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.

🎵 Baby, you can drive my car 🎶

Joey Jones4 Comments

What is your all time favorite automobile?

Errr… Maybe the old black BMW 3 series with a sunroof. The jags of yesteryear were nice, with that lovely chrome work and walnut dash. But they were heavy. Probably only do 3 minutes to the gallon, thesedays.

If you asked me what car I would like today, I’d simply ask for something reliable. Not one of the new bigger ranges where you have to dismantle the whole side just to change a headlight bulb.

When they first came out, I had the use of a brand new Juke. I loved that car! It was automatic too, which was fun. Almost drove itself. Had a problem with the transmissions at one stage. The lad at the garage told me that Nissan only use a cheap bit of plastic for the tube-thing.

Anyways, it eventually got written off in a car park with someone reversing into the side. Luckily I was inside the store at the time. ( Thesedays I see are driven by old people. 😂 So perhaps I won’t consider another.

I’ve mentioned the sunroof, err, grey please. Prefably with the £20 road tax. I guess that narrows my option, somewhat. There again, if I could afford a big show-off car, the cost of the tax wouldn’t bother me.

In the meantime, I’m happy enough in my little Peugeot 208. I have to use caravan steps to get Patch in and out of the back. But we manage..

I don’t wish to ruin Christmas for you, but

Joey Jones2 Comments

How are you creative?

Well, WP. I’ve shown up here this morning to write a post. Will that do?

Right then, brace yourselves.

Firstly, reindeer are the only species of deer where both the males and females grow antlers

But, thing is, Santa’s reindeer are winter-strong females, more than likely with calf.

There is a school of thought that Rudolf is the exception and probably a young buck.

There is a major clue to support this theory, the males lose their antlers after mating around the beginning of December.

The females retain theirs throughout the winter to protect themselves, their unborn calves,to help with foraging and defend their food sources.

It is a little disturbing to think of these mums-to-be out there throughout the night doing something so strenuous, but they are better suited for an arduous journey.

Strength is not the absence of weight-but the grace to which it is carried

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

In the begining

Joey Jones2 Comments

Share what you know about the year you were born.

There I was all ‘snug as a bug in a rug’. Cosy and warm, and then bam! I’m dragged brutally into the light. More than light. It was dazzlingly bright. It smelt funny, it was noisy, I was thirsty.

There were lots of people around watching as I was hung upside down by my ankles and smacked until I cried.Nice. I’m not sure I’d like to go through all that again!

They also forgot to mention a few things that wouldn’t be happening. That life would not be a bowl of cherries, or that it would be plain sailing…And nobody said it would be easy.

True colours come shining through

Joey Jones4 Comments

Are you a good judge of character?

Thing is I just want (expect?) everyone I meet to be nice, decent folk. But they are not are they? And that when I get disappointed. From a small slight to a massive stab in the back, I so hated it when that happened.

Having said that I’ve always managed to get it the other was round too, thinking I wasn’t sure about someone and they turned out to be lovely.

Which brings me neatly to the point that’s best not to judge at all.

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.