There will come soft rains

If you were going to open up a shop, what would you sell?

That’s an easy one to answer WP. A thriving  charity shop on a busy high street with lots of footfall and plenty of regular customers…

……… The sky had suddenly darkened as I looked out the street, which had become empty but for a few souls hurrying home before the downpour.

I’d just finished changing the window display, The clothes rails were tidy, and if I say it myself, the place looked good.

With a few minutes to spare before I shut up shop for the day, I ran my finger along the bookshelf to see what had been donated recently, something i may have missed.

And there it was The Collected Poems of Sara Teasdale. I was excited to see it. Quickly taking ownership ( yes, I did pay for it!) I popped it in my bag, locked up and left for the day. There was one poem especially I wanted to read again….

(War time)

There will come soft rains and the smell of the ground,                                                      And swallows circling with their shimmering sound.

And frogs in the pool singing at night,      And wild plum trees in tremulous white.

Robins will wear their feathery fire,       Whistling their whims on a low-fence wire.

And not one will know of the war, not one, Will care at last when it is done.

Not one would mind, neither bird nor tree  if mankind perished utterly;

And Spring herself, when she woke at dawn,                                                                 Would scarcely know that we were gone.

Sara Teasdale ( 1884~1933)

     

Under the Sturgeon Moon

What is the most important thing to carry with you all the time?

My Superpower.

I was born lucky enough to have inherited a trait that now serves me well. Sadly, it hasn’t always been that way, ( many stories there).

Along with up to 20-30% ( the figure varies), I’m classed as an HSP – A Highly Sensitive Person.

Carl Jung ( 1875~1961) was the first person to recognise that some people were born with an ‘innate sensitiveness’. But he spoke about it from a child’s perspective.

American psychologist Elaine Aron ( 1944~)  addressed the adult view of it  in her book published in 1996 The Highly Sensitive Person : How to thrive when the world overwhelms you. It was then almost 30 years ago when I picked that book up for the first time that I recognised myself.

In true HSP style, I’m a tad overwhelmed now by the amount of notes I have in front of me, which I made yesterday when I read what our new prompt would be.

So, I shall leave this be, go walk with my dog in the woods and breathe.

Laters x

Consider this..

What change, big or small, would you like your blog to make in the world?

This prompt today simply goes back to  what I wrote about yesterday, the shameful and disturbing fact 2.2 billion souls worldwide do not have access to clean drinking water.

If my little blog could make any difference in the world, I would like folk to consider how their lives would be different without clean running water on tap. To think, talk, and write about it.

There is vast wealth out there. It needs to be channelled in the right direction.

Globally, approximately one child under the age of five dies from diarrheal diseases every one minute’.

… from World Health Org ( WHO)

Other worldly

Describe your life in an alternate universe

Imaginations have been running wild in the DP community this morning as we ponder our lives in a parallel universe.

Thing is, we need shade to appreciate the light. So I’m not sure how life would pan out if it was all so very perfect…

Before I had read any of the other contributions to today’s prompt, I had already decided I’d just like to have the chance of a different path in this world. ( An odd thing to say all things considered, eh? Seeings how the place is an absolute mess) Anyways, bear with…

A philanthropist. Now, that would be something. Ideally, a self-made billionaire, but having said that it wouldn’t matter as I’d be giving most of it away.It concerns me when the likes of UNICEF tell us that 2.2 billion people worldwide do not have access to safe drinking water. So, I’m not going to use my wealth for an ego trip into space, I’m going to address this horrific and shameful fact that 2.2 billion people do not have clean water like we do. ..And let’s not forget the animals’ suffering  too.

Another thought is perhaps to be out there every day with my dog working as a team. Search and Rescue, maybe?

Failing that, as a younger version of myself today, a stylist.

Spare a thought..

What’s the most money you’ve ever spent on a meal? Was it worth it?

A buddy of mine spent a pretty penny on some amazing food whilst I was on holiday with Patch recently. It was fabulous…but I have written about it in the last few weeks.

Instead may I turn your attention to how the other half lives..The planet fights back and my heart aches…


Dahrali, Uttarakhand, Northern India.

Sky News yesterday
https://news.sky.com/video/share-13407336

Meanwhile in London

Scour the news for an entirely uninteresting story. Consider how it connects to your life. Write about that.

Hey WP, this should hook any potential readers good and proper.

OK, let’s do it. Currently, in the media, there is a story about the princes Andrew and Harry. Did they or did they not have a fisticuffs?

This little gem has been dredged up from 2013 to publicise the latest book about The Yorks being serialised by a daily newspaper.

I think I’ve done well there. Can’t get a more uninteresting tale than this.

And how does this tie in with my life? Well, sadly, these muppets are UK royals, and it is embarrassing to see their silly lives being played out worldwide.

And here endeth today’s Daily Prompt..

Happiness is an inside job

List 30 things that make you happy.

WP! Really? Yesterday it was one thing, today it’s 30?

I know for a fact I could keep the list going for a very long time, but the thing is, other emotions will get drawn in too and then I’ll digress and next thing we know it’s Thursday.

Happiness is a funny old thing, and the key is to recognise it when it lands. It may only be for a fleeting moment, so you need to pay attention. You acknowledge it, enjoy it, give thanks for it, and wait for the next one.

Full of the joys of Spring

Describe one habit that brings you joy.

This is an easy one to answer WP.

Taking my dog out first thing. I love it!

Before we drive to a vast green open space, we’ll head to a nearby wooded area. It gives Patch the chance to check out the hood and for me to breathe in the fresh air. To fill my lungs with a new day

As we walk, I pick over the remnants of last night’s dreams still swirling in my head. Some days, the images and feelings are stronger than others. I may think about them for a minute or two and then let them go. 

All the senses come alive, and to be enshrouded in greenery is like going home. 

The birds, the squirrels, and creatures I cannot see are going about their day. It’s a pleasure to feel their presence. To be part of their world.

Each morning  to be deep in nature, to see  how the season is panning out and what plans are being made for the next one is quite something.

To share this moment with my best buddy is priceless.

A Short n Curly ( political) Tale

Once upon a time, in a far-off land, there was a woman who was sent to prison for a very long time.

She had been friends with a naughty man who had been sent to prison before her but had somehow died there. Leaving her to carry the burden of their actions.

One of the burdens she may have carried was the knowledge of an untouchable giant. A man with his head in the clouds, maybe.

Thing is, it’s possible that the giant had once been friends with the man and woman, but if that became known to the people, he  might be  slayed…and the woman knew this.

What was she to do? What was he to do?

The giant held the keys to the prison where she resided.. and of course, she wanted out.

So maybe they made a deal that he would let her out if she promised never again to speak of their friendship again.

And then they could live happily ever after…

Your thoughts?