Strange Old Times....

Hallo to you all once again. How are you doing in this unprecedented, global situation that we all find ourselves in?  This time, we really are all in it together!

I'm sure, by now, most of you have been told to STAY AT HOME.  Right now, I feel so thankful that I have a garden to spend time in. It must be awful for those who have no outside space that they can use. I thought I would just share a little photo of Benji, my little Cavapoo, having a good snuffle around outside....

Unfortunately. There are a lot of people who are still not taking this Corona Virus seriously.  That is why so many Countries have had to take the action they have, and we find ourselves in a virtual lockdown situation. 

The Virus does not move - It is people who are moving the Virus. 

It was Mothering Sunday here a couple of days ago. Normally, people would be attending Church and the children would be handed little posies of flowers to give to their mums.  Restaurants would be packed with families, large and small, celebrating this special day. This is my dear mum, who is still thought of each day, even though she passed away some 24 years ago. 

This year, of course, it was completely different, as restaurants were closed and people were urged not to visit their mums, as most of them would be in the vulnerable category of being over 70. My friends and I feel we have aged ten years in the past couple of weeks, as we are so fed up with being labelled 'elderly'!! 🤣.  I had a parcel delivered here a few days ago, and the delivery man asked for my date of birth. It was so funny to see him scrolling down for ages on his little machine until he reached 1947!  We did smile - you have to keep your sense of humour, don't you?!  Talking about sense of humour ....

Thank heavens for modern technology at this particular time!  There are so many ways to keep in touch with family and friends. I particularly like the video chats via WhatsApp, Skype or Facebook Messenger. My daughters told me about Houseparty, and now all the family are on it, including the grandchildren. It really is fun!  You can pop in whenever you want, and we have had the whole family on there together, which is great!  Trouble is, you usually all end up talking at the same time! 

To be honest, I'm having more social interaction some days than before, and I'm thinking ... 'I just want to read my book'!!  It is so important to keep this contact going though , so that you do not feel so isolated from the outside world. 

I hope you are finding things to do during these times.  I'm doing plenty of reading, I'm writing in my Journal, spending time in the garden, I've found a really good jigsaw App, and I've decided to have a go at watercolour painting again. 

We had such a terribly wet Autumn and Winter, but it seems that someone is now looking after us, because ever since we have been told to stay at home, the sun has been shining brightly with clear blue skies. Still a little chilly, but that's not a problem. So!  I am so grateful for that. 

I've just realised that I haven't even touched on  the panic buying in the Supermarkets - for goodness sake!! 🙈🙈.  But let's not go there!! 

So then everyone, please take good care of yourselves and KEEP SAFE.  Sending virtual hugs to you all.

This was me sat in the garden yesterday, reading my book. Notice the blue sky! Bye for now ❤️

 

International Women's Day 2022

Today, on the 8th March, we once again celebrate International Women's Day. It is now the year 2022, and no Country in the world has achieved gender equality. My, but it's a slow process! The theme for 2022 is #BreaktheBias.  The Campaign asks you to cross your arms in solidarity to call out gender bias, discrimination and stereotyping.  Together we can forge women's equality. 

I think it is important to talk about this event each year on my Blog, as we celebrate women everywhere, all over the world, and recognise the progress that has been achieved, and to give thanks for all the courageous women over many, many years, who have fought for women's rights. Rights that promote a position of legal and social equality of women with men. 

 

 Huge strides have been made over the years. Certainly since the 1960's when I was a young woman.  We didn't have a lot of the freedoms or rights that women have these days. Women certainly were not allowed to get credit under their own name. So a mortgage would be out of the question. Women at that time were very much looked on as mothers and homemakers.  Hard to believe, but right up until the late 60's, women were not allowed to wear trousers in the workplace.

 

Of course, if modern mums want to still be stay at home mums and raise their children themselves, there is certainly nothing wrong with that. In fact, in my eyes, that is to be lauded. Many women these days, of course, HAVE to work, purely for financial reasons. 

Personally,  I feel that the #metoo movement has been such a good thing for women, and I applaud women who have had the courage to speak out.  

I suppose my point is, that the younger women now have CHOICE, which was certainly not available before, and that, surely, has to be good for everyone. 

 

 

 

My wish is that my granddaughters will live in a world where they can be anything they want to be.  I also take this opportunity of celebrating all the women that follow my Blog. Remember, you are ALL special and you are ALL important. 

I also honour my two daughters and two granddaughters today.  My eldest granddaughter runs her own Company with her best friend, which tackles sexual harassment  in the workplace. It truly saddens me that, in 2022, this is very much still going on. 

Today I also think of all the poor women in Ukraine, and all that they are suffering at the moment. My prayers go out to each and every one 🙏🏻🇺🇦💙💛🇺🇦

First Day of Spring

Hallo one and all, on this, the first day of Spring,  I always love saying that.... the first day of Spring!  It always fills me with hope, and, like the rest of you just getting through Winter, I'm sure you're thankful for the longer days ahead. 

On my personal Facebook page, along with my Instagram page, I am having a break from social media for the period of Lent, but I felt I had to celebrate the onset of Spring here on my Blog!

Am I missing checking Facebook and Instagram each day. Well, I suppose I am, as there is quite a little Community out there, and the majority of people are very supportive and encouraging. 

However, part of me thinks, are people REALLY interested in what I've been up to or, in the case of Instagram, when I've been out for a delicious meal, and sharing a picture to prove it?!  We live in strange times these days, when everything, it seems, has to be 'out there'.  

 But then, the same could be said of me writing this Blog - are people REALLY interested in whatever I may have to say?  Anyway, as you can see from these photos, the weather here in heavenly Devon has decided to be kind to us on this first day of Spring, albeit in between the showers, but I'll take that.

It's so lovely having daffodils fresh from the garden. They really do bring a splash of sunshine into the home. 

The other big news of the week, of course, is the spread of the Corona Virus, which is quite worrying. My eldest granddaughter, who is studying for her Masters at Madrid University, has already had a trip to Shanghai cancelled, and my eleven year old grandson is due to travel to Normandy in France, with the College, leaving this Friday. I think it will be a case of 'watch this space' on that one. 

Well, I hope you're all keeping well in your little corner of the world. Take care, and I'm sure I will be popping in again fairly soon. 

Happy Valentines Day From Me To You.

I thought I would just pen a little post today and send some love out into the Universe 💖

Lovers of Jane Austen will know that the above quote comes from her novel, Pride and Prejudice. 

Do you believe in Valentines Day?  Do you celebrate it or do you just studiously ignore it?!  Even if you’re on your own, you can still spoil YOURSELF a little on this day of love.  I’m sure many people will say that they don’t need a special day to mark their love, but for those still going through what seems like a very long Winter, surely it’s lovely to have an excuse to celebrate. I thought I would include some famous love quotes..  In this digital age, I’m sure actually sitting down and writing a love letter seems positively prehistoric!  Well, it works for me!

Does anyone enjoy vintage cards as much as I do?  Here are just a few vintage Valentines cards, courtesy of Pinterest 

So wherever you are reading this, I hope you will all have a lovely day.  One thing I think is really good these days,  is that female friends, if they’re not seeing anyone,  get together on this day and maybe go to watch a movie and have a bite to eat, or just simply cook a meal at home.  Love between friends is very important as we go through our lives. Certainly, I am so thankful for the female friends in my life.  As they say, love is love, and amen to that. 

Kindness Matters....

Hallo peeps!  Wishing you a Splendiforous Sunday.  Here in the U.K. today, we are going to be battered by Storm Ciara with torrential rain and winds of up to 80 mph., so stay safe everyone. 

So today I thought we could all concentrate on kindness, and just how a simple act of kindness can make such a difference to another person. A lot of people, it seems these days, just concentrate on nastiness and negativity. (I love Social Media, but sometimes I think it has a lot to answer for 🙈).  

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the quotes I have collected for you today, courtesy of Pinterest.com

So then, a simple little post from me today, but sometimes 'simple' is okay - right?!  

It’s Pretty Dreary Outside, But Am I Downhearted ....

So then, I’m sitting here on the most dreary of January Saturdays, here in heavenly Devon.  We have one of those really dark, dreary days, and it’s cold!  But then, it IS January in England. Anyway, how are you all  in your little corner of the world?  It’s strange to think that some of you will be reading this during your Summer and no doubt you have sunshine and blue skies!  Please send a little our way - we could certainly do with some bright skies to cheer us all up  here in the U.K.....

BUT, instead of feeling a bit ‘down’, I am doing my best to feel positive, and I have a scented candle lit with my favourite music playing in the background. I’m sure most of you know by now that I love uplifting quotations. I saw this one yesterday and it really seemed to speak to me. After all, these words ARE so true. At the end of the day, it’s all up to us, to try to make our own little piece of happiness. Before I hear some of you shouting at your screen, I know that this is much easier said than done, when sometimes life throws obstacles at us, and we wonder how on earth we are going to deal with them..  but I have finally - FINALLY - realised that it is how we all cope with those obstacles that is the important thing. Do we sit there complaining, thinking why on earth has this happened to us, or do we completely turn it around, and say why NOT us, and try to go forward thinking positively.  We have all of us had things happen that we would rather not happen - none of us is unique in that way, but it really is what we do from here on in that affects how we live  the rest of our lives. Anyway, here is the quotation I was telling you about!

I’ve noticed that I’ve gained quite a few new Followers to my Southhamsdarling Page on Facebook. Thank you all very much ❤️.  It is on that page that I post the links to my Blog Posts, so if you fancy having a peek, please do so!  

I am thankful for the wonderful weather we had last Saturday, which lasted right through until Wednesday.  A real pick me up to see the sun in the sky, and cloudless blue skies.  I was fortunate enough to be able to take full advantage of the weather, and set off on one of my favourite coastal walks with daughter number 2.  

 I really feel very blessed living in this little corner of heavenly Devon - what’s not to like?!  Anyway, I think I’ve rambled on for quite long enough. Thank you, as always, for taking the trouble to read this Post, and I’ll see you again soon ❤️