Do youngsters know what a stamp is ?

 

From the window of 'The Fonts' cabin we watch four deer wander slowly across the freshly planted field of grass. They're followed a few minutes later by three more and then, bringing up the rear, two absent minded youngsters .

The larks have arrived en masse. The courtyard full of their music. This above all else ( apart from the lengthening days ) is a sign that Spring is here. Optimism is once again in the air.

In the sky contrails of jet fighters. They seem to be practising dog fights. In an era of missiles this can hardly be the case. Their convoluted twists and turns keep us spell bound until they all , as one, dart off to the West.

In town it's clear that the undergraduates have gone. Parking is easy and restaurants have tables. The pavements are strangely empty. A few post grads can be found picking up their lattes from Starbucks. I'd reckon 90% of customers pre-order their coffee by app. It's only old timers who actually interact with the staff.

We think of sitting at a table outside but there's a decidedly chill wind coming from the South West. Winds from this direction are usually mild but this one isn't.

In the garage there's an old Turkey rug. It's followed us from the family house to Italy and France and now back here. I open it up on the lawn to let it get an airing.

The side that's not been faded by two centuries of light is much darker. Having downsized it's too large to fit easily into into the wee house. Perhaps we'll send it to auction in London . Downsizing seems to be an ever ending battle. I also come across 'The Fonts' fathers stamp collection. It is full of old Swedish stamps. There was a time when every little boy had a stamp album. I wonder if philately is still a thing ? Do youngsters even know what a stamp is ? Many years ago I had dinner with a senior Russian politician. He kept an envelope with a couple of dozen super-rare stamps in his safe. He'd bought these from a dealer in London.  If ever he had to leave the country 'suddenly or unexpectedly' he planned to pick up the envelope and head to the airport. The envelope could be easily hidden and the stamps could be sold for a huge sum to fund his life in exile. I'm not sure dissenting Russian politicians make it into 'exile'  these days. 

Millenials :https://www.sciencefocus.com/wellbeing/heres-which-generation-is-most-sensitive

Goodbye night sky :https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/03/how-low-can-you-go-firm-near-launch-of-atmosphere-skimming-satellite/

Impatience:https://theconversation.com/how-evolution-might-explain-impatience-249325

That speech on steroids. This I found to be interesting:https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/03/05/trump-speech-expectations-analysis-00212939