Tag: dailyprompt

The Sound of Silence

Joey JonesLeave a comment

What is your favorite genre of music?

After a lifetime of being a full-on music fan, suddenly, I find that absolute quiet does it for me.

Years of going to see bands, especially when I loved in London, was an absolute thing. ‘Time Out’ was  a weekly publication that became invaluable. It listed everything that was happening around the city. It was an exciting time.

Genre-wise, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly my most favourite, as I find the lines blur depending on my mood.

But if I had the choice of only one artist/band to listen to for the rest of my life, it has to be Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

A Shepherds Hut for Us

Joey JonesLeave a comment

Describe your most memorable vacation.

Having been lucky enough to have visited some truly amazing places across the world, there is one place I keep going back to, and that’s Cornwall.

This far southwest of England coastline  is over 400 miles long. A wonderful mix of quaint fishing villages, rugged terrain, and sandy beaches. Touched by the English Chamnel to the south and the Atlantic and Celtic Sea to the west and north.

It’s here with Patch we’ll stay with friends of old. Genourously given a Shepherd’s Hut of our own to retreat to for times of rest.

Beach walks and swims for the dog, a little exploring,  delightful lunches out and about and lazy chilled evenings in the garden as the sun goes down. Bliss.

Every day’s a school day

Joey Jones2 Comments

On what subject(s) are you an authority?

As this is a daily writing prompt and not an assignment, I shall start off changing the word authority for passion.

Somewhere, I have two certificates( in an old box, collecting dust). I  worked hard for : Advanced Canine and Feline Nutrition and Animal Assisted Therapy…and I shall keep on learning about dogs, about anything and everything. I’m wired with a curious mind.

So, if you have dogs and stand still long enough, the chances I will feel the urge to chat with you about them. It is the emotional health of dogs and all animals, really that concern me the most…but I’m not sure everyone is aware, so I’ll just listen for clues

There are many dog-related classes you can attend, experts to guide you with this and that.. but I have yet to come across anyone talking about the animal’s mental health, their feelings. You may mock, but they are sentient beings.

What’s love got to do with it?

Joey JonesLeave a comment

What’s your definition of romantic?

Romantic? Small gestures of affection.

There was a time in history known as the Romantic Era. Generally thought to be roughly from 1780-1850. But obviously, lines do blur along  cultural timelines.

It is the Post Romantic  landscape that must have been a wonderful time to be a Creative. Especially as there was a strong reaction to the Industrial Revolution bringing about emotions, which could be perfrctly expressed through the arts.

Although there were plenty of jobs and people flocked from the rural areas to the cities, it was soul destroying to witness. The poets, designers, philosophers, and dreamers saw only soot and smokestack. A spiritual unravelling.

Think Arts & Crafts, Pre Raphelites, Gothic Revival, Realism, Modernist.

What a wonderful rich tapestry to be a thread in.

An Attitude of Gratitude

Joey Jones10 Comments

How do you express your gratitude?

Early this morning, I whispered ‘thank you’ into the ether. A cool breeze had crossed my face and at my side lay my dog peacefully. This heatwave we had was a lovely surprise, quite exciting, but I hated seeing my boy suffer.

Yesterday, I gave thanks to St Anthony. The patron saint of lost/stolen items. My keys had gone AWOL. I asked him for help and voila, there they were. That makes people smile, but hey!

The day before that alone in my car, I sang to the Parking Faries and managed to pull into a space not far from where I wanted. I then thanked them out loud 😆

Worldwide, Harvest Festivals are observed by diverse customs and traditions. All giving thanks. It was by far my most favourite of assemblies at school. It naturally resonated with me as a child.

Gratitude can be expressed in many ways, in whatever may be appropriate at the time. As long as it is done in an authentic manner and the gesture heart felt.

A powerful tool is gratitude.

Last but not least- thank you for reading this far x

Worried? Moi?

Joey Jones8 Comments

What are you most worried about for the future?

Goodness me, WordPress! How long have you got? To answer this daily prompt would take hours and continue over many pages.

Unstable world leaders! How’s that for a start? The planet is set to implode, and there aren’t enough selfless  grown-ups in the room to stop it.

Do Putin, Trump, Netanyahu, and the like give a damn about the 2.2 billion people worldwide  without access to clean drinking water? No, they don’t give it a second thought. They are too busy lining their pockets, ego-tripping, and  slaughtering children.

Finished by 3.30pm and long holidays! Myth.

Joey Jones4 Comments

What makes a teacher great?

They turn up, day in day out, despite the odds against them.

There must be days when they feel they have chosen the right career path. Moments when it all seems worthwhile, but I wonder how many moments like that there are?  Kind words from a parent, a pat on the back from a superior/colleague, a child who has been struggling with something and then ‘ gets it’, a thank you.

These people do not go home at 3.30 pm and enjoy endless stress-free wholesome holiday breaks.

There are lessons to plan, homework to be set, and piles of books to mark. A board of governors to contend with, endless assessors sitting in to criticise and disgruntled parents  to appease. Then there may be  a head teacher who is not supportive? Professional development courses to attend..

.. and that’s on top of the daily teaching of a class that may or may not be attentive or even want to be there. There are strugglers who need extra help, maybe the bright kids who become easily bored and then disruptive and, importantly, the children they worry about.

Plus, the teachers have their own personal lives, maybe medical issues and  difficulties they have to push to one side.

They need to be patient and kind, nurturing and enthusiastic every single day.

It’s a big ask to put all this pressure on their shoulders.

‘You cannot be serious!’

Joey Jones5 Comments

Have you ever had surgery? What for?

It’s another summer’s day in England. It’s a bit overcast and breezy, but warm. The dog has had his walk and is now eating his breakfast. The blackbirds are kicking off, so I’d better feed them and then decide what I’m going to do with my day.

Oh, I know what I’ll do, I’ll go and participate in today’s Daily Prompt on WordPress. I shall write about any medical procedures I may have had and then go read about everyone else’s.

Ah, but before I do that, there is a wall of wet paint I must watch dry.

*You cannot be serious ‘. In 1981, tennis player John McEnroe shouted this at the.umpire during a dispute, and for some reason, we have not forgotten it.

Today’s arrival

Joey JonesLeave a comment

What are your daily habits?

‘ It’s no bad thing to celebrate a simple life’ JJ Tolkien 1892- 1973

The Guest House~Rumi

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning, a new arrival.

A joy, a depression,  a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out

of some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing,

and invite them in.

as a guide from beyond.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent

Jalal-al-Din Muhammad Rumi 1207~1273

Think Global Act Local

Joey Jones15 Comments

Are there things you try to practice daily to live a more sustainable lifestyle?

Aren’t we all trying to make the world a better place? By doing the right things to pay our rent for having this beautiful world to live in? ( Of course, it could be perfectly beautiful if it wasn’t for the absolute carnage Man is managing to bring to pretty much aspect of it.

I do my best daily; use a glass of water instead of having the tap running, whilst I clean my teeth.

A shower instead of a bath.

Boil just enough water for what I need.

Not eating meat or fish is my choice. I am aware that the water footprint for meat production is staggering.

Cold water washing is OK by me, with just an occasional hot wash, when necessary.

Of late, I’ve stopped buying anything new, instead enjoying what I already have or browsing charity shops if I feel in need of retail therapy.

Having said that if something has/needs to be bought new I will always support local/small businesses.

Being Earth-conscious is really important to me on a daily basis, but I do have one thing to work on, which needs improvement, and that is turning off at the mains, anything electrical. Must try harder. I will try harder,as of now!