Principles.

 The recent negative comments have all been consigned to the dustbin. I was going to answer some of them but why should I. My conscience is clear. There is no need to rake up the inconsequential words from those who are on a different journey to me. You must go your way, and I must follow my own chosen path in life. 

I have often said that you can't change how people think, how they act, and what they say. That is true to a certain extent. Mind you, people have the capacity to change their minds, if their conscience indicates that they might find a better way of approaching a subject. 

So, if you can't change other people's mindset, you can change how you deal with it. I was pleasantly surprised that this message is part of the Buddhist teachings. This video aroused my curiosity. How can I make things better for myself.

I don't follow any religion, because I believe everyone has the capacity to control their own destiny. To understand this may require a change of mindset. Something that will come easy to some people who are already half way there. But will be a mountain to climb if they cannot visualise how they might start to make that journey. 

It seems to me that the Buddhist teachings are the direct opposite to the Globalisation that is being forced upon us at the moment. To distance oneself from from the masses with a herd mentality takes courage. No one like to be seen as an outsider. There is comfort to be had to embed yourself into a group. 

As I see it, Buddhism is a method to search within yourself to find an inner peace. It's about having the confidence to search for answers internally rather than externally. 

Since watching this video, and there are many more like it, the confidence in my own judgement is slowly rising. I have the choice of who I communicate with. If and when people look into this they may find that to brush away the anger and hate will reveal a much better life. It's a long journey. 

I was going to publish the offending comments but there is no point. I am not responsible for how people think and how they react. All I can say is that their anger and hate belongs to them, it is they who are suffering, not me. 

Another important message is, 'Live with an attitude of Gratitude'. 

All the best. Thank you for popping in.   ilona

A look at Lincoln

Good morning. I put these photo's on here last night, but didn't have the energy to add any words to them. Yesterday I was in Lincoln. I parked in my usual spot on Wragby Road. A wide road with no restrictions. It means a fifteen minute walk towards town, down the notorious Steep Hill. I stopped at a smallish car park to read the instructions for parking, out of curiosity. An elderly couple were gazing at a mobile phone in bewilderment. The pay machine had a notice stuck on it saying due to vandalism payment can only be accepted by card, or via an app, whatever that is. After a few minutes they gave up and drove out. They didn't look very mobile so probably couldn't find a spot to park on the road and walk in. 

The purpose of my visit to Lincoln was the camera shop. I wanted to ask why the recording suddenly cut out when I was filming a video. I also wanted to get some information about possible upgrades. Perhaps a newer smaller camera, with a zoom facility and a able to connect an external microphone. He fiddled with my camera without saying very much. I don't like pushy sales people but it was hard to get any conversation out of him. He missed an opportunity there to make a sale. He handed the camera back to me and said that should be alright now. He said he had formatted the card. I have yet to check whether the problem is resolved. 

I filled in the next couple of hours with a walk through the town. No need to take many photo's, I have quite a lot on this blog from previous visits. Here's a post from 2016.  And another one which includes photo's from a walk around the castle walls. 

A quick look at the Cathedral. I last visited here when they had a light show on. 

One quick photo from just inside the door. 

A lovely old building. 

I walked into the castle grounds. They were setting up a lot of really big tents for a forthcoming event. I didn't walk the walls this time. 

I like to bimble around Brayford Wharf, sit on a bench, eat my sandwich, and watch the world go by. There is a family of swans, the seven kids are now teenagers.

Off they go. All together now, this way. I got chatting to a young lady who was trying to get some good shots with her mobile phone. She works nearby and has watched them all grow up. She says they will probably all leave the Wharf in January.  

I did a circuit of the Wharf. At the other end the geese had made camp. 

Time to walk back through the town and up Steep Hill. I rather like this colourful addition to the sign post. 

The town was busy so I didn't hang around. I wanted to pick up some shopping and petrol on the way home. A short diversion to Brigg seemed the sensible thing to do rather than get snarled up in the traffic going through Scunthorpe. The Aldi store at Brigg has much the same layout as my local one, so it didn't take me long to get round it. There is also a Jet garage nearby. Very handy. 

I had an early night last night, in bed at 10pm. I was ready for it. The trouble with that is I was awake early this morning. Up at 6am. 6 - 7 hours is enough. 

Now I need breakfast. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Full of beans.

 Good morning. No worries about yesterday, the cops were only doing their job, investigating crimes. We have had a few sneaky thieves in the area. The most recent one happened just around the corner. Tools were nicked from a van. The tealeafs usually strike in the middle of the night, but they are becoming more brazen and prowl around in the daytime looking for easy pickings. There have been several sightings of unlettered vans driving around slowly and stopping to look down peoples driveways. In this day and age I think every one should be viewed as a suspect robber. 

Do not let your guard down, keep yourself and your possessions safe. When you return the trolley from unloading your shopping into the car, always lock the car, even when walking a few yards to the trolley park. When you are filling your car with petrol, always lock it when you go into the shop to pay. 

When you are working in the back garden always have the front door locked. Same when you are working in the front garden, lock the back door. Walk about with a key in your pocket so you don't lock yourself out. Make sure you have good locks on your shed. I don't store anything of value outside. We are soon to be having darker and longer nights. Leave a light on inside the house if you go to the pub or go shopping, or walk the dog. 

My neighbour next door has a light outside which comes on and floods both our front doors, even when a cat strolls by. The neighbour across the road has a camera high up just below the roof which can reach right across the road onto my front. He can monitor that from his mobile phone. 

Don't answer the door to anyone you don't know. I can see my front door through the kitchen window so I can ignore anyone I don't want to speak to. Be aware of scam phone calls. Internet crime is rife. Stop them dead in their tracks. No need to be abusive as annoying as they are. I just say in a loud voice, thank you for calling, goodbye, then immediately cut them off. 

Here is a heads up on beans with a difference. I picked this up from the centre aisle at Aldi. I have gone right off baked beans out of a tin, so I thought this would be a good substitute. It is, very tasty and not overly spicy. The last few mushrooms in a pan, with left over steamed veggies from the night before. I make a double portion which is the basis for two meals. Broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans. Add these beans, and I added a spoonful of sweet and sour sauce from a packet I started two days ago. Probably didn't need the sauce but I wanted to use it up. Chuffin loverly it was. I like these throw anything in a pan meals.  

Now it is time for breakfast, so I'll cut you loose. Have a good day. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

What the heck!!!

OMG, what's going on!

Gotta go, knock at the door. Back later..  ilona

My breakfast. my sewing, my garden

Good afternoon. I felt a bit peckish this morning so a cooked breakfast was made. Mushrooms which needed using up, frozen green beans, spinach which needed using up, half a packet of left over noodles, and half a packet of sweet and sour sauce. Very nice it was indeed. 

A little bit more done on the cardy makeover. I will keep adding to it and stop when it's enough. 

I've had several attempts to film the birds in my garden. Sneaking up on them when they are all busy eating and bathing in the water bowls doesn't seem to work very well. I need one of those huts that you can hide in so they don't get panicked and fly away. Mind you, I am not going to wait for hours for the right moment. This will have to do. When they all come down it's pandemonium out there. They are queueing up to hop into the water. Three together, scrub each others back. 🐦🐦🐦🐤🐤🐤 

Is it the first of September already? Good grief. The members of the walking group are invited to check in with their miles. Let us know how you are doing. I have to confess I am not keeping up with the targets. Yes, I know I should lead by example. My excuse, there is so much more fun in visiting new places, ambling around, and taking photo's. 

We had rain this morning, and now it's gone and the sun is out and it's warm, so I'm going to take this opportunity to get my boots on and do my usual local walk. 🏃🏃🏃

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona