What makes a good neighbor?
Surely, it is Common Decency, which makes for a good neighbour?
Let’s cut to the chase
Blankety Blank
What could you try for the first time?
I had a sneak peak at today’s DP last night, and nothing came to mind. ‘Sleep on it’, I told myself. So I did, but the song remains the same. Inspiration is not with me today.
But what I don’t say often enough is a big thank to my fellow bloggers and readers who often stop by to read and acknowledge a post…even better when you drop in the Comments to say hi.
Bye for now. Have yourselves a happy day.
Keeping it real
What principles define how you live?
It was still dark outside when Patch was nudging me to get up. I’d had an early night, so it was no hardship.
We set off torch in hand to the closest green space and little wooded area. It was mild and calm. The birds sounded relaxed as they chatted idly. The light mist made me think of the soft Irish rain that gets written about in literature. The smell of nature this morning was divine. Crab apples scattered on the ground were bumpy and slippery under my wellies.
But I was feeling a bit down. Sad, even.
Whether Patch sensed this or not, I have no way of knowing. But instead of walking back home to collect the car to take his adventure further afield, he kept on walking. He was clearly on a mission. I felt relieved. Straight into a long walk suited me just fine.
I had been giving some thought to today’s DP. Principles that define us, and got to thinking sometimes however much you try to be the best version of yourself, there’s no pleasing some people.
Where this train of thought had come from, I have no idea, but being out with my trusted companion in the fresh air as the day was breaking was the very best thing to be doing.
Patch led me on a walk for over an hour. We saw lights come on. Cars leave drives. Dog walkers aplenty. There was traffic, but there was no rush.
It’s light now but overcast. Another grey Monday morning for many. All those lives, all those stories.
Procrastination Inc
What have you been putting off doing? Why?
Well then, WP, thanks for today’s DP. It’s going to be a tricky one to pull off, and that’s for sure.
You really think peeps are going to be even mildly interested in how I keep putting off tidying up the shed and getting outside winter-ready? Rock n Roll.
And why I keep putting it off? Well….because I can.
Edit…A few moments after finishing this quite slim post, I decided to cowboy-up and go out there this morning and get things sorted. So all has not been lost. Maybe it has been an inspiring DP, after all! Thank you, WP.
The Child Within
When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?
There are times when you have to be the grown-up in the room..and other times there is room to be something else.
When your charges need direction or affection, when their wellbeing and safety is your priority, then the grown up is there. Willing, able, capable reliable. Down-time opens the door a little for the child within to appear and join in the fun.
It’s about getting the balance right ( I guess we could say that about anything, everything in life). Recognising and acknowledging the time and place.
I have no idea if everyone has their child inside still active. No idea at all. But I am grateful mine is there, in the wings, just waiting to escape from time to time.
*Note to self when looking for images to accompany a blog post, it’s probably best not to put ‘ adult’ in the search box.
R.I.P John Lodge 💜
Another Brummie bites the dust. Returns to dust.
John Lodge joined the Moody Blues in 1966. Along with Justin Hayward. As a kid, I’d hear them on the radio. So very proud they were from Birmingham.
He suffered a stroke in 2023 and had been recovering, albeit slowly. Word is he passed quickly and unexpectedly.
When will we ever learn how fragile we are? And not to presume there will be a tomorrow?
Short changed
If you had a million dollars to give away, who would you give it to?
Firstly a million dollars is only £750.000. Us Brits need to put in for a raise. You know, level up, I think they call it these days! Thank you. So I have a million pounds now? Good.
There is a special older lady I know. I’m going to skim a nice chunk off the top and pass it on to her to do with as she wishes.
There are 171 registered charities in the UK ( a gross annual income over £5000) and many more struggling to make ends meet. Often, animal rescues.
There is an English lady called Kim Cooling who began Animal SOS Sri Lanka in 2007, having been helping street dogs overseas for some time.
Kim now has over 2400 dogs in her care, and she really needs help to do what she and her team does to the best of their abilities.I would be honoured to be able to provide substantial financial assistance. The stress of responsibility must be immense. She has my utmost respect.
Give Peace a Chance
What’s something you would attempt if you were guaranteed not to fail.
Love him or loathe him, Donald Trump has successfully used mediators to bring about a peace plan for Gaza. I take my hat off to him for getting thus far.
Sadly, it is too late for the many souls who died, were injured, lost friends, their homes, and their communities. Whole regions wiped out, for what?
What would I attempt to do given I could not fail? It would be to get involved in mediation in international conflicts.
This poem was written during a war…
There will come soft rains and the smell of the ground,
And swallows circling with their shimmering sound;
And frogs in the pools singing at night,
And wild plum trees in tremulous white;
Robins will wear their feathery fire,
Whistling their whims on a low fence-wire;
And not one will know of the war, not one
Will care at last when it is done.
Not one would mind, neither bird nor tree,
If mankind perished utterly;
And Spring herself, when she woke at dawn
Would scarcely know that we were gone.
Sara Teasdale 1884~1933
Finding home…
What was the hardest personal goal you’ve set for yourself?
You will be forgiven for glazing over today. Mostly, I like to keep my posts bite-sized but sometimes it’s impossible. It may be one of those days…
It’s interesting to read the replies to the DP’s. All our thoughts and memories in a big melting pot called living. How will my fellow bloggers define ‘ the hardest personal goal’ ?
Amongst them will be the souls who are just grateful to have survived this far. This I understand.
A few days back, we were asked how we would cope if we lost everything. I failed to mention the time I had walked away from home and a relationship with just the clothes on my back…Tough? Yes..
After a while, struggling to keep my head and dignity above water, I went overseas. I was away for years. When I did come back to the UK, I had a pup and an adult dog in tow. Street dogs I had bonded with and was not going to leave behind. ( Animals, I understand. Humans not so much.)
Luckily, I had managed to accumulate savings, but the flights for Tony and Joe from India. ( BA Cargo were stars) and six months in quarantine ( I believe things have changed since then) didn’t come cheap.
Having been a nanny at the top of my game and the mother of all references under my belt. I was sure it would help. And I had six months to find somewhere for us all to go. Right? I stayed in a small hotel in central London as I believed then it would be easier to go to and from interviews. I’d never be able to take a nanny role again with two dogs, but there were other jobs with tied accommodation I could do.
( I had to stay with my dad and his fourth wife at one point for a while = nightmare and another story which will remain buried. It was soul-destroying. Totally)
Despite being signed up to some fabulous and not so fabulous agencies ( another story or six) It took a year and the last of my savings to secure something for the dogs and me.
And so it went on forever, it seemed. I could have tugged my forelock and kept my head down and stayed in some jobs longer, but you know how it is.
To be fair, there was one lovely job with an elderly chap. I was gutted when he passed away. But I did get to keep his dog.
The jobs came and went, and I was with a difficult employer on a farming estate. All the other staff were obedient and had been there years. I simply couldn’t hack it.
And then it happened a complete fluke combined with stars aligned, and I finally managed to retire with the keys to a lovely rental, in the middle of dog walking nivarna and a landlady sent from the heavens.
A front door of our own, such a long time coming. Sure, I’ve had to tighten my belt, but things that make me happy cost nothing… Walks in the deepest of nature, birds bathing in the fresh and slightly warmed water I put out for them. Amazing skies, the sunset and sunrises, trees, smiles, and a few passing words with people on the street. All the dogs in the hood whose names I learn before their guardians. The changing seasons. Growing things, pottering around. Writing. Gratitude.
And then I have Patch. His Nibs 🐾🐾 who lives here rent free, because he can.
Someone just mentioned they like this poem…
No sun–no moon!
No morn–no noon!
No dawn–no dusk–no proper time of day–
No sky–no earthly view–
No distance looking blue–
No road–no street–no “t’other side this way”–
No end to any Row–
No indications where the Crescents go–
No top to any steeple–
No recognitions of familiar people–
No courtesies for showing ’em–
No knowing ’em!
No traveling at all–no locomotion–
No inkling of the way–no notion–
“No go” by land or ocean–
No mail–no post–
No news from any foreign coast–
No Park, no Ring, no afternoon gentility–
No company–no nobility–
No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member–
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds–
November!
By Thomas Hood ( 1799~1845)
IN THE BOOMER PIGEON HOLE? 