Here at WordPress to unpack a life lived. Enjoying the Daily Prompts at the moment. Lives in England with my faithful Rescue companion. I love him x
intheboomerpigeonhole.co.uk
- Why?
If aliens arrived tomorrow, what’s the first thing you’d ask them?
I’d ask them why they are here. Can’t they see from above we have made a hash of it?
- I have several, lots really
What’s a personal mantra or philosophy you live by?
Count your blessings
Be Kind
The Truth Will Always Out
Karma will get you ( what goes around comes around)
Judge not, that ye not be judged
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Getting older can be a bit of a pain, on many levels. But what it teaches you is something else. Listen to the elders.
- I wish for you
The genie grants you a wish. What is it?
World Peace is out of the question, clearly. Too much greed from the power-hungry scuppers that. I could say how do they sleep at night? But the answer would probably be ‘ with ease’.
Another wish that isn’t going to happen..that I get to spend a day with some of the people I have loved and lost. There is a lot I want to say. Questions to ask and words to listen to.
Another? Yep, the massive lottery win. I could do so much good with that. #WaterAid .
Maybe it is best for now that I wish whomever reading this has a happy day and remains safe.
- If living was so simple
What are five simple exercises to do at home?
This isn’t going to be the most enthralling post you have read today. Forgive me, but I did want to show up.
I start the day by exercising my right to down as much coffee as I can – before His Lordship says, ” Enough already, we’re going out. Now!’
Then there is lots of lovely exercise out and about. Soaking up the natural world. We are so fortunate that where we live, there is an endless number of ways we can go straight out of the front door. He decides, l follow. Yep, he takes the lead, ironically.
Back home, he settles for a long nap whilst I race around ( exercise no 3) getting household jobs done. There’s only two of us under this roof, but crikey, there’s lots to be done. Patch is a cross Beagle/ Jack Russell. His fur is everywhere, despite frequent brushing.
So, where does exercise 4 come onto it? After my chores,whilst he sleeps, I’m chasing side hustles online. The minute he awakes, we’re back on it. Out the door and on our way. Don’t get me wrong, I love it, I love him, but there is ‘ no rest for the wicked ‘
And that leaves us with the fifth ‘simple’ exercise, WordPress is asking us to divulge to all today
I’ll put this down the mental and emotional exercise we all have to cope with on a daily basis. We all want to live in a peaceful world and enjoy existing on this planet in harmony… but a handful of megalomaniacs won’t allow it.
- Karma’s gonna get ya!
Do you believe in karma?
Yes, I do.
It can be Instant Karma, or it can take a while, but it is present.
It has surely been around from the word dot, don’t you think?
How can it not be a thing?
- Self care begins here..at WP
How do you make time for self-care?
Hey, you lovely peeps.
I’ve been struggling to find the time to be within the WordPress family of late, and I’m going to do my best to get back in the groove.
You guys are the best, and I’ve missed you and your antics, like you would not believe.
This is the best place for self-care, isn’t it? Our place, our little space in a tiny corner of the Word Press world of business.
This is where we come to hang out, to breathe, let off some steam, maybe.
I’m looking forward to touching base with you all again. This is where self-care thrives.
P.S please give me a little time to go back through my thread, see what’s going on with you guys, and reply to any loose ends. ‘ Housekeeping’ my lovely WP buddy June, calls it.
- 💚
- Let the eye-rolls begin..
What’s the most annoying trope in books or movies?
Not sure this is the most annoying, but it is one of them, for sure..
The ‘when friends become lovers’ trope is the cinematic equivalent of a toddler hiding behind a sheer curtain and believing you can’t see them.
The moment two characters insist they’re just friends, I’m already rolling my eyes so hard it hurts. But still I watch.
Then comes the accidental finger‑touch, followed by that microscopic jealous flick: the eyebrow twitch that says, “Please stop interacting with other humans,” while the script pretends it’s subtle.
After that, we get the groundbreaking revelation that their long‑term friend is, shockingly, attractive. Stunning. Revolutionary. Humanity has never witnessed such innovation.
By the time the scheduled confession scene arrives, I’m not rooting for romance. I’m rooting for the credits. Even the credits know what’s coming; they’ve seen this trope more times than the actors.
Ironically, in real-life this a beautiful scenario. On screen taking ninety minutes of my life that I’ll never get back, not so much.
- 5? but…
What are your favorite 5 apps on your phone?
Jetpack, Shazam, Sky News, Weather & Radar, LBC.
I would have gone on for a while there, given half a chance. But DP @ WP asks for 5.
- Be the light, the warmth
What’s the kindest thing someone has ever done for you?
Our beautiful planet is being brutally destroyed by vile greedy megalomaniacs- those egoists who have not an iota of passion in their ugly souls.
But individually, we can bring light and warmth into this cold darkness. Within us, we have the power to override it even for just a moment, with kindness.
A lovely friend has shown me tremendous kindness of late. She could show you how to make a difference, and I can confirm that when a light comes through the cracks, it warms your heart.
- The Nepal-Tibet border 💜
My heart goes out to the souls who have perished and those affected by the flooding. I am so sorry.
- You’d think lessons would be learnt,eh?
If you could go back and witness any historical event, which one would you pick?
Hey WP, I really did give today’s DP some serious thought and came up nada, nothing, zilch.
Of course now that I have written that a few little threads begin tugging in my brain. May 8th 1945. That must have been quite something when Germany surrendered and the war was over.
- Sharing a life
How did you meet your significant other?
I saw his photo online. He looked handsome, healthy, and in good shape.
Things moved quickly from that moment, and he had moved in within a few weeks.
We’ve been together over five years now.
There have been ups and downs. We are both spirited souls.
But the fact is you never really know what you’re getting with a mixed breed Rescue, who has had three homes before coming to share your life. 🐾🐾
- ….and repeat.
What’s the last movie that made you cry?
Aww, the Happiness Engineers had done such a good job of updating our Daily Prompt feed, and now this?
Seems the old thread is back?
- The devil and the deep blue sea
If you could erase one event from history, what would it be?
It is impossible for me to rank one natural ( horrific) event over a man-made decision to abuse or slaughter.
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I scroll the Sky News app first thing every morning and always wish I hadn’t.
- Keep on truckin’
Which is the best restaurant in your city?
In England, we have something called coloquially as a ‘ Greasy Spoon’ ( sounds nice, doesn’t it? Lol)
(No, Greasy Spoon food doesn’t look like this. I was fearful of showing you the reality of a Full English) Basically, a truck stop. Cheap and cheerful, you might say. Or possibly ‘a heart attack on a plate’ if you go for a ‘ Full English’. Or a Full English plus.
They rarely offer veggie sausages, let alone bacon, but they know how to cook eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, hash browns, gorgeous doorstep toast and the best builders-tea, ever.
Breakfast has really become my most favourite meal of the day. You are almost invinsible afterwards. This probably began in India all those years ago, a place that understands feeding you.
- Lost in Words( hilarious typo sorted 😆 )
Which author would you love to have dinner with?
Having given this some thought WordPress, I really can’t narrow it down. Got myself a bit of a list…
Isabella Tree..Wilding
W.H. Davies..Diary of a Supertramp
Christina Rossetti.. Poet
Emily Dickinson..Poet
Charles Bukowski..Semi autobiographical novels
Stephen King.. Horror genre
William Morris.. Author amongst other things.
Erin Morgansten..The Night Circus
WordPress, I’ll stop here. This is a Daily Prompt with very long legs.
- Choose kindness
If your future self could send you one sentence, what do you hope it would say?
Yikes, by definition, my future self is going to be quite aged. Maybe ‘ wiser’ sounds nicer, less severe, easier to imagine.
Perhaps the sentence could be a long the lines of ‘ you did your best, you gave a damn!’
- Vada in Chennai
What’s the best local dish you’ve ever eaten while traveling?
If you are au fait with my blog, you will know I have a place deep in my heart for Chennai, in Southern India.
The food, the side-dishes, and the chutneys are to die for.
A glass of chai and a vada in the afternoon. Sublime.
Hand on heart, if I could swap my daily intake for south Indian fayre, I would be a very happy bunny.
- Little sponges
What’s a thing you wish schools actually taught?
It would be wonderful if the little ones were introduced to the world around them. If they got to know their way around a globe.
The little sponges that they are would learn about the natural world, the name of rivers, mountains, and trees.
This information could be combined with colours and numbers.
They could learn to sing, whistle, and hum.
Planting seeds, watch them grow. Learn about the food they eat and where it comes from.
Small people would be taught to swim. How to take care of themselves, their teeth and hygiene.
Little souls would be encouraged to speak up or seek help if they felt uncomfortable or powerless in any situation.
We would want them to understand animal welfare and the way animals share our planet
I’d like our kids to learn about pollution and its effects.
There is so much they could take in. Given the chance.
Last but not least they could be taught about tolerance and how being different is okay.
There is room in their ever expanding minds for this and more.
- Coexistence
What’s a quote that perfectly describes your outlook on life?
If a Pagan meets a Buddhist, you may begin to get where I’m coming from.
However, the quote I have for you today is straight from the Bible.
‘ Do to others as you would have them do unto you’.
The most beautiful thing about this is that you will find a version of this quote in every holy book and wise words from ancient philosophers.
Buddhism: “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” — Udanavarga 5:18
Hinduism: “This is the sum of duty: do naught onto others which would cause you pain if done to you.” — Mahabharata 5:1517
Confucianism: “Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you.” — Analects 15:23
Taoism: “Regard your neighbour’s gain as your own gain, and your neighbour’s loss as your own loss.” — T’ai Shang Kan Ying P’ien
Islam: “None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.” — Number 13 of Imam Al-Nawawi’s Forty Hadiths
Judaism: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour. This is the whole Torah; the rest is the commentary; go and learn it.” — Talmud, Shabbat 31a
Ancient Greece: “Do not do to others what angers you if done to you by others.” — Isocrates
- Crikey!
What are your top 10 travel destinations?
Yikes WordPress. This isn’t an easy drop-in to DP, and have your say, is it?
Okay, so…let’s take Amman//Jordan, Chennai/India and Cornwall/UK out of the equation. Because these are a given.
I have to be clear, at this moment in time, I want to go nowhere, overseas. I am so very happy where I am.
A long weekend city break in a smart hotel in central London and Birmingham.
I’m thinking, The Ice Hotel in Sweden (not comfortable about sleeping under reindeer hides, though.
Yellow Stone Park, to see brown bears, coyotes, racoons, and all the wildlife I don’t come across in England.
The Native experience at the Salish Lodge and Spa. NW US.
The Knepp Estate in West Sussex, UK. The ultimate in rewilding.
Croatia, Ireland, Venice, and a Greek island.
- Three screws and a washer
What’s a skill you consider basic, that most people don’t actually know how to do?
The most basic skill most people don’t actually have is reading instructions.
Not skimming. Not guessing. Not assuming they already know. I mean the humble act of reading the words in the order they appear.Give someone a simple set of steps, and they’ll treat it like folklore: half‑remembered, loosely interpreted, and retold with creative liberties.
And when they’re finished, they’re always left holding three screws and a washer… staring at them like sacred artefacts from a parallel universe.
Meanwhile the screws and washer are holding a quiet meeting about your life choices, and you’re Googling “why does my shelf lean like that.
”Those leftover screws aren’t spare…. they’re evidence.
- On Henry Chinaski’s clarity
Who is the fictional character you relate to the most?-right now
A small reflection on early awareness, altered states, and the way certain characters make you recognise parts of yourself.
Henry Chinaski’s early way of seeing the world reminded me of how some of us learn to notice what others miss.
That way of looking at things runs through Charles Bukowski’s writing. Henry Chinaski is the semi‑autobiographical character he writes through, an outsider who sees the cracks in the world long before he knows what to do with them. He notices the narrowness, the unfairness, the atmosphere around him, even when he doesn’t yet have the language or the scaffolding to make sense of it.
That’s the part I recognise. Not the chaos, but the awakening. All my life I’ve had flashes where the surface story didn’t match what I sensed underneath. A teacher’s tone, a room’s mood, the way adults spoke around a subject — small things that didn’t line up with the version of events being presented. I didn’t have the scaffolding then, but there was no language or guidance, so those observations stayed as flashes. But they were accurate.
I’m not a stranger to altered states either. As a teenager, I experimented with mind‑altering drugs, and even now, I enjoy the mild shift that comes with a glass of wine. Not to escape anything, but because it tilts the perspective just enough to see things differently. As a writer, that slight shift can be useful. So I don’t dismiss Chinaski’s drinking entirely; I understand the impulse behind wanting life to move a little to the left so you can look at it again.
I’ve only read one of Bukowski’s books, Ham on Rye, but I’m looking forward to seeing how his life unfolds. There’s something compelling about watching a character grow through the parts of life most people prefer not to talk about. The rough edges, the missteps, the moments of clarity that arrive uninvited. It feels like a journey worth following, not for the drama but for the honesty… and I’m ready to see where it goes next.Sometimes a character’s honesty is enough to keep you turning the pages.
- Cosmic Wheels
Do you think everything happens for a reason?
It would be great to put on my hippie hat and say ‘ yes, everything happens for a reason’. But imagine saying that to someone today who has just received bad news.
I would like the spookiness of things happening for a reason. But the negative side of it is chilling. It’s not something one wants to hear or believe on the day of a nightmare scenario presenting itself, uninvited.
Now Karma, yes, the idea of this is a good one! But that’s a chat for another day…
- Each to their own
What’s your home decoration style?
Shaker meets Missoni meets Minimalist.
Natural floors, shutters.
Beautifully made practical furniture, flashes of bright colour, no clutter.
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- The Barbie Sari
What’s the funniest misunderstanding you’ve ever been part of?
Many moons ago, I saw the most amazing sari. Pink, sparkly, perfect for the little girl in England, I had in mind.
I was in Chennai, living my best life.
Often, when I was shopping I had my lovely friend Sister Mary with me. She was from Bangalore. A beautiful place, I had heard. But I don’t recall her being with me that day.
I’d set my sights on this gorgeous piece and asked the young man its price.
Whatever he said, I responded ‘ Blimey, that’s a bit steep, innit?’.
Bless him, his face was a picture. In fact, as a race, these people are stunning. Their hands, their bone structure,their eyes. Incredible.
He looked at me, bewildered but desperately trying to understand what I had said to him.
I’m a Brummie, I often/mostly converse in colloquialisms. It’s possible other folk in the UK may not have understood what I said.
‘Blimey- = Blind me/ blasphemous. ‘ That’s a bit steep’ High/ that’s a lot. ‘ innit’= isn’t it?.
I will never forget the look on his face when I uttered those words without a second thought.
But as I write this it, it occurs to me I was so comfortable, in India back then, I didn’t feel the need to regulate my speech. No exaggerated pronunciation, no raising of my voice, no issues.
I was home.
Thank you, Chennai.Thank you to my employers, colleagues, and friends. I had the time of my life x
- Love him
- Errr, dunno
What’s a movie or book that inspired you to travel? …Nada
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- LBC Radio
If you could erase one trend from history, what would it be?
The inability of politicians to answer a question in an interview.
No so long ago on LBC radio, Nick Ferrari said ‘ Minister, I will ask you for the 5th time……’. And still, he evaded it.
Do these people think we don’t notice? Don’t they know it shows them in a very poor light?
- My car is quiet now
Which outdated technology do you miss the most, and why?
A CD player in my car. I so miss it.
Yes, I know I can do a playlist, blah, but it’s simply isn’t the same as getting a new ‘ album’ and playing it over.
It’s where I did the majority of music playing for a long time.
I use Spotify sometimes, but as yet, it doesn’t fulfil me in the same way as the physicality of selecting one for the mood, whacking it in and bam, off you go my -Happy as 🎵🎶
- To tell you the truth…edit/ And then came Karma
What is the best excuse you have heard lately?
Thing is, I don’t have myself down as a liar, not even a fib..but about an hour ago, I saw two traffic wardens in front of me on the pavement turn right.
Right towards my car.
I hadn’t checked the parking limit and thinking it may be 30 minutes (and I’d probably been out and about for at least an hour) ..on the spur of a moment, without a second thought I managed to come up with the excuse of having had to stop and help an elderly lady who had fallen over. Thus making me late.
Turns out they were by their own car by then. Possibly at the end of their shift, were disrobing and getting ready to leave.
I’m a little bit alarmed that off the top of my head, I had thought of something to say. So quickly, I mean.
Turns out the parking spot was free for three hours…
Edit…The rapid arrival of Karma. When I got home I trapped my thumb in the car door…boo hoo. And just this minute caught the same thumb in the fridge door. Enough already!
- A journey towards authenticity
Do you think we’re shaped more by our experiences or by who we are?
Hey WordPress, we have certainly skirted around this type of question before, and it is as complex now as it was back then.
It really is a massive subject, worthy of a thesis, I reckon.
Surely, it starts with genetics. Not just parents, but going back some. We all have heard about ‘ things’ missing a generation and showing up further down the line.
How ‘ together’ separately or alone the parents, guardians are in themselves. The behaviours they portray are for some time going to have an influence on a young soul.
The environment we grow up in. How varied that can be.
And that’s just the start, isn’t it? The complex nature of families, their personalities, characters and intelligence are there for little ones to soak up or repel.
Some kids get a good start, and others don’t stand a chance from the off.
Education and schooling then have factors to consider. There are going to be issues over any interest taken in the child by everyone. Their natural abilities were noticed or not. Their peers, their teachers, they all have their own issues which can come into play.
Putting aside any conditioning, what about the nature of the child. Is there anyone to give thought and time to nurture that. To help it grow? Are their siblings, is their rivalry?
And in that forced ( probably) educational environment where does one stand, to the back? To the forefront? Kids can be cruel.
Getting into a workplace, the right path, can be dependent on so many factors. Luck, courage, ability, assistance, nurturing, or neglect, to name a few.
Ongoing support or not during early adulthood. Sent feral or closeted?
A child may have an inate sense of self and inherited gene that helps to shape them in a positive manner.
There may be underlying medical issues, which affect a personality to some degree.
You can see where I’m going with this? It can take a very long time to get totally comfortable in one’s own skin.
Adulthood brings experiences good and bad, and it’s how those are handled that can leave a mark.
How fragile, how complex we are….
A favourite quote of mine from David Bowie ( 1947~2016) of growing older an ‘extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been’.
Giving yourself the chance to forever grow and learn and shape-shift. To do away with out- dated thoughts and ideas. To continually update oneself. They must be the keys?
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” — Mahatma Gandhi
- Netflix and Prime
What’s a book you think deserves a sequel?
Seeing how I do more screen time than reading at the moment, I feel the need to chat about sequels to series.
I love a good series, crime/drama my most favourite and something the French are really good at. The Scandi ones are worth watching, but a tad predictable ( a detective returns to their home town/village at the same time a child goes missing or a murder. But I still enjoy them.
I seem to identify with Danish and enjoy the Polish productions and absolutely love Irish ones, The Hispanic can be quite feisty and captivating.
But I digress. You get involved, identify/like the cast, the script, the cinematography watch a season or two are totally hooked, and then find Prime or Amazon have cancelled it.
It’s understandable initially if it doesn’t get good tv figures/ratings, but things have changed now. The suits need to be a bit more forward-thinking. With healthy streaming audiences reaching far beyond their wildest dreams.
They cancel something as the original viewers did not engage back then, but now the world population is their potential reach.
I’ve lost count of shows I was gutted to find had no more seasons to follow.
But maybe in the interim, the execs have got wind of the changes. Obviously, the cast and crew need to know pretty sharpish if their services are going to be needed. Else, they need to move on. I get it. It’s a gamble, but that is what they get paid shed loads for.
What do you think? Are you disappointed when a series you have invested in is cancelled?
- Robbin’ Robin
What villain actually had a good point?
Sherwood Forest feels alive in Robin Hood’s legend, a watchful companion rather than a backdrop. It is the place that turned an outlaw into a myth.
When the Sheriff’s men entered, the paths shifted, and the shadows thickened. When Robin Hood walked beneath the branches, the forest opened and guided him with quiet approval.That was the moment the story became something. People saw that Robin Hood was not simply hiding in Sherwood. He was recognised by it.
He robbed the rich to feed the poor, and the forest responded by sheltering him, shaping him, and giving his rebellion a home older than any king.
The Major Oak still stands like a witness, holding centuries of memory. In that green hush, it is easy to believe Sherwood remembers the outlaw it chose.
- Nothing grows in a comfort zone
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
At this very moment in time, I’m happy enough where we are. Thank you all the same.
Reflecting on the DP about chaos yesterday- I feel we are in the after-chaos place right now. Not the ‘ calm before the storm’ phase’ but that gentle relax with relief area.
It’s been a long, long time coming, so each moment is sacred.
I totally get the excitement of change and have embraced it whether it was forced on me or not. Somewhere new can be so exhilarating. Character building comes with change.
As I write this, it has occurred to me that lots of movement on the job front over the years came down to a boredom, the growing out of the position, itchy feet for horizons new.
The best job I ever had was to be in a stable position within a post that involved travel. Win win.
Some folk wait until they retire to travel the world, I think. I’m happy I got the travel bug out of my system and am now perfecting how to chill.
- Yes and no
Is a little chaos actually good for us?
Isn’t it what follows chaos that makes it worthwhile to endure for a while?
That solid gold moment when you find your device, your keys, your dog, after a horrible moment of panic?
The environment you have found yourself in feels too much, and you can walk away?
Little snippets of chaos I can cope with…but seriously major upheavals? Those situations folk find themselves in, with no let up in sight? No, no thank you.
- The World according to WP Bloggers…
Who is your favorite blogger to follow?
The truth is most of us would like a brief glimpse of our name up there in bright lights. A nanosecond, enough time to gulp and blush.
But the fact is this is a diverse community with doors and windows opening and closing. Folk coming and going- sometimes with lots to say, other times not so much.
And that is where the energy is- within this space where, on a daily basis, there’s wisdom to be gained, laughs to be had, a hug to be given. Stories, opinions, thoughts, ideas.. It’s all here. In the peaceful surroundings WP provides,
So, choosing a favourite doesn’t really work per se. ‘Favourites’ yes, that I get. So we follow, mingle, read, enjoy, and acknowledge( like) the blogs with what time we have. And I, for one, love it here.
- Sleep tight
What do you do to improve your sleep?
We have all heard or read the rules regarding getting a good night’s sleep.
A cozy sanctuary, clean sheets, uncluttered room, limited food, alcohol and screen time leading up to it.
An open window and your head facing south -according to Feng Shui.
No animals on the bed ( yeah right) and of course it would help if you don’t have a lumpy mattress, your partner snores or live somewhere too guiet( for some) or too noisy outside (for others)
We don’t want or need it too hot or too cold, either
Over tired, a busy brain, the list could go on for a bit, eh?
But my own thought is to go to bed with a clear conscience.
- Get rid!
What’s the best way to deal with negative thoughts?
Only one way to deal with negative thoughts!
- Never say ‘never’
What do you love now, that you hated when you were younger?
As a child I never had much room for them.
When I grew up I didn’t find them magical.
And now? I love them!
- Don’t look back in anger
What’s a time you followed your gut and it turned out to be exactly right?
Truth is, I have never been any good at following my gut. Much to my own detriment, I guess.
A combination of wanting to see the best in people being too giving, lenient, forgiving, and trusting mixed with heavens only knows what I’ve rarely got things exactly right.
But that was then, and this now, I’ve changed a lot recently. It’s taken me until this age to see. But my eyes are open wide and the big picture is totally in focus.
Getting older doesn’t mean you lose it… it can mean you refine and be at peace with yourself.
- Not going to happen
Emperor Palpatine has announced open elections for a new Emperor — and he’s nominated Darth Vader. You get to nominate one challenger.
I am a pacifist, so I’m not playing 😆
- This Rescue Dog’s Transformation Will Leave You Speechless | The Dodo
- The Daily Prompts can take us places…
Which languages do you speak and how did that impact your life?
The multilingual amongst us will get to shine the brightest today..and so you should! The ability to converse in other languages is some superpower in my eyes.
When English is your mother tongue, there is less of an incentive to learn another. Lazy of us, I think.
There was a time I was familiar with hearing Arabic and Tamil on a daily basis, and if I had stayed in that place, I might be holding my own. As it is the only practice I get now with Tamil is with the lad at the petrol station who appears remarkably impressed I can say hello, ask him if he’s had his breakfast then thank him and say goodbye. Bless him.
( He can speak several languages and has a degree in engineering. He’s humble and kind)
I think sometimes that I wish I had stayed overseas…
My lovely friend Sister Mary. Beautiful inside and out - The Elders know
What’s the best advice you’d give to someone younger than yourself
Never ever having a mentor has been the bane of my life.
I don’t want to say to a youngster if someone shows interest in you go with it, because their intentions may not be good for you.
But if there is a figure in your life, you totally trust-then listen.
If you ever you’re freaked out by someone, tell someone else. They don’t listen, tell someone else.
Once upon a time, apprenticeships used to be something, an honourable thing – life-long leaning was passed on. Like many cultures worldwide, the elders held the wisdom.
I’m rambling, but I guess what I’m trying to say is if you recognise an elder who has an ability you aspire to gain, listen, watch,take it in and question.Stretch your brain and imagination at every opportunity.
- Elon Musk, money and happiness
June, in England. It was the perfect drying day. Warm and breezy. Whilst I was sat thinking about stuff, I heard the unmistakable sound of splashing of water from the bird bath. I looked up, and there was a young blackbird living his best life. At that moment, I was engulfed in happiness. The natural […]
Elon Musk, money and happiness - Give a little bit
Who are you most inspired by?
A generosity of spirit gets my vote every time. Those who give a damn.
My fellow bloggers here on WP. I’m totally inspired by you and what you have to say and how you say it. There is a lot of talent on this my most favourite social platform.
I love folk who make a bit of an effort to be bright, to be upbeat. Those who give, even when life is a tad pear-shaped. Because when they do, we’ll notice and come together to support.
Cute pic, eh? - Elon Musk, money and happiness
June, in England. It was the perfect drying day. Warm and breezy. Whilst I was sat thinking about stuff, I heard the unmistakable sound of splashing of water from the bird bath. I looked up, and there was a young blackbird living his best life.
At that moment, I was engulfed in happiness. The natural world in its beauty and innocence.
As some of you know/may have gathered, I become deeply disturbed looking at the big picture and the human madness that prevails.
By the same token, I appreciate its absolute beauty-which I am lucky enough to witness. Not everyone is for a multitude of sad/heartbreaking reasons.
And then I thought back to the DP we had recently, asking us about happiness.
I led the DP with Elon Musk. The richest man in the world. He had once commented on a quote about money not buying you happiness. He agreed and said they were right.
Of course, we all rolled our eyes, really, Mr Musk? You cannot be serious?
Imagine being superbly financially secure and stable, with not a shred of apprehension when a bill shows up. That surely equates to a shred of happiness. Even a little whisper of ‘ all is cool in that camp’ kinda thing.
Thinking deeper if you were born into wealth and were yourself a multimillionaire in your 20s, struggling to pay bills will never have been a thing. That part of your character would never have developed. So, I needed to rule that excuse out.
Then there’s is the fact that Elon Musk has revealed he is neurodivergent with Aspergers Syndrome. So is it possible he doesn’t recognise happiness within himself? I don’t know, I’m not qualified to suggest it’s so. But it could be, do you think?
It is documented that at the launch of his successful SpaceX rocket launches, he shows signs of excitement and satisfaction. Well, that’s a start!
Now, what if he used his wealth on Earth. To provide clean water for all?Currently, half of the world’s population still lacks safely managed sanitation. We are talking 3.4 billion people, and how many animals?
This man could do some good worthy of sainthood if he wanted – but could he cope with the messy social and political systems? Probably not, but he could pay someone handsomely to do so.
If Elon Musk could provide clean water for all worldwide, not only would he make billions of folk happy and healthy he would also restore our faith in human nature.
From his viewpoint, surely he would be rewarded with a sense of happiness, even if it was only fleetingly. Whilst the rest of the world rejoiced by this humanitarian for eternity.
Mr Musk, sir. I will be your Happiness Engineer. Let me show you the way.
What do you think, peeps?
- I remember you
What’s a common misconception people have about happiness?
Elon Musk says, ” Whoever said ‘ money can’t buy you happiness’, really knew what they were talking about.”
I say ‘ Boo hoo, Mr Musk’.
If having a stash of cash relieves you of’ money worries’, well, I’d say there some happiness to be found there. Surely?
Happiness isn’t something you can chase,is it? You can find it in the most unexpected places and situations. And it can find you.
Happiness can be a fleeting moment, a passing phase-something you feel at breakfast, but by midday it’s gone.
Happiness isn’t something that can be sustained, but when you recognise it, enjoy it and remember it. That way, you will be able to return to those memories with clarity.
- Just wait
What is something you wish you could tell your 20-year-old self?
I would be telling myself that things/moments/incidents/meetings/people/ judgement aren’t always as they seem.
To step back and look at the bigger picture-sorry to say this but ulterior motive is a thing.
Wait, listen, watch…
Just don’t believe everything that comes your way….
- Holi
What’s a cultural tradition from another country that you wish existed in yours?
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- England at its best
What are the biggest mistakes people make when visiting your country?
The month of May is by far the most beautiful time of the year to visit England.
People visiting at other times of the year are probably going to be disappointed.
Sure, we are having heatwaves, but when we aren’t, they can really expect a ‘four seasons in one day’ thing, going on.
During May, the hedgerows are fat and happy. The trees are green. The birds are active. The plants and flowers are glorious-simply at their best, and England has gotten warmer after a long, bleak, and grey winter.
Watching the lambs play is something else.
- My jam
What’s a song that always puts you in a good mood?
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- Abandon your hope
What’s a fear you’ve overcome — and how did you do it?
I fear Planet Earth will never recover from absolute abuse and neglect.
It’s not something to ‘ get over’.
- For just a moment?
What’s the best way to build self-confidence?
Someone in their wisdom said,’Be careful what you wish for‘.
And didn’t we hound the Happiness Engineers at WP to make our DP’s more interesting?
They are coming up with some beauts, now.
Crikey, confidence, that’s a biggy to get your head and words around, eh?
Confidence is something you can build, have knocked out of you, have it installed, loose it, regain it, or sadly never ever had it.
Seems kinda fluid, do you think? One minute you have it, the next minute you don’t.
I’m thinking we aren’t so keen on folk who are overconfident. But there again, that’s their problem and not ours.
So maybe it comes down to enjoying those personal moments where things click, we get it, and understand it.
- Being yourself…
How do you build loyal subscribers?
Good question.
I guess it is having people engage with our style of writing.
The beauty of WP is that we get to read about the lives of other writers. From different worlds or generations, faiths, or no faiths. Just a mish mash of folk who enjoy showing up and putting down thoughts, ideas, memories, fears and loathing, loves n likes.
About the likes, to me they are more about a tick, an acknowledgement of having stopped by and read your stuff. Instead of the voyeurs, the ghosts who view, but leave without a nod.
Building up subscribers is good fun, a little reward for doing our best and peeps saying ‘ yes, I see you’.
As ever thank you to the very lovely June at https://fancyingfrance.com for being my first ever subscriber
- I miss you 💜
Share a proverb you think is completely wrong and make your case.
‘Time heals all wounds’
I wondered who in their deluded wisdom came up with that.
AI said….as they read it..
Menander (c. 342–290 BCE) — A Greek dramatist whose line “time is the healer of all necessary evils” is cited as an early form of the idea.
Terence (c. 190–159 BCE) — A Roman playwright whose Latin line “Diem adimere aegritudinem hominibus” (“time assuages human ailments”) is widely credited as the origin of the proverb’s modern form.
I will stick with the ever wise and wonderful Eleanor Roosevelt’s idea being
‘You never really get over grief. You learn to live with it’
- In your dreams
Do you believe in soulmates? Why or why not?
For as long as I can remember, I have dreamt vividly. There are times when the next day I will see flashes/moments of the night, or even the night before, dreams.
Like everyone, you wonder where it all comes from.
Occasionally, I will feel the presence of a man at my side as the dream progresses. He is solid and strong. He expects nothing from me. It is a totally unconditional alignment of souls. There, at that moment, a unique closeness. Incredible.
- I know I won’t live to see it…
What’s something you’d love to see in the future, but know you probably won’t live to witness?
World peace is not going to happen, is it?
As long as there are arms dealers, warmongers, disruptors, the powerful and greedy, we don’t stand a chance.
I’ve written a thousand times about the dick-swingers who rule our world…They are insane, Simple as
I don’t need to tell you guys just how mad and out of control everything is…
There are those too frightened to speak out, those who just accept it as it is and the apathetic..
And when you do make a noise…no one is listening. Or they are helpless or afraid to speak up. So we are snookered.
Something has to give. Maybe the planet itself will decide where this is going?
- Spaced Out
Do you believe in minimalism?
”Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” So said William Morris ( and my hero) in 1880, England.
Yup, minimalism certainly floats my boat! Whereas some folk are excited at accumulating ‘ stuff’, I’m happy to see things go and space appear.
- Heavenly
What’s a moment in your life that felt like it was straight out of a movie?
A movie? Maybe not, but it was certainly an out of body experience. Walking alone down a totally deserted beach in the Maldives.
(One thing I did try to push to the back of my mind is that it is only 1.5 metres above sea level)
I was with a group of peeps much of the time….but that moment will stay with me forever…. .
- Nice prompt, WP!
Go on a walk today and share a photo of something that catches your eye.
Monday June 1st 2026 
This poppy below planted itself at my front door
- Tick Tock-Give n Take
If you had an unlimited budget for 24 hours, what would you do?
OK. So the small print reads for 24 hours.. Lovely but tricky.
What to do about the unlimited budget?
And how does one get the most out of that scenario?
Buying a home would be a bit time-consuming. Could sort the wheels, tho.
I guess Plan A would be to transfer £X into my account and see what happens.
There is a young man I know of K who would benefit from hip replacement surgery. Getting that sorted would be good.
And then…all the bits and bobs I could get sorted via Amazon, notonthehighstreet and etsy in a short time.
We’ve got a pretty good high street in town. I could sort that in Two Hours…The White Company,Mint Velvet, Phase 8, Space..just for a girly retail therapy moment.
Back home online, I’d be looking at high-end orthopedic beds for Patch, which he would snub for ‘rough sleeping… A year’s supply of his very expensive gummies would be good.
Huge donations to all the charities I can think of.
Financial support wire transfers to everyone I know who would appreciate one.
I would love a high-end microscope.
It would be great to enter my DNA into all available banks to see what would happen.
Not sure where I would find the time to buy some art. But there are some pieces I would like.
I still haven’t paid for my funeral, which I really do want to be sorted out soon. Click n collect,no bother, no cars, flowers or ceremony.
I would need to prioritise my list before the 24 hours kicked off..
It would be a very measured 24 hours!
- No so perfect
What’s a show that had the perfect series finale?
Strangely, I remember one that had a less than perfect end. 63 episodes over 6 seasons, and I loved it, totally! Power on Netflix. I invested in the characters, the storyline and the soundtrack…and then bam! It ended on a damp squib Disappointed does not begin to describe that moment…
A “Squib” is a small, old-fashioned firework or explosive device. If it gets wet, the gunpowder fails to ignite, resulting in a dull fizzle rather than a loud, exciting bang.
- What’s not to love?
If you could have dinner with any philosopher, who would it be?
If I were to invite Confucius to dinner, I would keep the table simple and respectful of what he knew. I imagine serving warm rice, steamed greens,
tofu, and a clear vegetable broth, the kind of balanced meal that would have felt familiar in his own time.
For pudding, I would offer a soft steamed pear with a touch of honey, something gentle and comforting. And perhaps, right at the end, I would give him a small spoonful of ice cream. A taste he could never have experienced in his lifetime, and a quiet reminder that even the wisest among us can still be surprised.
When I think about the kind of wisdom that still feels steady and usable today, I return to Confucius. His teachings were never lofty theories. They were practical ways of living with integrity, kindness, and a sense of responsibility to others.
He believed that true leadership begins with moral character. He expected this from rulers and world leaders, yet he also taught that it starts much closer to home. If a person cannot govern their own behaviour with honesty and humility, they cannot hope to guide a household. A society follows the same pattern. Harmony grows from the inside out.
What I admire most is his belief that learning is a lifelong and joyful journey. It is not a performance and not a competition. It is a daily practice of cultivating wisdom, tempering ego, and becoming a better human being.
There is a saying of his that has always stayed with me: “When I walk with two others, each serves as my teacher.” One person shows him qualities worth cultivating. The other reveals traits he should soften or let go. It is a simple idea, yet it captures the heart of his philosophy. Everyone we meet can help shape our character if we are willing to pay attention.
Confucius reminds me that becoming a better person is not a destination. It is a rhythm, a practice, and a quiet commitment to living with purpose.
Confucius, 551 BC to 479 BC
- Boxed in
How do you handle fear and self-doubt?
On the chin!
- Angry moi? You bet!
What’s a moment that made you question reality?
The reality being Netanyahu, Putin and Trump can slaughter, maim and displace millions of innocent men, women, children, babies, the elderly, the unborn, and animals and think that is OK?
Imagine if stepped outside my front door and announced I was going to murder all these souls?
Feckers! This isn’t right.
I couldn’t be more angry if I tried!
- Not happenin’
What’s a movie you expected to hate but ended up loving?
WP, let me tell you about the movies/series I bin.
You get in the vibe, wanting to chill and ‘ get away from things’ for a while, and bam!
The opening scene is an animal either being shot or hunted or possibly dissected. Nah, not going to be watching that.
In fact, if a dog or cat play a role early in a movie, you can guarantee it won’t end well for them. So I watch those with caution…and then say to myself,’ There you go. You knew it, eh?’
Continuity issues drive me insane and there are so many you really do wonder how the film/series got released without someone checking the details. It happens so often. For example, in one scene, the hair looks this way. In the next, it has been tamed or untidy, or in one case, I remember a different colour. And if that happens in the first few scenes, I end up waiting for more issues instead of watching the movie for itself.
Check out The Red Road on Netflix. Season 1 Episode 1.In the first 10 minutes or so…man pulls up at a cabin and takes a plank of wood out of his truck and goes inside. A couple in bed, woman flees. Watch the man in the bed, his hair. At first, whilst he is talking to the intruder, it’s all smooth. Yes, he is threatened and does sink back onto his pillow…but when he sits up again🤣 really?
Being highly observant is not always a superpower!
Lighting. I loved the US series Homeland, but over time the lighting became so dim ( on any device/screen) that I simply gave up on it.
Connecting with the lead characters can be tricky. If they are meh, then the film/series is toast.
Thing is, life is short, and our time is precious, so I’m not going to waste any of it sitting through any screen time that triggers me in any way, shape, or form. It’s not happenin’…
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- Cosmic Wheels
What is the meaning of life?
It’s probably a typo in the Universe’s paperwork!
- A sharp stop
What’s a word or phrase that annoys you?
‘ It is what it is’
I get the sentiment. Really, I do. But once this is said, all avenues for discussion and continued conversation come to an abrupt end….
- Trippin’
How do you plan the perfect road trip?
Thesedays WP I just do the one 600 mile round trip to Cornwall in the South West coast of the UK, whenever I can.
Having the car in good working order and getting Patch’s things together take priority. I have the all singing and dancing RAC cover so as not to worry about breaking down. It’s costly, but hey! It takes away any stress about that.
You have to think about the four seasons in one day, England has going on when you’re packing. I invariably get it wrong!
With the car packed off we go, with water and snacks up front for us both. Stops when His Nibs gets restless. Sometimes music, sometimes not. And that’s us.
I will be driving slower/taking longer to reach our Shepherd’s Hut, as petrol prices dictate that now…
- Sailing close to the wind
What’s a moment that made you realize you were stronger than you thought?
WP, I may have mentioned a few times now that I feel I have sailed pretty close to the wind most of my life. Getting lots of bumps and scrapes along the way.
There have been many more moments than I care to remember, tbh.
(I have seen more shaped pears than this, but the pic is cool, methinks🍐 ) It does feel great to come out the other side stronger and wiser, that’s for sure. But it’s pretty rubbish when things go pear-shaped.
- And breathe
What’s a simple pleasure in life that brings you joy?
Yay, the perfect prompt to post one of my fave poems….again
Lesuire
WHAT is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?—
No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows:
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:
No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.By W.H.Davies ( 1871~1940)
- Repeat? No thanks!
If you could erase one movie from your memory and watch it again for the first time, which one would it be?
There are two films I would like to erase from my memory, and not see again, thanks all the same..
Hachi: A Dog’s Tale ( 2009)
The Passion of the Christ ( 2004)
I love dogs, obvs, and am not religious.
These two films completely did me in..
- Depends how much you want it…need it, eh?
How do you stay motivated when learning something new?
The thing is, if you want to learn something, you need to stay motivated, or else you’ll fail, surely?
Being an older person without a youngster around, I have to keep ‘at it’, for a result. I never expect to ‘ get it’ first time round, and that might be a superpower? I don’t beat myself up. Just persevere. There is AI and YouTube, eventually thing will become clear, ‘eventually’ being the operative word. Patience, determination, want, need even.
We all have superpowers, find them, use them, embrace them, acknowledge them, and thank the gods.
- A week in pictures
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- Interesting?
What’s the most interesting local custom you’ve encountered?
Years ago in India, I marvelled at the amazing Hindu customs- they were filled with colour and lights, incense, prayer, flowers, and food.
I think of some of the English ones…. Father Christmas ( when you tell the kids there will be a strange man in the house tonight. But it’s OK, he’s got you some presents) The Tooth Fairy (again, someone will come into your bedroom and even touch your pillow-but that’s okay, they will leave you money) Easter Bunny-chocolate eggs, wearing paper hats whilst you eat your Xmas meal. Burning an effergy of Guy Fawkes on a big bonfire one night.
Then there’s that one where someone leaves the house at midnight New Year’s Eve and walks round to the front door and comes in carrying coal-bringing good fortune and wealth to the household. April Fools Day, where you play a practical joke on someone, when they fall for it, you have to say ‘ April Fool!’- but you have to do it before midday, else you are the fool.
All very lame in comparison to the Hindu way of doing things!
- You can’t have it all. Simple as!
If you had to describe your ideal life, what would it look like?
An ideal life? Remaining happy in my own skin. Supremely healthy and financially secure. And I’ll take it from there, thank you, WP.
I am not a victim of domestic abuse, or am I being trafficked. I’m not held prisoner in any shape or form. I’ve access to clean drinking water/sanitation. Not in debt or in jail. My life is my own, and I have complete freedom. I don’t have the exhausting/distressing time of caring for someone 24/7. I have wheels and a roof over my head. I am not an addict, out of control, and reliant on a fix of anything. I haven’t had to flee my home and community due to a war, civil or otherwise. I don’t live in fear in a refugee camp. I have access to free health care and attention. And, of course, this list could go on.
My ideal life would certainly include the best of everything for those I care about. That is a given.
I am missing my Mr Wonderful. Some guy completely gorgeous who loves me for who I am. But I’ve got Patch, and he loves me until he has a moment and wants to gut me like a fish. But you can’t have everything, eh?
Edit. What I would really love is to have my two brothers in my life. Why did I leave that to an edit? Well, you can shield yourself from some things, push them away….but they’ll always come back to haunt you
- Got to be Tom 💞
What is the best concert you have been to?
- I’ll be ready when the time comes
Which is the best thing to do in your city?
At this moment in time, we live rural-side, Patch n me. Although I’m city girl and central London does feel like my spiritual home, exploring any city really isn’t up there on my to-do list right now.
I sincerely love cultural attractions, especially in the arts, but for now, I’m still getting to grips with and appreciating the stillness and freedom of retirement.
It’s taking a while, and maybe that’s a reflection on just how long the slog has been? Some folk on retirement want to get out there and do the things life had restricted them from doing? I get that, totally.
But I’m coming from this from the other end. I’ve got the tee shirt and I’ll go with that until the time presents itself that it’s time for change.
Protea - Super
What super power do you wish you had and why?
Aww, WP, I thought you had refreshed our DP’s- but we have certainly had this one before. I remember saying I’d like to be invisible so I could infiltrate dog-fighting rings and take them all down!
A few others have sprung to mind. The ability to predict this Friday’s EuroMillions lottery. That would be useful. Or failing that maybe with a sweep of my hand my house & car would be spotless, inside and out. Because however hard you try to keep things sparkly, there’s always something off.
Being fluent in multiple languages would be very cool. I know a few people I would love to surprise with the ability to speak in their native tongue.
Or maybe I’ll just be content with being photogenic? That’s not too much to ask, is it? But it escapes me every pic.
Should you have read to the end of this post, I thank you. If you are a fellow blogger here I just want to say that I’m not ignoring anyone at the moment. I’ve simply got other stuff to do. I hope to catch up with you all very soon. It will be interesting to read what superpowers you’d enjoy having. 😉 Bye for now
- Too late to ask now
What’s a mystery from your own life that you’ve never solved?
I would be very interested to know why my dad had children.
- Be careful what you wish for…
So, we were all getting pretty fed-up, tired and bored with the Daily Prompts being rotated year in year out, right?
The thing is, I only noticed our new sparkly DP list after I had planned today’s entry. They had asked us to list folk we admire. I went on to write down all the Creatives who have inspired me ( plus mentioning anyone who tries to make the world a better place as a given)
I did the list off the top of my head and ended it with a tribute to my old pal Milton, who has raised three amazing kids who have grown into spectacularly fabulous adults. She, this lovely friend of mine, has my utmost respect and admiration for doing a cracking job! I couldn’t let this mention go because WP had upped the ante. So I dedicate this post to you, my friend.
- When Tony found his voice
What’s a moment you wish you could freeze and live in forever?
Tony came to me a battered and bruised street dog. He was severely malnourished, unsteady on his feet, broken.
He began to heal, his cloudy eyes cleared, and then one day out of the blue, he barked for the first time. Emotional, moi? Yup
- Rachel from accounts
Do you vote in political elections?
I do vote, yes, but like many of the British public we were mortified how quickly it went pear-shaped.
So, our would-be PM was at the top of his game at the CPS. Trustworthy, solid, believable, eh? Wrong! Day one, after being elected, he hands the reins to his Chancellor. She goes on to completely decimate the landscape so many levels.
Stabbed in the back? You bet. Shocked and dismayed, oh yes.
I have a healthy interest in national and international politics..but we are being governed by imbeciles. Where are the grown-ups?
- Whom not What
What gives you direction in life?
This old boy in the picture, Patch, gives me direction in life. Simple as. When we get up and when we go out. He chooses where we go and for how long. He decides when we chill. Do I mind my four –legged friend leading the way, every day, like this? Nah. Not a bit. I would be lost without him.
- Thanks Mom💜
Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?
Some of you guys kind enough to read my blog occasionally, to like/acknowledge and especially to take the time to comment is awesome. Thank you. You may recall me adding quotes often – Seems to me there are a lot of wise folk out there, with interesting and valid things to pass on to us.
But I’m not sure where to start this morning putting them here on the page, to share with you…. Oh yes I do!
The last words my mom said to me were ‘ Count your blessings, Love’
- Love Cornwall.
What is your favourite holiday? Why is it your favorite?
I’ve written about spending time down in Cornwall with some friends, more than once WP. We stay in a Shepherds Hut on their land and have a blissful few days. Patch loves the beach, swimming, he has a blast. Seeing him ao happy certainly makes me happy.
This DP will come around again this time next year. Hopefully, I’ll be feeling more creative.
- Even the word makes me shudder
Have you ever been camping?
As much as I love nature and being outdoors, camping doesn’t sit right with me. Four Season Hotels–worldwide? Now you’re talking.
Many moons ago, I was patrol leader of the Robins at Girl Guides, in Birmingham, UK. I even got my red camping lanyard, but it didn’t feel great. Just one of those things you did as a kid without question.
Now? Not a chance… Unless.. I think it through. Decide when and where and focus on it being a natural world/wildlife spotting/bonding experience.
It’s not something I could even consider whilst I share a life with Patch… it wouldn’t work on so many levels. Love him
- These are a few of my favourite things
When do you feel most productive?
Without one shadow of a doubt, first thing is when I feel most productive and alive. Before all, the noise and interference begin.
Quiet, calm, cool, peaceful. The empty, clean first page of the day..with a soothing audio of birdsong, maybe a light breeze, swishing through the trees. A pair of red kites, a bright-eyed and agile hare, and when I am really lucky, the barn owl doing its final sweep. Bliss.
- Emily has more to say…
What are your favorite emojis?🥳
A charm invests a face
Imperfectly beheld—
The Lady dare not lift her Veil
For fear it be dispelled—
But peers beyond her mesh—
And wishes—and denies—
Lest Interview—annul a want
That Image—satisfies—Emily Dickinson (1830~1886)
- Shhhh
What topics do you like to discuss? I have given this space today to Langston Hughes
Silence
I catch the pattern
Of your silence
Before you speak
I do not need
To hear a word.
In your silence
Every tone I seek
Is heard.By Langston Hughes (1901~1967)
- Christina Rossetti. What a star 💫
When is the last time you took a risk? How did it work out?
DP@WP ‘ You can not be serious?!’ John McEnro, Wimbledon, UK. 1981
Really? Didn’t we have a risk question yesterday?
Allow me to give this space to the amazing Christina Rossetti.. .
A Daughter of Eve
A fool was I was to sleep at noon,
And wake when night is chilly
Beneath the comfortless cold moon;
A fool to pluck my rose too soon,
A fool to snap my lily.
My garden-plot I have not kept;
Faded and all-forsaken,
I weep as I have never wept:
Oh it was summer when I slept,
It’s winter now I waken.
Talk what you please of future spring
And sun-warm’d sweet to-morrow:—
Stripp’d bare of hope and everything,
No more to laugh, no more to sing,
I sit alone with sorrow.By Christina Rossetti ( 1830~1894)
- Love this site
- Saudi to Jordan
Describe a risk you took that you do not regret.
The reasons I accepted a job in Saudi for a high profile Sheikh and his doctor wife as a nanny, all those years ago are sad ones. Morbid, even. But those stories can wait.
Going there was certainly a risk. Saudi? Yikes, that’s a bit different from anything I was ever used to. It was quite the experience. For two years, living inside the walls of a family compound. Not many outsiders got to see and witness the inner sanctum, like I did.
It’s true I was mightily relieved to get headhunted for a job taking me to Jordan, and I could move on. This next job was the best I’ve ever had. Career-wise at the top of my game an incredible, unforgettable experience.
- The ever lovely Emily Dickinson
Write about a time when you didn’t take action but wish you had. What would you do differently? Sorry, WP, not feeling today’s DP. Instead, I give this space to she. Thank you
Bee! I’m expecting you!
Was saying Yesterday
To Somebody you know
That you were due —
The Frogs got Home last Week —
Are settled, and at work —
Birds, mostly back —
The Clover warm and thick —
You’ll get my Letter by
The seventeenth; Reply
Or better, be with me —
Yours, Fly.By Emily Dickinson ( 1830~ 1886)
- Dangerous liasons
What makes you nervous?
Falling trees and potholes. Just the thoughts, images, or news of these things make me nervous. Don’t know where that fear comes from, but here we are.
There is something else, too…
Next door has been vacated, and the property is up for sale. That, of course, brings a certain amount of anxiety. I’ve waited a long time for the absolute peace and freedom I have now.. it only takes a human or two to wreck everything, eh?
What has sent me spiralling is that one person, especially looking at it, is someone who can not hold a lie until the end of a short conversation. I really value authenticity, and even a degree of unhingement is okay with me, but folk who are compulsively untruthful…. Mmm
Edit, next day. It occurred to me in the middle of the night I meant to day sinkholes….but potholes aren’t very nice either 😆
- The wonderful Emily Dickinson
How do you unwind after a demanding day? – Poetry does it for me, thank you WP.
The saddest noise, the sweetest noise,
The maddest noise that grows,—
The birds, they make it in the spring,
At night’s delicious close.
Between the March and April line—
That magical frontier
Beyond which summer hesitates,
Almost too heavenly near.
It makes us think of all the dead
That sauntered with us here,
By separation’s sorcery
Made cruelly more dear.
It makes us think of what we had,
And what we now deplore.
We almost wish those siren throats
Would go and sing no more.
An ear can break a human heart
As quickly as a spear,
We wish the ear had not a heartBy Emily Dickinson ( 1830~1886)
- Forget-me-not
How do you use social media? – A hijacked post today, WP. A tad weary and without my Creative’s hat on. I shall post the words of another. With thanks for the space.
If you forget me
I want you to know
one thing.
You know how this is:
if I look
at the crystal moon, at the red branch
of the slow autumn at my window,
if I touch
near the fire
the impalpable ash
or the wrinkled body of the log,
everything carries me to you,
as if everything that exists,
aromas, light, metals,
were little boats
that sail
toward those isles of yours that wait for me.
Well, now,
if little by little you stop loving me
I shall stop loving you little by little.
If suddenly
you forget me
do not look for me,
for I shall already have forgotten you.
If you think it long and mad,
the wind of banners
that passes through my life,
and you decide
to leave me at the shore
of the heart where I have roots,
remember
that on that day,
at that hour,
I shall lift my arms
and my roots will set off
to seek another land.
But
if each day,
each hour,
you feel that you are destined for me
with implacable sweetness,
if each day a flower
climbs up to your lips to seek me,
ah my love, ah my own,
in me all that fire is repeated,
in me nothing is extinguished or forgotten,
my love feeds on your love, beloved,
and as long as you live, it will be in your arms
without leaving mine.By Pablo Neruda (1904~1973)
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