Out with the old, in with the new..

Joey Jones5 Comments

Which food, when you eat it, instantly transports you to childhood?

There is at least one advantage to being ‘ of a certain age’, that if you’re lucky you have a vast back catalogue of stuff to recall.

WordPress, what a joy this has been. I originally picked up blogging again as free time allowed me the luxury.

I felt I was becoming keen to start unpacking dusty memories, thoughts and beliefs which had been firmly put behind closed doors in my mind, for the longest time.

Decluttering is cathartic. Empowering. Nature fills a void, they say, so I’m curious to know what will come along to begin filling those spaces becoming vacant in my head. Mustn’t leave them vacant for too long 🥳

These are Daily Prompts not assignments so we do have a licence to digress ..

However I will say potatoes. Jersey Mids, Lily used to call them. Royals. Jersey Royals. She cooked them to perfection every single time. How can that be so difficult?I hear you remark. Last night I boiled some and they ended up water-logged, so easy to do. The house smelt of mint for a while though, so all was not lost.

Thank you Lily. I loved your rock cakes too.

In fact I have many memories of eating at your house. Stories for another time ❤️

A Fierce Kind of Grace

Joey Jones2 Comments

Who is your favorite historical figure?

William Morris, without a shadow of a doubt! English textile designer, artist, writer, poet, social activist/political figure.

This wonderful man was the founding force behind the Arts & Crafts Movement.

He grew up with a deep love of story telling and nature and his whole creative life was dedicated to honest materials and visible  craftsmanship He believed beauty wasn’t’t just a luxury for the elite, but for all.

He was quietly radical and was deeply opposed to the soullessness of mass-production coming out of the Industrial Revolution. He was keen to return to handmade, beautiful and meaningful.

Together with his close friend Edward Burne-Jones and the Pre-Raphaelite movement, they shaped the landscape of Victorian Britain.

William Morris 1834~ 1896

Dear John

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Write about your first crush

It wasn’t a crush per se, but there was this lad in my class at primary school…He had a radiance, a broad smile which reached his eyes. Saying he was ‘ nice’, sounds a bit lame, but he was.

Mind yer language …Part One

Joey Jones6 Comments

Words, the use of, language and communication these are things which stir me and today this passion has had a life of its own.

I took Patches to a local Country Park. It was hot to be out with the boy, but there was enough shade for him to have a mooch about.

There were two young  lads, athletes, chatting about a run. They were just taking a breather as we walked through the gate. I could not help myself but to listen to what they had to say. My boy was inspecting every blade of grass, what else was I supposed to do?

‘ I smoked him bruv’. How I refrained from a little laugh out loud is beyond me. But it was music to my ears. Gold. This conversation at that moment was gold.

They were about to move on at the same time as said dog was ready to explore elsewhere. I couldn’t help myself. I called out ( not too loudly, is it possible to call out, not too loudly. Is that an oxymoron?) ‘ That was lovely ‘ I smoked him bruv’ I repeated. They stopped and both smiled. ‘ We’re Gen Z’ one laughed ,’ have a good day’, he added. ‘ I’m a boomer’ I kinda whispered, as they disappeared around the corner. What a lovely exchange between humans. Maybe you had to be there?

to be continued….

The land of fire and ice….

Joey Jones6 Comments

What countries do you want to visit?

WordPress, had you asked this question twenty plus years ago the answer would have been Syria and/or Lebanon. Today it’s Iceland.

Despite being a tad freaked out by extreme weather conditions/ natural disasters and that volcanoes and earthquakes are not uncommon in this region, I think the pluses will outweigh the negatives…she says…nervously.

Fjords and waterfalls, mossy cliffs and black sand beaches. Thermal springs and glaciers, Puffin colonies and the Arctic Fox. Oh did I mention the light is pretty spectacular? – itself considered a muse by artists and photographers.

A two and a half hour skip and jump from the UK. 850ish miles. So near and yet so far. So far from anything I have witnessed in my life before.

Not sure about the cuisine though; fish stew, lamb soup, dried fish…Mmm…May need to pack my own lunch?

A rich inner life? Edit….

Joey Jones4 Comments

What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

Curiosity, Yeah, I’m naturally curious….about everything.

Edit; I’m considering changing this to Observant.

Curiosity is a wonderful thing, to be interested, stay interested in the world around us. To keep learning. The ‘ Every day’s a school day’ vibe is a good one…but I think Observant pips it to the post ….or maybe a vivid imagination? Nooo, I’ll stop right here. Observant it is.

Baden Powell, bit of a dodgy legacy ….however

Joey Jones13 Comments

This man has a lot to answer for…but he did utilise the phrase ‘ Be Prepared’….. Someone else, I cannot pinpoint whom, chose ‘ Be ready’ a variant of the idea, somehow sounds, to me more modern. But there are times in your life you do need to be prepared. A shock factor on top of anything else only adds to the weight of grief.

I’m talking to you today about my old dog Patches. My sole/soul companion. I’m his 4th mom and he has sometimes repaid me with agression. A time I ended up in hospital being stitched back together, when his frustration had nowhere to go..but towards the hand that feeds him.

Sure I threatened him with all manner of alternative living arrangements, but both he and I knew it was just talk. It was never going to happen.

But he’s more frail now. Eleven years old is not always considered a ‘ good age’. But it’s the only data I have about him. He could be older, for sure. He’s feisty when he wants to be. He can climb the stairs ( albeit slowly) and get onto the bed ( with the help of a step-up) He knows what he wants and when he wants it. But I love that about him. His spirit. Eons ago I cared for kids, rose through the ranks and became really good at it. I have/had the same sentiment, I relished my charges being ‘ spirited’. Harder work, but the product ended up a treat!

So here we are. I’ve arranged to take Patches down to Cornwall for what may be his last beach holiday. A very dear and lovely friend has given up many days of a rent free Airbnb break, to accommodate us.I thank you Trish, soo much. Your Shepherds Hut ‘ The Sheppy’, is fabulous! ( Dear readers, should you want somewhere easy going to stay during a trip to Cornwall, get in touch and I’ll give you the details)

I’ve researched mobile vets for euthanasia at home and will use a close by pet cremation services for his final send off.

I had no help or support when I lost my Tony( which happened really fast) and the pain was unbelievable. I used prescribed drugs to get through the loss of Joe and Mia. This time I will have simply preparation when the time comes to lose my companion. So, being prepared..being ready, I can only hope will support my fragile mental state when I lose my ‘ best boy’….

You’ve got to laugh!

Joey Jones6 Comments

How do you want to retire?

There are many components to retirement living. Ideally all your ducks will be in a row and life will go swimmingly. ….I’ve written down some thoughts which I feel may contribute to a happy time ….They will not be in any particular order….I leave that for you to decide on and add to yourselves.

Maybe most of us would concede that good physical and mental health would lay a solid foundation for retirement?

Plus…

A home

Sense of safety

Financially secure/no debt/paying bills no problem

Sense of purpose/structure/routine

Reliable car/transport/access to/mobility

Stable internet access/devices

Outside assistance/ if needed/wanted

Company/social interaction if needed/wanted

Contentment

A companion if wanted…4 legs 3, 2 or 1 legged

Sense of humour

Retirement isn’t The End but the Start of something else. Not just a new chapter but a whole new clean slate… A sparkly brand new book to begin?

😂

Reflections of my life

Joey Jones3 Comments

What’s the oldest thing you own that you still use daily?

How this beautiful mirror stayed intact all these years, through so many moves, I will never know. But it is without doubt the oldest thing I own and use every day.

It was given to me by a very special friend ( thank you TW) crafted by a friend of hers.

I love it and cherish it.

Tony, his first bark

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Describe one of your favorite moments.

When he came to live with me Tony was a bag of bones. Battered and bruised, his bare pink skin without fur showed the extent of a life on the street. The years had taken their toll. He was exhausted and losing the will to live.

A large bandage around his neck protected him against further damage. The maggots had made a gaping hole.

It took a while but his misty eyes began to clear. His fur started to grow back. Those bones now had flesh on them. What a star!

And then it happened, someone walked too close to his gate and he barked. Just the once. A beautiful moment.