One-Liner Wednesday. Family Communication.2 liner.

Eldest son. What time am I expected and what is it .

Me. 12.30pm and it a running buffet, that does not give you permission to turn up at 5pm . 😁😁😁😁

This is part of LindaGHill’s One-Liner Wednesday.

Ronovan Writes Sijo Wednesday Poetry Challenge #23. Use ADVICE as your inspiration this week.

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I have listened dutifully to your advice.
I’ve been the waxing moon to your glowing sun, you’ve stolen my energy and fun .
Stop now is my advice step away I have had enough.

Part of Ronovanwrite’s Weekly Sijo Challenge.

Wordless Wednesday. Waiting for Work.

© willowdot21

part of Hughes Wordless Wednesday.

K.L.Caley’s #writephoto: Chapel.

Here I am again only just in time ….I think Merlin and Morgarna have been using my time up ! Anyhow this week , only a fortnight late! Some things get tidied up!

For visually challenged writers, the image shows a tiny chapel. Beside the chapel are dilapidated stone walls. A clue to its history/location perhaps.

Chapel – Image by KL Caley

Merlin looked Morgana in the eye and said “okay we need to decide now what type of amphibian we need to be, right now Hun times up! ” Morgan took a deep breath and replied “turtles I think that way at least we can defend ourselves.” Merlin nodded and waved a hand, immediately they disappeared leaving two terrapins in there place! “You always have to have the last bloody word don’t you” Morgarna moaned.
The two terrapins edged their way towards the giant bubble.

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Once inside there was so much going on so many conversations that Merlin and Morgarna had to blot most of the chatter out leaving only the important conversation going.
Mixing in with all the aquatic creatures Merlin and Morgarna found they could easily scan the noise and eventually they picked up Mr Hippo Campus and Thomas and James.
” Is this planet really worth the bother” James was asking , “to be honest I believe Earth is on its last legs I personally think we should look elsewhere.

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Morgarna was not a happy bunny because she had an amerous octopus all over her, she was not best pleasd! “Get off me you arshole I am just not interested! Merlin will you do something NOW! ” Merlin laughed and threw a curling spell over the octopus who immediately turned into a ball. …”At last” Morgarna said “finally Merlin you actually did what I asked ” .
At that point they heard Mr Hippo Campus cleared his throat. ” Your right I agree not only is the planet failing but the inhabitants are too stupid and selfish to be of any use to us…. I agree let’s move on “
“I shall nip back and collect Esther where shall we head out next”.. Well I think we can stay here for a while before we move on. “

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Outside the aquatic bubble Morgarna looked across at Merlin and asked “Do you reckon we can trust them Merls they are a tad shifty “
“I think we can Hun and we should be able to pick up the house now and we’ll be living there so we can keep an eye on their portal ….I believe we can stop any invasion they might try before they start it? “
“Right” announced Morgarna taking on her human form, come on Merls, change back and let’s get gone I need a drink and a cigarette right now!”
Merlin did not change back immediately instead he scuttled across towards Morgarna and bit her ankle.
“Hey what was that for?” asked Morgarna indignantly, hopping around in a circle holding her ankle to stem the blood.
“Oh! Just payback for that nasty punch in my privates ….for no reason at all” replied Merlin changing back into his rather dashing self .

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The two of them went back down the ladder and as soon as they were out of sight of the bubble Merlin got out his time and space mobile and called the anomaly up…. They both jumped.
Back at the lab Morgarna made straight for the bathroom, cigarette in one hand Bacardi and coke in the other!
While she was in the bath Merlin got on to the estate agent . “No I am telling you Mr Hippo Campus has pulled out…..no I know for a fact he’s no longer interested …”
Luxuriating in the bath Morgarna heard Merlin’s raised voice and the irritating estate agent’s voice on speaker phone, she waived her hand nonchalantly”
In the estate agent’s office his computer pinged an email alert, something made him read the email.
” Hang on Sir an email has just come in from Mr Hippo Campus, …and yes he is withdrawing his offer ….yes indeed and that makes the path clear for you to go ahead with your offer. You did say you are a cash buyer didn’t you have a chain.”
“Excellent ” replied Merlin ” How fortunate that the email arrived while we were on the phone…. ” He looked knowingly towards the bathroom were Morgarna was humming very loudly.

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Two months later and with a lot of help from Morgarna, and a vast amount of blind eyeing from Merlin.
Morgana and Merlin moved in to the house, they kept the lab and after a few alterations they let it out at a nominal rent so as not to arouse any suspicions locally.
They had builders renovate and decorate the inside and they had the exterior of the building lovingly restored. The locals were amazing at the speed the builders worked and the care and attention to detail they made . In fact even the builders were amazed at how fast they worked and how smoothly things went…..
Morgarna had aching wrists from waiving her hands and tired eyes from winking…
Merlin decided to let her be in charge it was actually quite convenient.

Restoration – Image by KL Caley.

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Gail was still in residence and delighted to have company, even though Esther had turned out to be an alien spy she had been kind to her. After Thomas and James returned to collect Esther, Gail had felt very lonely after they had jumped through their portal.
So she was delighted and so excited about them moving in not to mention that they were time traveling scoucerers !
Gail loved all the beautiful changes being made to the house the modern kitchen, bathrooms, the electronic goods especially the TVs and computers she also loved all of Merlin’s lab equipment the like of which she had not even dreamt of.

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Merlin had been busy working on a device for Gail so that she could leave the house and garden. It was finally finished.
“Gail, Morgarna who fancies a day out”
The two women appeared at the door of the lab…” Is it ready? ” Gail asked eyes wide… “Do you mean I can come too?”
” I bloody hope so gal he’s been faffing around with that bracelet long enough” laughed Morgarna.
Merlin smiled and held out the bracelet to Gail. “Here” he said, ” Once on it will not come off it held on by a spacial magnetic force. There’s a panic button on the side that will alert us if you need help of any sort and the second button is so you can hear and speak to us. ” Ending with a flourish Merlin threw the bracelet in the air and it landed neatly around Gail’s wrist.

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They’d had a great afternoon they’d bought Gail some clothes and she’d been so happy to be out and about the look on her face was reward enough to Merlin and Morgarna.
On their way back to the car the Anomaly appeared , “What the F**k ” Morgarna growled at Merlin.
“Sorry, Hun ” he said sheepishly as he handed her, her bag and she jumped.

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As she landed on the other side she realised she was not alone Gail was standing right by her side and she was so excited that she was actually buzzing! “What on earth”…thought Morgarna.
Once Gail had calmed down Morgarna read her the riot act ….Gail looked so downcast that, unusually for Morgarna she relented. “Okay your here now so as long as you stick with me and do as you are told we’ll be okay.
Morgarna lit and cigarette and looked across the field to see tiny chapel. Beside the chapel some dilapidated stone walls. “Right” she said to Gail, that’s our destination, are you up for an adventure?

Chapel – Image by KL Caley

THIS IS PART OF K.L.CALEY’S#WRITEPHOTO: CHAPEL.

TankaTuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 285, 8/18/22 #Ekphrastic #PhotoPrompt

© Colleen Chesebro.

This week’s challenge explores Ekphrastic poetry, inspired by visual art or photographs. Reena provided a piece of her artwork for this month’s challenge. There’s plenty of imagery in her art, and it’s a great inspiration to write your poem. Remember what you’ve learned about the psychology of color in your poetry.

This week I have chosen an etheree for my form for the Ekphrastic poem.

Gaia Gives.

A kaleidoscope of earthy colours
Escapes a knowing, talented hand.
So much that the inner eye sees.
The guiding hand of Gaia
Brings meaning to fingers
And peace to the brain
Would that all could
Share the view
Gaia
Gives.

This is part of Colleen’s Tuesday Tanka Challenge.

Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 423 FOWL and Weather.

Ronovanwrite’s

Autumn leaves will fall
As the weather starts to chill
Lots of Nervous fowl.

As the nights draw in
Turkey Tom fears for his skin
Can he weather it.

but not for Turkeys!

Part of Ronovanwrite’s Weekly Haiku.

Song Lyric Sunday: Education, Education, Education.

Jim Adams

Song Lyric Sunday

This week Jim Adams has set up the prompt – Educate, Learn, School, Teach.. I am busy entertaining family today so this is a quick visit and I will be back over the next few days to check out the good music 💜

Forgive me if I am repeating myself, but I hayr school I was bullied and it still bugs me. This song by Regina Specktor really says it all. I personally it’s about a teenager or younger child who has committed suicide rather than cope anymore. The words are just perfect.. school can be a cold lonely place.

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This beautiful song by Dusty Springfield was from her Cameo Album and was released in 1973. That year we were living in Devon and I was expecting our first son. It was not a brilliant time full of moves and stresses… But the birth of our eldest was a boon.

My take on this song is about someone losing a long term ,partner, relative or friend and it’s a beautiful song.

Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O’Brien OBE (16 April 1939 – 2 March 1999), known professionally as Dusty Springfield, was an English singer whose career spanned over five decades. With her distinctive mezzo-soprano sound, she was a significant singer of blue-eyed soul, pop and dramatic ballads, with French chanson, country, and jazz also in her repertoire. During her 1960s peak, she ranked among the most successful British female performers on both sides of the Atlantic. Her image – marked by a peroxide blondebouffant/beehive hairstyle, heavy makeup (thick black eyeliner and eye shadow) and evening gowns, as well as stylised, gestural performances – made her an icon of the Swinging Sixties.

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When I close my eyes I can see your face
Tho’ I try I can’t believe that you are gone
There’s a part of you that’s a part of me
And no matter where I go it comes along
Reminding me of all the good times
And, of course, some of the bad
But then again, some of those hard times
Were the best we ever had
How can I learn to say goodbye
To the only life I ever knew?
Learn to say goodbye to you?
How can I learn to say goodbye?
Tell me how do you expect me to
Say goodbye to you?
When I needed you, you were always there
You were more than love to me, you were a friend
They say that time is all that matters
And to live it while it lasts
But I can’t stop from reminiscing
Or stop living in the past
How can I learn to say goodbye
To the only life I ever knew?
Learn to say goodbye to you?
How can I learn to say goodbye?
Tell me how do you expect me to
Say goodbye to you?
How can I learn to say goodbye
To the only life I ever knew?
Say goodbye to you?
How can I learn to say goodbye?
Tell me how do you expect me to
Say goodbye to you?

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Bradford Craig / Hugo Montenegro.

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE 💜

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Aug. 13, 2022

Hi Its Saturday and time for our prompt from Linda . Thus week she said : Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is starts with “u.” Find a word that starts with the letter “u” and use it however you’d like. Bonus points if it’s the first word in your post. Enjoy!

Underneath .

Underneath the path lies a secret
Layer upon layer of grief
Under the damp scented loam
As above feet do roam.
Unloved , unknown
Lost for evermore
Cold, never
To be
Found .

Underneath : Alanis Morissette.

Badge by Shelley Krupa..

Dear Mum and Dad.

I was so inspired by savoringsixtyandbeyond‘s post this morning that I am reposting a letter I wrote to my parent’s full of the words I wish I had said to them more when they were alive. I loved them ,we all did and do and they knew that.

© willowdot21

Dear Mum and Dad

I don’t think I ever made it clear enough how much I appreciated what you did for me. It is only now as a parent and grandma that I see what you must have gone through.

© willowdot21. Some but not all of the gang

Nine children you had, nine. You lost three but that was never your fault. How did you cope Mum it must have been hard, and Dad worse for you because in those days grieving was not the done thing. I lost three babies too I could not openly grieve either but you knew you silently gave me strength.

© willowdot21

I am in awe of how you always managed to feed and dress us all. There was always food on the table and somehow the doors were always open to waifs and strays who needed help. No one was ever turned away from our door without help of some kind. I can remember there being an endless stream of family friends, or distant cousins with problems arriving on our doorstep. Some stayed longer than others but no one was ever turned away. I really don’t know how we all fitted into that three bed roomed terraced council house, it must of been like the TARDIS.

Who helped you, did anyone or did you have to struggle through, learning haphazardly! You, no doubt had to and that is why you were both such helpful parents. I am amazed at the sacrifices you must of made to keep us in clothes, shoes and food.

Dad, you worked as a body maker for LT making seats on the buses and tubes! Off to work at 5am and home at 5pm for dinner then 6pm the BBC News … silence reined! You then spent most of your evenings in the front room either at the table or your desk with your ancient typewriter. You had men and women visiting you , sometimes one sometimes more all coming for help and advice because you were a union rep and congressman for the NUVB ( National Union Of Vehicle Builders). The last visitor was about 10.30pm. At work you were a union rep you gave so much to others and yet you always saved so much for us. When you retired you were tapped out the length of the factory. ( All the men stood by their machines spanner or hamer in hand and tapped you out of the building, a sign of respect. ) You only live a year or so after retirement.

© willowdot21

Mum you were such a gentle soul I miss you so, You left your body long before you died and that broke my heart because I could not reach you. I used to bring the boys to see you at the nursing home you spent your last years in… although I loved to see you it hurt that you did not know me and you did not see the boys growing up . I think you missed Dad so much that you left in soul leaving your shell behind.
Mum remember Wimbledon week we had salad every evening because you loved the Tennis , funny thing Mum I can’t stand tennis! 🙂

You have both been gone so long and I miss you both so. I need you here to give me the strength , kindness and love. See even now I am asking for your help. I am so selfish, I was so angry when you died Mum because you were not there to talk to me and help me, do you know it took seven years to accept that you had really gone. Then the flood gates opened.

I have so many wonderful memories of you both. Getting up at 4.30am and sneaking down stairs to find you dad shaving in the kitchen, we would share your breakfast, porridge or boiled egg before you went off to work. Going with you to Chiswick Park on the tube on a Saturday. You would have a haircut while I sat and watched then maybe you would buy me an ice cream. Walking Steve the dog in the park … you always called him Brother …because of your union work no doubt .

© willowdot21

Mum you were always there when I came home from school, always played with me , I was the youngest of the family and by a good while so I was almost like an only child but not because everyone else was around but I was too young to join them . I remember you telling me stories and teaching me to knit sew and crochet sadly all of which I am useless at! As I grew you helped me with life and although I never lived that near to you you always came to my aid if I needed you . When our first boy was born premature and unable to breathe you came down to stay with me when P finally came home from hospital. He did not know how to suck so you helped me to spoon feed him until we got him to use a teat. So many many things to thank you for .

Mum and Dad you took all six of us and taught us everything you knew. How to face the world, how to love how to be friendly, caring and honest. I like to think that you are watching over us all and hopefully being proud of us…. well mostly. . I like to think that our beautiful sister Mary is with you both after horrendous illness and death five years ago.

© willowdot21 Mary sitting and me.

I miss you and I love you !

willow xxxxxxxx

Throwback Thursday #51 – Learning New Skills.

It’s Lauren’s turn at bat for Throwback Thursday. She said ” I’ve been pulling my hair out trying to think of something Maggie and I have not done before. I know we’ve talked about learning to drive, learning to cook, and learning to swim. I am going to follow that path and ask about your childhood approach to learning new skills.. As kids we are exposed to a huge variety of learning experiences. We can never succeed unless we  are willing to make a commitment to the process.”

1. When did you learn to ride a bike? Were you self-taught or did someone teach you? Any major injuries on the way? Did you master the skill? Do you still ride? If applicable, did you teach your kids?

I must have been about three when I got the family trike handed down from everyone else…. I think I was seven when I got the old hand me down black and silver two wheeler. Dad taught me to ride that bike over in Gunnersbury Park. I fell off many a time but I don’t think I ever hurt myself badly, just the odd cuts and bruises. I don’t remember having another bike or going any great distances on one.
I helped to teach all the boys to ride, the all rode their bikes a lot. When our youngest was small I had a seat on the back of my bike and ferry him all over the place. Eventually the roads got too dangerous and I learned to drive!

2. Did you learn to play a musical instrument? At what age? Who taught you? How often did you practice? Were you in band at school? How good were you? Do you still play? If applicable, did you encourage your kids to play?

I learned the recorder, we were all in the school orchestra…I was awful, didn’t practice because I drove everyone hairless at home! I wished I had learned an instrument as I love music.
The boys are all musical, goodness knows where that came from. The eldest has been in bands and still makes electronic music . The middle lad is like me but did try to learn guitar during lockdown. The youngest son went to the Guildford Academy of Music and got his degree in sound engineering and mixing. He was also in the church choir for years.

3. Did you sing in a choir in church or at school? At what age? How often did you practice? Did you enjoy it? How good were you? Do you still sing with others?

Yes again we were all in the school choir , I love singing still do, I don’t think I am any good but it makes me happy. Everyone else can wear earplugs!

4. Did you have formal instructions on speaking a second language? Were you fortunate enough to be raised in a house with two or more languages? Did you learn a second language in school? Are you fluent in more than one language?

I learned French and Latin at school I tried hard but Latin foxed me and the Nun that taught by it disliked me!
I learned some German and Italian with one of my sister’s. I can get by in those three languages but really I am not fluent in them 💜

5. Did you to play on a sports team or learn martial arts? At what age did you start? Did a parent become a coach? Did you practice at home? Do you still play sports? If applicable, did you encourage your children to play on a team?

No to all the above I cannot seem to see balls until they hit me, I broke every finger playing netball. My position was wingdefense, I was the girl who did not get picked until last as no one wanted me on their team 😁😁😁 The boys however did everything and loved it. The eldest and youngest still Run and cycle, so does the middle lad but he also plays cricket, football and loves golf!

6. Did you ever take dance, tap, ballet, baton, cheerleading, etc. lessons? When did you start? How long did you take lessons? Did you practice on your own in addition to the lessons? How skilled did you become? Did you encourage your children to do the same?

I learned Ballet and tap from when I was five for several years I loved it, I was not built for it though as I was a tubby child! I was in a big show with the school once though .
The boys never learned to dance but can …our youngest and his wife cut a dash at their wedding!

7. Did you learn to roller skate or ice skate? Did someone teach you or did you take lessons? At what age did you learn? Did you become skilled quickly? Can you still skate? Did you teach your children.

No no no 😁😁😁😁😁 Our youngest broke his ankle skating, and they all roller skated!