What makes you feel nostalgic?

There are a few things that make me feel nostalgic. Definitely, music 🎶 is a big thing that makes me nostalgic. Hearing certain songs 🎵 can evoke different memories and emotions. Certain songs 🎵 remind me of certain people and the memories of different special occasions spent in their company. I was fortunate enough to attend quite a few concerts in my teenage and young adult years, and hearing certain songs 🎵 reminds me of those times.

Different clothes I own make me nostalgic, particularly the clothes I own that have been from Susanna and Kathryn. The clothes were given to me out of love, and I consciously choose to wear them because I feel the love when I wear them and feel good about myself. Likewise, certain gifts 🎁 I have been given over the years, I keep for sentimental reasons and treasure the memories that these gifts 🎁 evoke.

Yes, I think I am a very nostalgic person and treasure certain things that remind me of times go by.

What relationships have a positive impact on you?

I’ve been thinking about today’s topic, and the more I think about it, the more blessed I feel with some truly wonderful friendships.

When I initially developed mental health issues, it rocked my 🌎 world to its very core and was the catalyst for great change in my life. I lost some friends around this time, but they weren’t true friends, only around for a good time. I have many long-term friends like Adrian and Vicki . These long-term friends are non judgemental and supportive.

I think of my dear angel lady Susanna, who was like a sister to me. We were so close. Susanna taught me that thoughtfulness and goodwill are what life is all about. I miss Susanna dearly, but I think of all the good she brought to my life, including my wonderful friendship with Kathryn. Kathryn and I treasure our bond over Susanna and know Susanna is an angel who took human form to lead by example how to live a good life.

I include Russell quite obviously as a friendship I feel blessed to have. He is such a gracious gentleman. To read more about Russell, read my recent blog post 📫 entitled “Definitely Russell.”

Last but not least is the positive impact pets can have on our lives. My little dog Lily brings me joy and unconditional love by the bucket loads. I think our pets humbly teach us what is really important in life. I treasure the memory of all the dogs in my life, past and present, and feel that they are definitely gifts from God. Lily is my little muse and gently inspires me to be the best version of myself I could possibly be.

I have a lot to be positive about with the love that surrounds me, both from my friends and Lily.

You get to build your perfect space for reading and writing. What’s it like?

I would like to set up a copy, warm space for reading and ✍️ writing. Ultimately, it will be an old-fashioned room, full of character with several bookshelves for my ever growing collection of books. In my fantas, it will include an antique writers desk with a roll top hood and lots of cupboards to store writing materials. The desk will be in front of a window, which I could look out onto the view and take it in when I am in a reflective mood. It will hsve a table and the set of drawers where I store my art materials and a table and easel set up, so I can readily use it, when I feel a burst of energy for other artistic pursuits. Lily will have a dog bed there, as well as some toys, so as my muse, she can just be a cozy, warm, loving, inspiring presence in the space. It will be an old-fashioned room with the artworks and prints I have collected over the years to comfort and inspire me.

What is your all time favorite automobile?

I don’t just have 1 favourite car. I have two. My all-time favourite car is a mini, in particular the little aqua coloured mini my mum had when I was a child.

My other favourite car would have to be my friend Carl’s Maserarti, it is a vintage Maserarti and is sleek and beautiful. My friend Carl is very well to do, and he owns several sports cars, but my favourite would have to be the Maserarti.

How are you creative?

My main form of creativity is my writing and both of this blog and other forms of writing, eg, God Bless Our Dogs and The Dance Of The Emerald Dress. Writing is my favourite form of creativity.

I occasionally dabble in watercolour painting, normally when I am in recovery from an onset of my mental health issues. In the past, I have experimented in things like silk painting and jewellery making and ceramics.

Who are the biggest influences in your life?

In my life, there are a few people who influence me.

The first and probably the most influential is my psychiatrist. He is a good man and gives me wise, sound advice. He is the man who first encouraged me to write a blog.

The next people are the lecturers I had when I studied welfare studies and those good people I worked alongside when I worked in mental health. They, too, helped me gain wisdom and experience in life.

My family and friends also have been positive influences, particularly Susanna, who really became my role model in how to live a good, thoughtful, honest, loving life. She truly was an angel lady 💗. My other friends, too many to mention, are also my greatest supporters in my life, and I treasure each one of you dearly. 💖.

Share what you know about the year you were born.

I was born in 1969, and it was a very important year b, because man walked on the moon that year. Also, Woodstock happened that year, and The Beatles released the Abbey Road album, which featured tracks like Come Together and Here Comes The Sun and Something.

Are you a good judge of character?

I think I am a good judge of character and that I become more so as time goes on. I have learnt from past experience to listen to my gut instincts about the people who come into my life. I have learned not to become close to the people I feel uncomfortable about. I try to surround myself with good people and not be close to those my gut feels uncomfortable with. I think how we reap what we sow in this life and that if you have good intentions, God will reward you with people with equally good intentions in your life.

When are you most happy?

I am most happy on those days when I am catching up with family and friends. I enjoy that very much.

Lily also makes me happy on a daily basis. She wakes up happy every morning 🌄 and seldom leaves my side. Her unconditional love is blissful, and I treasure each moment with her because I know she won’t be around forever. I love her affection and her innocence and curiosity.

What was the last thing you did for play or fun?

Each year, I buy Lily a toy for Christmas from Santa. I put the toy away until Christmas day. This year, I have been teasing her. I have bought her a purple 💜 plastic pig that oinks when you touch it. I have put this high up in my pantry to hide it. Occasionally, when I open the pantry, I secretly squeeze it, so it oinks, and Lily comes running 🏃‍♂️ excited by the sound. I think she has figured out that it is something for her. I will give it to her first thing Christmas 🎄 morning 🌄. In the meantime, I enjoy arousing her curiosity.