Author: Joey Jones

Happily owned and trained by the rescue dog I adore. Enjoying and grateful for a peaceful life at long last. In England. She/her.

As proud as…

Joey JonesLeave a comment

What are you most proud of in your life?

It’s a funny old word Proud, I reckon. It doesn’t always sit right with me.

You may hear someone say ‘ Oh, she’s very houseproud’. But there’s something off about that, in my mind. Usually said as not so complimentary. If one needs to say something at all, why not? ‘She keeps her house lovely?’ Sounds completely different, doesn’t it? It was supposed to.

Or what about ‘ he’s a very proud man’? That phrase could mean multiple things, but it comes across on the negative side, I feel.

We all understand if a woman says she’s very proud of her kids, for whatever reason. We get it.  She’s allowed that

So, yep, I struggle with the word ‘ proud’ and how I may apply it to the DP today.

Doing an audit of my life thus far, I have certainly congratulated ( I think that’s the right word) for remaining  resilient when the path was rocky from time to time.

I’ve done bits and bobs, achieved little this n that’s that make me feel my life has not been wasted…but pride, dunno?

OK. I’ve got one. So many years ago, it almost feels like a past life that I got to abseil down the side of a theatre in Hammersmith, London, for charity.

I gave myself a tiny bravery award for even contemplating it. A pat on the back with relief when I did it and absolute blushed cheeks when some handsome guy in a uniform said I was ‘ a natural’. Lol. Yeah. I guess for a few minutes walking back to the tube, I was proud of myself. The proudest moment of my life, not so much, but the warm fuzzy feeling was definitely there for a short while.

What a to-do…..list

Joey JonesLeave a comment

What have you been working on?

Our ever growing community on WP is a wonderful thing to be part of. A cool, diverse bunch of misfits, showing up every day from all over the shop to scratch our heads when DP wants answers.

Often, we’ll all go off down different paths of thoughts, ideas, and chat…but today? Not so much. A host of bloggers extraordinaire are all huddled on the same page writing about working on getting the best version of themselves up to scratch.

In a world gone mad with anger, destruction, so many isms and ego’s, greed and cruelty aplenty its quite a relief to get through the front door at WP and then down the stairs and into our safe, peaceful environment with fellow bloggers.

To answer your question today DP, I’m thinking I have really got to get to grips with the procrastination issue, I seem to have going on. My to-do list just gets longer and longer as I add to it…and just look at it. Mmmm.

Simply random pics today xxx

Ashes to Acorns

Joey Jones12 Comments

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I will not be having a funeral. Just a simple click and collect kind of affair. From popping my clogs to crematorium. Done.

If anyone wants to say any kind words or  bring flowers, can you do it now, please. Let me smell those magnificent lilies. Let me hear a few sweet words.

I did have this idea of having my ashes put around the base of an oak tree. But it turns out that is more complicated than it sounds.

The mighty oak has sensitive roots, and the sodium would be detrimental to the trees’ well-being. They make eco urns for such this purpose. Allowing for a gentle release into the soil. But this really defeats the object of planning a simple departure.

It would be fun to imagine a squirrel sometime in the future eating an acorn I had helped to produce

Pity, I felt I could channel my inner Christina Rossetti that way. No, I’m just trying to add some humour into a darkish post.

Not the same thing?

Joey Jones14 Comments

Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?

Hey WP, I know their definitions differ, but I see lazy going hand in hand with unproductive.

I would not care to be classified as a lazy person, per se, but I think now I’ve reached advanced years, I should be able to loll around if I want to. Just bouts of laziness to enjoy for a while. But guilt will inevitably come knocking on the door, and it’s best not to answer to it, else the enjoyment vanishes in an instant.

So WP, when I am in lazy mode, I am really very unproductive. Nada. Nothing happening. Simple as.

You will be pleased to know when that spell is over. I’m up and about getting stuff done. And how virtuous one can feel after cleaning the bathroom, hoovering the stairs and the like, it’s quite something.

Now then rested that’s another ball-game altogether. It’s simply divine.  This almost reaches the stage of an out of body experience. And it really does not happen enough.

Patch will have a spell of faffing around during the night and with the bedroom window open as far into the winter as I can cope with…there will often be things going creepeth out there. One of the gorgeous felines from the hood having the audacity to tip toe along the fence or have a face-off with another cat and His Nibs is not best pleased, and he makes sure I know of his displeasure. So a broken sleep is the norm for us, and that’s not conducive to ever feeling rested.

But my goodness when it does show its face from time to time it’s sublime .

Another day another dollar

Joey Jones4 Comments

When you think of the word “successful,” who’s the first person that comes to mind and why?

Elon Musk.

He is the wealthiest man in the world. This South African has 500 billion dollars to his name. So, in monetary terms, the boy’s done good. Not a rag to riches story by any stretch, but still…

And of course the saying goes ‘ money can’t buy you happiness’…but if an electric bill doesn’t unerve you a tad, then there’s happiness to be had.

What goes on behind closed doors is a totally different matter. Whether Mr Musk is successful in other areas of his life is another thing. Word is he has issues.

To get your ducks lined up whilst the plates spin is no mean feat. Which brings us to balance. Maintaining a healthy outlook with gratitude and compassion. To have empathy and the ability to be kind to ourselves and others. To be truthful, authentic…and content. That is success.

It’s a good job really that Elon Musk has a shed load of money..to date he has 13 children and their mothers to support.

who knew?

Joey Jones4 Comments

The wonderful thing about having a few days where you feel out of sorts is when it passes. My heart goes out to those who find that pass doesn’t come.

It was a Squirrel-bless him, who brought me back to life, this time.

There was this scrapping noise going on outside. It was unusual. Not something I’d heard before. Strange. With just one window open, I could hear it.

I looked out and saw Squirrel gnawing down on an upside down plant pot. Initially, I wondered if he was digging for nutrients he was short of. A valid point. But get this…there is every chance he was filing down his teeth. Yikes. Did you know that the teeth of squirrels keep growing, and they need to do their own dentistry like this?

Amazing.

Blankety Blank

Joey Jones6 Comments

What could you try for the first time?

I had a sneak peak at today’s DP last night, and nothing came to mind. ‘Sleep on it’, I told myself. So I did, but the song remains the same. Inspiration is not with me today.

But what I don’t say often enough is a big thank to my fellow bloggers and readers who often stop by to read and acknowledge a post…even better when you drop in the Comments to say hi.

Bye for now. Have yourselves a happy day.

Keeping it real

Joey Jones10 Comments

What principles define how you live?

It was still dark outside when Patch was nudging me to get up. I’d had an early night, so it was no hardship.

We set off torch in hand to the closest green space and little wooded area. It was mild and calm. The birds sounded relaxed as they chatted idly. The light mist made me think of the soft Irish rain that gets written about in literature. The smell of nature this morning was divine. Crab apples scattered on the ground were bumpy and  slippery under my wellies.

But I was feeling a bit down. Sad, even.

Whether Patch sensed this or not, I have no way of knowing. But instead of walking back home to collect the car to take his adventure further afield, he kept on walking. He was clearly on a mission. I felt relieved. Straight into a long walk suited me just fine.

I had been giving some thought to today’s DP. Principles that define us, and got to thinking sometimes however much you try to be the best version of yourself, there’s no pleasing some people.

Where this train of thought had come from, I have no idea, but being out with my trusted companion in the fresh air as the day was breaking was the very best thing to be doing.

Patch led me on a walk for over an hour. We saw lights come on. Cars leave drives. Dog walkers aplenty. There was traffic, but there was no rush.

It’s light now but overcast. Another grey Monday morning for many. All those lives, all those stories.

Procrastination Inc

Joey Jones7 Comments

What have you been putting off doing? Why?

Well then, WP, thanks for today’s DP. It’s going to be a tricky one to pull off, and that’s for sure.

You really think peeps are going to be even mildly interested in  how I keep putting off tidying up the shed and getting outside winter-ready? Rock n Roll.

And why I keep putting it off? Well….because I can.

Edit…A few moments after finishing this quite slim post, I decided to cowboy-up and go out there this morning and get things sorted. So all has not been lost. Maybe it has been an inspiring DP, after all! Thank you, WP.