Not again !

[ButtercupKid]

Oh yes, the Black Dog is back. No wonder with all the chaos that’s been going on. . . I was determined to go for a run today but after the first minute found my mind was refusing to send the right instructions to my legs. Tried another burst of a few seconds but things were only getting worse. Then I found myself ducking up side alleys to hide from people even though I wasn’t running ! Clearly things aren’t right again. So I went up to the stone circle to take the photo for SeeJillRun, who knows about such things, walked about for a bit, heard the first skylark of the year and came home. Off to revise this month’s Quest now. All the best to anyone running today - you’re welcome to the energy I couldn’t find this morning 😄

[micey2 Graduate]

Hi BCK things may not be right, but you didn’t just go home, you did a positive thing in walking to the stone circle ( how beautiful) and heard a skylark. I’m envious of that, I’m no longer living where you stand any chance of hearing such wonder. I hope it drowned the growls of the lack dog for a few moments and gave you a little something to take into your day. You’re still inspiring us 😊😊

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to micey2]

Thanks micey. Nothing is as bad as giving up 😄

[SeeJillRun Graduate]

So sorry to hear that the dog has returned. I think it must be going around, we can both feel it approaching too, there’s a lot going on at the minute 😔. It’s time for some self care methinks.

Wish we had a local stone circle to visit. Thanks for the photo, it makes me want to visit so I can see it for myself. Might have to find a map of the area n have a nosey at the wider landscape

Hope things settle down for you soon n you find the joy in running that’s missing at the moment. Sending hugs ❤️xx

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to SeeJillRun]

Thanks Jill. It really is a lovely place, and completely without tourists - you could start a trend 😄

[SeeJillRun Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

It’s always been my intention to visit all the stone circles in the country so a visit is definitely in the cards at some point. I’ve some way to go though, I’ve only been to about half a dozen so far

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to SeeJillRun]

What a great idea ! Have you got a map and stickers ? We’ve been tracing our family tree over the winter and one of my plans is to get a big wall map of the UK and put stickers on all the birth places. Then if we ever get the kids off our hands we can tour them 😄

[SeeJillRun Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

That’s a fab idea! It’d be lovely to have a visual representation of where we’ve been. It’s a great idea to visit the birth places from your family tree too. Hope you get the chance to do it 🤞

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to SeeJillRun]

Me too. I’m on to my sixth generation of peasants and fisherfolk. Every time I try to run I hear them all muttering “What’s her hurry ?” 😂

[SeeJillRun Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Lol! My brother had all the details of ours, I think they’re with my nephew now. I never really took much notice before but find myself wondering about it all more these days. Might have to have a look one day

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to SeeJillRun]

Always interesting to know where you’re from !

[SeeJillRun Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Definitely!

[bananahead Graduate]

Morning, I agree with Micey2, you did something positive, you went out and then you walked which is better than nothing. Maybe if you had continued with the run, you wouldn't have heard that first Skylark or been able to share the lovely photo. (Thanks for that by the way) .The weather is so grey and miserable, please take care of yourself today. Good luck revising.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to bananahead]

Thanks bananahead. I’ve revised to a Quest I know I can achieve. Better to achieve something small than set too high a target and get bogged down in frustration 😄

[SpanishShuffle Graduate]

Oh Twinny 😢 My heart is with you. I know the "Thunderbirds" body feeling when Bambi on ice did a better job.

Too much going on for you again.

The Skylark was a messenger that like spring your clear mind will soon be here and your legs and body will be back to normal

🐥🐧 are the only birds I could find 😂

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to SpanishShuffle]

Loving the skylark approximations, twin of mine - thanks for the giggle 😂

[Time_to_run Graduate]

BCK - there’s something in the air at the moment, so many people I know saying the same thing. The spring equinox is due, and what a perfect place to be when that happens on 21st. You should go back to that stone circle and do a guided meditation 🧘‍♀️.. sending hugs xx

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Time_to_run]

Thanks TTR x

[MaddyNed Graduate]

Sending a big hug 🤗 xx

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to MaddyNed]

Thanks Maddy - I needed that 😄

[blackcatgib Graduate]

Think there must be a message in hearing that skylark at a stone circle. Hope it means that joy is coming your way. Don’t beat yourself up with the running, just go out and say I’m doing this because I love it. Just run as far as you feel with no pressure. I usually find I can do it after all and run much further than I’d imagined.

Lots of love xxx

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Big hug to you BCK. 😘 Good for you finding a positive alternative- you obviously can still let out your “inner determined” out in the rough bits of life.

.. and the first Skylark of spring-absolutely wonderful.😃 Along with the Curlew, one of my favourite bird songs. 😀

PS .. you are not alone in the c***py bits of life. I haven’t run since January- chest infection which just will not clear.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

That’s horrible - poor you ! Hope something will help soon. Are you walking too ?

[Elfe5 Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

I haven’t really been well enough, just beginning to have a little toddle inthe last couple of days.

[Kertesz in reply to Elfe5]

Poor you... when you have been so generous in the support of others. Sending some right back ‘atcha’, as the young people say. X hope things clear up soon.

[Elfe5 Graduate in reply to Kertesz]

Thank you 😄. Xx

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Thanks BCG ! Glad you’re getting on well yourself. The trick is to keep going, I think 😀

[Circle_On_Legs Graduate]

Dear Buttercup. From personal experience I congratulate you on the achievement of actually getting outside today. Although you didn't run far, you did go for a walk and that's a significant task when black dog is around. Did Winston Churchill coin the black dog expression or v someone before him? I often wonder why its called that as every dog I've ever had, even black ones, loved going for walks.

Hearing a sky lark is wonderful. I live in the country too and one of the greatest pleasures in life is hearing birdsong.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Circle_On_Legs]

Lovely to hear from you ! Funny what you say about black dogs. As a child I was desperate for a pet dog but my dad is allergic to fur so it was never going to happen. So I had an imaginary black Labrador called Duke. Maybe this is just his shadow !

As to Churchill, I think he was maybe referring to the idea of “having a black dog on your shoulder” ie being in a low or grumpy mood. I suppose if you were carrying a Lab on your shoulder you probably would feel a bit low and grumpy - and tired !

[Circle_On_Legs Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

LoL I'd definitely be fed up to be carrying some breeds on my shoulder. 2 years ago our Great Dane died she weighed 58kg. Such a shame that as a child you were unable to have a dog. As an adult, have you lost that yearning? A lab is indeed a lovely choice but they can be greedy devils.

I hope you feel better this end of the day. It's not too late to go out for a run of you do manage summon up the mojo. I have to tell myself, just do it, do it NOW, but that doesn't always work. Take care x

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Circle_On_Legs]

I’d still love a dog, and I’m still very fond of Labs, but we’re stuck on benefits just now and couldn’t afford a dog. One day . . . ! My other favourites are Irish Wolfhounds (just too ridiculous at my height !) and Bull Terriers, but I’ve heard they aren’t the best for families (although probably the easiest of the three to carry on the shoulder 😄). My younger boy wants a Golden Retriever, but who could keep up with all that elegance ?!!

Things are very chaotic tonight but I’m aiming for a run on Thursday 😀

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

You say that things are very chaotic tonight, sorry about that but if you can just relax and even think about a short run, not actually running things might calm down.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Nice photo of the stone circle BCK, you got a walk and a short run although the black dog didn't let you go further. It is a sign of spring that you heard the first skylark today, the weather forecast for Scotland over the next week is to remain mild with no cold weather. 😊

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Sounds good - thanks !

[molly1973 Graduate]

I thought you hadn’t posted for a few days... sorry you are feeling burdened again, but so pleased you felt able to keep walking when running wasn’t working for you. A skylark at a stone circle: I hope it was uplifting as it certainly sounds it. Hope your son is settling back into life at home x

[Kertesz]

I think it’s probably important to let yourself do (or be) whatever you need at the moment... I think you’ll know when the time feels right to do (or be) something different again too. And thank you for the photo... I’ve noticed too, that the birds are really starting to ‘talk’ to one another (or us!!) now... x

[JellyJac Graduate]

I have a couple of Golden retrievers... got them for my sons mental health and had the oldest one for 10 years now - beautiful, selfless creatures. Hope you feel better soon xx

[Circle_On_Legs Graduate in reply to JellyJac]

Beautifull, funny dogs. I bet your vacuum cleaner works overtime. Ours is always full of dog and cat hair.

[JellyJac Graduate in reply to Circle_On_Legs]

Yes the only downside... it manages to get everywhere!

[Circle_On_Legs Graduate in reply to JellyJac]

I like the benefits of those cross breeds that don't shed hair. Years ago they were free as considered mongrels. Very expensive now so fashionable. I have a border collie. Very hairy. Can't decide whether to get a 2nd one. Tia the great Dane died 2 years ago. Nell was very subdued and missed her terribly for a long time.

[mrjayval Graduate]

Keep trying even though it’s slow going it’s worth it don’t hide in alleyways be proud your doing it

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to mrjayval]

Thanks Mr J x