Tears and Joy

Joey Jones9 Comments

What brings a tear of joy to your eye?

A double-whammy for me with this DP. Thank you WP. Patch, Patches, The Patches, Himself, His Nibs. Bless his little heart, he brings me joy and has in the past brought me to tears – proper go to the hospital and get stitched up kinda tears.

He was advertised on a charity Rescue site as a ‘small dog’. The younger version of him was more lithe, and his head is definitely Jack Russell, so from his pic I thought maybe he was crossed with one of those long-legged JR’s.

I went to meet him and was quite taken back by his size ( turns out he is a JR/Beagle cross..hence as he has aged he has become very thick set) I’d really wanted a smaller dog this time, but of course, having set eyes on him, my heart was taken. He was mine.

The charity had an animal behaviourist ( what a joke and certainly another story there!) and Patch had come through as an unwanted dog from one of his private clients.

On the day Patch arrived, the  behavourist talked a lot and said nothing. Everything I tried to say or ask something, he shut me down.

It was early evening on our first day together. All seemed well. I was in the kitchen at the sink. Patch was as far as I know just milling around. Then there was a little nudge at the back of my knee. ‘ Aww’ I thought. ‘ How cute, he loves me already’.

Wrong! I turned with a smile and warmth in my heart only to be confronted by a very angry dog. Whoa! I grabbed a nearby hand towell and pretty much fed that to him until he backed down. Great!

That was the first of many tantrums. Some more serious than others..and I can tell you something- his teeth were sharp, he didn’t let go…and it hurt.

I’m his 4th mom and he’s been with me getting on for 5 years and only now do I feel his anger and upset with the world has abated…

Doing the write thing

Joey Jones14 Comments

Why do you blog?

Maybe Francis de Sales – the patron saint of writers – has ushered me into the room, given me a quill and parchment, and shown me to a table and chair?

Or perhaps it is now the right time in my life to show up each day and put pen to paper?

Either way, I’m having a blast.

Somewhere deep in my soul, I’ve felt writing to be my vehicle of choice to express myself best. Innate, maybe?

So, WP the answer to today’s DP is… it makes me happy!

It’s only words

Joey Jones12 Comments

Interview someone — a friend, another blogger, your mother, the mailman — and write a post based on their responses.

The interview questions were sent out ahead of time. Just like the professionals do, I believe.

A friend had accepted the invitation to participate in today’s prompt. All was well, and then it came. I felt maybe my interviewee was having second thoughts, so I offered her the ‘ get out of jail’ card and she accepted.

But not to worry, eh? I can still write about the interview that never happened.

I get it though. Us bloggers show up every day to ‘ spill our guts’ ( horrible expression that, don’t you think? ( An Americanism)) as natural as you like. It’s what we do.

But we are not all the same, are we?

*I’d like to thank said friend for her time contemplating those questions.

So far so good

Joey Jones8 Comments

How are you feeling right now?

The rain is torrential, and Patches is ready to go. But what to do? I’m not a fairweather dog walker by any stretch of the imagination, but we are talking rain of biblical proportions here.

I had set my sights on achieving much today, getting  Autumn-ready around my home. But a disturbed night’s sleep has left feeling weary. It is going to be a slow day, I think, or at least a very slow start to the day…

Bloggers on repeat

Joey Jones13 Comments

What daily habit do you do that improves your quality of life?

WordPress! I am sure you have asked this question in one form or another many times over the last month or so.

At the risk of readers glazing over, I will try and find a new route into and out of  this DP.

As some folk may remember, I like listening to the birds whilst drinking a huge mug of coffee before I get up and take Patches out. Habits set in stone there.

Then it’s back home, and just before I give breakfast to Himself and the birds, I cut myself a piece of cold Halloumi straight out of packet. Bliss. That lovely salty taste kick starts the day for real.

I do aspire to be a vegan…and am mostly there. I just need to try harder to find a substitute that does the trick so well.

I searched for this…because

Joey Jones7 Comments

What was the last thing you searched for online? Why were you looking for it?

Hope” is the thing with feathers –

That perches in the soul –

And sings the tune without the words –

And never stops – at all –

And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –

And sore must be the storm –

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm –

I’ve heard it in the chillest land –

And on the strangest Sea –

Yet – never – in Extremity,

It asked a crumb – of me.

By Emily Dickinson. Published in 1891.

           

                          

For the love of animals

Joey Jones8 Comments

What TV shows did you watch as a kid? In the UK

Anything with animals in. The Legend of  Lobo, a hobo dog on his travels. Black Beauty, a very famous horse. Skippy the Bush Kangeroo, a ranger’s son and his friend, and last but not least, Lassie, a dog and her person. I got lost in shows like this, they made me so happy and warm.

Today, as a grown woman, I can not cope for a second any film where there is danger to animals, any abuse or loss. Watching Hatchi; A Dog’s Tale all but finished me off.

Softly into the day

Joey Jones7 Comments

What’s your favorite time of day?

Sunrise and sunset.

We are promised an especially hot day, but the bedroom window flung open wide invites in the cool morning air.

The birds are chattering away against the backdrop of a plane in the distance, taking travellers to lands afar.

The dog is stretched out, breathing deeply at the end of the bed. Secure in the knowledge I have his back.

From my bedside, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee reaches me. It is here, I  will leave you now to savour the moment

Feeding Bloggers

Joey Jones8 Comments

What’s your favorite recipe?

With writers gathered at WP from around the globe it has been so interesting to read through all the responses to the day’s Prompt.

I haven’t really got a favourite recipe per se. But one dish I like to make ( a tad faffy tho) is Jamie Oliver’s Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni.

A favourite to eat would be Palak ( spinach) Panner. Delicious. Mmm seem to have a theme going on there.

What I tend to eat mostly at the moment is an avocado squished down on unbuttered toast, with lashings of olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Lush. In fact, that’s breakfast planned ..after taking Patches out. Til the next time.. …

The South West Coast of England….

Joey Jones4 Comments

Tell us about the last thing you got excited about.

WP..in a very short time, I have written about this in one form or another. But as we had such a lovely holiday, I will relay it just once more.

Our holiday to Cornwall in July. Patch is getting on a bit, and sometimes, when he is a tad off colour, he worries me greatly.

Himself loves the beach and swims in the sea. He especially loves a buddy of mine. ( showing his affection in a less than appropriate manner on occasions 😂)

So, I wanted this holiday break to be focused mainly on his enjoyment. Turns out I had the best time ever, too!