Sunday 24 January 2016

A Reason to Smile . . . .

Finally.

It’s been a dark and dismal time, inside and out.
Many of you praise me for telling it like it is, 
but even a straight-talker like me cannot always 
share their gloomiest moments.

The black dog will not leave me alone,
it insists on following my footsteps,
intruding into my every waking moment,
colouring my every thought.

Get away from me, soul destroyer.



42 comments:

  1. Love, hugs and prayers for you and yours dear Friko ~ FlowerLady

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  2. Still, we're always glad to hear from you.

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  3. As Marty said we are always glad to hear from you. Maybe it's time for some 'medical' intervention/help

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  4. I am glad to see that you are still with us, though it sounds like it's been a hard, dark winter. I have no good advice....can only say that I think of you often. I wish I could sit in your conservatory for a cup of tea in a beautiful tea cup. We could talk about anything at all. What have you been reading? Have you read/got Jane Gardam's The Stories. If I could I'd come around with it.
    It might be better in a sunny climate, or at least that's what I tell myself. Sitting by the sea, thinking of you on your hilltop. Thinking of you with affection and respect for all that you have to cope with.

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  5. Just giving you my hand to hold. xo

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  6. Your words described the last few months of my life I wish you sunshine streams to break up the darkness. Glad to see you post

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  7. It is so good to hear from you, and your "reason for a smile" is wonderfully silly. I've been thinking of you particularly, as the RSC history plays are coming our way, and we have actually plunked down to see the Henry IV, 1 & 2, "live." I've been trying myself to chase away the gloom (we didn't get hit with the blizzard here, at least, but it's been unremittingly cold and often gloomy, too), by reading up on The Plantagenets and reading the Arden Shakespeare volumes, making a winter project out of it all. I'm enjoying it, though I must say all that drawing and quartering and worse remains quite shocking, not to mention all the battles. Why not, I can't help but think, just let it be, sit by the fire, and have, as J's brother is wont to say, "A Nice Cuppa Tea." Here's one for you and Beloved, and with much love to you both, and Millie, too.

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  8. Friko, your post made me realize how very much I would miss the sunshine. Here in Texas it gets very hot in July and August and we complain... but we get very little winter and lots of sun. Here's hoping your winter blues will soon be gone and all will be well again.

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  9. I hope the black dog takes a long nap so you can come out and play. Thanks for the update, dear Friko. Thinking of you with affection.

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  10. I'll hold your hand, and your hold mine! Fond best wishes

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  11. We sink into that darkness and you must struggle to the surface. You must do something different, so different from what you normally do. It will not change the times and the blackness but it will change you. It is good to tell it like it is, because when you lie to us, you lie to yourself.

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  12. It's so difficult to get out of this gloomy mood. I hope you can eventually come out and see the sun again.

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  13. Good evening to you dear Friko, and thank your for sending a wave across the Atlantic.

    Today the sun returned to NYC after yesterday's dramatic blizzard. Over two feet of undisturbed snowfall looked very beautiful from my window last evening. When I finally ventured out before noon today, pathways had been scraped along some sidewalks, streets that been continually plowed hour after hour for about 24 hours were looking worse for ware. Slush appeared at certain pedestrian intersections.

    Ah, but I was wearing my newly purchased Canadian boots with thick, ridged rubber soles, and so I could walk on through what presented itself those boots.

    I met my work colleagues as planned (before the snow forecast) and we went together to see an absolutely dreadful, tacky Broadway musical, called Kinky Boots. I could not bring myself to applaud, although much of the audience seemed enchanted. I felt sorry for the performers who were adding to their resumes by appearing in this show. It is a hit show, and has been running for several years.

    It was wonderful to leave the theatre and to once again see the true drama offered by NYC on an afternoon after a blizzard. A week ago, I would not have realized that I would have this mixture of opportunities today.

    I am hoping to see another post from you soon, and hope that my brief account of a day in my life might amuse you just a bit. xo to you and yours.

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  14. Black dogs can be tamed and you be the master. Good luck.

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  15. Whoever owned this car had a great sense of humor. It would be nice to just turn the switch and gloomy times would be gone. Written expression can help.

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  16. Good cures for the black dog ... funny cars, and sunlamps. Hope you're feeling better!

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  17. Depression is such a heavy weight; makes it sometimes impossible to move forward. I can only hope and remind you that bad times pass in one way or another. And medication and support can really help

    Always good to hear from you, friko. You have friends here
    Love
    kj

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  18. Hi Friko - difficult to get away from ... a green lane, dry underfoot, snowdrops along the bank, wild daffodils waving golden faces, and the lure of new growth coming soon ... all will soon help hugely. My thoughts - but that de cheveux makes me smile - lovely to see .. such fun. My aunt and uncle leant me one on my return from SA .. I struggled with gears and the wobbly feel of it ... I chuntered everywhere! But I was glad for wheels til I got sorted ...

    With thoughts - at least we haven't got a blanket of snow ... which might be pretty ... but is somewhat devastating to deal with ... take care and all the best to you both - Hilary

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  19. I'm glad to read from you Friko and this photo if very funny!

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  20. One of the side benefits of my glaucoma eye drops is an increase in the thickness and length of my eyelashes. They look rather like those on the car, which made it doubly amusing to me. Before I had my new lens implants and was still wearing glasses, I had to cut my eyelashes from time to time, just to rid myself of the annoyance of having them hit my glasses. My eye doctor said there were two side effects possible for the drops: the long eyelashes, and a darkening around the eyes that makes people look like they've been in bar fights. I'll not complain about the lashes.

    Wouldn't it be a fine thing if we just could call up the Black-dog-catcher, and have him come by to haul the beastie away in a van? Millie's the only black dog you need. I hope the other one heads off to annoy someone else, and soon.

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  21. That black dog is hard to shake, especially in the darkness of winter. As each day goes by, though, we gain more daylight and eventually the sun comes out. In the meanwhile, we look for courage. Stay strong, dear Friko, and know that people from all over the world, care about you.

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  22. A similar car appeared in a parking lot for me one dismal day and I, too, clicked a photo of the long, long lashes. We smile when we can, Friko, and I hope you are smiling more soon.

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  23. That is such a cute "bug"! Looks like you have some challenges, and good to see you online!

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  24. This long, dull, grey winter has been hard for those like you and my sister who are accompanied unwillingly by the black dog. I hope he takes his leave of you before long.

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  25. That is the cutest beetle bug!!
    Sorry it has been such a dark winter for you. If I could transport myself over there to give you a hug and have a chat over coffee I know one smile from you would be worth a hundred times more than my easy laughter. Can you feel the hug?

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  26. All the comments are wrapped up in what I want to say. Keep strong xx

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  27. What a lovely photo and yea a reason to smile. Give that black dog a kick and tell it to leave you alone. Take care Diane

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  28. Thank you for this, as I know we are both struggling at the moment. I wish you strength in your tussle with the Black Dog and thank you for your wise comments on my blog.

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  29. I think Millie, being the black dog that she is, might take exception to the term, as accurate as it may be! Now, to have Millie follow you day in and out would be quite all right, I think. The other one? Not so much. Winter is hard on our bodies and souls. I know it's so with me. We have, at least, had a light winter for a change and that gives me some hope for an early spring. Of course, around here we never say that too loudly. Give your sweet black dog a hug and let her help send the other away.

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  30. It's funny, but I've always thought of "it" as a black cat, not a dog. Cats are (at least mine is) fairly self-absorbed. Perfect milieu for a quicksand of despair. I hope someone near you pulls you out of it.

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  31. You've been on my mind. Flee, Black Dog. Flee. Stop pestering my dear friend. Leave her alone.

    I wish my words had the power to dispel the darkness that is hounding you. Know that many care and are praying for brighter days for you. You've been through a great deal recently. Then, there is the weather that makes things even more gloomy. I hope you are not walking these dark days alone.

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  32. Hi. I was so glad to find a post from you today! I worry about what is going on with you when you don't post. I check every day. Here in TX it seems as if winter is going to totally pass us by. Today I wore short sleeves to walk the dogs. I wouldn't mind skipping the cold weather so much if I didn't dread those HOT days of summer so much. I agree with what Sally said. Wish we could do something to get rid of that dog that is hounding you.

    All I can think of to say ---that might help a little---is that you are considered such a treasure by so many. We feel with you and for you. I wish these electronic messages were like a warm electric blanket for your heart! Rose

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  33. Tell Millie to eject the intruder.
    Weather can't help, either. Even my mother is feeling down - doesn't want to go out, just generally fed up with it all.
    Roll on spring.

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  34. I found myself glowering at someone's copy of Lenoir's 'Happiness , a Philosopher's Guide' the other day and realised that winter has gone on quite long enough already . It's definitely time for swathes of bluebells and daffodills .

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  35. Thanks dear one for telling it like it is. I know. It gets so we bore ourselves with our own de profundis. I do. But know I can listen. Hugs.

    XO
    WWW

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  36. Get away, black dog.

    Hugs to you.

    =)

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  37. You've been missed. I'm sorry the black dog has been to stay again. Hugs along with a virtual cup of tea and piece of cake.

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  38. Memories of reading Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!

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  39. Black dogs travel, don't they.

    Your bug is adorable. Reminds me of Herbie the love bug.

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  40. My first comment went away.. Darn black dog. You need a new dog?

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  41. Love the car -- may your moods brighten as the days grow longer.

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