The initial knee-jerk reaction to the DP today was ‘to stay breathing‘. I left it there, wondering how I was going to fill the page. I honestly could think no further. Not often stuck for words, but hey.
Out about with Patch, early doors in nature soon got me thinking a bit more.
Then it became obvious,to keep showing up here each day to do my stuff and read yours.
It’s my happy place. Simple as.
Then out preparing the buffet Round Two for the birds and squirrels it came to mind that this weekend maybe I will unpack a box which has been sealed for some time, with previous writings, scribbles and thoughts, and see what lerks there. Yes! That would be a perfect mission.
It’s funny how being outdoors always kick starts a fruitful thought process.
Where do my fellow bloggers find inspiration? You guys certainly inspire me when my tank is momentarily empty. So thank you for that.
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’
Fact is, I took a job straight from school and then attended Day Release to a college in the city.
All was going ok ( a tad bored with it after a year tbh- I had an inkling there was a world to be seen outside of Birmingham) and then I discovered weed and didn’t look back.
That’s not strictly true, in the dark hours unable to sleep, when our mind wanders, I think we all must have moments of ‘what ifs’. But then I let it go.
Do you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?
So, I’ve been out and about today. Got me a haircut. Play time? Oh yes! Makes me happy. Gemma, my stylist is so talented. I recognise myself in the mirror. Mojo restored.
The thing is, the moment I gave up work, it kicked in. The very second you are a beholder to no one but the lap of the Gods it’s happening
Olympic standard freedom.
Sure, things go pear-shaped, of course they do. A wobble with your health freaks out even the strongest amongst us.
Emotional and mental health are just waiting in the wings, ready for you to make the wrong move. Like chess.
So, maintaining the upper hand is key. There is only you, at the end of the day, to keep yourself on an even keel. Feel you can’t manage it? Please, seek help.
As you will have gathered, if you read any of my posts, I am grateful for small mercies.
Patch has definitely lost a marble along the way, but I’m here for him, big time. Joe, a previous companion, was struck with Cushings. It cost a fortune to keep him comfortable. But I didn’t go anywhere for the last two years of his life.
Why am I telling you this? Playtime is where you find it. Where you make it. I love rocking up here each day. It’s my happy place. I can still have fun at WordPress whilst watching over my best friend. 🐾🐾😍
This is Day One of a new year, and I’m looking forward to batting any challenges that come my way into the ether-well, to the best of my ability, that is.
There is usually something there to try us, isn’t there? It’s part of the process.
From reading lots of posts from my fellow bloggers here on WordPress each day, I am reminded just how tricky this living thing can be for you all.
Patch, his health, and well-being may give me grave concern this year. Sometimes, he seems quite frail, and then the next day, he’s a bruiser.
So, I guess as far as I can imagine, the rollercoaster of caring for an elderly dog could be a mammoth challenge this coming year. Not quite as easy to bat that away into the ether as I first suggested…
To those of you lovely people who I haven’t wished the very best for 2026, I do now 💚
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