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)
Do you spend more time thinking about the future or the past? Why?
Children and young adults grow and look up and out. Older now and pushing middle years, they have the best of both worlds, looking forward and back…and then we get to where, if they are lucky enough there are lots of happy memories to reflect on, plus a little light ahead for what maybes.
I have regrets, things i wish i had done differently, sure I do. Maybe more than my fair share, tbh. But there you go! I also have happy, crazy, fun, and interesting times to look back on. It is kinda funny ( in a good way). A brief look back isn’t a bad thing. It’s when one dwells there it could become an issue.
Happy Days
For the future, I have silly little dreams, but it’s staying healthy, and mobile is where the reality kicks in.
Planning for the future is not a bad thing, but expecting one? Not so much.
Which brings me neatly to the now. Living each day,still learning, letting go of what no longer matters and being truly grateful.
And in the words of John Lennon (1940~1980)
‘ Life is what happens to you when you are busy making other plans’
The start to the new year always starts in the most horrible of ways. My poor boy will be cowering in the shower, trying his best to make himself as small as possible.
It’s only 4.45pm GMT, but already I feel a bit sick. Knowing what my lad will have to go through.
Fireworks, Noise, pollution, disruption. Why?
As a kid, I think I was never sure what it was all about. People around me going ooh and aarh. Yeah, a sparkler was nice, but hey, it was cold out there, never really got it.
And then as I grew I learned how wild and domestic animals really were affected. It’s not funny and it’s not clever.
This-
(later edit, I copied this and now can’t find the source to give credit)
“Millions of animals, including pets, farm animals, and wildlife, are significantly affected by fireworks, with studies showing over 80% of pet owners report negative impacts, and high percentages of dogs (around 41-62%) and horses (over 79%) experiencing fear, leading to distress, injury, escapes, and even death, due to the unpredictable, loud noises and flashes.
Impact on Pets (Dogs & Cats) Fear & Anxiety: High percentages of dogs (41-62%) and cats show fear, trembling, hiding, excessive barking, pacing, and panting. Escape & Injury: Many pets try to escape, leading to them getting lost, injured, or even killed. Lasting Trauma: Fireworks can cause long-term trauma and lasting stress.
Impact on Farm Animals & Horses Extreme Distress: Horses and livestock experience severe anxiety, with one survey finding 79% of horses anxious around fireworks. Fatalities: There are recorded cases of horse fatalities linked to firework panic.
Impact on Wildlife Disorientation & Death: Birds and small animals can be disoriented, unable to find nests, leading to young dying from starvation or dehydration.
Habitat Disruption: Smoke, pollution, and debris from fireworks litter habitats and harm wildlife.
Why Animals Are So Affected. Heightened Senses: Animals hear and see sounds and lights much more intensely than humans.
Unpredictable Danger: The sudden, loud, and unpredictable nature of fireworks triggers survival instincts, making them seem like a massive, close-range threat.
Key Statistics 80% of pet owners report negative impacts from fireworks (USPCA poll). 62% of dogs show fear (RSPCA). 66% of animals are negatively impacted by private displays (RSPCA).
And that was just part of the report. Horrendous statistics.
Can you imagine what animals in war zones must feel like? No, neither can I.
Some folk were quick to remind me that Brigitte Bardot was less than perfect, and she held views that were/are certainly distasteful.
I don’t condone for a minute her unsavoury opinions, but did honour her passing for her absolute dedication to animal welfare. They don’t have a voice. How they treated is in the hands of humans.
Animal welfare is my passion, a way of life. I took it for granted people would pick up on that. My bad.
You get to build your perfect space for reading and writing. What’s it like?
Deep in the woods is a little house. Smoke curls up from the chimney. A black cat with short white socks stretches on the front porch. A rocking chair is placed on either side of the freshly painted door. A soft turquoise, matte. Silver metal work gleams.
As the sun goes down, a light comes on and she appears. With a saucepan in one hand and a wooden spoon in the other she gently bangs ( maybe ‘ gently bangs’ is an oxymoron? You tell me) the two together, many times in succession. ‘ Kuti, Kuti, Kuti’ she calls, and an elderly Jack Russell appears, runs up the steps, brushes past her, and disappears inside. The cat follows.
The emerald of her fisherman’s smock, the blue of her Levis, and the mulicoloured paisley scarf tied around her head are a vision of grace. She turns and enters into the warm and cosy place she loves. The perfect writer’s retreat.
At very opportunity, I will give the English textile designer,poet, and social activist William Morris a shout. Likewise, the Pre-Raphelites artists.
The Welsh poet W. H.Davies The Americans Christina Rossetti, Emily Dickinson and Sara Teasdale, from times gone by and lately Mary Walker, a contemporary poet from New Zealand
And in no particular order, some I can think of off the top of my head. There are so many not mentioned here, too. Forgive me.
Personal choices will remain private…
English Mary Quant: Fashion designer/icon.
English Princess Diana: Global Humanitarian.
English Nick Ferrari: Journalist, radio host, tv presenter, newspaper man/editor
English C.S. Lewis: Author, literary scholar, and Anglican lay theologian.
American Timothy Leary: Psychologist and author.
Indian Mahatma Ghandi:Lawyer, anti colonialist activist, and political actionist and practical philosopher.
English Ricky Gervais: Philanthropist, filmmaker,producer, writer, director, actor, comedian, and dog lover.
Irish Noel Fitzpatrick:Orthopedic-Neuro veterinary surgeon and visionary. Author and actor.
English Jane Goodall:Primatologist, anthropologist, and author
American Tom Petty:Musician, singer songwriter.
English Kim Cooling:Founder Animal SOS Sri Lanka.
Irish Bob Geldof: Musician, singer/songwriter, activist, humanitarian and Nobel Man of Peace 2005.
LBC Radio
The charities: League Against Cruel Sports. Compassion in World Farming, RSPCA, The Humane Research Trust, Animal SOS Sri Lanka, Water Aid, Refuge, War Child.
Close buddies, dog/animal lovers and guardians, all animal Rescue folk, Mother Nature and my boy Patch. 💝
And last but not least. All you wonderful bloggers here at WordPress.
At every opportunity, I will give the English textile designer,poet, and social activist William Morris a shout. Likewise, the Pre-Raphelite artists.
The Welsh poet W. H.Davies The Americans Christina Rossetti, Emily Dickinson and Sara Teasdale, from times gone by and lately Mary Walker, a contemporary poet from New Zealand.
And in no particular order, some I can think of off the top of my head. There are so many not mentioned here, too. Forgive me.
Personal choices will remain private…
English Mary Quant: Fashion designer/icon.
English Princess Diana: Global Humanitarian.
English Nick Ferrari: Journalist, radio host, tv presenter, newspaper man/editor
English C.S. Lewis: Author, literary scholar, and Anglican lay theologian.
American Timothy Leary: Psychologist and author.
Indian Mahatma Ghandi:Lawyer, anti colonialist activist, and political actionist and and practical philosopher.
English Ricky Gervais: Philanthropist, filmmaker,producer, writer, director, actor, comedian, and dog lover.
Irish Noel Fitzpatrick:Orthopedic-Neuro veterinary surgeon and visionary. Author and actor.
English Jane Goodall:Primatologist, anthropologist, and author
American Tom Petty:Musician, singer songwriter.
English Kim Cooling:Founder Animal SOS Sri Lanka.
Irish Bob Geldof: Musician, singer/songwriter, activist, humanitarian and Nobel Man of Peace 2005.
LBC Radio
The charities: League Against Cruel Sports. Compassion in World Farming, RSPCA, The Humane Research Trust, Animal SOS Sri Lanka, Water Aid, Refuge, War Child.
Close buddies, dog/animal lovers and guardians, all animal Rescue folk, Mother Nature and my boy Patch. 💝
And last but not least. All you wonderful bloggers here at WordPress.
IN THE BOOMER PIGEON HOLE? 
You must be logged in to post a comment.