I’m proud of myself

On 01/05/2025 By Peter's ponderingIn #My Music, childhood, courage, family, fun, Just because, morals, Music, My Music, nice things, responsibility, song26 Comments

I’m not a fan of modern parenting techniques, especially the American kind that praises a child with constant “Great Job” for completing every task. However, I think it’s a good thing that we should all be proud of ourselves every once in a while, so here’s mama nous, especially for you…and I do mean YOU!

Cool songs for kind kids (of all ages!)

Hi, I’m mama nous (*ma*ma*noo) and I’m so excited to sing with you!

I share songs, tools, and magically mindful (re)parenting strategies to help you connect with children (including your inner child!) in ways that gently build emotional intelligence & resilience.

I believe kids’ music should be enjoyable for grown-ups too, so my musical style is influenced by my background as an indie folk musician. I hope my songs bring more joy and playfulness into your family’s life, give you language to start big conversations, and help you nurture your own inner child.

Lyrics of i’m proud of myself by mama nous

I′m proud of myself

And i’m really really cool

Cuz i did that thing

That i didn′t wanna do

And i did a good job

And it wasn’t that bad

And now that it’s over with

I′m really really glad!

I′m proud of myself

And i’m really really great

Cuz i had lotsa patience

When i didn′t wanna wait

And i did a good job

And it wasn’t that bad

And now that it′s my turn

I’m really really glad!

I′m proud of myself

And i’m really really strong

Cuz i said i was sorry

When i did something wrong

And i did a good job

And it wasn’t that bad

And now that i made amends

I′m really really glad!

I′m proud of myself

And i’m really gassed up

Cuz i made a big mess

Then i went and cleaned it up

And i did a good job

And it wasn′t that bad

And now that my space is clean

I’m really really glad!

I′m proud of myself

And i’m really really cool

Cuz i did that thing

That i didn′t wanna do

And i did a good job

And it wasn’t that bad

And now that it’s over with

I′m really really glad!

Writer(s): Michelle Barrow

Well, that explains it!

On 07/04/2025 By Peter's ponderingIn broken things, Common sense, fear, horror, Insecurity, nonsense, politics, Re posts, responsibility, truth31 Comments

August 1968

The Ogre does what ogres can,
Deeds quite impossible for Man,
But one prize is beyond his reach,
The Ogre cannot master Speech:
About a subjugated plain,
Among its desperate and slain,
The Ogre stalks with hands on hips,
While drivel gushes from his lips.

W H Auden

The poem responds to the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia on August 20, 1968. The invasion by 500,000 Warsaw Pact troops toppled the reformist regime of Alexander Dubcek, which had ended censorship earlier that year.

In sharing this, I found that I had no categories or tags that adequately covered the content. I am not surprised!

The President

On 07/02/2025 By Peter's ponderingIn accountability, Common sense, community, responsibility, Service29 Comments

“The President is merely the most important among a large number of public servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation as a whole. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that there should be full liberty to tell the truth about his acts, and this means that it is exactly necessary to blame him when he does wrong as to praise him when he does right. Any other attitude in an American citizen is both base and servile. To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else.” –

Theodore Roosevelt, 26th US President (1858-1919)

Comeuppance

On 30/05/2024 By Peter's ponderingIn accountability, broken things, bullying, creativity, Poetry, responsibility39 Comments

My thanks to Sir John Betjeman for his marvellous poem Slough which inspired my meagre effort “Comeuppance.”

Come friendly bombs and fall on Trump,

He really is a dreadful chump.

His lying face I’d like to thump,

And see him rot in jail.

Come bombs and blow to kingdom come

All those who treat us like we’re dumb.

I’d like to see them suffer some.

Yes, those beyond the pale!

Come missiles and some cheaper drones

Those ones controlled by mobile phones.

Let them smash the feeble bones

Of those who need to pay.

Come everyone let’s rise and speak.

Let’s show the bullies we’re not weak,

That we will not stay mild and meek,

That we will have our say!

Slough can be viewed in full HERE.

Not a lot has changed!

On 23/05/2024 By Peter's ponderingIn community, Difference, discussion, equality, Fact, philosophy, politics, poverty, privilege, responsibility, women9 Comments

“The few own the many because they possess the means of livelihood of all … The country is governed for the richest, for the corporations, the bankers, the land speculators, and for the exploiters of labor. The majority of mankind are working people. So long as their fair demands—the ownership and control of their livelihoods—are set at naught, we can have neither men’s rights nor women’s rights. The majority of mankind is ground down by industrial oppression in order that the small remnant may live in ease.”

—Helen Keller, 1911

Helen Keller portrait, 1904. Due to a protruding left eye, Keller was usually photographed in profile until she had her eyes replaced c. 1911 with glass replicas for “medical and cosmetic reasons”.

A remarkable lady. You can read more about her HERE.

Just An Image #87

On 01/05/2024 By Peter's ponderingIn beauty, decline, environment, Fact, global warming, history, photography, railways, responsibility, technology32 Comments

Content!

On 10/11/202210/11/2022 By Peter's ponderingIn about me, Army, community, death, Fact, family, fear, history, horror, hurt, Insecurity, loss, love, My life, Peace, Personal, philosophy, Poetry, Remembrance, responsibility, sadness, Service, war, wellbeing23 Comments

Tomorrow is Armistice Day and, at this time of year, I always get to thinking about those I have known, and those I never knew, who died, or were affected in any way by war, or in the service of their country and humanity. Service has always included not just military men and women but also the myriad folk who contributed, and continue to contribute, in any way whatsoever. The basic concept of Armistice Day is “Never Again”. The world should not forget that. The sentiment should not be Never Forget, but Always Remember. We have that responsibility.

I tend to get a little maudlin, each year, for a few days over this period and, I suppose, that is what prompted this poem!

Content!

Love sustains me beyond the fears, the insecurity, and the pain;

The very fundamentals of life…and death;

The in between that’s never seen;

The basic structures of existence:

And yet…here I am, uncertain, a little fearful, the beginnings of trepidation

For what?

I know not!

Perhaps it’s always been there. The insecurity, the uncertainty, the pain!

Nevertheless…I like that word…nevertheless I am what I am;

I am who I am;

I am where I am and, with that,

I am content!

Compare – A Sorta Sonnet

On 16/10/2022 By Peter's ponderingIn accountability, anxiety, children's comments, Common sense, Difference, freedom, friends, health, Insecurity, joy, Mums, Nostalgia, Poetry, responsibility, safety, Sonnet, Weekly prompts, wellbeing34 Comments

What’s a weekend without a challenge. Over at SueW and GC’s site you can find out how to have a go and can find the links to read all the entries. Click on this to go there.

I pondered on comparing children’s play in years gone by to that of today and have written a sorta sonnet.

Playing – then and now

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

Why would you even think of that?

In that case will you come to play?

The sun’s quite strong so wear a hat!

(THEN)

So off we went with not a care

And stayed out ‘til we couldn’t see

Our Mums not bothered what or where

As long as we were back for tea

(NOW)