How do you feel about Waffles on Wednesdays?
Friendship over long distances, cosy mysteries and a waggle dance
Hello everyone!
How has your week been?
The warmer weather has been lovely, lots of reading outside and also some great gardening time too- we also went to a gorgeous lavender field this weekend-potentially next time’s Little Thing?
This week we are delving into something very heartfelt-a little thing that has been such a huge joy this year. Hope you enjoy and maybe even apply it to one of your friends or friendship groups!
Let’s grab a cuppa and take 5 minutes to focus on the little things! ☕
Mel xxx
Waffle Wednesday
We started it back in February, when the weather was cooler and we talked in fragments.
The six of us had been at Keele together and had fell into the beautiful contentment that comes when you could see your friends without even planning to every single day. Chance meetings across the library, quick last minute coffee shop catch ups, weekends away at varying Travelodges.
But now living across the country from one another, those last minute chances were gone. It became exciting to see them if we were lucky once every few months, and not all together at once. We chatted, but the strings that once held us together so tightly were loosened by time.
Until we started Waffle Wednesdays.
Found online by one of the group, we watched a video of a guy who talked to his friends every week via videos to one another, saying what they’d been up to. We were inspired to try it out ourselves.
So, every Wednesday, each of us records ourselves via video or voice note, and sends it to the group. After the initial settling in stage of getting used to filming ourselves chatting, it now feels second nature, that Wednesdays are our day. We talk about our week and what has happened. The small things, the things that unless you see someone regularly you don’t bring up- the fun evening activities, the funny thing you saw when walking in the park, the book you’ve just finished reading.
During the next few hours, or days, we receive messages back, responding to what we have to say, and other videos or voice notes from everyone else. I listen to them while working, or doing chores or even on walks. It soothes me like a warm bath, listening to familiar voices and feeling so much closer to them all once again.
Feeling so close to one another means we now message throughout the week as well, little photos of days out, fashion advice, or when we are having a tough time, knowing there is always a sympathetic ear to listen and give advice.
It’s been six months now. We have been there for one another to congratulate them, offer a shoulder of support, to laugh at a funny thing that’s happened. We have also met up whether together or in smaller groups due to someone travelling to our part of the country more regularly too.
The strings bind us closer once again- it feels like home.
What I’ve been reading
Thursday Murder Club Series by Richard Osman
Okay this series is everywhere, and you’ve probs all heard about it but also it deserves a shout out because it is *excellent*.
The series follows a group of four unlikely friends in a retirement village who meet up on Thursdays to try and work out unexplained murders. From a retired psychiatrist to a trade union lead, this unlikely band of heroes over the series end up getting much more involved than just hypothesising around their social club table.
The series is heartfelt, funny, and each character feels fully realised with their own wants and needs, whether it’s one of the main four characters, or a random shop keeper you meet just once.
I’ve been really enjoying trying the cosy mystery genre the past few years, and The Thursday Murder Club series is a perfect example of this. I’ve just finished the third one in the series and looking forward to the fourth.
And, with an all start cast movie now in production, what better time to read it?
Perfect for anyone who likes:
📚 Cosy mysteries
📚 Books with older protagonists
📚 Books with heart and humour
And finally….a weird animal fact!
Bees can dance!
Honey bees use a ‘waggle’ dance to show other members of their hive the distance, direction and quality of nearby nectar!
Performed in a figure of eight movement, it shows just how clever bees are and their incredible organisational system to work together to thrive.
You can watch this dance here.
Honey bees also need our help-here’s tons of ways you can help honey bees at home
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed-let me know what you think, and what you’d like to see in future editions. If you know someone else who would like it, please share and let’s grow the newsletter!
Can’t wait to hear from you, and have a great day! ☀️