Focus

Hello! 

You are very welcome here. My name is Chris Tracey, that's me over on the right, and I'm a retired seventy-something who has spent an entire working life in education. Retirement has been fulfilling so far (wish I'd done it when I left school) and I spend a lot of time reading, travelling and blogging. 

The focus of this blog has shifted a couple of times over its life but now I'm focussed on the notion of lifelong learning.  Ah, the gravitational pull of education!  

So a still-learning senior finding stuff to write about and share, because...

Every day is a school day

That phrase, or a variation of it, is one that I heard frequently when growing up. And I heard it just the other day when a friend shared something new and having told me about it said, “See. Everyday’s a school day!” The variation runs something like, “If you live to be 100, you’ll learn something new everyday.”

This blog aims to contribute to that always learning notion.

I plan to write regularly here but I don’t want my posts to be “teachy” or pedantic. If you spot anything like that then feel free to call me out. Rather what I want to post about are thoughts and ideas that flow from what I have heard, read or seen. I love it when everyday stuff catches me by surprise and makes me think. Those “teachable moments” that make me sit up and pay attention. These happen to all of us every day. Some things that perhaps we take for granted can be looked at afresh and by stopping and reflecting - sitting up and paying attention - we can learn new stuff and think new.

So what can you expect here?

You’ll find that I love books and if you do too then please share your thoughts. There’s just something about writers and readers that makes me want to take part in book conversations.  I love taking pictures of doorways and windows especially if they are shut and make me curious about what's on the other side. So look out for regular snaps of "closed openings".

Okay then. How long and how often?

Generally I would like to focus on 2 to 3 minute reads, although I want to get back into researching material for more substantive pieces which will take around 5 minutes. If you become a regular visitor then I won't trespass too much on your goodwill as my intention is to post once a week for the time being. 

Finally

Just so you know, I also like to try my hand at poetry and love the Haiku format - Here’s a sample which I use as my middlefocus byline:

Senior. Student still. Sits up and pays attention. Posts some learnings here.

You can also see that my poetry writing has a way to go - Still learning, you know!

After all, if you live to be a hundred you’ll learn something new each day.

Renewed thanks for visiting. 

Chris