Why A Blog Now?

Why did I leave England at 22, and why start a blog at 78? What filled those years in between, and even before? There are plenty of answers—some simple, others needing a bit more reflection and explanation. I’ll try to cover it all, but at 78… well, you get the idea!

As I’ve mentioned before, many people have suggested I write a book. Maybe starting a blog is the easier route. Selling a book would be a challenge, but a blog is free for anyone to read, whether regularly or just once in a while. I hope you’ll stop by.

Another reason that has driven me at this point is my long history of using the computer for private communication, well before the rise of social media. Over time, I've grown frustrated with it for several reasons. It has become disorganized and near chaotic, and I'm unsure if my friends even see my posts anymore. The most you can expect in response is a thumbs up icon or, if you're fortunate, a colored heart. Although I'll continue browsing my Facebook account, I plan to take a step back in time by sending my blog updates directly to friends like you, allowing you to review them at your convenience and respond through comments or even direct email. Just like we used to when we exchanged letters.

Do you recall CompuServe (1979) and Prodigy (1988)? I was using them back in the day, and I still have my original AOL email address from 1993.

Moving into this century, I can now express my creativity by adding photographs, sound bites, and even videos. I love being creative, so please be patient as I learn the process. I hope you'll enjoy the comments, anecdotes, stories, and bits of philosophy I've gathered from my many years of life, learning, observation, growth, and travels. Additionally, I aim to answer the questions I often receive: How did a boy from a working-class family, born in the industrial Midlands of England a few years after World War II, become a retired, middle-class resident of sunny South Florida in the USA?

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  Watkins Street is located in the Fenton area of Stoke-on-Trent, England. My early neighborhood

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  This neighborhood is known for its rich industrial history, particularly in pottery and ceramics.

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  Boca Raton, Florida from the air. Where I now, live

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  Old Town Hall, Boca Raton.

I spent years studying to become a classical musician and music teacher, yet circumstances led me to build a successful career as an English teacher, specializing in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages). How did that happen? How did I end up spending a night at the theatre as a guest of an American president or working for years with some of the biggest names on Broadway, in fashion, and the concert hall? One reason I decided against writing a book, aside from doubting my talent, is my lack of confidence that anyone would read it. After all, you have your own fascinating life. However, this blog allows us to share our experiences and thoughts, something you can’t do while reading a book.

You'll notice that my initial pages emphasize photography to some extent. While I can't claim to be a photographer, I've always been interested in this visual art form. I lack any skills in painting and drawing, but I've been told I have a "good eye." I recall that when I was about 10 years old, my oldest brother explained the basics of how the lens on his 35 mm camera worked. Despite being terrible at science and physics, I was fascinated by the potential of what that camera could achieve. So, since it's summertime, I've taken some time to share a few pictures and tips on how to think about those pics you'll be taking with your cell phone camera during this vacation period, while you're creating happy memories, traveling, and enjoying various activities. I hope you find some of these ideas helpful. Let me know.

I do like to read, though my taste in books might be a bit unconventional. I adore the classics and older works, and appreciate writing where each word appears thoughtfully chosen. I wish I had that skill. You might call me old-fashioned, but I'm often at a loss with contemporary authors. When my students asked why I read such old books, I would simply reply, "You've just answered your own question." They usually understood. Perhaps you can recommend some. That would make for an intriguing blog discussion. I'm curious about what you're currently reading.

In addition to my passion for good literature, I have a profound love for "classical" music. I started learning to read basic music when I was around 4 years old. Although I was the only one in my family to study music seriously, I was influenced by many different sources. But that's a story for another time. Do you have musical skills, and how have you used them?

Gardening appears to be a part of my family's DNA and I've always enjoyed messing around with plants and strolling through gardens. I also thoroughly enjoy drama and musical theater. However, I confess that I'm not particularly impressed by much of what's currently available. Please don't hold that against me. Additionally, after many years of going to live concerts and theater, I now rarely have the opportunity to attend. How about you? What are your preferences?

A straightforward yet profound philosophy: It's essential to have something to look forward to. For me, that 'something' is travel. Therefore, you can expect my blog to include places I've lived, visited, and plan to explore in the future. Even though I've just turned 78, I'm still perusing international airline schedules and cruise ship itineraries. I do have a few favorite destinations. My summer travel plans have been interrupted because of a medical procedure I have to have. However, I do have a travel plan for the end of summer that will take me to a couple of places I've always wanted to visit. I'll let you in on that in another blog. I'm interested in knowing where you enjoy visiting or wish to go and why. I doubt my bucket list will ever be complete, but it's important to keep working on it.

Thank you for reading this far.

If you've enjoyed this introduction and browsing through the earlier pages of my blog, please consider signing up with your current email address. Feel free to leave comments and suggestions; there's a section for this at the bottom of each blog page. Explore the dropdown menus to see where they lead: for instance, the "Portfolio" under the "MORE" tab, where clicking on each picture will take you to a gallery of Sunset pictures.