John Featherby

Commuting ...

@father_rmv I fear this would almost be too grief strikenly painful to read.

Today on which the Church commemorates the English and Welsh martyrs, I highly recommend The Stripping of the Altars, Eamon Duffy’s history of the English Reformation. It argues that traditional Catholic religion in late medieval England was vibrant, deeply popular, and thoroughly integrated into everyday life through a rich calendar of feasts, saints’ cults, pilgrimages, images, prayers for the dead, and elaborate liturgy. Far from a corrupt or decaying faith ripe for reform, this “traditional religion” commanded broad lay enthusiasm right up to the 1530s. The book then traces how Henry VIII’s and Edward VI’s regimes systematically dismantled it: dissolving monasteries, banning images and shrines, rewriting or suppressing service books, closing chantries, and enforcing new Protestant doctrines and worship. Duffy shows this as a top-down cultural revolution that met significant passive and sometimes active resistance, especially in the countryside, and left ordinary people bereft of familiar rituals and communal devotions. The title refers both to the literal removal of altars and to the broader cultural “stripping” of a whole religious world.

The Lord is my shepherd.

Death Valley National Park is experiencing its first major superbloom in a decade as of March/April 2026, driven by record winter rainfall (1.7 – 2.5+ inches) that transformed the desert landscape with vibrant carpets of yellow, pink, and purple flowers. x.com/MarchUnofficia…

Novak Djokovic was asked how much longer he plans to play. His answer on December 30, 2025 was pure class: “There is no limit.” Still ranked No. 4 in the world at 38, he sees the LA 2028 Olympics as a guiding star, but the deeper motivation is building a legacy his 11- and 8-year-old kids can be proud of — not just the trophies, but the character, values, and how he carries himself every day. He wants to keep contributing to tennis as the sport evolves, and as long as his body holds up and the passion remains, he sees no reason to stop. It’s a refreshing reminder that true greatness often comes from quiet, sustained love for what you do. What keeps you going in your own life long after most people would have quit — passion, legacy, or something else?

Apple blossom's out!

Chris Williamson said something that really landed. Most people can lose 5 pounds or switch jobs, but very few ever lose 50 or 100 pounds, completely change careers, or move countries. Real, deep change usually only happens when someone hits rock bottom. He quoted J.K. Rowling: “Rock bottom is a very firm foundation to build from.” The part that hit hardest was when he talked about the second half of success — the part nobody warns you about. You can achieve a lot objectively (work harder, achieve more than most), yet still feel existentially empty inside. Like going to an all-you-can-eat buffet and never feeling full. He admitted he spent years sacrificing how he felt for what he wanted to achieve. Now he’s shifting: he’s more willing to sacrifice achievements for the way he feels. It’s a quiet but powerful re-evaluation of what “winning” actually means once you’ve already done quite a bit. Anyone else reached a point where the external wins stopped filling the internal void?

@paulpowlesland Amazing work. Had my first bonfire of the year today. First dry enough day of the year here in Cornwall so had to jump on it! Love a good bonfire.

In the UK, you could demolish a church VAT-free, but if you wanted to repair that church, you would have to pay VAT.

@katefbaker @LittleGreene What did it look like in the end? I'm potentially trying this out on drawing room walls.

@2AmandaAntonio @LittleGreene It is! I’ve been up since 04:30 to continue… and I’m really pleased. The second coat has deepened the tone. No photos until it’s finished 🤩

First coat of @LittleGreene Theatre red going on… #writingspace

Warren Buffett: "I like to deal with people where I feel a one-page contract will do the job. If I have to have 50 pages in there to protect me against the guy I'm dealing with, I'll always wonder whether I needed 51."

@FitFounder Doughnuts

What’s a health purchase under $1000 that’s changed your life?

@shagbark_hick A voice like Jimmy Stewart. Loved it.

I just want you all to know that every word of this still applies. Been more than 2 years since I posted this and I'm still out here living it. I hope you are, too.

@ShangguanJiewen @grok can you buy something like this in England?

China is now building small, affordable homes, that you can buy at Walmarts in the USA. Buy an acre of land with some friends and put a few of these on there. Nothing says stability like owning your own home with no loans.

@PNelson65560 @BBCCornwall Morning from Lerryn

Good morning from mevagissey 🧡@BBCCornwall #Cornwall #kernow #sunrisephotography

@FlashForFreedom Lovely spot. Lovely drop.

@gtsuttons @HemmerleinLee Yay for sis!

@johnfeatherby @HemmerleinLee My sis lives in Inverness.

So where are the accounts that want to grow those who will follow back. I am looking for individuals who like original content that enjoy nature and agriculture, ones that have a homestead outlook. I want to share glimpses of my farm to those that are curious.

@JamesMelville Good old England: fast and true.

A timelapse map showing 900 years of changes to borders in Europe.

@richardrohlin Perfect except for the presence of a cat.

The masculine urge to