Levels of communication

France & Vincent

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I wrote this entire article before I finally abandoned the attempt to sleep, though of course, I lost most of it on the way downstairs. A pity, it was a brilliant piece as I was dictating it in my mind. Isn’t that always how it is, though? That, like the doorstep wisdom that allows us to find a perfect retort in only retrospect, is the sort of wry irony the mind seems to delight in occasionally.

It is three in the morning and I cannot sleep. I’ve tried for the past couple of hours but have tossed and turned, too warm in spite of the frozen night, my body reminding me of the painkillers I should have taken and my mind hovering around the edges of that odd lucidity that lies somewhere between consciousness and sleep.

By the time the kettle had boiled about all I had left of…

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A Special Blogger – Sue Vincent

I have been a follower and admirer of Sue Vincent for years. She has both brightened and enlightened my life. Please, read, share and contribute if possible. An amazing woman. An enigma. A delight.

Darlene Foster's Blog

Sue Vincent is one of those special bloggers and writers that inspire people all over the world. Readers have long been captivated by her posts about mythology, ancient ruins and medieval churches, and her daily #midnighthaiku. Many have participated in and grown as a result of her #writephoto prompts. She is a person of considerable talents, and in addition to posting her prompts, Sue has tirelessly supported bloggers by hosting guest bloggers and sharing blog posts. She has 19,000 and counting followers.

I’ve not met Sue in person but feel I know her through her wonderful blog posts and consider her a friend. She has taken me the width and breadth of Great Britain, to places I would have never got to myself, providing amazing historic details and wonderful photographs. To appreciate just how talented and wise Sue is, pop over to her blog. I particularly love her outlook…

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Seven Year Swear

It’s been 7 years since I’ve been on my own. I’ve treated it like the heroine from Titanic. I’ve travelled, laughed, danced and loved my family and …

Seven Year Swear

Vintage Red

True inspiration!

Books&morebooks2017

Way back in 2011 as a very new blogger, and before this site was created I posted on my other site –

“I have just finished reading the novel Vintage Red by Michael Judge.

The introductory blurb says:  “Racy, blackly comic; laced with wit, both dry and expansive; a wicked ear for dialogue; cuts through to the bone, exposing venality of church and state – just a sample of the praise that greeted the arrival of this impressive first novel.” and “An original new voice and a breathtaking achievement”.

The story tells the story of a property magnate who finds after his wife’s death that she lead a disturbing life that he knew nothing about.  Throughout the book, we read about this other life and also about the husband’s domestic failings, his public amorality and his personal hypocrisy.

We learn how the wife meets a shy school teacher one afternoon…

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Down Memory Lane Workbook Now Ready

I have had experience with Judith’s Memory Lane course and it is easy and fun. It is meant for the next generations so you don’t have to sound like an author, you just have to sound like you, sharing your memories with loved ones.

I choose how I will spend the rest of my life

Hey, hey.it’s Saturday again.  Time for Six Word Saturday

I am sorry to say that the site no longer exists, but some of us are continuing with Six Word Saturday. Please join us for a bit of. fun.

My six words are in the title if this post. “To live in lives we leave behind, is not to die.”
Judith Baxter 1938 –

In 2009 I devised and have since run a course on Memory Witing,  This is not to write your life story, but to record your memories to pass on to future generations. But now, after so many years, the time came for the workbook to be updated.  And now it has been,

The course is ideally, run as a group, but sometimes I have had people who either didn’t have the time or the desire to work in a group, and so they have successfully worked…

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Thursday reflections

It becomes real personal real fast when you know those caught up in it.

Waking up on the Wrong Side of 50

They’ve began daily marches down my street….

In protest.

The rallying cry…

“NYPD suck my dick”

Which is a really good chant as they’ve synchronized their cadence….

And they’ve kept the trash in the cans as they’ve set it on fire…

Any uncontainered trash has just been thrown in the street…

Fingers crossed…no broken windows or looting

yet

On my street anyway…

This is just my reflection on the matter.

This is what I see, and hear, out my bedroom window.

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Goodbye America

www.facebook.com/523262059/posts/10157607900407060/

Graham, McConnell et al, have subverted Democracy in Allegiance to One Who Has Killed America and in doing so have failed to govern, spending time digging up bones instead of taking care of its citizens. This is not the time for silence. Every voice must be heard. We are witnessing Civil War and the end of a civilization. Congress has equal power to the president. A stop gap, a guard to insanity but have chosen to throw their lot in with The Destroyer. A country is dying before our eyes. And the danger is The Poison spawned by Donald J. Trump Destroyer will spread. Has already spread. There is no United in The United States of America anymore. Goodbye America.

Easter in Lockdown

I choose how I will spend the rest of my life

“It is a serious thing just to be alive
on this fresh morning, in this broken world.”
Mary Oliver

Along with the rest of the world, our plans for Easter this year have had to be abandoned.  This was to be a special Easter. My baby girl was having a special birthday on the 11th April, the Saturday of Easter. She was born four days before Good Friday and often since then, Easter has been around her birthday.

But now 60 years later (can I possibly be that old?) I had booked a cottage in one of the wine-growing regions for us.

My daughter, her two sons and girlfriends (if they wished) would all sally forth on Good Friday, spend three nights there and then head back home. We would spend our days wandering the vineyards and sampling the wines. We have a built-in driver as my daughter doesn’t drink…

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Make Your Contribution Count

Make Your Contribution count for you me we, is a portrait of courage not only of the remarkable women whose stories are highlighted, but also of the author, Suzanne F. Stevens, who travelled, interviewed, learned, and taught, over a number of years.
While the overall tone seems ‘Women’ centred, it quickly becomes clear that men are an integral part of “You Me We” making contributions count. This book honours women BUT at the same time does not dishonour men. Suzanne’s primary team of herself and her husband/partner Michael demonstrate the strength in TEAM.
Suzanne’s scholarship program detailing successes and challenges is inspiring. (there is a reason I keep going to that word!)
This book contains surprises, unknown to most, but essential in becoming most effective in our contributions.
What can I tell you from my pretty ordinary perspective?
This is a book about Inspiration, Pay it Forward, and always be grateful.
The women are current leaders, teachers, and business women.
No journey is solitary. No success is singular.

Discover prompts, Day 2: Open

 

A rather tempting word in current times to consider.

Open mind, Open house, Open ended, Open secret, Open handed.

Open Door?

Perhaps, just to let fresh air in.  Many cannot go out.  Or if they do it is a solitary activity.

Not really social distancing but physical distancing.

It is taking some getting used to.  For some that is the least of their worries, more concerned with food on the table, paying rent.

Governments make a lot of showy noise about billions and trillions, none of which has found its way to those in need.

Words that cannot be used with Open?  Bureaucracy, Politics, Lies, Fabrications, Promises

Is Open a word of Hope?  Perhaps.  I guess it is what we make it.  Just like life.