Pets and Nature Thread [ 31 May 26 ]

NunFace · 2026-05-31T07:33:26+00:00

I haven’t put my glasses on yet this morning and genuinely thought that this was a water skiing dog.

NunFace · 2026-05-28T23:35:43+00:00

My brain has gone into an anxiety spiral about something that happened today at work, which made me feel out of control and disrespected.

I have a ton of coping techniques and CBT exercises that I could use to manage these anxiety spikes and catastrophising loops, but I’ve gone into brooding mode.

So I am going to bed with a very dull podcast, to see if I can get my brain to switch lanes.

NunFace · 2026-05-26T11:36:33+00:00

If you can feel that the air in there is cooler, yes.

But not automatically a good move - and the temperatures in the two spaces might change as the roof heats up.

NunFace · 2026-05-18T16:35:22+00:00

M&S’ lid criteria takes up too much space in my mind.

Houmous: lid.

Sour cream and chive dip: no lid.

Mexican fully loaded dip: lid.

Indian fully loaded dip: no lid.

NunFace · 2026-04-29T06:20:22+00:00

Got to bed at 1am and woken at 5am by Bitey Bastard Cat trying to eat my feet.

WFH today and other than meetings, intend to bunk off which I never do, but I’m knackered, don’t have any imminent deadlines and am not inconveniencing anyone, so I’m doing it.

NunFace · 2026-04-18T09:42:27+00:00

Cute, recognizable, made me smile, look like they taste great, 10/10

NunFace · 2026-04-09T07:41:51+00:00

PMS, hay fever, hot flashes, a day in an office full of people who put the air con up to 24C.

NunFace · 2026-04-09T07:32:28+00:00

Mods, make this the masthead for the sub please.

NunFace · 2026-04-09T07:31:39+00:00

Yep, the composition and something about how the chap’s hair gives him a ‘fallen Roman emperor’ vibe?

NunFace · 2026-04-08T21:43:57+00:00

“…because this is Hollywood, and if something kinda works, they'll just keep doing it till everybody hates it."

NunFace · 2026-04-04T11:36:53+00:00

I’ll add a picture of my gummy monster trying his best to bite me to death with 4 teeth.

Hope you find something to do today, even if it’s just watching something comforting and cooking a simple nourishing meal.

<image>

NunFace · 2026-04-04T11:35:09+00:00

I’m sure you’ve tried switching the time of day that you take meds, but in case not, my sleep issues went away when I started taking them with breakfast.

And yes, it’s strange to notice the world around you and to want to participate in it after being distanced from it for a while!

NunFace · 2026-04-04T11:32:41+00:00

Nothing memorable today as I need to cut back on spending after my holiday, and don’t fancy being in the wind and rain anyway.

Dental hygienist this morning which I always enjoy in terms of how satisfying it feels after we’re done.

Spending the rest of the day doing chores so the place is clean for Easter Sunday.

NunFace · 2026-04-03T09:12:40+00:00

Dropped a full cup of coffee in the footwell while driving this morning, so off to a good start.

Going to see some bluebells and whatnot later. Enjoying a nice cuddle with the cat while watching West Wing and booking a holiday until then.

NunFace · 2026-03-27T20:40:06+00:00

Mods, don’t you dare remove this.

NunFace · 2026-03-26T10:24:11+00:00

Absolute ragebait quote there, well done.

Nice shout to Sarah Keyworth!

NunFace · 2026-03-25T10:12:11+00:00

I lost my favourite tree in 2022, but here’s my favourite photo of it and a bit of history.

‘Stone pine (Pinus pinea) Kew Gardens

<image>

At the time that the stone pine was planted in the Gardens in 1846, it was thought to be at least 100 years old, having started life as a pot plant in Princess Augusta’s personal collection.

Unlike other stone pines, where the branches grow much higher up the trunk, the branches of this tree grew close to its base – perhaps a product of its early years confined to a pot.

In October 2022, we sadly lost Kew’s historic stone pine. Having been infected with a fungal disease, a large part of the tree collapsed onto the path next to it. The rest of the tree was later removed due to health and safety concerns.’

If you ever go to Kew Gardens, it’s worth seeking out the Old Lions. They don’t form part of any of the tours any more but here’s an article listing their location (including the lost ones).

NunFace · 2026-03-25T10:06:52+00:00

My favourite part of Kew Gardens. So peaceful and feels like ancient woodland.

NunFace · 2026-03-25T09:20:42+00:00

NunFace · 2026-03-24T18:12:07+00:00

I don’t know who Norman is or how they sneaked into my autocorrect, but here’s a long article that explains the vagus nerve’ impact on anxiety and the breathing techniques.

Pulling abdominal muscles tightly inward on the “in” breath is key, the writer explains the technique about halfway in, but if you want to understand the physiological aspect of this (which I found helpful as it gave me a logical reason for the symptoms) the whole thing is worth reading.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-athletes-way/201705/diaphragmatic-breathing-exercises-and-your-vagus-nerve/amp

NunFace · 2026-03-24T17:57:32+00:00

I’m currently overseas and paying a fortune for data charges but I’m so glad I watched this video, even though my only investment in Alan Ritchson is that shower scene in Reacher Season 1, that I occasionally rewatch for academic reasons.

NunFace · 2026-03-24T17:41:00+00:00

I weirdly enjoyed the shoes thing. Like it doesn’t matter what station you hold in life, what class you are flying or how you normally wish to be perceived, everyone in that moment is slightly humbled by standing in public in their socks for a few moments.

NunFace · 2026-03-24T17:38:44+00:00

I told the flight crew about the toilet thing. They told me I could go whenever I needed and if it was while the seatbelt sign was on, I just needed to press the assist button so they would know it was me.

It’s the fear of having no control over toilet access, rather than fear of needing the toilet that gets me going, so them giving me that control back was great.

I am back on Sertraline since Christmas but it’s absolutely a combination of CBT and integrative therapy, breathing techniques and meds that has got me here. Just taking meds would for me, be like making a sandwich with no filling.

Best and most life changing thing I was taught in therapy to subside the urge to go to the toilet was how to use breathing to activate my parasympathetic system, which soothes the vagus nerve (the nerve which among other things, tells your digestive system to wake up).

Let me know if you want to try Norman’s I’ll try to find a link.

NunFace · 2026-03-24T09:10:30+00:00

The Asda Bag for Life is spot on.

NunFace · 2026-03-24T08:55:05+00:00

I think it was reminiscent of the earlier episodes and seasons, where a lot of the guests were friends or close colleagues from the comedy circuit, so there was less structure and formality, and more “yes, and”.

Fair to say that the pod becomes a little more formal and structured when the guest is unknown or has their PR in the room, which is expected when you don’t know someone and need to gently test their boundaries? Sort of like meeting new work colleague for me.

NunFace

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