Last week I took part in a zoom lecture/discussion on creative writing.
I remember the breakout group was lively and animated
One chap, older than I lived up the coast and was nearer than most of the others who were dotted around the British Isles.
He turned up at the hospice today and dropped an envelope off for me.
It was an invitation for coffee and his telephone number
Ive accepted
I remembered him from class
He was quiet though asked some interesting questions ,was very smiley,
And he was wearing an old arran jumper in blue
How nice!
ReplyDeleteI was flattered
DeleteHope you have a nice time.
ReplyDeleteIt won’t be for a while and we will see
DeleteTell me more, tell me more.....
ReplyDeleteNothing more to tell for a few weeks I’m away in Barcelona in a few days
DeleteWhat a nice thing to look forward to! Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteJo in Auckland
Indeed x
DeleteDid the arran blue jumper have a hole in it? Perhaps?!! Enjoy the coffee and company!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
It was old so I hope it did lol
DeleteSounds good
ReplyDeleteLike I say I was very flattered by the effort of the invitation lol
DeleteThis is Tom Thompson over in Louisiana USA, Ihave followed you off and on for several years now.. Each time I try to catch up ,so I am just going to follow u Sir. when I can I appreciate al of your entries.......
ReplyDeleteNice to have you aboard
DeleteThe start of a beautiful friendship? Here's hoping. xx
ReplyDeleteWho knows,
DeleteHe sounds like someone you would like to know better. Hope you can meet up after Barcelona. It's so good to have that to look forward to!
ReplyDeleteWho knows, he may be a rightnknob
DeleteAnd may feel I am
We shall see
Nice indeed but am I the only one who finds it creepy that a random encountered person turns up at one’s place of work?
ReplyDeleteWe talked about the hospice as he used to Live on west shore
DeleteOr rather enterprising as he clearly wanted to contact you after an online meeting. So no, not creepy.
DeleteExactly
DeleteThis is sweeeet!
ReplyDeleteYou old romantic
DeleteI hope he turns out to be a good friend.
ReplyDeleteI second that
Delete👍😬
DeleteSounds promising ;o)
ReplyDeleteIt is what it is , as they say x
DeleteHe sounds lovely. A nice catch up and getting to know you waiting for you on your return from Barcelona. Sharon x
ReplyDeleteI’m off to London after Spain !thenvwork
DeleteI hope he’s not in a rush
Wow - I'm quite excited for you John - Hope you find or it has a symbolic hole - and blue is so unique for an Arran x 🌻
ReplyDeleteIt was frayed at the neck
DeleteSo may be a truly genuine kindly gentleman x
DeleteHe understands old jumpers - sounds good.
ReplyDeleteHe looked cute in it
DeleteThe joy of just letting things happen.
ReplyDeleteWe shall see Raymondo xxxx
DeleteThe jumper does it for me! And the connection he felt with you over the ether which was strong enough to bring him bravely to the door of the hospice to make a connection. This smcks of warmth and perception. Nothing like a bolt out of the blue!
ReplyDeleteNicely,put x
DeleteJust go with the flo, you never know, it could be the start of something wonderful! GG
ReplyDeleteOr not, but it doesn’t matter GG . I WAS ONL6 TALKING TO JANE and Colin the other day and said to both this is the year I’m not going to say no to stuff
DeleteI'm so looking forward to your Barcelona trip and now there is a coffee morning to anticipate too! Your stories are a public service.
ReplyDeleteCeci
🌈❤️
DeleteHow fun to be noticed, and found.
ReplyDeleteYes, David, we have discussed before how easy it is for older gay men to feel completely invisible
DeleteYou deserve happiness take it when ever and how ever it comes your way. Who knows where it may lead. A new friend or perhaps more.
ReplyDeleteIrene.
Let’s see Irene
DeleteHow nice to have someone think you are interesting enough to reach out to you.
ReplyDeleteExactly m and who made the effort to write an old fashioned letter and to post it
DeleteLet's hope he doesn't have a sub-machine gun tucked up under his blue aran sweater when you meet up for that coffee.
ReplyDeleteI can’t be THAT unlucky , after all I have been thorough
DeleteNice! You can talk more about creative writing.
ReplyDeleteAnd other things
DeleteHow exciting!
ReplyDeleteTitter
DeleteHow lovely, and how exciting to be sought out. Jean in Winnipeg
ReplyDeleteI’m flattered
DeleteSo you told a complete stranger your name and where you worked. Even worse you boasted about what you do and exactly where you work with total strangers and in doing so put vulnerable patients and colleagues and yourself at risk from a stranger/stalker.
ReplyDeleteOur opinion Mr Gray is this is utterly selfish and irresponsible and sets a very bad example about online health and safety.
By the way you can delete this reply now as we know you will worry about tarnishing your holier than thou image with your flock.
Yawn 🥱
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteRight, I wondered when this silliness would creep back in , I thought a dignified truce was the way forward, obviously not.
DeleteInitially , in the group work .each group member shared their first name, where they were from and what they did for a living or “ an interesting note about themselves.
In another breakout group this chap shared he was living on the coast not far from me and had just moved from west shore. (Where the hospice is located) I simply told him that I worked in the hospice there and knew the beach well
We talked about The famous Parasella ice cream which is locally made
The letter he dropped into a locked reception was marked personal to me
He had no more contact with any of the staff patients or visitors as any other member of the general public.
I am big enough and ugly to to meet someone with an obvious bright mind , intellect and humour in a public coffee shop of my choosing
I know his name, ( which is more than I know of yours btw, and I suspect you are more unstable than any of the participants on that course I attended
It strikes me you are bothered about anything about my own happiness , something you try to scupper everytime I write about anything positive.
This is sad and I feel sorry for you
John,you really don't owe an explanation. People believe what they want to believe. Some choose to believe the best and others decide to believe the worst. What one chooses to believe reflects on them, not you.
DeleteJohn
DeleteI understand your explanation makes anon appear rightly foolish but it was unnecessary .
She is foolish, foolish and dumb.
As for the pubic toilet comment now deleted
She is also homophobic.
I think the note was charming
Hugs
Keith
X
Linda and Keith
DeleteI know I don’t, but she’s a troublemaker and clearly unable to be dignified and remain quiet.
I felt I had to explain in clear words of one syllable, why it was all perfectly fine…
Thank you both for your lovely words and your support
Nice comments even if they don’t always agree are always welcome
I was once asked out on a date by a note and flowers. Mixed red roses and a funny card, which ticked all of the boxes, impressed my family and friends but who,proved to be an asshole .
DeleteThought you would laugh your easy laugh at that one
Keith
X
Point taken my friend
DeleteWell, he's got good manners.
ReplyDeleteExactly
DeletePs where is MAVIS WHEN WE NEED HER
DeleteKeith
I miss Mavis x
DeleteAnother chance to connect is always welcome. He sounds interesting. Arran jumpers are long lasting and always lovely; he likes quality...
ReplyDeleteHe’s also a bit scruffy
DeleteA bit scruffy would ring alarm bells for me. If somebody can't make the effort to be tidy when in view of others then it's not likely they'll put much effort into a relationship Didn't your ex call you out for beng scruffy and not mking an effort? You admitted it on a blog post.
DeleteOdious
DeleteI hope the encounter goes well John. I love meeting new people and hoping for a lasting friendship. Sometimes things work out well, sometimes not but one should always give it a try - good luck.
ReplyDeleteWell you can never have too many friends pat
DeleteSounds exciting John! Jackie
ReplyDeleteIt sounds possible
DeleteWonderful! I'm glad you accepted his invitation for coffee.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a marvelous trip to Barcelona.
I know , how lucky am I ? Spain, dates, ??
DeleteNice! Do report back! (I know you will! :) )
ReplyDeleteAlready have done
DeleteI have a good feeling about this, John.
ReplyDeleteOh lord xx
DeleteHow civilized. I am grinning from ear to ear . It feels good.
ReplyDeleteI haven’t been officially asked out on a date like this for many years
DeletePooh again ....Gemma's Person
ReplyDeletePooh ?
DeleteAn exclamation , like poop. I prefer Winnie though, so I go with pooh.
DeleteMy comment above was without my name and I didn't mean it to be.
Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteBarbarax
✉️📪
DeleteThat's the thing, isn't it? You just never know what or who is around the corner. And I loved your description about the smiles and the old jumper. I can see him in my mind's eye. Thank you for sharing this fun surprise.
ReplyDeleteI’m saying nothing more, suffice to say the personal old fashioned invitation was enough to be pleased
DeleteThis sad Anonymous who has the self inflicted misery to think it is calling you out clearly does not have the guts to stand up as itself and be counted. So does not merit your explanation of yourself and your motivation. None of it's business/
ReplyDeleteFor the assistance of those Going Gently friends who are flummoxed by the new system, it is quite simple.
When you click on ENTER COMMENT the instruction will appear as COMMENT AS: Which produces a list - Google Account, Anonymous, and Name /URL.
Click on NAME then enter your name on the line provided. Then look top right for the CONTINUE box. Click on that, and ENTER COMMENT will appear. Write on that line until you have had your say, then click on PUBLISH box. Abracadbra!
So now the A******* Anonymous has no excuse for not doing it properly and giving John, and the rest of us, a name.
Simple. The challenge/explanation is thus offered. So now either put your name to your insults or shut up. No-one takes notice of, or respects, a coward who blights this warm and generous blog with such sad bile.
And there ends the lesson xxx thanks Chuck x
DeleteI hope you leave your comments as is as I don’t t have a google account. Just let him look like the idiot he is. Any time you need my name just ask. GG
DeleteWell damn, how nicely old fashioned and civilized, hope it turns out well. :)
ReplyDeleteThank u jimbo xxxx
DeleteAlways nice to make new friendships.
ReplyDeleteUh oh! Did the jumper have a hole in it?!!
ReplyDeleteOh how nice to be sought out. You must have made a lovely impression John, and I’m not surprised about that x
ReplyDeleteGood for him for making a move! I too hope it goes nicely and at least you make a friend.
ReplyDeleteLovely.
ReplyDeleteBit late to the game here but that sounds exciting.I rather like the old fashioned approach.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time In Barcelona - as others have said watch out for pick pockets. Had a meeting there once (we were about 36 people). One person was pickpocketed the other was mugged - having said that he was mugged in the same area I had happily walked around in my own the evening before.
It will be good practice for Rome. I avoided a swarm of children there because I saw them pick me out and come towards me.
Could be a bootay call as they say in sex and the city!
ReplyDelete