Hello. Once again I thank one of my readers for giving me an idea for a post. Hi Sally
Read often about pensioners who say they can either "heat or eat", whilst on a pension. As this is what you have to do too I wonder how you can say its "a brilliant life, on a pension" when obviously the pension isn't enough to live in comfort and dignity.
Surely you should be campaigning for an increase in the state pension instead of suffering it and saying it's fine. You would be a good campaigner I'm sure.
Surely you should be campaigning for an increase in the state pension instead of suffering it and saying it's fine. You would be a good campaigner I'm sure.
To be honest this comment took me by surprise, and I felt a trifle peeved about it. Sally thinks I am not living in comfort and dignity, and says I am suffering. Maybe I ought to address these assumptions, because that's what they are. Assumptions without knowing the full facts. Those of you who have been reading my blog for some time will have a good understanding of my lifestyle, so you might want to skip this bit because I will be repeating myself.
Let's take the key points one at a time. it is widely reported in the press that pensioners have to make the choice whether to eat or heat. I'm sure there must be some in that position, but I am not one of them. I can afford to eat anything I want, whatever it costs. I can afford to eat out, I can afford to fill my trolley with all manner of expensive food from the poshest supermarkets, but I don't. Why should I pay inflated prices, when I know, with a bit of organisation and planning I can have a healthy diet at very little cost. Why pay more when I don't have to? I can't understand those people who stick to branded goods, must have Kellogs, must be Heinz, when there are perfectly good alternatives with a supermarket own label on them. Keep your Kellogs bran flakes, Value at 88p are just fine. Keep your Heinz beans, Value at 25p are fine.
About the heating in my house. I don't sit here huddled under a blanket with my hands wrapped round a mug of hot coffee. I get up and move about a lot. Yes, I am well wrapped up with layers, but isn't that the sensible thing to do rather than have the heating on all day and dress in teeshirts and skirts? My cats are in and out all the time so the draft comes in through the cat flap, all my internal doors are open so that we can all wander around. I don't get damp inside because the temperatures of both outside and inside are similar. I am a tough old bird, having spent 32 years working outside in all weathers. I am not ill, I have no aches and pains, I am 65 not 85. Yes I could afford to put the heating on for most of the day, but I don't need to. I have short blasts when it gets a bit chilly. An hour or two at night. Besides, if I am too long in a centrally heated house I start feeling tired, I get a headache and have to leave, I don't know how fit and able bodied people stand it. Yes, the sick, the very young, the very old, and the less mobile, probably need more heat, but I am fine with just a blast now and again.
The next point. 'When obviously the pension isn't enough to live in comfort and dignity.' It might not be for some people, but it is plenty for me. I have explained what I need to be comfortable, the pension is supplying me with that. But I am confused about this thing called 'Dignity'. Are you saying I am not dignified because I buy cut price food, pick items out of skips that have been thrown away, buy second hand clothes, accepting hand me down clothes from friends? I am aghast at this assumption. The world would not be in the mess that it is today if everyone stopped paying top prices, stopped buying new, and managed with what they have. Everything should be re used and re cycled. Nothing should be dumped in landfill. It is because of this thing called 'Dignity', that is preventing this from happening. If I had my way, everyone's bin would be inspected before it is loaded into the dustcart and taken away and dumped in a big hole in the ground. Sadly that won't happen and we will continue to buy more crap that will be chucked without a thought of the earths resources which were used to make that item. Stuff dignity.
The next point. How can I say, 'It's a brilliant life on a pension'. Because for me it is. I have worked my arse off over 45 years, sold twice and bought three times, and have been virtually skint three times with a long period of recovery each time I moved house. Now I have no mortgage, I pay no rent, and I have a reduction in council tax. I get up every morning knowing the day is mine, I can do with it whatever I like. I don't even have to get up if I don't want to. I have no one to fall out with, and I can come and go as I please. The pension goes into the bank every week, and I have managed to build up an emergency fund to cover for things going wrong. That's how I can say I have a brilliant life.
When I look at people who are better off than me, I don't want more. When I see people who don't have as much as me it makes me realize how lucky I am. I spoke before about living with an attitude of gratitude, and it's true. No point in being bitter, better to put a smile on your face and be thankful for what you have.
If I'm going to campaign, it won't be for people to have more money, it will be for people to make the most of what they have. To get the best out of their lives, to help them make choices which are best for them. I read on the MSE forum, I want a new car, I want a foreign holiday, I want a big wedding. Have it all if you can pay cash for it, but don't go into debt. It's not worth all the years of heartache afterwards.
I will finish off with a little insight into my brilliant life. I don't do moods, I don't do anger, I don't do sulks, I don't have strops, I don't do jealous, and I don't do revenge. All those emotions are negative and have no place in my life. What I do do is, smiles, cheerful, laid back, let things wash over me, in one ear and out the other, so what I don't care, happy most of the time tinged with a little bit of sadness and concern for fellow human beings and animals. I have a strong sense of what is fair and what is not. Basically, life matters.
Hope that's cleared a few things up. Thank you Sally, for the inspiration for this topic.
Toodle pip
Your best post ever, Ilona. A voice of reason in this crazy consumerist world. Being happy and grateful for a simple life is to be rich beyond measure. Susan 😀
ReplyDeleteIf you are in control of how you live your life, I can't think of anything MORE brilliant.
ReplyDeleteJane x
Completely agree with everything you've said. People so often feel more money makes for more happiness, but it is not true. Think you might enjoy this,
ReplyDeletehttps://www.fandor.com/films/happy_2012
Your chosen lifestyle works well for you, Ilona, and for many others who have embraced simplicity. It's always best to live within one's means, to make careful, purposeful choices, to avoid debts and to waste as little as possible. It's also true that local, national and global economics--in order to be/stay healthy--requires some amount of consumerism. Without it, farmers, small to mid sized businesses, and in fact whole industries can go under. That means lost jobs and sky rocketing unemployment. It also means a greater tax burden on individuals as business and commerce taxes are lost. What we've seen (I think globally) is unchecked greed. What we're seeing is more and more individuals voting with their dollars by scaling back. But we're also seeing more and more people in need of food banks... in part because food costs have risen so high. Not because they're overspending or being brand loyal. It's common for me to see a senior citizen in the grocery store with a scant few items in his/her cart pondering... say... some sale priced containers of store brand yogurt or a package of frozen vegetables and wondering if they can afford the "splurge". You're not that person, of course!
ReplyDeleteGreat response. I couldn't agree more.
ReplyDeleteYou ROCK !!! Inspirational xxx
ReplyDeleteThat told her, brilliantly-well said!
ReplyDeleteSo pleased that you can afford to eat whatever you want. spare a thought for those of us who can't do this - who wear both summer and winter clothing at the same time to keep the cold out. Somedays it is just very hard.
ReplyDeleteI have always read your blog and thought well done, never saw you choosing to shut of the heat as a must but a choice. You seem to do what you want, when you want how you want. I see that as a COMPLETELY brilliant life. She has a valid question, as someone new to your blog might not know the background. You seem quite a powerful force, and if you ever choose to take up a cause that might be a good one. Obviously she is a well-meaning fan or wouldn't have taken the time to comment.
ReplyDeletegood for you! Well said ( written ), I am a follower of your blog, comment seldom but live life quite similar to yours, its nice for people to have compassion for others but who ever thinks your suffering will now understand their sympathy is ill placed . We should all be as free and happy as you! Best wishes from Canada!
ReplyDeleteWow! Best post ever. Totally agree. No wonder you were peeved. Implying you don't have dignity. That can't be bought. I don't have a tele,automatic washer, no music centre, no dishwasher, ....but I can afford these things, just not bothered.
ReplyDeleteI do have my dab radio and this tablet (how you doing with yours?) My husband has his laptop and a playstation. Best of all he has had a kidney transplant and no longer has to spend hours on a machine at the hospital , just to stay alive. That puts everything in perspective.
Ilona you have a brilliant life because of the way you view everything in such a positive way, in a nutshell you have a brilliant attitude.
ReplyDeleteTwiggy
A great post, and in reply to Anonymous 17:07 hours, I am sure that Ilona does spare a thought for those less well off, she seems to me to be a valued friend and neighbour, who regularly does a kind deed and shares things that she produces and her skip finds with individuals and fund raisers. I am truly sorry that life is hard for you and hope that things will get better. I know that I am blessed to have enough and wish that others did not have to struggle so much.
ReplyDeleteI think reading your posts keeps me centered on what is really important and not to worry that our income is half of what it was when my husband was still working. At our ages, we have everything we need to live in our home comfortably. There is a transition in life from being young and starting up to finally having enough but the habit of buying from need turns into buying from greed and that is hard to shake sometimes. Thanks for writing your lovely blog and sharing your ideas and lifestyle with us! Anne in Pennsylvania
ReplyDeleteSometimes I huddle in my dressing gown, hands wrapped round a mug of tea...this is not suffering either but a cosy hour beating the energy companies and saving waste! We have enough...and we are happy, it is plenty.
ReplyDeleteI hope to be just like you Ilona when I grow up! I Find you brilliantly inspiring and use many of your ideas and thinking in my own life- I sit here typing this post eating a butternut squash and carrot soup I got reduced at the supermarket for 19p, I made it myself after reading about your soup week a while back and thinking yes I can do that.im wearing my fingerless gloves I knitted as I do so with a quilt over knees that I also made. Again inspired by you! Hiw amazing are you? Very!
ReplyDeleteHi,wise words from a wise lady.Take care,Destemona
ReplyDeleteHiya again, just wondered,being the luddite I am,and not having my own blog etc.,what's the e-mail subscription about?Thank you, regards, Destemona
ReplyDeleteIlona.. I have read your post for a few years now and not posted, followed or commented - I do dip in every day though! You are an inspiration to me and my husband (although he does not know it!) - since reading your views on life, and copied many of your ideas, I have stuck to my budget, got completely out of debt and we have cleared the mortgage.
ReplyDeleteWe are in a very fortunate position where we both have jobs but since no jobs are ever secure we now save as much as we can, live on cash and buy nothing without having every penny cash to pay for it.
I have tried to live on a 'benefits' budget and found that it is completely doable if you don't drink or smoke.... it is just a matter of priorities. I used to work in a corner shop where a man came in every week - he was so 'poor' that he got milk vouchers, however every Friday he bought £5.00 of lottery tickets, 40 fags, a large bottle of strong cider and collected the 8 pints of milk he was 'entitled' to.
Perhaps a campaign for living within your means, cooking your own food, healthy living and being content with what you have would be a better idea!
Everyone's definition of comfort is different. What is comfortable for you might not be for others.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Sister!!! I am lucky enough to choose simplicity but realize there are many who have few choices.
ReplyDeleteA great post and very true!
ReplyDeleteYou talk so much sense Ilona, I loved this post.
ReplyDeleteJacquie x
Danneke here, well said Ilona, like you I am tired of all the waste of everything, The area of York are debating whether to do a 4 weekly collection of general garbage, may not be for large families but I am sure small families and singles could manage if they rearranged their food shopping etc . I try to never buy prepacked foods, fresh veggies do not need plastic bags, I have never yet put my bins out fortnightly, even once a month I find I still have room in the bin. As for clothing, some of my clothes I have had foryears and some favourites I altered when I lost weight so the things could still fit me, others went to our homeless warehouse for othes to use. I do have double glazed windows so I do not need a load of heat on and after all Its warm under the quilt listening to the radio.
ReplyDeleteWell said Ilona!
ReplyDeleteWell said Ilona. I have a feeling that you are going to be on a loser with some people whatever you say though. Understanding the difference between frugality and poverty seems to be challenging for some. Being frugal doesn't mean that you don't have sympathy and understanding for those who are poor. It is hard to be poor and no one should be cold or hungry but equally there are many people on low incomes that could with a little of the sort of advice that blogs like these provide make their own lives a little more comfortable.
ReplyDeletegood post, well said! two christmas's ago, hubby was on strike, one week all we had was £24.96, so it was a challenge of feeding the two of us and two cats for the week, so I totally agree with value food, nothing wrong with it, better than going hungry! I have a relative who will only shop at marks & sparks for food/clothes etc yet another relative who came to visit couldn't believe he was sat on a 17 yr old sofa, no sagging as we had put those fold up boards under but earlier this year , the springs finally went on one of the chairs, so most people would chuck it out and rush out and spend £500 plus probably on the credit card, not me, I went on ebay and bought some new springs, googled how to fix it and the chair is now good for another 17 yrs!
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog and get ideas I can use in my life it all sounds great to me. Frugal is a skill and I am so glad you share all your tips and give us a window into your very full life l am working on your list of "don't do's" because it leads to happiness keep on being you in your own style!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant post! Your life is your choice. Your choice works for you. Sadly, though, there are others out there that are less fortunate. Having a positive outlook and attitude can sometimes lighten the situation for those folk. But, not everyone can maintain that. Everyone will have to find their own ways of coping in life. You are a prime example of a person that has found their way of doing just that. You`re doing it well, so it works to keep you happy.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts this Christmas are with all those that have to rely on food banks and charitable hand outs. I wish I was in a position to help them all. I occasionally donate when I can. I`ve offered my help to the local food bank in way of written out meal suggestions, made up from dry goods and tins. It`s my way of caring and sharing.
Life can be what we make it. But, some will need a little helping hand to steer them into the right direction. We don`t all make the choices that then work for us. Glad that your choices have worked for you, though. Being content with what we have is something that modern society and the media have never been good in portraying in a favourable light.
Ilona, you are a rare person that can live happily with what they`ve got. The way you cope and just get on with life, no matter what comes your way, is unique and inspirational. Sadly, not everyone can see beyond the 'must have' society demands that are put upon on us all.
You have addressed the comment beautifully. Life is really what you make it. But then there are those who are really destitute, maybe never had a job to have a pension coming to them, or just kind find work for some reason. Had a client recently who lives in an RV type trailer, his electricity comes from a neighbor trailer, has no heat, has no sewage, so has to use the neighbor's facilities, and buys groceries when he can get someone to hire him for a bit of money. Not sure how he will ever move on. Bless you for your positive attitude and keeping negatives out of your life!
ReplyDeleteHere here. I have been reading your blog for years. I have picked up a few ideas that I didn't know before. I agree with the comments that say it is a world wide problem as it really is. Where I live in Canada, we have a large segment of population that thinks that all needs should be paid for by government, yet these same people waste all things and whine when no one gives th more. I grew up in a very poor family and am thankful for the lessons it taught and at the ripe age of 61, am still looking for more ways to cut back. Keep on doing what you are doing.
ReplyDeleteHere Here Ilona what I will say is money does not bring you happiness you bring that yourself. Yes there are people that are suffering but anyone can see your not and you help yourself. Keep smiling and laughing its not a dress rehearsel. You do exactly what you want and I applaud you for that.
ReplyDeleteSue R
Great post, Ilona. I admire so much about you - your concern for humankind, pets and the earth; your positive, upbeat attitude; your healthy living; your willingness and ability to recycle and your thriftiness.
ReplyDeleteThere's no question that you do indeed live a brilliant life.
I loved your comment, "I don't want more". I think you have a lovely, active life! People who place value on big homes full of new furniture and big, new cars will never understand....I find it is often just not worth pointing things out...they will never change and continue to "pity" those of us who are not consumers....
ReplyDeleteFantastic post today! You are so very inspiring! I have been reading your Blog for a few years now, but don't always comment! I just love your whole outlook, your happiness certainly radiates out to me, and lifts my spirits on days when I'm feeling a little low, and makes me feel more positive in living my life in a Frugal and Simple way! Thank you Ilona! Xx
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this post...You've a good way of reminding folks what is important and what isn't. Hats off to you.
ReplyDeleteWell, I live on a low income as I am a low salary worker living in a busy expensive city. There are many of us. After rent and travel I have £50 a week to pay all bills - gas, electric, council tax, internet and (which saves me money as I don't use a phone or have a mobile) food and sundries. So for me it really is a case of eat or heat. It isn't fun and no it isn't dignified. My friends on a pension have significantly more money than I do. I regularly burst blood vessels in my hands, which happens only when I am cold. I wear 4 pairs of socks, use hot water bottles and have 6 layers of clothing on my top half. It is very cold! So I am glad it is just an exercise in frugality for some people but for others it is a hard reality over which they have no choice. It isn't fun. Incidentally your yellow stickered items are a great deal cheaper than anything available to me. Here they usually have say 40 - 50p of max and often only 20p. Many items of vegetables are still over a pound. There is severe damp in my home because the heating can not be turned on. This is not healthy. Waste is one thing, having your health affected because you can't afford to live properly is quite another. Not having the heating on may be your choice but to be cold is not my choice nor that of other people I know. You chose to see the comment as entirely related to yourself, when it is obvious that it is about a wider situation.
ReplyDeleteI think you took offence where none was intended. In fact there are pensioners who can't afford heat, some are poor and some are well off comparatively as many have no mortgage to pay anymore and no rent either. Pensioners however are not the least well off in society although they are often the most vulnerable and should have enough to live in comfort. Good for you that you prefer to live without the comforts most of us crave and actually do need, every winter people die from hypothermia. Your commenter was looking out for other people and the remarks were totally justified. There really should be enough money for everyone to feed clothe and heat themselves and their families adequately, regardless of their situation. It isn't all about you, the comment was obviously made by a caring person yet you decided to take umbrage about a general and valid point. Good for you that by careful budgeting you can have everything you need and more, but for many the sums don't add up which ever way you do them and to suggest they are doing something wrong is disingenuous. Pay proper salaries, and pensions to all. I think it is blinkered if you really think everyone has enough money and it is just ignorance and ineptitude that means they can't cope.
Sally's comments were aimed at me, she asked me a question. I answered because it is my blog, and it is about me.
DeleteI also read Sallys question as being about others too. She does say "pensioners" and refers to them being unable to both heat and eat. In view of the fact that so many aren't able to manage comfortably on their pension I think it was a good question. Also yes someone should be campaigning for those who don't manage as well as others. A worthwhile venture for you to campaign on their behalf?
Delete(just catching up on older posts!)
Thank-you Iiona. I have enough.... I am happy and content with my lot. I do not need the latest of anything. I am proud to make do and mend.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for each day....for what I have and love the term "attitude of gratitude". Seems many have an attitude of entitlement and a need to impress others. Thanks again. Love your work. Jo
Well said! <3 xx
ReplyDeleteDear Ilona, all I can say is BRAVO. For a clear response to an ill worded (?) comment. You are a very rich woman, because through strength of character, you are free. I started reading your blog a few months ago, and your posts help me on the road to frugality. Mind you I have a husband who just does not get it and it is somewhat of a struggle. Anyhow, thank you from Catherine in Sydney
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right - I also despise 'campaigners' as they usually act in a totally disrespectful, self-centered way as well as never recognising that the government have to make cuts and savings in order to reduce the defecit.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all you say and would just like to add. All of us pensioners get £200 per household
ReplyDeletefor winter fuel, Plus if you are on guaranteed pension credit or one of several other benefits you also qualify for a warm assist grant every winter, paid direct to your energy provider. Also again if you are on pension credit and the temperature dips to freezing for 7 consecutive days , you
get another £25 per 7 days.
If all of this is used for heating as intended , then surely all us pensioners can keep warm.
My heating comes on twice a day for 2 hrs , I can override it if I want, but I rarely need to.
If you dress in layers and as you say keep busy if you are able . Then you wont want the
heating on any longer. suntops are for summer, not December.
Jane
Yes, when did they start selling short sleeved/sleeveless tops all the year round??!! Ridiculous.
DeleteI agree with what you say. I have a notebook in which I write down everything that I spend each week. I know how much pension I have each week and try to not overspend, save what I do not spend each week that covers the occasional overspend. As for rubbish. Bin out once a month or even six weeks, recycle as much as I can.
ReplyDeleteHear hear. My 98 year old granny would agree with you, too (my role model!). And my mum.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't get me started on weddings and cars and "wants"… grrr.
Glad my own daughters and grandchildren are pretty sensible, too. What is the world coming to?! :o
A brilliant reply.
ReplyDeleteSome would envy your life, say you;re lucky to have it .... but quite easily they could have had it for themselves. It's how we plan, how we work hard and how we prepare that make us 'lucky' later in life.
Good post Ilona; if the world was full of people like you it would be o.k. by me....
ReplyDeleteI was really quite annoyed with your phrase "i'm 65 not 85". Some of us have spent a lot of time looking after ourselves only to have chronic illness start through no fault of our own. Just because you don't have aches and pains, I bet you wouldn't think the same if you did! Put yourself in others shoes for once - you are perched on a pedestal but I bet it's a long way down if you fall......
ReplyDeleteIn all fairness to Ilona (and I know she doesn't need defending), she actually *is* 65, not 85. My mom has always been a very active, healthy woman. Or rather, was until a few years ago when she turned 80. She had invasive breast cancer with a mastectomy, then surgery for a hiatal hernia, and this past year she fell and broke her knee cap as well as tore a few ligaments and cartilage in her knee... all requiring surgery. It's been a long, slow, painful healing process for her. She's no longer physically able to do what she once could do. And she couldn't go without heat wearing layers of clothes. She has enough money in her retirement to eat well and be quite comfortable, and no, she doesn't buy yellow stickered, past sell-by-date foods, and yes, she does eat meat. My mom would not be able to live as Ilona does. I doubt she'd want to, but it wouldn't bode well for her health. My husband is diabetic by way of family history. I have arthritis already at 53. Ilona's lifestyle wouldn't be prudent for us, either. It's great that she has none of the health problems that would throw a monkey wrench into a lifestyle she loves. It's great that she's never had food poisoning from food gone bad, or washing dishes without soap under cold, dripping water. She's obviously got a strong constitution. I'm glad her joints don't yet ache from the cold and that she has full mobility. Should time mean she has to adjust, I'm sure she'll do so with a positive attitude. Since this is HER blog, I'm sure she doesn't feel a need to speak for others, but speaks for herself as to where she is now. You've got to admit, her creativity is inspiring!
DeleteWell said. If only everyone was as happy as you with their lot. Dignity - you most certainly have that as well as compassion.
ReplyDeleteKeep doing what your doing Ilona, your an inspiration to us all!
I have been reading your blog for many years now and I see nothing undignified. I hope to live a lot like you when I am able to retire. You do have a brilliant life. Keep on blogging about it. I'm in Texas and read it first thing in the morning and I feel inspired the rest of the day.
ReplyDeleteI think what some people are saying is yes, you are able to do what you choose which is good. But a lot of people don't have the choice when illness strikes, especially if it is life threatening.The comment made by Sally was directed at you(its your blog) . People make assumptions about a blogger based on the information that they are given and obviously that is selective. I think its quite difficult to be a blogger.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's very difficult. I write what I feel, not what I think other people want to read. There are always going to be some who will criticize, a fact of life.
DeleteThe question was asked on behalf of all those who genuinely can not afford to both eat and heat their homes.
ReplyDeleteMany of the replies assume that those people are in poverty because they want the latest televisions or other goods. There are people in poverty trying to exist on a pension who do not crave those things, they don't want the latest car or foreign holidays, they are old, riddled with arthritis and other illnesses. Needing to eat healthily to keep well and needing heat to stave off pain in joints and genuinely not being able to afford to do both of those things is neither comfortable nor dignified.
There seem to be few comments from people who are genuinely in poverty, being frugal because you choose to be is completely different from being frugal because you have no choice.
Ilona you are extremely lucky that you are still relatively young and fit compared to someone say in their 80's or 90's who cannot move about to keep warm, who suffers from illness, who is unable to go shopping to get the yellow stickered foods, who is housebound and has to rely on others for their most basic needs. These people are pensioners too and they are the ones who are genuinely suffering. Not everyone has been fortunate to build up savings, some people have had hard lives through no fault of their own.
Trying to survive when old and ill and in poverty isn't about "not doing moods, anger, sulks or strops, not doing jealousy or revenge" Where on earth does revenge come into this?
Being cheerful and smiling is easy when you are still healthy and fit and have a choice of having food and heat whenever it suits you.
I am genuinely puzzled, and do not mean this in a nasty way, but why do you feel compelled to keep coming back on this point, Ilona does not need to be converted to understand how some other people need to live to get by, nor do I think do we her readers, you obviously have access to the internet, why are you not putting these points to the politicians and the press, e-mail addresses can be found for all these people (it is too expensive to snail mail them nowadays sadly). I think that you are preaching to the converted here, and after all this is Ilona's blog, she is entitled to live her life and write her blog as she pleases, do you have a blog of your own where you campaign, as you don't seem to want to give even a "pen name" to your posts here, I think perhaps not. Perhaps the people in genuine poverty are too busy just getting by, or go by the principle of live and let live.
DeleteAlison the above "anonymous" comment is from me, I haven't posted any other comment on this post so I think you are assuming I'm a different anonymous commenter. I see that the fact that I remained anonymous unsettles you, I'm fairly new to this world of blogs and in the "profile" section for replying I see a list of things that I'm not a part of, Google account, Live journal, Wordpress etc. However the Anonymous button does allow me to publish a comment. I did omit to add my name to the end of the comment, again I blame this on the fact that "blog world" is still relatively new to me. Perhaps you are a little quick to assume that we're all familiar with the workings of the internet and the blog world.
DeleteNo, I don't have a blog of my own and would be baffled about how to set one up, however I can assure you that yes I do campaign on the causes that are important to me, mainly animal and child cruelty but also the plight of the elderly and infirm. The reason why I got a computer is in fact to enable me to campaign more successfully as emails seem to be the way of the world these days and written letters tend to be ignored.
Phyllis Ward.
Phyllis, thank you for the clarification, that's the problem with the Anonymous tag, yes I did wrongly assume that one person, possible a troll was having a go, as happens all too frequently. Please accept my apologies. Well done for your campaigning, I do make my views known to those in power at times, but I become more and more disillusioned, those that need our votes (at all levels) seem less and less inclined to take any note of the views of the public.
DeleteLovely post! My latest motto is that it is easy to feel rich when you don't want much xxx
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your sentiment Ilona. You do have a brilliant life :)
ReplyDeleteI think you have a lovely life. You have a car, you make the most of your free travel to get about on adventures. You are fit and healthy and have friends. You see your family and you have your furry family. You are community minded and active. I don't understand why anyone would think that you are not living in dignity. You have a wonderfully positive outlook. You have worked your whole life, it is absolutely your time to enjoy your retirement and live how you choose. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteLoud cheering and clapping from sunny Sussex for an Ilona special. Great post!
ReplyDeleteLinda xxx
Brilliant post!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic post! You are spot on with everything you said Ilona!
ReplyDelete