Spiderman | But I Smile Anyway...

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 284 – The Joy Of Reunion

09 Aug 2020 24 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Family, Parents, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you.”
Desmond Tutu

Such a blessed quote, Spidey. Thank you very much.

Depending on the time you read this, I will either be preparing, packing, travelling (in sweltering heat), or sat at a safe distance from my parents.

Yes, finally, after eight months, thanks to this God forsaken virus, we have made the decision to take a short trip for a few days to be with Pops and Mum.

I’ve sat here, constantly, watching the news and all the updates. Thankfully where they are, and where we are, aren’t in any sort of lockdown situations.

So, after a hearty brunch, and making sure everyone has used the bathroom before we leave, we shall head off to Brum. The hope is that we have no need to stop at services, and fingers crossed for a clear route so we are there within the three hours (not least because my air conditioning is not working, again, and we are going through a real heatwave at the moment!).

I think this has been the longest time that has passed where I haven’t seen my parents. It has been really tough.

I worry about them, and at the height of the pandemic, and lockdown, there was no chance of going to them, then when restrictions began lifting, I was back in school, so again, no chance.

The last two weeks of holidays have been filled with appointments so finally we have the time to go, with no worries.

Video calls have been a blessing, for sure, but nothing beats actually being with them.

I know we will need to distance, but I’m just going to thank God we are able to be with them.

So, who have you missed the most, during the period of lockdown?

Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps And enjoy your week! ❤

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 283 – Busy Doing Nothing

02 Aug 2020 39 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Busy, Nothing, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“Nothing is better than being busy doing nothing.”
Lau Tzo

Thanks for the confirmation, Spidey, that doing nothing is a thing!

Actually, I say busy doing nothing, but it’s not quite true.

The holidays are here, and we have nothing specific planned. That would be better to say.

The way things are, right now, I think it’s better to not have too much planned, incase things take a turn for the worse.

Actually, as I type, the US still has cases in the high figures, and European countries that were convinced they’d kicked Covid-19 to the curb, are now reporting case numbers rising, sparking fears of a second wave.

Here, in the UK there have been few areas where numbers have spiked, causing local lockdown, rather than national. And our dear BoJo has put the brakes on any more loosening of the lockdown for a further two weeks, to curb the chances of the spikes spreading further.

When I said we had no plans, that was a little white lie.

One thing I was desperate to do (if you know me, you’ll already be able to guess what I’m about to type) was to see my parents as soon as it was humanely possible.

After factoring in orthodontic appointments, cricket trainings, and a few others, it was settled that we would go for a couple of days, to see the folks as I haven’t seen them since the New Year.

But now, hearing everything that is happening, I wonder whether that is a wise decision?

Do we go and visit them, satisfy our longing to see and hug them, but possibly put them at risk of the virus, as we will be coming in from somewhere else? Then there is the flipside, do we risk going away, even for a few days, and possibly bring something back this way?

Ideally, we (meaning the kids and I) wanted to go away as there was work that needed doing in the house. If we weren’t around then Hubby Dearest could supervise this work (supposing the builders etc. could do that week) without worrying about us all bouncing off the walls, too.

And while I ponder what to do, I still have other weeks to fill, doing nothing, too.

So, I’m writing.

That’s not nothing, agreed, but it takes a whole lot of nothing time for me to be able to create.

And so I shall, and from this ‘busy doing nothing’ time, may wonderful words be born!

So tell me, what do you do when you’re ‘busy doing nothing’?

Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps And enjoy your week! ❤

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 282 – Conversations

26 Jul 2020 41 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Elderly, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“The best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person…”
Andy Rooney

I absolutely love this quote, Spidey! Thank you so much!

Yesterday, I went off to do my weekly shop, mask donned, as is the new necessity now. as I left, the security alarm went off – something had been left with a tag on.

The security guard checked my receipt. “It’s probbaly the steak, or the charger that you’ve bought.” He waved me through the door.

A mature gentleman was passing through with me, and he laughed. “What have you been sneaking out?”

Luckily, I am one of those people with a sense of humour, and I knew the man was joking. So I said, “It’s either my dinner or the lifeblood for my daughter.” (Replacement charger for her phone… would have been a tragedy if I’d forgotten!)

He walked with me for a second, then started chatting about all sorts, from his hatred of modern technology, to his new way of living, in a Motor home, travelling to visit friends and family.

He’s eighty two. I think that’s pretty good going!

Obviously, a conversation with me will never last a couple of minutes, especially if there is someone of an equally taaalkative nature! (Half an hour… my ice creams were not happy with me!)

We went on to discuss the pros and cons of eReaders, vs Books, and I learned that he was an ex police man, turned university lecturer, with his Masters and PHD, specialising in Food.

We waxed lyrical about fast food vs real food.

It was a fascinating conversation, and all the while, I had my mask on. My big worry with masks, was thaat no one would know if I was smiling at them.

He said “I can tell from your eyes, you have a good nature.” I like this guy even more!

We finally parted when I checked my watch and realised how long I had been standing outside the shop, and how I might be late for Lil Man’s cricket match. (I wasn’t. The weather turned so it was cancelled.)

But I had such a lovely chat. And this man, born before the start of WW2, was so pleased to have someone to talk to.

I believe it is so important to take the time to talk to those older than us. They have much to tell us, to share, to teach. They truly are the best classroom in the world.

So tell me, have you had any eye opening conversations with elderly people?

Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps And enjoy your week! ❤

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 281 – Supportive

19 Jul 2020 39 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Quote, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday, Supportive

“Behind every young child who believes in himself, is a parent who believed first.”
Matthew Jacobson

Thank you, Spidey, for finding another great quote to illustrate what I’m thinking today.

Today, we spent around eight hours travelling to, and from, and sitting through, another of Lil Man’s cricket matches, as a family.

(Granted, Lil Princess was dragged, with no interest at all, but she did sit, so props to her for not complaining too much!)

Lil Man loves cricket with a passion. It runs in the family on both sides, with a dad who used to play as a youngster for the district, and an uncle (my brother) who played for Warwickshire county as aa young man, and now is in the Finnish national team.

This year’s season has been hit and miss, what with the Pandemic (as has so much stuff) but a few weeks ago, training resumed and he was so happy. Last week, he played a match, and came awaay quite disheartened, as certain adults were a bit rude to him…

But on Saturday, he was asked to play in his first Men’s match, with the clubs’ 5th team.

We travelled to near Whitstable, in the heat. Whitstable is a seaside town, so we were stuck in traffic, as all the rest of the cars wanted to head for the beach.

Once we arrived, the weather was glorious, and we set out our mats, to sit and watch, as he joined in the game.

He was nervous, slightly, because of the comments last week, but with us there to encourage him, I think it gave him a boost.

He was the last batsman, and finished the innings, with six runs from three bowls, including a four, and was not out.

Bowling is his forte, being a leftie spin bowler, so when they switched over, we waited with bated breath, for them to call him up to bowl.

It took a while, but being a forty-over-each-way match, there were plenty of chances.

He managed to take a catch, clean bowl someone out, and had another batsman run out from one of his bowls, so three wickets out of 9 were his!

Proud parents, we were, sat there, clapping him on.

They lost, but it was a tight finish, and the joy at seeing him being congratulated by the elder, more respected members of the team was heart-warming.

Talking of warming… it was boiling there, and we slathered on the suncream, but I obviously missed a spot, and am now sporting a burnt chest!

And at no time have we doubted his skill.

Lil Man is a fantastic team player. Academics may not be his thing, but sports are. And we, as a family, are right there behind him, cheering him on.

Not least because as a child myself (albeit a grown up one) I know that my own parents have been behind me my whole life, encouraging and pushing me to do what my heart believes, from my teaching, to my writing.

Knowing they believe in me, helps me believe in myself, and this is something I want to pass on to both our children.

So tell me, how do you support your children, or do you have supportive parents?

Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps And enjoy your week! ❤

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 280 – Read

12 Jul 2020 38 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Quote, reading, Reviews, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“Reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body.”
Joseph Addison

Thanks, Spidey! I always appreciate your quote selections, and I love that you chose to think about reading today. This quote makes me happy that my brain is being exercised as much as the rest of me at the moment, perhaps even more so!

I love books.

I definitely have an addiction.

I try not to buy too many physical books, because – space. But somehow they still end up in my basket. My Kindle is groaning with the amount of books I hvae waiting to be read.

I’ve even started adding ones I’d like to another list, on Amazon, so I don’t get them, just yet, as I must do justice to the ones I already have! (Unless they go on sale, in which case, it would be foolish to not!)

And as I read, I always review. I have done for the last few years, since I started blogging, and getting to know authors. The importance of reviews stretch beyond just letting other readers know what you think.

Well constructed reviews are also crucial for authors too. It’s not just about the ratings and getting five stars across the board. A good review will give the author food for thought. There may be huge praises involved for the writer, but sometimes there is constructive advice within reviews too, things that may help an author refine and hone their skills for the next book.

Since I started doing my monthly review posts, I realised that initially, I wasa automatically giving any book I read 5 stars, because I felt I should. And to be honest, I rarely read books that I wouldn’t like. Tried and tested authors.

But my range changed as I began blogging, and I found my preferred genres widening. Becoming a member of NetGalley further expanded my reading and reach, and I realised that blanked 5 stars were no good for anyone!

So, over the months, I honed my ratings to the meanings below. I shall be including this in all my round up review posts, so you will know what the ratings mean to me!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - loved it so much, I need ALL the books this author has ever written!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - great read, something I'd read again
⭐⭐⭐ - enjoyable storyline and characters
⭐⭐ - an okayish read
⭐ - really wasn't for me

And please remember, your reviews and ratings mean a lot to all authors!

If you’ve read Marriage Unarranged, and haven’t quite got round to reviewing… pretty please do!

So tell me, how do you rate books you read?