The Treasures in My Life....

Hello and welcome!

Today I'm taking part in the Blog-a-Licious blog tour on the theme of 'Treasures in My Life.'

Now I was tempted to post serious stuff about health, family and home...but hey...I thought I'd have a little fun instead, so here goes.

Enjoy!

CATS

Anyone vaguely acquainted with me will appreciate that I'm nuts about cats. I love 'em, can't get enough of them! Cats are a miracle of creation: the way tabby-cat coats match on both sides, the detail where their whiskers are plumbed in, retractable claws and last but not least - the purr! What a great thing a purr is! So 'cats' are right up there with the treasures in my life: too valuable to put a price on.

CHOCOLATE.

OK, chocolate. Do I really need to explain? Chocolate is one of those wonderful delights that can be as essential as medicine. A treasure to me is something that enriches life...and chocolate does that all right!  (John Lennon in chocolate - made by my eldest son.)

COMPUTORS (...and OK, cats again!)

If treasure enriches life, then so does my laptop. I'm not in the least tekky, and yet I cant live without my computor; I write on my laptop and it's a portal to people and places that are dear to me. And yes, Widget sits beside me while I write, only I try not to get up too often because she pinches the warm spot.

CREATIVITY.

This is a photo of the picture my son painted for his A level art exam. I've posted it because it represents creativity and the pleasure it brings. My eldest son's creative outlet is painting, my younger son's his is humour, mine is writing...but whichever and whatever, being able to express yourself is a jewel without price.

NIFF-NAFF AND TRIVIA.

Not all treasures are valuable - take this bracelet as an example. It wasn't expensive but I love it none-the-less. I adore how it catches the light and shines the colours of the rainbow, like water trapped in jewel form, trivial really but it pleases me. I love other trivia to, such as historical trivia...but you'll know that already if you are a regular visitor to this blog.

BOOKS!

It was a close run thing whether I posted a picture of books or my kindle! As an avid reader, books, be it DTB or electronic, are a way of life and I wouldnt be without one in my handbag or pocket. The world is a much richer place because of literature.

THE SEA

This may seem an odd chose as a 'treasure' but there's something about the sea that makes me feel good, in the same way that possessing something of great price does. For me there's a connection with the sea that can't be bought.

HOME, SWEET HOME.

Last but not least...this is the view from the door of my local Indian Restaurant. I'd strolled there one evening to collect my carry out, turned round and saw this view with fresh eyes. Now if this isnt something to treasure, what is?

I'd love to hear about the treasures in your life...please share and leave a comment.

Your next stop is Dora's blog : http://blogaliciousblogs.blogspot.com/

The other blogs taking part in this tour are:

1. Dilman - http://dilmandila.blogspot.com/

2. Debbie - http://www.scatteredmusings.net/3. Shelley - http://bookfare.blogspot.com/

4. Lucy - http://lifethrulucylasticaslense.blogspot.com/ 5. Karen - http://britsunited.blogspot.com
6. Shannon - http://reflectionandreview.com/ 

7.Dora - http://peacefrompieces.blogspot.com/ 

8. Hope - http://theoncominghope.blogspot.com

9. Janet - http://jlbcreatives.blogspot.com

10. Karen - http://karenvwasylowski.blogspot.com

11. Janu - http://janukulkarni.blogspot.com

12. Catherine - http://www.catherinestine.blogspot.com/13. David - http://blog.elenchera.com
14. Stuart - http://stuartland.com/blog/

15. Grace - http://graceelliot-author.blogspot.com

16. Dora - http://blogaliciousblogs.blogspot.com/

THANK YOU, GRACE X

Writing to Me is .....Escapism.

Today's post is in conjunction with the Blog-A-Licious Blog Tour a fantastic blog hop that brings together bloggers of all genres, backgrounds and locations. In today's hop, the blog featured before, Grace Elliot-author, is http://remembernewvember.blogspot.com

The blog featured after, Grace Elliot- author, is the captivating http://blogaliciousblogs.blogspot.com

 Do stop by and say hello plus some of us are having giveaways and contests. Enjoy! 

Widget and friend - more of Widget later......

Writing to Me is…Escapism.

The theme of this week’s Blog-A-Licious Blog Tour is “Writing to me is….”  Many adjectives spring to mind when I think about what writing means to me: addictive, essential, rewarding, frustrating…but the one that stands head and shoulders above the rest is ‘Escapism.’

Let me explain.

Life is hectic. I’m a working mother with two teenage sons. My job as a veterinarian is both intellectually and emotionally demanding. Veterinary medicine requires logical thinking and deduction, no flights of fancy or imagination, but cold, hard scientific facts in order to reach a diagnosis. And then I must translate those conclusions into words that a distressed client can understand without being baffled by long words.

I have worked at the same practice for twelve years and have known many of the patients since they were puppies or kittens.When they become ill, this is extra pressure because I feel I know them like my own pets. The temptation is to then ‘take work home with me’ and dwell on difficult cases once I’ve left the surgery, with exhausting results. I’ve learnt the hard way that everyone needs time to relax and switch off…and for me this is where writing comes in.



Widget demonstrating that relaxation takes dedication and tenacity (a skill, she says, that few humans possess.)



I started writing five years ago, after a school reunion. People I hadn’t seen for twenty years asked if I still wrote stories, (my English homework was regularly read out to the class.) In a ‘Eureka’ moments, I remembered the satisfaction and escapism of crafting a story, went home and started writing.

I’ve never looked back since. Always an avid reader, to rediscover the joy of crafting my own world is escapism without price! I have a photographic memory and visualize a scene in my head and then transfer it to the page – an almost meditative process. Mentally placing myself in Regency England, mixing with the characters and feeling their peril has trained me to let go of the worries of the present day, rest and refresh. It’s amazing how much more energy I have when I don’t waste it brooding over the day and worrying about the one ahead.

Obviously I've disturbed Widget's 'Chi' by getting up!

So for me writing is an escape from everyday cares….plus I get to spend more time with Widget (one of my five cats.) She thoroughly approves of my writing habit because she snuggles up to my leg. I’d like to think it was love, but I suspect it’s just that I’m warm…but hey, you can’t have everything!

Don’t forget, the next stop on the Blog-A-Licious tour is the lovely Pandora’s blog at:

http://blogaliciousblogs.blogspot.com

Thanks for visiting!

See you again soon, G x