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From bonkers to boring and back again…

14/3/2015

Photo taken by DreyaB

From the title above you might assume that I’ve been flying around, working like a maniac, going from here to there, only to find myself in at a point in my life where I have nothing to do, then moments late I discover another mountain of chores to carry out and off I go again.

In fact the title represents me; a description of my inner workings and perhaps even my state of mind. Whether it’s true or not, I sometimes feel like I am a woman of extremes. I never seem to have enough time to do all the things I want, and there always seems to be numerous ideas on the go in my head; all that without exploring the other aspects of life I’ve not had a chance to pay attention to yet. There’s so much going on that sometimes it can be overwhelming.

What I’ve discovered however is that I’ll go from times in my life when the world is my oyster and all manner of thoughts are spinning around my head, to moments when in all honesty, I could describe myself a bored. Me, bored? I’m never bored! Actually it’s true – I can be, or so I think…

No wonder I moved to France in search of a simpler life – but is it, and have I found it? Well, yes and no. Wherever you go in the world there are always the aspects of daily living that need attention; whether that’s figuring out where the next meal comes from by either growing it yourself or making sure you have enough money to go out and buy it, or knowing where you’re going to sleep that night, but if we are lucky enough to be able to meet these basic needs hopefully we then aspire to something more. That could be greater knowledge, learning and skills or material things and acquisitions, whichever it is depends on the individual.

As writers we generally like to explore, be it the world around us or the inner workings of our mind and our lives. I like to do both, consciously and also without realising it. Whether this is self-indulgent claptrap or insightful rflections and learning, it’s up to you to decide.

What I’ve come to realise through this particular thought process is that it’s not boredom as such, but lack of inspiration. From bonkers to boring, is a good description of me, but not necessarily me as a person, but the affect my life is having on me and the inspiration I have at any one moment. When I say I’m bored, it’s actually a case of lacking inspiration. Nothing is appealing to me at that time. It’s not the fact that I have nothing to do it’s the fact that I have nothing that’s inspiring me, nothing that’s calling to me.

This could be a fundamental truth and the penny just hadn’t dropped in my mind, but if I learn and hang on to this particular lesson then I can know that the next time ‘boredom’ hits that not only is it that I’m just not inspired at that moment, but that I should know to treat myself gently, to be kind to myself and not get frustrated and beat myself up. With a little kindness and some gentle reassurance, I can know that these extremes are not my make up, but just a part and parcel of everyday life.

2 Comments

Reflections on the weekend

9/3/2015

12 Comments

Reflections on the Weekend - Dreya's World

Photo taken by DreyaB

I really enjoyed my weekend. It’s amazing, firstly how we get stuck into routines and don’t realise we’ve got ourselves jaded, and secondly with just a little application (and sunshine) we can mix things up a bit and have a really nice time.

With the winter weather and feeling unwell some weeks ago, I hadn’t noticed how stuck in a rut I’d become. It’s only looking back now after a lovely weekend that I can see where I was and how tired and entrenched I’d become.

I think the fact that we’ve had a few days of sunshine has helped. The warmth has meant that the few signs of spring that were around have started to push on and make a bit of a show for us. There’s a long way to go yet but it’s great to see a single daffodil open and frogspawn increasing in number in the pond, along with violets presenting their faces to the sun and birdlife making their preparations for the new season.

With these hints of renewal beginning to show it feels like these little signs have been absorbed into me, and consciously or not, I’ve felt the need to change things, put a little effort in, and in the process make myself feel better and more alive.

Some of the things I’ve done? Well on Saturday I finally got around to dying my hair again – with the help of a willing and useful 'friend' – and though that’s one of the little things in life, I don’t now feel awkward and embarrassed about my hair and its showing roots. (It was getting ridiculous but will probably happen again – the process is such a chore.)

On Saturday night we visited family for the evening – nothing specific was planned, but as a birthday celebration had had to be cancelled the weekend before it was nice to catch up and share a few celebratory moments. We chatted, shared news and activities, but it was a lovely evening just chilling out amongst loved ones.

Sunday became an ‘avoid the computer’ sort of day. For no particular reason I was treated to breakfast in bed, when the other half decided to get up before me. Though this has taken place before I have to be honest and say I can’t remember the last time, so it was a lovely surprise to find my little family coming to say ‘good morning’ with breakfast on hand.

Later in the day instead of sitting at the computer or doing housework tasks, we all ventured outside into the courtyard at the back of the house into the sunshine. It was a beautiful day and the temperature must have been in the teens somewhere. The dogs played with toys and we eventually got around to planting some of the summer bulbs we’d purchased earlier in the week.

After the afternoon dog walk I decided that I would spend an hour with some gentle music on the stereo and a glass of juice in hand poring through some of my books. I wanted to find books either about or written by inspirational women that I hadn’t got around to reading – I’ve always got something new to turn to. It was lovely to completely lose myself in the shelves of one little bookcase and I’ve got a lovely pile of reading balanced on my desk now of biographies, diaries and stories that will keep me going quite a while and hopefully some inspirational actions and quotes will seep into my brain. I realised later it was International Women’s Day so somewhere subconsciously I was doing my bit to support the celebrations.

To top off my day, sweet and sour pork was for tea and historical dramas and a car programme were my evening’s viewing. Looking back now on Monday morning I don’t think I could have had a better weekend…

How was yours?

12 Comments

‘A’ is for ‘Artistic’ (or not…)

27/2/2015

10 Comments

'A' is for 'Artistic' (or not...) - Dreya's World

Photo taken by DreyaB

I'm not one for regrets but I'm working through a process of self-exploration again and today I'm looking at choices I've made or didn't make. I know one of these areas is the fact that in my teens, when choosing subjects to study at school, I was 'bullied' out of choosing to further explore art and my artistic qualities and leanings. It wasn't parents or peer pressure that made me decide to leave art as a practical subject to explore behind, but my teacher and the experience that I know has scarred me.

Every now and then there are experiences that I take personally and that stick with me for a very long time and though I have worked on these memories and the associated pain before, I still find this is a moment in my life that I come back to time and again. It's like constantly picking at a scab, letting it heal some more and then having another go. Underneath I imagine all I'm doing is building up scar tissue, but perhaps it is part of the process and any healing I may experience.

I guess you may be wondering what happened and, though I'm loathed to go over it again, perhaps I should. Maybe it gets easier each time I excavate it.

I'm guessing I was around 13 and had done well in art class in the past, so much so that as an A-grade student I was even invited, with my other A-grade art class colleagues, to enter a competition that I never got around to – in the end I know I was more of an academic student than a hands-on practical one – but this just shows the stage I was at with my artistic ability.

On the day we got our final grades for the year our art teacher took great joy in making a big announcement in class that some of us had done very well but that there was a shock in store for someone and that they would receive an EE-grade, meaning they had got the lowest grades possible both for attainment and effort. Having received an AA-grade halfway through the year I thought I would be safe and was innocently wondering who the poor unfortunate was.

With the benefit of hindsight I'm sure you can see what's coming next, but at the time I had no idea. Yes, it turns out that I was that EE student, and I couldn't believe it! Even if my grade for attainment had dropped to an E, surely my teacher couldn't believe I wasn't trying at all and had put no effort in? Well, it looked like he did. I was mortified and didn't know what to do. I guess I discussed it with my friends at the table, and I finally plucked up the courage to go and discuss my grades with the teacher.

I don't remember all that happened but I do recall him laughing, which at that age I couldn't understand and, though I may guess where he was coming from on reflection now, he still had no idea the impact and damage he was causing to me. Anyway, discussing things further he agreed to change my grade to a DD, which was an improvement but not great. I couldn't do anything further than leave my class and wait for the final report to show up and go to my parents.

In the end he revised my grades again – I can't exactly remember what to, DB perhaps, increasing my effort grade accordingly – but the damage had been done and I was mentally marked for the rest of my schooling and beyond. My decision process has been fundamentally influenced by that one instance in my life. I never went on to explore any of my artistic inclinations in any real educational setting and looking back now that is something I do regret.

Yes, I've played and experimented with art and crafts since. I even paid to take a watercolour class as an adult on an evening, but nothing has ever really stuck. The closest I get nowadays to any significant ability is in my photography, but I need to learn more about the technical side of things there.

I know in reality it's not too late to attempt to overcome this experience and perhaps one day I will be able to explore the hands-on visual arts in some more supportive and educational way, but at the moment I know I can't afford it – both the money and the availability of time. I play at these things and never really get very far. I know I need to invest both time and patience in myself if I ever want to really achieve anything, but that scar tissue runs deep and perhaps I'm procrastinating to avoid the pain again, perhaps the excuses are truly real, but one thing I do know is that experience has had a big influence on my life because I let it.

I don't regret any of my other choices in life. I'm pretty good at weighing things up and making sensible decisions, but not having the time in my school life to explore art more is one thing I wish I'd done. Who knows what my life would have been like if things had been different? I never will and I can't do anything about that. What I can do is live in hope and that's one thing I always do. Whatever life throws at you in the end there is always hope and there are always choices – I just have to decide what my choices are...

I usually do.

10 Comments

So here we are…

22/2/2015

8 Comments

Image via Pixabay

My first bit of blog writing in quite a few months. In fact we’ve got into another year since I last put thought to paper.

It’s not that I stopped writing completely; I did manage to write a couple of pieces for the wonderful JAQUO.com online magazine following an invite but a lot of my time has been taken up with pulling this website together.

I only do this writing and photography lark in my spare time, and there never seems to be too much of that around as it is, but when the original home for my articles (Squidoo) went under, all manner of changes took place for me, as well as my ex-Squidoo colleagues.

We’ve all recovered and adapted in our own ways, but I initially took the decision to let my articles transfer over to HubPages and for now they still sit there. Once they finally turned up there, there was a lot of acclimatising to the new surroundings and I have to be honest and say that it still doesn’t feel like home. At some point, probably when the pieces start being ‘unfeatured’, then I expect to move them on, but for now they can sit there and do what they do. If it means eventually readers find me here then that’s brilliant.

However, because things didn’t feel so comfortable at HubPages I eventually decided after much debate that I would take matters into my own hands and build a website that I had control of, then I can choose whether or not something stays or goes and how I can promote things, without having to jump through other people’s hoops.

Little did I know how long this would take me. Using a website builder has helped, but learning the functionality, how to do things the builder doesn’t offer and learning new skills in general has been a rather steep uphill climb – and I’m still not there.

So far I’ve managed to pull together all my ‘blogs’ into one place, so people can see how things have changed for me over the years and it’s been quite interesting for me too to go back over these ramblings. I’ve not changed them in any way – just lifted them from one site to another, but rereading the content has been interesting. So much has happened and so much time seems to have passed. Take a look if you’re interested…

But now I can move forward by either writing new items or learning how to transfer others. At the end of the day all I really want to do is write about things that interest me, that I love or that I want to ponder. I never really wanted to learn how to build a website or add ‘buttons’ and logos, but it’s amazing where an idea can take you – I wouldn’t change it for the world.

I just need to find the time to keep going. Fingers crossed…

8 Comments

A moment to breathe again… - first posted 17/10/2014

17/10/2014

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A moment to breathe again... - Dreya's World

Image via Pixabay

I so love it when my head finally gets above water!

I don’t know about you, but when I write online it’s done in my spare time, so if things get busy with work I don’t get chance to write for ages and things slip by the wayside. Then the demise of Squidoo ended up knocking me for six and I’m still trying to catch up with that too.

So when things finally settle down, clear up or get calmer on the work front, I take great joy in catching up everywhere! Well today that’s happened. I’m still waiting for e-mails, but in the meantime I’ve taken part of this afternoon off and am having fun exploring and catching up.

It’s so freeing and everything feels a lot lighter and more lifted if you know what I mean? I’m catching up with friends and activities on Facebook. I’ve discovered a friend who’s just joined up here on Bubblews. I’ve managed to start on an online supermarket shopping order. I might even get to do some more updates on HubPages – you never know!

So today, for once I’m feeling good on a Friday afternoon and not overworked or overtired. Plus with friends visiting this weekend we should be in for a jolly time. Hurrah! :0)

Dreya B

&DreyaB

4 months ago

&happynutritionist Thanks Claudia. I'm sure you'll find your lighter days eventually. I believe there's a process to life, though we may not always realise it as it's happening. Wishing you all the love and care you deserve. Be kind to yourself as I know you are to others. Thinking of you...

Claudia Meydrech

&happynutritionist

4 months ago

Well enjoy your day, I am looking forward to lighter days somewhere down the road.

Dreya B

&DreyaB

4 months ago

&DawnRae We have Dawn, thank you - it's been lovely and they've just left us today. And though there's work now to be done I'm still feeling good. :0)

Dreya B

&DreyaB

4 months ago

&RenaissanceWoman Thank you Diana! :0) We've had a wonderful long weekend with friends who have just left us this afternoon, so back to normality (whatever that is!) but still feeling good. :0)

Dawn

&DawnRae

4 months ago

It's such a good feeling to be in that space. Good for you. Yay! Hope you had a wonderful weekend with your friends.

Diana

&RenaissanceWoman

4 months ago

I hope you continue to find these windows of time that allow you to feel light and lifted. I do understand. Here's to breathing...

Dreya B

&DreyaB

4 months ago

&Raintree Thank you so much. :0) Things keep slowly settling into place. I've even managed to get AdSense approved over the weekend too, so another step forward. Things can seem such an uphill struggle sometimes, but I'm making progress again. Have had a lovely weekend with sunshine, friends and dogs, so yes, thank you - very happy. Hope you've had a good weekend too. :0)

&Raintree

4 months ago

Good to hear things are settling for you. It has been an unsettling time for many who were on Squidoo and a ton of work to do! I find it goes in waves! It is good to feel in control again though so good for you :) I find online shopping can save a lot of time once you get into it as well. Hope you have had fun this weekend and take time to enjoy yourself :)

Dreya B

&DreyaB

4 months ago

&Brite-Ideas Thank you, I'm getting there Barbara, but only slowly. It's moments like this when I pick momentum up again, but it's only short-lived. Too many ideas and not enough time! I'll be really please to feel like you're now sounding at the moment. I'm over halfway up that mountain though. :0)

Dreya B

&DreyaB

4 months ago

&marsha32 It sounds more exciting and perhaps more straightforward than it actually is Marsha! There's a few things that I can't get in France that we used to get in the UK, and it's heading for that time again to get another batch sent over. I have to add an extra delivery service in to get it near us and then we go and pick it up! Your rolling tote sounds awesome!. :0)

Dreya B

&DreyaB

4 months ago

&MerrWrites It certainly does and if I blink next week I'll probably have missed it, but it's been lovely to take everything in this afternoon. There's always something to do, but it's been so nice to begin to catch up with other things. :0)

Dreya B

&DreyaB

4 months ago

&CherylFay Doesn't it Cheryl! I've really enjoyed my afternoon of trying to catch up. :0)

Barbara

&Brite-Ideas

4 months ago

I understand completely what you're feeling! I'm just starting to feel like I know the direction I'm heading in now, and am excited everyday to work on it again online! Glad you're feeling better and clearer too :)

Marsha Cooper

&marsha32

4 months ago

Online supermarket shopping order....that makes me want to really check out that amazon deal where you fill the box.
I have been cashing in for Walmart at different places to buy myself a rolling sewing machine tote.
Now it's time to get back to amazon.

MerrWrites

&MerrWrites

4 months ago

I'm glad you are feeling settled. It takes some time, doesn't it? It felt so good to have time to go through my email finally. Still much to do, but the respites sure help!

Cheryl Mikesell

&CherylFay

4 months ago

It's nice to have those kind of moments. Sometimes stuff gets so overwhelming.

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My Top 10 Books - first posted 02/10/2014

2/10/2014

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Image via Pixabay

I was nominated on Facebook recently to list my top 10 books. Now, I don't often do this sort of thing, but because it was books I had to! I could have listed so many different ones, but I finally narrowed it down to these, which I've generally read more than once and I know they've have had some affect on my life over the years, so here they are...

1. Hitchhiker's Guide series by Douglas Adams

2. Magician series by Raymond E. Fiest

3. Winnie the Pooh books by A A Milne

4. Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach

5. Harry Potter series by J K Rowling

6. Maddon's Rock by Hammond Innes

7. Only Forward by Michael Marshall Smith

8. Oh the places you'll go! by Dr Seuss

9. The vet books by James Herriott

10. The dog books by Jon Katz

I was supposed to tag three other people which I hate doing, but I plucked up the courage this time, so I'm avidly waiting to see what my friends chose. What would you have picked?

Dreya B

&DreyaB

4 months ago

&MerrWrites It's great seeing what other people pick isn't it?! It somehow lets you see a little further into their personality. I think if I attempted to write a WHY about each one on this list it would end up turning into many review articles! Taking a look at the list I've only written 2 or 3 so far! Numbers 1, 4 & 8, but the first one was more about meeting the author... All on hubpages, but only 2 out of 3 of them have been edited! So much work still to do... :0)

MerrWrites

&MerrWrites

4 months ago

It's always a treat to see what books others would choose for favorites. It also tends to add books to my wish list. I wish you would take each one now and tell WHY you liked it!

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&marsha32 I found it a really interesting exercise Marsha. I love books so it was really tricky to just narrow it down to 10, but I'm please with my final list and the variety. I know you're always so busy, but it's a lovely thing to think about if you get a spare few moments. :0)

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&glitterandspice Thanks Corrinna, glad you liked it. :0) King and Golding are such classic modern authors, but I have to admit to not coming across Kingsolver. A new author to check out. Yay! :D

Marsha Cooper

&marsha32

5 months ago

I'm not sure other than The Bible what I would put! It would be books like The Tightwad Gazette for sure.

Corrinna

&glitterandspice

5 months ago

Great list! If I had to choose 3 they would be:
1. The Stand by Stephen King
2. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
3. Lord Of The Flies by William Golding

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A place I’ll never forget - first posted 15/09/2014

15/9/2014

0 Comments

A place I'll never forget - Dreya's World

Photo by DreyaB

This is a strange feeling. I visited a village in France today called Oradour sur Glane. It’s a place where in 1944 the Nazis massacred the population of the village and decimated the place. All the occupants gone. The French have left this place in its original state in memory of those who perished. The picture above is one I took today of how it is right now.

It creates a strange feeling in me. I don’t want this to be hidden. I want to honour and respect those who died. It took me all my time and effort to not burst into tears as I walked around the village. It was so, so sad and so inhumane, and it made me question what drives a person, or in this case group of people, to do such a thing?

I don’t expect answers. I guess I don’t really need answers. But I do want to do right by those who have fallen. We should never forget. And we should never forget what man is capable of doing to man.

I didn’t feel the utter terror of course, but it does turn my mind to those people currently in the world who are suffering terribly in war zones, or who are fleeing in an effort to be safe. What can I do? One little voice in a sea of so many?

Well one thing I can do is write this. I will write more. I took many photographs too in an effort not to forget, and one day I will add all that to the world too so we can continue to remember and pay our respects…

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&Sylvestermouse It was such a difficult and yet incredible experience. I kept wanting to apologise to the memories of these people but didn't know how. Touching some of the walls helped me to try and connect somehow. Thank you for your understanding and comments, it makes me pleased that I've managed to get some of this across.

Sylvestermouse Cynthia

&Sylvestermouse

5 months ago

This would be a truly difficult place to visit for someone with such a compassionate heart. Just reading the article makes me feel a tremendous sadness over the evil men do on this earth.

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&Raintree Thank you! I'm so glad it came across - you never really know until someone tells you - so thank you. It was quite an experience I have to say... and yes, certainly a good reminder that we should never forget..

&Raintree

5 months ago

I can feel how powerful and moving you found this place through your writing, it must have been an emotional experience. Serves as a good reminder they have left it that way.

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&happynutritionist Thank you Claudia. It wasn't an easy thing for me to do I admit. Taking the photos helped, but every now and then I would just sit, or lean on a wall and try to cope and understand it in some way, all the while holding myself together. I felt I needed to apologise somehow...

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&abitosunshine Thank you so much Ruth. It was such a moving place. Some people may wonder why it's been left in this way but it's incredibly powerful and certainly the right thing to do. I just hope I can continue to do it and them justice...

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&RenaissanceWoman Thank you Diana. It was an incredible place in such a sad and horrible way. I kept placing my hand on walls trying to connect/apologise/repair things somehow - very touching and emotive place. I have to admit to having disturbed dreams last night...

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&stereomike83 Thanks Mike - I wasn't sure if it would come across in the writing. Such an emotive place and you're right there really aren't the words...

Claudia Meydrech

&happynutritionist

5 months ago

And just the fact that you took it all in is admirable...I have a very hard time viewing such parts of history...thank you for taking time to share.

Ruth Cox

&abitosunshine

5 months ago

I can not begin to imagine what it must have felt like to walk throughout this village where such vile crimes against its inhabitants took place. Yes, we must remember, must never forget. And it is an honorable thing you are doing with your writing, in memory of lives lost here.

Diana

&RenaissanceWoman

5 months ago

I would have been entirely haunted by the horror of what happened there. What you have done is so vital and incredibly important (honoring the memory of the victims). Thank you for using your gifts in ways that matter greatly.

Mike H

&stereomike83

5 months ago

I don't think there are words that can really explain a place like this but thanks for writing as it does convey the emotions.

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Are you a Cat Person? - first posted 13/09/2014

13/9/2014

0 Comments

Image via Pixabay

I don’t know about you, but I’m not really a cat person. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve made friends with quite a few cats over the years. They seem to like me and I’m more than happy to pet them, but I don’t currently imagine I’d have one as a pet.

You see I’m a dog person. We currently have two; one of around 12 years and another that’s just five and I love having them around, taking them for walks, watching their characteristics and learning about them every day. They’re there and they’re part of my life.

We’re currently looking after friends’ cats and we pop around every day, morning and evening, to feed them and make sure they’re OK. But because of the independent nature of cats not all of them are at the house all the time and to me – a dog person – that just seems kind of wrong.

If the dogs weren’t around I’d freak out! Where were they? What were they doing? Would they be safe? Are they in danger? When will they come home? Etc. etc. etc.

So to arrive to find a cat’s not there and not to see them perhaps until the next visit in the morning I find very weird and I’m still trying not to be too troubled and worried by this, especially as we’re the ‘responsible people’ looking after them while their owners are away. There’s a strange part of me that just wants to close the cat flap up and make sure they’re in the house all the time – but I know that’s not fair on the cats of course; they’re not like that – that’s my issue and not theirs…

I know there’s plenty of cat owners out there and loads of lovely cats and it’s just me that’s not adapting well, but I wonder if anyone else has ever felt like this? Let me know if you understand what I’m going on about… Please!

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&happynutritionist No Claudia, not here. I have friends who are dog people, but the people who I see most often currently are cat people, which is why we ended up looking after them. I don't see myself being converted, anytime soon, but they are friendly cats... :0)

Claudia Meydrech

&happynutritionist

5 months ago

When I saw the title I thought I was going to have to defend why I am NOT a cat person...lol. I am a dog person too, surrounded by family members who have cats, too many cats!

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&CherylFay I'd just been reading your post about the kitten Cheryl and hadn't commented as I was still think about possible names! I've not owned cats (obviously!) but both cats and dogs seem to worm their way into your life without you hardly realising it. I was happy to fuss the various cats we were looking after recently and our two dogs are always so affectionate - you'd never believe it when you look at them but they're both so soft... Whatever happens I'm sure it will give you more to think (and write!) about. :0)

Cheryl Mikesell

&CherylFay

5 months ago

I found this post to be interesting since we just picked up a stray kitty. I was thinking a little dog would be nice to have around since I've been getting to know my brothers little Yorkie and dachshund. I've never been fond of animals in the house but I seem to be changing my mind on that.... I've always loved German Shephards! Grew up with those. Having a kitty around these last few days has been interesting.... but growing attached more than I thought I would.

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&Raintree They sound like great cat visitors! Good fun. :0) I've never owned cats but other friends and family have - I imagine I'd struggle unless it was a stray I was helping out. I'd always worry if they were OK, unless of course they stayed in like those you mention. There seems to be more 'house cats' than I'd realised. The worry should be over shortly though - the owners are on their way home. :0)

&Raintree

5 months ago

We have always had dogs and never had a cat. I love both though :) We used to have two cats visit us when we first moved here, they waited every day when we got in from work as we always played with them-their home was three doors away but they liked coming here to play! We told the owners but they said the cats came and went as they wished-very independent! I can completely understand why you would be troubled not knowing where the cats you are looking after are though. My friend has cats but they are indoor cats really they don't seem to want to go out much.

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&RenaissanceWoman Thanks Diana, you are such a good and balanced soul... I'm sure I would help if any animal was in need, though the dogs would have to adjust gradually! I can truly understand your approach to looking after your lovely cats girls and I know they can be such sociable and loving creatures. Today the black cats stay inside as the French hunting season has started! Thankfully it's controlled to particular days, so we know to keep them safe and I know they will be there waiting for food this evening. :0)

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&stereomike83 Well that's understandable Mike. The years now and into the future are going to be such fun! :0)

Diana

&RenaissanceWoman

5 months ago

I never knew I was a cat person, as well as a dog person, until I was put in a position to rescue a cat (and then 3) in need. My cats stay indoors. They will live much longer in the safety of our home (and be much healthier). And, my girls stay right by my side whenever I am in the house. I can understand why you are a bit troubled when you don't know the latest status of the cats in your care. It would worry me, also.

Mike H

&stereomike83

5 months ago

&DreyaB the two kids both under 3yrs means no pets yet!!!

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&stereomike83 Oh dear - that's a shame Mike! Perhaps one day you can find one of each who get on or will grow up together... I bet I'm in trouble now! ;0)

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&nightcats Of course you are nightcats... I thought of you after I wrote this. I love animals too, but I have to admit my leaning towards dogs currently. :0)

Mike H

&stereomike83

5 months ago

I'm a cat person but my wife is a dog person which means at the moment we have neither!

Nightcats

&nightcats

5 months ago

I'm a cat person through and through, but actually I love all animals

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Do you speak a second language? - first posted 09/09/2014

9/9/2014

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Do you speak a second language? - Dreya's World

Image via Pixabay

You may not believe it, but when we decided to move to France being fluent in French wasn’t one of our considerations. I know enough French to get by, but living here helps embed what I know, along with learning new bits as I go too.

I don’t know about you but in the UK learning other languages, though part of the school curriculum, doesn’t seem to be a natural cultural thing to do. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of fantastic translators and of course, being a multicultural society, plenty of other languages spoken, but to be fluent in anything other than the Queen’s English doesn’t seem to be a natural inclination and I still find that odd.

I can’t speak for any of the other English-speaking nations (and don’t get me started on the amazing differences of a common language), but I wonder if it’s subconsciously assumed that everyone should speak English? Is it me or does that seem kind of arrogant and assumptive?

Anyway for whatever reason, though I did OK in French at school, my language skills in anything other than UK English are a bit limited, so I was pleased with myself the other day when I managed to drop a tiny bit of small talk into a conversation with a regular delivery driver.

When it comes to speaking French, I can plan what to say; I can even wing it if the direction of the conversation has purpose – you can usually find some words to make the sentence work and get your meaning over, but to just throw in a chatty bit of banter? For me that’s unheard of! My brain is obviously starting to play catch up.

So that's my achievement for the week. I'm 'well chuffed', as they say in the UK. One happy bunny. Do you speak any languages other than your native tongue?

Dreya B

&DreyaB

4 months ago

&ReverandG Thanks so much! It must be so much easier to learn multiple languages when you're small - sounds like a good idea with your grandson. It still amazes me how much French I can still drag up from my school days! :0)

Glenda Motsavage

&ReverandG

4 months ago

I live in Poinciana, Florida, where there are a plethora of Nations represented — mine being the minority! Every day for the past 14 years I have wished I could be multi-lingual! I recently wrote a Hub/Lens called 'Bilingual Babies,' about my new grandson being raised bilingual. All the best to you, and I forecast that you'll be fluent in French in little time. That's fascinating!

Dreya B

&DreyaB

4 months ago

&BritFlorida I'm with you there Jackie, Yorkshire is still my first language! :0)

Jackie Jackson

&BritFlorida

4 months ago

Oh yes. Like most people I did French at at school but Yorkshire is my first language. English is my second and I am slowly learning American :)

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&CherylFay We did German in school Cheryl, but I'm desperately trying to forget it as it gets confused with my French as I learned them both at the same time! :0) I used to think I was better at German than French, I found it easier but I'm hanging on to the French now. I should look into my family history - that would be really interesting...

Cheryl Mikesell

&CherylFay

5 months ago

Nope only English. I always wanted to learn German. It's part of my heritage but I never learned. My Dad use to recite the Psalms 23 in German to me when I was little.

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&nightcats I admire those people too June. ;0) I'm getting better but I wish I could just download fluency into my brain!

Nightcats

&nightcats

5 months ago

I speak only one language and have always admired those who speak two or more.

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&abitosunshine Spanish was only available to us to learn after we'd mastered French and German at school Ruth! I was never that good; two languages was more than enough for me at that time. At least I can get by here and am learning all the time. :0)

Ruth Cox

&abitosunshine

5 months ago

Other than American English, I took a year of Spanish in Junior High School, which I remember most of and have added a few more words along the way. If I were to travel to another country, yes I would want to learn the language enough to get by.

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&Raintree Thank you! I'm very pleased I have to admit. ;0) And planned phrases are always on hand for new situations, though I am remembering more of the regular sentences now and just stand a better chance overall. When we went to Italy I had a go but the other half was better at Italian than me - here it's the other way round. :0)

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&Brite-Ideas It sounds like you may do better here than me Barbara! Is that family connection French France or French Canadian? I'm most certainly not fluent, but I am improving. :0)

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&smine27 Well the words for foods in French are the most important Shinichi! ;0) I did French and German too at school, but I'm desperately trying to forget the German and not get it confused with the French now! I think being able to speak more than one language fluently is amazing - and Japanese I can't even begin to imagine... :0)

&Raintree

5 months ago

I leaned French and German in school but I am so very rusty now not having travelled to use it for a good while. For me I learn best being in the country and having a go with a few planned phrases standing by! I do like to try whatever country I am in to say at least a few things. However I do find it harder to understand sometimes -as you say when people talk really fast my language brain has to catch up ! You should be "chuffed" with yourself :)

Barbara

&Brite-Ideas

5 months ago

Just about everyone in my family speaks french - my background is a great percentage french so we grew up with it - I'm not fluent because we moved around a lot when I was little so we got away from it

Shinichi

&smine27

5 months ago

I tried learning French and German but alas never became fluent enough to communicate properly. I did however learn and remember most of the words related to food! haha. I speak English and Japanese fluently but that's it.

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&stereomike83 I know what you mean Mike. I didn't even go as far as A level, but I have a good memory so things do keep popping back! Even after 20+ years!! But you're right, reading can be easier, it gives you time to think, with the speaking you have to pick out words you know and fit them into a meaning - pretty tricky when the French can speak so fast sometimes. I'm fairly immersed... ;0)

Mike H

&stereomike83

5 months ago

I did French through to A level but that was well over 10yrs ago now so would be very rusty! I tend to be able to read much better than I can speak as have time to work out what words mean in context. I sometimes wish I could get immersed in the language to bring it all back!

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Newly signed up and now nothing to say! - first posted 05/09/2014

5/9/2014

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Newly signed up and now nothing to say! - Dreya's World

Image via Pixabay

Typical isn’t it? You take the time to weigh up the options, do the research, ask for advice and then finally, you make a decision; sign up for a new writing/blogging platform and what happens? Your brain goes blank! Writer’s block hits…

Well that’s me. As part of my reassessment of my online writing future I decided that as well as not putting all my eggs in one basket any more, I’d also find somewhere to blog, somewhere to publically post my musings; those thoughts and reflections that would never make it to a full-length article, or things that just don’t say ‘article’ to me.

So here I am, taking the plunge, dipping my toe in (are both of those possible at the same time?!) and nothing… Zip… No inspiration at all! What to do…?

Well I’ve looked around a little – more of that to do. Written my profile – not too difficult now, and found a few people to follow – more of those to come too. But the elusive first post? Hmm, I’m stumped.

The question really to ask is what’s causing it? Normally, I have so many ideas whizzing round in my brain I can’t keep up with them. Normally, I end up writing them down. I have lists on paper, lists on the computer; lists in my head! But now? No idea.

So the cause? You tell me… Please! Is it because I’ve spent so long assessing, reflecting and analysing my brain’s gone soft? Is it because I’m sat here still desperately waiting to see my pages automatically transfer from one hosting site to another, while I nervously nibble my fingers? Or is it because I’m just tired? Who knows? Certainly not me…

Answers on a postcard to…

Dreya B

&DreyaB

4 months ago

&BritFlorida Lol. Bubblitis! That made me chuckle. I was so happy to sign up, knew I wanted to do something more 'bloggy' but nope, nothing. Took the easy option and wrote about it instead! :0)

Jackie Jackson

&BritFlorida

4 months ago

Blimey, how weird.I was just the same! I joined yesterday, full of enthusiasm, and then ... sat staring at the computer. Like you, I normally have far too many ideas but I was completely stumped. Maybe it's a common affliction - bubblitis or something?

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&smine27 I know what you mean Shinichi! I really wanted to sign up to this or similar and have eventually got going, but now things seem to have turned into a whirlwind and my brain has got stuck again! This time I think it's a lack of time though and not being able to think straight... Everything will come in time... :)

Shinichi

&smine27

5 months ago

Dreya I'm the same way here, especially here! I pretty much write about nothing, nonsense and then sometimes something. hehe

Dreya B

&DreyaB

5 months ago

&nightcats Thanks for the warm welcome June. :0) I seem to have got my brain tuned in a little more now, but it was a bit of a problem...

Nightcats

&nightcats

5 months ago

Welcome to the neighbourhood. I have the same problem trying to think of something interesting to write about.

Dreya B

&DreyaB

6 months ago

&Wednesday-Elf Thank you Elf. :0) It feels like I'm starting to get the hang of it here and the ideas are starting to come now, which is a relief. You're probably right that it was just the first step and at least I wrote something! ;0)

Dreya B

&DreyaB

6 months ago

&SusanZutautas Thank you Susan. I'm starting to get the feel for the place and am enjoying the freedom, both of which are good after the last few weeks... :0)

Dreya B

&DreyaB

6 months ago

&RenaissanceWoman Thank you Diana. You may well be right. I had a moment of inspiration climbing into bed last night - all I need now is the time to convert it into print! I'm hoping to find my feet soon. :0)

Elf

&Wednesday-Elf

6 months ago

Welcome! You'll do fine once you get settled in here at Bubblews. :) It's taking that first step that's always the hardest. :)

Susan Zutautas

&SusanZutautas

6 months ago

Welcome to Bubblews. I know you'll enjoy this site as much as so many of us do.

Diana

&RenaissanceWoman

6 months ago

I trust you will very quickly find your flow here. It's most likely just the thought of the plunge that gave you a momentary block. Wonderful to have you dipping and diving in these waters.

Dreya B

&DreyaB

6 months ago

&marsha32 Lol! Don't let me ramble Marsha, that would be so dangerous! There's a look that goes across my partner's face if ever I do and then I know I've gone off on one wordy adventure. I have to turn around sharpish or get lost forever! :D

Marsha Cooper

&marsha32

6 months ago

I always think I have nothing to write and then end up rambling.

Dreya B

&DreyaB

6 months ago

&vallain Thank you Virginia. I have to say I'm liking the concept even if my brain feels a little strangled at the moment! It's good to have no major limits to words, one way or the other... :0)

Virginia Allain

&vallain

6 months ago

Welcome to Bubblews, where you can let your mind run free. No worrying about trying to squeeze it into modules or capsules or into a status line.

Dreya B

&DreyaB

6 months ago

&abitosunshine Thanks Ruth. I don't think I've got backup lists yet, but there does seem to be a lot on each one; ideas, titles, even half-written drafts. I've found a few familiar faces but need to find a few more to feel properly at home. :0)

Dreya B

&DreyaB

6 months ago

&Raintree Thank you so much! :0) Fingers crossed we'll all have something to work on/update very soon, then we can all settle into learning the new things we need to and establishing 'normality' whatever that is! Thanks for your support - I'll get there. :0)

Ruth Cox

&abitosunshine

6 months ago

Oh my, I do know all about those lists as I have them everywhere, duplicates too! I am delighted to see you tip your fingers and toes into Bubblews! You will see many familiar faces here.

Dreya B

&DreyaB

6 months ago

&CherylFay Thanks Cheryl, you're probably right. I'm sure things will settle eventually, but wish it would hurry up! I'll look for your posting too... :0)

&Raintree

6 months ago

Hi, well welcome to Bubblews! You did it - your first post and I think that is always the most difficult one at a new place. I think the wait is starting to get to many of us ex Squids but hopefully it will happen eventually. You will be just fine I am sure :)

Cheryl Mikesell

&CherylFay

6 months ago

Probably all of above. Everything has been so up in air and knowing what to do. It kinda takes your inspiration away. Welcome to Bubblews! I just started here too.

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Dreya B

Here you'll find my musing and thoughts in no particular categories, just chronological order. The blog posts from earlier dates appeared on a few independent blogs, but I've brought everything together in one place. If you'd like to know a little more about me try the 'About' page.

Dreya B

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