Do you believe in fate/destiny?

Am I destined to stay on the WordPress Daily Prompt Path and leave the original plan for my blog aside?

Or

Is it fate that has me tuned to the WordPress Daily Prompt Path leaving my original plan for my blog aside?

Describe a phase in life that was difficult to say goodbye to.

Leaving Southern India and returning to the UK was a very difficult phase in my life to say goodbye to. This coming October it will be 20 long years since I arrived at Chennai Airport with two street dogs ( that’s another story) in tow, about to ‘ go home’. It didn’t take me long to realise that I was in fact leaving home and not going home. It was a truly shocking experience.

I don’t need rose-tinted-glasses to look back on my time in India and tell you they were easily the best days, months and years of my life. Without a shadow of a doubt.

Stepping off the plane into intense heat, the smell of wood smoke and the sound of crows high up in the trees will stay with me forever. Sensory overload, you might say. My eyes and possibly my mouth were wide open as I took it all in. The traffic, the people, dogs, music, car and rickshaw horns vying for supremacy. The  trucks and billboards sent colour my way. The incense, sandalwood, my favourite. The road kill.

I got to know the East Coast Road well and I think they got used to seeing me on a daily basis. I don’t think I was a novelty for long. The people so gentle, kind and hospitable.

I was quite in awe of the ladies in their saris of every hue. Many walked as on air, so graceful and yet carrying a load. The food was a amazing, especially the breakfasts, Pongal and absolute favourite.

And now I must stop! ….

As I sit here now with today’s prompt from WordPress in front of me, I know I cannot do justice to the story I would like to tell, in just a few paragraphs.

So many threads entwined in that rich tapestry.

If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be, and why?

I do not wish to presume his persona or have ‘ day in the life of’. Simply sit at his desk and give away his $360 (approx) billion fortune. The richest man in the world will soon become the world’s most generous philanthropist.

The list is long and the time is short.

Firstly I would put a message out there for little known charities to get in touch. I would like to meet their needs. It is mostly the case that smaller charities need the biggest help. With that done I would deal with some people close to me who would appreciate a cash injection of any amount, including a wonderful elderly lady who has known me all my life and a young man struggling to find a permanent family home for himself and his two children. Easily and quickly remembered.

71%of the Earth’s surface is water, with only 1% available for human consumption. Globally agriculture accounts for 70% of fresh water withdrawals.The United Nations Development Report in 2024 states 2.2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water. The figures for animals is unknown. I would donate to WaterAid, to help combat these startling and shameful tatistics.

The charity War Child was established by three young men in 1993 in the then Yugoslavia. During the Bosnian War they were deeply disturbed by the violence and ethnic cleansing. 80% of their revenue goes towards and including protecting, educating and standing up for the rights of children excluded from the world’s most conflicted places

I would trust the NSPCC, UNICEF, Red Cross, International Rescue Committee, Age UK, MIND, RSPCA, NHS Charities Together to evenly distribute their given donations where they deem fit.

It is disgraceful that there are two bodies with charitable status that shouldn’t…The RNLI (Royal Navy Lifeboat Institute and The Air Ambulance. What is that about? Also knowing King Charles charges them rent.

Compassion in World Farming advocates for the humane treatment of farm animals and LACS ( The League Against Cruel Sports) campaign against hunting, shooting and animal fighting with HSA (the Hunt Saboteurs Association)relentlessly pursuing those involved in illegal fox hunting, badger baiting and hare coursing. All thre are more than worthy of a financial helping hand.

Time is of the essence here, I have but 24 hours in which to distribute these funds, wisely and fairly.

There are lots of very tiny animals rescues run by ladies I know, to whom I would be honoured to bestow chunky wads of cash on. Their relief and gratitude would be my joy.

Lastly I need to mention Animal SOS Sri Lanka. Established in 2007, by a British woman, Kim Cooling. What began as a self funded Rescue has now grown to caring for 2500 dogs. Many with special needs. FinallyTom Nicholson who reacted to the plight of animals trapped and starving in the war torn Ukraine in February 2022. He and his British Armed Forces veterans buddies establish the tactical and animal relief charity Breaking the Chains. They need vehicles, kit, food, their needs endless.Coming your way Tom!

It’s going to be a long day behind his desk and when I have run out of time I will turn off the light, head for the door and then close it behind me.

Mr Musk, the richest man in the world will be no more.

‘ Oh The Human Research Trust, I didn’t mention them, or……I need more time.

Describe the most ambitious DIY project you’ve ever taken on.

Many many moons ago I built a chest of drawers from flat pack. I have no recollection where I was at the time, when I accomplished this most ambitious DIY project, or where the said masterpiece is today. Why did I even take on such a thing when such pastimes are way out of character? I have no idea. In the future am I likely to repeat a task of this nature? No… The End. 😅

If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why?

Banning this won’t make it go away, that’s a fact, but it is word that freaks me out. So very disturbing.

‘ Fatalities’ …Hearing this word cuts through my very being. My soul frozen right there and then. A brief flash of complete darkness, before all my senses are awakened.

Conjoured up are images of chaos, despair, sadness, absolute disbelief. The word evokes a horror and terror the loved ones will experience in the seconds, days, months or even years ahead.They will be disturbed, upset, shocked.

The emergency services involved in picking up the pieces will absorb so much. Left to deal with their feelings, the emotions, in their own time.

For me being an Empath is both a blessing and a curse and my heart goes out to those affected and grateful to those who have to work within the realms of the world called fatalities every single day…

What is the biggest challenge you will face in the next six months?

As with light which travels in a straight line, we cannot bend to see what is around the corner.

There may be events anticipated, planned even. There could be dreams to be fulfilled, ambitions to be met, expectations, needs and wants. Sadly there may also be the inevitable or expected passing of a loved one, human or animal.

The American statesmen Benjamin Franklin has been often quoted as saying ‘ ..but in this world nothing is said to be certain, except death and taxes’………

…………The sky is so beautifully blue, puffy little white clouds are idly passing by. There is warmth in the sun. I sit on the mountainside. The grass looks healthy and feels to me keen to grow. There is an energy there. Despite the grass growing underneath me, the clouds passing by and the most gentle of breeze, it is still. Around me, absolute stillness.

If I look up over my shoulder I see part of the path heading to the peak and looking down into a picture of a life lived so far.

Like all folk there have been rapids to navigate, swamps to wade through and rocky roads stumbled along. The waves surfed and the even ground have offered respite.

I’m not looking into the future, wondering and wanting. I’m simply sitting here on the mountainside, enjoying the moment.

If there was a biography about you, what would the title be?

To see a biography about me on a book shop shelf would be quite something. It would mean I had realised my final ambition/dream and was being recognised for it. ‘ Yikes!’ we might say in England, when something extraordinary happens.

What were your parents doing at your age?

The daily prompts are fun. They have been invaluable to me, really- for getting back into writing.

But today’s task is something I don’t want to participate in.

My baggage is in store and I will unpack it.. unwrap it when I’m ready.

Initially it was the point of my blog, but I’ve been happily distracted with these daily exercises, which I love.

Have a good day, all.

If you had the power to change one law, what would it be and why?

It has been so interesting to read all the contributions to today’s WordPress blog prompt. The opinions have been so wide. Some waving the question goodbye as they have found it simply too complicated to even get their thoughts around. Others have suggested their blogs are their happy places and such this particular topic is not for them. I respect each and every one of you for your views.

The simple thought of the death penalty is an emotive one. Miscarriages of justice I am sure have kept many souls awake at night. It is reported one in 10 people on Death Row are innocent. Luckily for some there are many organisations worldwide ready to campaign for those deemed innocent.

But I ask you to consider this one case. Ian Watkins the front man of a Welsh rock band called The Lost Prophets, given a twenty nine year sentence ( plus 6 years on license and 10 months added for being in possession of a mobile phone in person). He is currently serving the time in HM Wakefield. His crime? Multiple sex offences, including sexual assault of young children and infants.Plus being in possession of extreme child and animal pornography.

It was recorded in 2013 that only fifty eight countries retain the death penalty. The UK gov turning their back on it in 1965.

The overall annual expenditure for all prisons in the UK is Four billion, and some.

In 2022/23 the cost of keeping one inmate amounted to £51,724 a year.

In the case of Ian Watkins, surely that money could be better spent in society?

Write about your dream home.

My dream home would be located in or around the civil parish and town of Marazion, on the shore of Mounts Bay in Cornwall, UK. Within walking distance of one of the beaches would be perfect.

A converted chapel or an old school house with big windows and original features, would make me happy. Inside it would be minimalist with high end workmanship, fixtures and fittings.

Downstairs the under heated natural floors would be wooden and stone. Ethnic style rugs would bring colour and extra warmth.

On the ground floor there would need to be a bedroom with french windows which open onto an unfussy south facing walled garden. There would be herbs growing and sweet smelling honeysuckle on the far wall. Clematis and jasmine elsewhere. This room would be used by me if I had a dog with mobility issues at the time. If not it would be a guest suite.

The large kitchen/ family would be the simple shaker style with an island, a top of the range Aga and comfortable stripey sofas. The table to seat ten, easily.

I would like a study, not that we get much paperwork admin these days, but a place to keep the remaining books I have, to do ‘ officey ‘ ( is that even a word?) things and write. A desk, a sofa bed ( incase push comes to shove I have an extra guest to accommodate at short notice. Admin Corner, I’d probably call it.

An open plan sitting room/dining room which could be divided by double sliding doors if necessary. Chunky  velvet sofas and an upmarket realistic but fake fireplace ( I would need to research these). A decent size screen I guess is a given, especially with friends staying over for any length of time.

A downstairs bathroom of some description is also a given.

Upstairs simply two good size suites, a master and guest.

Outside I’d like there to be adequate off street parking, a garage and some form of lean-to/car port when I could park and unpack the car, safe from the elements. There would be a side door which opened into a boot/laundry room.

There would be a covered sit-out. One of those places you can be, regardless of the weather, rain or shine, to breathe the air, be quiet…..or maybe have chatter and fun with friends.

On roof would be solar panels to capture the sun.

Yes, I can see it now..