I'm fast becoming bored with my mobile phone.

I leave it at home mostly. Anyway, it already knows it's in Inverness. It wants me to talk to it, but, like I said before, I don't want to 'befriend' it.

And it gives crap advice. I asked it about the weather today and it brought my attention to a Yellow Warning of snow. Yellow Warning = there is a wee chance it might snow so you might need to put your hood up, (if you're at that sensible age); or your hoodie up, (if you're a bit younger)!!

That was okay, but it also felt the need to let me know there might be travel delays; some rural communities could be cut off; power cuts were possible and mobile phones might be affected etc.

Surely this is slightly overdramatic?

If you live in certain areas of the Scottish West Coast, the mobile signal is dodgy anyway. I can vouch for that when my car broke down between Laxford Bridge and Scourie, a few years ago. I had to walk 2 miles to get a mobile signal to call out the nearest breakdown truck. It took a long 2 hours to arrive from TAIN on the east coast - over 100 miles away!

Tip: don't attempt the NC500 route without a decent car, paid-up super-duper Roadside Assistance Cover, a flask, chocolate, gloves and a friend to talk to. Mobile phone = useless!

I expect if you live in these remote communities, being 'cut off' by a snowdrift would hardly raise an eyebrow - not if their storecupboards are well stocked, and their woodpile is well stacked!

These days, we can't seem to do anything without seeking advice. What do you think?

I mean, some decisions like climbing mountains in winter are completely ludicrous. To continue walking in treacherous conditions is not brave. It's more difficult, and therefore braver, to decide to turn back.

It took me 3 attempts to climb Cairn Toul with a companion. On two occasions the weather turned foul, with a wind that wanted to rip the skin off our faces! It would have been foolhardy to continue. AND I had plans for the rest of my life!

The successful third attempt was made in May the following year. The box remained unticked for a few months, but the feeling of fulfillment was not diminished by a spring ascent.

Sometimes we are led by the consensus of others, and our path is a compromise. Sometimes it's a path we wouldn't chose.

I don't always want others to decide my course of action. I can think for myself.

I've always dreaded the 'teamwork' question at interviews. I'm not keen on having to tell lies, but honestly, I'm really not that 'teamy'!

I recall going up to see Daughter1's Primary 4 teacher. With a sombre look and a frowning face, she explained that Daughter1 had good ideas drawn in her jotter, for art and craft projects, but she selfishly wouldn't share them with her group. I smiled and replied, 'Good for her!'

Sometimes the best option is to develop your own 'good ideas' - instead of watching them morph and be diluted into someone else's 'good ideas'.

I've found that to always be the lighting strip to someone else's match gets annoying and tedious. I've always wanted to be the spark and the fire!

I'm working on some 'good ideas' for some new pics just now. But - you've guessed it - I'm not going to be telling you about them! Not until they're finished!