Rhyme and No Reason!

Blogger, author and rhymester who likes to find the humour in life.

#JusJoJan 2018. January 26th Address — January 26, 2018

#JusJoJan 2018. January 26th Address

I hope that you are enjoying my posts from Linda’s Just Jot it January as much as I am enjoying writing them.

Here is today’s prompt word.

Your prompt for January 26th, 2018, brought to you by my fellow old-commercial enthusiast, John Holton, is “Address.” Use it any way you’d like in your post. And make sure you visit John at his blog, “The Sound of One Hand Typing,” to read his post and say hi! Here’s his link:  https://thesoundofonehandtyping.wordpress.com/

Do you have a certain way that you prefer to be addressed or ones that you certainly do not want anyone to address you by? I know that for some people, it is very important.

One of the things that we are taught as future nurses is to make sure that we address people by their chosen preference. For some, (in many cases older people), it is Mr,  Mrs, Ms or Miss and their surname. My mother is one of these people mainly if someone does not know her. I think it shows a certain amount of respect, and I know when I was young, all adults were typically addressed this way unless they were very familiar to us and then it was prefaced by ‘uncle’ or ‘aunty’ and their Christian name. Nowadays it seems a little too formal for some, and just first names are used.

Actually, for some, it is their middle name that they use, not their first. My father’ name was Alfred John, but when he was in hospital if anyone called him ‘Alfred’ he wouldn’t have a clue who they were talking to. Others like myself, prefer a shortened version of their name.

I am fine with this, although for me, hearing my daughter’s friends call me ‘Judy’ seems a little too casual, yet ‘Mrs Martin’ too starchy! Despite some of my nieces and nephews being in their 20s and 30s, I will still always put ‘Aunty Judy’ on their cards, and my daughter refers to my siblings as ‘Aunty’ and ‘Uncle’ as well.

One thing we are not supposed to do is to call people’ love’, ‘darling’, ‘pet’, ‘sweetheart’ or any other ‘affectionate’ terms as they may find this condescending or inappropriate. This is not difficult for me, as I never use those terms with anyone other than very close family. It’s not that I am uncaring, I just feel very self-conscious about it. It does not bother me if people address me as ‘duck’ or ‘dear’ as I know, it is just their way, particularly if they are older, and sometimes it is used to make you feel more at ease.

Calling people by their rank can be a bit of a gamble if you are not sure how it works, or you might upset someone. In hospitals, some consultants are ‘Dr’ and some ‘Mr’, and you don’t want to be getting that wrong! I am not that au fait with religion enough as to whether to call someone ‘Father’, ‘Reverend’, ‘Padre’ or something else.

Are you particular about the way you like to be addressed?

#JusJoJan 2018. January 25th Predictions — January 25, 2018

#JusJoJan 2018. January 25th Predictions

I hope that you are enjoying my posts from Linda’s Just Jot it January as much as I am enjoying writing them.

Here is today’s prompt word.

Your prompt for January 25th, 2018, brought to you by my dear friend Dar, is “Prediction.” Use it any way you’d like in your post. And make sure you visit Dar at her blog, “Darswords” to read her post and say hi! Here’s her link: https://darsword.wordpress.com/

Throughout history, there have been several people who have made predictions as to what may happen in the future. I have heard of several of these and, for some reason (maybe my glass half empty kind of approach), I always seem to remember the disasters and general doom and gloom that the predictions foretold.

Nostradamus was particularly prolific in his prophecy telling. Despite writing them in such a way that they were difficult to interpret, he is believed to have predicted the Great Fire of London as well as the attack on the World Trade Centre. Given that Nostradamus died in 1566, it is astounding to think that he was ‘seeing visions’ of aeroplanes that would not be invented for centuries!

Similarly, a fictional story called’ ‘Futility, Or The Wreck of the Titan’ was almost a carbon copy of what actually happened to the ‘Titanic,’ fourteen years later. I do find that pretty creepy!

The year 1999 was a popular one, mainly because there were many predictions that this was the year the world was going to end. It didn’t of course!  Luckily, not even the Y2K virus that was terrifying everyone, promising total global chaos to everything computerised, managed to cause a commotion at the end of the year. In fact, it turned out to be a bit of a damp squib which did not extinguish the fabulous fireworks that rang in the new millennium!

Two very different outcomes of predictions that have been made. Do you take notice of predictions, or do you think they are they a load of nonsense, or handy coincidences?

#JusJoJan and #1LinerWeds 2018. January 24th Sick — January 24, 2018

#JusJoJan and #1LinerWeds 2018. January 24th Sick

Today we have the combination of Linda’s Just Jot it January and One-Liner Wednesday. I am going to keep it pretty short and sweet.

When I got up, Mr Grump was just about ready to leave for work. He looked a bit peaky and was pretty quiet. I asked him if he was ok; he looked at me balefully and said,

“I’ve got it now!”

Enough said. That makes all three of us now as Miss Hap came down with this horrendous cold a few days ago, and it is still lingering around in me. It’s going to be a bundle of laughs in our sick house this week!

 

jjj-2018-participant

#JusJoJan 2018. January 23rd Colour — January 23, 2018

#JusJoJan 2018. January 23rd Colour

I hope that you are enjoying my posts from Linda’s Just Jot it January as much as I am enjoying writing them.

Here is today’s prompt word.

Your prompt for January 23rd, 2018, brought to you by the kind, considerate, and eloquently snarky Supernatural Snark, is “Colour.” Use it any way you’d like in your post. And make sure you visit Super at her blog, “Supernatural Snark” to read her post and say hi! Here’s her link:  https://supernaturalsnark.wordpress.com/

Thinking about colour for our prompt word today, I realised just how much of an impact it has on our lives. It even gives clues as to the state of our health in some cases; if our skin colour suddenly appears yellow, pale, flushed or blue, it can indicate that something is wrong.

On a lighter note, colour can influence our mood, yellow always makes me feel cheery, and we recently decorated our front room changing the colour from orange (this is supposed to be an energetic colour although I found it to be cosy) to yellow, and duck egg blue (calming and serene). Red can be associated with rage and aggression although I think a ‘red light’ may have different connotations! Apparently purple is supposed to be romantic, but I find it somewhat cloying and uncomfortable if too dark.

On the subject of moods, or rather emotions, again we often associate these with colour too, for example, ‘green with envy’, ‘feeling blue,’ ‘red with anger’ or in a ‘white-hot rage.’  Similarly colour can describe a physical feeling, which as illustrated here by these emojis need no explanation!

🤢😡😰

Colour even influences our food choices. If a bit of raw meat looks a bit brown or worse, green, then we might decide not to eat it! However, when a brightly coloured salad is presented, it looks so appetising when all of the different colours are fresh and vibrant.

Seeing a blue sky with a shining yellow sun can really lift my mood, as can a bunch of brightly coloured flowers, either in a vase or growing wild. Natures beautiful colours are around us all the time to enjoy.

What’s your favourite colour?

#JusJoJan 2018. January 22nd Liberty — January 22, 2018

#JusJoJan 2018. January 22nd Liberty

I hope that you are enjoying my posts from Linda’s Just Jot it January as much as I am enjoying writing them.

Here is today’s prompt word.

Your prompt for January 22nd, 2018, brought to you by the friendly and nautically inclined Capt Jill, is “Liberty.” Use it any way you’d like in your post. And make sure you visit Jill at her blog, “Capt Jills Journeys” to read her post and say hi! Here’s her link:  https://captjillsjourneys.wordpress.com/

I know that, for many of you, the first thing you will think of when seeing the word liberty will probably be freedom, in one form or another. The first thing I thought of was the comedienne Catherine Tate’s ‘Nan’ character.

For those of you that don’t know her, you are missing out. She is an old lady living on her own that often gets visited by her grandson. She has got a lot to say about everybody but it is always behind their back and normally peppered liberally with swear words. Her particular favourite is …”f**king liberty!” She is anti-everything and everybody and has never heard of being politically correct.

I have included a clip for your enjoyment, but some may find it offensive!!

#JusJoJan 2018. January 21st Silence — January 21, 2018

#JusJoJan 2018. January 21st Silence

I hope that you are enjoying my posts from Linda’s Just Jot it January as much as I am enjoying writing them.

Here is today’s prompt word.

Your prompt for January 21st, 2018, brought to you by the wonderful and talented Willow, is “Silence.” Use it any way you’d like in your post. And make sure you visit Willow at her blog, “Willowdot21” to read her post and say hi! Here’s her link:  https://willowdot21.wordpress.com/

I like a bit of silence at times, mainly when I am reading. In fact, if there is a lot of background noise then I can’t really concentrate, and I have to go back to it later when it is quieter. It is a similar story when I am trying to write. I can ‘tune out’ a little bit, but I much prefer a bit of peace and quiet, which is often why I enjoy the early mornings before anyone else gets up.

I often find that if I am in a room with lots of people and there are all sorts of noises going on, then I find it difficult to have a conversation as I can’t hear properly. All of the sounds seem to mingle into one, and I have to keep asking people to repeat themselves which is not great. Either that or I try and interject a few “yesses”  and nodding hoping they are in the right places! I am sure some people must think I am a bit odd or even worse, rude, but it is not intentional.

Having said all that, I hate awkward silences just as much if not more. Quite a few years ago now, I embarked on a bit of online dating, where I met several ‘interesting’ characters to say the least. One of these was a lovely guy who I met up with at an Indian restaurant around 6 pm. He had driven quite a way to meet up and appeared very pleasant when we introduced ourselves.

The restaurant was empty, just us two and a few members of staff who of course, outnumbered us. I know the restaurant wasn’t in the town centre, but I thought it would be busier than it was. I did attempt to make conversation as much as possible as he lapsed into silence, but it was embarrassing as the staff were hovering nearby waiting to cater to our every need. It was apparent we were on a date, I am sure and when the food came, we fell on it gratefully. It was one of the most awkward dates that I ever went on. We were both shy and would try blurting out something random to make conversation, (usually at the same time), then another deafening silence would ensue until one of us plucked up some courage to think of something else to say.

All of this to the amusement, no doubt of the waiting staff. It was odd really as once I get going, I am generally ok, but my mind just went completely blank.  Eating in total silence with just the scraping of cutlery against china and a bit of background music, was almost as bad, but at least neither of us made any horrible squelchy eating noises!

I don’t know what’s worse!

#Sillysaturday Shelma’s New Man — January 20, 2018

#Sillysaturday Shelma’s New Man

I have teamed up again with the talented Sandra (or Daffy as I like to call her), from Wild Daffodil  to bring you another bit of silliness this Saturday.  Sandra is incredibly artistic and creative, and I just love the images she has created out of shells, stones and flowers.

One of the nicest things about Sandra’s blog is that you never know what she is going to get up to next, from beach art to knitted wigs, and mandalas to making spirals in her garden.

Here is our little story for this week. Shelma has found herself a new man.

Image courtesy of Sandra Dorey

Shelma was going out on a date
So excited she just couldn’t wait
She was looking her best
In her January Sales dress
The evening was going to be great

Sandy lit Shelma’s fuse
She loved his winkle picker shoes
It brightened her mood
To be with such a cool dude
He banished her January blues!

They wanted to paint the town red
But painted the beach blue instead
A moonlit walk along the sand
Strolling together hand in hand
Anticipating what lay ahead

#JusJoJan and #SoCS 2018 January 20th Occasionally —

#JusJoJan and #SoCS 2018 January 20th Occasionally

Linda’s Just Jot it January and Stream of Consciousness post for today is a little different as you will see from the rules below. I always enjoy a challenge and look forward to seeing where this post goes.

Without further ado, here is today’s prompt.

Your prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “oc.” Find a word that starts with “oc” and use it in your post. Bonus points if you start and end with your post with an “oc” word. Have fun!

Occasionally, I struggle to think of something to start me off with these posts. My poor brain is still a little fogged with this horrendous cold that I have which doesn’t help either!

I have got my fan on full blast pointing at my face to try to cool myself off as I feel I am coming up to the boil and will spill over if not careful. Having said that, in a few minutes I am sure I will get freezing cold, put my dressing gown on and wrap up in a blanket! Still, at least I am not delirious and am hopefully making sense!

The full might of what I thought was just a horrendous cough and sore throat has now hit, and I have the snotty, sneezy nose to go with it and the aching bones too. As you can tell, I am feeling pretty sorry for myself. It doesn’t help that I have not slept properly for the last few days either so I am feeling a bit crabby, to say the least.

No bonus points for me either as I am fresh out of ‘oc’ words to finish up with.

Happy Saturday, Everyone!!

#JusJoJan 2018. January 19th Darkness — January 19, 2018

#JusJoJan 2018. January 19th Darkness

I hope that you are enjoying my posts from Linda’s Just Jot it January as much as I am enjoying writing them.

Here is today’s prompt word.

Your prompt for January 19th, 2018, brought to you by my dear friend and fellow Canadian, Kerry, is “Darkness.” Use it any way you’d like in your post. And make sure you visit Kerry at her blog, “Her Headache,” to read her post and say hi! Here’s her link:  https://kkherheadache.wordpress.com/

I have never been keen on darkness. I like to know that there is just a little bit of light somewhere, nearby, such as the soft glow of a lamp, or maybe a chink of the landing light showing through at night. Being in a room that is pitch dark actually makes me feel dizzy and disoriented, not to mention uneasy.

The dark mornings and evenings at the moment are somewhat off-putting, Going to work in the darkness and coming home in it makes me feel rather downhearted. I look forward to the spring when the warmer, lighter and sunnier days appear. They really do make me feel energised!

#JusJoJan 2018. January 18th Revolt — January 18, 2018

#JusJoJan 2018. January 18th Revolt

I hope that you are enjoying my posts from Linda’s Just Jot it January as much as I am enjoying writing them.

Here is today’s prompt word.

Your prompt for January 18th, 2018, brought to you by the lovely Sandra, is “Revolt.” Use it any way you’d like in your post. And make sure you visit Sandra at her blog, “What Sandra Thinks” to read her post and say hi! Here’s her link:  https://whatsandrathinks.com/

I think my body has had enough of being stressed and has decided to revolt. I started feeling a little grotty after my night-shift on Monday night, and have continued to feel progressively worse. I now have a barking cough that is so forceful, it almost makes me sick. Of course, I have a lovely sore throat and chest to accompany it too.

How revolting!

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