Archive for the ‘Enjoyment’ Category
Posted by Shirley Anne on May 27, 2012
List of mills owned by the Lancashire Cotton Corporation Limited (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
On Thursday I had a couple of jobs to do for an old lady but she had requested that I should arrive no earlier than 11 o’clock. For me that is usually a bit of a pain as I would have to sit around doing nothing for a couple of hours unless I was fortunate to have a small job locally to kill the time. People don’t realise the inconvenience that can cause. I could have been earning instead of sitting around but as it turned out I didn’t have any other work scheduled for the day. I had to return to a job I had done on Wednesday to receive payment as the client had been away from home whilst I was working there. Following that I had to get fuel for my vehicle and then visit my supplier to purchase some materials so that left me with a half hour to kill before I could go to the job. When I arrived I was greeted at the front door and then it started. She talked continuously until she realised that I needed to get on with the jobs. Even then she found it difficult not to speak but I found her little talks quite interesting nevertheless. I managed to do three of the four jobs for her but needed to purchase a replacement bathroom heater. I invited her to come along with me and she could select one of her choice and pay for it at the same time. We returned home and I had the new heater fitted in fifteen minutes. I ended up leaving the house after four and a half hours but the actual work only took me about two! All she wanted was somebody to talk to but I didn’t mind too much. I learned a lot about herself, her family and the history of the local area, a subject I am particularly interested in. Whilst driving to and from the supplier I was given the run down of almost every building along the route, what used to be there, who lived there and what businesses were in operation when she was younger. She was 82 years of age so she was describing what life was like in the area in the 1930′s. She could certainly talk a glass eye to sleep or talk the hind legs off a donkey as the sayings go! She was an accomplished keyboard player and had an electric organ at home, she was also an accomplished artist and many of her pictures were dotted around the walls. She also had an old wooden spinning machine on which she spun yarn for her embroidery, knitting and tat work. What was interesting is that she had spun a lot of yarn using dog hair!
Despite her reluctance to refrain from telling me every detail of her life I found her very engaging but by the time I wanted to go home I needed to go home! I took the rest of the afternoon off and went to the pub. I treated myself to a hearty meal and stayed there for the quiz later in the evening.
Shirley Anne
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
2 bloggers like this post.
Posted in Enjoyment, History, People, Socialising, Work | Tagged: Lifestyle, People, Work | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on May 15, 2012
It was such a lovely day yesterday I went for a walk. I had telephoned my chemist to see if my prescription was ready for collection and it was. I telephone them whenever I need to apply for my prescription to be re-submitted to my doctor’s surgery and they do it for me. They would also deliver my medications to my house but in that case I would need to remain at home. They won’t simply post them through the letterbox as they need to be sure they go to the right person. I get twelve weeks supply each time. The medication I am referring to are my hormone tablets, something I have to take for the rest of my life. So off I went on my walk collecting my prescription on the way. It has been quite some time since I went out simply for a walk, I suppose I have been too busy. The forecast had been blustery winds and some heavy rain showers but I think the rain must have already passed because it was sunny with just a few clouds. The wind was there though! If it is windy I tie my hair back in a pony-tail else it gets all over the place. My workload has dropped off dramatically this past week although I did receive two requests to do a small job, however those ‘small’ jobs, I discovered after talking to the callers, weren’t small in the least so I turned them both down. I have reached that point in my working life whereby I set myself a limit on what I will do and I can choose which work I will take on board. Well after all I am over 66 years of age! I need to do more walking and perhaps less work, especially on nice days such as this. It is such a lovely day.
Shirley Anne
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Posted in General Chat, Activity, Weather, Leisure, Enjoyment | Tagged: Weather, Health, Happiness, Activity, Leisure, Wind, Medical prescription, Pharmacy, Prescription medication | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on May 9, 2012
Saturday with Friends and Family 028 (Photo credit: -DjD-)
My life has had its ups and downs recently I suppose just like everyone else. No matter what happens in life though life itself just continues. I watched my football team lose in the final of the FA Cup on Saturday and I know that will have upset many people although I am sure many others will be pleased with the outcome. Many more people will be indifferent in their attitude just as I am with some other sporting events. Whatever happens outside of my life has no effect on the way I live it. Teams lose and teams win but they can’t do both all of the time and unfortunately some people cannot see that. Neither can they see that teams are constantly changing so that every version is different from previous ones. Not so with life though, we can only play that game with the one and only player, ourselves. Our tactics might change but that may not make any difference to what happens to us. I am spending a lot more time at the pub lately. That in itself is nothing new but I have times when pub life is of no interest to me and I stay away for weeks, sometimes even months! In my youth I was never one for going to the pub. I was 25 years old before I started going on a regular basis which became less frequent when I got married until I finally stopped going at all. When my marriage broke down and I pursued my lifelong ambition to transition I began once more to visit bars and clubs for about three or four years but again stopped going once I’d transitioned. It was in 2004, two years later that I started going to my local pubs but I found I liked only one of them, the one I now usually visit. At first I would go there, as well as other places in my town, about three or four times a week. More recently I only visit my local pub but as I said I may go a couple of times a week, even three times but often don’t bother for weeks. It all depends on whatever else I am doing and with whom. Very few things hold my interest as much as being in the company of others and doing things with them. That wasn’t always so in my life, especially earlier in my life when I was completely the opposite and totally anti-social. Life went on all around me just the same, the only difference was that I wasn’t on the same wagon. A couple of posts ago I was talking about my drinking habits and one of my readers asked jokingly ’How many points is that?’ to which I replied ‘Who’s counting?’. Although I take such things lightly I am aware that I need to balance my intake with the way I want to live my life and not to overindulge. That said, life would go on without me no matter what my decision. The question is, do I want to be part of it or just sit on the sidelines and let it all pass me by? I think I know which I prefer.
Shirley Anne
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
One blogger likes this post.
Posted in Enjoyment, Life, Lifestyle | Tagged: Enjoyment, Lifestyle, Public house, Sport | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on May 6, 2012
The interior of a typical English pub, in this case the Penruddocke Arms, which lies between Dinton and Wilton in Wiltshire. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
On Thursday I hadn’t much to do in the afternoon so I went for a walk and on to the pub for a quiet time. So my surprise the pub was filled with people who were gathered together at a wake. This has been the second time such an event has been celebrated in the pub in the last two weeks. Everyone was dressed in black for the occasion and I was too, although that had been a pure coincidence. I can never understand why people think they must wear black to a funeral. The tradition actually isn’t all that old but people do things, they say, out of respect for the dead. Why do they say that? What difference does it make as to the colour of your clothes? If people were really being honest with themselves they would know that it is more the fear of what others will say if they don’t conform. How stupid is that? Just think about it. The deceased has no say in the matter but most probably would think it better to be alive rather than worry about what people are wearing if they had the chance! I sat alone with my red wine and diet cola and simply had a relaxing couple of hours. As the afternoon wore on into the evening I decided I wanted to return home. Feeling a little hungry I grabbed a snack, called a cab and went back to the pub about an hour later to join in with friends for the weekly quiz night. I am so glad I did, I had a great time. I left rather late but well before closing time. I had a job to do in the morning and needed to get to bed. That job turned into three jobs in three different places throughout the day. That’s the way it goes for me sometimes but I like it! Wandering into the pub when people are holding a wake really brings it home for me. Life is so short and we have to make the most of it whilst we are able.
Shirley Anne
- Following on from the other day (minkyweasel.com)
- The other day (minkyweasel.com)
- Friends & Pubs… (vintagereflection.wordpress.com)
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Posted in Enjoyment, Life | Tagged: Cola, Enjoyment, Public house, Thursday, Wine | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on May 5, 2012
In the early 20th century, rivals Liverpool and Everton produced a joint matchday programme. This example is from April 1910. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
As I said in my previous post I did manage to go to my local pub. The afternoon went like this, I made the 900 or so yards to the pub on foot. It was a pleasantly warm and sunny afternoon and I arrived around 3.45. Only a few people were present and I was immediately greeted by two of those who were sitting near the entrance. Two guys were in the side room to the bar carrying out repairs to the pubs plumbing system but there was no sign of any staff. As I walked to the other end of the bar toward the kitchen so that I could pop my head in and let my presence be known there were two middle-aged guys sitting in the raised area beyond who told me it was serve yourself day. I smiled because it was a phrase I’d used myself when I found others in the same situation. However it wasn’t long before the staff appeared. They had been busy elsewhere. Asked what I wanted I said a bottle of red wine and a diet cola as a side drink. The wine would last me quite a few hours and I would only need to buy the occasional cola after that. I was going to seat myself on one of the lovely sofas they have in that raised area, a place I like to sit in because it is comfortable. The two guys invited me to sit with them at a table nearby instead so being the gregarious girl I am I joined them. Introducing themselves as Keith and Mike they told me that I had met with them the previous week but that event I did not remember. They told me I was drunk at the time! Charming! Even had I been drunk I still would have remembered meeting them if that meeting had lasted any length of time. Occasional contacts are easily forgotten aren’t they? We sat and enjoyed some good conversation and I was asked many things about my electrical and other knowledge and why I’d taken up electrical work as a career. Quizzed about some electrical theory and expecting me to fall at the first fence no doubt I left them in no doubt about my qualifications. They were blinded by science as they say but were very impressed at my knowledge as they sat there jaws agape! I suppose they though being a woman would make me incapable of learning such things. I was able to show the how knowledgeable I was in other subjects too, to their amazement. I felt I was being flattered though eventually but it was fun whilst it lasted. It would be around six o’clock in the evening when I was asked by Mike if I would like to dine out with them at a specific Italian restaurant about 5 miles away in one of the town’s local district. I knew the place very well. I had to decline the offer though as I had already eaten a large lunch at the pub I’d visited earlier in the day. It wasn’t a problem they said as they could get something to eat where we were, which they duly did, but chose sandwiches. That evening there was to be a couple of football matches televised, both local teams, Liverpool and Everton, rival teams in Liverpool. I have always been a Liverpool supporter but that night they were going to watch Everton (the pub manager is an Everton supporter) and we decided to stay and watch the game alongside many of the now filled pub of Everton supporters! The game ended in a draw, a goal apiece. Unfortunately I discovered my own team, Liverpool had lost their game to an unlikely opponent. Typical! The supporters dispersed and we were left alone again. By this time all the wine had been drunk but Keith had bought me a large glass of wine. I told him not to as I didn’t want more wine but rather than be anti-social I accepted. They had been drinking too and then they asked if I would like to go to ‘theirs’ for a nightcap. Where ‘theirs’ was is anybody’s guess, either one of their respective homes or the other but I wouldn’t have gone anyway. I think the reasons are obvious. We parted on good terms though and no doubt I shall see them again before too long. I guess it was around 10 o’clock when I decided to walk home but I wanted to see if I could call in to see Sue, a new friend who has recently injured herself and has a broken arm. After several attempts to visit with her recently without success I though I might catch her before she retired for the night. I rang the doorbell and was greeted by Sue and her partner Jack who welcomed me inside. I had called at an opportunistic moment. I apologised for the lateness of my visit but they didn’t mind at all. Before I could say no there was a glass of red wine in front of me! We talked a little while and then I left for home. Jack was going to order a taxi for me but I insisted that he didn’t, I wanted to walk. I think it was around 11.15 by the time I was home and I went to the kitchen to fix myself something to eat as I hadn’t eaten since about 1 o’clock. I didn’t feel hungry earlier when asked at 6 o’clock but I sure felt hungry now. I was able to sleep in until 10 o’clock and then I received a call to do a small job. That more than paid for the previous day’s excursions.
Shirley Anne
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
One blogger likes this post.
Posted in Enjoyment | Tagged: Cola, Enjoyment, Everton, Liverpool, Public house, Wine | 2 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on April 16, 2012
A picture taken, of Champagne. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I’ve not been enjoying the best of health lately and it’s been mostly due to the common cold. All the usual symptoms, aches and pains, lethargy, dull headaches, sneezing and runny nose as well as cold sores have been my lot this time around. One day I’d be feeling fine and the next day not so good. Added to all of this I have toothache, one of my fillings needs replacing I’m sure but I had a toothache in the same place a few weeks ago and it disappeared. Perhaps it is just an infection. On Thursday afternoon as with the rest of that day, it was warm, sunny and cloudless. I felt like some company so I took a walk to the pub. The place was almost empty so I bought a soft drink, a diet cola to be exact, and I sat on one of the large sofas they have there. I could have sat outside where there were people eating but I don’t much like sitting in direct sunshine and as they were eating and I didn’t know them anyway, I stayed indoors. Lots of people eat there during the day but many of them are simply passing or they are not regular customers there. I sat and waited and as I did I began to see more and more people enter as the afternoon wore on. I did break into conversation with a couple of people eventually and my drink became a bottle of red wine. Once the wine was finished I took the walk back home, it was about seven o’clock. En route I called into a friend’s house to ask if he could fit my roller-shutter door for me as the guy who is supposed to be doing it keeps giving me excuses as to why he hasn’t been able to come. As it turned out my friend who incidentally fitted my gates and railings said he refers people who want garage doors fitted to the same guy who in return directs those who want electric gates and railings to him. A bit of a coincidence! He said he would pursue my case for me and see if it can finally be fitted. This same friend as it turns out is a brilliant guitarist, far better than I am and he demonstrated some of his talents while I was there. I told him that his talent is being wasted and that he should take it up professionally. His wife in the meantime poured me a large glass of red wine. I stayed there a short while and was persuaded to return to the pub with them as it was quiz night. I could hardly refuse but I think it was more for the company than the drink nevertheless I ended up having more wine there which I shouldn’t have done. I met two new people who sat with us and are neighbours to my friends and we got along like a house on fire. When the evening was over I walked with them on my way back home but they pleaded with me to go to their place for a nightcap. I said I would but didn’t wish to stay long. Their house is literally less than one hundred yards (metres) from the pub, a large house with a Rolls-Royce parked in the front gated garden. They obviously weren’t short of a few shillings as they say! As it turns out they plan to get married in August, I could get an invitation, who knows? The house was lavishly decorated inside and I got to see quite a bit of it. I got very friendly with them both but the woman more so. She showed me her collection of dresses and I was admiring one in particular. I was gorgeous, a summer dress with a full skirt in a large floral print. She told me I could have it! No way would I accept such a gift in the circumstances. When back downstairs she showed me a lovely framed photograph of herself hanging on the lounge wall. I like it so much she presented me with a smaller framed photograph exactly the same and insisted I took it. How lovely is that? Even the smaller one is around 8 x 10 inches in size. The three of us sat together and drank a couple of pink Champagne bottles between us. How naughty is that? I was asked if I liked John Bishop (a Liverpool-born comedian) to which I replied that I liked him a lot. Out came the video and we had a good laugh for a half hour or so. At the end of the video John starts dancing with others on the stage whilst the three of us joined him in our lounge! I was asked if I wanted to stop over but of course I declined. A taxi was called to take me home but I would rather have walked the few hundred yards home. There was no way I was going to be allowed to do that so I graciously accepted and said my farewells. I arrived home around 2.20 am, the taxi fare had been paid by my hosts. I wasn’t feeling tired although I should still have gone to bed and I ended up sitting at my computer until six. I couldn’t stay up any longer and grabbed a few hours in bed sleeping soundly until just after ten. My phones were ringing but I didn’t answer them. I was feeling a little uneasy when I got up, a few aches and pains attributed to the cold I knew I had. I had a late breakfast/early lunch of kippers. I just fancied kippers. Mistake number one, I suffered the rest of the day with trapped wind and an acid tummy. I resorted to drinking warm glasses of milk to settle my stomach and eventually things improved. I felt lousy still having aches and pains and a toothache. I just cannot shake it off. Well that’s what I thought. It is now Monday and I am back to my normal self.
Shirley Anne
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Posted in Drink, Enjoyment, People, Socialising | Tagged: Champagne, Cola, Common cold, Friendship, Fun, Health, Herpes labialis, John Bishop, Liverpool, Socialising, Soft drink, Wine | 2 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on March 31, 2012
A thatched pub, the Williams Arms at Wrafton, near Braunton, North Devon, England. Taken by Adrian Pingstone in July 2004 and released to the public domain. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
These last two years I haven’t been out as often as before, to the pub that is. Today, Wednesday I decided to break the habit and I went along to the pub, my local pub, to enjoy a drink or two and hopefully meet some friends and acquaintances there. It was such a pleasant day so after doing a couple of small jobs in the morning, returning home and eating my lunch, I changed my clothes and took a walk in the warm sunshine, ending up at the pub. It wasn’t long before I was engaged in conversation with people there, most of them new to me. Later I met with a couple of friends and chatted with them too. I didn’t wish to stay the whole evening as I’d drunk enough and as they say, enough is enough! I am trying my best to be a good girl by placing a limit on my drinking habits when out and about. Apart from the obvious health issues it is good for my purse too! I do enjoy good company and I will speak with anyone who has the time to respond to my contact with them. I have said it before but reiterate, people seem to like me! When I returned home E was already eating her evening meal (she doesn’t like the idea of pub life as much as I) so I had to prepare something for myself. We had an uncooked chicken in the fridge which needed to be cooked that day so I popped it in the oven and resigned myself to waiting the hour and a quarter for it to cook. I spent the time online catching up on emails and blog visits and by 8.30 I was able to sit down with my chicken and vegetables. I don’t know when I shall visit the pub again but I know that whenever I do I will be assured of a good time with great company. Life is what we make of it and I try my best to make it worth living.
Shirley Anne
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Posted in Drink, Enjoyment, Friendship, Happiness, Lifestyle, People | Tagged: Bar (establishment), Drink, Friendship, People, pub, Public house, Restaurants and Bars | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on January 29, 2012
I had the strangest feeling last Friday evening. I had taken E out to lunch in the afternoon. We had travelled to various venues before arriving at the one we had originally thought of visiting in the first place. We had not been to this restaurant for quite some time, possibly more than twelve months but we had chosen well. We went the full three courses and I had my usual bottle of red wine. Later we indulged in a liqueur coffee before finally returning home. Well I actually was dropped off at the pub and I stayed there until well after midnight chatting with friends. E would have collected me had I phoned her but I decided to walk home instead. It was a dry and pleasant night if a little cold so the walk itself was nice but doing it in high heels was not to be recommended. I managed though and was home around one o’clock. I didn’t retire to bed until after two but spent some time online first. It didn’t take me long to board that train to Slumbertown but I was up again two hours later to pay the little girl’s room a visit. Half awake and half asleep I sat there a while and it was then that I was overcome with a very strong feeling, one I had never before experienced. Essentially it was a feeling of meaninglessness if there is such a word, a feeling that somehow my life was totally meaningless inasmuch as no matter what I do to be happy and to enjoy life in the end it is all quite meaningless and pointless. My thoughts turned to Scripture and specifically the Book of Ecclesiastes which describes what I was feeling about my life. I have mentioned this book before and I still recommend it as I do all of Scripture for what it contains. I have learnt to be happy and content with life, learnt to rest in the love of God and it is only because of that love that I find life bearable. We all want to be happy and content but do we really understand what that means? There are many pleasures to be had in life but they never completely satisfy the soul and we return to them repeatedly in the hope that we will have a good time and be happy. When the self-indulgent pleasure has passed we look forward to other things or a repeat of the same which tells me that life’s pleasures are but short-lived and have to be revisited over and over. In the end we tire of them. This is the feeling that I was experiencing. I realised that there is only one thing that lasts forever and it isn’t what my flesh and bones experience but it is what my spirit experiences, the love of God. Whilst I am in the flesh all I can do is to work, rest and play. I am on a merry-go-round that never stops and never really satisfies. I am constantly seeking new avenues for pleasure but it is all truly meaningless. We are but a breath, a whisper and our passing is hardly noticed in the vastness of the Universe. We live but for a short time and we are gone. All we can do is try to enjoy it the best we can. It’s what comes after that is more important.
Shirley Anne
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
One blogger likes this post.
Posted in Enjoyment, God, Happiness, Life | Tagged: Book of Ecclesiastes, Ecclesiastes, God, Happiness, Life, Religion and Spirituality, Solomon | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on January 8, 2012
Image via Wikipedia
I had the day to myself on Friday as I was released from my jury service until Monday. Not wanting to let the opportunity pass by to enjoy myself for the day I invited E out for an extended lunch, well they are always extended when I dine out. I love the experience of wining and dining out and generally socialising and it is nice to do that with friends and family but it is nicest when in the company with someone very special. In my case that would be my ex partner E whom I love dearly. I take the opportunity to dine out with her as often as I can so that not only do I get to enjoy myself but that she can enjoy life more than she usually does. As is the case I often ask her if she is happy so that I can help her to be happy as much as I can. She is hard to reach sometimes but I persevere for I don’t want her to feel unhappy if I can do something to change that. I wonder sometimes what makes her tick, what it is she wants out of life because I feel she is missing out on things when she should be getting the most out of life. I know she enjoys her outings with me but she is often reluctant to show that. So it was that we both went to one of our favourite haunts in the next town on Friday and had a carvery lunch with dessert and drinks. I polished off a full bottle of red wine and later had a liqueur coffee with a cream topping, similar to the picture on the right. We both had soft drinks too, she was drinking Pepsi-Cola and I was drinking the diet version in-between my sips of wine. I like the taste of the cola following the wine and sometimes I mix the two in the same glass when I am tired of drinking the wine neat, which isn’t often (LOL). We arrived at the restaurant/pub at around 1.30 and we left just before 5.00 stopping off at the supermarket for some rum, whisky and cream. I wanted to enjoy another glass or two of a liqueur coffee! I am off to work on Saturday morning which will be yesterday by the time you read this so I will not be able to have a drink, if I want one, until late in the day. I probably won’t indulge as I value having a healthy liver which needs a break now and then! I might have a drink today, Sunday but then nothing until the end of the week when I have finished my jury service. Mind you, I may get on a case that lasts longer than this coming week but in any event I will enjoy a drink or two at the weekend. I might even surprise the staff at my local pub by paying them the first visit for over six weeks. I love life and I love people who are prepared to enjoy it with me. Life is too short not to enjoy it.
Shirley Anne
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
4 bloggers like this post.
Posted in Drink, Enjoyment, Food, Happiness, Leisure, Life, Lifestyle, Philosophy, Values, Wisdom | Tagged: Alcoholic beverage, Drink, Food, Friday, Leisure, Life, Lifestyle, Monday, Pepsi, Philosophy, Saturday, Soft drink, Wine | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on December 24, 2011
Image via Wikipedia
Christmas eve and all is well. Nothing to do, nowhere to go, no-one to see. Quietly indulging in my red wine flicking between the television channels to see if there is anything worth watching, something that hasn’t anything at all to do with Christmas, very difficult at this time of year. I tire of the pressure that is imposed on us all, if we allow it of course. Monday morning and it will all be finished with, forgotten and stored away until next year. Folk will already be looking forward to their New Year celebrations and many will stay ‘in the party spirit’ for the whole intervening week between the two celebrations. Each to their own of course but it isn’t for me. It has been at least three weeks since I visited my pub and it will be another three weeks at least before I make another visit there. Hopefully all will have returned to normality by then. I am not really a party animal but I do like mixing with people and socialising over drinks and perhaps the dinner table. I lead pretty much a quiet life and enjoy the simpler things. As I write this (on Thursday….well I said I wanted a break from blogging) there has been no news regarding the arrival of my first grandchild but I will post something when it happens. I won’t be wishing everyone a happy/merry Christmas/New Year but I do wish everyone to be happy in their lives, to love one another and do unto others as you would have them do unto you. May God bless you all.
Shirley Anne
PS….I got a phone call which got me out of bed in order to reconnect an electrical supply for someone 12 miles away. Somehow I knew that was going to happen, a premonition, a vision if you like but I knew it was going to happen. The strange thing is I get these visions quite often lately. The supply was re-instated and all is well.
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
One blogger likes this post.
Posted in Enjoyment, Happiness, Life, Lifestyle, Love, People | Tagged: Christmas, Christmas Eve, Holidays, New Year, New Years Eve | 3 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on December 18, 2011
Image via Wikipedia
When my friend Jane and I went out for the afternoon last Friday, that is a week ago, everything seemed to go wrong. Our first choice of venue told us that they could not provide us with food as the gas supply to their ovens had failed. We were not charged for the drinks we had ordered and received. It appeared that they had been having difficulties all morning but had somehow managed to provide a service until the moment we arrived when all went pear-shaped as they say. After trying a couple of other places we finally found somewhere to eat. It wasn’t the best of places but we were so hungry it didn’t matter. I decided to invite Jane out again this Friday by way of compensation and to go somewhere completely different. As it turned out we had chosen well and subsequently enjoyed a very nice afternoon. It was so nice that the afternoon turned into an evening out too but eventually we had to leave so that Jane could return home, however we went via the supermarket so that I could re-stock on some red wine and we got back to my house sometime after ten-thirty in the evening. Jane is always welcome to stop over but this time she wanted to go home as she had her archery meeting on Saturday morning and her equipment was at her house. She stayed for a time and departed a little after eleven. I shall not see her now until the new year as she plans to stay with another friend over the holiday. It is lovely to enjoy the company of friends and it is something I cherish very much in my life. I wish that I could see my friends more often but it isn’t always possible for many reasons. This time was so different from the last time we met and much more enjoyable. I look forward to our next afternoon/evening outing! Thank you Jane.
Shirley Anne
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Posted in Enjoyment, Friendship | Tagged: Enjoyment, Friday, Friendship, Holidays | 2 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on December 10, 2011
Image via Wikipedia
I wrote this letter (email) on Friday after a rather funny time I’d had with a friend on an afternoon out together. I thought it would be fun to post it here……
Hi Lucy. I hope you don’t mind me writing to you but I wanted to tell you something. Today I arranged to dine out with a friend, someone I’ve known since 1999. I went to collect her at her home so that she could enjoy a drink whilst I stayed with soft drinks as I was driving. She lives some 17 or 18 miles away from me. I asked where she would like to go and in the end we decided to go to a place about thirty miles away, somewhere we’ve been to quite frequently either alone or with my ex or my family. It is a lovely restaurant/pub and very popular. My friend ordered a bottle of red wine and I a cola and we sat there mulling over the menu. After a short while the waitress came over and explained that we couldn’t order a meal as their gas supply had just failed. We had to find somewhere else. We were not charged for the drinks. So off we went to find another place, which we did but there was no service, no bar staff and one waitress serving a host of Christmas partying people. We decided to leave and try somewhere else, all the time returning whence we came. We found another place and although not really an inviting place as far as atmosphere/decor go we were able to order a half-way decent meal, I suppose anything would have been alright as we were so hungry by this time. My friend was slowly getting tipsy on her red wine and we enjoyed each others company, laughing and joking about things and for part of the time talking about her transition experiences. She talked about hormones and the fact that she had not been taking the right amount. She was taking a third of what she should have been prescribed. I think she was concerned that they weren’t having the desired effect to which I replied give them time and you will see the difference. I told her about your recent post where you mentioned the same thing regarding changes or the apparent lack of them. I suggested she look at your blog via the link on mine to see your pictures. Then I mentioned your name. Well now, get this……..she knows you already! She told me about Lucy, Amanda and is it Alison? (It was Alice). Yes you know her too….Jane from Liverpool. A small world eh? I thought you might be interested in that.
Funny things happen around Shirley Anne……………LOL
(Lucy’s blog link can be found in my blogroll over on the right. Have a look at an interesting post she wrote in response today on her site)
Shirley Anne
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Posted in Enjoyment, Friendship, Fun | Tagged: Alcoholic beverage, Christmas, Health, Liverpool, Soft drink, Wine | 2 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on November 11, 2011
Image via Wikipedia
Strangely enough music isn’t a subject I write much about even though I love music and even write songs myself. I am no professional of course but I write and play music (on guitar) as a hobby more than anything else. I find music to be very entertaining and relaxing but it can also stimulate, depending on the type of music and the situation in which it is listened to. Rousing music in a theatrical setting isn’t quite the same as rousing music on the dance floor! Music can be soothing, inspiring, relaxing and calming amongst other things and each of us enjoy our own genre. Music is used to set the mood and is used specifically for that reason in the production of movies and advertising. I like most music but it has to be music and not just noise. My tastes range from classical to jazz, blues to rock, heavy metal to folk, brass bands to rock bands, orchestras to ensembles and quartets, in fact almost any type but it all depends on my frame of mind, how I am feeling at the time. Music has the ability to change moods though and is often used for that purpose. Whatever tastes you have in music they should never be limited I don’t think. I am always open to listening to new things and fresh approaches. I need music in my life. I went through a phase when I would refuse to listen to any music for fear of it reminding me of a lost love. Music does that, it touches the innermost part of my being and it is one of the reasons I suppose that I like it. Many people like to listen to music whilst at work but this is something I actually detest because for me it is distracting and I cannot concentrate properly. Such is the power that music can have, over me anyway! Whatever your tastes in music, enjoy it. Music is one of the good things that this life has to offer and there is little to compare to the effect it can have upon us.
Shirley Anne
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Posted in Enjoyment, Music | Tagged: Arts, Heavy metal music, Music, Musical ensemble, Rock music, Sheet music | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on October 16, 2011
Image via Wikipedia
I have just read one of my daily ‘words’ from Scripture the essence of which tell me that even though I may strive to be perfect in every way I know that I shall never attain perfection for as long as I live. The reading points out that I should be telling myself daily that I know I am not perfect but that I am better than I was before. A good philosophy to be sure. There are areas in my life though where I struggle to get better for I will forget the promises I make to myself and over-indulge. On Friday I spent the afternoon, late afternoon that is, at the pub. I sat there for a couple of hours watching people come and go whilst I was reading a newspaper and having a drink. Eventually the pub filled to capacity but I remained seated and alone by choice. Later I began to mingle and before long found myself in the company of friends. Drifting along with the conversations, meeting new people and generally having a good time robbed me of my sensibility and I ended up shall we say, slightly inebriated! Horror of horrors I hear you say but it is all so easy to forget one’s promises not to get drunk when one has had too much to drink and therein lies the danger. Switching to soft drinks is the better solution and one that I should endeavour to embrace more often. Let’s hope I eventually learn my lesson and be a little more responsible in future. I arrived home in the early hours after the fifteen minute walk from the pub and was so hungry I rustled up a meal. Still not tired after my escapade I took to surfing the Web and posted comments on other folks blogs. I was beginning to doze off when I made my way upstairs at five in the morning! I remember looking at the clock at five-thirty and then fell asleep, in the correct attire for the occasion I might add and not in my normal clothes! I awoke at ten fully refreshed and most definitely not with a hang-over. I drink far too much water after drinking alcohol to end up with a splitting morning-after headache. Dehydration or lack of it is something I have under complete control. It only remains for me to keep myself under control when out enjoying myself.
Shirley Anne
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Posted in Behaviour, Drink, Enjoyment, Friendship, Happiness, Leisure, Lifestyle, Philosophy, Temptation | Tagged: Alcohol, Behaviour, Drink, Friday, Friendship, Leisure, Philosophy | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on September 19, 2011
Image via Wikipedia
I realised something yesterday about a previous post I’d written regarding not being bothered and how it seemed to picture me as a lost soul who was tired of living. That couldn’t be further from the truth as I love life and really do enjoy it. I realised too that every day I find myself laughing at something, in fact I cannot remember a day when I didn’t laugh even just a little. The only time that would not be true is when I am ill but that isn’t often. I see the funny side of things in life and find myself laughing at myself sometimes. The slightest thing can set me off laughing sometimes but I do have a serious side too. I think that if we cannot find humour in our lives we are indeed sad people. Many things in my life frustrate me but I never let them get the better of me and I never worry about anything, what’s the point? Worrying doesn’t change a thing. Life’s a long song, a gas, as the songwriters say and that is only true if you have the right attitude to it. I am not saying that I never feel down because I do at times but I make every effort to snap out of it. I find myself trying to justify my actions or desires and there is sometimes a tug-of-war going on in my brain as to whether I should or should not do something. It is at times like these that I find myself laughing at myself and then saying ‘Oh just get on with it’! One of the main priorities in life is to be happy and laughing is one of the ways we can show it. Life is a bit of a laugh at times isn’t it? Well for some people this doesn’t seem to be the case. I know of a couple of people who never seem to smile. It’s as if they have the problems of the world on their shoulders and some people I know just don’t know how to let their hair down and have a good laugh. Such a shame really. For myself I will continue to laugh and keep a smile on my face.
Shirley Anne
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
2 bloggers like this post.
Posted in Celebration, Enjoyment, Fun, Happiness, Philosophy | Tagged: Fun, Humor, Laughter, Philosophy | Leave a Comment »
