You have three magic genie wishes, what are you asking for? Embracing Life’s True Essentials Imagine being granted three wishes. What would you ask for? A dream job, endless wealth, fame? What if true happiness lies in something simpler? Let’s explore three essential wishes: a content life, good health, and kindness toward others. These may […]
3 Simple Wishes for a Fulfilled Life: Contentment, Health, and Kindness
Metageitnion
What’s your favorite month of the year? Why?
“Metageitnion” is the ancient Greek for July and September,so I get two months instead of one.
July represents summer to me and September is the beginning of fall,when days begin to get shorter and growth begins to slow down and the temperatures start to drop.
Both months complement each other.September is a good time to start looking back at the long days and warmth of summer,perhaps even the dryness of summer,where the hard labour of watering plants was necessary.Eight watering cans full on my allotment from our communal water pump.
September doesn’t seem so bad,it’s time to prepare for the next growing season’s and finish harvesting that of last of last year’s.
In September the schools have gone back ,so it’s time to have our annual vacation.Usually we are very lucky and the weather suits us perfectly.Even the sea water is warm due to the Gulf stream.
Still , I love the heat of July and enjoy it sitting in my garden,sipping iced cranberry juice and sparkling water.
It’s a shame that the Ancient Greek word representing July and September “Metageitnion” sounds like the trigger to a nuclear disaster.Still what’s in a word,it’s all Greek to me.
Filed under Short Stories
City Life
There’s a bar called City Life I like to go to. Maybe I go once a month or so, usually on film night. They have a small cinema in the back, seats about thirty people and usually it gets about two thirds full.
We have drinks and snacks before the film and there’s usually a break halfway through for more snacks and drinks. I don’t bother eating in the evening as the snacks are really good, onion bhajis and battered prawns with all sorts of exotic dips.
The films are a good mix , but always something worth watching, and after the film , we usually sit around chatting and discussing whatever has happened since we last got together. The closing time is very flexible , usually someone says.
” I’ll have to go , got to get up early tomorrow”
That starts the gentle trickle out the door. There’s never any trouble with people overstaying their welcome.
It’s a nice atmosphere and really clean and friendly.
Long may it continue.
Filed under Short Stories
Jack , Sara and Seann(A Christmas Story)
It was Christmas Eve and Jack, Seann, Dolly and Mildred had made their way through the desolation of Bedfordshire.
They fought their way through the snowy slush and the mountains of rubbish to reach the safety of Sara’s house where they planned a surprise visit with gifts and some out of date mince pies from Aldi’s. (Jack not liking to waste anything)
Luckily enough Sara was at home ,her husband had taken the children out for tea, so Sara could get on with the preparations for Christmas Day.
“Hello Jack, Seann” She said somewhat frostily. ” Come on in.What a nice surprise.” Though Sara wasn’t best pleased as she had a lot to do.
Then Sara , saw Mildred and Dolly and brightened up. “Hello , you two, oh Juniper will be so glad to see you”.
And so it was, Sara,despite having a million things to do, made some tea and the three friends sat down in the living room and ate their mince pies and chatted.
The dogs were excited to see each other, they ran around and around outside making a lot of noise and having fun.
Juniper tried to show them the hedgehog in the garden,but the hedgehog was hibernating and was well hidden and fast asleep.
It was only after Seann, Sarah and Jack had been talking for some time about their plans for next year and Jack had eaten the last mince pie. That Seann said.
“It’s very quiet , listen.”Sean said.
“How can you listen to quiet?” Jack said sardonically but grinned at the same time.
“No,we better check what the dogs are up to!”Sean said excitedly.
“I know where they’ll be!” Sara said.
So they all went into the utility room where Juniper had her comfy space and sure enough the three dogs were in there. On Juniper’s bed.
They were reading a book together and they were so caught up in the story that they didn’t notice they were being watched,even when Sean loudly said
“Oh how cute!”
Sarah said to him “Shh…let’s, leave them be.”
Sara,Jack and Seann went back to the living room and opened their presents to each other and eventually it was time to say their goodbyes.
Dolly got in her rucksack and fell asleep immediately ,Mildred as usual was just happy to be walking with Seann.
After Jack, Seann, Dolly and Mildred had left and Sara was tidying up.she checked in on Juniper who was fast asleep in her favourite bed.Juniper was dreaming and her little paws were going like the clappers. The book had fallen onto the floor and Sara picked it up and read the title.
“The Planet of the Wolves”
Filed under Short Stories
Home is Where The Heart Is.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
People who endlessly want to travel bore me silly.What are they looking for?
So,if you’ve been everywhere,where would you choose to live?Surely that would be an impossible choice Sea over mountain;City over plateau, Forest over lake.
Do you hate your home?Does it not enlighten your spirit, where do you feel most comfortable?
For me,it’s at home ,surrounded by familiar things and with plenty of opportunities to be creative.There my heart beats pleasurably and I am at Peace with myself.
To live in a Home,where I am safe and is a haven for myself and others close to me is my attainable desire.
Filed under Short Stories
An Acorn
What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever found (and kept)?
I found this on one of my dog walks two years ago. It’s on my table beside my computer. I think it’s cool and maybe a lot of people wouldn’t see it as anything special ,but to me it’s a miracle of nature and always makes me feel good.It’s nice to hold and look at it’s slightly deranged symmetry.
Namaste
Filed under Short Stories
Routine is routine
What part of your routine do you always try to skip if you can?
If some task becomes routine then it must be necessary,like brushing your teeth.So why would you skip it?
If something has become routine but not necessary such as putting cologne on your wrist before going out,then to skip this action it is not really important.
Routine in itself is not a bad or boring thing.Some things are best kept routine and become good habits.
Others might be comfort blankets in what sometimes can be a very confusing World. If we see that happening in others,accept it,it does not harm,and if it makes them feel better than so what. If brewing fresh tea in a special mug every morning is your routine.
Savour it!
Filed under Short Stories
I’m terrible at Faces and Names
Who is the most famous or infamous person you have ever met?
Has the World got too busy?
I very often can’t put a name to a face,so if you are famous or indeed infamous and I ignore you,or worst of all get your name wrong.Please forgive me.
Filed under Short Stories
So What Are We Looking For In Our Entertainment Now?
I don’t know why,but I found myself browsing through two apps (Channel 4 and BBC I Player) to find something to watch that I would find interesting. There was a lot of choice, drama,comedy,films and documentaries (real life and crime) and long running series like Bake-Off and Strictly Come Dancing.
Actually,maybe I was just too tired,but everything seemed to have an agenda.A need to prove something,perhaps telling a story was not enough.
As I say,it was probably just my frame of mind and I didn’t really feel like watching anything.
I’m going to have a cold drink and as it is dark outside,maybe just grab my kindle and read a little bit of Jack London or Mark Twain.If I try listening to my Audible Books I will fall asleep.
Funny how sometimes the written word of wise writers is just what you need ,sometimes.
Namaste
Filed under Short Stories
Futbol!
I am learning Castilian Spanish for fun, and with the app I use they have a facility through messenger for me to have an AI conversation. This one “What League do I follow” , made me laugh out loud , so I copied it and hand wrote(shockingly low tech) it out and reproduce it here.
Firstly being about Futbol and what Team I follow ( I don’t), but a subject most of the male population are passionate about , it’s probably the number one male bonding topic of conversation in both work and play, not to mention the endless games of Fantasy Football League that amuse and frustrate our football fan’s competitive natures.
Forgive my Spanish mistakes and I translate as best I can. Imagine I’m sitting alone in a Spanish Bar nursing my white wine and nibbling at my tapas and one of the old soaks for want of anything better to do, starts up a conversation with me and I in return make a desperate attempt at conversation with limited vocabulary and wayward grammar.
Qué liga sigues? ( What league/team do you follow?)
(Proudly lying) Mi equipo es Barcelona ( My team is Barcelona)
Crees que el Barcelona ganará la liga esta temporada? ( Do think Barcelona will win the league this season?)
No en mi vida, ellos son demasiado perezosos! ( Not on my life , they are too lazy)
Entonces quién crees que ganará. ( Then who do you think will win?)
Probalamente Madrid,quieres liga sigues? ( Probably Madrid, what league do you follow?)
Sigo la Premier League, principalmente soy fan del Manchester City. ( I follow the English Premier League, I am mainly a fan of Manchester City)
A si ellos están despedidos su jefe equipo elloos no ganan, muchos juegos.( Oh yes they are firing their team manager, they are not winning games)
De verdad crees que tiene mas posiblidades que el City? ( Truthfully you believe they have better odds than City)
Sí porque ellos tienen menos enfermos porque el clima es mejor en Madrid. (Yes because they have fewer sick players because the weather is better in Madrid)
Pero el City tiene una plantilla más fuerte y mejor fórma,crees? ( But City has a stronger squad and better from don’t you think?)
Sí, pero todos tienen la gripe y ellos beben mucho y bailan a las fiestas. ( Yes but everyone has flu and they drink a lot and dance at parties.)
Pero no crees que se recuperaron pronto?( But don’t you think they will bounce back soon?)
Possibalamente pero ellos tienen tanto mas dinero , no necesitan jugar al futbol. ( Possibly but they have so much money, they don’t need to play football)
No ellos siempre darán motivitado a los juegos menores. ( No they always motivate themselves for the minor games)
Que pasa con su defensa, entonces. No crees que podria ser un problema? ( What about their defence though? Don’t you think it could be an issue?)
No ellos están chicos grandes, muchos fuertes. ( No they are big boys, very strong)
Pero qué pasa si se encuentran a un equipo de ataque fuerte?( But what if they face a strong attacking team?)
Ellos serán invincibles. ( They will be invincible)
Pero realmente pueden mantenerlo todo la temporada?( But can they really keep it up all season?)
( I take a big gulp of wine and smile.)
The End ( I hope you enjoyed)
Filed under Short Stories
thenotsomightyom 