Saturday 28 January 2017

Bucket, Bewildered Brain And Blessing.

Right, that's it!  Enough, already.  It seemed that every time I was about to formulate a blog post, something else would happen that meant that I would suddenly find myself not formulating a blog post.

I've been so much in the blogging background and lacking in interaction that getting the momentum back has been a most daunting task.

I started writing this post over a week ago.  Then I heard this dripping noise.  I should add that the dripping noise had nothing to do with me or Penny the Jack Russell dog.  I looked over at the light fixture on my living room ceiling where drips of water were plopping down onto the carpet.

My bewildered brain realised that water coming from a light fixture was not a good idea.  Yes, my brain had a lightbulb moment.  I started feeling a bit pale because I needed a pail. Off to the kitchen to find the bucket.  "Ah bucket!", I mumbled.  "Ah, there's the bucket under the kitchen counter!"

Bucket lined up below the drip.  Make emergency phone call.  Two guys stared at the stains on my ceiling, noted the drips from the lighting and concluded that I had a leak. As in the ceiling had a leak and not me.  Brilliant and what observational skills.

Ceiling is now fixed but the bucket remains for a little longer.

So, after more than a week, here I am back to finish this post.

The last few months have challenged my vulnerable mental health well being.  Then a small moment of magic happened that more than made up for the torment I've been experiencing.  Paula, a dear friend of mine who lives in south Wales, was checking out the loft in her house.  She discovered some photo negatives.  Yes, remember the days before digital cameras.  When she realised what the subject of the negatives were, she contacted me and sent the developed photos.

My son, Tristan, Penny and I, are most grateful for Paula taking the effort to bring back some cherished memories of the past.  Thank you, Paula.




I'm guessing that these three photos are from around early 2001.  My son is 12 and Penny is about 3 months old.  Oh and the old dude would have been 46.

52 comments:

  1. How lovely to see you back in the blogosphere. You have been missed. Not only back, but back with wonderful photos to share. Thank you - and Paula.

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  2. Wow, lovely of Paula to send these to you. Thanks for sharing them with us. Also, I enjoyed reading about your leak. You wrote that funny.

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  3. Water and electricity are never a good combination, so I’m glad you got it fixed OK. The photos are just lovely, thank you for sharing them. Hugs Barbara

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  4. I agree with the first comment Gary, you've been missed.

    The story of the leak made me smile, although water and electricity together are certainly not funny.

    How lovely of Paula to send you the photos, they look great and Penny looks so sweet; thanks for sharing :)

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  5. It's great to see you back - and I'm glad the leak got fixed! Those photos - what a wonderful find! :-)

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  6. Hi Gary - so pleased Paula sent you the photos - aren't they good. But that leak ... I hope it's fixed permanently though you don't mention what it was ... just glad it wasn't what you thought it might be?! But good to see you around again ... take care and all the best - at least Spring is nearly on its way ... cheers Hilary

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  7. Thanks for sharing those lovely photos Gary and a great find, so kind of your friend to send them to you.
    I'm glad your ceiling leak was sorted quickly. It's good to see you posting again.

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  8. lol have to love such "brilliant" deductions. That was great of her to send you the shots indeed.

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  9. Sorry about the leak. You're right, that wasn't good.
    Really nice of Paula to send those photos.
    Glad you're coming back to us. It does take a bit of extra effort to begin again. But we're here for you.

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  10. What wonderful photos! Oh, just look at cute little baby Penny!

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  11. What sweet photos. Penny is so tiny.

    Thank goodness Captain Obvious was there to assess the leak. LOL

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  12. Water and electricity...I understand your concern. Where was the water coming from? We had somewhat the same experience a few years ago.....water in the light shade in the basement ceiling. The water came all the way from an ice dam on the roof. Hopefully they fixed the source of the problem as well as your ceiling.
    What lovely pictures....look at Penny, so tiny......so cute.
    Nice to see you back here Gary. It is hard to get back into blogging when you've been away for a while isn't it?

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  13. OMG! Penny is teeny tiny! What an adorable family you make. How great that your friend found and sent them. :)

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  14. Those pics are so great!!! Not so great about the leak though. I hope it's all fixed now.

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  15. These are precious photos. What a great gift from your friend!

    Sorry to hear about the leak and all the other troubles you've been experiencing. Hoping you're on the way to better things VERY soon.

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  16. Welcome back, and you're not the only one who drifted away during the past few months! How nice of your friend to send the old photos. I do remember 'before digital'. I had water in my light fixture not so long ago, due to an overflow from the toilet on the floor above. Not a pleasant moment. . .I emptied the glass to prevent the electrical element shorting out. Hope all is well now. I dislike plumbing problems with a passion.

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  17. Teeny weeny sized Penny! So cute. And so awesome to see a post from you and be able to comment! You've been really missed in the blogging world.

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  18. That was a touching gift. Amazing to see the famous Penny as a tiny pup!

    I hope the leak didn't do any serious damage. UK mains voltages make the combination with water all the more dangerous. I still can't believe the (relatively) cavalier attitude over here. Outdoor Christmas lights? Regular extension cords trailing across the open ground, no problem. You'd electrocute yourself doing that in the UK.

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  19. What an amazing find!! You must be thrilled with getting them, such lovely pictures, and Penny as a wee pup! Cute as hell, everyone on the picture is for that matter *beams*. Good to see you back here posting Gary, as mentioned above, you are missed and will always have smiles greeting you whenever you feel able to post. hugs* Xxx

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  20. So nice to see you here, Gary you have been missed. Hope the leak is fixed, water does sure go a long way when it is dripping! Loved seeing your photos, little Penny just 3 months old, what a lovely surprise to receive.

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  21. Awww those photos are PRECIOUS!!! So good to see you! xoxo
    DakotasDen

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  22. Awww!!

    I've been out of the blogging mode for several months too. Not writing, and my traveling life is not nearly as interesting as Penny's adventures. You'd think a write could come up with something to jazz up the drive with, lol.

    I know how it is when something always seems to come up just as you sit to write - a post or story or email to a friend. I wonder if I specifically look for things to distract me. I think a leaky roof over a light bulb is taking the strategy too far, but at least you had a bucket. And observant workmen to state the obvious.

    Thanks for being my posting distraction today. Only fitting as I logged on to write my I Was Seeking Gary post for Wednesday. Its that time already, and good thing you were here to remind me.

    Stay happy Dude. Loved seeing you and the family photos.

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  23. We had a leak like that in our bedroom and much to my annoyance it ruined the fan which, like an idiot, I never thought to claim for.

    How lovely to get such pictures from your friend.

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  24. Thank goodness for old dudes and astute fix-it people. Oh, yes, and buckets. I'd like to know who invented the first bucket and hug them, which would involve a bit of time travel, but I'm up for that. Any century besides mine is beckoning at the moment.

    Lovely memories you shared. Penny was one snuggly puppy, so I can see why she's at the center of family.

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  25. How absolutely adorable! (I kept misspelling absolutely with absoulutely. And you know, it warms the heart and soul to see those pictures. I guess my fingers knew!)

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  26. What great photos. I love seeing the three of you together. Baby Penny was adorable--not that she isn't still adorable. A few years ago I had leaks coming through two light fixtures. I called my excellent and beloved carpenter who is a man of many talents. He went up on the roof and nailed down two loose shingles. Problem solved in five minutes, but I understand your concern. I'm also glad that you and Penny weren't dripping.

    Love,
    Janie

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  27. Hi Gary. I think photos are one of those things that are more valuable to us as time passes. I always prefer prints to digital displays. These are all lovely pictures of a time that you can't get back any other way. I am so pleased that we can comment again!
    CLICK HERE for Bazza’s fabulous Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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  28. I can imagine you were happy to see them. I lost a roll of film in 1990 just before our eldest sone Jack passed. I would be so thrilled if someone found that film. It was never developed tho, and I wonder if the film would even be salvageable now. I know, positive thinking makes anything possible. Happy for you. They are endearing photos.

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  29. How nice to retrieve the precious memories. You and your son look so relaxed.....Penny was such a cutie!

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  30. Hoorays for everything and lots of love to you, Tristan and dear Penny.
    x

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  31. Are they sure that the lightbulb didn't have a leak? Those things can sweat.

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  32. What a treasure!! Baby Penny is so precious! Darling pics of all of you.
    So glad to see you back, Gary. Take care.

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  33. Leaks around electricity are never a good thing! Glad nobody got shocked! Those pics really were a magical gift! Penny is adorable abd you guys aren't bad either! Haha!

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  34. Look how little Penny was! Such a cutie! I am glad your friend found the negatives and got the photos developed. What a special treat!

    Sorry to hear about the leaky light- yikes- that sounds scary. Good thing you were able to get it fixed right away.

    I am so happy you were able to finish your blog post. You have been missed in the blogosphere and it is great to read your witty posts once again. :)
    ~Jess

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  35. Good to hear from you, Gary. I have faced similar mood challenges...so admire you talking about it.

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  36. Love the pics!!! Penny is such a cute little pup (as of course I knew she would be!) :)
    It's so nice when the world reaffirms our belief that it will get better by giving us those little moments! :)

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  37. Hello to you all. Normally, I would comment back to each of you individually. However, due to ongoing personal issues, physical and mental, I'm really struggling. This has been a most frustrating time for me. It seems that every time I'm about to get my momentum back, something else comes along.

    Still, I remain positive. I thank you so much for your kind, thoughtful comments. It means so very much.

    Hugs and gratitude,

    Gary :)

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    1. Gary my dear friend, I will send positive energy your way. I just wanted to let you know you are thought about and missed.

      Bright light and blessings!

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    2. Hey Truedessa,

      Thank you so much for your positive energy message. I'm sorry I've been so much in the background. It's been one hassle after another recently in my personal life. So much so, that I'm finding it difficult to concentrate on blogging and the wonderful blogging community.

      In peace and hope, my lovely friend.

      Gary

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  38. I've been remiss from visiting blogs and keeping up. I feel happier and better balanced when connected, so I think blogging must be good for my mental health. :)

    Love the pictures. How wonderful that she took the time. They're such a treasure. I suppose in the future, we'll find random flash drives with lost pictures.

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    1. Hi Elizabeth,

      Oh yes, I agree, blogging and interacting with the blogging community, can be most conducive for our mental health well being :)

      Glad you love the pictures, Elizabeth. It was marvellous of Paula to go to so much effort. Random flash drives and what's that other thing I'm trying to remember...ah yes, a memory stick...

      Cheers and hugs,

      Gary :)

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  39. Thinking about you and your son and Penny, and hoping the hard times settle down soon. Photographs can bring such a lift to a bad day, eh?

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    1. Hi Jenny,

      Thank you so much for your kind, supportive comment. Yes indeed, such photographs, taken from a negative, quite literally, reveal such a positive.

      Wishing you a peaceful weekend, Jenny.

      Gary :)

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    2. Oops and like four days later, I hope your weekend was totally awesome :)

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  40. The dripping noise... had nothing to do with you? Good. You had me worried for a second not to mention the relief that followed.... They concluded you had a... leak? So it was you after all? Now I'm so confused.

    Great pics, Gary. Pictures are like a time-machine, wouldn't you say?

    Gary, Gary...
    Never scary...
    Always flairy!

    Blue

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    1. Ah, Mr. Blue,

      Speaking of relief...that's better after I got over having a leak or two. We have taken the time machine back to early 2001. Welcome and thank you.

      Gary, Gary, nary contrary...

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    2. And how's that friggin' elbow?

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    3. Hey Blue,

      The el-boob still frigs
      That figs.
      Thanks for asking, good sir.
      Hope to make a triumphant, or otherwise, return, sometime in June, of this year.

      Gary, Gary, nary contrary...

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  41. Oh Gary. I have just read your latest post. It is my fervent wish to be able to give doctors precisely the conditions which they dismiss and don't cure. Let them live with it.
    Holding you in my heart, and hoping for better days.

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    1. Hi Sue,

      Thank you for your kind wishes. It's an absolute pain in the ass, I mean, elbow. Lot of bureaucratic bullshit, methinks.

      I just want to get this sorted and get back to interacting in the blogging world.

      Hugs and thanks again, Sue.

      Gary :)

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I do try to comment back to each commenter individually. However, I might have to shorten my replies or give a group thank you. That way, I can spend more time commenting on your blogs. Thank you and peace, my friend.