Is There Anything At All...?

[Ruthio]

I visit 2 or 3 forums, of which this is one, and I'm finding it less and less attractive these days except for the odd limericks or word puzzle thread, because it's all so darned depressing.
 
There's enough stress in our lives ( some of us) without deliberately logging on and reading a whole lot more, it's bad enough watching the daily News!
 
So here's my question for you before I give up entirely: is there anything at all that you're happy with these days living in this country and leading the life you lead, anything you'd rather stay here for than move elsewhere, anything for which you count your lucky stars?!

You could be brave enough to list your blessings!

[muddy]

When you start to list your blessings it usually means something is not right .

[JBR]

So here's my question for you before I give up entirely: is there anything at all that you're happy with these days living in this country and leading the life you lead, anything you'd rather stay here for than move elsewhere, anything for which you count your lucky stars?!

You could be brave enough to list your blessings!

We are relatively lucky to live here in a place where, fortunately, there are not many non-white faces, and even more fortunately, very little trouble.
Not a million miles away, though, there is Wythenshawe, which is the sort of place where you wouldn't go unless you really need to, though with one exception: Wythenshawe Hospital.  I did go there, to A&E, a few years ago with a bit of a problem and sat for a few hours in the late evening in a crowded waiting room.  Fortunately, it was just a matter of waiting, and was eventually seen and dealt with well by the staff.  I also go to the same hospital every year for a check of my pacemaker.

[Scrumpy]

I have a park at the top of the road and a Co-op round the corner..
Family gatherings.. and a couple of good friends still alive..
 Fed up with the tv.. nothing much of interest to me..

Do I get pissed off ?  Of course I do.. Like many others..
My legs hurt sometimes.. my balance is wonky sometimes 
and my hair sticks out in the wrong places sometimes..
I look on PF sometimes and it is horrid.. They are a nasty bunch..
And then I come on here.. We get excited when we score a 2 on Wordle..
When the washing is on the line.. When the rains come.. or when Amazon deliver on time or 
when our pets are well..
  When it all boils down , we are bloody lucky to be alive..

[Ruthio]

Great replies, keep them coming!

Muddy we speak a different language....see below

It really is a case of 'life is what you make of it' isn't it, but only for those of us lucky enough to have choices.

For myself I prefer not to give personal details out, but I look to forums for escape and entertainment, one soon learns which threads to avoid if you already have a level of stress and anxiety in your life to overcome each day.
One thing I have learned and that is this: when you're single again after many years of being a couple you speak a different language from those who have a living partner, the 'aloneness' dictates your life and actions.

Phew, that's quite enough philosophy for today, I have many many blessings, sun's out and I'm fortunate enough to have daughter and partner staying so were off out, no idea where!!

[klondike]

Apart from general gossip forums will usually discus some of the stories in the news. A lot of the news is bad news conflict disasters etc. The reason for that is simple - newspapers produce stories that people read. Of late I don't read much news at all. I used to regularly post news stories I'd read. That hardly ever happens now. I do sometimes post jokes I've seen and found amusing.

[Vlad]

My life was good. I am 82, disabled. I have been married for 56 years to my lovely lady who has Alzheimer's. I live in a small town where people are very friendly with my daughter, and two grandchildren all employed. It's been one hell of a journey getting here. I served Queen and country for a long time, I have was badly injured and received a war pension for my troubles during the Troubles. 
It was a different world then but it was a good world. that was worth living in. My good lady a nurse for a long time also injured at work and had to retire early, but it was a good life....and now? I despair at what I see, what I read, what I encounter on a  daily basis, I see no courage, honour or integrity in the people who run the country.
I think we have reached a point where the U.K. is not fit for purpose

To finish my rant...
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy  ( First Lady of France) wrote this in 2021 on the cancel culture...


"Little by little and without warning, do-gooders and censorship have taken control. Obsessed by their image of upholders of morality, a whole load of people without culture, without experience and without courage are trying to impose their narrow-minded ideas on us. Their sterile, uniform and puerile ideas are seeking to invade humanity. If we have the misfortune not to think like them, they rush at us with all their dictatorial energy to try to make us be quiet. Humour is quietly disappearing as a result of their moralising speeches, freedom is in its death throes, creation is lifeless and democracy in great danger. In short, it is not good to joke in 2021..."

It hasn't changed.
 

[Alex]

I'm not happy with the state of this country, but I'm happy with MY life, my friends, son & DIL and grandson.  I've got smashing neighbours who are also friends. But I won't bore you all with that.....

Word puzzles and limericks are ok for many but not for me, not now, so I just skip them.   Likewise anything I
feel I can't make a contribution to, I skip.

All forums discuss topics that are in the news, this little forum is no exception.  Unfortunately a lot of the news is bad, but that doesn't mean I want to close my ears to it..  I don't think of a forum as a place to escape to, more a place to listen to other people's points of view and to learn - even if it's only about a new show on telly !

[GrannyMac]

That's a great insight re cancel culture Vlad.

I'm fairly content with my little life, I volunteer for a couple of organisations, not too many hours these days.  I keep as fit as I can by going to the local leisure centre pool, and I've a nice circle of friends there who stop for coffee, organise days out etc.  I see a separate friend most weeks too.  I visit a couple of forums, not PF much now, oh the egos! I do lots of puzzles (thanks for the competition Klondike) to try and keep my brain sharpish.

My OH, who I married, 59 years ago, is hanging in there with various health issues. We support each other, he's cooking tea atm. Our kids have been successful in their fields, grandkids are doing ok.  We have a lovely park nearby, with a library that is still open!  I loathe a lot of the wokery, of the lack of consideration, of the expectation that we want thousands of migrants with very different values and cultures in our neighbourhoods. But I won't be around to see the long term damage.  I just hope my young people escape it. 

[JBR]

I think we have reached a point where the U.K. is not fit for purpose

I feel exactly the same, especially about our so-called 'leaders'.

However, although things are not good right now and, sadly, seem to be heading for worse, I still hope that when we get a Reform government, assuming the majority of the voting public see sense, things will begin to change for the better.

Of course, that all depends on the majority of the British people making the right decision, and unfortunately I hear a lot about some of our younger people not being as pro-British and sensible as they used to be.

[muddy]

Great replies, keep them coming!

Muddy we speak a different language....see below

It really is a case of 'life is what you make of it' isn't it, but only for those of us lucky enough to have choices.

For myself I prefer not to give personal details out, but I look to forums for escape and entertainment, one soon learns which threads to avoid if you already have a level of stress and anxiety in your life to overcome each day.
One thing I have learned and that is this: when you're single again after many years of being a couple you speak a different language from those who have a living partner, the 'aloneness' dictates your life and actions.

Phew, that's quite enough philosophy for today, I have many many blessings, sun's out and I'm fortunate enough to have daughter and partner staying so were off out, no idea where!!

Escape and entertainment are good Ruthio .
But interesting thought provoking threads are good too.
Got to keep the old grey cells working !
It's true that we don't know the stresses and worries of everyone who posts .
Most people try to put their best foot forward as it were .
There are enough threads to suit every taste .
What is needed is more people
Maybe forums are going out of fashion ?