Do single people get a raw deal?

 A good friend of mine sent me this BBC programme which I really identified with. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001n8gp

Basically it's saying that the world has moved on and that all types of relationships are more accepted, be they heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, pan-sexual and so on.

The only state that is still very much marginalised is that of being SINGLE! In other words it doesn't matter what your romantic relationship is, as long as you HAVE a relationship.

Thinking back to my last SPHE lesson on families I realised that we covered every type of family...mum and dad, two dads, two moms, one dad or one mum. But what wasn't mentioned was an adult family of one person. So I was reinforcing the fact to the kids that when they grow up, being on their own, whether is is through choice or no fault of their own, is a no no, that being single is wrong. Boy, would things be different if I was still teaching that lesson!

I remember when my good friend Ger died a few years ago. Myself and two other childhood friends went up to her house at 5 am after she had passed away. There we stayed for a few hours and then I headed to work. I had one course day left (day off) which I needed for her funeral because I would not be entitled to a day off for the funeral of a friend. If we had been in a gay relationship I would have gotten the day off. Platonic love is every bit as powerful as romantic love. And therefore it shouldn't just be the ending of a romantic relationship that is acknowledged.

Then this evening I, as a single person, was at the receiving end of a raw deal one again.

My brother and his wife booked a dancing weekend in Donegal for 303 euro each. I booked the exact same package and it cost me 528 euro.

Seriously, how is that fair? If I was charged that extra money because I was a foreigner or because I was a member of the LBGTQ+ community there would be uproar...and rightly so. But because I am a member of the marginalised group of Single People, it is perfectly acceptable and normal.

I think its time to RISE UP fellow singletons!

Not in Front of the Kids!

 I got this adorable message from my grandniece Sadie.

Okay, so her mother might have helped her send it!

I immediately sprang into action and grabbed my phone to send her back a cute little message.

WHOA........!

You know that blood curdling moment when you open your phone and the camera is facing you and you get an unexpected glimpse of yourself and it frightens the bejaysus out of you.

Well that's exactly what happened me.

That tired looking old hag can't really be me, can it?

Unfortunately it was and I stepped away from the phone. I couldn't do that to the poor child.

So Sadie will have to wait for another day, when I have had full hair and make-up done, before she will get a reply!

Budding Artist!

 I went to an art lesson in the Women's Shed last night. Now Niall did not get his artistic talent from me, but I'm very pleased with my "masterpiece".

It is now hanging in pride of place in my kitchen :)

"You never miss the water til the well runs dry."

 No sooner do we have a spell of fine weather in Ireland than the voices of doom start calling for rain. I tend to ignore them but I got a shock yesterday when I went for my walk along the canal.

This photo was taken about three weeks ago. Loadsa water there

This was yesterday. I couldn't believe how low the level had dropped.

I guess we'll be doing rain dances soon, or praying for rain at the very least.

Personally I'll give it a while longer before I start!

All I need is the air that I breath....

 Luca and Sadie ( my grandnephew and grandniece) launched the FAIR air quality project ahead of World Environment Day.. Its aim is to highlight the part we all have to play in improving the quality of the air children breath.

We are all so proud of our two little superstars.

However I have an extra reason to be happy at this occurrence.

I'mm hoping that if Sadie's career as an influencer takes off, she'll be able to afford her own Louis Vuitton bag.......and leave mine alone!