Rhyme and No Reason!

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

Perseverance: A #BeWow Post. — October 13, 2015

Perseverance: A #BeWow Post.

Perseverence 2

I thought that this wonderful quote by Thomas Edison was a great way to start my post on perseverance.

Many of life’s failures are people who did not realise how close they came to success when they gave up.

This quote really speaks to me as it seems that in our culture of instant gratification, many people do not want to wait for something that takes time. If they have tried and failed at something once, they often tend to lose heart and give up altogether, despite being a whisker away from success.

I have seen this myself; a few of my fellow students at university had failed an assignment and rather than retake it, they decided to give up completely. This was right near the end of the course! Not only did they not graduate, but they were demoted as well!

I might have mentioned before that the school motto at my primary was something like, ‘if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again.” This always stuck in my mind, and if nothing else, I am certainly determined! I did not like school, was not allowed to go to college afterwards (my mum was mad I didn’t try at school), but always regretted not getting many qualifications. It might have taken me many years, but eventually I did it!

I also don’t get people who have given up smoking for something like five years then go back to it again! It is hard enough giving up in the first place, to go back on it after such a long time is such a shame. I was determined to give up,and have done it at the second attempt, Fingers crossed I won’t go back there again!

In life, we are constantly challenged to learn new things, or unlearn old things! With a little determination and a hell of a lot of perseverance, it is possible to achieve success, After all you might be a lot closer than you think!

This was inspired by  Ronovan’s BeWoW  posts

Off To a Great Start! —

Off To a Great Start!

As some of you may know, I started my new job yesterday. Well actually, I started the training for my new job yesterday. I have been looking forward to this for some time, especially after some of the trials I had, gathering together all of the paperwork I needed!

There must be something about Monday mornings that my body doesn’t care for as I woke up feeling lousy! Now, I didn’t have to be at the offices (which as it happens are a 10 minute walk from my house) until 9am, so that in itself is a major bonus, giving me both a lie-in and a pleasant walk.

Too bad ‘the virus’ decided to make a comeback, determined to finish what it had started only a couple of weeks ago! Oh yes, and just to mix it up a little. let’s throw in a few really large mouth ulcers so that not only will I be talking in that nasally twang, you get with a snotty/bunged up nose, but  my words will be distorted and garbled as well due to my sore mouth!

Anyway, I got through yesterday, not too badly, apart from nearly spontaneously combusting in the training room as I was so hot. Luckily they turned up the air conditioning (yes, it is a new office building), and I tried to ignore that people behind me were reaching for their cardigans and coats! I sensibly, came home, dosed up on tablets and had an early night.

Today, I felt  worse but had the knowledge that I was in for an early finish due to having a full day extra training on Thursday along with a few other clinical staff. I had the grace to keep my snotty tissue in my hand though and try to control my sneezing when we covered the segment regarding infection control!

Not a great start to my new job but at least it should have cleared up before I go out and see my patients!

Roxy’s New Hairdo — October 11, 2015

Roxy’s New Hairdo

The time had come, no excuses

Roxy’s hair was getting too long

A table outside in the garden

Was used for our doggy salon!

The clippers pressed into service

Parted Roxy with some of her hair

She was beginning to look rather tufty

Although, she seemed not to care!

Grump and I had her cornered

And given that she looked so forlorn

The job was rather successful

Now her hair’s decorating our lawn!

As if that wasn’t enough stress

It was then time to get in the bath

I left that job to the Grumpster

He’d have to deal with her wrath!

Finally after a good shake off

She settled herself down for a sleep

All this primping and preening is too much

Getting shorn like she was a sheep!

 Bedraggled!

Blogger’s Interview. — October 10, 2015

Blogger’s Interview.

Thanks so much to Sue. from the Daily Echo for choosing me to take part in the ‘Blogger’s Interview,’ in which I am to answer a set of questions that are as follows:

How did you get into blogging?

Purely by accident actually. I was listening to our local radio station where the presenter asked listeners to phone in with suggestions of songs that ‘summed up your life’ or something similar. Anyway, I chose ‘I want to break free’ by Queen and my sister heard it as she was also listening. She thought it was funny and said that I would make a good blogger.

I didn’t even know what that was! I did like her idea of writing things down though as I suffer from depression, and last year, in particular, was a pretty rotten time for me. I decided that instead of writing down how bad I was feeling it might be better to try and look at the funny side of things. I have always had a sense of humour, and was told that I was a good raconteur, so I decided to go for it, and ‘Edwina’s Episodes’ was born!

What advice would you give to a blogger just starting out?

I am still pretty much of a novice in the blogging world, but my advice is to just enjoy what you are doing and keep at it! I didn’t know what to expect, or even what I wanted to get out of blogging, but I found that once I started, I loved it. Not only the writing of the blog itself but the interaction that came over a period of time with other bloggers.

Don’t worry about followers, views and all of that because we all start off small. To think that one person could relate to what you have written is a wonderful feeling, but having comments and likes expressing that is a pretty euphoric feeling. Don’t try to fit neatly into a certain ‘niche’ either. I think it is far better to stay true to  yourself.

What would be your dream campaign?

This is a really tricky question, as there are quite a few I could think of. What about proper health and social care for our elderly; more awareness of dementia and how to care for sufferers of the disease; helping underprivileged families, victims of domestic abuse, child cruelty, victims of crime. More research into diseases such as cancers, diabetes.

We need to ensure we support our teachers to help educate our children, especially those with special needs. Stop criticising the medical professions, they are there to try and help you! Bring back some sort of discipline and boundaries so that our young can learn respect and tolerance of others. I could go on and on, but I am sure you get the picture!

Do you have a plan for your blog?

Not really. So much of my blog is just me writing about things that appeal to my sense of fun, or the ridiculous, and I bash it out as I think it (that is why it is often disorganised)! I do not want to have too much structure, as I prefer spontaneity and freedom with my blog. I do like my little features though, so will either keep those up or add new ones.

What do you think about rankings?

I am assuming that they are something to do with SEO (I have seen that term bandied about, but still have no clue what it REALLY means)! I should imagine that my little blog is right at the bottom of the pecking order.

* Mention the person who tagged you
* Answer the questions in full
* Tag up to ten other bloggers at the end (without any obligation for them to participate!)

Melinda

Judith

Sally

Diana

Hugh

Geoff

Free-For-All Friday #32 — October 9, 2015

Free-For-All Friday #32

I have had quite a week this week, and also a pretty emotional one as today is my last day on the ward. I start my new job on Monday as well so I am nervous and excited!

I have got three wonderful posts for you this week, consisting of a Haiku. a hilarious anecdote and a story I can certainly relate to, having a nearly teenage daughter.

Please go over to these blogs and see what other delights await you as they all have so much more in store.

Battered Wife Seeking Better Life Who knew Haiku could be so sensual, especially with the prompt words given! Take a look at this and you will see what I mean.

Anand’s Parodies and Caricatures This blog is one that I have recently started following, and I love it. The humour with which he writes has me rocking! His stories are so vividly written that it is easy to imagine you are right there with him.

Beyond The Picket Fence This is a wonderful story that I very much enjoyed; it is very poignant and beautifully written.

Happy Friday!

Wacky Word Wednesday….On Thursday! — October 8, 2015

Wacky Word Wednesday….On Thursday!

I forgot to do a Wacky Word Wednesday post for yesterday, despite feeling that I was missing something! I decided that I will do it today instead, and have got the perfect word to sum up how I feel after the day I have had!

Knackered.  Yes, washed out, worn out, tired out and generally pooped! It is overworked, overtired, and over-emotional! Exhausted and drained, shattered and sleepy, not to mention dozy and drowsy.

It has another meaning that can also apply to me. Broken and battered. on the blink, and, basically buggered! It is on its last legs, and more than a bit past it!

You’ve Either Got it or You Haven’t! — October 6, 2015

You’ve Either Got it or You Haven’t!

When I went out for a walk with Miss Hap on Saturday, it was a beautiful, sunny afternoon. As we passed the field she decided to show off her cartwheeling skills, and I said I would take a photo of her.

Actually I made her do a few so I could get a good shot!

When we got home and had a look, this was the best one I got!! I do try hard!

Ronovan’s Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge # 65 ‘Harp’ & ‘Clear.’ — October 5, 2015

Ronovan’s Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge # 65 ‘Harp’ & ‘Clear.’

Oooh these challenges are getting more and more difficult as Ron gets meaner with the prompt words for his weekly Haiku Challenge. We have got ‘harp’ and ‘clear’ to contend with this week.

Here is my attempt:

Oh, stop harping on!

It’s your turn so get out there

and clear the windscreen!

frosty-windscreen:

Whatever Happened to…… — October 4, 2015

Whatever Happened to……

Today, I thought it would be fun to have a bit of a reminisce about some of the things I grew up with but are not so common or popular anymore. TJ’s Haiku Challenge from yesterday sparked off a conversation between myself and La Sabrosona, which has now inspired me to write this post.

So let’s take a trip down memory lane (some of you might still have these, and some are even coming back into fashion), and pay our respects to….

The knitted egg cosy:

Image: www.papastour.com
Image: http://www.papastour.com

Now when I was young, we very often had a boiled egg and soldiers for breakfast, and the cosy was just the thing to keep the egg warm if you were not quite ready to eat it!

The lovely loo roll cover

http://www.downsizer.net
http://www.downsizer.net

Don’t you just love these? The little dollies dressed in all their finery, in order that you and God forbid, your guests do not have to look at the indecency that is toilet roll!

Doily

Image: Wikimedia
Image: Wikimedia

Oh, how my nan loved these (my mum is quite partial to a doily as well)!  They were scattered all over the place but lived mainly on tables, to act as a kind of coaster, or on sideboards, where ornaments were placed on top of them.

The chair and settee covers

http://i.ebayimg.com/
http://i.ebayimg.com/

These were a real pain. As soon as you sat down on the settee, you normally had one fall off and flop right over your head. The arm covers (my mum had the ones that actually slipped over the whole arm of the chair or sofa) would also fall off, every time you brushed past them. We had linen ones, and I hated them as I used to do all the ironing when I was young, and these were a bloody nightmare to get creases out of!

The drinks cabinet

http://modculture.typepad.com
http://modculture.typepad.com

Everyone seemed to have one of these. Just an ordinary looking sideboard, but when you pulled down one of the cupboards, lo and behold, you had a mini bar! Not only that the ledge served as a little table from which the drinks could be mixed and poured!

Soda Stream.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com

I loved it when we got one of these. Me and my siblings made loads of them just so we could press the button at the top which ‘fizzed’ up the drink!

The twirly ashtray.

http://www.caprishop.ch/images/standing_chrome_spinning_ashtray.jpg
http://www.caprishop.ch/images/standing_chrome_spinning_ashtray.jpg

Again my nan had one of these. and I was fascinated by it. Once the cigarette was stubbed out, and the button pushed, it would disappear just like magic!

I have realised, whilst looking for some pictures, that most of this stuff has become popular again!

TJ’s Household Haiku Challenge – Teacup. — October 3, 2015

TJ’s Household Haiku Challenge – Teacup.

This week for TJ’s Household Haiku Challenge we are to use ‘teacup’. I took this photo at my sister’s house as she always makes an occasion out of it when she has visitors. In my house, you get a mug and like it, but hers you get a pretty cup and saucer and tea made in the teapot too!

So onto the haiku:

Glorious sunshine

sipping tea in the garden….

but where is the cake?

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