28 | Nov | 2020

This chap Vincent Ehindero has made an appearance again – the mystery man who has inspired a blogging award. I have been nominated for THE VINCENT EHINDERO (#WOEIVE?/#WTHIVE?) AWARD by Skelly, the creator of fabricthatmademe, as you can see from her fabulous post below:

https://fabricthatmademe.wordpress.com/2020/11/02/the-vincent-ehindero-blog-award/

Thank the person that nominated you with a link to their blog – THANKS SKELLY!
Make a post of the award
Post the rules
Answer the questions from the blogger who nominated you
Ask 5-10 questions of your choice
Nominate 10-30 other bloggers

Questions From Skelly

What is your favorite season?

SUMMER!

Do you need a reason?

Do you have a motto or Bible verse…maybe both, that you live by?

I guess “the golden rule” of Matthew 7:12 is one that I try to think of each and everyday.

But for me the Bible is a book that goes on abundantly giving and helps with every possible challenge in life. So at certain stages, particular verses have been especially helpful. I was reading a passage I found interesting. It starts with a prayer from the prophet Habakkuk asking his Creator to intervene. He is surrounded by violence, oppression and injustice and is deeply saddened. He feel helpless. He is troubled because he does not understand God’s timing or why such a painful situation is allowed.

But showing his trust and faith in his Creator Habakkuk pours out his heart in prayer and relies on Him for strength to endure. The book bearing his name ends with these words:

Although the fig tree may not blossom,

And there may be no fruit on the vines

Although the olive crop may fail,

And the fields may produce no food;

Although the flock may disappear from the pen,

And there may be no cattle in the stalls;

(IN OTHER WORDS – IT CAN’T GET MUCH WORSE! THE WRITER IS DESCRIBING ECONOMIC CATASTROPHE!)

Yet, as for me, I will exult in our Creator;

I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.

The Sovereign Lord God is my strength;

He will make my feet like those of a deer

And cause me to tread on high places.

IT WAS A PASSAGE THAT MADE ME IMAGINE WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE IF THIS ECONOMIC SYSTEM CRUMBLED TO THE EXTENT THAT WE LOST EVERYTHING – OUR INCOME, OUR MEANS OF LIVING – WHAT IF WE WERE IN SUCH A DIRE ECONOMIC SITUATION THAT IT COULD NOT GET MUCH WORSE?

WHAT WOULD KEEP YOU GOING? WHAT WOULD GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH TO ENDURE HARDSHIP ON A SCALE YOU HAVE NEVER KNOWN? WOULD YOU UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS A TEMPORARY SITUATION AND THAT IT WAS FORECAST?

What is your biggest weakness? A battle or habit that has been a hiccup for you and how are you overcoming or coping with it?

I think Jack has probably been my biggest weakness. No other person or challenge has had such a big effect on my life!!!

It has taken years for us to clear up the muddle that our life became. But it was worth the wait! I have learnt a lot about myself, life, love and I have in some ways become a stronger person. I have learnt to focus on making Jack my priority and not to let the opinions of others and their discouraging or hurtful remarks affect our relationship. I think Jack has learnt a lot too! I would like to think that he is not going to let strangers say anything they want on social media about his personal life. He might be thick-skinned and see it as part of the package of being a celebrity. But there are others in his life he needs to protect.

But the past is in the past. How am I coping now? Well I have agreed to marry him and live with him forever. Talk about taking on challenges directly!!!

How do you feel about social media these day? Is it a good thing or not? Do you use it?

I am absent/MIA from most social media. I was never a user of Facebook or Twitter. Sadly other users decided to post photos of me on their accounts and make preposterous claims about me.

I did use Instagram and WhatsApp. I have dormant accounts with those platforms. Now I only use WordPress because it feels more like a creative outlet with some friendly comments from other writers than it does any other form of social media.

I have to admit that I am incredibly mistrustful and wary of social media on many levels. I have been injured and scarred for life but the way people have used it. But somehow, I conquered. The people who hated the idea of Jack being in love with a caramel blonde lost. I am Jack’s and Jack…is mine!

Why do you choose to have a blog and what makes you keep going?

Woman, Girl, Female, Lying, Typing, Laptop, Netbook

I started my blog two and a half years ago. I started at the encouragement of one friend in particular, named Stuart. He enjoyed my writing and told me I should start a blog. I dismissed the idea for a long time. But eventually…

I kept going with it because it turned out to be fun. I found it very satisfying and in some ways cathartic to write personal accounts, a mix of light hearted and turbulent. There was a time when I was no longer able to be open about my emotions with my loved ones. They kept on telling me to let go of the past, to forget Jack and view him as unconnected with me. My blog became a place I could say what was in my heart without being judged or discouraged. Wow! Am I glad that I had that outlet? I would have gone crazy pretending that I had forgotten him.

Eventually I branched out into fiction. That was the foundation for writing and publishing three novels and a poetry book. Now I am in the habit of writing, and during 2020 it has been a great hobby while I cannot socialize with friends and engage in the activities I would normally be involved in.

It is such an honour and a pleasure to share the excitement of Jack being back in my my life with you!

Questions For My Nominees

Have you noticed more shops or restaurants closing down in your local area this year?
What winter warming dishes do you enjoy as comfort food?
Do you find there are some people who you cannot be yourself with?
When was the last time you saw snowfall? Did you have chance to play in the snow?
Who or what provided the most encouragement and support for you when you are facing challenges?

My Nominees