The Game of Life

Lady M kite flying in Paphos. A happy day in her game of life! 

Howde Peeps,

Donald and I are still with you and trying to find posts to cheer you up. This Covid thing is still with you and causing chaos. We know that Lady M see life as a game in which we can never win but she  always remained positive when the dice throws her low numbers. Right now, it's throwing everyone low numbers. So please enjoy rereading this, stay positive until the dice begins throwing double sixes again. Love S and D xxxxx

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Hello Everyone,

Lady M still here and is feeling philosophical, positive and nostalgic while working on the present theme for her blogs, namely Life.

It all started on that day when she thought about her age. Life is definitely a game which we all play. We have no choice. We are automatically included on the day we are born rather like being the car, dog, top hat or other token placed on Go on the Monopoly™ board. Someone else threw the dice and decided on our starting number. However, unlike Monopoly™ there are no winners in the game of life. (The pic of daffs on the left? Lady M likes it).

So, we are born, and we begin to move around the board of life. If we are lucky we may find ourselves living on Mayfair or perhaps our destiny is to remain on The  Old Kent Road.

 Our first memories are of that so called glorious period of childhood or the age of discovery. We discover the difference between right and wrong, we discover that we have needs like sustenance, we learn how to communicate, we learn that humans wear clothes, we learn how to behave. Our gathering of knowledge begun in those early months before we even walk is the beginning of a lifetime of learning. There will be talk of that place called school where education is drummed into the brain; much essential learning for what follows childhood... adulthood. The dice will be thrown again. Where it lands will determine our education. We will go through this stage because Time and Tide wait for no man. During those years the dice may be thrown again and throw things into confusion. Maybe, one of those factors determined by fate of the dice like moving, redundancy, death, divorce, or other changing circumstances will change everything. As children we are not in control and cannot change where the dice lands. Of course, other factors play a part in the lives of different individuals. The country and place of birth will have an effect on opportunities and chances.

Lady M likes this place

 We move round the board of life. If we break the rules it is Go to Jail. Alas, unlike Monopoly™ there is no get out of jail free card. Sometimes. it may seem as if life is easy or we are on the Free Parking spot. This will not last for long.

 Another  throw of the dice and we are either in higher education and still learning for some career or other or we are in the work place and struggling to pay the bills. At some stage we will pass Go and have a windfall. Hopefully, more than £200. For others, it will be a low score and a sad lot in life... homeless, refugees, poverty, poor health.


A few more years pass by and we move on to another phase after another throw. What has the dice given us... a partner, a marriage, children? We are parents but we don't feel prepared. It all seemed so easy in those lazy, hazy, crazy days of childhood. What do we do? We muddle through and do the best we can.

 The pic? One of her memories from afternoon tea at The Tower Ballroom in Blackpool. Another happy day for her. It reminds her of a German phrase she learned, Abwarten und Tee trinken. Simply means, wait and drink tea. When the dice are conspiring against us all we can do is wait and hope. Or, many find consolation, support and hope in their faith whatever it maybe. Our faith or religion is a personal choice. We may be born into a specific one but in later life it will be our choice or determined by the dice. Those children grow up and throw their own dice. Our lives have changed again. We are moving faster round the board. We question why we are playing this game. Could or should we have made different decisions? No! We wait for the inevitable.

A good attitude to the game of life!

Those final throws determine how we spend those last days of mortality. The final waiting game. I have a friend who lives in a retirement village. He said that they referred to the village as 'God's waiting room.'

Yes, I confess, although I do not reside in such a village yet I am in that waiting room. The dice has given me some good numbers and some bad ones over the years but somehow I have survived. They say that wisdom comes with age. I don't know. I was born a genius! But what I do know is that we will never win in this game so the best we can do is enjoy it, particularly the good times, and be happy as we float round the board.

Next week, Lady M will be challenging you!

Until then, just remember that you cannot win. It is impossible but have a great week anyway! If the dice throws a double six and you win the lottery my number is... 😃😇😉😊😁

Yours, Lady M

Sofia and Donald on the third day of Christmas

                                                     

Howde Folks,

Yes, we are still down under with Miranda and the family. Her treat for Christmas day was an afternoon helicopter ride with champagne on board. On Boxing day she took them to Sydney in a private jet, the usual way she travels, to see The Illusionists, the spectacular magicians at the Opera House. Even Derek went and they are all still talking about it.

It is now the third day of Christmas with nine more to go to Epiphany on 6th January.This has led me to think about the traditional 'twelve days of Christmas', the gifts and what Miranda has in store for the rest of them. I remembered that Lady M took this gift thing seriously a few years ago and created a 21st Century list which I have found for you. Would you thank anyone for sending you 'a partridge in a pear tree' today? Would you really appreciate milking maids or leaping lords? So, if your true love were to send gifts on each of the Christmas days what would he choose in the 21st century?

Lady M thinks it would be something like this:-

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me A Nintendo DS

On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me 2 Laptops and a Nintendo DS

On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me 3 Digital cameras, 2 Laptops and a Nintendo DS

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me 4 Plasma TV's, 3 Digital cameras, 2 Laptops and a Nintendo DS

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me 5 Gold rings, 4 Plasma TV's, 3 Digital cameras, 2 Laptops and a Nintendo DS
(Yes! This one stays the same, who would not want five gold rings or any other jewellery! So...)

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me 6 Diamond pendants, 5 Gold rings, 4 Plasma TV's, 3 Digital cameras, 2 Laptops and a Nintendo DS.

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me 7 Mobile phones, 6 Diamond pendants, 5 Gold rings, 4 Plasma TV's, 3 Digital cameras, 2 Laptops and a Nintendo DS

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love sent to me 8 Bottles of French perfume, 7 Mobile phones, 6 Diamond pendants, 5 Gold rings, 4 Plasma TV's 3 Digital cameras, 2 Laptops and a Nintendo DS

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love sent to me 9 Boxes of Belgium chocolates, 8 Bottles of French perfume, 7 Mobile phones, 6 Diamond pendants, 5 Gold rings, 4 Plasma TV's, 3 Digital cameras, 2 Laptops and a Nintendo DS

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love sent to me 10 Designer handbags, 9 Boxes of Belgium chocolates, 8 Bottles of French perfume, 7 Mobile phones, 6 Diamond pendants, 5 Gold rings, 4 Plasma TV's, 3 Digital cameras, 2 Laptops and a Nintendo DS

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me 11 DVD's, 10 Designer handbags, 9 Boxes of Belgium chocolates, 8 Bottles of French perfume, 7 Mobile phones, 6 Diamond pendants, 5 Gold rings, 4 Plasma TV's, 3 Digital cameras, 2 Laptops and a Nintendo DS

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me 12 Red roses, 11 DVD's, 10 Designer handbags, 9 Boxes of Belgium chocolates, 8 Bottles of French perfume, 7 Mobile phones, 6 Diamond pendants, 5 Gold rings, 4 Plasma TV's, 3 Digital cameras, 2 Laptops and a Nintendo DS.
.

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Love to you all, and hoping you had a great Christmas day, Sofia and Donald ❤❤❤❤

Stimulating September - WHO? It's quiz time!

Hello Everyone,

I hope you have all had a most enjoyable week. Maybe you learned something from last week's quiz - the answers are now available.

Now for this week's quiz:

1. Who in ancient Greece made a great discovery while taking a bath?
Archimedes


2.  Who 'tilted at windmills'?
Don Quixote


3.  Who crowns the Sovereign of Great Britain?
The Archbishop of Canterbury


4.  Who introduced the 'penny post' in Britain?
Sir Rowland Hill


5.  Who invented the first astronomical telescope?
Galileo

6.  Who first flew over the North Pole?
Commander Byrd


7.  Who are the patron saints of a)Russia  b) Italy?
a) St Nicholas   b)St Anthony


8.  Who founded the Jesuits?
Ignatius Loyola 

9.  Who was the last Viceroy of India?
Earl Mountbatten of Burma


10. Who is regarded as the greatest of Chinese philosopher's?
Confucius 


11.  WHO stands for what?
World Health Organisation


12.  Who gave us Love Me Tender  and Wooden Heart?
Elvis Presley


13.  Who would be a true cockney?
A person born within the sound of the bells of St Mary Le Bow Church, Cheapside, London. UK


14.  Who painted the Mona Lisa?
Leonardo Da Vinci


15.  Who was the sixteenth century German engraver famous for Praying Hands?
Albrecht Durer


16.  Who lives at 10, Downing Street, London?
The Prime Minister of England


17.  Who was the English outlaw, who robbed the rich to pay the poor?
Robin Hood


18.  Who in the thirteenth century invented gunpowder and spectacles?
Roger Bacon


19.  Who, in 1927, made the first solo non-stop Atlantic flight?
Charles Lindberg


20.  Who wrote Time & Tide, No Regrets, Stay in Touch, Look After Each Other, Sofia's Legacy? and Love You Forever.
Marilyn L Rice !!!!

Answers next week.

Lady M! (The smart arse who knows all the answers)

Cure those January Blues!

Hello Everyone!

It's 29th January. Only two more days of this horrendous month and then it is February. I hope the tongue twisters, jokes and humorous quotations have helped. I thought for this final week of January I would resurrect my 'Cure those January blues'.

For years I found the 'January blues' hard to cope with and then I started to think of practical solutions in the hope that January would speed by and spring would come that much more quickly. Initially, one has to tell oneself that life is wonderful and convince oneself that one is really happy. Happiness comes from within and keep smiling. The positive act of smiling tells the brain that all is well.

Why should the parties all be over just because it is January? I found giving dinner parties a great idea. Everyone seemed to have free weekends and were as delighted at having somewhere to go as I was at having something to do; looking through recipes, buying the food and preparing delicacies. Also, I found I was quite popular after invitations had dropped on doormats in the aftermath of Christmas, dieting can  wait another week!

If you are tired of staying in and really want to go somewhere other than the theatre, cinema or a club in the hope that February will arrive more quickly there are places that are open all year round. Have you ever stepped inside your local museum or art gallery? For those interested in our past or heritage have a look at country houses and historical sites. Then there are leisure centres and an abundance of tourist places to visit. Buy yourself a present, flowers always cheer a home up particularly after decorations have been removed.

Okay, so finances are difficult but there are still many things that individuals or families can do together which do not cost anything. Have you thought of volunteering for charity work? Or just popping out for a walk? Neither of those options will cost anything. Look around your home. What have you all ready got which you may use that is free? Board games? Books which you've always meant to read? Or thought about popping along to the library? Libraries are a hive of activity and opportunities these days. Sewing or craft items that still need completing?

As a last resort there is always the computer or the television. There are loads of channels, in fact one is spoilt for choice.

So, whereever you are, whatever your situation, January will be over soon, but beating the blues until then is up to you. Happiness and content come from within. Be positive, keep smiling and remember to count your blessings.

Lady M

Magic moments in writing

                                  

Hello Everyone,

Lady M still here but after a nice break in the New Forest. She had fun at the Exbury Gardens riding on a steam railway and driving round the New Forest watching the ponies roaming freely. Her next break will be Blackpool in September where she will be nostalgic thinking of all those wonderful trips to Blackpool she took in her youth.

But, back to the present. She hopes you have enjoyed May's blogs about writing and those of you who are thinking about writing a book have found it both interesting and useful. Alas, she fears you may have found it depressing and disillusioning. So, she is going to give you some of the magical moments which make it all worth 

"There are magic moments in writing that keep you going" another nugget from author @MarilynLRice @UKGamesExpo pic.twitter.com/u8rWbPCXMS 03:08 PM - 31 May 14 Well, she was really surprised. So, you never know what kind of impact you're making on others. (She looked at the pic and thought 'must not slouch!') The magic moments? 1. After all the hassle, writing, typesetting, proof reading, cover and decisions you see YOUR book for the first time. Wow. MAGIC. 2. Someone BUYS your book. They actually give you money for your work. 3. People are actually asking where they can buy your book. Well, not many but some are interested in reading YOUR work. 4. You read a nice review of your work. 5. You publish a second book and become an author/publisher of bookS! MAGIC. That little 's' on the end of the sentence is so, so, so, important. 6. People start ordering your NEXT book in advance. Hey, peeps like your work so much that they cannot wait for your next one. You've got a small fan club but from little acorns... 7. You become an international author. It is not only people in your own country but others around the world who are now reading your work. There's another 'magic moment' she's still waiting for... THE FILM! But, she lives in hopes. Anyway, it is the UKGames Expo again this weekend and she will be there, on Saturday, with her colleagues at the authors table by the Kings Room. If you want an exciting weekend of fun and are near Birmingham pop along and say 'hello'. Have fun. Lady M!



Sofia's Selection 4

Howde Folks!

LIFE AT 6!


I've decided to embarrass her by going back to 'Life at 6'. You may remember that she was dreading reaching 60 and declared herself to be '6' for the next decade. Anyway, that was almost four years ago. She's perilously close to 64, now. We keep humming the famous song by The Beatles, "When I'm 64" just to annoy her.

Hello Everyone,

Yes, the 'Big Day' arrived and you can see from these photographs that I enjoyed it!

Now, I'm back in England at the start of my next decade.

As you have seen in the last blogs, Cyprus has been a whirl of excitement, visiting the sites, crossing the 'green' line in Nicosia, spending about ten minutes on Turkish soil as opposed to Greek and numerous other things. I've met new friends and been reacquainted with old ones. For those of you who remember my New Year's Resolution, which was to take every opportunity and challenge that came my way and enjoy them, after I had learned to use chop sticks at the Fortina; I can tell you that I've enjoyed a new opportunity - I've learned to play Rummikub! I'd never heard of it but now I love it. How many of you are still keeping up New Year Resolutions?

Anyway, I was getting concerned as the B day was drawing nearer...

On the 15th, I woke up and said to myself, (I can assure you that there was no one else in the room!) OMG It's the last day of the Brighton Line and for non-Bingo players, that's 59. It was a wet day which did nothing to help my forlorn mood. My new friend, Marion, was desperate to remind me of my impending doom at lunchtime. Feeling ancient I had a snooze in the afternoon and by dinner time I was almost counting the minutes until midnight.

Much to my surprise, it was a bright sunny day on the 16th and my first view was of the beautiful harbour and fort from my room. I remembered I was only 6 and declared that I would be more badly behaved this time round. Cards had been arriving for several days so I opened them with my morning cuppa and displayed them on the table. I had bought a special Tee Shirt for the occasion, I AM NOT 60, I AM 18 WITH 42 YEARS EXPERIENCE. I wore it with pride and went down to breakfast.

Marion was waiting for me. Then, I knew I was only 6 because presents of sweets and chocolates arrived. Marion had discovered Aphrodites Secret a shop selling honey almond sweets and purchased some which she deeply regretted and requested people assist her in devouring them. Well, one has to help a friend in need... Knowing how much I enjoyed eating them, as you can see, in the above photo, she kindly bought me some of my own! And another box of chocolates was handed to me by the SAGA rep, my dear friend Henry Phillips. I just kept my hand over the '0' on the Tee shirt and stated that I was only 6!

Later, I strolled to the harbour for a coffee at my favourite place. After lunch, I spent the afternoon on my sun lounger. I certainly did not do that the first time round! At some stage during the afternoon the birthday fairies aka Guest Relations at the hotel found their way to my room and left champagne and balloons.

And the perfect day continued into the early evening. At dinner, I was given another bottle of champagne; I had help enjoying it! Then, came the cake. If this is 'Life at '6'' bring it on!

One of the cards I received, had been left by a lady who had returned to England the previous week, I thought it was such a nice thing to do but her final comment was even more poignant and I would like to share it with you as my thought for the week.

Thought for the week: The best is yet to come!


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Love You Forever, Sofia (and Donald) xxxx