time for 'cloud safaris' - at least one of us is always checking out the clouds wherever we're going, and if we get the chance, we stop and linger for a proper look. A few minutes spent looking at the sky never represent time wasted! 🌥️
Lovely essay, Tom. I’ve long been interested at how “talking about the weather” got a bad rap. In addition to the small-talk scenario you describe so well, weather is important in its own right! One has to be pretty insulated with umbrellas and thermostats and polar fleece to look down on weather talk and think there is something more pressing and abstract to put in its place.
Reminded me of this subscription that Hugh Dennis enjoys, for example: https://cloudappreciationsociety.org
The issue is, of course, that with this subscription you'd still be looking at a screen, but perhaps is the cloud-methadone for cubicle-dwellers.
St. Ives itself is a very special place where the quality of light is greater than normal because of its geographical position, hence why it attracts many artists. I also noticed that the sky generally tends to be a much deeper blue in Cornwall than where I live now in Kent - a beautiful background for those passing clouds.
Ah yes, I remember the days of bemoaning small talk. Now it’s what I look forward to most when I log on to my Zoom meetings at work. Great observations
“ How foolish I was to not see the paradox that the extraordinary parts of life are to only be found in the depths of the ordinary”. Brilliant observation.
Nice transition from small talk to what could be called "small seeing", regarding the world without specific intent.
I would try and coin a phrase for these kinds of non-instrumental, a-productive activities, but...that would kind of miss the point, wouldn’t it?
Such a great post! My husband and I make time for 'cloud safaris' - at least one of us is always checking out the clouds wherever we're going, and if we get the chance, we stop and linger for a proper look. A few minutes spent looking at the sky never represent time wasted! 🌥️