I am really looking forward to Spring this year, and I am told it will arrive here next week. I cannot remember a Winter which has lasted so long as this one. I need climate inspired motivation.
Something about me has fundamentally changed. For most of my adult life I have had two cups of good coffee every morning, but now I prefer tea. Previously, I could not understand anyone under the age of 60 who scorned the kick-start of strong coffee for breakfast, but now I find that it can make me feel a little queasy. Maybe it is an age thing.
Possibly it is linked in with my giving up the smoking of tobacco. Last night in the pub I ran out of battery power for my nicotine vape so I asked someone for a real cigarette. After a couple of puffs I felt really awful, so I put it out. Not so long ago I would have two cups of coffee with cigarettes before I ate anything for breakfast. Not any more.
Ironically, my intake of nicotine has roughly quadrupalled since I stopped smoking. With real cigarettes, you set fire to them, burn them to the end then put them out. They have a beginning, middle and end. With vapes, the end only comes when the battery runs out, and even then I have a spare battery. Maybe I should have a couple of caffiene tablets with my vape in the morning.
A few years ago I stopped taking recreational drugs. Ok, you can call me irresponsible for doing them in the first place, but I was not alone. They found traces of cocaine all over the Houses of Parliament during a recent sweep.
So now I begin each day without the reason to live that coffee used to give me, and I end it without the pat on the back which drugs used to give me, but I still drink beer in one of the only pubs in Bath which permits vaping indoors. That will probably change soon as well.
I adore Italian coffee and drink far more of it than is good for me. I have never smoked nor have I taken recreational (or any other kind of drugs - I think I am a generation or maybe two before that came into 'fashion'.
ReplyDeleteBut as to having the will to live Tom - after the last year then I sometimes have to fight hard to find it, but it is there and nothing will make me give up the fight. Look at that wisteria in your photograph - isn't that along worth being alive for?
Yes, I have learned a lot from you Weave, for which I will always be grateful.
DeleteI love a good strong cup of coffee in the morning; in fact, I'm having one as I type this, since it's very early. I've never been able to get into the tea habit.
ReplyDeleteIt stinks when all one's vices start to lose their appeal. At least you still enjoy your beer!
It is only puzzling to me, not painful.
DeleteFor me, my intense dislike of Winter seems to have waned this year. I rather hope it returns, as it always gave me purpose!
ReplyDeleteThat is a good change. I think it must stem from acceptance.
DeleteYou answered your second paragraph yourself which was the one I was going to answer for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks anyway.
DeleteI've smoked only cigarettes, nothing else, and i miss it so much.If we'll have war here next week,i might go back to it.(What a beautiful photo,and your beautiful H.I. in the corner of it.)
ReplyDeleteI admire the Israeli government at least for one thing - they go in with the planes, they bomb, then they go out again and refuse to discuss the situation. We spend weeks, months and years discussing the situation and usally do nothing. I admire Mossad for their professionalism. I mean this.
DeleteThank you (on behalf of the Mossad).
DeleteI don't like them, I just admire their ruthlessness.
Delete"What a long, strange trip it's been..."
ReplyDeleteWe don't know how strange without comparison. I am willing to accept whatever anyone else thinks. It's all about social Morés
DeleteI used to have one good cup of coffee a day, now I’ve even gone off that. Next stop Complan? This ageing carry-on isn’t to be recommended. Still up for the odd glass of wine though.
ReplyDeleteLX
Ovaltine. (not Coke)
DeleteSo much here. The picture enlarges beautifully, and is a soft spring statement, anchored by that black door.
ReplyDeleteFunny about cigarettes. When I still smoked, an ex smoker asked for one and then passed out, literally in my arms. My favorite nephew has vaped for five or more years. His wife is happy. He is young and I wonder what those chemicals will do to him, but, hey, we all were invincible once.
Well, our NHS has pronounced that vaping is around 95% less harmful than cigarettes. I think they may have some idea about it. I had a line of cocaine tonight, but refused a second one. It did me the world of good and I am pleased that I did not accept the second offer. Maybe I will start keeping bees, like Sherlock Holmes.
DeleteI tried exactly one line of cocaine in my life...it made my heart beat fast, and for about 10 minutes I felt like I could run a mile, singing. Then it was over and I wondered what the fuss was about. I've never felt compelled to try again...too expensive for a rush that's over far too quickly. Plus, now I'm middle aged and boring. Lol!
DeleteI agree. It is expensive and boring.
DeleteTom, I never know whether you are having us on with all the stuff you get up to? Part of me thinks you are just being outrageous for effect, something I can relate to. However I do honestly think you are telling it as it is... mad, bad and wildly exciting to know.
ReplyDeleteLX
Why would I lie? I am not proud of my vices. I am not ashamed either. There are plenty of more important things in my life that I am ashamed of.
DeleteMy only addiction is drinking three homemade espressos a day.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Maria x
I don't know about addiction, only habit.
DeleteI don't think that I have any addictions ... I used to smoke but gave up about 25 years ago ... I drink wine but sometimes stop for a month or two. I guess I haven't got an addictive personality. I buy jackets ...I have too many of those.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful photograph .... the Hattats would love it !!!! XXXX
Gone are the days when the mere mention of Iford Manor conjured up the Hattatts. I miss them.
DeleteI would be too scared to take cocaine...I am a control freak and I'm not sure I'd want to step into the unknown.....I've also never been a coffee drinker and do love my cups of tea.....and that is a beautiful house.
ReplyDeleteCocaine is nothing. Taking pure LSD on the other hand is a life altering thing to do. I would not recommend it to anyone.
DeleteI gave up recreational drugs maybe 20 years ago, but have had the occasional dip back into the pot pond on occasion. Now that Calif. has legalized the sale of marijuana, I wonder if I'll revist that drug in earnest. So far, not yet.
ReplyDeleteCoffee still brings me joy, so I'll stick with it for a while longer.
I am saving hard opiates for the diagnosis of a terminal illness. That's what I call self control.
DeleteNo day starts without a pint of strong tea and two cigarettes .It feels civilised .
ReplyDeleteI think that is civilisation in a breakfast. I now have to find a different form.
DeleteI gave up smoking twenty odd years ago I drank a lot of tea when I smoked now I prefer coffee in the mornings and tea after lunch I guess we are all different.
ReplyDeleteMerle..........
Strange... to me.
DeleteI've grown to like coffee more the older I get.
ReplyDeleteCuriouser and curiouser.
DeleteWhat made you stop?
ReplyDeleteMainly boredom with it all.
DeleteFunnily enough, it's boredom that makes you start too.
Delete