It is indeed so hard to stay positive when these high profile ones are demonstrating do as I say not as I do. But all we can do is keep chipping away doing things which may seem little but add up. On the ereader front - I've never had a kindle, my current one (only my second in nearly 20yrs) is a kobo. I'm sure Kobo (owned by Rakuten) aren't perfect but they are a lot better than kindle. I've never not found a book I want, you can borrow library books on them and bookshop.org is working with them too enable us to buy ebooks to benefit real bookshops.
Oh wow, that's really great, Kobo sounds far superior to kindle as I can't seem to get my library books on them, I think.... thanks for the recommendation. And I love bookshop.org
I second the Kobo recommendation. I never use Amazon for internet shopping - so it’s great to also keep my reading out of their grasp too.
An unexpected bonus of not having an Amazon account is that I don’t have to waste a moment’s concern when I get phone calls/texts telling me something is up with my Amazon account!
I share your struggle. My blog is primarily about living off the grid in Mexico, but because I am a human being and things bother me, my beliefs tend to bleed into the things I write. I am not sure I want to compartmentalize, though. If my views of anti-corporation, pro-environment,and pro-marginalized groups make someone want to unsubscribe, I would wager it wasn't someone I wanted in my community anyway. Too political? Too bad!
I'm saying all that to say: You do you, my dear. I for one will be sticking around because I do like what you write. Keep it up! And of course, keep writing about the house...I love reading about that too. 🙂
My last indulgence is Amazon prime - but it has to go. I only get books now- no kindle or audible.Don’t shop on the website at all any more, but I am yet to find an independent bookstore to sell my kids’ book instead of them and I’m desperate to !
Are you far from Orkney? It's defo worth a visit but we can never guarantee decent weather, it changes every 5 minutes, I walked through 3 rain storms i a 45 minute walk today.
Well done for resisting certain aspects of Amazon, it's so hard when they are a monopoly especially for selling books. As much as I try to avoid it (and others) my TV confession is Sky, we got rid of it last week after I have no idea how many years.
Aaah so not too far but still far enough. I'm from Kent, so we've done the Orkney-London route a few times already, it is a pain in the arse & expensive! Although still a fair old trek from Kinross if you decide to do it with a pit stop but you can fly from Ed / Dundee...
Thanks you Steve, or should I call you Old Codger Steve? Yes Orkney does get a bit on the windy side from time to time, like today and yesterday and probably tomorrow!
Just a thought as a feminist yourself. I did a old codger post on MYSOGYNY a while ago you might be interested in. Lovely Imelda May poem. My other stuff is for cancer community best avoided.
Thanks Steve, not sure I would avoid you because you talk about cancer, seems a good reason to read what you've written. Every single one of us will be/is impacted by cancer in one way or another. My dad had prostate cancer, my mum died of cancer and a few of my friends have had it - all on the other side now thankfully. I wish you well with your treatment
Steve is fine. Old Codger just a substack moniker. Loved the Orkneys must be a great place to live. We went there a number of years ago in the campervan. Love all the Scottish Islands ( Skye, Mull, Arran..Outer Hebrides.) loved cycling round the island best way to visit the archaeological sites as could dip in between the coach tours. Great to cycle with the wind behind not so into the wind although I'm a great wind draft for anyone behind. Other places in uk have nothing on orkneys archaeological sites.
Initially couldn't understand the size of the supermarket in Kirkwall, then saw the size of the cruise ships.
Must be a great peaceful place to live.
Myself love Scotlands mountains so tend to gravitate there. Visiting Killin, Loch Tay later this month on a Scottish tour . Interested and will follow your posts. Hope to visit again one day
Nowadays everyone uses an e-bike which makes battling the winds a lot easier. When my Dutch in-laws visited last year they hired bikes for the 3 weeks they were with us and loved exploring by bike.
I think we could do with a bigger supermarket tbh! It's always rammed. I'm on Hoy so it's super peaceful, especially as the cruisers don't make it out to us, or if they do it's just to the museum.
The highlands are beautiful, but I have to say after 3 years on the island, I now find mountains and woods quite claustrophobic, turns out it's the open space that makes me feel, safe I suppose. Enjoy your tour
Thank you for saying all this. And I have two publications and barely managing them...Adding this: Leonardo di Caprio who is supposedly supporting lots of conservation and climate change related work was there too. Awful.
Oh I didn't know he was involved in conservation & climate change - I have him on my general 'not a fan list' although I do think he is an incredible actor. Two of my favourites are What's Eating Gilbert Grape & Catch Me If You Can
It is indeed so hard to stay positive when these high profile ones are demonstrating do as I say not as I do. But all we can do is keep chipping away doing things which may seem little but add up. On the ereader front - I've never had a kindle, my current one (only my second in nearly 20yrs) is a kobo. I'm sure Kobo (owned by Rakuten) aren't perfect but they are a lot better than kindle. I've never not found a book I want, you can borrow library books on them and bookshop.org is working with them too enable us to buy ebooks to benefit real bookshops.
Oh wow, that's really great, Kobo sounds far superior to kindle as I can't seem to get my library books on them, I think.... thanks for the recommendation. And I love bookshop.org
I second the Kobo recommendation. I never use Amazon for internet shopping - so it’s great to also keep my reading out of their grasp too.
An unexpected bonus of not having an Amazon account is that I don’t have to waste a moment’s concern when I get phone calls/texts telling me something is up with my Amazon account!
Thanks Moragh, that’s good to hear and yes those stupid fake Amazon emails!!
I share your struggle. My blog is primarily about living off the grid in Mexico, but because I am a human being and things bother me, my beliefs tend to bleed into the things I write. I am not sure I want to compartmentalize, though. If my views of anti-corporation, pro-environment,and pro-marginalized groups make someone want to unsubscribe, I would wager it wasn't someone I wanted in my community anyway. Too political? Too bad!
I'm saying all that to say: You do you, my dear. I for one will be sticking around because I do like what you write. Keep it up! And of course, keep writing about the house...I love reading about that too. 🙂
You're so right, does it matter if people are put off at my tendencies to get political and ranty? No and it's not like I haven't done it before!!
I don't know if I'm subscribed to yours which sounds fascinating, so I am going to head over right now!
Always wanted to go to Orkney
One day!
Get them to send non Amazon links.
My last indulgence is Amazon prime - but it has to go. I only get books now- no kindle or audible.Don’t shop on the website at all any more, but I am yet to find an independent bookstore to sell my kids’ book instead of them and I’m desperate to !
Yeah we’ve looked before and would be hard. Also we don’t have a base in Kinross anymore. Suspect better to fly direct ?
I'd say so, there are 'direct' flights from LHR, but they do touch down in Dundee but you would stay on. It is spenny but easy.
Are you far from Orkney? It's defo worth a visit but we can never guarantee decent weather, it changes every 5 minutes, I walked through 3 rain storms i a 45 minute walk today.
Well done for resisting certain aspects of Amazon, it's so hard when they are a monopoly especially for selling books. As much as I try to avoid it (and others) my TV confession is Sky, we got rid of it last week after I have no idea how many years.
Husband is from Kinross. We’re living in London. Orkney is on the ‘One Day’ list for sure !
X
Aaah so not too far but still far enough. I'm from Kent, so we've done the Orkney-London route a few times already, it is a pain in the arse & expensive! Although still a fair old trek from Kinross if you decide to do it with a pit stop but you can fly from Ed / Dundee...
It's the abject hypocrisy
Happy to subscribe.Stirred by this post Also love the Orkneys tadge windy at times
Thanks you Steve, or should I call you Old Codger Steve? Yes Orkney does get a bit on the windy side from time to time, like today and yesterday and probably tomorrow!
Just a thought as a feminist yourself. I did a old codger post on MYSOGYNY a while ago you might be interested in. Lovely Imelda May poem. My other stuff is for cancer community best avoided.
Thanks Steve, not sure I would avoid you because you talk about cancer, seems a good reason to read what you've written. Every single one of us will be/is impacted by cancer in one way or another. My dad had prostate cancer, my mum died of cancer and a few of my friends have had it - all on the other side now thankfully. I wish you well with your treatment
Steve is fine. Old Codger just a substack moniker. Loved the Orkneys must be a great place to live. We went there a number of years ago in the campervan. Love all the Scottish Islands ( Skye, Mull, Arran..Outer Hebrides.) loved cycling round the island best way to visit the archaeological sites as could dip in between the coach tours. Great to cycle with the wind behind not so into the wind although I'm a great wind draft for anyone behind. Other places in uk have nothing on orkneys archaeological sites.
Initially couldn't understand the size of the supermarket in Kirkwall, then saw the size of the cruise ships.
Must be a great peaceful place to live.
Myself love Scotlands mountains so tend to gravitate there. Visiting Killin, Loch Tay later this month on a Scottish tour . Interested and will follow your posts. Hope to visit again one day
Wish you well
Nowadays everyone uses an e-bike which makes battling the winds a lot easier. When my Dutch in-laws visited last year they hired bikes for the 3 weeks they were with us and loved exploring by bike.
I think we could do with a bigger supermarket tbh! It's always rammed. I'm on Hoy so it's super peaceful, especially as the cruisers don't make it out to us, or if they do it's just to the museum.
The highlands are beautiful, but I have to say after 3 years on the island, I now find mountains and woods quite claustrophobic, turns out it's the open space that makes me feel, safe I suppose. Enjoy your tour
Thank you for saying all this. And I have two publications and barely managing them...Adding this: Leonardo di Caprio who is supposedly supporting lots of conservation and climate change related work was there too. Awful.
Oh I didn't know he was involved in conservation & climate change - I have him on my general 'not a fan list' although I do think he is an incredible actor. Two of my favourites are What's Eating Gilbert Grape & Catch Me If You Can