He seems to have seen the light. Whether by his own research or the advice of others, I could not say, but he has changed his name slightly and is now communicating with me respectfully.
Actually everyone has asked me what I am up to these days! I say "I am a geo-political writer." They either laugh and say "Typical!" or they fall silent because they are not really sure what that means! My oldest friend, Sid, who is 75 and a Harley Davidson rider said "Well, that's nice. At least you ain't sleeping under bushes at Greenham Common any more!" I told him that I had to stop all that because I have emphysema and he reverted back to his old refrain "I told you not to smoke! Are you still smoking? Oh Frarnie!" Then I mentioned the heart attack and the small bleed on the brain (stroke) I had in 2016 after an anti-fracking camp and he just groaned. I said "It's alright Sid, I hardly felt a thing, and the stroke happened in my sleep so I didn't even know I had one!" I heard him gulp and swear under his breath! He changed the subject to "So when are you coming to visit?" Bless him!
Most people who know me in real life know that I am not the kind who can be told what to do.
PS: found the “Conversations with Cowan & Friends/Ep. 49” that I lost being so intrigued I went to the inventor’s website: it’s about healing water, when you have an hour: https://www.bitchute.com/video/dSjBTSXERLet/
Oh, I just wish I had anyone left alive to reconnect with, the way we used to connect! Lovely idea. I don't know what it is like in England, but in Australia we cannot even call anyone - we have to text first to set up a convenient time to talk, and heaven help us, we never "drop in". That would be seen as intrusive and predatory. We seriously need to rediscover trust in one another, and the easy friendships we once had.
Oh how terrible, is that the way society works in Aussie-Land or post COVID? If I understand correctly you must text in order to set up a time to call and pop-in?
Great advice. I do fairly well keeping in touch but could certainly do better. I too lived in Spain- specifically Madrid- and think about my friends there often. 4 years ago I reconnected at a 50th high school reunion with chums I knew that long ago. It was mind-blowing. You cannot make 'old' friends. 💞
Aug 4, 2022·edited Aug 4, 2022Liked by Frances Leader
I was there as a tot from 3-6 years old. 1954-1957. We lived outside the city on Ave. Arturo Soria. Then later from 1969-1972 off Ave. De Burgos. Both times were times of great upheaval. The early days Spain was still recovering from the Guerra Civil and the 2nd was during a period of student protests at Univ of Madrid where I studied briefly. All of it exciting in a way. Franco still very much alive then and the fascists evident around every corner. The Guardia Civil were a constant presence in public places.
Me encanta España, especialmente la gente! 💞
Btw- you might find it an interesting side note that I was there due to my father's affiliation with Franco's government thru the US embassy as an 'advisor' to the Spanish Navy. Spain had just joined NATO and the US was 'rewarding' this act by converting surplus WW2 naval vessels to Spain.
Fascinating! I met an elderly lady when I was there in 2006/7. She had been involved in the anarchist revolt of 1936 and was imprisoned by Franco's fascists for many years. She would accompany me on long dog walks, telling me all about her life. She loved to take me to the ballet and classical music concerts. When I bought a fruit farm in the Sierra de Gredos, Extremadura I was stunned to be asked if I could read and write by the clerks at the alcalde's office. Apparently women in my age group, in that village, had not been educated. I also caused a bit of stir because I was the first foreigner to buy a property outright in that village! They could not figure out how I had accumulated the money, assuming I had inherited it! When I explained that I had been a businesswoman all my life and owned my own homes in UK. "¿Dónde está tu marido? ¿Muerto?" and when I explained that I was a divorcee they were shocked, almost outraged by my boldness. Their children called me Pocohontas because my two dogs always followed me everywhere off leash. The village men found negotiating business with me very difficult because the old tradition of not making eye contact with women was still strong in their medieval culture. Spain's people are so various - Madrid was tremendously modern but go 50 miles out of any of the cities and you found true Spain, totally enchanting.
Aug 5, 2022·edited Aug 5, 2022Liked by Frances Leader
As we lived on the outskirts we interacted with ordinary Madrileños! As a child I attended a Montessori school operated by nuns from Argentina who had fled the latest upheaval there! My classmates were the children of working class.
The area in which we lived at that time (Ciudad Lineal) still showed signs of war- unbelievably, I know. Much rubble and abandoned buildings. It took a long while for recovery as you probably know. I later came to learn that no family escaped losses and deaths. Recounting stories was verboten and when mentioned- always in hushed tones. There remains great suspicion- the nature of that 'beast' and many Francoistas in government despite the charade of Juan Carlos Et Al!
My mates and I were constantly taunted by men whenever we ventured into the countryside especially. It was always good policy to have at least one male ally in the group!
Yes, some of it. I wrote two books about my life and many short stories about my adventures in Spain on Hive blog before getting jaded off by the predatory 'whales' there. I like Substack better. One day, when I get time, I will compile the stories I have written into one place.... IF we ever get time to reminisce in peace!
Hey Frances is that creepy troll still haunting you? I hope you are doing NOTHING about the situation....
He seems to have seen the light. Whether by his own research or the advice of others, I could not say, but he has changed his name slightly and is now communicating with me respectfully.
💕what a lovely idea!💕
Sounds nice, actually talking on the phone, in spirit and practice.
Let me know what you do when the old friend asks "So. What you been up to? What are you reading?"
You answer succinctly.
"Oh, that's just a bunch of conspiracy bs; I don't have time nor energy to waste on that!"
Actually everyone has asked me what I am up to these days! I say "I am a geo-political writer." They either laugh and say "Typical!" or they fall silent because they are not really sure what that means! My oldest friend, Sid, who is 75 and a Harley Davidson rider said "Well, that's nice. At least you ain't sleeping under bushes at Greenham Common any more!" I told him that I had to stop all that because I have emphysema and he reverted back to his old refrain "I told you not to smoke! Are you still smoking? Oh Frarnie!" Then I mentioned the heart attack and the small bleed on the brain (stroke) I had in 2016 after an anti-fracking camp and he just groaned. I said "It's alright Sid, I hardly felt a thing, and the stroke happened in my sleep so I didn't even know I had one!" I heard him gulp and swear under his breath! He changed the subject to "So when are you coming to visit?" Bless him!
Most people who know me in real life know that I am not the kind who can be told what to do.
You are a Oner. Bless you!
PS: found the “Conversations with Cowan & Friends/Ep. 49” that I lost being so intrigued I went to the inventor’s website: it’s about healing water, when you have an hour: https://www.bitchute.com/video/dSjBTSXERLet/
Excellent! Listening now but must sleep! I will finish it tomorrow and let you know what I think... xx
This is a beautiful reminder and inspiration, Frances.
But the part about chips in passport. OMG! 😱
Have you checked yours?
Yes. Although I nuked mine in a microwave 😜
Extreme resistance! lol
Oh, I just wish I had anyone left alive to reconnect with, the way we used to connect! Lovely idea. I don't know what it is like in England, but in Australia we cannot even call anyone - we have to text first to set up a convenient time to talk, and heaven help us, we never "drop in". That would be seen as intrusive and predatory. We seriously need to rediscover trust in one another, and the easy friendships we once had.
Oh how terrible, is that the way society works in Aussie-Land or post COVID? If I understand correctly you must text in order to set up a time to call and pop-in?
Oh my! That is grim! The only way to change a culture is to be the change we want to see, as Gandhi so eloquently stated. xx
Great advice. I do fairly well keeping in touch but could certainly do better. I too lived in Spain- specifically Madrid- and think about my friends there often. 4 years ago I reconnected at a 50th high school reunion with chums I knew that long ago. It was mind-blowing. You cannot make 'old' friends. 💞
Wow! You lived in Madrid too? When were you there?
I was there as a tot from 3-6 years old. 1954-1957. We lived outside the city on Ave. Arturo Soria. Then later from 1969-1972 off Ave. De Burgos. Both times were times of great upheaval. The early days Spain was still recovering from the Guerra Civil and the 2nd was during a period of student protests at Univ of Madrid where I studied briefly. All of it exciting in a way. Franco still very much alive then and the fascists evident around every corner. The Guardia Civil were a constant presence in public places.
Me encanta España, especialmente la gente! 💞
Btw- you might find it an interesting side note that I was there due to my father's affiliation with Franco's government thru the US embassy as an 'advisor' to the Spanish Navy. Spain had just joined NATO and the US was 'rewarding' this act by converting surplus WW2 naval vessels to Spain.
Fascinating! I met an elderly lady when I was there in 2006/7. She had been involved in the anarchist revolt of 1936 and was imprisoned by Franco's fascists for many years. She would accompany me on long dog walks, telling me all about her life. She loved to take me to the ballet and classical music concerts. When I bought a fruit farm in the Sierra de Gredos, Extremadura I was stunned to be asked if I could read and write by the clerks at the alcalde's office. Apparently women in my age group, in that village, had not been educated. I also caused a bit of stir because I was the first foreigner to buy a property outright in that village! They could not figure out how I had accumulated the money, assuming I had inherited it! When I explained that I had been a businesswoman all my life and owned my own homes in UK. "¿Dónde está tu marido? ¿Muerto?" and when I explained that I was a divorcee they were shocked, almost outraged by my boldness. Their children called me Pocohontas because my two dogs always followed me everywhere off leash. The village men found negotiating business with me very difficult because the old tradition of not making eye contact with women was still strong in their medieval culture. Spain's people are so various - Madrid was tremendously modern but go 50 miles out of any of the cities and you found true Spain, totally enchanting.
As we lived on the outskirts we interacted with ordinary Madrileños! As a child I attended a Montessori school operated by nuns from Argentina who had fled the latest upheaval there! My classmates were the children of working class.
The area in which we lived at that time (Ciudad Lineal) still showed signs of war- unbelievably, I know. Much rubble and abandoned buildings. It took a long while for recovery as you probably know. I later came to learn that no family escaped losses and deaths. Recounting stories was verboten and when mentioned- always in hushed tones. There remains great suspicion- the nature of that 'beast' and many Francoistas in government despite the charade of Juan Carlos Et Al!
My mates and I were constantly taunted by men whenever we ventured into the countryside especially. It was always good policy to have at least one male ally in the group!
We could share stories!
Have you written your memoirs yet?
Yes, some of it. I wrote two books about my life and many short stories about my adventures in Spain on Hive blog before getting jaded off by the predatory 'whales' there. I like Substack better. One day, when I get time, I will compile the stories I have written into one place.... IF we ever get time to reminisce in peace!
I will look forward to that time and your reminiscences. Keep the faith, compañera!
This. Is. Wonderful.
Thank you, am already sharing.
🌺🌿☀️🦋💕