"Each friend represents a world within us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." ~ Anais Nin Vita dolce far niente...
Monday, January 13, 2025
Sunday, January 12, 2025
Nothing worse than playing catch-up! Especially when so much to catch up on!!
Arrived a week ago! Already!
Went to football on Monday evening, in Wolverhampton.. now that was cold .. but my hand warmers kept me warm, while I nibbled through a packet of Skittles! Not had those for many a year!
Beautiful rainbow for a while, but the roads were dangerous, at one point a driver on the outside lane realized the traffic ahead had stopped, he was going too fast and drove in front of us and the next car and drove onto the hard shoulder and slowed down there away from parked cars...
Luckily there was space to do so, or he would have taken us out! And not in a good way!
If you can zoom in on the photo above on the left.. yes it's blurry as I was rushing to take the photograph.. but that car on the hard shoulder... It's facing the wrong way!!
Lucky man must have just spun and ended up safely there... Nothing wrong with the car, but he looked stunned... As one would!
So many cars all over the roads, smashed, or parked wrong!! Well, being parked of course on the M5 would be wrong, whatever!
Anyways, the bad weather cleared, and actually made it through in one piece! So far!
Next stop! Formby!
I'll write now and post tomorrow!
M.
We all live under the same sky, but we don't all have the same horizon.
Konrad Adenauer - 1876-1967 - Former Chancellor of Germany
Ooops! Fail already! I didn't post my post! So will get this one posted and move on!
Above the Nottingham wheel coming down!
Stunningly beautiful day today, clear crystal blue skies above ..
This strange substance on the ground.. looked so pretty, appear to be ice crystals to match the sky!
I walked then where the sun had touched and that wasn't so slippery!! Lols!
It does look pretty though all the frosting everywhere..
On the tram headed for town, lots of people back to work, so hoping it won't be so crowded! I really do not like crowds!!
M.
The key to abundance is meeting limited circumstances with unlimited thoughts.
Marianne Williamson - Author-Speaker
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
I've been to my lockup twice, yesterday and today, looking for my spare glasses...
I use my old ones for being out on a bike, they slide into the helmet without hurting my ears..
But I can't find them .. I would have not shipped them, but waited till the end, and brought them with me.. I've tipped out the bag with all the randomness I ended up with. Not there. And it's the glasses case for my glasses I wear, and the weird but wonderful clip-on shades for when I lost my click ons...
No doubt they'll turn up, but when I go out I'll have to just not wear any!! Blurrrry here I come!
Going through a few days of not staying asleep and in the middle of the night I put on a podcast and listened to the beginning of the Helen Keller story, I haven't read the story since I was a kid.. yet as I listened it was so familiar, it was like yesterday.
Ending the year with twenty four tattoos and really should get '25th' as my next to mark it's number! And also because I was out for dinner the other night with an old friend.. and chatting with his dad, who I've also known for decades, he agreed 25th must be it!
Okay folks ... Walk with me, take my hand, let's jump into 2025!
Let's be bothered!
M.
If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you.
Fred DeVito - Author-Fitness Expert
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Merry Christmas 2024!
It's been lovely here at son's for Christmas.. we're watching Die Hard 2, well, it is Christmas, lots of famous people in it, one I couldn't remember where I knew him from, Googled him .. he died three days ago!!
Been dreaming of work and my house, last three nights... Was okay the first night, second sort of okay, but last night too .. woke up this morning feeling low ...
Missing everything, and it's Christmas, never a great time for me..
Should be a positive vibe post, but it's not in me this evening.
Tired and meh..
Hang on though, had a lovely day yesterday, went with the babe to see Father Christmas in town, was so wonderful.. first a story with all the children sat watching and listening as two of Santa's elves read and acted out a story ..
Then the children moved to a work table and decorated their very own Christmas tree dinosaur ornament! Then each went to see and talk with Santa in turn, have a chat and given a gift.
They all received the book that Santas elves had read.
We had a bite to eat in the bakery and then a bus ride home..
And tomorrow will be wonderful..
I'll stay up later to listen out for Santa's sleigh bells and expect whatever I always expect!
M.
Sometimes the biggest accomplishment in life is to find yourself.
Luisa Fernanda Cicero - Television Presenter
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Midwinter
Today, Winter Solstice, shortest day of the year..
Had a lay in this morning at son's, spent the morning relaxing and chilling..
We went out for a walk earlier and home just before the rain started!
Yep, I'm down south now!
Train journey yesterday, Nottingham to Grantham and Grantham to Stevenage and then here to Welwyn Garden City.
Had never been Grantham and Stevenage train stations before... Was an easy journey. If there was an Eye-spy book of train stations that would be two more ticketed off the list!
M.
Not everything that is faced can be changed but nothing can be changed until it is faced.
James Baldwin - 1924-1987 - Writer-Civil Rights Activist
Thursday, December 19, 2024
I am sure something is seriously wrong with my head sometimes... Like a glitch in there... Yesterday, making son a cup of tea, one of those wonderful Yorkshire Tea specials.... And I thought, must get some of this to take back with me...
Back? Where?
I had been in my lock up earlier, I opened every one of my twenty four boxes, and didn't find what I was looking for, so will get back in there after Christmas..
When I was walking back here I remembered one main item I wanted to find... in fact one rather large item! It must have been in there!? Maybe behind where I had moved things out of the way, into... If you see what I mean.. and the rush through every box is why I didn't find anything I wanted...
Because when I'm in there I want to leave, but I also want to get everything out and unpacked! Unbearable to be with, but miss it all...
Mmm 'Unbearable to be with, but miss it all...'
That speaks volumes doesn't it ..
M.
To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.
Oscar Wilde - 1854-1900
Monday, December 16, 2024
Friday I entered a tv competition, If the call came through this morning you had to answer with the words 'Santa Claus is coming to town.'
No 'hello' just those words!
So funny, I was holding my phone in a store, about to pay for something when my phone started to ring, it was an unknown mobile number... I said to the lady, hang on please... I have to take this.. answering with 'Santa Claus is coming to town!'
It was Amazon, or not, as seemed more scam than real... And an automated recording...
The woman looked at me like I was mad!! So funny! I laughed all the way home on the tram and walking around Asda!
There was something I needed to do today involving needle and thread! And I decided trying to thread a needle is like trying to get a cat in a cat carrier basket! Every which way but through the eye!!
Don't ask me what made me think of this the other day... I was watching something on tv, I think? But suddenly from the deep dark cobwebby recesses of my mind I remembered my mom's electric clothes dryer!
A big metal container, these rungs, attached on hinges at one end, clothes would lay over and hang down... Or occasionally fall down!
Friday I looked around an apartment... I liked it, wasn't hundred percent sure about the area, but inside was lovely... They were leaving everything! And I mean everything, actually like I did...
I went to bed feeling positive about it, making plans in my head...
Then woke up feeling the total opposite! I did plan, in my mind to be able to get a house, and I know it won't be as near as this apartment to son here, and definitely nowhere near my other son!
But still not the reason I changed my mind... Just felt so different in the morning, always believe, if in doubt, don't! So, I didn't buy an apartment today!
M.
You can, you should, and if you're brave enough to start, you will.
Stephen King - Author
Monday, December 09, 2024
No snow now, this is from the other week... And I am taking the opportunity of the circle of doom preventing the next part of what I'm watching to materialize on the tv!
Last few days have been mostly wet weather, Saturday I walked down to Aldi, was very, very windy! But hey ho, it is just weather!
Today some drizzle and wind! But sun is out now, and I've already done over five miles of walking! Checked on my phone a route to cover, and did it! Passing Aldi on my way back, I popped in and purchased a few items, was limited by the fact I only had a small carrier bag! And can't overload and carry!
For some reason felt a bit emotional in there! Something wrong with my head! I say smiling..
I must share something... talking of my head, and holding way too much in it! Can't delete, can't download, most certainly and wouldn't want to erase...
But this... This is beautiful, from Macbeth, and sent to me..
"Sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care,
The death of each day's life, sore labor's bath,
Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course,
Chief nourisher in life's feast."
M.
Friday, December 06, 2024
Wednesday, December 04, 2024
One of the happiest moments in life is when you find the courage to let go of what you cannot change.
Unknown
Monday, November 25, 2024
And yesterday a walk through one of many Wyre forests hereabouts.. unexpectedly a fee of £4 for two hours! Which seems a little steep so found another forest car park for free parking..
Shame really, if it was a pound more people would stop and come again and again .. but not at £4!
Anyways had a wonderful walk where we did stop, and it's a forest I know well from when I used to bring a client here for a walk and breathe of fresh air ..
It rained a little, on and off between the sunshine.. was lovely... Doesn't spoil a forest walk at all, all that was missing was a fur baby!
Today a visit to Bridgnorth..
Not been here for about three years..
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
My dear dear friend Peter Maddocks passed today..
Drinking a glass of wine this evening in his honor..
And I am feeling the loss of this man in my life..
The books we did together, the many many books..
Such a life and history..
Fleet street cartoonist, children's cartoons on tv.. the books .. the books.
All I can today, I feel very sad
M.
Sunday, November 17, 2024
Some very strange disturbing dreams last night, about a dearly loved friend of mine.. three quite separate dreams. I tried to work out some meaning of the last one, that seems the clearer, he is young and healthy and selling off his van, a huge heavy solid ancient mace!! And other very random items!!
Then this in the bathroom when I came downstairs..
Feathers in unexplained places! Very very odd!
Quiet day today, just chillin and relaxing..
While ago... Son was upstairs awhile with the niblets, as my mom called the boys.. and hadn't signed off on Overwatch so I had to wing it there awhile.. I got his character killed a couple of times.. and damaged his cred a little, maybe , definitely! Couple of players were like 'what's happening with him!' Not knowing his mom had taken control, or rather not actually very well, and under instruction from other son still playing! So funny!
M.
That you were sleeping doesn't occur to you until you are awake.
J T Caine - Writer Poet
Saturday, November 16, 2024
Thursday, not the Arboretum, just more photographs from Wednesday...
I got the tram and passed through the city and got off near Dunelm store.. just had a wander around then walked to B&M, got a few bits from there.. It was the biggest B&M store I've ever seen! I couldn't walk around it! Especially knowing I still have to walk back to town!
The footstool in Dunelm, I have to show you! The lid lifts up, not a box, or storage.. No... I is a single bed! Absolutely brilliant!
I walked down to the canal and back into town from there..
Took a great shot of the apartments but can't post here yet, waiting to see if it gets picked up on a site I sell photography on, it'll never make me rich,.but one has sold four times!! When they're licensed on there I can't upload anywhere else.
Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change”
Quote from Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Yesterday I went to the Nottingham Contemporary Art Gallery..
No photographs, it says no photography..
The artist Donald Rodney.. link is from The Guardian newspaper.
Well worth the visit if the artists works come near you! A young artist and if you read about his works, he made a huge impression in his short life.
And a huge difference in this world in a short time..
After the gallery I wandered around for a while..
Had no real purpose, which is nice..
Stopped to talk to promoter in the street, poor guy didn't get a word in!
But instead he got a pocketbook version of my life!!! He asked!! Bless him!
I should have a government health warning sticker on my head! Do not start a conversation with this woman, you'll hear more than you ever thought you needed to!
Monday, November 11, 2024
A David Gilmour song today, just this.. nothing more..
Take my arm and walk with me
Once more down this dusty old path
The sunset cuts the hill in half
Our shadows stretch back to touch the night
The light's fading, you say
But these darkening days
Flow like honey
These days slowing down
A whole life in a glance
The clearest light shines in the darkness
Shining on me
And we're still doing this dance
One step at a time
As the days slip by
As smooth as glass
The moments pass
And all these precious things you gave
That I've been holding in my hands
These grains of sand
A man stands in a river
Pushes against the stream
Time is a tide that disobeys
It disobeys me
These days slowing down
A whole life in a glance
The clearest light shines in the darkness
Still shining on me
And we're still doing this dance
The Moon and the stars
As the days slip by
As smooth as glass
The moments pass
And all these precious things you gave
Falling through my hands
These worlds, this scattered sand
I stand in a river
Push against the stream
Time is a tide that disobeys
And it disobeys me
It never ends
Written by: Charlie Gilmour / David Gilmour / Polly Samson
Saturday, November 09, 2024
It's just a color, and behind it the sun shines gloriously!
It has been six days now since I wore my shades... And would like, appreciate some of those golden rays! but, non the less, there has been no rain!
So eyes wide open, bring it on day!!
The weather and us, we are, or can be, the same.
We hide away much of ourselves behind the clouds.. clouds of laughter or straight faces, masking our feelings or true color's... Like the old Cindy Lauper Song..
To feel safe? To protect?
I think some people have built such walls they become so impenetrable they can neither be reached or even know now how to break free...
Or never want to... risk it.
People, we keep ourselves hidden so much, our brightness our sunshine..
And these days are not like past days, or places? We'd always say 'hello' always a smile or nod 'good morning' always the smile that could be the only one someone else might see that day.
I miss the J's at work, so much it brings tears now as I write, we were always shining working together..
Maybe that's it, we burn brighter together. You can see it when people do that, they spark of each other and it's wonderful to see, to feel that.
M.
Friday, November 08, 2024
November 7th 2015.. the Pipster..
I guess it'll take a while to get through all the clothes I bought over with me, pulling on sweaters that smell of home, that familiar smell..
Thank you Google!
'If the hippocampus deems the smell important — if it were connected with a particularly emotional moment, for example — it can file the information and store it indefinitely. Even decades later, the same scent can bring the memory and emotional salience of the moment flooding back'
This is so true isn't it... I have locked in the smell of blackberries freshly picked and soaked into the sleeve of my handknitted sweater my mom made for me, the only thing, the only one.
I seem to have posted the above, with quote, yesterday without actually finishing it!
Hope not too many people noticed as I hadn't shared it yet!
Tuesday I came back to sons in Nottingham, didn't see Jasmine on the train! That would have been way too weird! Good journey though, nice and easy, Kidderminster to Birmingham Snow Hill, then a quick walk through town to New Street..
I passed the Christmas tree and the Christmas village being built ready for celebrations.. much the same as here in Nottingham..
Then it was down to board for Nottingham, waiting on the platform (feel like bursting into song here), this song... It's sad, deep, meaningful, and if that's not your bag baby don't go there!
Okay, back in the room everyone!
Then to Nottingham, I walked into town rather than jump on the tram directly here, for some fresh air and exercise.
Birmingham New Street, the platform! Laughing to myself is where I left the room! A train was sat there waiting, engine running! Diesel! Air quality zero, we were all coughing! What's going on! Underground with little aircon or noticable aircon I guess? Ughhh! Bad! That's why I needed the fresh air!
That was Tuesday!
Wednesday I walked to The Range in the afternoon, went into town in the morning for another ECG!
And at some point this week the doctor started me on some more meds for my BP, not replacement, just more!
Was expecting some of the common side effects, nothing, weird mindset I know, but no side effects, so think are they actually doing anything at all? Keeping close eye on BP last couple of days... Nothing yet!
Thought I'd check, as I write this, as I sound extra hopeful for effects to come into place... Dr Google says 'immediately' for some BP meds, for mine? Says hours! So, that's not good is it? Nothing 'appening 'ere!
M.
Time isn't the main thing. It's the only thing.
Miles Davis - 1926-1991 - American Trumpeter























































