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
- 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?
https://youtube.com/shorts/niIylGtx1tg?si=ZBIU7yeYMZlNbHlH
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https://youtube.com/shorts/7QA-4L4FmJY?si=n0BrLFYevlE6AvjB
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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!
https://youtu.be/pp4suZ4jNXg?si=P7GrEPkNQ7xXSjpjhttps://youtu.be/pp4suZ4jNXg?si=P7GrEPkNQ7xXSjpj
- 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)
- Shiny happy people
Jot down the first thing that comes to your mind.
I’ve just got in from the supermarket. There is hardly a cloud in the oh so blue sky. It’s a bit chilly, but it hasn’t dampened the spirit of the great British public.
It’s Sunday, so the vibe is pretty good anyway with some people off work. But the sunshine has nailed it, and the atmosphere is light.
Out come the shorts and the flip flops. Crates of beer, stuff for the barbie, it was all happening in the store today. And the drive home was lovely, lambs running around, greenery in the hedgerow, and I just passed a little lad in his dinasour costume 🌞
- Bond St
Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.
An elderly lady approached me on the busy London street. Her arm outstretched, a small posy of heather, tied with a thin lilac ribbon, in her hand.
I was her target and she wasn’t going to miss it. It made me smile. Sure, I’d buy it from her, quietly hoping she wouldn’t insist on fleecing me.
She was under five feet tall, and her navy woollen coat swamped her. He blue felt hat limp from the rain. She looked up under the rim and our eyes met. Hers watery and blue, but they sparkled still.
I asked her name, and she told me Roma, I introduced myself. The footfall was heavy that day, it could have been a Monday morning, but just for a moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the street.
I have no recollection of what we spoke about.But I do recall vividly being in her presence for a few minutes that day, so many years ago.
Edit… The moment I published this, I did remember one thing she said to me…and that was I would write about her one day …whoa!
- BBC radio DJ Andy Kershaw dies aged 66 💜
- Living and learning
Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.
At first glance, I thought the DP today was better answered by the younger bloggers.Perhaps those who had made fewer descions in life and would easily pick out one or two of note.
I was thinking to myself, crikey, I’ve made so many descions over the years, good and bad how do I pick one? And then one did come to mind.
Distance learning, I’ve done quite a few now, some of them taking 18 months to complete-and that was taking it seriously and getting on with it.
So, yes, I’ll go with that. Final answer, distance learning.
- Yawn
What place in the world do you never want to visit? Why?
The thing is, WP, there are plenty of undesirable places on Earth – totally ruined by humans, of course. Lots of beautiful countries have been destroyed and their people fled. It is a sad state of affairs. Just a handful of men could affect so many in such devastating ways. Criminal.
So I shall just choose one that didn’t do it for me when I visited. Norway, the limited biodiversity bored me senseless – and that is coming from someone who never gets bored.
The company wasn’t much better 😂
- Benjamin Zephaniah
Describe a positive thing a family member has done for you.
People
https://youtube.com/watch?v=SsC3QAFrf8E&si=Y7JVRQd6g7mgwt0M
Benjamin Zephaniah ( 1958~2023)
- Tremenheere Kitchen
What is your favorite restaurant?
This restaurant is situated in Gulval, nr Penzance, Cornwall. Which is in the far South West county of England.
I have such good memories of that day last summer..
- Pushing up the daisies?
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
WP, maybe if you had asked where you would like to see yourself in 10 years. You seem to forget we can’t even predict tomorrow, this afternoon.
But I get your drift 😏 and I think this is best answered by the younger bloggers amongst us. Their visions and dreams have some scope there.
Moi? Still happy and healthy in my own skin. Sharing my life with a cat or dog. Just going about my life pretty much as I am now. That would be cool.
A huge lottery win would be fabulous, and I could do a lot with that, to keep me busy, or not.
Isn’t she lovely? Failing that I’ll be OK just doing what I’m doing.
- It’s the little things
What are 5 everyday things that bring you happiness?
Just feeling fit and healthy feels good and something to be happy and grateful for. And that goes for Patch too!
The freedom to do as I please is an absolute thrill and delight, every day.
Simple pleasures of a lovely breakfast and coffee.
A walk with said dog, fresh air, exercise, light, and sometimes even sunshine out in the natural world.
I love putting food out for the birds and watching them come day to feed and bathe.
My world is small now. My life is peaceful and quiet. It’s just the way I like it.
- Easily done
Describe something you learned in high school.
I’ve learned that it is easy to slip through the net if no one is paying you any attention.
- A meal to die for
Describe one positive change you have made in your life.
The title gave it away? Yes, you are right. A positive change in my life was to stop eating the fresh of brutally slaughtered animals.
It’s on a plate. It’s eaten and forgotten in a moment. Nice
‘ If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian’ Sir Paul McCartney
- Does mental agility count?
What’s the most fun way to exercise?
‘Fun-exercise’? Isn’t that an oxymoron? Just kidding!
I get exercise and light( never underestimate how important light is to your well-being) several times a day, with Patch.
Yep, it isn’t anywhere near the cardiovascular that we should aim for, but hey, that’s how it is. I’m out for hours every day, getting fresh air and finding peace with nature.
Exercising my grey matter for an hour or so every morning is fun, we’ll not fun exactly, but I like to do it. I guess it’s more of a habit now, anyway. A full round of Zen Word a few of Spider Solitaire is a given. I change the third game on a whim. Those screw fix things or moving liquid around in bottles. Can’t think of their names offhand. But I’m sure it does give my brain a bit of a workout.
So, that me and exercise.
- Once upon a Time
What book could you read over and over again?
Going from an avid reader and devouring books, I became a non-reader. It happened organically, too. It wasn’t planned. So, the idea I may re-read something? Nah, that’s not going to happen anytime soon.
My lifestyle has predicted I would not be granted the luxury of being a hoarder, should I wish to be one.
I’ve culled my book collection so many times, I’ve lost count. Leaving me a small pile of read and unread.
Amongst the ‘yet to read’ is a book given to me at Christmas by a thoughtful and lovely friend- Thank you, Trish. Maybe she ( a reader) thought the subject would get me back into it? And she would be right, except for one thing, I wondered if the story would make me cry.
If a movie starts and I get the feeling it won’t end well for the animal prominently portrayed, I will turn it off immediately. It’s just who I am.
The book I have at the very top of the list to begin is The Wisdom Of Old Dogs. Lessons in life, love, and friendship. By Elli H Radinger.
Ironically, I thought i could get back into reading when Patch was no longer sharing my life, I would have all those extra hours in my day, not walking with him. But it maybe the pages would be wet with tears?.
- ‘Friendship is Magic’
If you could be a character from a book or film, who would you be? Why?
If I could be any character, I’d pick Pinkie Pie from My Little Pony. She’s basically joy with hooves-baking cupcakes, throwing parties, and occasionally defying the laws of physics just because it’s Tuesday.
She’s the pony who can turn a disaster into a dance number, and honestly, that feels like a life skill worth borrowing. If I’m going to be anyone, let me be the one with the party cannon and the unshakeable belief that everything is better with sprinkles. - Charles Bukowski
What animals make the best/worst pets?
You may have read (thank you for stopping by) in my posts that I share my life with Patch-the dog. But I also love cats. Fact is I’m a total animal lover.
What follows is a light, gentle poem by quite an interesting character who grew up in Los Angeles …
My Cats
I know. I know.
they are limited, have different
needs and
concerns.
but I watch and learn from them.
I like the little they know,
which is so
much.
they complain but never
worry,
they walk with a surprising dignity.
they sleep with a direct simplicity that
humans just can’t
understand.
their eyes are more
beautiful than our eyes.
and they can sleep 20 hours
a day
without
hesitation or
remorse.
when I am feeling
low
all I have to do is
watch my cats
and my
courage
returns.
I study these
creatures.
they are my
teachers.Charles Bukowski (1920~1994)
- Giving your time
What job would you do for free?
Walking the dog/s of folk who need some help, I would happily do, but there are several pet service businesses around here. If word got out, I was doing for free, I’d be lynched, I’m sure.
In the past I’ve worked in charity shops, and enjoyed that. Especially when I get to do the window display. Years back I worked at an Oxfam shop ( some time ago dubious behaviour by outreach workers was reported, though. Which is shameful)
There are several local food banks. I have already thought about asking them if they need an extra pair of hands.
Or maybe a hospital visitor. I am sure there are people who have no one close by to drop by, say hello, and hopefully cheer up a little?
I think if we put our minds to it, we could all find a little something to do to make the world a better place.
- Khalil Gabrin
And a youth said, Speak to us of Friendship.
And he answered, saying:
Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.
When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the “nay” in your own mind, nor do you withhold the “ay.”
And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.
And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.Khalil Gibran (1883~1932)
From The Prophet (1923). - Foiled
What Olympic sports do you enjoy watching the most?
Fencing is televised but not on any channel I have. There are many production challenges, and it is difficult to follow, so maybe why it’s not more accessible.
Technology will soon be broadly stepping in, and before long, I think it may become a different but more exciting watch for a wider audience.
- Hope you don’t mind
How would you improve your community?
As an outsider to this hood, I can tell you the community has absolutely nailed it. There is nothing I could do or say to improve it.
Instead, as you know, when given the space, I will put the words of others. Several of you have told me you love this poem, as do I. So I’m sure you won’t mind me posting it again..and again..and again 🐦⬛
Hope is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –
I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
And on the strangest Sea –
Yet – never – in Extremity,
It asked a crumb – of me.
By Emily Dickinson ( 1830~1886)
- Keep on dreaming
How have you adapted to the changes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic? ****** If it’s all the same to you, WP, I’ll give this DP a miss and use the space for the words of another..
Dreams
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.By Langston Hughes
(1901~1967)
‘ The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams,’ Eleanor Roosevelt
- 60 minutes in the life of
What are your morning rituals? What does the first hour of your day look like?
A gentle breeze kisses my cheek.As I open my eyes, I see the floor-length feather-light billowing curtains part. A ray of sunshine lets itself in.
Stretching like a cat feels good. I rise and slip into a swimsuit, tightening the belt of my robe around my waist. Downstairs freshly brewed coffee sits ready on the marble surface.
Heading outside to the infinity pool, I feel the sun has warmth in it already, but the tiles beneath my feet hold just a hint of a chill.
The tide is out and the beach is quiet.
The water wraps around me, caressing my skin and time stands still.
Hunger pangs arrive, and on the balcony, I find my breakfast laid out. Watermelon juice, and more coffee. Olives, labneh, za’atar, avocado, olive oil, lemon juice, markook, and eggs. Bliss.
The Reality
Patch roughly nudges me awake. It’s still a little dark. It is a lot cold. I get dressed quickly in the first things I can find, pull on a coat, put on a hat, and head out. The End
- OK, question
Is it possible to have a 2nd WP blog with a different profile?
All thoughts appreciated x
- Like peas in a pod…or not
Which aspects do you think makes a person unique?
We all agree, I reckon that it’s our genetic make-up, our DNA, that is the mother of our uniqueness?
After that, it’s pretty much the wildwest-I was going to say where do we start? But I guess the beginning is a good place as any.
We were created by and from two souls who brought a whole bunch of baggage to the table.
Our upbringing and could on the surface be similar to a sibling, but there will be differences from the off. And dont forget, identical twins will have different fingerprints.
The conditioning that is absorbed and that rejected. An inane sense of self may begin quite young. There again, maybe sometimes that never develops.
Does a child feel supported, guided, safe, and loved? Is it well fed and nourished in all ways every single child should? Everything that happens around them will affect their way of looking at the world. Or do they look the other way in denial, shutting down their developing brains for safe keeping?
Personal life experiences, triumphs, failures,challenges,perspectives, perceptions, values, beliefs, morals, passions, natural abilities, goals,authenticity, and choice? It all has an effect.
Our ability or inability to express ourselves with so many varying communication styles. Or unable to at all, causing innumerable issues.
Where does self-reliance and strength of character become a thing?
When/how is an honest or dishonest person formed?
What makes a human being kind, open, friendly, and compassionate?
Why are some folk cold, hard, remote?
What makes us unique is a topic worthy of a thesis. Methinks
How complex.
- I hear you
If you could have something named after you, what would it be?
The building would not have my name, but a nod in a way, to someone from my past or present, whom I hold in my heart.
A space where people can go to be heard. Be listened to.
Men, women, elderly, young, I think there are probably many who would welcome being able to slip into a hub and speak freely, without interruption or judgement. And be able to leave feeling lighter, less burdened.
- Yikes
- I miss the laughter
What makes you laugh?
A while back, I pretty much gave up all the Socials, and I’ve found that I really do miss the things that made me laugh whilst scrolling. Usually, it was animals doing crazy things. Cats v dogs are always funny. Not so funny for the dogs, though, as they generally come out worse.
Years back, I lived and worked overseas, and together with one workmate/close friend,Mary, we would often find ourselves falling about laughing. I loved it, and I miss those days.
In fact, as I write my blog piece this morning, I can clearly see that I need to bring some joy back into my life. Oh dear, poor me, lol.
Edit. What I have failed to add is that there is a lovely blog here on WP. They often post jokes, which never fail to make me smile. Thank you
http://www.issuesthatmatterdotblog.com
I must add Eric, too. His take on the world and his way with words invariably makes me smile
- The Lost Generation
When you were five, what did you want to be when you grew up?
The Lost Generation are those born between 1830-1900 and include Ernest Hemmingway, F.Scott Fitzgerald, T.S Elliot and Eleanor Roosevelt.
Currently, we are at Generation Beta. Those born between 2025-2029
A.A.Milne, the creator of Winnie the Pooh wrote for adults too. Today’s DP brought this little poem to mind. There is also a book of the same name. ‘Now We are Six.
When I was One,
I had just begun.
When I was Two,
I was nearly new.
When I was Three
I was hardly me.
When I was Four,
I was not much more.
When I was Five,
I was just alive.
But now I am Six,
I’m as clever as clever,
So I think I’ll be six now for ever and ever.A.A.Milne (1886-1956)
The following poem The Lost Generation was published in his book Behind the Lines, in 1940
YOU were the Lost Generation, decadent, nerveless, slack,
(Bom to the sound of the guns and of death dropping down from the air) ;
You slouched to your casual dates with a languorous curve to your back.
And we didn’t admire your manners, and loathed the length of your hair.
We stood in front of the fire-place and eased our stiffening hocks
(Wc who had fought in Flanders, we who had flown in France)
And damned the whole generation — you and your girlish locks ! —
Poor effeminate creatures, boys who had had no chance.
We pitied you more than blamed you ; what could you hope to be.
Born to the fear of war by frightened women, and then
Living your life with women whose men were over the sea ?
Taught to be men by women — how could you grow to be men ?
Youth of the Lost Generation, sons of the men that were.
Taught to be men by women who made you all that you are.
How could you grow to be men, who have grown to be gods of the Air,
Who have set in the skies for our nerving a flame of Faith like a star ?
Each night we crouch by the fire-place, and listen with tight-held breath,
Humbled to tears in wonder, strengthened to tears in pride,
As the Youth which we dared to pity makes casual date with Death,
“And, fired by a spirit we know not, goes off on its deathless ride.
With which salute to brave men I close. It is June now ; one of those lovely, still, country evenings, blue and green and golden ; such an evening as almost compels faith in the doubting, courage in the fearful, by the calm and steadfast assurance of its beauty. Italy is in the war. France has fallen. Well, we are alone. Much will have happened before these words are in print, but, be it good or ill, may we live and die as gallantly as those happy few, upheld by something of their spirit.”
Behind the Lines was a collection of poems written during the first nine months of World War II, serving as a sort of diary of the war’s early days. The poem “The Lost Generation” specifically praises the generation that was “raised by women” and made fun of during WWI, but went on to fight during WWII. - Don’t wish to unnerve you, but
What’s something most people don’t understand?
Okay WP, I have given this DP some thought and have decided to change the word Understand for Remember.
I think maybe peeps really don’t often remember that they have no idea what may be coming around the corner. How their lives can totally change in a split second. Perhaps it’s a positive thing that they forget sometimes, else they may exist in a constant state of dread or hope. Neither a healthy option.
But around that corner could be many things. Are you ready?
- A Brave New World
How has technology changed your job?
Err, WP, heads up! You are presuming everyone has a job?
Personally, I can say the digital era has enhanced my existence. I love it. Technology per se is a challenge, though.
One of my brothers gave up his career as a talented professional photographer when ‘film’ went digital, and everyone suddenly had a camera.
My other brother was ahead of his time he would have embraced the progress. Pity he did not live long enough to see it.
Not my brothers, simply a cute pic
- Palantir’s billionaire CEO says only two kinds of people will succeed in the AI era: trade workers — ‘or you’re neurodivergent’
Billionaire Alex Karp tells Gen Z to skip elite college degrees, as one-fifth of Fortune 500 companies recruit more neurodivergent talent by 2027. https://fortune.com/2026/03/24/palantir-ceo-alex-karp-two-people-successful-in-ai-era-vocational-skills-neurodivergence-gen-z-career-advice/?utm_source=native_share&utm_medium=mobile&utm_campaign=share_test
- Just Say No!
How often do you say “no” to things that would interfere with your goals?
1982, in the US, as part of the ‘War on Drugs Campaign, led by Namcy Reagan,’ the term ‘ Just Say No’ was coined. Sadly, researchers view it as having being ‘ too simplistic’ ( no weight?) and deem it unsuccessful.
My favourite First Lady by far is Eleanor Roosevelt. ( The longest ever serving FL-12 years) A prolific writer, speaker, and activist for human rights. She encouraged self empowerment. What a woman!
“Do one thing every day that scares you.” She said.
Understanding that stepping out of your comfort zone builds character and resilience.
The bronze statue of Eleanor Roosevelt stands in West Potomac Park, Washington D.C. Over the years, I have read many quotes attributed to her. I love this one…
” The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”
- Making sense of it all
What’s a secret skill or ability you have or wish you had?
A bit late to the table today with my offering. And it will be about Patch. Of course it will!
I once wrote about it being possible for him to communicate with me, so I could learn about his previous troubled life. And why, after 5+ years he gets really cross with me sometimes.
There have only been two other people I could tell he really didn’t like. In hindsight, he was spot on. It’s only me now he takes out his frustrations on.
On holiday in Cornwall, on the steps of our Shepherds Hut. He sits for the longest time, just taking it all in. For today’s prompt, I would like the ability to sense what he does. Depending on which data you follow its estimated they have 100-300 million olfactory sensors, whist human have between 5-6 mil.
This means that dogs have a lot going on when they are out and about. I always notice when other dogs are not allowed to stop and smell the roses. With their people just walking them. I get it folk don’t always have the time to let their canine companions inspect every blade of grass. But to them it is everything.
- Let it rain
What is your favorite type of weather?
Oh dear, WP. You’re asking a Brit about the weather. Don’t you know we have a bit of a reputation for chatting about it with anyone who will stand still long enough?
To be fair, we are islanders, so historically, it was a subject everyone wanted and needed to know about. Farmers and fishermen were especially aware of how quickly the climate can change and their livelihoods depended up on it.
By now, we in the UK have had enough. So when it was the hottest March day recently, since records began, it all kicked off, and it was wonderful. Lawns were mowed. Outside furniture painted. Curtains washed. Way to go!
The atmosphere was bordering on electric, palpable. The relief was immense. It was exciting. It was fun to see folk fired up and living in the moment.
Of course, there will always be miserable gits amongst us ‘ Hello, nice day,’ you’d say in passing. ‘ Won’t last’ they’d reply. Best give these kind a wide berth, but sometimes I want and occasionally do say ‘ look, if the worst thing that happens to me is I get soaked walking the dog, I’ve got off lightly’. Food for thought, I hope. Although it probably lands on deaf ears.
I do identify as a pluviophile. I love the rain. Obvs, it’s not very nice when it is accompanied by really cold conditions and strong winds and you have to be out there. But the rest of the time, it’s great. The icing on the cake is the puddles are where birds can drink and bathe in.
- Easy does it
Who was your most influential teacher? Why?
Mr Grant my English teacher was given the honour, this time last year. He was cool, no doubt about it.
But today thinking about those days I can’t honestly remember a thing he taught me. I certainly wasn’t singled out.
What does come to mind are pictures. I can see him striding into class, all shoulder-length hair and long legs. A coudory jacket moleskin trousers, desert boots.
I also remember his presence very well.This steadiness I have been writing about recently. He was from a lifetime ago,but today I can finally see it was what he brought to the room. And this is something I’m appreciating in fellow humans right now. That calmness.
There is a degree of unhinged I like too. Not in a chronic way. Just a flash of it, now and then is fun. Creatives do that well. It’s the light getting in
So, thank you, Mr Grant, I’m sure you taught me plenty in the short time you were at my school. I was gutted when you left.
- What I could do less of, is
What do you wish you could do more every day?
Who needs a device to doom scroll? Not me, I can do it all in my head.
As Patch ages, he needs to go out more. So there are times I find myself awake, maybe 20 minutes or so, before sun up lying in bed in the dark, too alert to go back to sleep.
And so it begins..I think about animals caught up in war zones, I think about how our amazing planet is getting hammered inside out. The insane few fighting between themselves, but involving millions. I see the oceans, the waterways, and airways constantly polluted.
Our country is currently at the in-between stage of a cash and cashless society. A beggar asks if you have any spare change, and you realise you’ve not held any coins, or notes for that matter, for sometime, let alone it being spare. The situation must be causing numerous, widespread issues.
I see the kids with their faces, their heads, completely inside their phones. I don’t judge them, it’s what they do, how they live. But I do fear they are not connecting with anything else.
There are more online newspaper articles now by journalists as they watch their craft being replaced by A1.
The students with massive debts are hardly able to pay off the Interest on their loans. How are they supposed to get on the property ladder starting their young lives like this?
There are endless thoughts like these, keeping me company, first thing. And then a robin awakes and let’s me know of his existence with a beautiful song.
As it becomes light, he is joined by the chorus. And I thank the gods for that. Reminding me there is a beautiful world out there and not to forget that.
IN THE BOOMER PIGEON HOLE? 
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