About circumstances and choices

We are all a product of our circumstances and choices,

from before our conception until the present moment,

many of which we neither know nor understand.

No wonder life's a mystery and struggle so often.

About living with Lady Nicotine

Ah yes, Lady Nicotine, what might we say about her.

Well, she enters lives as a visitor and Seductress

and ends as a resident and Dominatrix.

About becoming a widow

26.11.22

I've discovered, since becoming a widow (15.8.22),

that what you want to do do

is tell your sorrow.

You don't want people's explanations or consolations,

although you know they're well-meant.

I'm filled with regret

having done the same thing many times myself.

Please may I tell you my sorrows

and learn to listen to the sorrow of others.

About new year's resolutions re health

I'm not much of a one for these but have decided that there are some sensible changes I could make to improve my health.

The first one is so simple and obvious and probably corny, but it is simply, to GO TO BED EARLIER!!
If I start to get ready at about 10 o'clock, I might be in bed for 1015. When it's my usual 1030 (ish) it seems to creep round to 11 so easily!! Then, if I don't nod off straight away, I can be awake till 3am!! Terrible; shattered all next day. I'm trying anyway.

The second one concerns my spine!! I am over 60 myself and have a much loved and very close friend who has severe osteoporosis. With other health issues I've had myself and trying in a very basic but very regular effort to stay fit, I've come to realise that I spend most of my life slouching, not keeping my back/spine straight.

Some months later, (see date above) I realise I'd forgotten every word. Good to have a wake-up call (or should I say, ''Back straight all day'' and ''get to bad at night!'')

About the dangers of pornography - a personal view

Pornography is to the soul as pollution is to the body, as nicotine is to the lungs.

It penetrates into the crevices and recesses of the spirit.

It slithers and slides its way around the hearts and minds of its followers.

It corrodes and corrupts its adherents.

It is very hard to erase such images from the memory.

It seems to stamp an indelible stain on the soul.

Let us pray for all those trapped within its portals that they may be set free

and that all who peddle their salacious wares will see the errors of their ways 

and turn away from them. 

A message to parents, teachers and anyone struggling with 'keeping up'

We seem to live in an all-singing, all-dancing age 

where everyone is expected to jump through hoops all the time 

in whatever they do.

Nowhere is this more evident to me than in the world of parenting, 

with teaching following close behind 

if not being even more demanding.

Having been both, I particularly sympathise with all those 

who are struggling in such ways in their everyday lives.

Can we not return to a more realistic way of living 

where doing our best is the acceptable norm

and where taking time for ourselves

and not having to strive to be perfect 

is ok.

About time

Time is inexorable.

This statement was triggered by becoming the person 

who draws the curtains every morning!

To update this, in the summer months, the sun rises before I do

and the light fades after I go to bed

so I forget about time's inexorable march.

But now, as we enter August,

I am having to draw the curtains at night

and open them in the morning!

Time is knocking on my door again.