Category: Living

Rise and shine

Joey Jones2 Comments

What are your morning rituals? What does the first hour of your day look like?

What a treat! The dog didn’t wake me up until 8 this morning. I guess he doesn’t realise the clocks changed last weekend and to him it is still 7am.

But that’s ok. I went with his mindset and basked in the luxury of a lie-in. I didn’t lie in, as such. A quick look at the Sky News and a glance at the Socials to make sure World War 3 isn’t imminent and I’m up and about.

Downstairs I flick on the kettle and let said dog out. I stand on the threshold and just breathe the new day in for a moment or two. The clouds were giving way to a glorious blue sky and the sun shone on the red breast of a robin. I thanked the gods.

With coffee in hand I head back upstairs to get myself together. LBC radio with Nick Ferrari puts me firmly in the picture of what’s going down in the outside world. I briefly tidy up my surroundings before back down the stairs to saddle up my boy. And away we go.

First off we walk the few steps to a Green Space, as they are called now. It’s actually the site of an old castle. Then, with job done, into the car for a short drive up to another GS, This time a local park/nature reserve. It’s usually unlocked, but if not I will let us in and message the park ranger, to save him the time

I was saddened along the way to see the blossom had passed its best. The once pretty, fresh and pert blooms, now all tinged with brown. Happily the daffodils stood to attention and looked fabulous.

A quick whizz around the three field/areas, several ball throws and chases and we are on our way out in about 20 minutes.

Back home his lordship has his breakfast, then the birds, some of whom are sitting on the fence patiently waiting..and then me.

I then consider which errands and/or chores should be accomplished, before sitting down for a little while to see what WordPress and the Daily Prompt have in store for us..

And that’s my first hour, done and dusted.

Dare to be different?

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Which aspects do you think makes a person unique?

Oh WordPress, you took the wind out of my sails this morning, when I checked in to see what you had in store for us today. Wow, that’s some mighty ol’ Prompt you have for us there! Bordering on a thesis, methinks…but I’ll do what I can to write how I see it. I will certainly have missed things out and readers may offer additions to the list..and I would encourage that, as  it’s a starting point to showcase our uniqueness. What makes us tick and why? What we reveal to the world and what we don’t…maybe?

Until I feel equipped to get all these thoughts and additional words in order, I shall for now just list them..as my mind focuses on what makes us unique…

……..

Gentetic make up

Mother’s well being

Enviromental factors

Physical attributes

Family/Home life

Poverty/Inequality

Socioeconomic

Education/lack of

Abilities,gifts and strengths

Moral compass

Physical and mental health

Chemical imbalances

Drive, ambition

Opportunities, luck

Ego

Support, guidance

Intelligence

Life experiences

Religion/belief’s

Needs, desires

Sense of humour

Resilience

There are so many reasons why we should be different from anyone else…and this is where we could possibly stop judging others, in any way shape or form.There so many faucets to us. Each of us a story. Some able to cope with the hand we were dealt with and some not so much.

Unique bacteria is born into every fingerprint and with that DNA the identity of a person can be determined. The patterns of lines and whirls is believed to unduplicated, on any other finger. Although now AI begs to differ. What we do know is identical twins, we are told by forensic experts will have different if only slightly different fingerprints from their twin.

Even conjoined twins will see and feel the world differently.

Find your tribe

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What’s something most people don’t understand?

Maybe there are some people who don’t realise that their voice, their time and energy matters. That alone they may feel inadequate, but joing a group of like minded souls can make a huge difference in the world. By giving they will receive ten-fold and some.

One group with 30 years of campaigning behind them are Surfers Against Sewage. A Cornish based charity who work tirelessly for marine conservation and all other sea related issues. For example they mobilise thousands of UK volunteers to sweep the beaches clean. Their aversion to plastic is legendary. I take off my hat to anyone who supports this amazing charity, in any way they can. It’s like paying rent for the privilege of living on our beautiful planet with an apology for all those who don’t give it a second thought. sas.org

One organisation close to my heart is LACS …League Against Cruel Sports. Their focus are animals, which are constantly abused at the hands of man. They stand side by side with these voiceless persecuted souls. Dog fighting, bullfighting, snaring, shooting, hunting any which way an animal can be harmed these fabulous people are there to put up a fight. For someone who loves animals this maybe the charity they may wish to get involved with. Again there is a wonderful website which explains everything. league.org.uk

As Autumn approaches each year I find myself getting vocal about ‘ Leave the Leaves’. A group who want to discourage folk from raking up all the fallen leaves and instead distribute them to under trees or over flower beds to act as a natural fertilizer as they break down and also a safe haven for insects and invertebrates which need somewhere to go to hibernate. If speaking up changes just one person’s mind it will have been worth it.

And that is why I say I really don’t think people believe their one voice can make a difference. There are endless causes to be fought for, everyone can find somewhere to go to join others in making a noise.

( I don’t mean making a noise and being disruptive like the Say No To Oil lobby…Who in the past have disrupted the lives of so many in their quest to get their message across. But all they have done is be disrespectful and troublesome to those who amongst other things may have missed their only chance that day to attend a Hatches, Matches or Dispatches moments.

Edit. Just Stop Oil have just announced they are disbanding.

So I shout out to anybody who feels that alone they can change nothing. Find your cause, join the group and you will never look back. Your tribe awaits.

Frog March

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How often do you say “no” to things that would interfere with your goals? (A tad off piste)

  ‘ A frog decided to reach the top of a tree.

All the frogs shouted ” it’s impossible, it’s impossible.

Still the frog reached the top of the tree.

How? Because he was deaf and he thought everyone was encouraging him to reach the top.

Be deaf to negative thoughts, if your aim is to reach your goal.

Anon

Pic credit Lisa B-D With thanks JJ

Now you see me

Joey Jones2 Comments

What’s a secret skill or ability you have or wish you had?

The ability I would choose would in essence be a superpower, to be able to become invisible.

I would use this gift to infiltrate areas where oxygen thieves congregate and bring them down.

Human Traffickers, paedophiles, and those involved in dog fighting. I would need to start somewhere, so chose these three groups to begin my quest. We share this planet with some truly cruel and horrible people. The scum of the Earth walk amongst us. I believe the world would be a better place without them.

50 million people worldwide are in modern slavery, over half of those in forced labour. I will not disturb you with the statistics for the damage done by paedophiles or those involved in dog fighting…..But rest assured I would never give up!

Dogs and polecats

Joey Jones6 Comments

What is your favorite type of weather?

In the UK there are many ways to describe rain and how it is falling. Colloquially we might say bucketing down, pouring down and chucking it down. All rational examples. This idiom we have all heard said at some stage, but the etymology is unknown.

In a play written in 1652 Richard Brome called City Wit, it was said ‘ It shall rain dogs and polecats’. Brome was known for being heavily influenced by the works of others ( perhaps not quite plagiarism?) So it was no surprise to learn that a year earlier in 1651 Richard Vaughan’s had a collection of poems published in one of which he describes a roof secure against ‘ dogs and cats rained in shower’. But why Vaughan should imagine / use that expression remains a mystery.

Leaving all negative connatations about wet weather to one side. I find a certain beauty in rain. The way it cleanses and refreshes. How it leaves puddles in the streets for the wildlife to access. To see a bird taking a bath at the roadside is an absolute joy to me. But best of all is lying in bed at night, cosy and warm, the dog by my side and rain beginning to pit pat on the window. Steadily the velocity and volume increase and forever I could lie there listening to this magical sound, that conjures up absolute peace….

Crushed

Joey Jones2 Comments

Who was your most influential teacher? Why?

I was about twelve years old when I learnt that’ good energy’ was a Thing.

Mr Grant, my English teacher. The epitome of cool, as I realise now. No, not a school girl crush, but a moment of clarity. It was when for the first time ever I knew that some souls are a bit different. I was all ponies and boaters but sent to a school that clearly wasn’t.

Stepping into his classroom was electrifying. I emphasis again, for you to be sure, this wasn’t a girly heart thing. I knew and know the difference.

Every word he spoke resonated.

Tall, with a slim build, long layered hair sweeping the collar of his corduroy jacket. His moeskin trousers and moccasins. Nah, I was making that up for effect. They were probably desert boots.

I remember he had asked us to bring in a book from home. I took the Politics of Ecstasy which belonged to my eldest brother. I wondered what my English teacher would have to say about that. He said not a word.

After the summer holidays we returned to find he had left ( along with the maths teacher, who was fiercely strict, but I respected a great deal) I was absolutely devastated. His replacement could not hold a candle to him. It changed everything.

Watch paint dry

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What do you wish you could do more every day?

I wish I could paint, full stop!

To be that artist in a big lofty studio with the perfect light. A huge canvas waiting to be brought to life with an array of colours.

The whole day would be stretching ahead of me. With only the birds, easily audible outside in the trees, for company.

Thanks, but no thanks

Joey Jones5 Comments

What tattoo do you want and where would you put it?

Thanks all the same WordPress but I have no interest in getting inked up. If piercings had been a Thing back in my day, I may considered something. But that ship has sailed… Instead let me tell you about Otzi, the mummified body of a man, thought to be over 5000 years old, found in ice in The Alps. It was September 19th 1991 on the the North Italian/Western Austria Border that two German tourist came across his remarkably preserved body.

Historians/researchers now believe he was shot behind with an arrow. There was a hole under his left shoulder, which was destroyed.

What is absolutely extraordinary about this man is he is the first body ever to be found and recorded with tattoos. The scientists believe the 61 tattoos had been made with a pointed tool and filled with either soot or charcoal ash.

Testing has come along way since 1991, when they found his DNA to be so degraded, but since have revealed their fascinating conclusions. Otzi suffered joint and spinal degeneration. The black lines and crosses which make up the extent of his tattoos appear on his lower back, kneecaps, hips and wrist, suggesting they were from an ancient medical practice ( much like acupuncture) rather than decorative purposes. They suggest he was lactose intolerant and had suffered Lymes Disease. The contents of his last meal found in his stomach included Ibex and red deer. Both of which could and to this day carry ticks. They also found traces of a toxic bracken which could have been used to wrap the food or as a supplement.

But who was the tattoo artist?

What an amazing find and how much does it make you wonder about the ancient medical practices which we have lost?

*Otzi and his artefacts have been exhibited at the South Tyrol Museum of Archeology, in Bolzano, Italy since 1998. Not that far from where he was found. RIP Otzi.