Author: Fee Writes

Fee Writes

Laugh!

When is a Toy Not a Toy?

There are times when I see things and I do wonder what the story is. And this was one of those times when I spied a toy.

So in this case I have to ask – when is a toy not a toy? And I’m not talking about adult toys… Please, raise your thoughts into higher spheres.

Although, in this case, there may be a bit of ‘gutter speak’ going on.

Now, this particular type of little toy – see image below, I’ve seen around many times. It pops up in odd places, like hanging on a keyring or on a kiddie’s backpack.

This little man is keeping guard over the front door, hanging from the coat rack.

So when I spied one on the back of a large Toyota trucky-type vehicle, I smiled but then did a double-take when I spied something rather unusual about it.

First thing I noticed was that it was on the outside back window and gave the illusion that someone, other than the owner, had put it there, deliberately.

Now, I’m quite sure that the guy who owns the Toyota. Whoa, that’s a bit sexist of me to assume that it’s someone of the male persuasion that owns this double-cab massive, extremely clean (LOL) wagon. It could easily be a woman.

But I digress.

Now the person who owns the truck, I’m quite sure didn’t attach the toy up there for all to see. And what makes me think that is because the very next day, the truck was in the gym car park but the toy was gone!

So, take a look at the photo……. Carefully.

As I said, I did do a double-take when I saw that an extra appendage had been added.

Now what nudges my funny-bone is that there has to be some story that goes along with it.

An inside joke?
A jilted lover?
A flirtatious affair?

I realise I’ll never know the story, but it was certainly fun thinking about it.

One of the joys of my life is finding the funny.

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Fee Writes

Health

The Gym Experience

How old am I? Too old for the gym experience? NEVER! In saying that, I never thought I’d be crossing over into the gym world.

It’s gym time! Early morning. Well, not that early; I don’t do ‘early’ any more. But by 8 am (or near enough), I’m at the gym. As a gold card-carrying member, I only have between 8 and 3 pm to do my thing.

So 8 am it is.

It’s a great way to start the day.

I never thought I’d become a ‘gym bunny’, but here I am, working out to build up my strength and do a bit of toning on the side.

Midway through last year, I came to the sad conclusion that my body was starting to give up. I already knew that if I leaned over, my face fell off, and that gravity was playing havoc with the boobs and bum. As for the wrinkles – well, I know I’ll be old soon enough, and then they will fit my age!

But it was my strength I worried more about.

Back in the day, I used to get plenty of exercise as a therapist. I stood most of the day, working out, pummelling a person’s tired muscles to get them to relax. At other times I waxed and scrubbed bodies to get them looking their best or gently massaged faces with creams and lotions.

By the end of the day, I was tired, but it was a good tired. I felt invigorated.

Then I left that world, and over the years, my lifestyle got more and more sedentary with computer work.

But a gym? The last experience I had became boring really quickly, and then there was the cost. Besides, I just couldn’t compete with the lycra-wearing, toned babes and the ripped trainers whose pestering did my head in.

Then, simply walking in and hearing the grunts and groans from the howlers, as they strained under a heavy barbell was also not appealing to my sensitive ears.

So when I decided that I would have to do something serious to shape up before I slope off this mortal coil, I decided that I’d put my nose into a few gyms.

As soon as I’d see the ‘model’ using their phone, especially taking selfies, I would cross that gym off the list. Then there were the ones that have the loud music pumping throughout, making me feel like I’m in the mosh-pit of some rock concert.

Imagine my delight when I walked into the BayFit gym. The very first thing I saw were oldies – people like me in shorts and t-shirts. All shapes and sizes. Sure there were some younger ones, but it seems like everyone was there for the same reason – to get fit and not be prima-donnas.

And another plus? No mirrors! Well, there’s one, but it’s discreet, and I forget it’s there.

Taking the ball from the hands to the feet without touching the floor and
straightening out each time… closest thing I get to sweating!

Along with my membership, I have access to the pools, the classes and a trainer every so often. So, here I am, a gym bunny, and I love it.

Do you go to the gym?

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Fee Writes

Random

A Girls’ Weekend

A girls’ weekend has to be the best bonding time ever created.

You probably already know that I’m in an Improv group (which I’ll tell you more about on another day). This troupe is an almost equal mix of both men and women and one that I feel genuinely grateful for having the comradery of exceptional people.

It shouldn’t come as any great surprise then that the women of the group decided to have a weekend away to have some quality time away from the comedy. Let me point out here that these women range in age from late 30s through to me, who is the oldest at 68. There are more than 10 years between myself and the next one down. Now, I’m no sociologist, but I believe that these women keep me young, keep me being open to new adventures, and certainly keep me looking forward rather than back.

The first sojourn was in 2020, if my memory serves me correctly, just before lockdown. Not everyone was in attendance, and those absent were missed, but the gals who did go enjoyed a rain-filled, odd house weekend. Due to the weather, the only activities involved hot pools and massage. Well, it was Rotorua (also known as Rotovegas for my international readers), after all. Aren’t hot pools mandatory?

The latest weekend, held recently, was definitely a step-up. It was again in Rotorua simply because there’s always lots to do there, and it’s very close. The bonus was that the entire female Honest Liars Improv contingent were there.

It began with Frenzied Friday, relaxed into a Slower Saturday and ended with Stimulating Sunday. Well, these were the chapter headings I thought summed up the weekend!

The AirB&B home was primo. Not only was it a beautiful house, but it also offered a big enough spa pool and a fire pit on the deck which overlooked a calm vista of rolling hills.

As I said – it was a Frenzied Friday. That’s because everyone arrives, cars unloaded, snacks laid out and drinks started. With seven women, you can imagine how many delicious snacks there were, so much so that dinner type food was never even given a thought.

It was serious work firing up the fire pit, especially not finding the fire starters until well after the flames leapt into life the old fashioned way.

By the time the deck was smoked out, it soon became obvious the best thing to do was to get into the hot tub.

As more slipped into the warm bubbling water to escape the smoke, the deep talking really began. Naturally, I’m going to add here that the famous line by Colson Whitehead from the movie The Noble Hustle.

“What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”

So, no, you’re not going to get any of the juicy details. Needless to say, it wasn’t just in the pool; there were funny, lively, detailed conversations going on throughout the evening and subsequent days.

Saturday saw a much quieter day, although it was full, beginning with a bit of mini-golf with bunnies. That’s right. Flemish Rabbits hopped around the course to the enjoyment of all. The bunny golf was followed by a delicious lunch at the Atticus Finch restaurant which catered for everyone, including the two vegans!

A gentle walk by the lake, then it was off for the mandatory massage. Everyone was too tired to go out clubbing or any other thing that involved strenuous activity, and so it was back to the house, and finally, Friday’s meal was laid out on the counter for all to partake.

No better way to end the evening than to sit around and watch a girly movie. And the one of choice could have been made just for us. ‘Wine Country’, a story about a group of friends who have a weekend away to celebrate a birthday. Set in Napa Valley, the perfectly planned weekend turns into a wine-soaked event that changes the women forever. Although we were perhaps not quite as rambunctious, and we certainly didn’t have a ‘Devon’ who came with their house, we all laughed at some of the similarities we saw.

And so onto Sunday. Everyone had clear heads by then, and a walk through the Redwoods after breakfast invigorated us all. We could each return to our ‘normal’ lives refreshed, revitalised and revelling in the beautiful bonding that had only deepened our friendship.

Oh, I must mentioned that not only was the house beautiful, the weather was stunning also. A far cry from the previous girls’ weekend. But where both did hit the mark was with the fun we had. Do you have time out with your tribe? Please let me know in the comments.

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Fee Writes

Random | WTF

Two Sides to Everything

There are always two sides to everything, but two sides from the same person has me thinking ‘huh????’

Recently in the USA, the Covid relief bill finally passed in the Senate, scraping through with the Democrats 50 to the Republicans 49 (it looks like someone didn’t vote at all).

Why am I that interested in US politics? I hear you ask. Because I have a daughter living there and this current package is going to help her considerably.

The plan is $1.9 trillion, and it should have been released months ago but was held up due to old farts being more concerned about their party politics than the struggling people who make up the majority of citizens.

But it was this tweet by Mississippi Republican Senator Roger Wicker who riled my feathers (and others) at his sheer audacity.

Independent restaurant operators have won $28.6 billion worth of targeted relief. This funding will ensure small businesses can survive the pandemic by helping to adapt their operations and keep their employees on the payroll.

Great sentiments.

Hang on!

He voted AGAINST the bill (as did all Republicans). How can he be so two-faced and flip his opinion so quickly?

Is he trying to curry favour with his constituents?
Does the party bully the Senators into voting a certain way?
Are the Senators swayed because everyone can see who votes for what?

Seeing this tweet certainly was a WTF reaction and had me asking way more questions and doubting this man’s integrity more than anything else.

Politics! I honestly don’t know how some people actually get voted in at all. Perhaps the general voters have short memories.

SIGN OFF FOR OVER COFFEE

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Fee Writes

Random

The Meghan & Harry Interview

Yes, of course, I watched the Meghan & Harry interview the other night – I’m female and curious!

Along with my curiosity, I really did want to hear from the horse’s mouth, so the speak. In fact, both of the horses; and they didn’t disappoint.

Naturally, as this interview had already been aired overseas and the media were already all over it, I did have a bit of a head’s up as to the ‘bombshells’ that were dropped.

Did they take advantage of Oprah to further their cause? I don’t know and quite frankly don’t really care.

I feel that here are two people who really want to be of service to humanity. And in my opinion the Palace was dumb not to see a great asset when it was right there in front of their noses. That’s the sad part about all of this. History repeating, all because of tradition, egos, and a toxic media that has to pit two beautiful women.

Family dynamics constantly sway and swing as life goes on, but most do stick together. I wonder if where the Royal family is concerned, duty before family is just too much of an ask in this 21st century. The machine that is The Firm needs also to be brought into the modern-day and more care given to family members who are, after all, the Firm’s bread and butter.

I can totally understand what Harry meant when he said his father and brother are trapped, and my heart goes out to them.

Meghan was right when she said all we see are happy faces, and we envy their lifestyle of wealth and position. We saw it with Diana, we’ve seen it with Fergie, and now Meghan – life behind the walls is not free, nor is it easy, especially for those not born to it.

For me there were no surprises. The racial slurs were already there, the ‘no help’ is in line with the other women mentioned above and why Harry and Meghan left was pretty much what I had thought at the time… Harry wanted to protect his family.

The media have a lot to answer to – some good, most bad. And I’m saddened that the media are egging the public to make a choice. There is no need to.

And speaking of the media, I’m so glad someone finally stood up to the extremely arrogant Piers Morgan live on his show. His constant slamming of Meghan almost bordered on obsession. It seems he got all huffy because she apparently ‘ghosted’ him when she and Harry became an item. Perhaps she was told to?

BTW I haven’t bought a magazine since before the turn of the century… I don’t buy into the tabloid press.

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Author: Fee Writes

When is a Toy Not a Toy?

The Gym Experience

How old am I? Too old for the gym experience? NEVER! In saying that, I never thought I’d be crossing over into the gym world.

A Girls’ Weekend

A girls’ weekend has to be the best bonding time ever created.

Two Sides to Everything

There are always two sides to everything, but two sides from the same person has me thinking ‘huh????’

The Meghan & Harry Interview

Yes, of course, I watched the Meghan & Harry interview the other night – I’m female and curious!

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