Latest news with #MatthewButte
The Guardian
09-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
How an excise officer kept up their spirits
John Garforth's work as an excise officer (Letters, 8 May) reminds me of an ex-colleague's job as the same, visiting bonded warehouses to check the quality of the spirits kept in store. After testing, a form was presented to the officer to complete. In answer to the question: 'Was the remaining spirit disposed of in a common sewer?,' the answer always given was: 'Eventually.'Colin PhillipsLondon Congratulations to Matthew Butte (Letters, 7 May) for his perseverance and ultimate success. In a similar vein, I have been learning to play the accordion, practising every day for 10 years, and I'm still married. I'm not sure whose success is the more ForsterShipton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire As the new pope is American (Robert Francis Prevost becomes Pope Leo XIV as cardinals elect first US pontiff, 8 May), will Trump declare the Vatican to be the 51st state?David ProtheroHarlington, Bedfordshire I knew I was getting old when first the police, then the headteachers, and now even the new popes have started to look GoreEnfield, London Pea guacamole AKA mushy peas (Letters, 4 May) is also described on one menu as 'Yorkshire caviar'.Trish DurrantBristol Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
The Guardian
07-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
It took five minutes of practice a day to make me a guitarist
I loved Emily Bratt's article (The one change that worked, I could never get fit – until I tried a 40-second plank every day, 5 May) because it served as a reminder that small changes can have a transformative impact. A year ago, at the age of 52, I started taking guitar lessons. I had always wanted to learn and had tried a few times over the years, but practising was a challenge. It always seemed too difficult and would take too much time. However, my approach this time was similar to Emily's. My guitar was always out and I committed to practise a minimum of five minutes every day. I easily had time for that, I reasoned. Over the year, five minutes has frequently become a lot more. But five minutes is my minimum. Next week, I have my first recital. My piece will not be perfect and I'll be one of the oldest players, but I will have accomplished something. Just do a little bit and be patient, Emily reminds us. I have come to realise, too, that whether it is five minutes of guitar practice, a 40-second plank or something else, that is the success. That is the accomplishment. That is something to celebrate. It feels good to celebrate at least one success a day. Matthew Butte Battle Ground, Washington, US Do you have a photograph you'd like to share with Guardian readers? If so, please click here to upload it. A selection will be published in our Readers' best photographs galleries and in the print edition on Saturdays.
