Different Lenses

Despite having to wear glasses since I was an early teen … I’ve never owned a pair of rose-tinted ones.

Or, if’n i once did, they were and long ago relegated to the ‘discard’ pile.

Anyways, what I do know is I discovered I was cynical by nature, very early on in my working career. A working career which began at 17, in my case.
When I say ‘cynical’, I really do mean ‘realistic’. I possessed an ability to grasp what was going on around me, rather than relying on others telling me how they believed things were going. Or wanted them to go.
What some people purported to be ‘fact’ often didn’t satisfy me. So, I most often came to my own conclusions. Was I always right? Hardly! Was I sometimes wildly wrong? Absolutely!
Why am I bringing this up?
Well, it’s because I’ve approached life here in Modica with the same sense of ‘realism’ I applied to my so-called career.
A ‘for instance’ here? We are currently experiencing a water crisis. That is, a lack of water. On top of which, what we get we must now boil before use!
Due to insufficient rain and current uber-low water levels introducing contaminants.
‘Global warming’ they say. “Yeah right!” I say!
More likely due to inefficient water management, a lack of maintenance and mishandling of leaks. A much more ‘realistic’ answer. But the ‘real reality’ is: I sort of don’t care.
On balance: Life’s still sweet here, so…

Routine

Considering everything, our lives are all about routine.
Routine gives us structure, instils discipline and (hopefully) brings peace of mind.
What I’m not saying is that our lives should become merely routine. No. More that it helps to make our lives more ‘meaningful’, if you will. I had routines in my working life, which I followed almost religiously, in order to keep what was left of my sanity!

Jokes aside: I also have routines, albeit different ones of course, in my now-retired life.
While some will talk of “dull routine”, I’d argue the many and varied health benefits far outweigh the negatives.
By introducing organisation and order, they f’sure can help to improve your health. And that’s both physical and mental.
One example that works for me anyway is going for a 2,000-step walk damn near each and every morning, no matter (usually) the weather, any lack of sleep or mild ailment. It sets me up for the day, and makes me feel good about myself.
Some of you will know that during said walks, I often post a photo captioned: “Taken on this morning’s walk...”
What you mayn’t know is I’ve taken the same route for over three years. So, I must try and find something new to photograph every single day. So a ‘routine’ has morphed into something of a ‘challenge’. A ‘win-win’ situation: Both physically (I’m exercising) and mentally (I’m racking my brain desperately trying to find something new!).
My advice to you: Find your groove…

What’s Cookin’ Then?

I like to cook.

Never used to though. Not until I met Alice, back in 1985.
This isn’t a reflection on her cooking! Far from it: She’s a good cook. Had to be with two (always) hungry sons in the house, especially as one could f’sure be labelled as a ‘fussy eater’!
There’s that, and the fact I had to work away much of the time. At least while we were living in the UK.

Anyways, I sort of fell into it. I needed something to help me cope with the stress of what was a very stressful career.
Now some may turn to gardening, pottery, or hiking? But I have no ‘green thumb’; couldn’t throw a pot to save my life (unless it’s against a wall!); and while I like walking, that’s not the same thing, now is it? But cooking did it for me. And has continued to do so, too.
I love the ‘simplicity’ of it. By that I mean the selection of ingredients; the slicing, chopping, and dicing of the same; and the actual cooking itself, of course!
While you do have to think … you don’t, if’n you get my drift? I consider it relaxing to just not think ‘bout anything else except what herb goes best with what vegetable, or which marinade to use with which meat.
It gets me ‘out of myself’, and that’s a good thing. At any time, and any age.
And yes: It is a ‘routine’ too!

More Soon...