After success with eating raisins (only fruit I currently eat) I'm now working on trying these tiny, 100% fruit, banana & date bars. They're from same brand as my raisins, which is familiar & comforting. Purchased a week ago but not yet managed to eat one. Hopefully this week.🍌

In a divided world these HandInHand schools are beautiful. "I want Hassan to learn Arabic & Hebrew, to understand there's a shared life for Arabs & Jews." "It's important for us that (Carolina) live it from a young age, to live together with Arab society" youtube.com/watch?v=Z0BZ9u…

A while ago I signed up to an 8 week course on Roman religion which is super exciting to me. It includes a weekly zoom call. First call this Thursday but at a time that means I have to change my daily routine. Had weeks to prepare, but am feeling really unsettled in anticipation!

Online OCD support group merged with another group at the last minute with no notice! Didn't know anyone there (I was the only person from my usual group). Totally overwhelming especially today, so left the group before it got started. Super disappointed.

Had 1st zoom class of my 8 week long Roman religion course last night. Went well. Course leader is super knowledgeable, so it was great listening to her. Despite trying so hard not to, I spoke way too much - subject is an intense interest of mine so it's hard restraining myself!

Low white clouds moving in an eastwards direction along the tops of the Downs, contrasted by the dark clouds of thunderstorms moving westwards north of the Downs from my window.

Had to shorten route & stick to area only 5 mins away from house during supported walk due to concern about possible thunderstorms. Zero breeze made it really hard. Panicked when lady called out to ask if I was lost! Did manage to get photo of a Monterey cypress on nearby street.

La Esperanta 'Vintro en Muminvalo' libro alvenis hodiaŭ! My Esperanto-language 'Winter in Moomin Valley' book arrived today! I have to leave it to 'decontaminate' for a while, but I'm looking forward to trying to read it in a few days time.

Steam train came past my house this morning, tooting its whistle, was rather a nice moment.

Am enjoying collecting pictures of Carmel-by-the-Sea and the Carmel Valley in autumn. It's been a welcome distraction from the constant OCD thoughts following my supported walk on Friday.

Found some more lovely pics of the Carmel-by-the-Sea kitty called Shadow, who lives in the cute-looking Lamp Lighter Inn. She often likes to keep the guests company during their stay.

This morning is the first time in 3 months that the temperature in my house is under 20 degrees. I'm enjoying the cool feeling.

Enjoying this week's material for Roman religion course, including myth of Priapus' failure to have his way with Vesta. Unexpected parallels between protective power of this virgin goddess (& her priestesses) & protective power of Rome's mascot of macho sexuality are fascinating.

Some pictures from a beautiful autumn walking tour video I found online earlier, around the part of my village that thanks to OCD I've not been able to visit in 4 years 8 months, despite only being a short walk away. I miss being there so much.

I find waiting for calls super stressful. Telephone appointment at 10:30 this morning didn't happen until after 11am. Result: over half an hour of me pacing back & forth, not being able to get on with anything & rehearsing what to say over and over. Relieved it's out of the way.