After I wrote and posted the piece How fast should one saunter? (this blog 16 March 2018) someone wrote to me and said she noticed that characters in books also meander a lot.
I hadn’t noticed that so much, but I’ll watch for it in future to see if, when it occurs, it’s appropriate to the context.
I hope so, because I have no problem with people meandering if that’s their intention and there’s no pressing reason for them to get somewhere more directly.
Centuries ago it was appreciated that some tended to wander in this way, as did the Maeander River that took a winding scenic route through fields and olive groves in its journey from the Anatolian plateau to the Aegean Sea. Supposedly, both the river and those following its example arrive at their destination relatively stress-free.
I hadn’t noticed that so much, but I’ll watch for it in future to see if, when it occurs, it’s appropriate to the context.
I hope so, because I have no problem with people meandering if that’s their intention and there’s no pressing reason for them to get somewhere more directly.
Centuries ago it was appreciated that some tended to wander in this way, as did the Maeander River that took a winding scenic route through fields and olive groves in its journey from the Anatolian plateau to the Aegean Sea. Supposedly, both the river and those following its example arrive at their destination relatively stress-free.
The Welsh poet William Henry Davies was probably a fan of meandering –
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
(W H Davies, Leisure)
I’ve been aware of the benefits of meandering since schooldays when a teacher, with a grin, explained the word’s meaning in relation to the pleasure of walking with his girlfriend – “we go the long way, me-and-’er.”
😊 Bronwyn Elsmore
😊 Bronwyn Elsmore
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