May 17 - Day 55 - Making the moss out of it

Well - you have to admit it’s been a couple of days since a pun.

The phrase, ‘A rolling stone gathers no moss’ is also an odd one. It suggests that someone who does not settle rarely does well or has no responsibilities. Greek and Latin versions of the saying are quoted by Erasmus in 1508 but it may have come into spoken English before then as it was listed in John Heywood’s book about English proverbs in 1546, ‘The rollying stone neuer gatherth mosse.’

Given that on average people change their jobs several times in a lifetime and often do not stick, as they did not that many years ago, to one trade, profession or place, it might be a phrase that is not as relevant. In fact, the rolling stone might be a good thing if people are seen to be able to adapt to change and to new opportunities in the way the world now seems to demand it. It is certainly what the last year has taught many of us. It’s also why as a Centre, we recognise the importance of social interaction, resilience, community and adaptability as skills for living in today’s world.

Perhaps Tolkien got it right in ‘Return of the King’ in what seems to me a good way of seeing life, or at least retirement (don’t worry - not yet - I have a few years to go!) , ‘He is a moss-gatherer, and I have been a stone doomed to rolling. But my rolling days are ending and now we shall have much to say to one another.’

So, whether you are a rolling stone or a moss gatherer, cut your mosses, don’t moss around, moss your fingers and enjoy having much to say to one another. .

Or , as I’m looking out of the window at the torrential rain, hailstones and flooded roads, please hope for better weather later today or I will definitely be thinking that 4500 miles was a big mosstake.