HAIR TODAY GONE TOMORROW BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Well off we went, the heavens were crying tears of huge cool drops on us. I had decided to take Waggatail to guide me rather than my white cane. As you know, she doesn’t like city life, she panics when she hears cars of plenty, and our city has loads of all kinds of vehicles. But today was different, Hub was taking the Little fella who by the way is miles bigger than the wagging one but she is older, he is our little boy. Hub was slightly anxious as we had never been to this part of town before. He loaded the ap on his iPhone called Blind Square. Hmmm.

 

Waggs was delighted she was out, she does love being out and the harness doesn’t faze her. My last guide dog hated putting that on, once on she was OK, but Waggs would put on her own harness if she could!

 

Both got mobile phones, check. Paying cards, check, dog treats check and doggy doodle bags check.

 

Umbrella’s? no not very blind friendly, our left hand has our dog harness and our right hand has to be free to grab the dog lead to correct our dogs if they decide to, well, be dogs and shout over to another dog asking to play. Or, just do what Waggs loves to do, sniff every corner and refuse to walk until she has totally sniffed what she wants to sniff. On previous experience, this can take a while. Also, our right hand to carry anything, such as a dog bag full of something one wouldn’t like to carry around a busy town. Or just to open doors or put our hand out to touch something we are not sure about.

 

Also, umbrellas are not safe for us as we can’t guide them past people’s heads, worst still, their eyes with the spikes that love to pop out.

 

As we headed to our bus stop, I said to Hub, lets chance it and quickly run well, almost run, well, walk fast, to the next stop, as that has a shelter. He said, no it’s far away an we will miss our bus, then we will have to wait fifteen minutes, I insisted, I said I’m not standing in that I would rather miss the bus and wait for another in the dry shelter. So thankfully he was a good Husband and obeyed. Smile.

 

Well, no pressure Fifi, I blooming walked so fast, trying not to slip on the wet leaves and splash too hard going through the puddles, as we don’t know they are there until we are in the middle of one. Our dogs are great, they walk around them. Whilst letting us feel the cool dirty water on our feet. I’m sure they have a little smile on their faces that normally have a look of total innocence on them. My last dog, Black Beauty used to walk around the puddles and make sure there was a big gap for me to miss them too, I used to know this as my right foot just used to tease the puddle and get slightly wet.

 

Up steps down them passing loads of cars going into our local zoo something planned for the monkeys that day, obviously as it was a Saturday and our cheeky monkeys are normally away from their weekly enclosure at weekends.

 

Well, one thing, my Waggatail doesn’t follow. So, she headed towards the crossing for the road on my right to go to the park. I had to say the commands, not today.

 

Straight on she went and crossed the really wide road well thankfully Hub heard me pounding behind him and warned me there was someone there at the bus stop. Otherwise the poor person perhaps would have been bounced into by a big blonde wet blind person.

 

The man luckily spoke and he said there was a bus due in ten minutes, so we must have just missed the one at our first stop, but we were dry under the shelter.

 

The cars splashed by wheels getting a good wash.

The rain on the roof of the shelter was like dry peas being tipped on a tin lid.

 

Our bus came and on we got looking like drowned rats. Please let there be a seat? And don’t make it awkward for us? When we are trying to find a seat it’s so hard, as no one speaks and I for sure don’t want to sit on a knee. It has, been known. It’s also been known for me to remove hair from heads as I have gone along and the bus has pulled away or stopped suddenly and I grab the closest thing.

Woops.

 

Luckily, we found a seat with two together. As we went the long journey I pondered. Oh, please let this be my lovely old hair dresser who did a runner. Hahaha. Well, left mysteriously his last place, you know, the place we could get to with such ease? I was devastated when I learned that he had left and no one would tell us where he had gone. No way I was going to get my hair cut by anyone else. I know if I hadn’t have found him, I would have to, but I have tried the rest and I had found the best, and he had gone. Not only was, is, he the best hairdresser, he is a lovely man, the kind you would want as your brother. Or great friend.

 

Well this place he was meant to be at, was so far from our comfort zone. As we drove by, Blind square was in Hubs ear telling him all the nice shops we were passing, very nice but we were on the bus, hopefully it will be so useful when we get off?

 

Hmm. It wasn’t. It was rubbish. We got so lost, the rain kept coming, the town was so busy, tourists everywhere, no one knew where we were meant to be going, oh, the worst part was crossing the roads we didn’t know. One time, there was a van parked so we had to cross further up and there were loads of bikes parked there of course we didn’t know this until we stepped off the kerb. Another road lead us into road works with cones around where the step up should be. Hub had his earpiece in trying to get location details. He couldn’t hear me shouting on him like a mad woman. My dog was doing so well, she stopped me from walking in the middle of the road works, but she froze, waiting for further instructions, oh, God, where to go, how to get to the kerb? My heart was pounding. I was terrified. Trying to remember what a lovely lady was telling me hours before about slow breathing, suddenly my lungs were battling against my mind and I went into panic mode, but not half as bad as I used to get. This time last year I would have passed out, but I was still standing.

 

When I say passed out, not really, just felt like it.

 

Well, a man said to me, love, he is just to your right, he took my arm and lead me to safety, the people in our city are the best, I have never felt such kindness as our folk, when we can find them separately to the tourists where they seam to way out more than locals.

 

Where is Hub, why did he not wait for me? Shall I stand still and call him? No, I plodded on Wagga was loving it, her tail was wagging away, and she hates the rain bless her, she weaved me in and out of bins and objects I wasn’t aware of. Avoiding lamp posts thankfully as they hurt. I was scared she would walk me too close to the road I would come off the step and fall under a bus, well, you know me, always think positively. Smile.

 

So, I kept us to the building, any people peering through the popular shop windows, well, sorry like, but I need to be there.

 

I thought the rain would mean people would stay away but I guess if you have a holiday planned, you don’t want to be staying in.

 

Where we needed to be is the most popular place for people visiting our town as that is where the most history is.

 

At last, what seemed to be forever, I found the man himself, to our hairdresser, oh, no, this nine-minute walk was now up to thirty odd. I had found the Hubster and the little Fella who put his wet head in my hand as if to say, Mummy, there you are. See our last dog, Hubs Suki would have refused to walk I her Mummy was far away. LF just does as his Daddy tells him. His flat or had gone all curly with the rain.

 

 

We stood trying to get our Barings, we were now twenty minutes away, oh goodness. But which direction? Blind Square just kindly kept telling us what shops there were near us which is a great thing. But not really giving us instructions.

 

We asked and asked again.

Seven times, then eventually got close to where we needed to be.

 

Oh, I was shattered. Mentally. Please let us find the place and moreover, let it be the right guy? What if it was another man with his name?

 

Fifty minutes later, our nine-minute walk was over, we were so close an yet so far away. An inch is as good as a mile when you can’t see. Hundreds of doors. Windows, so much glass, where was number 51? I called the shop and a kind lady asked what were we standing by? Hahaha. Good question. I could tell her what our software said? A pub nearby she said she would come for us, bless her, she did, we were forty seconds from the shop door.

 

Oh my, once in, it was packed. We got a seat, our dogs were dripping, I looked so bad, clothes clinging to my fullumtious figure. Hahaha.

I sat there, in shock. I said to Hub, I feel as if I am being tipped backwards as if I am really going to faint, he said he felt exhausted too, but reassuring me, we did it. Yep, but we had to find our way back home now…

 

Among the noise, I heard my man, I found him, it was our guy, oh brilliant, like a comfy cushion on a tiresome day. He came for me it was a great feeling, the shop was difficult but because he knows me he was great as he told me about the large step up to get my hair washed. I love it as he does all the work now, from greeting to washing to even making me a cup of tea.

 

The lovely girl made Hub one too, I guess bless him, the colour was drained out of him.

 

My hair was cut and I felt so good. My guy is such a brilliant stylist. I am proud of him he is going alone just he better take me with him if he decides to move again.

 

Now for the journey home. Passing smells from bakers I would have loved to have sampled, but priorities first and right now we just need to learn this route, still raining, we went back a totally different way and it took us just over fifteen minutes. We got to a place in town we knew, so next time, we will go that way, rather than the way we were told to do on the Sat Nav. We used Apple going and Google coming back.  Google was better. Hub and LF did really well, proudly LF walked and the familiar sounds were a welcome especially the nightmare we had going. Goodness knows how we would have done that without our dogs, and they loved it. I just wish we could see to live a simple life easier.

 

The bus journey was long and we were soaked through because we waited twenty minutes for a bus, just missing the one we needed. We couldn’t sit together but a man said I could sit next to him and he talked the socks off me. Well, not that I was wearing any but he chatted for sure. When we were almost home, I suggested to Hub that we went to our local restaurant for lunch. So, we got off the bus at a different place and walked there. Met by the lovely staff and had a most enjoyable meal where we could reflect on our big adventure.

 

DIARY OF THE PLUCKER BY FIONA CUMMINGS

The clock has struck midnight. I am actually writing from bed. I have not stopped all night and had a busy day. I wrote a poem for my blog page about how blind people fall in love, it sounds comical to those of us who are blind, but I get asked this question all the time from sighted people. 

 

You know me, poetry takes me minutes to write so I wasn’t too long at my lap top enjoying myself, as I do enjoy myself chatting to you all.

 

I spent time writing to a few of my Bloggets and then the tax people again. What a pain in the butt they are being. The Tax people, not my Bloggets. Seriously, dealing with total incompetent people it’s driving me mad. The left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing.

 

Well at least now I have the phone number of a manager and it’s her direct number. But it took loads of phone calls and me losing the plot in the end to get that.

 

I got thinking tonight, as I stood at the kitchen sink as I do more often than I would like to, I never take for granted that my Husband and Son walk through the door after work each day. Especially as so many emergency services go flying by the house. When I hear the front door being opened and the Wagging one’s nails tapping along the wooden floor to run to the door, because of course, everyone who comes to the door comes only to see her. I thank God.

 

Tonight’s dinner was a success thankfully, though the meatloaf was a bit of a disaster. Let’s just say, it kind of collapsed.

 

Tomorrow, or later I am off to our city to find our new hairdressers. Now you may remember, it’s the missing hairdresser. The one who used to do my hair, but left to go and work elsewhere, and leaving me looking like a yeti. I have not had a haircut since December. Hahaha. I have been looking for my hairdresser for months. Now, I think I have found him, but he is in a part of town I can’t even begin to tell you where. All I know so far, is you get off the bus and turn right…. How many roads? Turns, when and where? How many bins will there be in our way or bollards or worse, people, parked cars vans on path ways, and steps, oh, the dreaded S, word. I hate them.

 

So many doors, which one to go through, plant pots, which direction next? Well, I’m up for the challenge, but is Waggatail? Oh God help us. The Wagging one will love the fact she is out, and love working, she has not got a problem with the harness. But the location? Oh, she will flip I am sure. And worse, do her business in town. Let’s see. If you are a local, and you see the sun go down, you will know it’s me bending down picking doggy doodle up.

 

I can’t take my white cane as no way I can do that without knowing the route. I hope the next blog I am writing telling you that my Waggatail has done her Mummy proud.

 

We have down loaded Blind Square. The ap for navigation, but it only tells you when you are there not so much how to get there until you have done the route then you drop a pin or something, and next time it will help more. And no ap, tells you about parked vehicles or market stalls or moreover, long wires stretched across a pavement attaching to a guitar. Well I haven’t managed to disconnect a man from plucking yet, but there is always a first time. 

 

I’m oddly excited for the challenge in eight hours. Is that weird? I hope I will be writing you a blog, and not from a hospital hahaha. Sometimes I do wonder, if I am mad, what are we thinking of, we can’t see for goodness sake. What are we doing leaving the safety of our house? I would love to know what my normal fearful face is doing whilst walking? I expect I look absolutely terrified. We have to listen to every single thing we pass remember every move and item we bump into even if it is just gently. To miss it on the way back. I must say the past few times, I haven’t took any Grannies out, normally I walk into one and lift one from her feet, catching her with my other arm the one not gripping for life onto my white cane. I always say sorry, as I gently put her back on her flats, but oddly, she doesn’t answer.  One thinks she is perhaps in a little bit of shock, that she has been Fifi’d.

 

Last night we had a great night out. We went to a pub quiz.  I love them it’s been years since I have been to a pub quiz. And we didn’t come last. We got 38 out of 50. I think I answered four Hub about the same and collectively about 20 and our two friends the rest. I got the picture quiz answer, now, that’s a first. My friend described and I got it right, and Hub got a word question. How visual are we? Smile.

 

Well as it is heading towards half twelve my Sons Girlfriend is still here of course. Can you believe this, kids have no shame, she turns up in her pyjama’s? I mean, she isn’t a nine-year-old child, going for a PJ party, talk about ready honey? It’s awful. Shameful. They just have no shame at all.

 

On that note, I shall dash and hope you all have a lovely peaceful weekend. X

 

LOVE IS BLIND BY FIONA CUMMINGS

LOVE IS BLIND

BY FIONA CUMMINGS

 You excite me with your voice

Your words flirt with my questions

 A conversation which I rejoice

Your answers are so kind

In real life, we hadn’t connected

But our hearts are side by side

 Butterflies dance

I want to take a chance

then at least I tried

as you came closer that day

I never wanted you to go away

Your eyes couldn’t see me

Nor mine yours

But from that moment we just open doors

We are together

Stronger we become

Never too far from each other

Your trembling fingertips touched my face

What did you see?

I knew you belonged to me

Never had I been touched in such a way

I wanted you more and more from that day

As you came even closer our lips met

My heart flew around my body

Like a jet

Butterflies came aboard

And we flew to the stars

My insides screamed yes

Whilst the world thought we’d end up a mess

But we did that day caress

And history is the rest

I’m now with the best

Whilst we can’t see one another across a room

I know you are there

I feel your love in a way

That I just want to share

Like those with sight

 My eyes fill with joyful tears

You just excite

And wipe away my fears

When I feel your hand in mine

Our hearts entwine

It’s as if I see with my fingertips

Each part of your hand

Warms my soul

As one, I’m the flame, you’re the coal

I can’t explain it really

 Only I feel whole

I love you to the moon

Around the stars too

Up the highest mountain

And across an ocean blue

Though vision we do not have

No one can say we don’t love

For you are my sweetheart

And I pray we will never part

I don’t see you through my eyes

But I feel you through my mind

Soul, and body

I know our love is kind

So, we don’t have vision

But our connection was on a mission

And we found each other in the end

And in you I have my best friend

 

© Fiona Cummings

 

ALRIGHT PETAL? BY FIONA CUMMINGS

ALRIGHT PETAL?

To be a flower, cold all winter, dead if you like, then the spring comes, you show some new leaves followed by a bud then an open flower. So pretty, delicate with such fragrance. And then unless we water you, feed you, you start to die. But you come back, next year. So, why don’t we, do that. Or do we? Perhaps we do, only in a different garden. I guess the flower is born again where it has been planted, only a few flowers spread as far as they are allowed to spread, but a seed that blows with the wind, can land anywhere where there is soil.

 

Possibly we are that seed that floats until we find the right place to land and recreate! Deja vu perhaps, most of us have had that overwhelming feeling of the sense you have done that or been there before.

 

So, next time you look at your flowers in your garden, especially those that have found themselves on your land or have spread, wonder where they came from and those that stay in the same pot, but return each year, do they look exactly like last years?

Just a thought!

 

COFFEE BREAK BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Good day Bloggets. I hope your day is going to plan?

My fantastic vacuum. Dyson. Well, great if it’s plugged in. battery charged. And I’m not stupid, it was plugged in. So, when I spilled some pepper corns all over the floor, grab the vac and all gone. Right? Yep, if the plug hadn’t have been slightly out of the socket and my Dyson had been charged.

Well Waggatail decided to help me to clean up. She should have been called Vacuum. I told her no. She took notice, after she sampled a peppercorn or two. Well then, we had sneeze gate.

 

As the sun shines, there is a beautiful breeze blowing through my window. Open. I don’t have cracks in them. I hear someone cleaning out the inside of their car. Gosh they have been ages. I have dusted all downstairs and that is a lot of dusting, washed all kitchen worktops and my cooker, cleaned the dining room table and washed down my doors and they are still cleaning their car. Dirty car?

 

The monkeys from the local school are shouting, why do kids shout? Did I, as a child in the playground? I can’t remember doing so. I do remember the feeling of dread when the school bell rang. School for me was a challenge. I loved being with my friends. I did have some lovely teachers. Well, two, one at my first school and one at my second. When I say first school, I skipped one. As I went to a school for sighted children as of course then Doctors denied anything wrong with my eyesight, I spent two painful years there. From four till six. Came home every night thank goodness, my poor Husband was only three when he was sent away, I was six. Then the real hell began.

 

It was just after then when I went to that scary place Moscow. And what a life that gave me! Pain, torture, terrifying experiences, life changing events, tears and a time only fit for a princess. I fell in love he was stolen from me and I met what or whom, I thought was a lifetime friend. Turned out to be sadly the wrong directions in many ways but I met the person who became the person who walked me down the isle when Hub and I married. He was so special to me but people change, no matter how much you think you know them.

 

Someone in our life right now, we met, thought was nice, fun, gosh, you do need to spend time, real time to really know what someone is like. And see out of the box.

 

I need to learn my washing machine numbers. I put our washing machine on today at half nine, and it’s still on, three hours later. I think it’s emptying now. Fingers crossed. For our electric bill, and water. Oh, and of course, the environment.

 

I bought a huge chicken to cook thinking it will do for dinner for the family and what is left will do for Boy Wonder a meal for a couple of work lunches.

What did he buy last night? A pack of chicken breasts. He has decided to make his meal for the next four days. Oh gross. But he was so excited to do it.

 

I must say it did smell good. He put it in the oven with herbs and sweet potatoes. Then put it in four Tupperware boxes and obviously when it was cool, fridge it.

For four days?

Nuuu’uuunuuu’uuu

I did try to tell him, but, remember the newish, me, button it Mama.

 

Hub and I are going out tonight. “Where to Fifi?”” I hear you asking.

A pub quizz!

We won’t win, haven’t got a chance. But it will be something different. For sure. Hahaha.

 

I’m waiting in now again for a man in a van. Amazon. Remember the oil Hub bought me for Christmas? Oh, my it’s a miracle oil. I think you spell it comfrey. When I fell down the stairs last week, I was in total agony. Everywhere. I couldn’t move in bed. It took me forever to turn Without this, I would have been much worse. So, it could be masking but I read it heals and it has done that almost. Still feel as if I have been kicked by a horse, and a big horse too. But would have been worse for sure. My friend asked for some too, as after so many chiropractor visits, pills and potions, nothing was working for her. Comfrey oil? Fixed.

 

Talking of spelling, we were, honest, keep up. Just to confirm, the ap for the iPhone I was talking about yesterday is called Blind Square. Thanks to one of our Bloggets for clarifying that.

 

I have stood two stickers on the door. One says ring bell other says I am in. hahaha. You watch, they still won’t ring or wait. My living room window is open. I’m sitting in the front room. The man in the van can see me. He will still say I wasn’t in.

 

My lovely friend has just text me and asked if I want to go to my favourite coffee shop, well, tea room really. So, it’s a date for next week. Sadly, there are so many weeks between our visits to each other, but I look forward to them so much.

 

 My other lovely friend and Blogget is eighty. She has RP, but her sight is still good. Not of course in comparison to sighted people but compared to Rp’s with sight hers is good. She is learning to use the white cane. She is now on holiday with her friend of forever years and from America has gone to Iceland then England, Scotland and now Norway. She is so full of energy. I swear if someone told me she wasn’t really eighty, I wouldn’t be shocked. We met in an online group with regards RP. We wrote for months, she often commented on my blogs. We got closer and now she is my friend on Facebook. She used to be a school teacher hence her intelligence. But as for her zest for life? Wow, I hope I am as sharp as she is at eighty, well, to be honest, tomorrow morning would be good.

 

So, for those of you who really think life is coming to an ending, you are in the autumn of your life, think again, as our Blogget from America has another life ahead of her for sure. She has too much to accomplish and too many people to touch hearts with before her Autumn even starts to lose its leaves. My leaves are still on my tree, it’s my marbles I have lost.

 

Well this started off as a coffee break, without the coffee. I as ever didn’t have a clue what I was going to talk about. Just a chat. We went all over the world. Talking of world my friend and Blogget Allen, happy holiday, from India, to Singapore!

 

I will go for my coffee now. I haven’t had a coffee in ages, I think about six days ago. So, until my next coffee break, or tea stop, take care, cos I care.

 

 

SLEEPING MOVIES BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Good afternoon Bloggets. Chasing life again. Seriously, I have been on the phone again to the tax department. My so-called case has been an ongoing experience since the start of May. It should take no more than five weeks. They said after eight weeks, I would hear by last Friday. Called today, oh, guess what? They forgot, just like the guy coming to fix our bath for the past four months. He is honest, and keeps saying sorry, but he forgets too. Hub says he thinks we live in a black hole.

 

As soon as our Son moves out with his girlfriend we are moving house, I have had enough of life here. People of late have really shown what they are all about and I am sure it is this area. I have some lovely friends but they all have cars my friends who can’t see, can visit us in the way they do, by train. Even that though is a bit of a trek.

 

Hub and I obviously live in the same house, share the same bills. An yet before, I received a call from our electric and gas people asking to talk with Hub. I said he is at work, can I help? No, we need to talk with Mr. Blogget. Smile. It’s bloody electric and gas, not his medical records.

 

My lap top has started to do funny sounds, but I quite like them. I haven’t to my knowledge done anything to update my system, so why or how it’s doing this, I just don’t know.

 

My Husband downloaded an ap on his iPhone yesterday. It’s something he had on his old phone and not this one, so we had to pay for another one. It’s called Black Square. I think I told a friend earlier it was Blind square, but I’m sure it’s black. It’s for navigation. Our friends friend, gave us a demonstration the other day and it looks great.

 

We are going to need every single bit of help come this weekend to navigate. I’m a little scared but let’s see how far we get to our destination. It’s a bit of a nightmare. If I take my Wagga, she will have heart failure, she hates the town, if I take my white cane, I have never been before so won’t have a clue where to go. Hub and the Little Fella, march off, fast. I can’t keep up.

I can see me getting soo’oo’oo lost.

 

Shopping arrived Groceries. The guy today had the personality of a doormat. Bless him. He was lovely and polite, I have had him deliver many times, he is always the same. I wonder if I am the only person who takes the bags at the door and comes back for more and more? Most of my friends get the guys to come in and pop bags on the worktops. I just don’t like people in my house. Also, we have at least one dog home and mine in particular, will be all over him and a lot of the delivery guys don’t like dogs. One does, and he is so sweet, but he insists he has brought his favourite dogs a treat. He then hands over a huge chew, but I don’t like giving them anything from strangers because you just don’t know what on earth it is? Where it has been or how long it’s been where it’s been for!

 

It’s a beautiful day. Birds are so quiet these days around here. I miss them. I miss my canary too, he was Irish you know? So, tempted to buy another, but believe that birds should fly free in their countries where they come from.

 

My Son has booked his forth holiday this year. He is going to the Caribbean. Two weeks.

 

Today would have been my ex-husbands and mine anniversary. Gosh, we would have been married I think 32 years. I think. I remember the weather was lovely on that day too. Back then, I had a Mum and Dad. Soon it will be my Dads anniversary of his death nineteen years.  And a few months later, nineteen for my Mum too. I hope there is a life after this one and I pray wherever they are now, they are happy and life on that land is better than it was for them on this land.

 

In our news? Measles have taken the lives of 35 people in Europe. I remember the days when I had to decide whether or not to have my Son vaccinated. I am glad I did now.

In America, a braindead lady age 21, has been kept alive for over 100 days to give birth. Sad. Very sad. But I guess happy for Father and the lady’s parents. But tragic for the new born as when they grow up, how will they feel?

 

There is absolutely nothing different in our news. The news in the UK used to be the best in the world. It was so varied. Now, it’s the same news in the morning that was heard the night before and the same at night, than it was in the morning. As for celebrity news? Haha, that’s a joke, I am so out of touch I don’t recognise any of the so-called celebs.

 

Gosh last night or should I say this morning, I had a dreadful nightmare. One of those life changing ones. I wish we could pick our nightmares, or dreams like we would pick a movie to watch? Wow, wouldn’t that be great? You would look forward to dreaming so much sleep would be easier I would think. Sleep for me is awful. Always has been. I never sleep more than three hours these days, used to be four. Didn’t help my Son coming in today and our LF barking. At twenty to six. Then Hub had to be awake for half six.

 

I’m going to have to go and get my dog from our conservatory. It’s boiling in there, she is loving it but it is so dangerous. Please never leave your dogs in a hot car or conservatory if you are going to leave the house. They will die, and before they do, they will suffer.

 

 

 

 

 

TRAINTRACKS ON A SUMMER DAY BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Good morning Bloggets. Thankfully this week starts better for us than last week ended. Starting with our visit to our friends on Saturday. We met up with all of our friends and had a fantastic day with our friend JB, who hosts a great get together. Our dogs had the best time. JB, has a garden like a field. It’s so lovely and bless her, she isn’t precious about it either, and promotes the dogs to play. So, a couple of times off the leash they ran and played with the toys on the grass and at one point, it was so cute as the Little Fella lay under a tree to chill with JB’s little dog LF is only a few months older than Lieder, JB’s dog. Our little flirt and the little girl lay peacefully for a while, Hub was surprised as normally LF is so concerned where his Daddy is. Hub and I then got the two of them, LF, and Waggatail back on the leads and they lay so well behaved thankfully the rest of the day. The sun was so warm and JB even had sun cream bless her. I’m so glad we sat outside, because apart from the lovely atmosphere her garden provides, with the peace but not only that, behind her house is a cricket field and there was a game being played to add to the quintessential English summer day. But, if we were inside, there was seven dogs there in total. Can you imagine the hair for JB?

 

When we got to the train station, there was a strike, so we couldn’t catch our connection. We had to go for a taxi. I phoned the company to pick us up and learned that the driver couldn’t come to us, he couldn’t leave his car. Oh, nice, so how would we know where our taxi was?

 

We were with our friends Trix and Like. Thankfully Trix knew where we were and it was a car park so the driver was told by her to come for us. So, all four of us crammed into this little car. Fatso Fi in the front with the Little Fella, who is by the way, twice the size of my Waggatail, who squeezed in the back with Hub. Like and Trix got in too, but they are slim, so that was OK. Haha. Good job.

 

Well, we had the funniest driver. As we did the very long journey to JB’s house, he couldn’t find the house. Well, he had four blind folks in his taxi, trying to tell him where to go. He puffed and panted, seriously I thought he was going to flip out on one. I have never heard such sounds coming from a taxi driver. It was hilarious, it was just after I said. The fatal words.

“Gosh, where would we be without satellite navigation?””

Well, that blew it. From that moment, we got lost. Hahaha. In the end, he dropped us off at a shop and Emsky, JB’s daughter came for us. It turned out, we were about fifty seconds walk from JB’s door.

 

As for the journey back? Oh, this was the bit I was dreading all week. We had to go back to the train station that had no staff. I hate that bit. I’m terrified that A, one of us is going to fall on the tracks, and B, if we can’t find the train door. Well, thankfully Hub is a traveller by occupation and his years of travel with his job means he is confident enough to know how to find train doors not only that, but even the correct door. Only thing is, he found the door, but trust us, our seats were right at the other end of the carriage, so, two doors to pick, and we picked the wrong end, but bless him, out of all the coaches, he guessed the right carriage. So proud of him.

 

Me getting on the train, I’m so afraid after the time when I missed the step and my foot followed by my leg, fell down the track. It killed. My bestie boy Like, is such a kind soul as if in touch with the terrified Fifi and was a gent just a hand and I was fine. Like is a sweetheart. Really has old fashioned values. He is like my Dad and I mean that in the nicest way, as he is only a year older than me, as my Dad was the best man in the world.  There was no Dad like him. But my Dad would always help people he didn’t have a bad bone in his body.

 

We all sat together, I found a seat right at the end as a passenger on the train told us we were at seats 13/14. Well, we were 60’s. There were four together and I think I found the right ones. We had a lovely journey home, but was so sad to say bye bye to Like and our Trix. But we are seeing them in a few weeks.  Our lovely host JB was as ever wonderful and it was great to see Trace too. All there were so lovely. A day away from real life. A memory that will last forever.

 

It’s raining today but I don’t mind as we have had a week of heat. Back to chasing life today. Yesterday we filled our cabinet with our chrystal. We had one casualty. Sadly, one of my glasses I knocked over and it smashed. Then began the job of trying to get every single bit of glass up. Oh, I get too attached to china and other bits of crockery. Even little knickknacks. I came across the beautiful crystal rose my Son bought me when he was younger. What ever happened to those days? And again, memories of my Mum. I get so sad, sometimes I wish I had never had such things. But then I love them so much, but I envy people who don’t have memories in such a way. My Husband has two items a blue china dolphin he got as a child for winning a competition singing, and a mug his Mum bought him, and that is that, and God help me if I break them, so much so, they are right at the back of a cupboard, smile. Because they mean so much to him, they mean so much to me too.

 

Hub has a hard week at work, not sure what he is doing just he said it was a busy one.  Boy Wonder has two days off work, at last, he has worked for six days doing about 60 hours. I don’t think he has had much rest either has been out a lot with Shamrocks family.  Apart from one meal out, he hasn’t eaten the best food either. So hopefully today and tomorrow, he will heal himself. Let’s see.

 

He has just won a competition at work among nine of the staff including the boss. So, he is proud of that and so he should be bless him.

 

Our next challenge comes this weekend when we go to our city. We have a new place to find. Totally the different direction to where we know. I don’t know whether or not to take Waggatail or my white cane. Wagga hates the city, she is a country bumpkin. She panics, so, doesn’t guide properly. As for me and my white cane? Well, I may take out a few people or get it stuck in places you wouldn’t want to go down yourself. But somehow, we will find where we need to be. Hopefully without an incident. Getting back? Oh, stress dot com.

 

Meanwhile I shall take a look at the news and be back later with what’s going on around the world. Later with love. And, you never know what is around the corner. Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

Marcel Proust

 

 

DIARY OF TODAY BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Well after an afternoon with sun blazing through the doors, a hint of air coming through the open windows, as if a fly has gone, well, flying by, and my dryer on that is like a furnace, tackling my ironing pile, my friend text to say she was coming over. As I was glad of the relief of the heat to stop for a break, I flew, like that fly, or perhaps a little faster, as I do just like a sighted person would run down the stairs, or does someone not run down stairs when they are forty plus V A T? Well, I did. And, I forgot I committed the crime of the rulebook for the blind, I left something on the stairs to take up next time I went. Hmm. I have been up the stairs at least four times already today,

Each time missing what I was to take up. Thank goodness, I do have some sense. The sense to always hold onto the banister.

 

Oh, it’s a dreadful feeling when you know you are falling. Nothing can stop you. Everything seems to go slow.

“This is going to hurt, am I going to bang my head, will I lay there for hours before someone comes home to find me? Will I damage my spine? Am I going to break my arm? Will I be able to walk tomorrow?””

 

Well, I got up, that’s always a good sign, then the pain hit me. My arm and back hip and leg killed. My dog came running bless her. I’m sure she was looking at me as if to say.

“Mother, for God’s sake. I can’t leave you for a minute.””

 

I hope I am OK for tomorrow, a day in agony miles away from home, won’t be good. The worst pain is my ribs. Yep, they are under there somewhere. Hub says I may have pulled a muscle. I wasn’t aware I had any to pull.

 

Dinner made for the family. Roast potatoes, chicken Kiev, carrots and sweetcorn. Me, nothing, I haven’t had any meals for days. Just not been up for them. Bad, isn’t it?

 

Great news, we now have a beautiful cabinet. Remember the joiner who kind of fitted our kitchen was going to make us one? Well after weeks of shopping online, we have found one, one, that will fit in the space we have. I have looked on line at every single business going. Even contacted cabinet makers. We got the number from my friend who knows a joiner who has worked for her and he was going to do us one but he can’t for three months. So, that would mean three months with all of our crystal all over the office. So, we found a place, and I can tell you, we have had stress over this. It is a long and boring story, the company are called (Furniture 123) We have bought from them before, but last time we had no bother. This time? They lost our order. I didn’t know that all they are is an agency who basically buy from other companies and they act as the go between. So, they said they couldn’t track our cabinet, because it wasn’t coming from them. I asked for the phone number to see if I can phone them direct and ask where my item was? They said no, they can’t do that. Well it should have come within seven days.

 

Three and a half weeks later, it arrived this morning. And it’s fine, solid wood too which is what we wanted.

 

As I write this, our neighbours sound like they are playing golf.

In their front garden…

 We don’t live in America; our front gardens would be the equivalent to a boarder in America. And I’m not talking about the border between America and Mexico. But a flower boarder. By the way, I read that the boarder in-between Mexico and the US, is an International boarder. About three hundred and fifty legal crossings occur annually.  It is the most frequently crossed boarder in the world, and it spans 6 Mexican states and four US states.

 

Another insight into the mind of Fifi. Seriously, it’s all over the place. Smile. Oh, now I can hear our resident parrot I love to hear him. Right, I shall go now to clear up after dinner, then relax as really, I don’t feel good and I think I’m getting worse. How can my ribs hurt so much? I fell on my back. I guess it was on the stairs so has a stair gone through my back to my ribs? Haha, oh, before I go, I knew there was something else I had to tell you. Remember we know the way to our hairdressers in our city? Well to my sadness, I learned that my regular hairdresser has left. I heard that he has gone to another hairdresser but where? No one would tell me as it’s another business like theirs. So, detective Fifi found him today, well, same name, haha, will it be him? Next weekend we will find out. But it will be an adventure because it’s a totally new place out of our comfort zone to try to find. So, a blog for sure, I just hope we will find it and it won’t be too dangerous. Later gators.

   

 

 

SHORT STORY

 

A short story to think about.

Website Dr. Dragos

Once upon a time, a warrior entered into a monk’s hut and asked him “How can you tell people about Heaven and hell when I cannot see either of them. Show me!” “How can you call yourself a warrior, when I only see in you a loser and a fraud?” said the monk.

The warrior pulled out his sword in a flash and raised it above his head, ready to teach the old man a lesson, when the monk said to him in peace: “This is hell.”

The young warrior understood what the monk meant, put his sword down and bowed to him in humbly. “And this is Heaven” said the old man.

(inspired by an ancient orthodox story)

 

 

 

SHARE BY FIONA CUMMINGS

I read this today and wanted to share it because of many reasons. Firstly, if you are in love with your spouse, then this is a great story, and if you are not in love, then this story should be told to warn our kids, not that my Son would listen to any advice to what I have to say with regards his love life. People say let him make his own mistakes, but why? Why if I can stop him making them? Remember old Bloggets the evil ex he had?  Sadly, he doesn’t pick good!  I should not care, or bother, it would make life a lot easier. But here are the words.

Tell your [marital] story. Tell it to your kids, your friends, your brothers and sisters, but especially to each other. The more your story is implanted in your brain, the more it serves as a hedge against the myriad forces that seek to destroy your marriage. Make your story so familiar that it becomes part of the fabric of your being. It should become a legend that is shared through the generations as you grow a family tree that defies all odds and boasts marriage after marriage of stability, strength, and longevity.

Sacred Marriage

 

An interesting read I thought.

 

Something else to think about after reading about a lovely man who did so much for others, he was the only worker in his family because of reasons I won’t go into. One day on his way home from work, he was mugged. Beaten up badly. Meaning he couldn’t work, for at least months, by then, his job would have been filled by another.

 

Sometimes I do wonder about life, when there are people who do no wrong, and get constantly punished, but then there are others who are bad right through and seam to live a brilliant stress free life. Why is this? Then today I read this.

When you go in the pursuit of your dreams, your kindness and your generosity to others will be rewarded manifold, in ways you will not know or even understand. When you go in the pursuit of your dreams, the Power that created this Universe and holds the stars in the sky will walk with you and protect you in ways you don’t even imagine.  Even in your darkest hour, remember: Things are not always as they seem.

Dr. Dragos is a brilliant writer and scientist, I love to read what he writes. Something else I was reading today.

A little boy in a classroom in England had different hair colour and eye colour to the rest of his family. A boy shouted to him asking him, are you adopted? The little boy replied

“what does it mean, adopted?”” The pupils laughed and mocked the little boy. A little girl at the back of the classroom stood up and said.

“I’m adopted.”” The little boy replied, what does it mean, adopted?””

The little girl gave the most beautiful answer.  I, as an adopted person loves this reply.

“It means you grew in your Mothers heart, rather than her tummy.””

 

The past couple of days I have been conversing with a dear person to me. Someone who sometimes needs support but not as much as I have needed him of late.

 

This person I trust, as he hasn’t broken my trust as yet. I am so grateful to him and all he has done and is doing. I’m not sure how I would have managed this week without his help. Some Bloggets have touched my soul and others my heart. For this I am grateful. I write for others and receive replies which require me to always be there for them, and this is my purpose in life, but just sometimes, my guard is let down and I crack. This week my guard was down and my friend and Blogget came along at the right time and is helping me with something no one can help with, my Husband nor my besties. For this I am grateful.

  

So, it’s Friday, the weekend has come along again. Outside of my window I hear the monkeys from the nearby zoo. Playing screaming laughing in their little way and making noises only little monkeys can make. The sun is shining and our postman has just popped a letter or some form of recycling rubbish in our post box. Tomorrow is a big day for us. I shall let you know all about it when I get chance. In the meanwhile, have a blessed day. Be grateful to your angels. For they walk among us in different ways.

 

 

DIARY OF VALUES BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Gosh, what would our ancestors have thought of our lives today? Imagine if you lived over 100 years ago? Communications? All the cars on the roads and as for those awful drones that we have not learned yet, can do so much damage in our, future.

My friend is reading my blogs in South Africa, she emails me each week. Email? Blogs even, in fact, how on earth can a blind person put words onto a screen? Another lovely friend and Blogget, is visiting the UK from America. She was in Scotland today and she told me she was shocked to see, wait for it, as it also surprised me and not in a good way, female bagpipers!

I drive my Sons girlfriend crazy as she is a raging feminist and I am quite the opposite. So, she would say and what is wrong with that? Well, if it was the normal to see female bag pipe players, then I would say fine, if that is what they want to do. But I am a traditionalist. To me it’s a very old establishment, to see a male piper. If you want a different explanation, what if suddenly we depicted Jesus as a Chinese lady? Or a Police woman wearing a uniform that was totally unrecognisable. Perhaps Father Christmas suddenly becomes a child?

History is in our past, some of it is bad and should be forgotten about, but good traditions, that mean something I believe if forgotten will affect family values.

Another lovely gent asked me the other day about cucumber sandwiches. As you do. And I am glad he reminded me as I love them. Again, an English tradition that will die out. A typical English country scene is pictured a village green with people playing cricket and in a corner on the field are the wives with tables with white cloths and on those tables, are platters of such sandwiches. Simple, white crustless bread with very thin cucumber cut into triangles. At the other end, they may have smoked salmon, and strawberries and cream. Of course, the sun is shining…

Kids now days would turn their noses up at a cucumber sandwich, it’s more like one of those dreadful wraps with roots and shoots in them.

I have memories of sitting at my Mums tea table eating such delicate sandwiches. Conversations would take place. Again, something families just don’t do now. I got to this year with my Son and now because of his job and relationship with his girlfriend, he just doesn’t have time to eat at home unless it’s later in the evening well past dinner time or like last night, I couldn’t believe it, just so he was ready on time for his girlfriend, he actually ate standing up, in the kitchen. A big dinner too. Tonight, he is eating at her house, no doubt a take away Pizza. Her diet is awful. And sadly, he is copying. God help their kids if, they stay together.

Our Son and Shamrock watched a drama last night. Before heading off. If you have not watched it, or if you can get it on some kind of catch up channel, oh my, it’s a brilliant English drama. Every week there is a different storyline. The main character is a Priest. It’s all about his life, and each week a little more comes out about his disturbing past. All the people his community congregation whatever you call them, I’m not in touch with my Catholic terminology, come to confession and it’s all about their personal lives. But the most fantastic acting and the writer of the drama, Jimmy Mcgovern who in my opinion hasn’t done a bad bit of writing ever, and the most wonderful actor who plays the Priest, Sean Bean, well, what can I say about him? Again, good old tradition. I hope you can find the drama on BBC i player.
I promise you will not be disappointed especially if you are fortunate to receive audio description? Hopefully with it been on BBC, you will get the same service as we did. A review online says this
Father Michael, a Catholic priest presiding over a Northern urban parish who is Modern, maverick, and reassuringly flawed; must be confidante, counsellor and confessor to a congregation.
It’s wonderful. Even the kids 18 and 20 loved it.

Right, now in the middle of phone calls. Seven today already, about different things, well five different two the same discussion. I booked train tickets to see our friends, just phoning up to confirm today, learn no such train exists. Well I read the email from them to her, and, she insists there are no trains. Well, she is going in a meeting and will call me back at two today. I may just try to call them back and hope to get to speak with someone else.

Nothing is easy, I really need to dust and clean the floors as well as do some washing, but today I have been on the phone to so many companies who just can’t get their act together. I don’t know what is wrong with the world. And how easy people lie too? We are all turning into machines without a heart or a care in the world, no morels or scruples. So, on I go, I shall try again with the train company. Will let you know of my news otherwise our tickets are obsolete. Later with love.

BLIND LOVE v SIGHTED BY FIONA CUMMINGS

My blog today, falling in love. We have all done it, haven’t we? Some of us may think we are in love, but will learn that actually, we are not and only when we get hurt do we realise that the person we thought was in love with us, was never.

Watching our kids falling in love is the most painful. Especially when the person they are in love with, is so bad for them. Especially when marriage is spoken about. A freak out what to do, how to put the breaks on? To some it’s obvious that the other person isn’t in love with the person who thinks differently.

As a sighted person, how do we fall in love? Well I did when I had sight. For me it was very sighted. I looked across a room after being told a young man was watching me. Oh my. Yes, very visual. As I looked at this vision in front of me, never had I seen nor would I see such a stunning sight. Gosh, who was that person? What was he doing to me? My insides burst. I exploded in front of him. Goodness knows what my facial expressions were doing. My knees shook, was I dying? Had I died and gone to heaven, was this an angel before me? So, handsome. Tall, and in fact perfect.

We dated, I floated. We were totally in love. His eyes, oh, wow, they were like pools. Pools full of life, future. His smile, the way he walked. His clothes, after all of the visual stuff going on, he smelled really good too. So, a question, what is it like if you are blind, how do you fall in love?

When I met up with my now Husband, after 28 years of being apart, I was in love with him. Last time I saw him, I was 12, as was he. We were childhood sweethearts. So, had I ever stopped loving him? No, but this was different. This was grown up. I have written before how I fell in love with my Husband as a child, he wasn’t just a boyfriend from school, he was my soul mate. So, it was different for me the second meeting. Though now he was being, an adult. So much obviously has changed. But now I fell in love with the memory of us… The future of what we have together. Our lives wouldn’t be as complete without each other in it.

He has never been able to see. Born blind. So, how does he fall in love?

His answer. Firstly, I have to like the voice. Then what words come out of that mouth. Then she has to smell sweet. Then the touch, the hair. He loved me because of what we had, but he said if he was reunited with me after all these years and I sounded like a knife scraping along a rough road, and smelled of smoke then spoke with a fork tongue, he wouldn’t even have got to the stage where he felt my hair. Haha. So, from a blind person’s perspective, it’s kind of like you skip a stage, as I am sure for those sighted, it’s the looks then the other things I have described above?

A blind person see’s what is in the heart and mind. Whereas it may take a sighted person a while to find that.

But we all have butterflies. We all fall in love. If you are blind it would be interesting to see what you think? If you have sight, then please join in. x

HAND WRITING AND BLIND DREAMS BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Happy Independence Day to all of our American Bloggets. Good afternoon to you all. Today is calm but dull. Our alarm went off at half four this morning. Hub and his faithful guide dog The Little Fella, left for work at twenty past five. They will be home at eight tonight. A long day. Three hours plus on the train each way!

My Son had a later start at eleven, so he made his breakfast and rushed out. He will be late in as well! One hour after Hub. So, no hurry to make dinner and I may make a difference on that ironing pile, which is ridiculously heigh.

My lovely special Blogget from South Africa reminded me in an email about a dish my Mum used to make, as she, our Blogget makes it too. She calls it chicken king, my Mum used to call it Chicken Eileen. She used to make all sorts and just add her name on the end, bless her. I so miss her cooking, though she didn’t quite get vegetarians.

When I first told her I was a vegetarian, as an adult that is, as when I tried when I was a teenager, I failed because my Mum went crazy. The thought of it sent her mad. Almost scared. My Mum always had a pantry full of food. The fridge was bulging. Her food tasted so good though basic. She could be in a room with nine other people all making the same dish, but hers would be the best. Full of flavour.

So, for my Mum not to know what to cook, would have sent her into a bit of a moment. In those days, and I’m not that old…. Stop it, there was no vegetarian food in the shops. Vegetarians ate, well, vegetables.

When I was an adult and told my Mum I was a vegetarian, I was married by then, she used to cook me chicken dishes thinking chicken was Okay for Vegetarians. Haha.

Gosh I have been busy today. Answering so many people with great questions about sight loss or in some cases, those who have never had sight. The question about us dreaming came up again. This totally fascinates people. In short, we all dream, partially sighted or completely blind. Those like my Husband who have never seen, don’t obviously see in their dreams. Their dreams are like real life. They hear, touch and smell. For me, I see as I did when I was partially sighted but my dreams sadly are fading. Both Hub and myself can drive. In our dreams… It’s weird. When I dream of driving, it’s as if I am watching someone else. I see myself in the driving seat. I don’t see out of the windows. I guess this is because I have never been able to see out of moving car windows. And the funny thing is, I am always driving when it’s dark. And, every time I dream about driving, I am always terrified. I panic as I realise I don’t know where the indicators are. Every dream is like that.

Another subject that came up today in a writers group. Punctuation. I have noticed for the past year; my American friends finish their sentences with a comma. Rather than a full stop. Now it’s sadly passing on to us in England as I have noticed that some English people are copying. Why? It’s the end of a conversation, so end with a full stop. A comma is when you take a breath and are going to continue with whatever you were talking about.

Someone said today. They can’t remember the last time they did any hand writing. Gosh, that was such a great observation. Wow, I am kind of in shock as it’s so important and really bad I have not thought about this until that lovely person spoke of it.

So, come on, when did you last do any hand writing other than your signature? Even greetings cards now days you can go on your lap top and order a card. They can send it for you so not even a need to put on a stamp. Do you think you will be able to do any form of hand writing for more than ten words? How is your hand writing now in comparison to five years ago?

Well, on that note, I best dash as I have more work to do on line and phone calls. Life is tough at the moment and with Hub working, I have it all to do and lots of let’s say, discussions on the phone to prats. Prats who shouldn’t be employed.

Just before I go, if you need anything to write down to practice your hand writing, here goes, for my friends and Bloggets who can’t see, these words are nice.
Embrace every circumstance, own every fault, share every joy, contemplate every mystery, walk in everyone’s shoes, heal everyone’s heart, adore all Gods, preserve everyone’s dignity and speak humbly of yourself speak candidly so that you cannot be misunderstood and let every syllable treat those who need help.
Neale Donald Walch

A WORLD TO CARESS BY FIONA CUMMINGS

A WORLD TO CARESS
BY FIONA CUMMINGS
It is you I adore
You have been here before
We have that connection
Your genuine affection
What happened under that moon,
The shape of a crescent
That pain, the gloom
Something occurred it wasn’t pleasant
I just have that memory
Of you being taken away
Leaving me in agony
I was left to pray
For what, I wasn’t sure
I just wanted that love back
So, pure
We went along a different track
Opposite direction
Me having to live with rejection
Starved of the love you taught me
Making me so happy
But not for long
Something I thought would last forever
Believing we would be as one
But as fast as you came to me you were removed
By whom?
Under that same moon
We lived our lives
Different avenue’s
Same views
But never again did I find someone like you
I went through emotions
Being fed poisonous potions
Hurt rushing through my veins
Injected with serum of pain
Where had you gone
I couldn’t sing our song
I had forgotten the words
Before I knew it, you faded
I was deflated
You were to be my groom
My forever loves
Under the same moon
Which shon for us above
Another lifetime later
When I had to follow you
Flying high through a sky so blue
But I couldn’t find you
A gap of lifetimes later
When I couldn’t take much more
Inside a body that didn’t want me
A life I wasn’t welcome in
Like trash in the bin
It happened like before
Suddenly the moon kissed my heart
And helped to give me trust
The sun warmed my feelings
Stars told me I must
So, searching for you I started
Tired of being broken hearted
And once again
To relieve my pain
There you were as if you had never gone
You walked into my life
And made me your wife
Together we sang our song
And this time you are not going away
Where did you go that day?
You can’t remember
But we have sad souls
Icicles cover them like a day in December
Slowly we will melt into a life we wanted so long ago
How much I love you
You will never know
As words don’t do my feelings justice
For others,I just want to stress
If you mean to be with someone
Then one day you will be
Though in another lifetime may be
Where once again your world will caress

© Fiona Cummings

DIARY OF WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Good day Bloggets. I am very aware of your lives how different they are and in our versatile lives, we all have different feelings at different times, so what brings us all together today? That answer I don’t have, but we must have something in common, perhaps curiosity, in hope that I will have something to lift your day. Hmm. I wish I could press that button that will make you all feel uplifted, I can only try.

One of our Bloggets and my lovely friend received two bits of very sad news this week. Another I know of yesterday got some news and witnessed it herself, news that was so needed badly by her. We have readers who are really low right now and others who have fallen in love of late and are really at their highest point in life. All of us are different. Some have stress and need an escape. I receive a lot of emails from you who work and read my blogs in your lunch break, I used to say lunch hour, but I don’t think many of us get one full hour now for lunch! So, to write words that will take only ten minutes to read? That’s a challenge for me. But I will try.

If you are so very down right now, perhaps are facing shame, you can’t face tomorrow, if only you knew what others would say, think and do if they knew how badly you were suffering? Sometimes it’s too late for us to learn just what people think of us. We are a nation of saying how much people meant to us when they have gone.

If we could leave our body listen and watch what others say once we have left this earth as we know it, we would probably wish we had never left!

My Nana used to say, things are never as bad as we think they are. Well that is a matter of opinion and circumstances I guess, but in general, I think I know what she means. It’s all about perspective. Dealing with situations differently, depending just how bad things really are. I guess a wider picture. Thinking out of the box. Learning to appreciate the small things in life. Lots of small things lead to a group of bigger things.

There will be those of you who are saying, how do you know my life, what I feel? I don’t, this is how I started my blog, all I know is, if we share our feelings of sadness and positivity, perhaps we can help each other.

The past few days have been tough for us. We are struggling in life. Hub and I have each other who understands one another. What if you feel you have no one? I receive lots of emails from our readers who are in that boat, and all I can do is row for them and keep them afloat until the sun shines for them again. And it does. Together we wait for our summer and though sometimes takes days, weeks, months even years, that sunshine will come especially if we look in the right places for it.

Some quotes I love that always make me smile, no matter how many times I revisit them.
Always be positive.
*Trips down the stairs* “Few, I got down those stairs pretty quick!”
Dear automatic toilet, I appreciate the enthusiasm, but I wasn’t finished yet.

Take risks if you win, you will be happy, if you lose, you will have learned.
Never tell me the sky is the limit, when there are footprints on the moon.

To try to turn your frown upside down
“I travel all over the world but always stay in my corner, what am I?

A stamp.””

Feeling pretty proud of myself. The Sesame Street puzzle I bought said 3-5 years, but I finished it in 18 months.

Isn't it great to live in the 21st century? Where deleting history has become more important than making it.

If you're not supposed to eat at night, why is there a light bulb in the refrigerator?

Are you shouting at me inside your head right now? Smile. They were the best I could find, just feel for me trolling through the dreadful one liners, puns and riddles.

My Son has just come home. Quick, was it him? I say was as he has now left the building again. He left yesterday at six in the evening, and thirty hours later, he returned. Messed my kitchen up I had just cleaned. Cooking, so he obviously hasn’t eaten wherever he has been. Where that was, not 100% sure, I dare not just yet go in there, hopefully he has been a good lad and tidied his mess up. But something tells me he hasn’t. Though in there he didn’t see a dish out of place and the work tops as well as the cooker should have been shining.

I asked him as he flew out of the house, was he having dinner with us? He asked if he could have it at five. Five on the dot, I said no, he had to wait for his Dad coming in from work. At half five, no he said, I shall come home at five and make my own. Oh, great.

So, he is obviously out tonight too. He goes from totally sleeping like, no one can wake him up, to racing, rushing from second to second.

On that note, dinner is calling. I really am not inspired tonight. Right now, I need to be transported to Italy or Greece to eat delicious food cooked for me. I hope you join me tomorrow when I hope, to write something worth reading, smile. Stay safe, know you matter to me. Don’t do anything naughty today, unless it will make you smile. X