There I was all ‘snug as a bug in a rug’.Cosy and warm, and then bam! I’m dragged brutally into the light. More than light. It was dazzlingly bright. It smelt funny, it was noisy, I was thirsty.
There were lots of people around watching as I was hung upside down by my ankles and smacked until I cried.Nice. I’m not sure I’d like to go through all that again!
They also forgot to mention a few things that wouldn’t be happening. That life would not be a bowl of cherries, or that it would be plain sailing…And nobody said it would be easy.
Thing is I just want (expect?) everyone I meet to be nice, decent folk. But they are not are they? And that when I get disappointed. From a small slight to a massive stab in the back, I so hated it when that happened.
Having said that I’ve always managed to get it the other was round too, thinking I wasn’t sure about someone and they turned out to be lovely.
Which brings me neatly to the point that’s best not to judge at all.
I’m thinking we have all worked out that happiness is not a destination. We can stop and enjoy a happy dance sometimes when we have a measure of inner alignment and all feels well with the world.
If we recognise and cherish those moments, they can help to fuel our well-being. The thing is, if you’re not feeling particularly happy at the moment because you are too tired, too stressed, or preoccipied, say, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re unhappy. Simply getting on with life.
One blogger’s post I read today told how happy he feels just chillin’ in the bath. ( you know what I mean), and I totally get that. Someone else writes that moment after the family is packed off for the day and before the chores begin. Another say settling down for sleep. I guess most of us would agree how blissful that can be. It’s getting that happy vibe for a moment and loving it.
Each of us will experience it differently, of course, but some of mine?..
A day out shopping with a buddy, back in the day when we were minted. It makes me happy to think back to those days.
A pint and a catch-up with an old friend, fresh air, and exercise with the dog, in any weather, and then watching them sleep soundly afterwards. Waking up feeling rested. An unexpcted msg, a lottery win. Getting home safely after a long day. Good news about someone’s health issues.Feeling healthy oneself.
There are so many little pockets to be had and remembered. It’s a double whammy if you can have a good time and be able to relive it in your head. Your body doesn’t recognise it as a memory, so the dopamine kicks in
And today, the shortest day and longest night. Slowly we will notice the evenings staying lighter for longer. Spring waiting in the wings for us to enjoy. Bring it on!
Edit. After I posted this I was gazing out of the window watching the squirrel having his tea…and it occurred to me I’m of a sunny disposition, really. And that I have more than my share of those little pockets.🙏 I hope you guys do, too xxx
After thought. I’d like to add that I’m not immune to slithering down the rabbit hole. We all do it. But I’ve learnt to sit it out.
Earlier today, I was just about ready to sit down and put pen to paper and respond to today’s DP.
It coincided with a rap at the door. Patch already there to have a face-off with the postman. Not feeling the festive vibe (Patch, that is) obvs. The scenario was that I could only open said door just a little way.
Postie and I jostled a tad to get a lovely big parcel through the gap. The handwriting gave the senders’ identity away in an instant. My lovely buddy from Cornwall.
Excited? You bet. Tomorrow is the day I prefer to celebrate at this time of year. The winter Solstice, so it was apt it had arrived today.
I couldn’t believe my eyes. A whole sackful of thoughtful gifts. Such generosity was a little overwhelming, and it took a minute or two to compose myself. Overreacting, I wonder if you’re thinking? Not a bit, I can tell you that in an instant.
When I read the DP I was originally going to tell you the blast I had jet washing the car the other day. There really is a lot of fun to be had for £6, I kid you not.
Congratulations, WordPress! You have certainly excelled yourself! The mother of all assignments for us today.
‘Write your shopping list ‘
Yikes, this is surely going to be a post to draw the crowds.
OK, let’s do it. Coffee, number one every time. I would surely panic without this in the cupboard.
Then there is the oat milk to join said coffee. I’ve *kissed a lot of frogs to find my prince amongst the selection on the shelf of alternatives to milk. Some are absolutely rank, some not very nice, others at a push, a couple passable and my favourite. It was trial and error, but I got there.
Bread, prefably sourdough, but with not many slices in the bag, it can become costly to keep replacing every five minutes. Nice though!
Halloumi and/Feta. The culprits prevent me from being easily vegan. In fact it may have reached addiction level.
Chestnut mushrooms or Avocado’s.
And there you have it! Job done. Til the next time…
* For the uninitiated The Princess and the Frog is a children’s story book from way back when
Describe a man who has positively impacted your life.
This DP leads me to a sadness I have no wish to relive today.
So, as I love to do when there is an empty page below, I will fill it with words of others…
By Mary Walker, a contemporary poet from New Zealand
Freed
It was when the sun broke through and danced through every raindrop, turning gloom into something transcendent, that I wondered what if all that’s hard just washed away?
What if the light came down and freed us all from guilt, regret and second-guessing? What would there be except light shining through water, and each of us dancing?
No picture had been painted in my mind’s eye for 2025 a year ago today.
I hadn’t begun blogging again, and I can’t pinpoint the moment the lights went back on. The first day of a new year seemed to be the obvious choice, but it took until February 1st.
It began quite tentatively, whilst I found my feet and then the Pneumonia train came hurtling down the track. I clearly hadn’t seen that coming, and it all but killed me, but I’ve lived to tell the tale.
Years in the past, when I had blogged, I hadn’t stumbled across the Daily Prompt. This time, it has helped a lot to begin unravelling reams of data/thoughts/ideas/observations/experiences that were stored in my head and clearly needed a sort out.
I certainly hadn’t planned to be where I am today on what WP tell me is a 320 day streak.
This photo decided on its own it wished to featured in today’s blog post, so I’ll let it be.
Patch n me have survived another year, and putting aside a chunky lottery win, I imagine we’ll just carry on into next year as we’re are. Inshallah, a friend would hastliy add.
Yes, all being well, we’ll both stay fit and well and in good spirits..as I hope you who’ve read this far will also do. Happy New 2026 to you all.💚
‘Every day is a school day‘ is pretty much a mantra for me.
I’ve this lifelong learning thing going on, where I just want to keep soaking up information. And there is so much out there to absorb.
Currently, I am keen to replace some taps in the bathroom and will soon be heading to YouTube for a tutorial. I’m prepared for it to take a while, and I may mess up initially, but I’ll get there.
This ongoing curiosity I hold probably explains why I am fascinated by screen time, which depicts in-depth exploration of true crime or medical procedures and the processes they go through to get results with the likes of CSI, the forensics, the technologies available to the professionals.
It goes far beyond voyeurism I’m totally captivated by every second, by everything they do.
There is a tv show. ‘ Show’ is totally the wrong word. It’s sounds flip. Programme, is better. Dr James Adeley a senior coroner for Lancashire with Cause of Death. Another is Inside the Ambulance and for tonight 2 new episodes of 24Hours in PoliceCustody.
It could sound morbid if you didn’t know me and that I watch it like a student.
A student of eternal learning, the University of Life thing folk sometimes mention. But that’s where I am WP.
IN THE BOOMER PIGEON HOLE? 