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.

Once upon a time….

Joey Jones10 Comments

Write about a time when you didn’t take action but wish you had. What would you do differently?

We are all flawed. Simple as. There are many many things over the years I wish I had done differently and it doesn’t make me feel great to think about them. But there is one, about writing….and that’s why we’re here after all. So it seems apt to tell you about it.

Many moons ago. Getting on for 25 years, I guess, I had an idea for a children’s picture book. I was living overseas and with a co- worker had the charge of three small children 24/6. It was a great job and we travelled the world together….but that’s a different story.

I want to tell you about the dog and the crow. At that time I was reading a lot to the kids. Several times a day, at least. So I got to know what they enjoyed. Which books were their favourites.

As I was living in India at the time I chose to  base my story there. A street dog and a crow were standing over a puddle. They were having a face-off….The crow didn’t trust the dog to go first because he would drink all the water..and the dog didn’t want the crow to go first because by taking a bath in the puddle, it would become dirty and not fit to drink. So they squabbled and squabbled and in the meantime the sun was shining so brightly it dried up the puddle. Leaving them both with nothing.

I loved the story, but realised the graphics would be a bit lame. Only a dog a crow and a puddle on each page. So I put it aside, did nothing with it. Very short sighted of me!

What I should have done is find an amazing illustrator who could bring the story alive with their  artwork. Early years children love all the little picture details that accompany a tale.

With the story set in India there were all manner of animals, wildlife, people watching on. The pages could have been filled with wonderment. It could have been a lovely children’s book.

Earth, Wind and Fire

Joey Jones3 Comments

What makes you nervous?

Nervousness is triggered by our body’s response to stress. The threats can be real or imagined and shows just how powerful the nervous system is. We want and need it to work, but just sometimes we become overwhelmed and that’s when fight or flight kick-in.

What makes me nervous is being out in the car when it’s really very windy. I vividly imagine a tree falling on my car, at any moment, which doesn’t usually end well. In the UK 5-6 people per year die this way. However, the HSE, Health and Safety Executive categorise this risk as ‘ broadly acceptable’. 😳 I kid you not.

Personally all adverse weather conditions tend to freak me out, somewhat. It rapidly reminds me how insignificant we are, up against the elements. They are the forces to be reckoned with as the Earth fights back and shows us exactly who is boss.

In England we are relatively sheltered from the worst of it. Snow falling for a few days and the whole country comes to a standstill. Laughable to those from more eastern zones.

But there is no humour to be found in Tsunami’s, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, landslides, avalanches, whirlwinds, tornadoes, flooding and droughts, causing destruction and famine.

Extreme weather conditions make me very nervous indeed!

If you aren’t paying for a service, you are the service, they say.

Joey Jones3 Comments

How do you unwind after a demanding day?

I am very grateful to Matt Mullenweg and his co-founder Mike Little for this space they have given us for free. ( Yep, we can pay for premium) Allowing us to say/write what we want when we want. I don’t know who originally coined the phrase ‘ if you’re not the service/product……….’ Several claim it was their thought first off. Tristan Harris and Andrew Lewis have both had their names attached to it. But here in this tiny corner it isn’t the case is it? They really do let us have it for free. No strings. Thank you, Sirs.

Today, if I may, I’d like to address the department which is Daily Prompt. Being a relative newbie here I am not noticing any repeats, but many of the other guys mention it from time to time. I think I could handle a couple of them as there is always something left unsaid, or another angle to come from. But already I digress, that’s not what I initially wanted to say.

So, today you are asking how do we all unwind after a demanding day. Thing is I have now got off the treadmill and escaped that rat race. So, unwinding is second nature. Something I have perfected to the extreme, you could say. Zen it is.

But actually it’s not about me ( for a change) I write about today….but the folk who love to come here to write who are physically, mentally or emotionally unable to partake in a demanding day. And now how ridiculous that sounds as the words leave my head and I look at them in print! Life for those with challenges are almost by definition demanding, aren’t that? Silly me!

What I am trying to say and not very well is how much thought goes into the Daily Prompts, you generously supply us with each morning. How hard do you consider the bigger picture? Sometimes you ask about family or parents, what if some of the folk here don’t have any, what if someone doesn’t have a demanding day, not for the want of trying, but they just can’t. There are lots of prompts/scenarios that don’t resonate, simply don’t evoke anything at all?

And here is where you emphasize they are prompts not briefs….I really am not complaining WordPress, as I said I’m having fun here, I just look at that bigger picture and wonder how folk are going to answer…..and that’s the point, I guess. Mmmm.

For the record listening to rainfall on an app is the ultimate way for me to chill……which is a bit strange really, as extreme weather is something I fear.

I would be truly amazed if anyone has actually read to the end here. If you have, I thank you for taking the time out today. Have yourselves a safe and pleasant day. Best wishes All xxx

Navigating the Wild West

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How do you use social media?

Once you have learnt to bypass the fake news, AI generated content, advertising and plagiarism and given a wide berth to the Influencers ( do people really forget they are paid to endorse those products?) you are on your way. Rants, raves, negativity and nastiness pushed aside the path becomes much clearer and you can reach your objective quite easily.

I love Bluesky. From there I can get links to news items and lifestyle articles from The Guardian, the only unbiased newspaper out there, it seems to me.It gives me access to things that make me smile, laugh out loud on occasions. Heartwarming things appear there too. We all need those from time to time to counteract just how brutal life is getting out there.

Weirdly I get totally taken in by hairdressing clips. Dogs agility will hold my attention for way too long.

On the Socials I can chat to old friends and make new ones, and do have the apps for most of the platforms, but use them in varying degrees, depending on my mood. I’m enjoying the WordPress Daily Prompt a great deal and from The Reader I get to see the latest posts from those lovely peeps I subscribe to. It’s so interesting to read other folks slant on life.

I’d like to leave Twitter, but some of the charitable organisations I follow, mainly animal rescue related, are there only. I respond and repost to all their posts about rehoming the often broken souls, so brutally abandoned and abused.

If I need to lean how to do something I’ll go straight to YouTube. I have my trusted companion of course, but even with four legs it’s limited what he can achieve. And anyways if he’s not playing, sunbathing, out walking or eating, he’s asleep.

To keep my grey matter in place I’ll play games of all descriptions most days….and yes, I scroll….for longer than I should, but hey. I’m not hurting anyone.

The Kindness Of Strangers

Joey Jones7 Comments

Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.

There is a beauty

that walks in the darkness,

makes its way

among the bombs

and broken lives,

offers blankets

and shoulders to cry on

puts on kettles

and bandages,

mends what it can,

and asks

for not one thing back,

as it wraps

in its arms

the troubled night,

and waits

for morning

and its pale sunlight……….

* The Kindness Of Strangers was written by Bill Bilston

Every day is a school day

Joey Jones6 Comments

Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.

Goodness WordPress ‘a ‘ descion ?! Learning and growing has been a bit of a theme that I’m happy to say continues with me to this day and hopefully will accompany me until the end of my life.

‘ Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever’ – Mahatma Ghandi

Like everyone I’ve made good and bad descions and hopefully will have learnt from those choices along the way. Not always though! It can take a while of trying and getting the same results, before it sinks in.

‘What doesn’t kill you….’ and all that.

By listening to my beloved LBC London Radio every day I’m learning something pretty much from the off. This commercial station is mostly unbiased, though there are a couple of presenters I find a bit off. But there is light and shade everywhere, I guess. The early morning show with Nick Ferrari ( yes, I mention him a lot, don’t I? Lol) is the immediate news going on and from that I get the shape of the day. It starts my engine and from there the doors to my mind are open. Deep thinking, day dreaming, remembering, changing my mind.

Perhaps one of the latest descions I made was to get back into blogging here at WordPress. I’d started before but somehow lost momentum along the way. This time it’s different and I love the daily prompt to kick start the process.

I don’t use all the bells and whistle available here because this space provided is enough, for now. I just do my stuff and along the way I’m crossing paths with some interesting people, which I am really enjoying.

Thanks for reading this far…The encouragement I get from you acknowledging my existence is nice, very nice x

Where on Earth

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What place in the world do you never want to visit? Why?

There are 195 countries, deciding on one not to visit was initially difficult. Until I gave up, with 76 ‘so far’ on the list.

I’m not adverse to overseas travel. There have been good times had in lots of different places, over the years. But that was then.

Please do not take it personally if you are from any of the following. Yesterday I gained a new subscriber ( thank you BMA) and I hope I don’t lose them because of what I’m about to say ….

Human and animal rights, or the lack of them. The terrain or simply the place creeps me out, I cite as the reasons behind my call. Here goes …

Russia

China

Iran

Iraq

Israel

North Korea

USA

Afghanistan

South Sudan

Libya

Okay, I’ll stop there. You don’t really want me to go on, I know.

Sadly I would have to add Syria and Lebanon. Two countries I so wanted to visit before the powers-that-be trashed them.

The doors of the asylum opened and out came our world leaders. They should hang their heads in shame…..

Dear Lily…..Thank you x

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Describe a positive thing a family member has done for you.

Today, once at again I’m tapping away on my tablet, with my left hand only. The dog currently commandeering the whole of my right side. Lily would smile at this comical stance, I’m sure. She liked dogs and had a lovely thick coated crossbreed called Darkie. There was a cat at her house too. Liquorice a tabby plus.

Genetically I wasn’t related to Lily, but she did more for me in the years she looked after me than anything my blood relatives ever did. Today I would like to honour her and give thanks for everything.

I was only two weeks old when this wonderful soul came into our lives. With two young sons and a new baby my mom was struggling to cope. I am sure my dad would have been of little or no help at all.

And so it was when Lily’s own daughter fled the nest ( more about her (SB) in a future post) that I was invited into the void she had left behind, her bedroom became mine and I was safe. At the same time my own mom had fled, too. Without the safety net which was Lily I don’t know how I would have coped, at all.

There is so much more to write about her and my life with her, but for now to answer the DP. What positive thing a family member has done for me? The answer is she did everything she possibly could do for me. I thank you. R.I.P 💜

*Also, thank you SB for sharing your mom with me x

Arthur….I haven’t forgotten you x

Food for the soul

Joey Jones3 Comments

What is your favorite restaurant?

It is called ‘ Francis de Sales ‘ by the owners, but’ Franky’s ‘ by the many regular customers.

In a decommissioned chapel, set back from the road and in the shadow of a mighty oak, stands  this beautiful building with the original stained glass windows and pews. The stone floor and decorative tiles are a sight to behold.

Open from 12 noon to 8pm, 5 days a week, it’s wise to book if you are intent on eating there. If not rock up and hope for the best.

No meat or dairy but impressive cocktails and delicious food. In keeping with the changing seasons the menu varies throughout the year. Comforting soups, tagines, and old school veggie meals  are favourites throughout the winter and spectacular Buddha Bowls when the weather is warmer. All the usual suspects; sesame tofu, grains, beans, lentils and rice dishes. The bread is made locally and as many ingredients as possible are sourced from as close to the building as possible.

Children and dogs are welcomed and always the accompanying adults do a great job of keeping the ambiance calm and pleasant. With immediate access to an adjoining side room big sofas and drawing equipment and toys are available to the kids to chill.

There is background music, loud enough to distract from the conversation of other parties, but quiet enough to be able to relax and enjoy the moment.

Outside the old graves are still tended to and an unspoken respect attaches itself to the customers as they come and go.

The key to this environment is balance….and I’d say they’ve got it in spot on!