Why ❎ Vote?

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Someone said to me today? Why Vote, what’s the point? I didn’t jump down their throat, but I thought, why do I vote?

I guess I care about my world, my life, the people around me, family, friends. The people in other countries. Global warming, sale of armaments, waging wars. The impoverishment of many people because of austerity.

Life seems to be unfair, lots of things don’t work out, but that’s the point of democracy, to try and improve the world for everyone. Being able to Vote is important, you can change things, you can make a difference.

In the 19th and 20th century people fought for the vote. Suffragettes fought for it, working class people fought for it. Why not respect their actions and Vote. It is important. I guess it doesn’t matter which party. It may not be the one I think people should vote for but I respect your right to do it. Thinking about countries around the world where voting is limited to only certain people, I think everyone should be enfranchised.

Waiting

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Does time splinter into different universes? While I sit here waiting for my hubby, who insisted he wanted to walk home in the rain after I dropped him off a couple of hours ago for an appointment, I wonder, where has he got to? Is he OK. Which way is he walking home. Might he get lost? He has problems following directions. But if he knows the way (and he walked back last week) then he should be OK.

But he mooches, he likes looking at things, he doesn’t stride out anymore. He’s not young. I want to go and look for him but the traffic outside is at a standstill. So I’m sitting waiting, worrying, fretting, he’s a grown man. I know he will be OK.. I guess. But time fractures, things happen….

Ten minutes later.. He’s back!

Copyright © issues

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I am a local artist in Stoke-on-Trent and about 11 or 12 years ago I painted a series of murals in the Bennett suite at the Leopard Hotel in Burslem. Recently my paintings have appeared on a book, on Midlands Today a BBC local TV channel, the Sentinel newspaper and on a ghost hunting website. All without my permission. I hold the copyright for the images and I would like people to contact me if they wish to use them. The image is my painting of my painting of the Burslem Riot of 1842. I’ve contacted the people who used them but only one has responded so I have given her retrospective permission. What can I do?

Reblogging?

It’s not something I do very often, I think blogs should really be your own work, but a couple of times just recently I have reblogged. The reason? Because I really liked them and they are discussing things I don’t know. In the case of the science blog there is so much more in it about Daylight saving time than I ever imagined and in the case of the blog about living in China, I will never visit anywhere like that and we should all be willing to learn about different cultures. I hope you agree.

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Sad

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There are so many sad things in the world today and sometimes they are overwhelming. We were singing quite a sad song at the music workshop today and one person could not join in. I think they were recently bereaved. Perhaps the song had special significance. I don’t know, but it made me think about love and loss, about how you can’t always know what’s going to happen next. It also made me feel sad about a relative whose situation has become difficult because they are spending a lot of time caring for someone else but are then neglecting themselves. Sometimes the burden that we put on ourselves can be debilitating.

Finally there are destitute people just in our neighbourhood, with no means of looking after themselves. The idea of austerity is wrong, no one should be put in a situation where they are homeless and hungry. This country has to ask itself why? Why don’t we care enough to turn things round? It’s easier to go out and buy things than give to charity, or pay a decent amount of tax to support those in need.

I’m not preaching, just thinking.

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Autumn sun.

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The sun fades,

There is more night than day.

Equinox

Change of season.

Leaves that were green change,

First pale then golden or red and russet.

Chill air frosts spiders webs.

Rain falls cold and drenching.

Flowers that were bright fade away.

Fruits ripen and fall.

Golden grain is harvested and brought in.

Stored and dried.

Winter is not here yet but gradually

So gradually, time leaps on.

Autumn shades will fade in turn.

Thank you Martha❤️

Look what’s arrived! The new book by Martha Kennedy. All the way from the states. I can’t tell you how excited I am to read it. Its about her life teaching English at South China Teacher’s University in Guangzhou in 82/83.

I’ve been reading excerpts from it in her blog, ‘I am a writer, yes I am’ on WordPress and I’m really looking forward to it. (If I can get it back of my hubby who just snaffled it!)

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Countries

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I just decided to look at my stats at WordPress for this year. It’s surprising how many people from so many countries have taken a look at my page. Some of them are only one or two views. I hope people like what I write. I try and write about a broad range of subjects because I’m interested in such a lot of things. I try and write clearly and if I have an explanation for something I will try and include it. I had a good general education but you won’t find me writing about pop music or astrology. I don’t know much about cars or trains, but I will have a go at most things. I do try dabbling in poetry. It seems to help clear my mind. But most of all I’m an artist. I like experimenting with art and some of it turns out OK.

To people following me I want to say thank you. I do try and follow back and although I don’t always have time to look or comment it is good to be part of this community.

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Ache

 

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I have that sort of portentous ache that feels like I’m coming down with something, perhaps a bug? I’m not sneezing yet but my throat is sore again. Perhaps I’ve been overdoing things, just feeling tired and aching.

Trouble with the Internet is that you can seek sympathy instead of just getting on with things. It is good to moan but it’s also probably annoying to hear people going on about how they feel  Is it appropriate to complain?

Well I guess in one way it’s informative. I won’t be doing much today because I’m not well. But whose business is that? I’m talking to strangers, to people who don’t know me. One may be sympathetic another thinks get over yourself.

My health pales into insignificance compared to people hurt or killed by cyclones or murderers. Life feels personal to me. But I am one individual. Life is more than that.

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