Rhyme and No Reason!

Blogger, author and rhymester who likes to find the humour in life.

Free-For-All Friday #34 — October 23, 2015

Free-For-All Friday #34

I am not ready for Friday this week, it has flown by far too quickly! I have just got a couple of posts for you this week. All you have to do if you need more is to visit any of the blogs on my sidebar that I follow as they are all brilliant!

A Real Messy Beautiful Twisted Sunshine This is a Flash Fiction story that has a wonderfully surprising ending! It is something that I can certainly relate to!

John D Eccles I loved this post. Josh has such a dry sense of humour and I like his style of writing.

I am sure you are going to be entertained by both of these posts and there is plenty more for you to enjoy if you pay these blogs a visit.

Happy Friday!

Blogger’s Interview. — October 10, 2015

Blogger’s Interview.

Thanks so much to Sue. from the Daily Echo for choosing me to take part in the ‘Blogger’s Interview,’ in which I am to answer a set of questions that are as follows:

How did you get into blogging?

Purely by accident actually. I was listening to our local radio station where the presenter asked listeners to phone in with suggestions of songs that ‘summed up your life’ or something similar. Anyway, I chose ‘I want to break free’ by Queen and my sister heard it as she was also listening. She thought it was funny and said that I would make a good blogger.

I didn’t even know what that was! I did like her idea of writing things down though as I suffer from depression, and last year, in particular, was a pretty rotten time for me. I decided that instead of writing down how bad I was feeling it might be better to try and look at the funny side of things. I have always had a sense of humour, and was told that I was a good raconteur, so I decided to go for it, and ‘Edwina’s Episodes’ was born!

What advice would you give to a blogger just starting out?

I am still pretty much of a novice in the blogging world, but my advice is to just enjoy what you are doing and keep at it! I didn’t know what to expect, or even what I wanted to get out of blogging, but I found that once I started, I loved it. Not only the writing of the blog itself but the interaction that came over a period of time with other bloggers.

Don’t worry about followers, views and all of that because we all start off small. To think that one person could relate to what you have written is a wonderful feeling, but having comments and likes expressing that is a pretty euphoric feeling. Don’t try to fit neatly into a certain ‘niche’ either. I think it is far better to stay true to  yourself.

What would be your dream campaign?

This is a really tricky question, as there are quite a few I could think of. What about proper health and social care for our elderly; more awareness of dementia and how to care for sufferers of the disease; helping underprivileged families, victims of domestic abuse, child cruelty, victims of crime. More research into diseases such as cancers, diabetes.

We need to ensure we support our teachers to help educate our children, especially those with special needs. Stop criticising the medical professions, they are there to try and help you! Bring back some sort of discipline and boundaries so that our young can learn respect and tolerance of others. I could go on and on, but I am sure you get the picture!

Do you have a plan for your blog?

Not really. So much of my blog is just me writing about things that appeal to my sense of fun, or the ridiculous, and I bash it out as I think it (that is why it is often disorganised)! I do not want to have too much structure, as I prefer spontaneity and freedom with my blog. I do like my little features though, so will either keep those up or add new ones.

What do you think about rankings?

I am assuming that they are something to do with SEO (I have seen that term bandied about, but still have no clue what it REALLY means)! I should imagine that my little blog is right at the bottom of the pecking order.

* Mention the person who tagged you
* Answer the questions in full
* Tag up to ten other bloggers at the end (without any obligation for them to participate!)

Melinda

Judith

Sally

Diana

Hugh

Geoff

Free-For-All Friday #32 — October 9, 2015

Free-For-All Friday #32

I have had quite a week this week, and also a pretty emotional one as today is my last day on the ward. I start my new job on Monday as well so I am nervous and excited!

I have got three wonderful posts for you this week, consisting of a Haiku. a hilarious anecdote and a story I can certainly relate to, having a nearly teenage daughter.

Please go over to these blogs and see what other delights await you as they all have so much more in store.

Battered Wife Seeking Better Life Who knew Haiku could be so sensual, especially with the prompt words given! Take a look at this and you will see what I mean.

Anand’s Parodies and Caricatures This blog is one that I have recently started following, and I love it. The humour with which he writes has me rocking! His stories are so vividly written that it is easy to imagine you are right there with him.

Beyond The Picket Fence This is a wonderful story that I very much enjoyed; it is very poignant and beautifully written.

Happy Friday!

In The Future: What’s Next For Edwina’s Episodes? — October 2, 2015

In The Future: What’s Next For Edwina’s Episodes?

Today is the last day of the Writing 101 course, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. Not just for the fact of learning some new ways of gaining inspiration that I never would have considered, but I also met some more wonderful bloggers, whose work I may not have found if it were not for this course. I have, of course, shared some of these blogs with you all so you can enjoy them as well.

Now comes the tricky part; What do I want the future to hold for my blog? Well, as I have mentioned, I signed up for NANoWriMo during November as I wanted to really challenge myself.(Actually, I think I have punched too far above my weight on this one. I can’t even understand how to use some of those ‘writer’s apps’ like ‘Scrivener’ or ‘YWriter’ so God knows how I am going to knock out 50 000 words in one month. Still. it wouldn’t be a challenge if it were to be too easy!

So, as a result of my overestimation of my abilities, my blog might be a little neglected during November, as I probably won’t get much time to do it! I will definitely be posting, but it may be a little sporadic, to say the least.

I thought that come December, I might want to slow down a bit on the blog anyway, but then I am not so sure. One of the biggest attractions about blogging for me is the interaction with other bloggers that I get on a daily basis. I will just have to see how that goes….

As far as my blog content goes, I will still be writing about the funny, the silly and the downright hilarious side of life; I would like to keep up my ‘Wacky word Wednesday’ but am running out of inspiration for that so might have to re-think that one, The Haiku challenges I take part in, I love and will keep on with those, as I will with the ‘Free-For-All Friday’ feature. I also enjoy Linda’s One-Liner Wednesday posts and have a go when I can, as I do with Ron’s (recently joined by Colleen) BeWoW posts.

So, that is my plan for my blog in the next year or so. I might get involved in other challenges along the way, or perhaps try to introduce a new feature on my blog, who knows? I never even expected my blog to last this long!  I don’t want to have too much structure to my blog as it takes away my freedom, and I like an element of surprise as well, so that a reader doesn’t always know what they are going to get when they come to my blog!

I Would Tell You Over A Coffee….. — September 18, 2015

I Would Tell You Over A Coffee…..

Today we are going on a date for Writing 101! We are off to a coffee shop for a beverage of your choice (mine is a bucket of latte), and a quick catch-up! The only thing is, I will be doing all of the talking, so you will just have to sit there with a glazed expression, whilst I rabbit on.

I do love a virtual date as I don’t get tongue-tied or awkward, plus you won’t have to worry that you will end up wearing the coffee, after I have knocked it all over you in one of my clumsy moments! Anyway, let’s get on with it!

I would tell you over a coffee….that today is my first year Blogiversary, and that I am very proud to still be going with it.

I would tell you over a coffee…. that I am continuing to lose weight and have now gone from ‘obese’ to ‘overweight!’ (Bugger, I should have had a skinny latte)!

I would tell you over a coffee…. that the poll I did the other day about what type of things you would like me to write about ended with ‘things going wrong’ winning by 2 votes getting 13 in all.(You lot are cruel, but I also love to laugh at others misfortunes, so I’ll let you off)!

I would tell you over a coffee….that Miss Happ tried to pull a fast one today as me and Mr Grump have got days off by telling me she can’t go to school as her friend is off ill and that she is unable to get the bus on her own! (She was swiftly sent on her way)!

I would tell you over a coffee…. that I STILL haven’t got a start date for my new job yet, despite them telling me that they have all of the paperwork required (I am unable to give in my notice until I get it)!

I would tell you over coffee…. that yesterday I got not one, but two beautiful bouquets of flowers. One from Mr Grump, and one from my sister and niece who visited unexpectedly last night, armed with some beautiful red roses.

I would tell you over coffee…. that I can see you are bursting to go to the loo after that huge drink, so I will shut up now!!!

Free-For-All-Friday #29 —

Free-For-All-Friday #29

It’s the end of the week, which means that I have got a tasty selection of treats for you to enjoy over the weekend. There is all sorts this week, from a short and very sweet Haiku, to a very sad open letter which really touched my heart and also some laughs in-between. As ever please go over and visit these blogs to see what other delights there are in store.

But I Smile Anyway Ritu always manages to bring a smile to my face with her sunny nature. This post really tickled my funny bone!

Stuff and What If, Olga’s Haiku has all the ingredients for a sweet post.

Of Means and Ends I happened across this post, and was appalled when I watched the video. So it seems, was this blogger.

Chris, The Story Reading Ape’s Blog Now I love a good put-down or comeback, and this is a prime example!

A Cooking Pot and Twisted Tales This is a fellow Writing 101er whose blog I have just started following. This letter was so touching and heartfelt as well as extremely tragic.

Hope you all enjoy these as much as I did.

Happy Friday!

Happy Blogiversary! —

Happy Blogiversary!

Who would have thought it? I have reached a milestone that, just over a year ago I would never have heard of, let alone be celebrating. Yes, I have been blogging now for a whole year!

It’s funny, but I am extremely proud of my little blog. I can understand how authors consider their book their ‘babies,’ as I am of a similar mind about my blog. I gave birth to it, nurtured it, coaxed and cajoled it. I have fed and clothed it, making it look as pretty as I can with limited resources and experience!

I am delighted with the friends I have made because of it, have oohed and ahhed over other people’s babies’ achievements and milestones (even been a little envious if they are more advanced than mine)!!

I am humbled when others praise it, want to visit and interact with it. That puffs me up with parental pleasure and pride.

I have taken on challenges, learned many new skills, stretched myself in ways I could never have dreamed of, and not only that, enjoyed it all immensely!

Thank you to each and every one of you that reads my blog, interacts, comments or shares, please know that you are all very much appreciated. I am sure that had I not had such a warm and friendly welcome to this wonderful community, I would never have lasted this long.

Because of you all, I am still here a year later and intend to be here for as long as you can put up with me!

Thank you 🙂

Episode 498: Be Yourself! — September 15, 2015

Episode 498: Be Yourself!

Today the requirement from the Writing 101 Team is to start our post with a block quote; something that speaks to us. Although I have used quotes in my post before I have never tried out this block quote button so that will be a first, neither have I written a post around a quote. Well, here I go, I am sure you will love this quote as much as I do.

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken

-Oscar Wilde

Good old Oscar, he has that knack of stating the obvious but in a witty way. It is surprising really, that for some people, being themselves is not enough and they aspire to change into someone completely different.

Now, there are quite a few things I would love to change about myself, but I have kind of got used to being me after nearly fifty years, and I realise that I am not that bad really! Even if I was, I wouldn’t want to be a clone of someone else; identity is very important to me, it is what makes me unique.

As far as writing is concerned, I suppose I am a bit of a one-trick pony! Yes, I write poems, and Haiku as well as other little anecdotes, but I always use the same style of writing, which is the only one I know!

I am not a professional, so when I write, I just get it all down as I think it, or as I would tell it to someone else.This may result in a bit of rambling, or perhaps the odd random thought thrown into the mix which may have gone off topic, or something that I have suddenly found really funny that I might try to weave into the story.

In a nutshell, my writing is me recounting a story or an event that happened and telling you as I remember it. That means it might not be in a logical sequence as I might have forgotten something at the beginning, so have slotted it when it comes to me.

This is me though, as clichéd as it may be, what you see (or read) is what you get! Luckily, it seems to serve me well in blogging, as I think bloggers appreciate each other’s personalities, and it helps us to get to know the person behind the blog.

So, as wonderful as it would be to have the wit and intelligence of dear Oscar, or Stephen Fry; the beauty of Marilyn Monroe, and the riches of the Sultan of Brunei, I am stuck with being Judy, and I can live with that!

Episode 495: My Writing Space. — September 14, 2015

Episode 495: My Writing Space.

We have been given a couple of tasks today by the Writing 101 team. The first is which is to describe our writing place, what equipment we might need to have nearby, and what kind of surroundings we like to be in. If we do not currently have our ideal writing space then what would it be like.

My writing space is my dining table which is in the living room. I have quite a small house so there is nowhere for me to have a dedicated writing area. Although we do have a family PC, I prefer to use my laptop. Funnily enough though, I always like to use it at the table, I am no good with typing on it, balanced on my knees on my bed, or sitting on the settee.

I have got a permanent hot drink just to the side of my laptop, which is absolutely vital in order for me to produce anything that makes some sort of sense! I also have my headphones plugged in so that if Mt Grump is watching a loud film or something I can try and block it out!  I also have a notebook and pen handy, just in case I need to make any notes to remind myself about something (my memory is a bit erratic and not to be trusted)!

In the corner of the photo, you might just be able to see the back door. My chair is right next to it so I can benefit from some fresh air, and see a bit of sunshine (or rain as the case may be)!

I prefer to write in silence, which works out well for an hour or so, as I get up very early normally, long before anyone else is up. The rest of the time, I just try and filter out the noise (especially when my neighbour is singing at the top of his voice), shut the door, put my headphones on and get on with it! Ideally, I would love to have my own little writing ‘room’ which I can keep nice and quiet!

The second task for today was to insert a poll (ooh sounds painful), in order to get some ideas of what blog posts you, the lovely reader, would like me to write about (I have a feeling they will be used pretty soonish). That is tricky as I am not sure what to offer for you to choose from, as I usually just write about whatever comes to mind! If I have not covered something you would like me to cover, then please write it in the comments and I will include it.

Free-For-All Friday. — September 11, 2015

Free-For-All Friday.

Another crazy, busy and hectic week has gone by. I have to admit to lagging behind quite a bit at the moment as regards to reading all the posts I wanted, so I have a skinny Free-for-all today, but that does not make it any the less important. The posts I have chosen are all inspirational ones this week in one way or another.

Please do visit these blogs and see what else they have for you, you will not be disappointed!

Waffle Me This  The reason this post is inspirational to me is because Rich does not think that he is very good at poetry, yet this one is brilliant! Not only that, he has written loads more excellent poems this week.

Daily Echo. This is so inspirational as Sue’s son Nick has been on his bike again and you want to see how far he went this time! Sue must be beyond proud, and Nick is a fine (if not crazy) example to us all!  Well done to him.

La vie est trop courte pur boire mauvais vin TJ is pretty nifty with a camera and takes the most beautiful photos. I wanted to share this post with you so you can enjoy them as well.

Decoding Happiness Himali is a very talented young woman, This post is straight from her heart, and so very touching.

So, it is short but very sweet this week. Hope you all enjoyed these and were as inspired by them as I was!

Happy Friday!

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