Category: Life

Finding home…

Joey Jones19 Comments

What was the hardest personal goal you’ve set for yourself?

You will be forgiven for glazing over today.  Mostly, I like to keep my posts bite-sized  but sometimes it’s impossible. It may be one of those days…

It’s interesting to read the replies to the DP’s. All our thoughts and memories in a big melting pot called living. How will my fellow bloggers define ‘ the hardest personal goal’ ?

Amongst them will be the souls who are just grateful to have survived this far. This I understand.

A few days back, we were asked how we would cope if we lost everything. I failed to mention the time I had walked away from home and a relationship with just the clothes on my back…Tough? Yes..

After a while, struggling to keep my head and dignity above water, I went overseas. I was away for years. When I did come back to the UK, I had a pup and an adult dog in tow. Street dogs I had bonded with and was not going to leave behind. ( Animals, I understand. Humans not so much.)

Luckily, I had managed to accumulate savings, but the flights for Tony and Joe from India. ( BA Cargo were stars) and six months in quarantine ( I believe things have changed since then) didn’t come cheap.

Having been a nanny at the top of my game and the mother of all references under my belt. I was sure it would help. And I had six months to find somewhere for us all to go. Right? I stayed in a small hotel in central London as I believed then it would be easier to go to and from interviews. I’d never be able to take a nanny role again with two dogs, but there were other jobs with tied accommodation I could do.

( I had to stay with my dad and his fourth wife at one point for a while = nightmare and another story which will remain buried.  It was soul-destroying. Totally)

Despite being signed up to some fabulous and not so fabulous agencies ( another story or six) It took a year and the last of my savings to secure something for the dogs and me.

And so it went on forever, it seemed. I could have tugged my forelock and kept my head down and stayed in some jobs longer, but you know how it is.

To be fair, there was one lovely job with an elderly chap. I was gutted when he passed away. But I did get to keep his dog.

The jobs came and went, and I was with a  difficult employer on a farming estate. All the other staff were obedient and had been there years. I simply couldn’t hack it. 

And then it happened a complete fluke combined with stars aligned, and I finally managed to retire with the keys to a lovely rental, in the middle of dog walking nivarna and a  landlady sent from the heavens.

A front door of our own, such a long time coming. Sure, I’ve had to tighten my belt, but things that make me happy cost nothing… Walks in the deepest of nature, birds bathing in the fresh and slightly warmed water I put out for them. Amazing skies, the sunset and sunrises, trees,  smiles, and a few passing words with people on the street. All the dogs in the hood whose names I learn before their  guardians. The changing seasons. Growing things, pottering around.  Writing.  Gratitude.

And then I have Patch. His Nibs 🐾🐾 who lives here rent free, because he can.

In an ideal world

Joey Jones8 Comments

Describe your ideal week.

The list just kept on growing. An ideal week, you ask. WP come on! There is plenty to do and plenty to see… but do you know what?

I’d settle for a guaranteed week of no incidents or accidents, no drama, no shocks, or nasty surprises….plus good health for all. Wouldn’t that be something?

Re today’s Daily Promp..It’s the little things in life

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I was all set for a ‘ typical’ day, which was a bit silly to start with -Just shows us how we take this living thing for granted.

A minor tech issue ( not so minor in my world) set the day off a bit differently. No, that’s not entirely true His Nibs allowed me to sleep until about 6.30am. ( After getting us both up in the night by whining to go out. A gap in the fence has recently appeared, so heavens only knows what had managed to slither through. It’s cat central round here, so maybe Reggie from down the street was in for a mooch about? Yes, he could have come over the fence, but that’s cats for you.

In most people’s books tech issues are not issues. A simple adjustment and everything is cool.Thing is at Primary we had one small TV in the whole school. Wheeled into the classroom on a tall trolley, from the Visual Aids Room. Soo, digital is not second nature, sadly.

Anyways I got to grips with that and heard the letterbox rattle. There on the mat was one of those plastic bags from a charity saying they would be round our way on Friday. Funny that as I had hoping one would come my way as I had a few bits and bobs already to go, in a bag by the door. Perfect!

Because of said tech issue we were late going out. That was a lucky thing as I saw someone I hadn’t seen for a very long time and I had wanted to touch base. Another tick,perfect.

I drove us up to a lovely green space we enjoy going to. Patch surveyed the estate and got back in the car without having to be bribed. Tick, perfect.

Bouyed up by a positive vibe I fed us and then went out the front to tidy up a bit. Did an hour or so and now I’m very pleased with myself. Tick perfect.

And it’s not even noon yet.

Recently I was reading about how time passes faster as you age. You’d think it would slow down a bit, wouldn’t you? All thinks considered. I agree time goes by in a flash and tbh it’s a bit freaky when you’re not quite ready for it.

Still not quite noon and the morning so far has allowed me to do quite a lot of stuff. Funny that.

Today’s arrival

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What are your daily habits?

‘ It’s no bad thing to celebrate a simple life’ JJ Tolkien 1892- 1973

The Guest House~Rumi

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning, a new arrival.

A joy, a depression,  a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out

of some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing,

and invite them in.

as a guide from beyond.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent

Jalal-al-Din Muhammad Rumi 1207~1273

A holistic approach, methinks

Joey Jones2 Comments

How do you practice self-care?

There are so many facets to Self Care, it’s tricky to know where to start. I guess fuel. A balanced diet is the obvious way to go. Word on the street the Mediterraneans have it sorted. We all know crisps, cakes, biscuits and the like call to us from behind the kitchen cupboard door. So very hard to ignore. This week walnuts and pumpkin seeds went into my shopping bag as an alternative. A tad costly though.

Keeping hydrated is important to fend off lethargy. Extreme thirst can be quite deliberating.

Exercising the grey matter, whilst the rest of your body….rests.

A decent night’s sleep. Don’t we all crave this? Of course, should a cat have the audacity to tiptoe through the garden, Patches kicks off, waking up the whole neighborhood, who all have their windows open during this glorious weather.

Another element to self care could be presentation? Not going out like you’ve dressed in the dark….but comfortable and clean clothes always feel good, don’t they? And if you love what you’re wearing all the better!

Another thing to make you feel good? Has to be laughter. The more the merrier. Definitely the best medicine.

Talking of merrier, consuming zero alcohol is going to make your GP happy at least. Otherwise moderation is probably advisable.

To love and be loved. Fresh air, exercise, light… and if you have a spiritual vein, fabulous!

And now if you will excuse me I shall go and run a bubbly bath and light a scented candle, maybe a glass of something fizzy on the side. Oh, it’s only 10.58 am. Better not..

A rich inner life? Edit….

Joey Jones4 Comments

What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

Curiosity, Yeah, I’m naturally curious….about everything.

Edit; I’m considering changing this to Observant.

Curiosity is a wonderful thing, to be interested, stay interested in the world around us. To keep learning. The ‘ Every day’s a school day’ vibe is a good one…but I think Observant pips it to the post ….or maybe a vivid imagination? Nooo, I’ll stop right here. Observant it is.

WordPress asked us about luxury for the Daily Prompt

Joey Jones2 Comments

Across the world luxury is going to mean something different to everyone. A private jet? Or maybe clean drinking water?

But the word FREEDOM begged to be written for my response.

Today I chose to copy a poem by W H Davies, a Welsh poet and wanderer. His book The Autobiography of a Super-tramp is interesting.

At this moment I am sitting on the sofa with the dog asleep at my side. The sky is overcast and it’s blowing a gale. The french windows are securely open wide. The fresh air rushes in and out taking light billowing curtains with it. A blackbird and a few pigeons are finishing up their breakfast and the squirrel is digging up some potted chives to hide his stash- word is squirrels forget where they put 50% of their swag. Who’d have thought it?

I’ll brew fresh coffee now and exercise some remaining grey matter before anything else on my list of ‘ things to do, if I want to’. This my friend is luxury!

Edit; the wind blew away most of the clouds, the dog awoke and went outside to catch some sun…

It has been a long time coming, this kind of peace.

I’ve enjoyed reading what others in my newly-found WordPress family have had to say is their idea of luxury.

Dear Reader, what is yours?

I do love the Dawn Chorus, really

Joey Jones14 Comments

I took one for the team today. Well, for my immediate neighbourhood, anyway. 4.40am and a young family of blackbirds were hungry. Their relentless protests were never going to cease until someone helped the parents sort it

It’s the rent we pay for living in this beautiful world ( however hard man tries to feck it up)!

So, clad in only summer nightwear attire and winter boots….(Yes, dressed in the dark syndrome) I ventured out with my box of tricks.

Dried mealworms went into a shallow dish of water ( to help things along with the little ones) Some cheap mixed seed which seems to thrive and grow amongst the gravel. Old  ( but no green spots involved- that’s a killer- one spot of green means the whole batch is shot!)  bread rolls I hated. Suet sprinkles, they’ll only eat at a push, a cut up apple, some grapes and a few piles of porridge oats. It took about ten minutes to sort the breakfast banquet and another ten for the madness of the dawn chorus to settle. But they did

I reckon by 5am peace was restored. I climbed back into bed and then the dog showed an interest in going out. Great!

‘Time keeps on slipping into the future … ‘ 🎵

Joey Jones4 Comments

Do you remember your favorite book from childhood?

A favourite series of books of mine were The Famous Five by English writer Enid Blyton ( 1897-1968) Her books were best sellers around the world since the 1930’s.

                                    Leisure

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 or 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, pub 1911.

‘ Time keeps on slipping into the future’ is taken from the album Fly Like an Eagle by the Steve Miller Band. Released in 1976.