Category: Living

Planting seeds

Joey JonesLeave a comment

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

It wouldn’t be my first rodeo-upping sticks and moving somewhere, home or abroad, to start afresh.

Having two, one or no dogs sharing my life, I’ve done it countless times. It’s liberating, scary, and truly exciting.

Getting to know the natives can take a while. It’s easy to forget for a moment they are eyeing you. Seeing where you fit into their picture. I usually give it about a year to not feel like the new kid on the block.

If money were no object/limitless, I’d like to live in central London, adjacent to Hyde Park.

Other thoughts took me to the edge of an English market town, where I could open my front door and walk to the shops one way or a beach the other.

Most of us are familiar with the saying,’ The Comfort Zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there’

And it’s true. But for now, I’ll stay exactly where I am in a little comfort zone, which has alluded me for the longest time. I have plenty of previous experiences  stored up to reflect on if I wish..and never forgetting I always keep an empty lot if I have new seeds to plant.

The Child Within

Joey Jones13 Comments

When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?

There are times when you have to be the grown-up in the room..and other times there is room to be something else.

When your charges need direction or affection, when their wellbeing and safety is your priority, then the grown up is there. Willing, able, capable  reliable. Down-time opens the door a little for the child within to appear and join in the fun.

It’s about getting the balance right ( I guess we could say that about anything, everything in life). Recognising and acknowledging the time and place.

I have no idea if everyone has their child inside still active. No idea at all. But I am grateful mine is there, in the wings, just waiting to escape from time to time.

*Note to self when looking for images to accompany a blog post, it’s probably best not to put ‘ adult’ in the search box.

First up best dressed

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If you were forced to wear one outfit over and over again, what would it be?

A short n sweet answer to our daily prompt ..

A French/Belgian (they produce the best) linen top, of some description. The thermoregulation it provides will keep me warm in winter and cool in summer.

High waisted straight leg jeans, for ultimate comfort.

And some new Sambas/whatever, as mine have seen better days.

I wish for you the life you deserve ( revisited)

Joey Jones9 Comments

Yesterday I scribbled down some thoughts about an encounter I had with a power crazy individual. A farmer who really ‘ got off ‘ on killing things. He showed me how held his 12 bore shotgun ( read; dick extension) when he had a fox in sight…and the joy he felt as a kid killing rabbits. ( I’ve seen it reported many times that children who enjoy harming and killing animals often go on to hurt humans, especially domestic violence)

It sickened me what he was saying, but I listened, because that is what I used to do when I was collecting info for my local Sabs. Since I’ve moved to this area I’ve not seen a hunt out, causing havoc wherever they go, which is fine by me.

The worst thing we have here is a cyclist meet, every Wednesday morning in the market square….and that really p*sses Patches off… 😂

P.S Thank you Mae and Pat for your comments on the draft that got published in error. I quickly deleted it when I realised what I’d done ( I felt a fool allowing a scribble to go public) so your comments went with it. What I should have done is just edit it, so sorry about that, but thank you so much for showing interest. x x

You’ve got to laugh!

Joey Jones6 Comments

How do you want to retire?

There are many components to retirement living. Ideally all your ducks will be in a row and life will go swimmingly. ….I’ve written down some thoughts which I feel may contribute to a happy time ….They will not be in any particular order….I leave that for you to decide on and add to yourselves.

Maybe most of us would concede that good physical and mental health would lay a solid foundation for retirement?

Plus…

A home

Sense of safety

Financially secure/no debt/paying bills no problem

Sense of purpose/structure/routine

Reliable car/transport/access to/mobility

Stable internet access/devices

Outside assistance/ if needed/wanted

Company/social interaction if needed/wanted

Contentment

A companion if wanted…4 legs 3, 2 or 1 legged

Sense of humour

Retirement isn’t The End but the Start of something else. Not just a new chapter but a whole new clean slate… A sparkly brand new book to begin?

😂

Somewhere over the rainbow

Joey JonesLeave a comment

What are the most important things needed to live a good life?

Maybe turning this around will give some clarity….

Trafficked, poverty, poor mental health, homelessness, starvation, displacement, conflict zones, genocide, heartbreak, loss, extreme disabilities, abandonment, grief, sickness, loneliness, estrangement, physical/mental abuse, lack of clean water, incarceration..broken.

Take these and all other hurting and damaging factors out of the equation, and particles of a good life should appear?

Arachnophobia

Joey Jones14 Comments

What fears have you overcome and how?

Many many moons ago I visited Bhaktivedanta Manor, the Hare Krishna temple in Watford. On one wall was a black and white drawing of a person out in the natural world accompanied by various animals..creatures. At the heart of each inclusion in the picture was a small white light. I got it. I understood.

‘ Spiders – so needed and yet so misunderstood ‘~Donna Lynn Hope

Patches

Joey Jones8 Comments

Describe one simple thing you do that brings joy to your life.

Walking my dog on the beach. Seeing him in his element brings great joy to my life.

                       Black Cherries

Late in May as the light lengthens

towards summer the young goldfinches

flutter down through the day for the first time

to find themselves among fallen petals

cradling their day’s colours in the day’s shadows

of the garden beside the old house

after a cold spring with no rain

not a sound comes from the empty village

as I stand eating the black cherries

from the loaded branches above me

saying to myself Remember this

W. S Merwin 1927~2019