Today’s video poem is about my appreciation for the seasons. Each one has something beautiful to offer.
If you enjoyed those poems, and have time for a cuppa then you might like to check out my book Rhymes of the Times. It has many more poems like this and is perfect for dipping in and out of when you fancy a little pick-me-up.
Click here to be taken to my author page where you can purchase the book.
I have been pretty busy at the moment with studying and I thought that this weekend I would take a little break from it all and do something that I enjoy, (apart from blogging of course).
As some of you may know, I enjoy sewing and dressmaking, and although I am by no means an expert, I am definitely improving the more I do. I particularly love making clothes for my little great-nieces and have made quite a few outfits, for them, especially in the summer months. Here are some of my projects on Pinterest.
Last Christmas I managed to make a skirt and trousers in fun Christmas fabric. You can see little Molly modelling her skirt that I made.
I didn’t know what to make this year but I wanted it to be a little bit more adventurous than what I had done before, as well as something practical.
Mr Grump was busy watching the rugby so I cracked on with it. It took a little longer than I expected, but just after midnight I had finished my project and was pleased with the results. They are not perfect, but they do look cosy and warm!
This week Linda has given us ink to use for our Stream of Consciousness posts, which can be either as a noun or a verb.
Funnily enough, I was just saying to Ritu recently that I thought writing with a fountain pen and ink seems to improve the look of my handwriting.
At school, my handwriting was once described as resembling ‘a drunken spider’ wandering over the page and that as kind of stuck with me ever since. I have always admired beautiful penmanship and have tried several times to improve my scrawl. I do think that having a decent pen helps.
My history teacher was very strict about what pen we used in his class. If we forgot to bring a fountain pen then we would have to write in pencil then go over it in fountain pen later. ‘Biro’ was a dirty word to him and nobody dared use one in his presence!
Although I do like the look of my writing with a fountain pen, I have found it can be very messy. Well, it is if you are clumsy at least. I have ended up with huge splodges of ink on my work, as well as over my hands, the desk and occasionally down the front of my school shirt!
I tend to write with a fine liner pen now as I like how it looks, plus some of them have ink that dries quickly so doesn’t smudge. Perfect!
It is time for another foray into the world of Flash Fiction. This week, Charli from the Carrot Ranch has given us this image and five a day to use, and here are the rules:
November 23, 2017, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about Five a Day. It does not have to be five servings of fruits and vegetables. What is needed five times a day? Have fun with what pops to mind for the prompt.
Respond by November 28, 2017, to be included in the compilation (published November 29). Rules are here. All writers are welcome!
“Eat your vegetables you two. Connie, you’ve hardly touched those sprouts.”
“But Mum, you know I hate them, anyway, they make you blow off!”
To reiterate her point, Mark her brother let out a loud PARP, and both children giggled.
“MARK!” That is enough of that, leave the table at once!”
“Pooh, that stinks, Mum I can’t eat any more now, Mark has put me off.”
Jenny sighed, the pungent aroma wafted over her; some Christmas dinner this was turning out to be.
Pouring herself a fifth glass of wine, she braced herself for the rest of the day.
I don’t know why my mind went in this direction!
I wrote about how the Christmas Countdown has already started here, and of course, Christmas music plays a massive part in creating the festive atmosphere.
Was it really 1973 that Slade first assaulted our eardrums with “It’s Chriiiiiiiiiisttttmasssssssss”? (Merry Xmas Everybody). Wizzard also came out with their timeless ‘I Wish it Could Be Christmas Everyday’ the same year. I loved the video, especially when the kids sang their bit at the end. Elton John and Paul McCartney also had a go with their Christmas attempts, although they are not my favourites, and good old Sir Cliff Richard (bless him), trots out a Christmas song almost every year although he has been quiet lately. You have got to love him for trying, and I think he hit the number 1 spot with a couple of them.
Johnny Mathis with his version of ‘When A Child is Born’ always brings a tear to my eye, as does Mud’s ‘Lonely This Christmas’ (despite his dodgy Elvis impersonation). Boney M’s ‘Mary’s Boy Child’ however, will have me jigging about as it is so upbeat and cheery. Jonah Lewie’s ‘Stop the Cavalry’ is great too. Shakin’ Stevens singing ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’ reminds me of my great friend Karen and the Christmas back in 1985 when we were both in the Army, and had landed up on duty over the entire Christmas period. (We did manage to have some fun, although the less said about that, the better)!
The other great Christmas songs of the 70s and 80s have got to be Wham’s ‘Last Christmas'(I have to say, that one does get on my nerves a bit now), and John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s ‘Happy Christmas (War is Over).’ My favourite of them all though has got to be the Pogues and Kirsty McCall with ‘Fairytale of New York’. I just love the story of two drunks, scrapping one minute, lovey-dovey the next.
Of course, Christmas songs were around way before then, and many of those are included on the typical festive compilation album that gets dragged out by the shops and offices around mid-November to get us ‘in the Christmas mood’. Everyone loves Nat King Cole singing ‘The Christmas Song’. It can’t fail to bring a warm and rosy glow to your heart. Good old Bing and his ‘White Christmas’, so moving. Then we have the sultry Eartha Kitt with her ‘Santa Baby,’ Ooooh, saucy! I also like ‘Let it Snow’ and ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ for a bit of sentimentality.
The 90’s and 2000’s do not have a lot to offer though in the Christmas song department. The one huge exception, of course, is the dulcet tones of Mariah Carey belting out ‘All I Want For Christmas is you’. Oh, and Destiny’s Child did ‘The Eight Days of Christmas’.Personally, I love the Darkness and their ‘Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bell’s End), a catchy song and great video. (Where the hell do they get those leotards?)! Lastly, in this period, I love ‘Stay Now’ by East 17. Not exactly Christmassy lyrics, but add a few bells to the music and a bit of snow to the video and Bingo, a Christmas hit is born!
I also love some of the traditional Christmas carols as well, ‘Silent Night’, ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ and ‘Once In Royal David’s City’ to name but a few! These are even better when sung by a children’s choir. I remember taking my daughter to the Christingle service at church when she was about 4, and it was so lovely hearing them singing ‘Away In A Manger’. I was also moved to tears when a primary school choir were singing Christmas carols in the town centre where I live. It just sounds so pure and magical to me.
I know a good many of these songs are re-released every year, or they are on the compilation albums, but it seems we can never get enough of them.
What’s your festive favourite?
I get fed up with the expression, “grow a pair,” or “man up.” Hang on a minute, I think women are far tougher! This poem is not for the faint-hearted.
When it’s time to’ man up’
We are told to ‘grow to a pair’
Balls will make us stronger
But that’s not very fair!
Why are they so special?
To make us act so tough
In those awful moments
When life gets really rough.
Gonads are quite tender
And one kick in the jewels
Can render someone helpless
Plus make them look such fools!
Women are much stronger
There are no ifs and buts.
We have to push a child out
Despite the rips and cuts
You don’t find women fussing
On having to wear a box
Scared that sports activity
Will break their precious cocks!
When it comes to showing strength
Balls are pretty minor
I suggest you ‘woman up’
And grow yourself a vagina!
The supremely talented baker and writer Robbie Cheadle, and my lovely blog sister, Superblogger Ritu Bhathal have challenged me to take part in the photography challenge: 7 days, post 7 B&W photos of your life, no explanation, no people, challenge another person each day.
Please click on the links to check out both of these wonderful ladies’ blogs, there is so much to discover there. This is the last day of the challenge and I have really enjoyed doing it…so
for that reason, I would like to challenge anyone who fancies doing it to have a go. Happy snapping!
Having fun blogging with friends
Lifestyle blog featuring the fabulous North East and beyond
Sharing my thoughts, poems, travel & art
Apps for any screen
Just your average PhD student using the internet to enhance their CV
Life in words
Exploring writing and the creative randomness of life. Snapshots of moments.
Aakashsoyanthone
...with a twist.
by Sam Allen
The jumbled musings of Tallis Steelyard
Diary of a Dublin Housewife
Capturing Essence: Intuitive Watercolors, Fine Art, Illustrations, and Reiki-Infused Creations
Rants, humor, sarcasm, and a haiku-like substance? It's hard to know what's going to come out of our minds next.
Promoting a Healthy Mind, Body and Spirit
Photography, Birds and Travel
An onion has many layers. So have I!
Rants, Ramblings, and Regrets
A family from Michigan living abroad in Germany.
Rhyme and No Reason! 
You must be logged in to post a comment.