A Hippie's journey through health, beauty and spirituality
Challenges, Randoms, Miscellaneous
We’ve all struggled over the anxiety and stress of covid the last 2years, having restrictions, rules and lockdowns. And now as they was easing, and hope was returning, we are now plunged into another crisis with the prospect of full on war between Russia and the world due to their invasion of Ukraine.
And while I don’t want to dismiss it, I don’t have any desire to focus on it either, in order to protect my own mental health. So it’s good to step away from the news, and from social media, and breathe in nature, nice and deeply.
This week is a particularly tough week emotionally with grief ever present, and physically as I’ve had some of the worst pain and flares to deal with, barely sleeping due to pain in my hands. It’s hard to look after yourself when you feel so low and exhausted, and I’m sure pain feels worse when you are emotional, and fatigued.
So be gentle with yourselves and step back from things that stress you out, of you feel anxiety creeping, take time to listen to podcasts of guided meditations, or asmr videos if they relax you. Run a bubble bath and have a pamper session with a sheet mask. I’ve been watching some guilty pleasure TV A Discovery of Witches, a way to escape into something whimsical. Sometimes even an afternoon murder mystery film and a coffee with biscuits is all I need to help re-centre myself and allow the mind to be more present.
Some of my favourites,Shakespeare and Hathaway BBC 1, A discovery of Witches Sky, One of us is lying Netflix
Well not sure I regret it exactly, but we did a walk that showed me my limitations, and I have really suffered since!
First off driving along we saw this view, how beautiful
But it’s cold, far far colder than I was prepared for, even though I wore tights. That was a mistake in itself as the seams on the toes rubbed me.
Freezing but sunny at least.
Neither of us really remembered the path or route, so it threw up challenges we weren’t prepared for,so Mr Moon had to manually lift my leg in places, or I had to crawl in a fashion to get by.
It took me so long to do the shortest amount that the sun was setting and twilight was fast approaching. I have never felt pain like it!! I think being so careful over mud made me tense up, and I over worked my hips. This will need some serious bed rest to help me recover along with lots of tramadol.
Though my ability was pushed passed, when I look at photos I still look back fondly as its glorious countryside, and stunning views.
Not done a whole lot since the 3rd December clubbing night, (what a night that was!!) the weekend of Krampus was all about not moving swollen hip, and watching scary Christmas films see Here and Here
I’ve popped out for coffee and chat, (on Tuesday) meet up with my friend, which was lovely, but wore me out more than I thought it would, even though I had my walking stick and mini shoe lift.
Wednesday sees me with Tonsillitis, and feeling a bit woolly headed. I know it’s tonsillitis as I get it numerous times a year (my weakest point) so that has put me off physio for sure. I also have the dentist Wednesday if they choose to let me in, I’ve rung to tell them about tonsillitis. 3rd appointment in 3 weeks, trying to fit in a plate to help save teeth and jaw (both too weak for fillings and work, crumbling away one joint at a time) And they’ve decided for me to still come in and be seen.
Thursday is my Mr Moons birthday so we had to have a nice day, and celebrate as best as we can, we have our Eldest daughter and granddaughter over to visit. And at the weekend our Youngest daughter is coming to celebrate too. So birthday will be spread out over various days.
Friday it’s time to straighten up the spare room, ready for guests to stay over. Still quite poorly but gargling salty water and taking paracetamol to keep on top of it all. Glad I’ve not pushed physio this week as I feel so weak.
Hopefully come Monday I can think more about physio and get walking again, I really miss it.
Long long ago…. We decended onto the dance floor of the Church of our religion. Chapel of Chaos. Where we worship the Gods of music and hedonism. Feels like a lifetime ago doesn’t it. So much has changed too.
And it’s back, so we are too. Tying it in nicely to a Christmas celebration and birthday celebration (as you do) new hip in tow, hoping it’s more enjoyable than last time (poor hip was so painful)
So dancing shoes on, it’s time to dust off all our woes, and fears and let it all go, for one crazy night, surrounded by friends.
And what a night it was, sadly Big Worm couldn’t come, so Dj Thumpa was on for 2 hours, but the whole night was class. The doctor really stood out tune wise, atmosphere and dance floor was electric. I’ve missed this. Rascal and Simon Underground did solid enjoyable sets, absolutely loved the night.
Saw old friends we haven’t seen for 15yrs, so lovely to catch up and take a trip down memory lane. And at the same time make new friends, and bond over the love of music.
Downside I had to leave early, because my back and pelvis hurt so much, even though I left for painkillers and used ibuprofen gel. But I managed most of the night. And at 16 weeks post hip, I’m impressed.
Looks empty but the doors has only just opened. It got nicely full which I loved it.
New boots and new coat, I’m ready to get walking for physio. I still lumber along with the height difference. But I’m attempting to walk with a walking stick rather than crutch.
Armed with the hard shoe lift, to relieve my lower back pain (naughty I know, but I’m desperate) we set off to find a waterfall. The sound and view of waterfalls are just so calming.
Some of these steps are from the devil!! No rails so had to use Mr Moon to be my rail.
Some steps I tried bad leg first, to try and build up some strength. But probably ended up using the good leg a lot more.
Grateful that my walking buddy understands I have to stop a lot, as well as sit down a lot, to be able to do these small walks. And who doesn’t enjoy a Pot Noodle in a huge forest with no one around except you and your loved one!!
It drizzled some rain, but it never bothered us. We found some fairy glen styled areas, and just fell in love with the place. A beautiful time of year to visit, with a carpet of pine needles, orange and yellow leaves falling down like confetti, it’s so romantic.
I’m forever grateful to be offered to go on holiday with my eldest daughter and her husband, and daughter. So me and Mr Moon are off to a place we’ve never been before. Northumberland.
A lodge that has No WIFI or network coverage, so that means no podcasts for me unless I download first lol. And some stunning scenery to soak up and distract us, as honestly it’s been hard going lately (grief just sneaks up on you and pokes the bear all the time) so distraction and occupying ourselves is what is helping at the moment.
So for 5 glorious days this will be home.
Hoping to get some physio walks in, find some waterfalls and just ground ourselves with some big skies, stargazing and earth energies. I’ve bought some new walking boots especially for this. And I’m aiming to get to use a walking stick rather than crutch. Fingers crossed.
#ADGIFTED all opinions and thoughts are my own, I choose a genre I enjoy and authors I love to read.
Revenge on the Island: A compelling mystery with a dark twist (DI Liam O’Reilly mysteries Book 5)
REVENGE IS SWEET.
How do you solve a murder when you’re the number one suspect?
Fifteen years ago Patrick Finney was sentenced to life for the brutal murders of four women. It was one of the most high-profile cases in Irish history and one that defined Detective Inspector Liam O’Reilly’s career. O’Reilly was instrumental in bringing Finney down.
Now Finney has escaped from a high-security prison and he’s not content to stay on the run.
He wants revenge and he’s prepared to stop at nothing to get it.
Abandoned by the very people he’s employed by O’Reilly finds himself in a predicament that leaves him running out of options. There is only one man who can help him. But it’s a man he vowed he would never contact again, and the consequences of his association with this phantom could be far worse than O’Reilly could ever imagine.
When the hunter becomes the hunted the rules of the game have to change.
This is a chilling mystery that O’Reilly will never forget.
BOOKS BY STEWART GILES
DS JASON SMITH SERIES Book 0.5 – Phobia Book 1 – Smith Book 2 – Boomerang Book 3 – Ladybird Book 4 – Occam’s Razor Book 5 – Harlequin Book 6 – Selene Book 7 – Horsemen Book 8 – Unworthy Book 9 – Venom Book 10 – Severed Book 11 – Demons Book 12 – Deadeye Book 13 – Motive Book 14 – Australia Book 16 – Wishbone
DI O’REILLY MYSTERIES Book 1 – Blood on the Island Book 2 – Lies on the Island Book 3 – Fear on the Island Book 4 – Malice on the Island Book 5 – Revenge on the Island
DC HARRIET TAYLOR SERIES Book 1-The Beekeeper Book 2-The Perfect Murder Book 3-The Backpacker Trotterdown a box set of DC Harriet Taylor books 1-3
DS JASON SMITH &DC HARRIET TAYLOR SERIES Book 1 – The Enigma Book 2 – Dropzone Book 3 – The Raven Girl Trilogy: The DS Smith & Harriet Taylor box set
THE MIRANDA TRILOGY (psychological thrillers) Miranda Mistress Medusa
STANDALONE HORROR The Divide
Stewart Giles
Stewart Giles – Author Bio
After reading English at 3 Universities and graduating from none of them, I set off travelling around the world with my wife, Ann, finally settling in South Africa, where we still live. In 2014 Ann dropped a rather large speaker on my head and I came up with the idea for a detective series. DS Jason Smith was born. Smith, the first in the series was finished a few months later. 3 years and 8 DS Smith books later, Joffe Books wondered if I would be interested in working with them. As a self-published author, I agreed. However, we decided on a new series – the DC Harriet Taylor: Cornwall series. The Beekeeper was published and soon hit the number one spot in Australia. The second in the series, The Perfect Murder did just as well. I continued to self-publish the Smith series and Unworthy hit the shelves in 2018 with amazing results. I therefore made the decision to self-publish The Backpacker which is book 3 in the Detective Harriet Taylor series which was published in July 2018. After The Backpacker I had an idea for a totally new start to a series – a collaboration between the Smith and Harriet thrillers and The Enigma was born. It brought together the broody, enigmatic Jason Smith and the more level-headed Harriet Taylor. The Miranda trilogy is something totally different. A psychological thriller trilogy. It is a real departure from anything else I’ve written before. The Detective Jason Smith series continues to grow with book 16 recently published. The first 5 books in the Detective Liam O’Reilly series are now available.
The fifth book of this series, but trust me when I say, you don’t have to had read the previous ones, you will soon get the vibe and feel of the island Guernsey and the personality of O’Reilly. But if you can read them in order you will be more familiar with characters.
Just when it all feels quiet and you should be able to relax, that’s when you know something big is going down, but I never foresaw the man himself being framed for murder!!
Time for the past to come hunting for O’Reilly, and will he be able to convince the new investigators he’s innocent and that the culprit is on the island seeking their revenge? And the real question on everyone’s lips is, will Bram ever use the cat flap??
It’s been cold this weekend, and the body I have requires a lot of physio, which then means a lot of recovery down time, and these books just perfectly fill my time. I get so involved into the book the characters feel like I actually know them at this point. What better ways to spend time on dark chilly evenings.
Not all movies I confess, but worthy of being added that’s for sure!! A range of completely childish and suitable for tiny humans, to adult over 18 content.
Midnight mass series, from the makers of Haunting of hill house. Not scary but a solid vampire series.
Is it Halloween without Halloween town, 4 movies all thoroughly enjoyed every year.
Bit more adult, found it on Netflix and I really loved it. Hope they make more.
Time to dive back into this for series 2, loved the first series.
Is it really complete without Hocus Pocus? I think not.
I wonder if I can find anymore for the actual day, evening?? The hunt begins
After a lot of debating we’ve decided to get away for a couple of nights, to have a spiritual time away, and visit a faery fayre too.
Saturday morning early start. And staying until Monday morning. We have a lot to pack in, in such a few days. We’d like to visit the Chalice Well and White Spring temple for Spiritual guidance and peace.
First up was the Faery Fayre, and it was lovely to see old friends and Jasmine Becket Griffith fans, along with all the fairies too.
We got our favourite Jasmine bags, and art and special light crystal pin.
Looked at the chalk art dotted around the pavements.
We visited the Chalice Well gardens and loved having some quiet reflection there, weather was kind too. Some gorgeous areas to sit and meditate. We had such a wonderful friendly visitor too. You know what they say, when Robins appear loved ones are near, and I definitely felt that.
Chalice well was a huge highlight of the day, we had wanted to visit the white spring too, but unfortunately it’s closed.
Come tea time it was time to pitch up the tent, as we were exhausted. But what an epic day. Pain levels were high but I expected that, and upped the dose of painkillers.
On the run up to Samhain or more commonly called Halloween, it’s time to bust out all the spooky spoopy films.
Disney + is excellent for my daft feel good films, firm favourite is Zombies 1 and 2,and Girl verses Monster. They just cheer me up no end.
Singing and dancing and schooling us all on differences and how we can just stop the divide and love each other.
Monsters and a family with secrets, I’m sold. Excellent afternoon movie.
For animation this year I’ve watched the Addams family films both 1 and 2, I really loved them, and I didn’t think I would. Loved little extra details like the nooses as Wednesdays plaits.
I know it’s aimed for children, what can I say I’m childish.
To be more adult we watched The night house, a twist in this tale that 8 never saw coming, so different to the usual horror plot. Highly recommended.
Slow burn, but definitely creepy horror.
Then for something completely daft but thoroughly enjoyed. Werewolves within. So bonkers, ace humour and gore. Glad I found it.
Totally found this by accident, so glad I did.
Loving the selection of films available, and eager to find more. And of course some series with a spooky vibe too. Do you have any favourites?? Obviously Hocus Pocus will be watched nearer to the actual day.
debbiehipster 