Slow Down Now: The almost serious antidote to workaholism

In deference to Her Ladyship, we reproduce her response in the original British English.

Lady Fiona Moore responds to Slow Down Week

You angelic beings at Slow Down Now. You are wonderful! I wholeheartedly support Slow Down Week. I trust you have received my more than adequate funding for your organisation.

Life has been hectic (until now) up at the hall. Benson, my butler, is having a feud with Grimes the gatekeeper. It’s hard for him to walk the three miles to the end of the driveway. He isn’t getting any younger. I’ve told him he can take the Rolls Royce, but he will not drive. He says he must get his exercise. Benson usually knows best.

Grimes rather thoughtlessly burned off the roof from the gatekeeper’s lodge on Monday. He has some ridiculous story about explosive tea. He refuses to move out in order to facilitate repairs. Benson gets upset. He is a sensitive man.

Between responding to Benson’s consternation and my organizing future village fetes, I have been  frazzled. I take my responsibility to the people in the village very seriously. Only by reading your important manifesto did I realise I don’t have to do it now. Do less slowly: You are divine to come up with such help to humanity.

Klaus is pestering me again to spend some of the season in his castle. He really can be such a bore. I can barely spend a month if I do go. It hardly seems worth it.

But with your urging to recognise Slow Down Week, thanks to you, I was able to put aside my trials, trials that destiny has thrust upon one. I have slowed down. I am committed to doing fewer things and doing those slowly.

Please forward your tax identification number for our records.

Sincerely,

Lady Fiona Moore
The Great Hall
Brightworthy-on-the-Hill