Miss Cull, a frequent guest, joins Sally to meditate on how we spend our days, drawing on prayer, hope, hymns, and reading. They reflect on encounters in the library and the repetitive nature of days. They discuss Miss Cole's character as a music teacher, her ability to banish demons, and her morning walks in the forest.
Days should be a source of happiness and there is no other place to truly live but in the days themselves.
Encounters with familiar figures, such as librarians and determined teachers, can spark a sense of connection and joy.
Deep dives
The Significance of Days and Happiness
The podcast explores the importance of days and how they bring happiness. Days are meant to be lived and enjoyed, waking us up repeatedly. The speaker ponders the purpose of days, which leads to the presence of the priest and doctor running together in their long coats. It is emphasized that days should be a source of happiness and that there is no other place to truly live but in the days themselves.
A Visit to the Library and Connection to Philip Larkin
The podcast recounts a visit to the library, where the speaker reflects on the work of poet Philip Larkin, who used to be a librarian. The librarian is described as a familiar figure, reminiscent of librarians from the speaker's childhood. The speaker requests books by John Fowles and C.S. Lewis, engaging in a discussion with the librarian about classic literature and the passage of time. The encounter with the librarian sparks a sense of connection and a desire to be surprised by joy.
Miss Cole, the Music Teacher, and Demons
The podcast introduces Miss Cole, a plain but focused music teacher who seems to have a mission in teaching hymns. The speaker reflects on Miss Cole's influence and recalls childhood memories of the unruly children she taught. Miss Cole is portrayed as a determined figure facing adversaries such as the trees and nettles in Lobswood. The speaker contemplates the demons that Miss Cole battles and the impact she has on the narrator's life.
This week, Sally has been reading and living with Philip Larkin’s poem ‘Days’, from The Whitsun Weddings. Join her for a meditation on how we spend our days, drawing on prayer, hope, hymns, and reading.