Is It Rain Dear?

If you didn't get what you wanted for Christmas, it may be because the reindeer were otherwise engaged.

 

Merry "Wot"mas

Am I the only one that has a disliking for this tasteless Christmas expression:

I know the celebrations at this time of year are in memory of  a bloke who was nailed to a cross, more than two thousand years ago, but is marking the celebrations of his torture with an "X" really appropriate? Whether you are a follower of Christianity, a  non-believer or just a not so mercenary banker, me finks the chap deserves a little more respect, especially since the Jesus legacy gives most people a couple of days paid time off work.

So whatever you have planned for the X-marking memory of Christ's torture, I hope you have a kissey, rather than a crossey-mas yuletide with your nearest and dearest.   

Angels and Fairies

At this time of year with Christmas preparations in full throttle, it's nice to see angels in abundance. I kinda look at these little cherubs as being not too dissimilar to fairies. You see, they both have wings and they're the folk we send our thoughts of wanted wishes to in order to pave the way for happier times.

So here's wishing that all life's woes and worries get an angelic nod or wave of a magic wand and let the good times roll.

Abracadabra... Poof... What would you like for Christmas?

 

 

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

Just having a pondering as to what I'd like for Christmas. I guess I don't really need much, to be honest, and I'm told this year's must have is a pink and purple perforated ping pong ball, but if you can't manage that, can I have a cruise ticket for this 'ere tub, please?  

Thanking you, in advance, with lots and lots of love to share.

JJ (Miss - free and single) xxx

Yeo Valley

Yeo Valley, here I come.

I wanna bathe in your milk.

Spread with your spreadable. 

And paddle through your strawberry yoghurt.

But most of all…

I’d like to go for a meander with these young farmers.

Me finks I’m in love, four times over!

A Play On Words

The last joke from my all time favourite sitcom:

I wonder if the lovely, gorgeously sexy, Richard Armitage would mind giving me personal instruction on "tasteless comedy which derives from a play on words". The difference between a noun and an adverb has never been explained so clearly, in my lust seeking opinion!  

Lest we forget...

Nope... Didn't forget to go to church, today, and observed another 2 minute silence, tough I know, to remember all the soldiers, sailors, airmen and women who served their countries in the many wars.

What did you do, today?

Eleven, Eleven, Eleven

At eleven o’clock of the eleventh month, nineteen hundred and eighteen, the First World War officially came to an end.

On this day, we remember all those that have served their countries in wars and conflicts around the world, as well as those currently serving in conflicts and peacekeeping initiatives.

My prayers go out to the heroes of yesterday, today and the ones of tomorrow, in advance. God bless you all!

http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/remembrance

Some Old Fossil

And where do you suppose this came from?

I'll give you a clue, or two:

I picked this up, meself, shortly after people power began a demolition process and long before the bulldozers, cranes and developers moved in.

Any ideas?

The original structure it came from would have reached its 50th Birthday in August, earlier this year, if it hadn't been breached 22 years ago today.

On The Beat

Ok, ok... just indulge me on this one. I'm working on the traits, pros and not so conniving, that I'm looking for in a potential suitor.

• Funny, obviously!

• Single and available for immediate action, on the front, and wherever else takes me fancy.

• Honest, loyal and trustworthy - Goes without saying.

• Charming! He'll need to be to get in me front door. If the intercom aint working he'll need to sweet talk the neighbours or sing from the grass level of me perch.

• Smooth! I admit, got more than me fair share of rough edges, which is why I need a mellow fellow!

• Light on his feet! I use to love dancing, and if I get me a partner, may just have a stab at it again.

• Willing to rise to a challenge!

Must say Norman Wisdom, is still looking like my idea of a perfect match, God rest his soul!

So... all the single ladies, and the dutifully attached, what's your idea of a perfect man?

For any men, or cowboys, that drop in and want to have a say...

Wait till I'm finished...

Feel free to post your seven delicious requisites every woman should have, but be prepared for them to be diced and spliced in a public forum.

Bonfire Festivities

Boom, bang-a-bang…

** BANG **

And a whiz, whoop, wallop.

It's that time of year, again, where the British public take to letting off dangerous explosives at home, or wherever else they may be trotting. And all because a chap called Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up The Houses of Parliament. Erm...

After all these years you'd think the powers that be would be listening to the people it governs. The War on Greed is a real threat to humanity, in my humble opinion. I hope that the protestors currently standing up against Wall Street, and their international counterparts, can help make a difference, peacefully and respectfully, in their fight against capitalist money merchants.

I guess attaining harmony and happiness in the modern world can be a difficult thing to achieve in such uncertain times. However, whilst pondering, all of the above, I came across this quote from the somewhat cheesy chick flick film: Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, where the reformed character Connor Mead says:

“Someone once told me that the power in all relationships lies with whoever cares less, and he was right. But power isn't happiness, and I think that maybe happiness comes from caring more about people rather than less...”

Be safe, and if you do burn, blow or cause a public disturbance, make sure it's done with due care and consideration for your fellow neighbours, the environment and the animal kingdom.

Devilish Diva

Halloween is one of my favourite times of the year. You see, it allows me to legitimately dress up in whatever takes my mood, and put on a mask without anyone telling me to “just be myself”.  

On this occasion, if I wake up in the morning and put a note on the door, please do not disturb, my friends and family will think I’m normal. But I won’t be doing that. I love the fact that kids dress up as witches, warlocks, goblins and ghosties, for entertainment purposes only, and come knocking at the door. I can laugh at the fiendish fancy dress and feign horror whilst handing over some, not all, of my chocolate reserves. 

My hidden agenda being that All Hallows Eve is a time to remember those who no longer walk the earth in body, only in spirit. The frivolous frivolities give reason to mock and ridicule the world we live in where fear is often harnessed as a weapon of mass hysteria. 

As for being myself... I do try, and one day this little devil may just end up coming outta the darkness and try on another kinda, not so lairy, fairy frock... 

 

I Love Norman

And laughter is a sure fire way to me heart!

On Offer

Earlier this week, whilst coming home quite late, I was greeted at the foot of me perch by a neighbour. Not one I know too well as he lives a few branches below mine. 

Anyhow, I was carrying a huge bag of apples that a friend had picked from her garden and was pondering what I could do with them all, other than just eat them raw. 

So, when this neighbour smiles and asks if I like crepes, I was caught offline. Once the language barrier had subsided, and crabs were confirmed, I had to declare that I had no idea how to cook freshly caught crustaceans. Being the friendly soul I am, I lifted me bag of apples and said...

 

I don't think I've ever flown so fast up to me perch, before, and still having palpitations on me social gaff!

Friendly Blogger Award

Me a friendly blogger, huh… Well guess it must be true if me friend Patsy says so, cos she’s a hard scribing busy blagger, herself.

So what makes me a friendly blogger, I wonder?

Well, the way I tackle this creative sphere is: write what I like, when I like, how I like, and bugger the braggers who don’t give a damn about my kinda creativity. You see, I may still be undergoing development on the technical side a writing, but I have a pretty unique voice, albeit cloudier than a fog horn at times, and I got ideas that make even me eyeballs pop. You see when it comes to the t'art a writing, or anything creative, the opinion of others is just that… an opinion! If I wrote what and how others expected, or wanted, I’d just be another clone living in a straight jacket world of feeding from the screen, or someone else’s manual, instead of finding amusement in the life we live.

Anyone who takes the time to read me ramblings must be a friendly blogger, of sorts, but in all seriousness, I’m forwarding this award on to those that inspire and care about the real world we live in: Petra, Geves, April

                                                         

For the devil in me… here’s a mention for that bandy legged wanna be hero, too!

And with that swaggering thought… I’m gonna pop off, now, to see if I can find summit to laugh at, away from me perch and the two finger touch down approach to hammering words out with a scream. 

 

One Man's Island

Here we are in October and with a late burst of scorching sun, I took meself off to one of Dorset's finest beaches on Saturday.

Yup… This picture was taken on Saturday 1^st October 2011 near Durdle Door.

Didn’t quite make it over to the island, when I took me dip, but sitting on the beach set me a pondering as to what that teeny, weeny bloke, sat over there all on his lonesome, was finking. The beach was crowded, by the way, so he probably wouldn’t have noticed little ol’ me languishing on the pebble dashed shores.

Somehow, the idea of a desert island can seem romantic, but it’s not where we are, what we’re doing, or where we’re going that matters, it’s who we’re with. So… with that thought in mind, and now there’s no life guards stationed on the beaches, me finks I better start looking for “company” for me ongoing pursuits!

 

 

Tackling Thursday Thoroughly

Nearly the weekend… Let’s get the decks cleared!

Me finks I gotta try and make the best outta this glorious weather, especially seeing as there's no progress on the writing front. Also gotta consider an invitation request to discuss inspirational, non-public matters from a spectacular view...

Once again, a big thank you to Elizabeth, from Scotster, for giving me the thoughts for seven days of daily meanderings.

So if you’ll excuse me, now, I’ll go and get some serious, possibly life changing, pondering done!

Wanna Wednesday Wave?

I'm waving, weaving body and soul...

Hump day for some, mid week to the rest of us!

Gonna say no more on this matter!

Testing Tuesday Trivia

Did you know…

"The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" contains every letter in the standard English alphabet!

And for the non-Brits, how's about some British Slang

What’s the most useless piece of trivia you pull out when trying to impress?

Make Monday Matter

For many, Monday is the start of a new working week, but does that mean we have to keep doing the same old stuff, week in, week out? What would you rather be doing with your life, and why aren't you doing it?

Sometimes, to make a difference, we gotta have courage to fight for what we believe in. Me finks I pushed the limits far enough on me entitled share of stomping and boat rocking, so its about time I started to see some results.

Thanks to Elizabeth for the “Make Monday Matter” phrase which gave me the idea to sit and ponder some daily ramblings.

Sloppy Sunday Snoozing

Dunno about you, but Sunday is, and always will be, a day of rest. 

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

**DING-A-LING-A-LING...DING-A-LING-A-LING...**

...

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh... Shaddup

...

**SMASH**

...

"Ouch!"

Oops... Me finks some passer by has just been koshed!

Sinful Saturday Singing

If I could turn back time, if I could find a way… 

Dunno about turning back time, but the things I would like most, outta life, right now are:  a bar of British milk chocolate, if there is still such a thing; a chilled bottle of bubbly, from the Champagne region of France, and a bunch of these...

If you had 3 self-indulgent wishes, to make YOUR life better, what would they be?

Frolicking Friday Fun

Today, I pondered about a casual, drop of a text, promise someone once made about offering help with playing the field. The assistance, of course, was never forth coming, and the unqualified 'expert relegated to the unreliable bench.

What I wanna know... what I really, really wanna know is... why do some people say, do and promise things they never have any intention of fulfilling?

Best not linger, or keep it in my head, just in case it breaks my concentration… 

Sandals To Squeal For

Remember that little purchase I bought back in May 2009?

Well... I been sorting out the bottom of me wardrobe and pulled out a number of boxes, and there, inside one of them, was me bling-bling pair of 4" teetering totty diamante sandals. You must remember me telling you about my little treat after entering the Kaos British Short Screenplay Competition that year.  

Oh come on... Think hard... the ones with the gorgeous heels that are so delicate, and fine, you could pick your nose with them. Well here they are:

Took some willpower doing me ironing in them, I can tell yer!

September Still Stunning

 And with sunny reflections, a splash is still in order...

 

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.

Last weekend I read The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas in anticipation of the film showing on BBC2, last night. Amazing story, beautifully written, and the dramatic interpretation conveyed the tragic catastrophic horror where millions of innocent people died because of their faith.   

This theme kinda follows on from my previous posting about why we do what we do, because… My view is that the Holocaust happened because a dictator was allowed to run roughshod over a nation, fuelling his delusions of ruling the world. Me finks that’s reason enough to question the things we see, hear and do, whether it’s considered the “norm” or not.

On Twitter, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas became a trending topic and I was absolutely flabbergasted when someone spouted: “Learn to ignore what you don't like and can't change”. Being reprimanded for allegedly lecturing is one thing, but being told to ignore the injustice of persecution and accept that I can’t make a difference, in the world, is an insult not only to me, but to any intelligent life form.

Where would humanity be today if it wasn’t for the likes of:  

Martin Luther King, who said, "I have a Dream".

Mahatma Gandhi suggesting “Be the change you want to see in the world”.

And Nelson Mandela’s insight that "It always seems impossible until it's done".

Coming closer to home, I owe the power of my vote to Emmeline Pankhurst who fought as a suffragette for women’s rights. She died in 1928, the same year in which women in England were given equal voting rights as men. And here we are, in 2011, in a world where there are still people who are persecuted through ignorance and inequality. Why? Because some people refuse to allow or believe that change is possible, and accept that which is not just, because…

I may not be able to change all the things I’d like to change in the world, but one thing’s for certain, I have no intention of ignoring those who suffer, or blindly accepting restrictions that have no reasoning or justifiable explanation.  

Because, Creatively Speaking

Without much thought, I clicked on a horoscope link for today which made me ponder.

Jonathan Cainer’s homepage featured a letter from a reader who was fed up with “degenerate elements of society” and “pitiful role models”. Mr Cainer's response was as follows:

“So many of history's greatest writers, artists and musicians have been notorious drink or drug abusers. Perhaps the very same force that lets them push back creative boundaries erodes their self-restraint in other ways. If only we could find a way to respect the contribution of such 'degenerates' whilst helping them to release their talents without also releasing their demons.”

(Jonathan Cainer)

As an aspiring writer and supporter for creative expression, my desire for a more fulfilling life has released a number of challenges, over the years, sometimes leaving me feeling misunderstood and alone in the world. My self restraint in blindly accepting what others see as the norm, or the inevitable, was eroded long ago, because… Because what? Just because! That is often the response when asking why we do what we do, when it doesn’t make sense. There have been times where I’ve dug meself into atomic sized craters when making a stand for the things I believe in. Very few people have encouraged me to follow my dreams or support me in some of my crusades, even though they seemingly agree with the honourable intentions, because... 

I guess I’m lucky that I’ve never taken or been tempted to take drugs for recreational purposes, legal or otherwise, and prefer a doctor, pharmacist and the law to guide me in what medications should be taken for healthy well being. Even though me mother and ma father have admitted to slipping a drop of the highland spirit into me milk, when coughs and colds prevailed, it hasn’t led me to a life of intoxicating abuse, either.  Any alcohol related over indulgence, on my part, has always left me with severe after effects to ensure it’s not a regular derailment. A disciplined and grounded upbringing made it clear what was right and wrong so that my parents never blamed anyone but me, or themselves, when I did something wrong!

Some of my inner demons have been faced, confronted and conquered, but there still seems to be plenty more to tame in life’s trials and tribulations. All I can hope for is the respite, when needs must, whilst following my guiding star to wherever… because. Because without a journey, I’ll never find where I’m meant to be!

Erm… me finks I just found the answer to because… because you’ll never accept anything, until you get the question to the answer you’re looking for! 

BBC

Not that BBC, but this one:

And it stands, or sits ...

... for Bournemouth Borough Council

The south coast has some amazing beaches with Poole and Bournemouth getting 14 good beach awards this year for their bathing water quality. So, me finks, it's another year lazing around on the beach, here in good ol' blighty, with proper fish and chips and real ale. Ahhh... paradise found!

http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/9050131.Our_beaches_are_top_notch_/

Gone for Editing

Will be back soon, just concentrating on editing a very special creative project.

Seven Things

I’ve been tagged by the Task Mistress, again. So here’s the seven questions answered, to the best of me abilities:

1. Do you think you're hot?

A = Yeah… dead right, I’m hot. At that Soya-milk age where I have to have a window open all the time!

2. Upload a picture or wallpaper you're using at the moment.

A = Daisy, Daisy give me ya answer do… Can yer build me up buttercup?  

3. When was the last time you ate chicken?
A = Real chicken was a couple of weeks ago, fake chilli chicken flavoured strips last Thursday!

4. The song you listened to recently:
A = Here I Go Again, by Dolly Parton.

5. What were you thinking as you were doing this?
A = I should be working on me Sitcom!

6. Do you have nicknames? What are they?

 A = Just call me gorgeous!  

 

7. Tag 3 other bloggers so they can answer these questions:

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, let’s hear it for the girls:

Miss Kracken

Miss Sweetie

Miss Hawk

And commiserations go to... The Big Gals Blouse!

Here We Go Again

Here we go again… just when I began to get meself together,

You looked into my sty

And saw me piggy eyes

And wrapped me hams round your sausage dipper

Inspired by: Dolly's Here We Go Again

Call the Dead People

Listening to the radio, the other day, I thought I heard an ad say: “call the dead people to talk about your dead”.

Wow… A direct line to the other side!  What’s the number?

Joking aside, that’s what I do, being a developing medium an all. Although, dead only applies, in my opinion, to the shell suit, throw away body we inhabit in our earthly existence. As a Spiritualist, I believe that life is eternal and you can’t die. Sometimes, talking to the dearly departed, my preferred term for dead people, is easier than trying to strike up a conversation with the living, but I guess we all have our own challenges with communication and the ever growing choices in media.

The ad, by the way, was about debt. My hearing may be on the decline, along with my eyesight, but I still feel and sense that somewhere in this world, there’s got to be a reason to live and stand up for what’s right!

Mahatma Gandhi once said: “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed”.

That quote came to mind when reading “Meltdown” by Ben Elton. A thought provoking and inspiring story about the rise and fall of fortunes, and what truly matters in times of adversity! 

Versatile Blogger Award

Yup, my good friend Patsy has given me a not so subtle nudge to expose meself, yet again, by presenting me with an award and an opportunity to pass the honour forward.

The exposure, I’m pleased to say, is not of me ample assets but seven things about who I am, so here they are:

I eat, and chocolate is my favourite treat.

I sleep, and that’s as far as I’m going on nocturnal matters. 

I drink alcohol, when the mood takes me, but don’t see it as a hobby or social sport.

I still have all my own teeth. A complete healthy set, including wisdom ones, still residing in me gums, not in a jar!

I’m not just for entertainment purposes only. I’m also a developing medium.

I write, and my dream is to be a scriptwriter when I grow up.

I love where I live, and there’s no place like home.

And here's seven winners for this prestigious award:

Coming back at yer,  Patsy

  

Mister Valance, of course!

Kracken, cos I see someone a lot like me, in this gal.

Elizabeth Campbell, a fellow Scotster.

Miss Sweet, cos me eyes are bigger than me belly.

Miss Cecile, because saucy stuff sells.

Miss Hawk, as above, or depending on your positioning, I guess ;o)

Happy blogging, cyber world.

A Highland Wee-Treat

Tongue tied and restless, what was I suppose to say? 

“You really don’t know, do you?”

I thought I did, but that was at first sight, after he’d stepped on my toes and made such a fuss.

It was just a group of us messing around, friends of friends, and a string of holiday cottages that held us together. Sun, sea and chocolate spread sandwiches under kiss me quick hats. No sign of donkeys under the silver grey skies, just the tell tale derricks off-shore to confirm the not so corny highland hide away.

Tom had arrived alone, but was unexpectedly joined on the second day by a stunning blonde bearing charm, intellect and a passion for cooking. Why did I care? If she wanted to feed the five thousand, then good luck to her! Fortunately, a stomach bug allowed for a tactful retreat in order to contemplate the rush of feelings that staring into a stranger’s eyes had wielded.

“Hello, beautiful. Feeling any better today?”

I thought everyone had gone off exploring, again, but there was Tom, towering above my blanket covered mass on the grass beneath him. My tongue glued itself to the roof of my mouth. What else could I do, but nod!

“Can I get you any lunch?”

I felt like a goldfish as my mouth opened and closed, filling the air with silence.

“You don’t know, do you?”

Yup… I guess I am a complete idiot compared to some!

“I’m not really hungry, but thanks all the same to Kelly for thinking about me!”

“Kelly’s gone; it's me who’s asking.”  

A wry smile slid across Tom’s face. “You really don’t know do you?”

His gaze locked onto mine, just like it did on that very first day. The thought of Kelly dishing out her healthy option cookies was fading fast.

Without further delay, Tom was sitting at my side and thrusting a Twinkle Toes chocolate bar into my hands.

“I forgot I ordered this, after my clumsy attempt to get close to you. When it arrived today, I remembered why.”

How could I possibly resist a moment on the lips?

A Cuddle Up Tail Tale

I haven't been able to link this blog up here, yet, so I'm creating a post to share this lovely tail: 

Do Unto Others

Rocks and Water

Been on ma travels, mainly along the south coast, and even though the beaches can be rocky, occasionally gritty, England has some very fine, and beautiful beaches.

 

Wander to Ponder

Who would wanna go anywhere else, when such beauty is on the doorstep?

Travel is one of those activities I can do by mind or body. When the whim or lack of inspiration strikes, I pack up a bag, and off I go. Writing on the beach has always been a firm favourite, and so was sitting in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, once upon a time.

I guess, when honesty strikes, I just love being outside. Not one for being cooped up, but the nuts and bolts of my writing craft are generally hammered out inside. You see, my faithful laptop doesn’t like the glare of the sun, tried screens and shades to no avail, and a hint of rain or damp has the keyboard threatening to lock itself out, permanently. Me perch in paradise is not just a dream, but a compromise, allowing me to write, and see, the world in front of me.

Inspiration does not flow freely unless it is allowed to roam, and that my friends, is why I wander to ponder, here, there, and anywhere!

I'm Forever Blowing...

With the aid of eco friendly washing up liquid and scissor handles, I been blowing more bubbles and trying to get arty.

Here's a picture of a string of bubbles, as plain as the day they were took, and then again, after a little insoluble editing:

And the best bubble, of all, landed on the floor:

 

I guess that in many ways, this is what I'm all about. Living on the edge; blowing freely with me scribing, and ironing out the wrinkles when I can.