23 Comments
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Maria Betts's avatar

Only just read this Laura, but absolutely lovely read of dandelions and passage of time, and cherishing our children xxx

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Demelza Hall's avatar

This morning, before I read this, I went to sit outside with my notebook, and for once left my phone inside. I usually note the time I write which means having the phone with me, and my written thoughts today were that this had to change. I read the essay on my iPad, maybe I need to make that a change as well… Thank you ❤️

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Demelza Hall's avatar

It is that ❤️, especially when there is the useful stuff as well! I use my phone for weather and tides and radio and podcasts, timers and random looking up, but it is the scrolling that steals - I even struggle with Substack notes as I go down rabbit holes, and though undeniably interesting they don’t always serve my peace…. Thank you for sharing your writing, it is much appreciated x

The

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Laura Pashby's avatar

Agreed, phones are useful for so much, scrolling eats time…

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Laura Pashby's avatar

It’s so hard to separate ourselves, isn’t it? Thank you for reading.

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Victoria's avatar

Breathtaking. When I read your writing, it always makes me see ordinary moments in a completely different way. Thank you for that. x

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Laura Pashby's avatar

That’s so lovely to hear, thank you for reading, Victoria. 💚

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Erin Taylor's avatar

This is so beautiful and timely Laura. Thank you xx

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Laura Pashby's avatar

I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Erin 🤍

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Rachel Smith's avatar

Reading this on my phone, the ‘time-eater’: such a great description! Dandelion clocks, a puff and they’ve gone, and yet dandelion roots go deep, tough and sturdy. Thank you for this gorgeous piece Laura.

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Laura Pashby's avatar

Oh yes, I love that. Such strong roots. Thank you for reading. 💚

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Janey Thompson's avatar

Lovely piece...I love 'dandelion time'

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Laura Pashby's avatar

Thank you Janey!

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

I feel this so much. Haven’t watched that film in years… how different would it have been if they’d all been bumbling around with phones? Shudder!

I’m very excited to hear there is a tattoo in the works. Now you’ve got me thinking about dandelion clocks as tattoos. 😍

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Laura Pashby's avatar

Ohhh, that would be a beaut of a tattoo! 🌼🕰️ I know, 17 year olds reading each other poetry in a cave… just wouldn’t happen now 😢

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

I can’t wait to see what you choose for your tattoo… perhaps it will inspire poet teens? That might be too big a dream though 🤣

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Laura Pashby's avatar

I might have to wait until the teens leave home… but it will probably take me that long to choose a line!

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

Very sensible! Plus, once you get started… more ideas will soon appear.

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suzanne illingworth's avatar

What a beautiful piece of writing Laura and so meaningful about time and its preciousness xx

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genie’s writing room 🥀's avatar

augh this is BEAUTIFUL. i love your writing style.

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Laura Pashby's avatar

Thank you so much! ✨

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Yasmin Chopin's avatar

So good to be reminded that time is precious and it can be wasted, or eaten, in many ways. The phone is often seen as the bad boy, but really, it's so useful and helps us communicate in ways we never could before. We just need to remember to keep spaces available for our mind to wander occasionally. Thanks for a great post.

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Laura Pashby's avatar

Spaces for our minds to wander… exactly this…

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