That's discrimination

 I have received the latest newsletter for yoootoooob creators, they send it every month. A quick flick through the contents and I usually bin it straight away. I only make videos for a hobby, I don't need to grow my earning potential, or customise my channel name and picture. 

What caught my eye was the heading, yoootooob black voices fund. It seems that you can apply for a grant, and join classes to learn how to make an impact. Applications will be accepted after June 21st. 

The programme sounds really good. You get dedicated support from a partner manager. You get funding invested into the development of your content. You get workshops and master classes throughout the year. And access to exclusive social and community programmes. 

But wait a minute, I can't apply for this, because I am white. Isn't this discrimination?  Shouldn't people be assessed on their ability, not the colour of their skin? 

I remember years ago I was invited to go on a morning chat show TV programme. It went out live and was held at the studios in London. The topic to be discussed was free courses for women to be given training for their HGV licence. There was a shortage of drivers at the time, there still is, and Shell UK thought it would be a good idea to get more women into the business. So they offered ten free places for women to apply for. 

To say I was a tad annoyed was an understatement. I have never expected preferential treatment, when applying for jobs, or expected an easy ride when it came to carrying out my workload. I was a driver who happened to be a woman, end of. Everyone should be assessed on their own merits and ability, whatever they do, whoever they are. 

The programme went brilliantly. I made my point, I laid into the two representatives from Shell UK. Why was this offer just for women, why weren't they offering the same opportunities to men? There are lots of unemployed young men who would jump at the chance. The focus turned on me and my point of view. I walked out of there with my head held high. That told them, ha ha. 

It seems now that we have to have positive discrimination, so that those who are passed over for opportunities have a better chance. It shouldn't be like that. Everyone should be assessed on their abilities, their ambitions, their willingness to learn, and the contributions they have to offer for their chosen professions. Not whether they are black or white. I will bin this newsletter. 

It's sunny. Enjoy your weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona

Have you met Griffi

Something to get the day off to a good start. This little bird lifts the spirits, look how happy the little fella is now that he has a loving home. Watch on yooootooob to get the back story. 

I will have to have a couple of days of not walking, I have a sore foot. I was wearing my crocs without socks the other night when I did a bit of hedge trimming in the front garden. The grass is long, and I was bitten by a bug on the top of my foot just where the boot laces are. It was painful yesterday and I should not have done the five miles, but I stubbornly pressed on. With the boot rubbing the spot it is now a tad swollen. I shall walk around with bare feet today and keep splodging the Germoline on it. Oh well, such is life. I am getting on with the new arty project. 

Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon. Toodle pip.  ilona 

It was hot

I've had a really nice day. this morning I started on a new project, this is it so far. I have an idea, something I saw in a magazine, don't know if it will work out. I have a picture in my mind of what I want to achieve. It will take some time, there is a lot of stitching to be done. 

I had a soak in the bath, and dozed off it was so relaxing. It's really strange to wake up in water. My toe nails were really long so that was a job needed to be done. 

After the bath, and after lunch, I was a bit late getting off for a walk this afternoon. 

This is a very pretty cottage garden. It is full of nicknacks and ornaments. Jam packed full of plants and flowers. 

A stack of new pallets waiting to be loaded up with turf. I could build a house with these. 

And due to the lack of anything else to photograph, here is a selfie from yours truly. It was hot, short sleeves and a skirt on. This stretch of tarmac road is the access to a farm so I am not going to get run over standing in the middle of it. 

I was rather hopping that we would get some rain, but we haven't, so I must go out now and water up the flower beds and pots, before it gets dark. 

Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon.  Toodle pip.   ilona

Think of the children.

 I walk across the village green to pick up Billy dog. Yesterday I stopped briefly to chat to two ladies who were sitting on a bench next to the war memorial. They had just finished their pilates class which takes place in the Village Hall. We have spoke before in passing so we know a little about each other. They asked me about my art projects and how they were going. I said I am just about to start a new one. They have seen some of what I do at the Christmas Fair. I talked about using junk which people throw out, to make new art. I said I like to inspire people to think about what they could do with their own rubbish. 

The ladies said they could never do anything like that, wouldn't know where to start. This is the standard answer I get whenever I mention the subject. People seem limited by their own perception of  what is possible or not possible. Whereas I think anything is possible if you really want to do it. Maybe some people say they couldn't, when they really mean they don't want to. I think it's best to be honest. 

A young boy has been passing my window in the last few days, going backwards and forwards on his new bike. He is about 8 or 9 ish, and he practices doing wheelies. At first he wasn't very good, then he did a really long one, lifting the handlebars and riding on his back wheel. I went out to him and told him I had been watching and how good he was becoming. I told him to keep practicing. 

He was smiling, pleased with his achievement. Wanting to encourage him to keep trying, I told him a little story. I said I didn't know if I could walk a long way, across the country, 140 miles, but I gave it a try. I wanted to do it and so I did. 

I saw him a couple of days later, on his bike, and his wheelies were getting better and longer. He was starting to master the technique. I went out to him to say well done. He was pleased with himself. I handed him a small choc bar and said he had won first prize. A big beam across his face from ear to ear. He was chuffed. 

So where is this leading? The two ladies have already found their way in life, they are already a good way along their path to fulfilment. But the young boy is only just beginning his life. He has a lot to learn. 

The two ladies use the internet, as do a lot of people of retirement age. It is there and I like to think that we use it wisely, for information, and keeping in touch with friends and family. Young people however are obsessed with their hand held smart phones. They want to keep in touch, be part of the gang, and are frightened of missing out on anything their mates are doing. 

Big Tech giants know that people are sitting ducks where keeping in touch is concerned. They have pushed us into this new virtual world and now people don't know how they can survive without it. Smart phone addiction is polluting our children's brains, they are not learning through the face to face channels like we did. They have us where they want us. Too frightened to think for ourselves, always waiting for instructions. 

And now comes the plan. The G7 Summit this weekend will be pushing for health passports. People have been coerced into taking the jab because their freedom will be limited if they don't. It is creating a two tier system, turning people against each other. Another tool to be used for control. The virus has almost gone but still the threats continue. The new threat will be climate change. Expect to see a lot more about that. 

We have to get our lives back, if we don't our children will suffer. Already their brains are being pickled. Big Tech are stealing the minds of our children, and they will carry on doing that. There is one way to stop that. Remove apps, better still remove their mobile phones. There will be withdrawal symptoms they will scream and shout, but isn't it a parents duty to do the best for their children, well that's what I thought. 

I had no aspirations to be a parent so maybe I am not the best placed person to say these things, but I have eyes and ears and I can understand what is happening. Money is power. Big Tech and Big Pharma are destroying people's lives, and now they are on a mission of total dominance. Don't give it to them, take your life back, for the sake of your kids. 

Now for breakfast. Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon. 

Toodle pip.  ilona

The butterfly is saved

Hello. My friend was throwing this out. It's quite big. It had solar powered lights on it but they had packed up. She said it is due for the tip. I said I would have it and tart it up a bit. I gave it a good scrub and removed the wiring for the lights, and the plastic gossamer wings. 

I took the gems off, some of them were missing and they were faded. I did think I would paint them with nail varnish but that was going to be a tedious job and I didn't have enough of them, or the right coloured nail varnish. 

I cut 34 small pieces of vinyl from my stash, to stick on in their place.  

I had some cans of spray paint from a house clearance. So now it is silver. 

Then I cut some bigger pieces of red vinyl for the wings, using the old pieces as a pattern. 

So there it is newly refurbished. Now I have to decide where to put it. 

Three parcels are in the post for Debi, Patty, and Sandra, winners of the guess how many dogs competition. Look out for them ladies. Open carefully, don't stab the contents. 

Don't need to go for a walk tonight, I did a litter pick this afternoon. The sun is still shining, I will go outside and water up. 

Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon. Toodle pip.   ilona