It was in 2000, whilst I was living and working in Saudi Arabia that I found myself buying a copy of The Internet for Dummies. It didn’t help. Just washed over me completely. Starting with the theory was not a good move.
Earlier during the late 90’s( in the UK) I became aware that some of my office-bound pals were using email.
But it wasn’t until 2001 when I was in India that a real live princess ( I kid you not) taught me how to use a computer. The only thing I remember about it was that it was dial-up. It was pretty tricky when the electric supply went off and came on at will.
The one day that will stay in my mind forever is when the horrific events of September 11th unfolded. Everyone else was watching it on TV. But I just sat there in front of the screen in disbelief, immobilised.
Okay, I get it. Influencers ( read straight up advertising) want/need likes to attract companies with services/stuff to sell.
But on blogging posts? It doesn’t sit right with me. It feels outdated/out of place. I’d love to see a ✔️ instead. What do you think, WP Bloggers? To me, it would mean I’ve read, acknowledged your post/thoughts/work, and thank you. Clean, neat, and to the point.
Today, I’m on day 365 of a streak. A year completed with this blog. Tomorrow, my 2nd year will begin, possibly answering a repeated DP. No, not complaining, simply just saying, WP.
I’ve really enjoyed getting to know some of you guys a bit, and I thank you all 190 subscribers. I love the diversity here, ages, locations, situations, and styles of expressing yourselves. With more hours in the day, I really would read more of your posts.
I’ll just mention the voyeurs. Those beings who lurk in the shadows, read our posts, and fade away without a nod. You guys could try harder?
To the rest of you, beautiful people, thanks for being you and sharing part of your lives with us all. Stay safe.
Oh, almost forgot. Should have read down the post and landed here and be the Someone who comments from time, please add your initial/s. Then I’ll know who I am replying too. Love love x
What’s the thing you’re most scared to do? What would it take to get you to do it?
In a previous life, I have abseiled and tried paragliding once.
Today, nothing on this Earth would have me handgliding, bungee jumping, mountain climbing, on a zip wire or sky diving. Likewise, being on a submarine or any submersible. Nah, not happening.
After a short walk this morning, I drove Patch a short distance to one of our favourite walks. As I slowed down for a cattle grid, the most beautiful of Red Kites swooped down in front of us and all but kissed the ground. A haze of amber, and it was gone. What a truly amazing start to this cold, damp, and grey January day.
It’s possible I’ve reached a stage where complaining has ceased altogether and been replaced, not by apathy, but something else.
A slight shake of the head, a tad expelling of breath, a flash of expletives through my brain, or simply nothing at all.
The big picture is bright. I don’t miss much, but I’ve ceased responding to my own detriment.
I will always be a compassionate and empathetic soul. An imploding planet, pathetic world leaders, and the mass suffering of humans and animals will always sadden me deeply.
But for now, self-preservation is crucial.
Witnessing that majestic Red Kite sweep before me this morning was awesome.
WP, you have certainly stirred the thoughts, hopes, and dreams of your blogging community today. It’s been good to read everyone’s ideas of where a lottery win would fit into their lives.
Had you asked me last year or 5 years ago, I know my answers would be different. Today, I reckon I know how this would play out.
For two or three days, maybe as long as a week. I wouldn’t tell a soul. No, I take that back. There’s an older lady who has known me all my life. I’d tell her immediately, and she would instinctively know that she would be safe.
Next, I’d call the garage and get 4 new tyres put on my trusted Peugeot.
I’d arrange an appointment ASAP at the local cosmetic dentist to plan new veneers.
We are lucky in the UK to have the NHS, but I would quickly sign up to BUPA, so I was no longer a burden on the system.
My no frills ‘click n collect’ funeral would be paid for in full, immediately.
My new (refurbished) phone now has a crack on the screen and my tablet is tired. I’d like to replace those devices. I don’t need an IPhone.
I think I could get all this sorted relatively quickly.
A visit to Space NK would definetly be on the cards for a few treats plus a bottle of Portrait of a Lady perfume by Frédéric Malle. Something I have lusted after for a very long time.
After the trip into town, I would be tempted to pick up a bottle of Bolly, but probably not as I would need a clear head for a few days. It could wait.
Lastly, I would be scrolling the likes of OnTheMarket.com and WhatCar.com to find a suitable home for us and some nice new wheels.
And then that would be me done. I would carry on my life as usual.
It should go without saying, really, but for those who don’t know me at all, I would be giving much of the winnings away. Once a financial plan was in place to keep us ( Patch n me) secure, I would like to top up on what I’d already and quickly passed on to friends in need and charities I already support.
OK. Let’s get this out there. I’m going to tell you about a road trip in a year, probably before your parents were born. There it is. Strange but true, lol. In our defence, we were youngsters at the time.
There were eight of us in three Kombi vans, 4 girls, 4 boys and a little kid, a girl.
VW Kombi
Over 1800 miles one way. That’s a long ol’ stretch for Brits.
We drove through France and Spain and over to Morocco.
Take it as a given, we had a blast.
I can’t remember at what stage of this 3 month trip it was, but our menfolk, were recruited to work as extras on a movie. £20 a day, not to be sniffed at, back then.
The catch being our beautiful surfing hippy lads went off one day and came back minus their gorgeous flowing locks.
Obvs, we girls were thrilled to each be given a fabulous room in a hotel in Agadir for the duration. What a treat!.
I remember the night the boys came back off set. There were two of us crouched down on the balcony waiting to see the returning buses. To say it freaked us out is an understatement they all looked the same.
The film was March or Die with Gene Hackman and Cathrine Deneuve and Terence Hill and directed by Dick Richards.
Our boys had become French Foreign Legionaires. We had new men.
I’ll look through our own pics tomorrow and replace with an original
At this moment in time, I’m not in snack-needed-mode, but thank you, WP.
Coming up to 6.30am on a dark cold January morning, two large coffees in, is enough for now.
Patch can’t quite decide if to get up or not, but I think it’s only heading one way and before I know it he will be giving me three minutes to sort myself before he wants out.
Snacks can wait. Maybe later, if I need something salty to fill a gap I will reach for some olives, something sweet, it will be dates.
Snacking can go two ways. It’s relatively nutrious and fills a gap. Regulating sugar levels and providing energy during the lows, or else with a life of its own and becoming addictive, stuffing your body with rubbish.
I simply don’t buy cakes, biscuits, crisps or beige food that will speak to me through the kitchen cupboard door. They will have the upper hand, and I find I’m not happy until I have seen them off. Best I don’t put them in temptations way to start with.
What are your thoughts on the concept of living a very long life?
When you are old and grey and full of sleep, And nodding by the fire, take down this book, And slowly read, and dream of the soft look Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;
How many loved your moments of glad grace, And loved your beauty with love false or true, But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you, And loved the sorrows of your changing face;
And bending down beside the glowing bars, Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled And paced upon the mountains overhead And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.
Change can be a wonderful thing, liberating and empowering or simply downright fun.
It can also be devastating, if you hadn’t planned it.
The DP was about doing things differently, but although that’s not the same as change, they are related. There is a shift involved.
As some of you may have gathered so far, I’m living a little life right now with Patch. Happily going about the day and not wanting to do anything differently.
Change has been my middle name for more years than I care to remember. So when I first read today’s prompt (a sneak peak yesterday) I thought to myself,’ nah, not having it’ no change for me, matey. Not a chance. I’m okay as I am, thanks very much.
So, this morning, Himself let me know he wanted to go out around 4am. I wasn’t bothered. It meant he was sorted for a while.
Opening the door I could see the snow and ice which had been around for a while had gone, and it wasn’t as cold. Mmm, that’s different. He came back in and went straight to his bed, where it was warm, instead of following me back upstairs.
It was bliss getting back into my cosy bed, ( but i do prefer it if my best buddy is next to me) and I knew nothing until gone 8.30am. That was a change I welcomed.
Patch didn’t want his breakfast and was not eager to go out. Not his usual behaviour, I decided to go with it and not worry, there and then.
I put the radio on ( a world waiting to implode,nothing new there) fed the birds, had my breakfast, pottered around a bit, and then sat down next to Patch to do Zen Word, my grey matter work out.
With that done I decided to hand feed him cooked chicken. That way, I’d know if we had an issue or not. But he ate it up and it gave him enough of a boost to start his day.
Outside, His Nibs decided to bypass his regular brief visit to the nearby green space. Instead waiting firmly by the car.
I had a little think where to take him, we get there and someone is in our ( limited) space ( how dare they!) So we went elsewhere, parked up and himself led me to a gate to a field/bridleway we had never been down before. It was lovely. The sun came out, and we blew away a few cobwebs
Why am I telling you all this? Well, there I was thinking beforehand I’d not be doing anything differently this morning and then with a life of its own, it was all change.
( Even the postman thought it would be different to deliver two pieces of mail for two other neighbours through my letterbox, just now)
IN THE BOOMER PIGEON HOLE? 