u/MorePeaceMaking

I fancied taking up Bagua a long time ago but never did. I used to get fit other ways and have enjoyed a variety of forms of exercise over the years.

Fast forward I'm now early fifties, very overweight, and arthritic. I'd like to start a super simple standing movement practice, and wondered if Bagua now, might be worthwhile to aid with improving posture, mobility, pain reduction in joints, and balance?

If so, where should I begin. I can't get to a class from here right now. I just wondered what baby steps I could take to get going by myself?

My alto was an pretty inexpensive (£38) wooden student quality item.

I'm gradually learning the fingering for the various notes now. But I've dropped it a few times (keeping it clumsily stored).

Trying the B yesterday, it sounded quite awful. The barest breath and it screeches, if it doesn't screech it sounds utterly flat and lifeless.

Is this the fault of the recorder? Is this me dropping it? I'm thinking I should have been more careful in my choice of purchase and should order a better one, though the Amazon reviews were generally positive.

Title says it all really. I'm planning on beginning to learn Russian again, and want to start watching Russian media to help acclimatise myself with the language. I will obviously need to have English subtitles at this point, but no English dubbing. I love folklore, I love folk horror. I think Russian folk horror could be a really interesting fit.

I'm an English woman in my early fifties, and the only language I genuinely fancied learning when I was school-age (or indeed any age really) was Russian. I remember watching Peter Ustinov's (English actor) 'Russia' mini-series when a young teen, and being fascinated by the sheer largesse of the country and its history. I also read a number of Russian classics in translation during Summer holidays.

I didn't get on with French and gave up mandatory French lessions at around the same age (14). And instead I got myself a learn Russian book and tape course. I also tried to find a weekend class outside of my own school to learn Russian in. I progressed half way through the book and tape course by myself and enjoyed it (there were lots of word puzzles and fun things in it), but the only class I found outside of school was already half way through (one year completed of two) and I didn't have the confidence to join it without having completed the first year along with the others, I was very shy and was worried I'd be too far behind to catch up. A mistake in retrospect, but that was the end of that.

Fast forward, I've now got a lot of time on my hands due to current health problems. I've also been very depressed and lacking motivation due to a number of setbacks. I'd like to use the time I have much more creatively and proactively. Towards that end I've begun learning the basics of music and how to play a couple of instruments, which I'm enjoying at a simple slow pace. But I still have plenty of time on my hands.

I'm looking back for things (hobbies, activities, studies) I either started and quit, or never began, that I was interested in when younger (music, sketching etc.). And I keep on thinking about giving Russian another go forty years on. However I'm having trouble finding a strong enough rationale at my age. I know the grammar is tough in particular, and I wonder is it really worth it at this late stage? I have read Russian language books in translation as said, and I do enjoy foreign language films. But apart from these reasons I'm seeking wider motivation, some stimulating ideas, to encourage myself to learn Russian in midlife.

I wonder what those who have learned Russian think? Help me find some decent motivation, as I'm not very good at motivating myself to do challenging things - especially while depressed.

I have an elderly uncle who somehow attracts random cats to his cottage in the country. He doesn't care for them proactively in the way I might, but they are kept fed and housed and are treated kindly. I'm not judging and nor am I going to tell him to take them to the vet when he ticks over on very little money. He doesn't go out of his way to attract cats, but he ends up adopting strays or having them bestowed upon him. So that's the back story.

I don't visit often, but last time I was there I noticed one seems to wheeze and cough a fair bit. She's otherwise happy and healthy and it doesn't seem to cause her any distress. However animals are good at hiding things, so I'm wondering if I could concoct something from my garden to send to him? Something like one of the herbal preparations for lung support for cats that I've seen. I'm happy to grow anything that I can (South-East UK, mild to warm climate, and I understand how to make a cat-safe glycerin tincture.)

Suggestions welcome, including anything else I might consider for the future. How do you support your cats with herbal preparations?

I have some medicinals in my cottage garden, and would like to start experimenting by making a few more simple remedies.

Currently my yarrow is flowering, as is feverfew, and marigold (among others, but these are the three I want to play with right now).

I'm getting some olive oil, and some vodka, as well as clip glass jars.

Is there any point in making marigold / calendula tincture? Or should I just stick with oil.

Is there any point making yarrow oil, or should I make tincture?

Same question with the feverfew. Right now I'm thinking tincture with feverfew.

Note, I have a lot of rheumatic pain, as well as regular migraines, and am especially curious about the feverfew.

Thanks in advance.

Do you craft your own seasonal decorations?

I'm looking for simple creative ways to make the living room feel summery and cute.

Currently I've got some yellow and green thick ribbon up as a ceiling garland, I've ordered some floral bunting (because I don't sew, so am not really set up to make it myself - though would if I did), and I've got the bits to start making a couple of orange suncatchers.

Do share your ideas, suggestions, and creations.

How to make folk music, when you don't know how to make music.

This is a Shruti Box, which is a traditional Indian instument for droning (think a bit like a Hurdy Gurdy but less forceful)

Seriously, it's a wonderful backing instrument for those who don't play music.

Here's mine:

https://preview.redd.it/6c943x4zzv8h1.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=c74f099bf9fc7b4b4715849bc424961143eee0b1

What's the ratio for you, no judgement.

To what extent - if you like to amplify the aesthetic over lifestyle - does aesthetic count for you.

What would cottagecore mean, if you had full power to live the best cottagecore lifestyle for you.

Share cottagecore philosophy: traditional, imagined or remembered

How does Cottagecore - as aesthetic, tradition, or idea - support you?

What themes, subreddits, lifestyles, activities and energies, are strongly adjacent to cottagecore?

My takes include folk music, both Pagan and Christian religion, seasonal gardening, herbal healing, thrifting, folk horror, homemade seasonal decor and food

Dear St. John's Wort at midsummer, one of my most beloved cottage garden herbs.

Named for St. John's day, upon which this herb may be found joyously flowering wild in every ditch and hedgerow in England today (and indeed every midsummer). Indeed, you can set your seasonal clock to the emergence of his sunny face in the wild (though don't confuse St. John's golden starry flowers with the poisonous daisy-like ragwort, hated by farmers, which may also be found flowering in similar places).

The hypericin contained in St. John's golden stars brings relief from sadness and 'clouds of the mind' in herbal medicine, as well as physical pain relief when topically applied in the form of oil or balm. And this is how I typically usually use him (in both massage and bath oils).

This solstice I spent half an hour gathering St. John's wort flowers and buds from the plants I have growing in my own cottage garden (as I have done every year since growing them from seed some time ago - recommended by the way, whether you consider yourself much of a gardener or not). But the enterprising forager need only look to nature to discover him.

The buds are best. And when crushed will reveal a bloody red stain upon finger and thumb. This is the stuff we're after most actively when seeking his aid.

Fill a jar with the flowers, buds, and whatever bits of green cling to them, and then cover with olive oil. Leave on a sunny windowsill to catch Sol's warm rays for a couple of weeks. Then strain, pressing the herb well. Bottle, and keep in a cool place to store.

St, John's Wort in the garden

Harvested buds and flowers on solstice

Flowers in olive oil on the windowsill

Currently I have only a smattering of films to specifically watch at midsummer / summer solstice. In truth I'm not exclusively seeking folk horror, but this page seems a bit more clued up than some subreddits, so I'm putting this question here in the hopes that participants might be able to help (an earlier attempt elsewhere was a waste of time, the only thing suggested was Wickerman - which I believe is set at May Day?)

I'd love some more suggestions fitting for the season. Folk horror with agricultural and nature themes neatly fits into seasonal viewing of course, though there must be viewing from other genres - or at least FH adjacent genres - out there set at this time. Ideally nothing too crass or cheesy. Anything folksie, leaning into traditional styling or themes, or that's simply seasonally atmospheric to set the tone for other midsummer activities, would be very welcome.

Right now I have:

i/ Midsommar (of course)

ii/ The Love Witch (Wonderful restro styling. Quirky, beautifully filmed, set around summer solstice and featuring a witch's summer festival. If you haven't seen it, highly recommended!

iii/ A Midsummer Night's Dream (Globe Theatre production featuring traditional set and costumes)

The Love Witch

I'm always wanting to get writing, and I'd like to start composing a bit of flash fiction each day mostly by freewriting, which I can then pick the best of to turn into short stories proper, or screenplays.

To do this I want to create a mini system of story prompts. Flash card type options of ingredients such as location (eg: Yorkshire moors, Cornish village, Anglo-Saxon dig etc.), characters (eg: elderly Christian couple, teenage violinist, urban youth group etc.), creatures (eg: ghost dog, Banshee, Kelpie etc.) and so on. I might put these in jars in paper strips, or find some other randomised way of selecting them.

My question is, what kind of categories would you include in such a system of randomised prompts for a Folk Horror story?

I'm not specifically looking for horror, or even folk horror (though I am a fan of folk horror!).

i/ I am seeking films (or other viewing material) based around and/or featuring mid to late June / midsummer / St. john's day / summer solstice.

ii/ Secondly I'm seeking a vintage / retro / classical / or folkish aesthetic.

So far on my list I have: the modern folk horror classic Midsommar, Shakespear's Midsummer Night's Dream, and the retro comedy horror The Love Witch.

Other ideas much appreciated!

The Love Witch 2016

I use the word 'ritual' very loosely here; I'm not talking explicitly pagan rituals just personal seasonal traditions, intentional habits, and ways of enjoying, grounding in, celebrating, and living creatively around the time of longest day. Note: I'm in the UK (regards nature and garden stuff).

Share your suggestions!

Food: This year I have begun making a summery salad menu, including pea and radish salad, buttered new potatoes, and some kind of picnic pie. I'm also going to be making simple summer biscuits decorated with borage, marigold, and St. John's wort petals (from the cottage garden)

Entertainment: Wouldn't be midsummer without Midsommar, the folk horror bar none! I've also got a copy of the Shakespear Globe's 2013 Midsummer Night's Dream production ready for watching; a production I've not seen before but it looks gorgeous with uber-traditional set and clothing design.

Decor: This weekend going to get some bright yellow, green and orange ribbon garlands up on the living room ceiling. I'm also planning on making at least one dried orange suncatcher.

Fragrance: I'm currently using a home made essential oil blend of Rose, Sweet Orange, and Frankincense, which makes for me a very warm summery home scent. This can be put in an oil burner or diluted with water and alcohol to spray and clean surfaces.

Activities: This will be my third year of making St. John's wort oil, which is a great topical pain reliever. Elderflowers are good to gather on Solstice, and can be used for elderflower wine or lemonade. I'm also tempted to gather and preserve some grape vine leaves from the garden, as I've never used them before but they are looking nice and healthy this year (usually they are a bit buggy). Fire pit is a must to see the sun down, and I always have a set of curated folk songs (traditional and modern) and chants to sing together with friends.

Drinks: White wine sangria with strawberries (nice for picnicing in the garden with salad), a blond honeyd ale (nice for the fire pit), gin and elderflower lemonade (anytime!)

Thrifting and Foraging: I know where we can get a heap tonne of elderflowers, so that will be a weekend morning walk at some point in mid June. St. John's wort will be sunnily decorating the ditches and hedgerows during mid June, and in honour of St. John's Day is a great little medicinal flower to forage for (I know a Druid who swears by his St. John's wort mead to lift sad or depressive spirits).

Dress: As a thrifter, I need to hit the charity shops soon and find some cute summery boho wear. I do have a few items but my size has changed. Will be seeking big yellow wooden beaded necklace and/or gold 'pearls', something like an orange linen tunic, plus a red / orange woollen shawl for the evening, cream and/or pale blue palazzo pants. Scarfs are usually easy to get from charity shops, so anything gold, red, yellow etc.

Other thoughts welcome!

I use the word 'ritual' very loosely here; I'm not talking explicitly pagan rituals just personal seasonal traditions, intentional habits, and ways of enjoying, grounding in, celebrating, and living creatively around the time of longest day. Note: I'm in the UK (regards nature and garden stuff).

Share your suggestions!

Food: This year I have begun making a summery salad menu, including pea and radish salad, buttered new potatoes, and some kind of picnic pie. I'm also going to be making simple summer biscuits decorated with borage, marigold, and St. John's wort petals (from the cottage garden)

Entertainment: Wouldn't be midsummer without Midsommar, the folk horror bar none! I've also got a copy of the Shakespear Globe's 2013 Midsummer Night's Dream production ready for watching; a production I've not seen before but it looks gorgeous with uber-traditional set and clothing design.

Decor: This weekend going to get some bright yellow, green and orange ribbon garlands up on the living room ceiling. I'm also planning on making at least one dried orange suncatcher.

Fragrance: I'm currently using a home made essential oil blend of Rose, Sweet Orange, and Frankincense, which makes for me a very warm summery home scent. This can be put in an oil burner or diluted with water and alcohol to spray and clean surfaces.

Activities: This will be my third year of making St. John's wort oil, which is a great topical pain reliever. Elderflowers are good to gather on Solstice, and can be used for elderflower wine or lemonade. I'm also tempted to gather and preserve some grape vine leaves from the garden, as I've never used them before but they are looking nice and healthy this year (usually they are a bit buggy). Fire pit is a must to see the sun down, and I always have a set of curated folk songs (traditional and modern) and chants to sing together with friends.

Drinks: White wine sangria with strawberries (nice for picnicing in the garden with salad), a blond honeyd ale (nice for the fire pit), gin and elderflower lemonade (anytime!)

Thrifting and Foraging: I know where we can get a heap tonne of elderflowers, so that will be a weekend morning walk at some point in mid June. St. John's wort will be sunnily decorating the ditches and hedgerows during mid June, and in honour of St. John's Day is a great little medicinal flower to forage for (I know a Druid who swears by his St. John's wort mead to lift sad or depressive spirits).

Dress: As a thrifter, I need to hit the charity shops soon and find some cute summery boho wear. I do have a few items but my size has changed. Will be seeking big yellow wooden beaded necklace and/or gold 'pearls', something like an orange linen tunic, plus a red / orange woollen shawl for the evening, cream and/or pale blue palazzo pants. Scarfs are usually easy to get from charity shops, so anything gold, red, yellow etc.

Other thoughts welcome!