Dearest friends
I hope you all are well and that you are all reading some fantastic books.
Today’s post moves away from the Pond friends. It’s just me, CW, today. I want to share a decision that I made recently – one that I make with a heavy heart but is also a decision that makes the most sense to me right now.
Gentle starlight envelops the world in a soft glow as you make your way over to Xiaolong and your friends tonight. On your way to the Pond though, a soft chirping reaches your ears. You know instinctively that this isn’t a sound that you’ve heard before in your many visits to the Pond. You glance up, and within the blooming shrubbery that extends before you, you notice a faint rustle in one of the nearby bushes.
Xiaolong tugs your hand gently, her head tilting to the side in curiosity, before a moment of realisation dawns on her. “Oh, friend, follow me!” She says, and waddles in the direction of the bushes.
Friends, I have been waiting for this day for weeks and I am so excited that today is finally here! It is with excitement and pleasure that I get to finally announce my newest co-blogger, and I am so thrilled for you to meet her and your newest Pond friend.
The Quiet Pond has been on quite a hiatus for some weeks now and I am so happy to be back. Although I really did enjoy the break (book blogging is tough, friends!), I was itching to return to book blogging, creating content, and talking about the awesome books that I’ve read recently.
As you can see, there are quite a lot of new changes! This change has been a long time coming – I’ve been wanting to do this since the first quarter of this year! – and it’s a big relief that I’ve finally rolled them out. So here’s an update on what has changed, what’s new, what you can expect from the Pond moving forward.
Today, Xiaolong is sitting by the water, her head stuck in a big book. She seems to be so engrossed in whatever she’s reading that she doesn’t notice you approach – which is so unlike her!
You sit down at a comfortable distance away from her – you know that some people don’t like to be interrupted when they are reading! – and decide to take in the sights and smells and sounds of The Quiet Pond.
Finally, Xiaolong takes the leaf by her side and inserts it in between the book’s pages. “Hello friend,” she says, closing the book gently. “I got really into my book and didn’t notice that you had arrived! Sorry, friend.”
You smile and ask how she is. To be honest, Xiaolong doesn’t quite look like her perky self – her gills are a little droopy, she doesn’t have that bouncy energy that you usually notice right away, and her eyes don’t have their usual mischievous glimmer.
“I’m okay, friend!” says Xiaolong, who gives you a big grin. “Well, actually.” Her smile falters a little bit. “I’m a little behind on everything. The Quiet Pond may be quiet but it’s also a lot of work, and sometimes I get a little stretched thin.” She gives you a small smile. “I suppose I am burning out.”
You listen, nodding along to what she’s saying. What about a break? you ask.
Xiaolong tilts her head. “But… I can’t take breaks! I have so much to do at the Pond and everyone is depending on me!”
You smile. You understand how that feels. You tell Xiaolong that she isn’t alone in feeling this way, but even super-axolotls and Keepers of the Ponds need a rest too, especially if they are burned out.
Xiaolong considers this for a moment. “I think I needed to hear that,” says Xiaolong. She gets a little teary, realising how tired she is. “I think I need to take a break.”
Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening, friends! Welcome back to the Pond.
As you may have guessed from your talk with Xiaolong, The Quiet Pond is going to be taking a little bit of a break. Running The Quiet Pond has been such a pleasure – but it’s also been a big task that can get pretty draining sometimes! Read More »
The moment you receive Xiaolong’s message, you drop the book you were reading and run as fast as you can to the Pond.
When you finally reach the Pond, you see your little pond friends crowded around Stella the Dragonfly. You join in the little circle they have formed around her, glad that you made it just in time.
Because, as Xiaolong’s note said, Stella is leaving the Pond to go on another adventure.
