IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE : GUEST POST 19/10/14

Grass Roots and Silver Linings

Join Us at The Table. It’s Set and Ready for Tea and Some Nibbles

 

Paul your Barista

Welcome to Willow’s weekly coffee and tea garden. My name is Paul and I’m happy to be here once again in the garden tending to your needs for a cuppa, and sweets. I’d be pleased to bring a pot of whatever beverage you prefer – we have a wide range of teas and coffees to satisfy our world-wide readership. We can relax with a cuppa and calorie free electronic sweets while we discuss the affairs of the week both personal and/or worldwide. How has your week been?

Sound Familiar?

This week I’m feeling very positive. Because of my medical issues I have basically given up looking for a job, having tried for over three years. I won’t rule out a job and mentally I am prepared, able and willing (within physical limitations) to work but I have stopped actively looking. I’ve always wanted to write and have turned to blogs as a way to see what types of writers and “voices” are out there. My inability to get a job has produced the silver lining of being able to spend time writing. Ha! One blogger referred to me as the ninja commenter for the depth of my comments. This week I have been asked to write a few guest posts for other blogs and I have accepted. It feels good to be asked, as Willow was the first to ask me. I am indebted to her for her trust and for being the first to give me this opportunity to try out my writing. I enjoy having a weekly cuppa with all of you here in the garden and I look forward to continuing as long as you’ll have me. Iwas hesitant to jump into writing without knowing if I can give readers enjoyment. I have written a few stories and such before but never had any published – just some rejections.

My Mother, whose opinion I respect and who has had a book published, does not seem to think my writing has any value. This reaction of hers is fairly typical and I explore it further on Sunday over at a guest blog at Mark Bialczak’s site. If you’d like to drop by, I’d enjoy your input on the piece Here 

Why do you blog or read blogs? Do you do any other writing? Do you enjoy writing? Why? Would you like another cuppa and a sweet? We have a vast selection of teas, coffees (with an addition of something a little stronger to warm your blood if you choose) and sweets. Note that all our sweets, being of the electronic type, are calorie free.

Spring Tulips in October at Floriade in Canberra

My personal news of getting writing invitations has lightened my mood considerably this week. My local world is busy getting deeper into fall. The sidewalk outside is

covered with fallen maple leaves and squirrels and it has been rainy and windy. Oddly enough, it was very warm during the day this week but that is not unusual just before the temperature drops off for the winter. The local university students have cut back on their front porch gatherings on the street as they write their mid-terms and avoid the rain.

Is fall progressing in your home town? Then, of course we have our southern hemisphere visitors who are just starting spring. What does that mean to you? Does it mean more rain or higher temps or storms? It seems so odd doesn’t it, that while one part of the world gets colder, another gets warmer.

Well, the bigger world seems to be mostly negative news this week. Although along with any negative, there is often a way to see a silver lining. The big worry, of course is Ebola. The good news here is two fold: first, so far the virus is not transmitted by air, only body contact, which makes it far easier to control and allows you and I to help protect ourselves. Second, a vaccine has been developed by a Canadian company and is now in the US and Africa being field tested on humans. With any luck this will be the silver bullet that will end this disease. Meanwhile our hospitals are becoming more aware and prepared, reducing the chance of accidental infection. Is there any news in your country? How do you feel about this situation?

Global Economy

World wide there also seems to be a drop in economic activity that is deeply rooted. Here in Canada the slowing economy has dropped the demand for fuel products resulting in lower crude prices, lower gas prices and a lower value on our dollar. This opens an opportunity for our industry to be more competitive in the export markets – a good thing. If companies can tool up and improve exports fast enough, this could mean more jobs for us, the grass roots individuals. The bigger picture can be dealt with by the movers and shakers who get paid the big bucks to worry. Have you seen any signs of changes in your community? What do you think will happen? Is this just a natural market correction or does it hide a bigger problem? No matter what life throws at us, there is always a way to see past it to the positive. On a grass roots individual level silver linings are real and are always there if only we take the time to look.

Would you like another cuppa? I think I’ll have a sweet as well. Willow and I are honored that you dropped by the marquee in the garden today to visit. I hope you’ve enjoyed yourself and the conversation and please feel free to look around at Willow’s other posts while you’re here. Have a great week. We look forward to seeing you here in the garden again next week.

Relaxing for a moment of peace

All photos are  as below in order

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IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: I would ask you if you would  like another  cuppa, or  another cake . !   If we were having Coffee  Original idea  from  http://parttimemonster.wordpress.com/       

Please  don’t  forget  to pop over  to   Mark Bialczak’s site to see his  and Paul’s posts!

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http://nezuki.com/2014/03/03/lovethread-garden-party/

http://www.thegreatonline.com/inbound-marketing-blog/bid/100057/When-Can-I-Expect-To-See-Results-
From-Blogging

http://30minutebiblestudies.wordpress.com/2012/10/11/spring-in-australia-floriade/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/

http://nezuki.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/lovethread_gardenparty03.jpg?w=1024&h=683