Today, I wish the view from the Summerhouse looked like this:
Early Sunset View of Moonstone Beach, Cambria, California, April 2013
(c) Sherri Matthews
My plan was to post my ‘Bench At The Beach’ (May’s theme) photo on Friday for Jude’s Bench Series that she runs every month. Too late for the cut-off, I know, but I thought she would like it anyway. It is certainly a special photo to me.
For almost twenty years, this area of Cambria along the Pacific Coast Highway on the Central Coast of California was a favourite hang-out for me and my children. Even now, if I look closely enough, I can see their playful shadows and hear the distant peels of their laughter carried along by the cool, sea-breeze.
As a child, the sounds of the sea while holding a seashell to my ear fascinated me. Sometimes, I wanted to disappear into that watery world, imagining living out my days on a beautiful island, peaceful and still with only the gentle tide lapping at the white sand shore.
Recently, I read this: the same letters appear in the words ‘silent’ and ‘listen’. Not mind-blowing, I know, but it made me stop and think. It truly is in the silence that we hear so much more, when we pay attention and really listen. Maybe that is why silence is so uncomfortable sometimes, why we look for distractions to drown it out.
I know one thing: enforced silence is not so good. For me, this means a blogging silence, because I am utterly cheesed off. Yes, dear friends, I admit defeat. I have run out of patience with trying to make do with my old laptop as it takes forever to load pages, the monitor freezes, emails are a mess and I can’t use the Reader (so slow).
The view today, therefore, is more like this:
Me – 1990s California
Nothing like blowing off some steam (pretending to sing into a microphone, in case you were wondering…)
(c) Sherri Matthews
I can post here, reply to comments and use the notification button to reply to my earlier comments on your blogs, but even that freezes so it is a frustratingly slow process all round.
Hence, this will be my last blog post for a while which I was really hoping to avoid, but having thought about it over the weekend, I feel this is the best way, although it pains me to say so. Until my new laptop is repaired/replaced and fully functioning with everything re-booted, it just isn’t practical to struggle on like this.
Thankfully, I can use my Gmail account and Facebook Page via the apps on my Smartphone (and there I was complaining about it not so long ago), so I can keep in touch with some of you there, as well as read blog posts through links shared on Facebook.
But so far as blogging goes, this is it for me until modern technology does what it’s supposed to do and gives me the right tools of my trade. Without it, I’m like a bear with a sore head. And I’ll miss you all loads. But until then, be good and remember, the door to the Summerhouse is always open, rain or shine, laptop or not. And God willin’ and the creek don’t rise, I’ll see you all as soon as possible. And thanks for listening, I feel a lot better now.
Love Sherri x
A View From My Summerhouse 
Hi Sherri – Any time you want to send me an email to meet up, do so! In the meantime, your writing time is precious. Take advantage of the lack of distraction and do your memoir proud. I will be waiting to buy a copy at the other end.
It might not be mind blowing, but I was very taken with the listen/silent thing, which I had never realised before 🙂
Much love and hugs xxx
LikeLike
Hi Denise! Ahh, thanks so much for your wonderful encouragement as always. I am trying to put my stress over this entire sorry episode aside and do just that: concentrate on distraction-free writing. But I wonder if blogging is an addiction as I find it so hard to break away…
Yes, it isn’t rocket science, but it certainly made me sit up a little straighter! Will definitely be in touch and hope to see you very soon…and much love and hugs right back to you 🙂 xx
LikeLike
Sending positive vibes your way, Sherri, to hasten that laptop repair. Look after yourself, we’ll be here when you get back! 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks so much for your lovely message Sue, I’m grabbing on to your positive vibes with all the strength I can muster. See you soon 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s the spirit!
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
I hope to see you back again soon with a super-fast laptop. Enjoy your break 🙂
LikeLike
Ahh, thanks so much Rachel, and me too. I hate taking this break from blogging now but will use it productively hopefully. See you as soon as 🙂
LikeLike
All that writing time… at least I hope so. In France I managed to blog from my phone; the only thing that defeated me as adding links. Pictures were ok too. If you really feel the urge to blog, then you might give it a try. The new layout at WordPress was set up to make blogging from smart phones easier. Anyway, see you soon I hope.
LikeLike
Ahh, thanks so much Geoff. Yes, I am trying to set my stress aside from all these technical issues and focus on my writing. Good opportunity. But I do miss blogging! I might give the WP app a try on my smartphone, but I’ll see how I go. I make enough mistakes as it is typing on the darn thing though! Hoping it won’t be too long, but as it stands from the phone call I made this morning, looks like a good 2 weeks. Wish I could just get my money back but I should have done that within 30 days…so I only just find out now, 4 months later. Not a happy bunny. Oh well, I’ll get there soon enough. See you soon 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
indeed; chin up!! we’ll be here when you get back.
LikeLike
Thanks Geoff…and that’s really nice to know. I don’t like leave blogging behind…
LikeLike
I spilled green tea on my MAC keyboard- its not into health and wellness!
LikeLike
Yikes 😮 Oh so sorry to hear that Willow. Hope you got it sorted…and I’ll see you once I’m sorted too 🙂
LikeLike
I know you will be back Sherri and there is nothing worse than technical problems with computers. Hope it is fixed swiftly. Have a great day.
LikeLike
Thanks so much Kath, I hope to be back as soon as I can. Meanwhile I’ll catch up with you over on FB. You have a great day too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so with you on this one. The power supply cord went out on mine last week. My son saw how surly I can get when my computer won’t work and he clerk dawdles on about the replacement even though it’s under warranty. It was not any prettier than your picture. :)) Hang in there. It will all be better soon.
LikeLike
Haha…yes, I think my older son must have taken that photo when just a kid (my ex never took photos of me and wasn’t around half the time anyway) when we were messing about. That’s my wild rock-chick face – well, in my dreams anyway, ha! Oh Marlene, it’s such a stress isn’t it? I’m trying to focus on getting my memoir written so using this time to get more ahead with it. But still…I find it hard to not let the stress get to me. Must do better with that. Thanks so much for your lovely message, and I’ll see you as soon as I’m back to normal – whatever normal is 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
lease try not to stress. Stress can bring on illness like shingles or bells palsy. I’m a walking testament. It will all work out fine. I say this as I have struggled with too much to do that it was causing pure panic. I made some calls to opt out of a few things for breathing space. I am the only one putting on the stress and I’m responsible for finding ways to eliminate it. Can’t afford a replay of this. Please be kind to yourself.
LikeLike
Oh that pure panic is a dreadful feeling isn’t it? I totally freeze when I get like that and that just makes everything far worse. You are a wise woman, making time out for that all-important breathing space. I will heed your advice and concern and do just that. Thank you so much Marlene. I hope you have a lovely weekend. I’m off to see my boys for a few days and can’t wait to see them. They will help me forget all about my computer woes. Hugs 🙂
LikeLike
Hope it will get repaired. Please come back soon, Sherri!
LikeLike
Thanks so much Amy. I miss blogging so much, but I will see you again as soon as this is all sorted out. Take care 🙂
LikeLike
Oh Sherri come back soon!
Sent by Brenda Kimmins
>
LikeLike
Oh Brenda, that’s so sweet! I’ll be back as soon as I can and will catch up with you properly then – and hope things are well with you in the meantime 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Struggling by as usual x good luck with the PC x
LikeLike
Oh Brenda, so sorry to hear that…sending hugs and hoping you have a peaceful weekend in the meantime xx
LikeLike
I feel your pain – last week we had a very dismal connection to the Internet and I gave up trying to even read posts let alone comment (photos just didn’t load at all) it takes away all the fun. I hope your laptop is repaired / replaced soon, what is taking them so long? The OH had his collected and repaired within days (but then we did buy it from John Lewis – their customer support is very good).
I shall miss you, but thank you for the bench photo. I have even been to Moonstone Beach 🙂
And email me if you want to chat.
LikeLike
Oh Jude, I’m sorry you had that trouble. You are absolutely right, it just isn’t fun anymore when it’s such a struggle like that is it? I made the decision to put blogging aside for that very reason as it was mentally draining me with all the problems. It took me ages for this post to upload this morning just so that I could reply to everyone’s lovely comments. I’m glad you got the pingback as I managed to link to your post but couldn’t get back to leave a comment there to let you know. I love that you’ve been to Moonstone Beach. Maybe you sat on that very picnic table too 🙂
I should have gone to John Lewis…just heard this morning that it will be with the manufacturer’s in Cardiff for ‘up to’ 15 working days. Can you believe it? I’m so stressed over it but trying to focus on my writing off blog. I just found out that I can’t even ask for my money back or get it replaced as I should have done that within 30 days. I found this out 4 months later btw 😦 I just hope my old Dell keeps chugging along.
And yes, I’ll keep in touch via email in the meantime. Take care Jude and see you as soon as possible.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Back to the old pen and paper Sherri. There is something very satisfying about writing by hand. I often compose posts or bits of posts by hand, then have loads of bits of notes all over the place and can never find the ones I want! But that’s just me and my shocking memory 😉
Sit in the summer-house with a pot of tea or elderflower cordial in a jug with lots of lemon and lime slices and ice and relax. Let the thoughts come flooding through…
LikeLike
Yes, nothing like writing by hand, except that my handwriting is so bad now that I can barely read it! I do keep a notebook handy but like you, forget where I put odd bits of paper. I recently found a short poem I wrote ages ago stuffed at the bottom of an old handbag I haven’t used for ages.
Ahh, thanks Jude. And that does sound so nice. Elderflower cordial…will have to get some 🙂 Speaking of which, do you like that new Pimms from last year, Elderflower & Blackberry I believe? I actually prefer it to the original.
Have a lovely weekend, I’m off to spend the weekend with my boys, which will help me forget my laptop woes. I’ll catch up with you next week. 🙂 xx
LikeLike
I recently went through an upgrade as well after my computer was compromised and my windows program was completely wiped out. Hope your problem is solved soon. We will miss you!
LikeLike
Ahh Bev, so sorry to hear that, what a nightmare for you. I hope that you are up and running again now and all your technical problems resolved. Thanks so much, I’ll miss you too and hope to be back as soon as possible. Take care in the meantime 🙂
LikeLike
I can see why that was your favorite spot, Sherri, it’s beautiful. I’m sorry you’re having to deal with these technical difficulties, but you’re doing the right thing by waiting until your computer is up and running properly. I wish I had a magic wand to make it all better for you. In the meantime, we’ll chat by email. I owe you a response…I apologize for the delay. xoxo
LikeLike
Oh Jill, every time I look at that photo I remember those days when the kids were little and all our picnics and times spent playing at the beach, our black Labs Bonnie and Monty running wild and free with them across the sand 🙂 It was our favourite place to take my mum too when she visited. Thank you so much for your lovely message, and yes, we’ll definitely keep in touch by email, but please don’t apologise for anything. You have your novel to write (and I hope it’s going well). And I will get on with my memoir. We’ll catch up soon either way 🙂 xoxo
LikeLike
Sherri, good luck with the computer repair. I know what you mean about waiting on something so slow. That’s probably happened to all of us.
Sunni
LikeLike
Hi Sunni. Thanks so much for your lovely message (and yes, these things are so frustrating aren’t they?) and see you as soon as possible. Meanwhile, I hope things are going well for you 🙂
LikeLike
Sorry about your computer problems. Hope you’re fixed and back soon. Good luck. ❤ ❤
My laptop's been crashing since March. Okay the past week but sometimes two and three times a day. I refuse to buy a new one till there is no hope.
LikeLike
Oh Tess, so sorry to hear that. I got to that point with my old laptop (the one I’m now back to using, thank goodness we kept it) and so finally bit the bullet and got a new one after Christmas as you know. And now this…. 👿 I hope yours goes on as long as possible. I will really miss blogging (I try here and there to get over to other blogs thinking that by some miracle things are improved but run into the same problems) but I’ll use this time to get on with my book. Can use my old Word at least, so that’s a mercy. Hoping this one doesn’t crash of course…thanks so much for your message Tess, see you soon ❤ ❤ 🙂
LikeLike
My hardrive went AWOL. New laptop being setup at the shop. A hot RED one! Not happy about spending the money but I knew it had to happen sooner or later — have been putting it off till I couldn’t.
Am using my old desktop, which I use for printing and scanning. The internet in my ‘office’ gives me only one bar and sometimes none at all. Have been up and down, off and on today. Just trying to catch up a bit. ;-(
LikeLike
Ahh…all the best Tess with everything. I hope your new red hot one does the trick. I thought mine would but I got a lemon. Got a fight on my hands as I want my money back but they have it at the manufacturer’s for up to 15 WORKING DAYS 😦 Hopefully you and I will both be back on form asap. Meanwhile, have a good weekend. I’m off to see my boys and try and forget all this for a few days 🙂 Take care Tess ❤
LikeLike
Sherri: Hope your search for the appropriate blogging interface is short-lived and you get what you need quickly. We’ll be hanging back here waiting for that bright day. M 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Marty! How lovely to hear from you and thanks so much for your kind message. Hope to see you soon, and meanwhile, hope things are going well with you 🙂
LikeLike
Look at it as a blessing in disguise Sherri. An enforced break from blogging will probably feel liberating – think how much else you’ll get done! Having said that, I’ll miss you till you’re up and running again, but you can always drop me an email xx
LikeLike
Ahh…thanks so much Jenny. I tried to get over to your recent post and it wouldn’t load, so I’m glad you know why I haven’t been over. Darn it all…but yes, you’re right, I will miss blogging terribly but I can get on with my memoir with less distraction 🙂 I’ll miss you too, but good that we can keep in touch by email. Hope things are well with you in the meantime and see you as soon as possible xx
LikeLike
I’ll catch you on FB so it won’t be total au revoir but will look forward and hope it is quick that you get your new laptop back and running properly. Enforced silence is a pain but will be overcome and we’ll be waiting your return. I hope you get a lot of other stuff done in your enforced absence although computer problems may put a halt to that as well. If it does just have a lovely break, think of that beautiful view you have posted above and come back full of vim and vigour. Take care. ❤ 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks so much Irene. And yes, so glad we can keep in touch over at FB 🙂 I can still use Word thankfully on my ‘Dinosaur Dell’ and will save to Dropbox. I feel quite bereft having to let blogging go like this, but there is nothing I can do until this is all sorted out. Meanwhile, I will indeed think of that beautiful view…and hope it fills me with inspiration as I concentrate on my writing! Take care too Irene and catch up with you on FB 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLike
I empathize totally. I had a few weeks with malfunctioning technology a while back and found it totally frustrating. I’ll miss your stories but I’ll be right here awaiting your return. 🙂
The listen/silent connection is an interesting one, but I especially like the additional meaning you give to it – that we don’t like silence for the opportunity it gives us to attend and perhaps notice things we would rather not.
I won’t enjoy your silence, but it will be for the loss of things (you) to attend to. See you back here soon. Look after yourself.
Your comment about feeling better having shared your frustration is interesting. As I was reading I felt you were moving towards a state of calm acceptance. That’s a good place to be. 🙂
See you soon. 🙂
LikeLike
Ahh, thank you so much Norah, I will miss you too. And I’m so sorry to read of your frustrations with technology also. I hope things are all back to normal for you now. It makes it so stressful doesn’t it, when all we want is to do our job of blogging and writing properly, with the right tools…but yes, and goodness, you are very astute Norah, writing this post did indeed help me come to that place of ‘calm acceptance’. I didn’t even realise it myself until I read your comment! That’s helped me a lot to get a better attitude about it all, so thank you for that 🙂 Hopefully I can embrace this enforced silence from blogging and use the time productively, as in more writing time. I look forward to catching up with you as soon as possible. And you take care too. See you soon 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sherri. I hope you are finding some enjoyment in the tech-free world and are managing to be productive with your writing. However my writing often doesn’t kick in until my fingers hit the keyboard these days – very different from earlier times. I hope you are not the same.
Enjoy whatever you do.
Hope to see you back here soon. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am trying not to let the frustration over how slowly this whole repair thing is taking, as it drains me. So taking myself away to write offline has been a good thing. I am the same as you Norah, I get on the keyboard and write away. Thankfully I can use my old Dell on Word for that, so am saving my work on Dropbox, ready to go into my new Word when I finally get my ‘new’ laptop back. So yes, I can now say with some confidence, that the first draft of my book is insight! And thank for your reminder to enjoy this tech-free time. An old laptop constantly freezing certainly limits my use, but today I’m glad to be able to answer comments on my blog and access the notification messages. But sometimes I lose the lot with no warning! Grateful for small mercies 🙂 See you soon Norah 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Sherri! Technology can be so frustrating. How we long for the good old days of slate – not! 😀
I hope you get your laptop sorted soon. I am looking forward to your return to the blogosphere so we can continue our discussions. Thank goodness for Dropbox. That should be a help. But how annoying that the laptop freezes and annihilates your work unbidden. Grrrr. Hope it’s all sorted soon. Enjoy the weekend. 🙂
LikeLike
Haha 😀 Well, slate had its place, once upon a time! Thanks Norah, and I’m so glad we can sort of catch up and I can read your posts via FB, that helps a lot 🙂 Trying hard to be patient until we hear news from the manufacturer which should be any day now – although was hoping today, Monday 😦 But yes, I can’t wait to get back to proper blogging conversations! Hope you had a lovely weekend and here’s to a great week ahead. And don’t forget to let me know when you are off jetskiing 😀
LikeLike
You’ll be back soon enough, Sherri, don’t worry. And we will all still be here 🙂 Take care, lovely lady. See you soon ❤
LikeLike
Ahh, bless you dear Jenny Jen Jen, thank you so much for your lovely message. It warms my heart greatly knowing you will still be here when I return…sooner rather than later I hope! Meanwhile, I promise to email you very soon (and please forgive me for taking so long to do so) ❤
LikeLike
I wish you a speedy laptop recovery and peace.
Love,
E
LikeLike
Thank you so much dear Elizabeth. I will see you as soon as I am up and running properly again, and meanwhile, I hope that things are well with you. Sending love and hugs ❤
LikeLike
It’s frustrating when technology makes things more frustrating instead of making things easier! Enjoy your well deserved break Sherri, we will be here when you return 🙂 Until then, see you on Facebook!
LikeLike
Oh Heather, that is so true! You would think that by buying a new laptop I would have solved all my previous issues…but noooo!! Oh well, what can I do? I can at least use Word to get on with my writing and save it to Dropbox for when I get my new laptop back, eventually, ha! Thank you so much, I’m so glad you’ll still be here, and yes, see you over on FB 🙂
LikeLike
I’m going to miss you like crazy, Sherri, but hope it won’t be long before that laptop is back with you and running as fast as me running away from a store detective.
During the time away I hope you get plenty of time to write, write, write. Sometimes, taking a break away from WordPress is just what the Doctor orders. I don’t know which Doctor said that, but I’m guessing Doctor Who?
LikeLike
Ahh Hugh, your lovely comment has me crying and laughing all at the same time 😦 🙂
Crying because I will miss you so much too but laughing along with your great humour. Haha…yes, if my laptop runs as fast as you under those circumstances, then I’ll be well away. I will definitely use this time to keep writing on my memoir (so a silver lining perhaps) despite my frustrations at having to take this enforced break. Strangely though I keep thinking of Daleks…
See you soon Hugh, and we’ll be in touch about the lemon-curd cupcakes 🙂
LikeLike
Oh yes, come mid July I’ll be in touch about exterminating those Lemon-Curd cupcakes.
xx
LikeLike
Haha 😀 xx
LikeLike
You will be sorely missed her, Sherri. Hope you r computer woes are soon sorted. Love your bench photo, and had to smile at your 1990’s “blowing off some steam” pic. Keep well and be happy. *hugs* xx
LikeLike
Oh Sylvia, I will miss you so much too, this has been so frustrating. I hate not being able to read your latest news. I’m guessing you are back in Florida now after your wonderful time in SA with your dear family? I really hope not to be away too long, but I will be writing in the meantime so that helps. Haha…my eldest son was just a kid when he took that photo while we were messing about one day, as you do with your kids. My wild rock-chick look, or so I thought 😉 Thank you so much for your lovely message Sylvia…take care and I’ll see you as soon as I possibly can. Hugs back to you xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Moonstone Beach is a view I wouldn’t mind seeing every day, Sherri… or every other day, at least!
And: Oh no! Computer problems are the worst! I hope yours are resolved very soon and you’re back with us quicker than you can say… erm… blogging! Put myself on the spot there. I’m ‘kind of’ returning after a ‘kind of’ break myself… see you soon! Take care!
LikeLike
You and me both Tom, it’s so beautiful there! And thank you so much for your lovely message, yes, I hope to be up and running as soon as possible. Good to know you are back from your ‘kind’ of break, I did miss your posts. Hope all is well with you, and I’ll look forward to catching up properly with you as soon as I can 🙂
LikeLike
“the same letters appear in the words ‘silent’ and ‘listen'” I actually found that mind-blowing, Sherri. Never thought about that. Amazing. When we’re silent, we get to listen to the world and learn so many other perspectives…and maybe realise we’re not alone in this world after all. Very sorry to hear about your laptop problems,Sherri. It must be annoying and hopefully it will all get sorted soon. I am sure you will put the time off blogging to good use, like writing, spending time outdoors in the summer and enjoying the company of those closest to you. Take care, and thank you for leaving the door to your Summerhouse open, as always 🙂 ❤
LikeLike
I was glad to share that Mabel, it struck a chord with me and glad it did with you too. One thing I try to remember (but am not very good at sometimes) is to be quick to listen but slow to speak. In that silence, we can really listen to the other person and learn so much more about them and what they are really saying and so gain a deeper connection 🙂
So lovely to hear from you as always, and thank you so much for your lovely message. Yes, I will use this time to keep writing my memoir and other writing commitments, even though I will miss blogging terribly. And yes, the weather is lovely here (for an English June, which is gorgeous when warm and sunny, but can still have cool days). I do hope that things are well with you in your Autumn, not too chilly I hope, and I look forward to catching up with you as soon as I can. Meanwhile, take care dear Mabel 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I clicked on “Like” but that doesn’t mean that I like your present predicament. Rather, it’s a vote of sympathy. Have just emailed you with some geek stuff that might help kick your laptop into action. If not, it sounds as if it needs another sort of kick out the door and down to the dump.
Am looking forward to cheering you up, when we meet up next week. Counting the days, my dear friend. Love and hugs, Sarah xxxxxxx
LikeLike
Ahh…bless you dear Sarah, and again thank you so much for all your help and advice. Yes, really looking forward to seeing you! Meanwhile, have a great weekend and love and hugs right back to you 🙂 xxxxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like Sarah, I wanted to be able to click on “Not Like” because I understand your situation. But unlike Sarah, I have no geek stuff to help your fix this. But as my grandmother would say when we were disappointed or thwarted by something: “You’ve got all your fingers and toes, right? And you ate a good lunch and will have a nice dinner. If this is your worst problem today, you’re in good form!”
Hang in there, Sherri. The picture is a keeper. Save it and use it as a clever author photo on your book! 😉
LikeLike
Your dear grandmother had the right idea! Ahh…thank you as always dear Marylin for your wonderful wisdom and encouragement 🙂 Haha! That’s a great idea for the photo, I didn’t think of that! I had it saved from when I did a slide show for a special family birthday a while back and found it randomly. My eldest son took that, when we were larking about. You can see why I didn’t pursue a rock-chick career! Have a great weekend Marylin, and I do hope to get over to you asap, but I will remember your grandmother’s words as I spend the weekend with my boys and get things into a better perspective. Hugs 🙂 xo
LikeLike
You shall be missed but I shall go over and like your Facebook page post haste…I wonder what you were singing back in the 90’s, perhaps a bit of Cyndi Lauper or perhaps some New Kids on the Block?
LikeLike
Ahh, thank you, so kind of you my friend, I saw your FB Page ‘Like’ over there, that’s brought a big smile to my day 😀 Haha…well, I wish I knew what I was singing. To be honest though, I think it was probably something from ‘Yes’!! I hope you have a great weekend and I really hope to be able to get this thing sorted out asap.
LikeLike
It is amazing how many Facebook links on blogs that I miss, sometimes years after I first see them, my excuse it that I’m short sighted and colour blind so it’s not my fault. Yes come back soon because I always enjoy your posts immensely. Wishing you a great weekend too my friend.
LikeLike
Ahh…thanks Ste…and only a week later I am replying, geeze… Are you really colour blind? Reds and greens? I’ve often wondered what that must be like. My daughter has synesthesia making her see words such as days of the week as different colours (totally different to colour blindness I realise, but thought you would find that little snippet interesting). Just loading this page is frustrating, think this old dinosaur (my laptop, not me, ha!) is lumbering around slower and slower. Up to 15 working days they said at the manufacturer’s. Well, the computer shop had it a week to back up and send off making it 3 weeks since I’ve been without it. Really hoping it will all be sorted by next week…but enough of my moaning. I hope things are going well for you my friend. I am sorely missing catching up with everyone here…but I’ll be over to you as soon as I possibly can. And now I will wish you another great weekend…enjoying this lovely June weather I hope 🙂
LikeLike
I can see reds but struggle with greens, blues, browns etc, for me it is just normal, I always used to assume everybody saw as I did, I can’t miss what I haven’t had but it would be nice to see how the other half live. Synaesthesia is fascinating, it’s amazing what the mind does.
I do hope you get your laptop back soon because you are missed around these ‘ere parts. Have a great weekend as well, it is nice to enjoy the sun in between the showers, it makes reading grim French literature that bit less harrowing lol.
LikeLike
Yes, I can understand that. It’s what you get used to and so seems just fine. I wish I had Synaesthesia! And thanks again for your kind message…I’m really missing blogging, 3 weeks in now and still waiting for news from the manufacturer. Hope you had a great weekend…grim French Literature or not, ha!!
LikeLike
It must be contagious, Sherri! My laptop’s done nothing but play up since I read your post 🙂 I do understand the frustrations and you are much better focusing your energies elsewhere. I don’t use Facebook a lot, but have managed to see you on there a couple of times. It’s the Samsung mini effect for me too. I tend to use it if I’m on a bus travelling. Big hugs darlin’. All will be well. 🙂
LikeLike
Hi at last Jo, sorry it’s taken me so long to reply to you. I got thoroughly cheesed off with how slow this old thing loads – not me, the laptop, although some days… 😮 – but great keeping in touch with you over at FB. And I do hope that I haven’t sent anything contagious your way, yikes! Hope your laptop woes are resolved. I’m hoping mine will be soon. The repair place sent it away to the manufacturers since it is under warranty. That took one week. Then they said it will be up to 15 working days. So 3 weeks I’ve been without it so far. I just hope that after all this, it will be worth it and my ‘new’ laptop will truly be as good as new 🙂 Thanks dear Jo, big hugs right back to you and I hope you have a lovely weekend in this lovely weather 🙂
LikeLike
I’m asking myself what lovely weather, Sherri? What a difference a few miles make 🙂 I hope you’ve made excellent progress with your book in the meantime, and no worries about the frequency. I’ve missed your posts though. Have a good weekend too!
LikeLike
Oh dear…and here I am assuming it is the same all over the UK, but I should know better. Well…I’m doing all I can to send the lovely weather your way 🙂 Ahh…thanks so much Jo. Yes, I’m writing on with my book and dare I say the end of the first draft is in sight? So blessing in disguise this…but how I miss blogging. Thank you for saying you miss my posts…I am chomping at the bit to get back here asap. So glad I can read yours over at FB. And good news…not long to Wimbledon 🙂
LikeLike
I am sad about this bUT understand your computer frustration. It may surprise you how much I have enjoyed some of our “chats,” Sherri. I go to the library which held a rather negative experience the Friday before Mothers Day. (Purse by my feet while at computer was stolen.)
I realize it was not the worst thing that could have happened to me.
I love your reminiscing about beach and sea shell sound in your ear. Magical!
I was smiling at how you were ready to go to a Renaissance fest with Lane on her “geek” post. I shall look for you in other places and wish you a short ti.E away and hope for a solution to your crashing and freezing problems. I could not really afford to keep getting new “firewalls” nor updates. I do meet cool people at library. 🙂
LikeLike
I wrote “Luanne” but computer (Chrome?) changed it to Lane!
LikeLike
No worries, I knew who you meant 🙂
LikeLike
Hi dear Robin, how lovely to hear from you, I always enjoy our chats so very much and so glad that you do too, and thank you for taking the time to come over here while I am somewhat absent from the Summerhouse. I can only apologise for my late reply to you. I am trying again after some aborted efforts to reply today and so far, I can get my page to load without it freezing…progress!! Hoping my ‘new’ laptop will be fixed soon…but it’s been 3 weeks already 😦 You would think that by breaking the bank and buying a new laptop, my previous computer issues would be resolved. And then I go and buy a lemon. Ha. But then I read about your purse being stolen from by your feet at the library – what??? – and I am so very sorry to learn this. How awful for you. Did they catch the culprit? And oh yes, Luanne’s ‘geek’ post…haha! Well, I admit to it, I do enjoy dressing up, always have 🙂 Lovely to catch up with you once more Robin. Means a lot to hear from you. I hope to be up and running again soon and will properly catch up then. Meanwhile, I hope you have a lovely weekend.
LikeLike
It is SO FRUSTRATING when technology fails us like this!!! I hope you just get a new computer — you’ll be thrilled by the difference! That said, my desktop is just about four years old, which makes it ancient, and it’s starting to creak along sometimes. Things change so much and it’s a challenge to keep up! Looking forward to your return (even though I’ve been largely absent these past few months), but in the meantime, enjoy your break!
LikeLike
Hi Marlene, and thanks for your lovely message. I look forward to catching up with you properly again too, missing blogging very much. I thought that the new laptop we got in January would put an end to all my computer woes, but turns out it’s a lemon, go figure! Now it’s at the manufacturer under warranty. Up to 15 working days they said, then the computer shop needs to put back all my stuff. Yes, utterly frustrating. But at least I can work on Word on this old Dell in the meantime. At least that works, and I can get on my blog today, so progress, yay!!! Hope your desktop keeps on going for as long as possible. Have a great weekend 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m in the same position, Sherri. I might have to go off line until I get a new computer. This one is just so dodgy now, overheats just scrolling down my FB timeline. I lost mail yesterday, then firefox. Soon the whole thiing is going to skitter off into the void!
LikeLike
Aaaagh…so sorry to read this Jane. I feel your pain. Hope you get sorted with a new computer asap…and I know I don’t need to say this, but will anyway, because I learnt the hard way…back up, back up, back up 🙂
LikeLike
I’m doing my last back up right now. It’s off to have the HD looked at and a new computer ordered if the news is bad 🙂
LikeLike
Hope your computer issues are getting sorted Jane, one way or another. I’m still waiting for news from the manufacturer of my laptop, 3 weeks in….
LikeLike
Sherri, I pressed like but I don’t like. I hope that laptop is fixed soon because I’m going to miss you. In fact I’m just off to try to find you on FB now!
LikeLike
Thanks so much Marie, great to meet up over on FB! I really miss blogging too. Look forward to catching up with you here as soon as I’m up and running. Been more than frustrating, but there it is. Hope things are well with you, bet you’re taking some gorgeous walks. Have a lovely weekend in this June sunshine 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh dear, a forced blogging break! Hope technology goes your way soon and that you’re back blogging soon 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks so much Letizia. Hope things are well with you, I look forward to catching up with as soon as I can. Meanwhile, I hope you have a great weekend 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sherri, I hope you can replace your laptop or get it fixed soon. I’ll miss you on here, but lately, I haven’t been posting much on my blog. I have been really busy with a lot of reading and research about Vincent van Gogh and doing a Bible study. Hope things are going well for you, my friend! 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks so much Patsy. I’m so glad we can keep in touch over on FB, I do really enjoy your updates. I’m hanging in there my friend, hoping to get all this resolved asap. I’ll message very soon, but meanwhile, I hope you have a great weekend 🙂
LikeLike
I hope things would pan out well for you dear. Technology and it’s magic could be frustrating at times. We’ll still be here.(I haven’t really been posting often, as you well It just occurred to me, I would like us to connect on FB, that way, I could still get snippets of how well you’re doing.
Much love and already missing you! 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Seyi, and thank you so much for coming by the Summerhouse to leave me your lovely message while I am somewhat absent. It’s lovely and comforting to know you will still be here…and here you are now 🙂 Lovely to connect with you over at FB, just saw that, so will reply over there. We have a way of keeping in touch in the meanwhile, hooray! I do miss blogging so much though. But what can we do? I hope so much that your writing is going well and I look forward to catching up with your blog as soon as I can. At least today I was able to load up this page, but that took an age. At least I am busy writing on my memoir…and the end of the first draft is in sight, first time I can confidently say that!! So a silver lining. Miss you too my friend, and sending much love and blessings to you for a beautiful weekend in this glorious June sunshine 🙂 😀 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s good my friend, writing on your memoir is VERY important, besides, you could always catch up whenever you’re back.
I could always pop into FB and get updates on you when I miss you too much.
I hope you’re enjoying our lovely weather and I hope it stays the same.
Much love and blessings to you my friend!
🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so kind and lovely dear Seyi. I love seeing you over on FB and I really look forward to catching up with you very soon. Have a gorgeous weekend…we are in for a heatwave by the looks of things! Much love and blessings to you too my friend 🙂 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
The thing about you, Sherri, is that you’re a magnet. People want to be around you. I dare say most (if not all) of your followers will be here when you get back. Awaiting your next post. 🙂 Hope you can get some reading, writing, and relaxing in during your break. Sorry it’s a “forced” break but maybe it will turn out to be a good thing. ❤
LikeLike
Hi Sarah! Thanks so much for coming by and leaving your lovely, encouraging message (although I’ve never been called a magnet before 😀 ). I can’t believe how long I’ve had to be away and still waiting to get my ‘new’ laptop back… 😦 I am getting some good writing done behind the scenes but I am so missing blogging. I got to read your beautiful Haiku and photo posts thanks to Norah’s links on Facebook. I found them very moving, and was glad that the series ended on a ‘new growth’ theme 🙂 See you as soon as possible and I hope you have a good week ❤
LikeLike
I had been so busy that it is only a few days ago that I realized your absence. So with lots of hope to read you soon again, I say Au Revoir, Sherri. It was always a pleasure to read your posts, admire your photos and see you on my blog. We have many things in common and I sincerely hope to get to see one of your posts pop in my WordPress box. I’m still blogging and writing. Lots of stories out and more to come. Selfishly I hope that you’ll get a chance to stop by and see Bonjour. But I won’t be upset if you don’t since you’ve been so generous here and on my blog. Best to you. As always.
LikeLike
Hi Evelyne! Thank you so much for dropping by and leaving your lovely message. I am so glad to be able to keep in touch here during my enforced blogging absence. I am still waiting for my ‘new’ laptop to be fixed but really hope to hear any day now. I am getting on well with my memoir though and other writing 🙂 Great to know that your blogging and writing is going well and I do very much look forward to coming by again as soon as I can to catch up with you, as likewise, I also enjoy your posts very much. And I am deeply heartened to read how much you enjoy mine! So yes, I will see you very soon, and meanwhile, I hope you continue to have a great week ahead. Au Revoir 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
À bientôt alors! 😊
LikeLike
😀
LikeLike
Sherri, my heart goes out to you. I’ve been where you are and it was so frustrating—it made me realize how much I loved blogging. My husband offered me the use of his computer for the time mine was out of commission; however, I have osteoarthritis in my hip and cannot sit in a regular chair for very long. I hope you are able to have this resolved soon.
Blessings ~ Wendy ❀
LikeLike
Hi Wendy! Thank you so much for coming by to leave me your lovely, kind message. Yes, it is utterly frustrating isn’t it? And as you discovered, I am missing blogging terribly 😦 I’m using my old Dell which is the one giving me all the problems before Christmas, before buying my ‘new’ one. I am very sorry to hear about your sitting problems due to osteoarthritis. I find desktops difficult with my neck, so rely on my laptop. I look forward to catching up with you properly as soon as I can. Meanwhile, I hope you have a good week filled with blessings also 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been out of the loop on WP and just now finding your “sabbatical,” May your silence be “golden” and you return refreshed and renewed. Love and Peace to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Lilka and I hope the very same for you. Look forward to catching up as soon as my laptop is returned. Have a blessed weekend, and much love and peace to you too my friend 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sherri I hope you have a new or improved laptop by now. I recently experienced similar issues with my laptop and got my youngest son to build me a PC at a fraction of the price it costs to buy a new one in the store! Happy to hear you have been working hard on your memoir 🙂 sometimes the Universe helps us shift our priorities 😉
LikeLike
Hi Yolanda, how lovely to hear from you, I do hope you are doing well and thank you so much for your well-wishes 🙂 This laptop was the new one we bought in January but it was a lemon from the start. The computer shop sent it back to the manufacturer under warranty and it’s been 5 weeks and still waiting. Very frustrating. That’s great about your son, I should have asked him to build me one too, saved me all this trouble! But yes, it has been a busy time family wise and I have been able to focus on my memoir, so not a wasted time by any means, even though I do miss blogging very much. I will catch up with you as soon as I can, meanwhile, I hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer 🙂
LikeLike
Oh no! I got here just in time to wave bye. But I sure do understand. Hopefully your mess will be reversed soon!
Thanks for following me.
Melinda
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Melinda, and you are very welcome. I’m back now with a replacement but still waiting for my ‘new’ laptop to be returned. At least I can blog again and Iook forward to reading more of your blog. See you soon! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, at least you have something to hold you over. Yay for being able to blog again!
LikeLike
Absolutely…thanks again Melinda 🙂
LikeLike