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Picture this

Joey Jones10 Comments

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.

Finished post. The Creatives and Humanitarians. Last edit duh!

Joey Jones3 Comments

Who are the biggest influences in your life?

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.

May 2026 treat you kindly x

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Finished post. The Creatives and Humanitarians.Last edit duh!

Joey JonesLeave a comment

Who are the biggest influences in your life?

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.

May 2026 treat you kindly x

Little pockets of happiness …with edit and afterthought

Joey Jones8 Comments

When are you most happy?

I’m thinking  we have all worked out that happiness is not a destination. We can stop and enjoy a happy dance sometimes when we have a measure of inner alignment and all feels well with the world.

If we recognise and cherish those moments, they can help to fuel our well-being. The thing is, if you’re not feeling particularly happy at the moment because you are too tired, too stressed, or preoccipied, say, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re unhappy. Simply getting on with life.

One blogger’s post I read today told how happy he feels just chillin’ in the bath. ( you know what I mean), and I totally get that. Someone else writes that moment after the family is packed off for the day and before the chores begin. Another say settling down for sleep. I guess most of us would agree how blissful that can be. It’s getting that happy vibe for a moment and loving it.

Each of us will experience it differently, of course, but some of mine?..

A day out shopping with a buddy, back in the day when we were minted. It makes me happy to think back to those days.

A pint and a catch-up with an old friend, fresh air, and exercise with the dog, in any weather, and then watching them sleep soundly afterwards. Waking up feeling rested. An unexpcted msg, a lottery win. Getting home safely after a long day. Good news about someone’s health issues.Feeling healthy oneself.

There are so many little pockets to be had and remembered. It’s a double whammy if you can have a good time and be able to relive it in your head. Your body doesn’t recognise it as a memory, so the dopamine kicks in

And today, the shortest day and longest night. Slowly we will notice the evenings staying lighter for longer. Spring waiting in the wings for us to enjoy. Bring it on!

Edit. After I posted this I was gazing out of the window watching the squirrel having his tea…and it occurred to me I’m of a sunny disposition, really. And that I have more than my share of those little pockets.🙏 I hope you guys do, too xxx

After thought. I’d like to add that I’m not immune to slithering down the rabbit hole. We all do it. But I’ve learnt to sit it out.

” surprise!”

Joey JonesLeave a comment

What was the last thing you did for play or fun?

Earlier today, I was just about ready to sit down and put pen to paper and respond to today’s DP.

It coincided with a rap at the door. Patch already there to have a face-off with the postman. Not feeling the festive vibe (Patch, that is) obvs. The scenario was that I could only open said door just a little way.

Postie and I jostled a tad to get a lovely big parcel through the gap. The handwriting gave the senders’ identity away in an instant. My lovely buddy from Cornwall.

Excited? You bet. Tomorrow is the day I prefer to celebrate at this time of year. The winter Solstice, so it was apt it had arrived today.

I couldn’t believe my eyes. A whole sackful of thoughtful gifts. Such generosity was a little overwhelming, and it took a minute or two to compose myself. Overreacting, I wonder if you’re thinking? Not a bit, I can tell you that in an instant.

When I read the DP I was originally going to tell you the blast I had jet washing the car the other day. There really is a lot of fun to be had for £6, I kid you not.

Keeper of the Swans by Rosemary Horne

But today’s surprise parcel takes precedence.

How very fascinating

Joey Jones12 Comments

List your top 5 grocery store items.

Congratulations, WordPress! You have certainly excelled yourself! The mother of all assignments for us today.

‘Write your shopping list ‘

Yikes, this is surely going to be a post to draw the crowds.

OK, let’s do it. Coffee, number one every time. I would surely panic without this in the cupboard.

Then there is the oat milk to join said coffee. I’ve *kissed a lot of frogs to find my prince amongst the selection on the shelf of alternatives to milk. Some are absolutely rank, some not very nice, others at a push, a couple passable and my favourite. It was trial and error, but I got there.

Bread, prefably sourdough, but with not many slices in the bag, it can become costly to keep replacing every five minutes. Nice though!

Halloumi and/Feta. The culprits prevent me from being easily vegan. In fact it may have reached addiction level.

Chestnut mushrooms or Avocado’s.

And there you have it! Job done. Til the next time…

* For the uninitiated The Princess and the Frog is a children’s story book from way back when

So last year

Joey Jones17 Comments

Is your life today what you pictured a year ago?

No picture had been painted in my mind’s eye for 2025 a year ago today.

I hadn’t begun blogging again, and I can’t pinpoint the moment the lights went back on. The first day of a new year seemed to be the obvious choice, but it took until February 1st.

It began quite tentatively, whilst I found my feet and then the Pneumonia train came hurtling down the track. I clearly hadn’t seen that coming, and it all but killed me, but I’ve lived to tell the tale.

Years in the past, when I had blogged, I hadn’t stumbled across the Daily Prompt. This time, it has helped a lot to begin unravelling reams of data/thoughts/ideas/observations/experiences that were stored in my head and clearly needed a sort out.

I certainly hadn’t planned to be where I am today on what WP tell me is a 320 day streak.

This photo decided on its own it wished to featured in today’s blog post, so I’ll let it be.

Patch n me have survived another year, and putting aside a chunky lottery win, I imagine we’ll just carry on into next year as we’re are. Inshallah, a friend would hastliy add.

Yes, all being well, we’ll both stay fit and well and in good spirits..as I hope you who’ve read this far will also do. Happy New 2026 to you all.💚

Living and learning

Joey Jones5 Comments

What skills or lessons have you learned recently?

‘Every day is a school day‘ is pretty much a mantra for me.

I’ve this lifelong learning thing going on, where I just want to keep soaking up information. And there is so much out there to absorb.

Currently, I am keen to replace some taps in the bathroom and will soon be heading to YouTube for a tutorial. I’m prepared for it to take a while, and I may mess up initially, but I’ll get there.

This ongoing curiosity I hold probably explains why I am fascinated by screen time, which depicts in-depth exploration of true crime or medical procedures and the processes they go through to get results with the likes of CSI, the forensics, the technologies available to the professionals.

It goes far beyond voyeurism I’m totally captivated by every second, by everything they do.

There is a tv show. ‘ Show’ is totally the wrong word. It’s sounds flip. Programme, is better. Dr James Adeley a senior coroner for Lancashire with Cause of Death. Another is Inside the Ambulance and for tonight 2 new episodes of 24 Hours in Police Custody.

It could sound morbid if you didn’t know me and that I watch it like a student.

A student of eternal learning, the University of Life thing folk sometimes mention. But that’s where I am WP.

R & R

Joey Jones5 Comments

What cities do you want to visit?

Hey, WP. Whilst I am sharing a life with Patch, I won’t be visiting any cities overseas anytime soon. Simple as. But London, yes, it will always sparkle for me.

If I could go back in time to Downtown  Amman, Jordan 20+ years ago, that would be good. I think these days I’d feel a tad vulnerable, though, with folk travelling through to hostile environments.

But the fact is, after a transient life, there is nothing better right now than to continue decompressing. It’s taking a remarkably long time to ‘ get over’ a lifetime of staying resilient.

To be still (for now) is kinda special

Joseph

Joey Jones5 Comments

Have you ever performed on stage or given a speech?

Tim Rice was only 20 years old and Andrew Lloyd Webber 17, when the seeds were sown for what was to become a blockbuster of a musical.

On the stage of a little primary school in Birmingham, UK, along with class mates, we performed a short fifteen minute oratorio of Joseph and The Amazing Coloured Dreamcoat.

I get taken straight back there to this day when I hear the opening line 🎶 ” I closed my eyes, drew back the curtain…” Beautiful.

The world premiere of their latest collaboration, Sherlock Holmes and the 12 days of Christmas was held at The Birmingham Repertory Theatre ( The Rep) on November 14th this year. Initially, for a short festive season only the show has been extended due to popular demand.

Oh, to be a Creative of such magnitude. One can only dream.