I love reading the posts other bloggers have published. I have decided to share with you some of my favourites from the past week, and a little of why I enjoyed them.
There are such a wide variety of posts from other bloggers, and I love the variety of subjects and the styles of different bloggers. But I know some posts I remember because of the motivation within them. I like to be inspired.
How could I not choose my favourite foodie post of the week? The chicken dishes Debra suggested really had me drooling, but there is plenty in Debra’s post for vegetable lovers too. Debra’s food looks delicious and healthy – what more could I ask?
Jim’s post about change really got me thinking. I know at work, we sometimes find change alarming at first. We have had to be so flexible and adaptable throughout the past year especially. I love Jim’s discussion of how regards change.
I was so impressed by Dominica’s energy and organised approach. The way she discusses challenges and solutions, and is so determined – it is truly inspiring.
Another very inspirational post. Caramel’s post highlights resilience when things don’t go according to plan in our life. I loved the comparison to taking a journey and coming across obstacles on our route. We don’t just give up and go home. If we really want to get to our destination, we find another route. She shows why having a clear purpose is so much better than being tied to a a plan.
I found reading the way Sydney expresses her faith truly uplifting. It reminded me of a special scripture that has so much meaning in Genesis 48:15: “…The true God who has been shepherding me during all my life until this day.”
And I saw the wild beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the one seated on the horse and against his army.
REVELATION 19:19
Throughout the book of Revelation we see Jesus in his role as a conquering King, riding for true justice. Some people think of the book of Revelation as bad news. But it is in fact forecasting the end of “those ruining the earth”, the Devil and other spirit creatures who have sided with him, corrupt rulers, hypocritic religious leaders, greedy merchants and the organizations that they sponsor who are meant to appear enlightened and noble, but often behave destructively.
Up to now, God has allowed the challenge raised in the garden of Eden to be answered. Are humans qualified to rule themselves? Thousands of years of history record the results of human rulership. To do this day, human rulers are allowed to rule over the rest of mankind. What is the state of mankind today? You can decide for yourself how successful human rulership is.
But in the near future, the scriptures predict momentous events as human rulers desperately try to cling to their power. How will they gather to wage war against Christ Jesus? Jesus is in heaven. The scriptures indicate that as never before we will need to trust God’s ability to protect His people.
If your week has been dull so far, we have a blogger today who is sure to bring some life and colour to brighten up your week. Zoe is taking the hot seat today and you are in from a treat from Zoe!
ZOE – WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DRINK WHILE WE ARE CONDUCTING THIS INTERVIEW WITH YOU?
Since I am your special guest of honour today – why don’t we make it champagne!
Why not Zoe! Hey, since WordPress are covering my expenses – shall we order something else – like caviar or the most expensive dish on the menu?
COULD YOU TELL US YOUR BLOGGING NAME AND THE NAME OF YOUR SITE PLEASE.
Of course! So I am Zoe Morrison, and I called my blog “ZOE means LIFE“. I chose my blogging logo because it shows electric colour against a dark background. I am so drawn to bright colour against a dark. Like the stars at night, or fireworks. I find it exciting.
WHEN DID YOU START BLOGGING?
I published my first post on 9th February 2021. It was called “Live Life”
I guess it was because of boredom in some ways. During the past year, life seems to have moved online. Some of my friends had started blogs and I could see they were having fun. I thought it would be something that could cheer me up and add some fun to our dull lockdown existence.
WHICH IS THE MOST POPULAR POST ON YOUR SITE?
There are two posts which are in joint poll position – both with 21 likes!
Wow – you are so adorable Zoe! I hope Hugh is reading this!
FOOD THAT MAKES YOU SMILE?
Definitely that has to be chocolate – which is a frequent topic for my blog. I feature Zoe’s Treats – which are normally the different chocolate treats I have bought to give myself a well done after a hard week at work!
But the chocolate treat that cheers me up the most is Smarties. I love the bright colours! They are so much fun!
IF I WAS GOING TO SEND YOU FLOWERS AS A THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME INTERVIEW, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?
I don’t really mind so long as they are a colourful mix.
At this time of year, I love all of the different coloured tulips on display at florists.
DO YOU HAVE A SONG? ONE THAT FITS YOU AS A PERSON OR YOUR LIFE?
I really like this question…and there are so many songs I love but I don’t know which one fits me best. But it would have to be a song about life, living life to the full! Something lively and full of spark.
I have seen a song on some other blogs which I really like – and I guess because I identify with the electric energy of life and feeling confident about who I am, I think it is probably the song that really picks me up. It is called “I Am” and it is by Club Yoko. It is so cool!!
When I was thinking about this question, I actually found a song called “Live Life” by a group called ZOEgirl. How bizarre is that?!!!
Yeah – I know – it’s awful!!! Still it was worth mentioning for the title and the name of the group!
DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING IN LIFE?
I thought I did. I don’t know anymore. The Pandemic has changed the plan a little. After I graduated, I was in the process of applying for jobs. But the only one that took me was a grocery retailer. It can be depressing at times. But I try to remember not to let my job define who I am. I needed to start earning money to help out at home, so it was right to take the job I was offered and find some enjoyment in stacking shelves and serving customers.
I don’t think I should be overly worried about where I am going right now. To me, it feels as if the world is being shaken up by all sorts of issues – not just the Pandemic. I think the world is changing rapidly, and I am not sure whether it is for good or bad. I am trying to keep my focus on my family and friends and being a nice person.
Once the world settles down a little, it will be easier to make some plans for the future and think more about my own personal happiness and what I want in life. For now, I count it as a blessing that I am happy.
WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU WANT YOUR BLOG TO TELL THE WORLD?
Why don’t we just start again? I mean it is so obvious that this boat is sinking!!! Why don’t we just reset everything and start again from zero. The economy should be reset. People should be treated fairly in every land. There should be no borders. No class systems. No racial barriers.
We are a multi-cultural human race but we are family. We need to let love rule. Pollution should not be allowed. Violence should not be tolerated.
Life is for living! Life is for loving! Life should be colourful and musical and wonderful. What an amazing planet we live on – full of life and colour!! Life is here – now – and we should make it special!
_________________
That was so lively and fun Zoe! You have so much energy for living and bring so much buzz along with you. I know it is hard to make plans at the moment with the world being turbulent – but I am sure you have an amazing future ahead of you!
I am sorry this post did not go live last night. That was my fault for messing up my scheduling. But I promise you it is worth the wait.
This is not only good news, this is just about the cutest news I have seen this month. We are returning to the animal kingdom to cheer us up (because sometimes people seem to mean more bad news than good) and this week’s TUESDAY NEWS comes from Bristol.
Have you heard of a mouse deer before? These little creatures look like the most adorable animals. I could easily fall in love with those eyes! Last week a baby mouse deer was born over at Bristol zoo and it is not much taller than a pencil!
Please read this gorgeous report all about this sweet little baby:
I love that it enjoys eating sweet potato. Oh my! I am seriously in love with this little baby.
What a wonderful planet we live on and share with a spectacular array of creatures. How much joy we have ahead of us, once this earth is swept clean of greed and corruption.
We have been open throughout the Pandemic. We have always been busy. But now that other non-essential shops in our area are open too, our queues are steadily growing longer and longer.
Last week I arrived at work and had to deal with one customer after another after another. At first they were all asking for advice on minor ailments. I have to ask them questions about their symptoms and whether they have already tried any other medications or treatments. I have to check if they take any other regular prescription medication. I have to respond with information, recommendations on products they can try or signpost them to other health service providers. These conversations take time. The queue seems to be getting longer and longer while I give a customer attention.
Then further along the queue, were customers who had come to collect their medication. Only, when I checked, nobody had been able to dispense it yet because they have been so busy with other tasks. I have to apologise to the customer, give them an estimate as to how long it will take to get it ready, and ask them to return while serving the next customer. I asked one of the team to dispense the prescription for the customer who was going to return.
Twenty minutes later, I am still dealing with the queue of customers that keeps growing, and when I check, they have still not dispensed the customer’s prescription because the phone never stops ringing inside the dispensary.
The customer was angry his prescription was still not ready. I had to apologise to the other people queuing, and make them wait, while I go into the dispensary, gather the medications, label each item and put it in front of the Pharmacist who is intense discussions with a Doctor so that she can check it.
I have to return to the customer, and tell him it is nearly ready, but it has to be checked by the Pharmacist before it can be give out. He is ticked off. The queue behind him are also getting irritated.
Oh life in a Pharmacy! It is not for the faint hearted!
When I saw Jim’s theme for this week I wanted to share my latest love. I have been falling in love with Billie Holiday lately. There is a movie that I have not seen yet, but I have read a lot about “The United States vs Billie Holiday”. But forget the movie for now – that voice! I had no idea how amazing Billie Holiday was until I started searching through the tracks she recorded.
It is because I heard this song recently, called “All Of Me” that I have chosen it. I have included the Billie Holiday recording and because Andra Day deserves all the awards she has been nominated for, I have included her version for the movie.
CREDITS: Gerald Marks, Simon Marks and Seymour Simons
All of me
Why not take all of me
Can't you see
I'm no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I'll never use them
Your goodbye
Left me with eyes that cry
How can I go on dear without you
You took the part
That once was my heart
So why not take all of me
All of me
Why not take all of me
Can't you see
I'm no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I'll never use them
Your goodbye
Left me with eyes that cry
How can I go on dear without you
You took the best
So why not take the rest
Baby, take all of me
Today’s photo is simply because I hear so many of our customers at the Pharmacy complaining about all the rules and loss of freedoms during the Pandemic. At least most of us understand why these rules are there – we can see the results of the virus.
But I had to ask myself…why did the police prohibit sitting under the mango tree? Your guess is as good as mine. But people obeyed – out of respect, they obeyed.
Jenna made some good points in responding to the challenge she has faced. Not every writer is going to be our cup of cha. But that does mean that we can harass and target a blogger to chip away at their enjoyment of writing.
I know Jenna dealt with it in her own style and with her own personality and I admire that. I support her and her writing. It is my kind of flavour.
But this issue of online bullying is one that is not tolerable. There are lots of ways you can deal with someone who is targeting you to belittle you. You can block them. You can report abuse to WordPress. You can make the situation public like Jenna did – although I think that not naming them is a kindness (otherwise people might be tempted to turn on them).
If you are being bullied, you can ask for help. It is always a good thing to confide in someone else who can offer you support.
He will have pity on the lowly and the poor, And the lives of the poor he will save. From oppression and from violence he will rescue them, And their blood will be precious in his eyes.
PSALM 72:13,14
It is vital to remember that God sees the suffering of people in all corners of the earth and He intends to do something about it!
God’s Kingdom is the instrument that will be used to rid this earth of wickedness and oppression. Just think how life will be when all on earth can thrive under the loving care of the God who views people as precious in His eyes!
Last week I mentioned that I have made some changes to my blog, including two new pages. One of them is INTERVIEWS. You can check it out by looking at the primary menu on my site or by clicking here:
It has been my honour over the past few months to interview some of the amazing bloggers out there on WordPress. It is the highlight of every week to see their interview go live on my site.
If you would like to be featured as a WEDNESDAY WRITER, please leave a comment on any of my posts or email me at jacobnyamake@gmail.com so that I can send the interview questions over to you.
These are the WWEDNESDAY WRITER interviews that are already live on my site. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did:
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? 