Do you spend more time thinking about the future or the past? Why?
Children and young adults grow and look up and out. Older now and pushing middle years, they have the best of both worlds, looking forward and back…and then we get to where, if they are lucky enough there are lots of happy memories to reflect on, plus a little light ahead for what maybes.
I have regrets, things i wish i had done differently, sure I do. Maybe more than my fair share, tbh. But there you go! I also have happy, crazy, fun, and interesting times to look back on. It is kinda funny ( in a good way). A brief look back isn’t a bad thing. It’s when one dwells there it could become an issue.
Happy Days
For the future, I have silly little dreams, but it’s staying healthy, and mobile is where the reality kicks in.
Planning for the future is not a bad thing, but expecting one? Not so much.
Which brings me neatly to the now. Living each day,still learning, letting go of what no longer matters and being truly grateful.
And in the words of John Lennon (1940~1980)
‘ Life is what happens to you when you are busy making other plans’
Fact is, I took a job straight from school and then attended Day Release to a college in the city.
All was going ok ( a tad bored with it after a year tbh- I had an inkling there was a world to be seen outside of Birmingham) and then I discovered weed and didn’t look back.
That’s not strictly true, in the dark hours unable to sleep, when our mind wanders, I think we all must have moments of ‘what ifs’. But then I let it go.
Do you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?
So, I’ve been out and about today. Got me a haircut. Play time? Oh yes! Makes me happy. Gemma, my stylist is so talented. I recognise myself in the mirror. Mojo restored.
The thing is, the moment I gave up work, it kicked in. The very second you are a beholder to no one but the lap of the Gods it’s happening
Olympic standard freedom.
Sure, things go pear-shaped, of course they do. A wobble with your health freaks out even the strongest amongst us.
Emotional and mental health are just waiting in the wings, ready for you to make the wrong move. Like chess.
So, maintaining the upper hand is key. There is only you, at the end of the day, to keep yourself on an even keel. Feel you can’t manage it? Please, seek help.
As you will have gathered, if you read any of my posts, I am grateful for small mercies.
Patch has definitely lost a marble along the way, but I’m here for him, big time. Joe, a previous companion, was struck with Cushings. It cost a fortune to keep him comfortable. But I didn’t go anywhere for the last two years of his life.
Why am I telling you this? Playtime is where you find it. Where you make it. I love rocking up here each day. It’s my happy place. I can still have fun at WordPress whilst watching over my best friend. 🐾🐾😍
This is Day One of a new year, and I’m looking forward to batting any challenges that come my way into the ether-well, to the best of my ability, that is.
There is usually something there to try us, isn’t there? It’s part of the process.
From reading lots of posts from my fellow bloggers here on WordPress each day, I am reminded just how tricky this living thing can be for you all.
Patch, his health, and well-being may give me grave concern this year. Sometimes, he seems quite frail, and then the next day, he’s a bruiser.
So, I guess as far as I can imagine, the rollercoaster of caring for an elderly dog could be a mammoth challenge this coming year. Not quite as easy to bat that away into the ether as I first suggested…
To those of you lovely people who I haven’t wished the very best for 2026, I do now 💚
The start to the new year always starts in the most horrible of ways. My poor boy will be cowering in the shower, trying his best to make himself as small as possible.
It’s only 4.45pm GMT, but already I feel a bit sick. Knowing what my lad will have to go through.
Fireworks, Noise, pollution, disruption. Why?
As a kid, I think I was never sure what it was all about. People around me going ooh and aarh. Yeah, a sparkler was nice, but hey, it was cold out there, never really got it.
And then as I grew I learned how wild and domestic animals really were affected. It’s not funny and it’s not clever.
This-
(later edit, I copied this and now can’t find the source to give credit)
“Millions of animals, including pets, farm animals, and wildlife, are significantly affected by fireworks, with studies showing over 80% of pet owners report negative impacts, and high percentages of dogs (around 41-62%) and horses (over 79%) experiencing fear, leading to distress, injury, escapes, and even death, due to the unpredictable, loud noises and flashes.
Impact on Pets (Dogs & Cats) Fear & Anxiety: High percentages of dogs (41-62%) and cats show fear, trembling, hiding, excessive barking, pacing, and panting. Escape & Injury: Many pets try to escape, leading to them getting lost, injured, or even killed. Lasting Trauma: Fireworks can cause long-term trauma and lasting stress.
Impact on Farm Animals & Horses Extreme Distress: Horses and livestock experience severe anxiety, with one survey finding 79% of horses anxious around fireworks. Fatalities: There are recorded cases of horse fatalities linked to firework panic.
Impact on Wildlife Disorientation & Death: Birds and small animals can be disoriented, unable to find nests, leading to young dying from starvation or dehydration.
Habitat Disruption: Smoke, pollution, and debris from fireworks litter habitats and harm wildlife.
Why Animals Are So Affected. Heightened Senses: Animals hear and see sounds and lights much more intensely than humans.
Unpredictable Danger: The sudden, loud, and unpredictable nature of fireworks triggers survival instincts, making them seem like a massive, close-range threat.
Key Statistics 80% of pet owners report negative impacts from fireworks (USPCA poll). 62% of dogs show fear (RSPCA). 66% of animals are negatively impacted by private displays (RSPCA).
And that was just part of the report. Horrendous statistics.
Can you imagine what animals in war zones must feel like? No, neither can I.
Some folk were quick to remind me that Brigitte Bardot was less than perfect, and she held views that were/are certainly distasteful.
I don’t condone for a minute her unsavoury opinions, but did honour her passing for her absolute dedication to animal welfare. They don’t have a voice. How they treated is in the hands of humans.
Animal welfare is my passion, a way of life. I took it for granted people would pick up on that. My bad.
Thesedays it’s simply easy-going people I like to be around. A sense of humour does it for me, too.
I’ve had more than my share of the difficult, the ones who think they have got away with their passive aggression.
We are all complex souls and act in one way or another for a variety of reasons, I get that. And I blame myself totally for humouring folk in the past who think I fell off a Christmas tree.
My dad provided for us. We lived somewhere nice and were well fed, never cold, and with pleasant family holidays. But I still haven’t worked out why he had kids at all.
I felt us as siblings were just add-ons to the life he led along with his harem. Guilt tripping was rife with four wives( I mean he was married 4 times, lol) and a girlfriend or two thrown in for good measure.
It was constantly difficult for us to navigate our way through and around the characters and their personalities. None of them child friendly. Only my mom, who lived elsewhere, had any warmth.
And it’s warmth that attracts me today, people who give a damn about the world spining out of control, with leaders who should be locked up.
The ones who have compassion and understand how humans really mess with the lives and deaths of animals.
IN THE BOOMER PIGEON HOLE? 