Aw Diddums

Recently I was swapping stories with my mother about the unlikely programmes we found ourselves watching on TV. A friend of hers was complaining because two programmes she wanted to watch were on at the same time – Strictly Come Dancing and the Architectural Awards. My mother has been watching children’s cartoons of a terrible modern flatness, and shopping channels (without touching the phone). As for me, I found myself watching a little of The Battle for Britain’s Soul, even though I’m no churchgoer. I recently read a fiction book which describes an entity who doesn’t see mortals – only the land, or possibly the whole ecosystem, with all the different forms of energy showing up as fields of light. That’s closer to what I envision.

I suppose the content of that series was of interest to all of us, whatever we believe or don’t believe. There was something very down-to-earth and accepting about Peter Owen-Jones’s delivery – something I could actually listen to and consider. Perhaps religion is all about community. After all, if what I believe is true (that all that matters is the land and the energy) – that still doesn’t address how we get along with each other as human beings.

There are different types of community on this heaving planet. I remember one particular bear shop in town! The regular customers got to know each other as well as the staff. We would meet there for coffee and could take a furry chunk of love home in a bag. If you felt skint that week, you could content yourself with gazing up at the beautiful figures on the shelves. The fact that you were there meant “you are one of us.” Our hymns and psalms were “how cold my toes, tiddly pom, are growing,” and similar snatches of beary verse.

Isn’t that right, Motley? (Looking up happily at my black Dean’s bear).
He says yes.

Ah, TV is an amazing thing. I wonder what’s on tonight?