If you aren’t a fan of Sherlock Holmes mysteries, then this post won’t make any sense to you. Sherlock Holmes was created by Arthur Conan Doyle, and to me the language and characters are rich and satisfying – like cheesecake for my brain 🙂 [Use the links to learn more about the author or the character highlighted]
Sherlock Holmes and John Watson lived at 221B Baker Street, London England from 1881 to 1904.
John H. Watson or Dr Watson was a fictional character (as is Sherlock Holmes) and he was a typical Victorian era gentleman. Dr. Watson is astute, an experienced medical physician, and while sharing the flat with Sherlock he records the mysteries and adventures of Sherlock Holmes whose deductive skills are so precise that he seems almost a magician.
“I have the advantage of knowing your habits, my dear Watson,” said he. “When your round is a short one you walk, and when it is a long one you use a hansom. As I perceive that your boots, although used, are by no means dirty, I cannot doubt that you are at present busy enough to justify the hansom.”
“Excellent!” I cried.
“Elementary,” said he. “It is one of those instances where the reasoner can produce an effect which seems remarkable to his neighbour, because the latter has missed the one little point which is the basis of the deduction. The same may be said, my dear fellow, for the effect of some of these little sketches of yours, which is entirely meretricious, depending as it does upon your retaining in your own hands some factors in the problem which are never imparted to the reader.
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (1893)
Of course Sherlock is a detective, not a magician. Sherlock does more than observe, he is carefully focused on detail and inferences to arrive at his conclusions. Analysis and deduction from minutiae.
Today’s question is Which are you? Holmes or Watson? How attentive are you to those around you? Do you notice the clues, the details, the finer points that are there to be seen or do you need to have them pointed out?
I suppose this post is because I admire the skill of Sherlock and I want to be a better listener, focused on the speaker in front of me, and responding to the clues of their speech, asking followup questions, and remembering in the future the details of our conversation.
I accept I am more Dr. Watson, observing often without seeing clues in front of me. But now I hope I can improve albeit not to the level of the incomparable Sherlock.
I suppose that is the challenge we all face from time to time, and one I need to be reminded of, namely seeing the bigger picture from the clues in front of me.
Which are you? Watson or Sherlock?
“Show Holmes a drop of water and he would deduce the existence of the Atlantic. Show it to me and I would look for a tap. That was the difference between us.”
― Anthony Horowitz, The House of Silk
As always, I am sincerely grateful to everyone who takes a moment to read my blog, and leave a like or comment. If you leave me a suggestion or observation, I am pleased to respond and in that way get to know you better. Tally ho!
Life and Random Thinking 
https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsI’m more of a Mrs. Hudson – I make a good cup of tea and stay out of the way.
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I actually found a mrs hudson detective novel where she solved a mystery while on holiday. So you never know 🤔🤔🤔
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I love it! 🙂
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I want to be Sherlock, so I’m saying I’m a Sherlock…..
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Sherlock is definitely a character that is magnetic and fascinating. Thanks for responding
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https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.js😀
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I’m a Watson. He’s a warmer person and less cynical. 🙂
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Watson is a romantic I agree, and optimistic. I think you describe him well.
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Lol, thanks! Have you seen the series Sherlock – the one with Benedict Cumberbatch?
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Ironically although I like the actor and am a devout Sherlock consumer i have not seen the series.
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I enjoyed it. Particularly the first and second season. You might also. They do a nice job giving it a modern edge.
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It’s soooooo good! Those cheekbones😍😍😍
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https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsI want to be a Sherlock a la Benedict Cumberbatch but I am only halfway there; I have trouble with the emotional connection thing, but I’m not the super observant supercomputer that he is
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I like your humor, independence and determination- more a dr watson i think. He returned to london in ill health after war service but he rallies. He finds new inspiration, improved health and romance.
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https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsI prefer the old Basil Rathbone Sherlock movies from the thirties or forties. Sounds like some of the dialogue comes directly from the original books! But I confess, I love The Thin Man movies even more (aka William Powell), so suave and sophisticated, funny and cosmopolitan–everything I’m not! Fun post Dave. Hope you are well.
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I like Basil Rathbone also because of the vocabulary. William Powell was a fine actor. I am a Turner classic movies person. My health is a grind, and my tranplant immuno suppressants have resulted in pneumonia now. I am getting treatment and improving now.
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https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsDid you find a donor Dave?
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Yes and no. I haven’t found a donor yet but in the shared donor program i have a friend who will donate to someone else if they have a matching donor for me.
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I have a brother in renal failure…not critical yet. I don’t know if he is a candidate for transplant if needed due to some other health issues and his age so I try to take care of myself because you never know. I hope you find a donor soon Dave. Take care of yourself.
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Dear Ilona, I understand your situation. Consider being tested as a living donor for your brother before he begins dialysis. He will be healthier right away and during the process you will meet the transplant team and find out more. There are many living donors in Penticton for some reason. One of them I know is in better shape now than she was 17 years ago when she gave her husband a kidney, in fact she became an Olympic weightlifter. She isn’t very tall but she is strong!
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