K.L.Caley’s # writephoto: Tower.

Here we are part two of the catch up on Morgarna and co!

For visually challenged writers, the fourth image shows a red tractor busy in the field.

For visually challenged writers, the fifth image shows a stone tower with an arched centre. Beyond the tower is a line of houses.

Farming – Image by KL Caley.

The sun was shining when Morgarna landed outside the cottage with a red door on the terraced street .
On the wall outside there was a plaque that read Castle Cottage… Hum? thought Morgarna, interesting name…I don’t see a castle. As she was standing contemplating what to do and why she was there she got a call from Merlin on the C.O.T.A.S. phone. “Hey Merls yes I am back not sure where or why but yes I’m home. That Leonardo is definitely not improving with age ….what, yes I have made sure he’s not smuggled any rogue technology back with him this time.
Yes babes , definitely I made double sure he had nothing secreted about him!” She ended with a wicked grin across her face.
Standing in the new lab Merlin smiled “Excellent we could do without having to clear up his mess every five minutes! Now let me guess, you are are standing outside a cottage with a red door and a blur plaque? “
“Yup Merls I am that, so what’s the problem?”
“It appears that there is one last rupture left in the continuium this one is not a dimension problem just a time error , should be a doddle for you to fix then you can come home, Gail’s been asking when you’re due back.”
“Okay Merls I see what’s what, give my love to Gail, by Merls someone is watching me. “

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A young woman looked out of the door. She looked really scared and something about her suggested she was just not understanding what she was seeing. Morgarna was definitely getting the vibes of someone out of their time.
Putting the C.O.T.A.S. back in her bag Morgarna smiled and waved to her.
“Hi she said any chance I can come in? “
“Well certainly” said the young woman dressed like a farm labourer and sounding like someone out of a 1950s film .
Morgana followed her in The interior of the house was as neat and tidy as the outside. It was however rather dated …1940s she would have said if asked .
Following the woman into the kitchen she could not stop herself from smiling and saying “Wow this is very retro, very chic indeed”
“Chic? Retro? What do you mean?” Asked the woman who though still looking uneasy was a little afronted by Morgarna’s tone”
Note to self thought Morgarna let’s rein it in a tad this lady is not of this place.
Taking out her cigarettes Morgarna offered the woman one. ” Have a cigarette “
“My name is Joyce , would you like a cuppa…er…”
“Morgarna, I’m Morgarna and yes I’d love a cuppa in fact …have you got any biscuits I am starving “
“Morgarna that’s an unusual name are you American?”
“Me?” laughed Morgarna I am too old for that no I am not American. “
“Well you’re dressed very oddly, oddly enough to be one!” Joyce said folding her arms and looking at Morgarna.

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The kettle started whistling making Morgarna jump. Joyce made the tea and they both sat at the kitchen table and drank it as they smoked their cigarettes.
“Are you sure you are not American?” Joyce asked again, “these cigarettes don’t look familiar.”
“Honestly, I am probably more English than you are young lady”
Joyce’s eyes flashed , “Don’t you young lady me ,you are not much older than I am”
Morgana looked out the back window and saw rolling farm land and in the distance a red tractor working in the fields. Thinking on her feet and crossing her fingers behind her back Morgarna took a leap of faith and asked Joyce. ” How long have you been a landgirl on this farm , and how long has there been a problem outside the front door. “
Looking a little taken aback Joyce replied, ” How do you know I am a landgirl? I have been here two months now.”
“Are there other girls here?” Morgarna asked.
“Yes there’s six of us here and we all have beds in the out houses it’s quite fun really!”
Morgarna suggested they go outside and meet the others and Joyce readily agreed… “But she added we need to go out the backdoor there’s something really wrong about the front….”

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As they stepped into the yard, Morgarna could see it was a typical farmyard.
“What do you mean there’s a problem out the front?”asked Morgarna. Though in truth she could easily she the problem.
“Come on you’ll see what I mean,” Joyce called over shoulder as she led the way along the of the house. Immediately she could tell something was amiss . Not only was there nothing of the urban scene she had arrived at! The first thing she noticed was that the neighbouring houses had simply disappeared and the back of the little house was actually the back of a huge farm house!
Morgarna was just getting her head around what was happening when she heard voices from the cow shed …
“Joyce is lunch ready yet we are hungry. “
“Oh! Gosh!” Whispered Joyce “I was supposed to be getting lunch when everything went haywire and half the house went bang and I saw you outside in the street….that strange street that just isn’t there. ” Joyce looked like she was going to cry..
“What am I to do they will be really angry if lunch is not ready”
“What were you supposed to be doing for lunch… Tell me I will sort it, do they come in or do you take lunch out?”
“Soup and cheese and pickle sandwiches and they will expect to come in to have a break!” Joyce looked so worried that Morgarna hugged and said go and get the girls and by the time you get back here with them I will have lunch on the table…What about the farmer and his family?”
“They are at the Market today .” Joyce looked confused and worried…. How can you produce lunch in seconds ” Morgarna silenced her and said, ” go and get the others and you can all have lunch.” Joyce went to say more, but Morgarna pushed her towards the barn and said…”trust me! As soon as Joyce was out of sight she waved a hand stopping time, then walked into the kitchen and made a mountain of door step cheese and pickle sandwiches, the veg soup well? Let’s throw a viel over that in case Merlin is reading this….. suffice to say when the girls came back into the kitchen they were delighted to see a mountain of food on the table… including thick hot vegetable soup.One of the girls, a big eyed blonde with a cockney accent said, “Cricky Joyce you’ve excelled yourself this time , look girls she finally got the idea of decent sandwiches. ” They all laughed and slapped a smiling Joyce on the back. As they all say down they looked at Morgarna, “who are you” asked a mousey girl with glasses and a lovely smile.”Hi, I am Morgarna and I am from the American base up the road , I am distantly related to Joyce and when I heard she was here I popped in to see her! ” Joyce’s eyes widened …she opened her mouth, closed it and smiled at Morgarna, she mouthed Thank You. After lunch all the girls had to return to their jobs… Morgarna took Joyce to one side and said “I enjoyed meeting you all and I have to say you and every landgirl are doing a great job. Stay safe all of you. As Joyce went off to meet the others Morgarna got her time rife sweeper out of her bag and moved it around the whole yard…. She found it after about an hour and sealed it up she checked the house front and back and it was really and truly in the 1940s the land and time line was safe and as she looked across the fields she saw all the girls riding the tractor she waved and they waved back. The Anomaly appeared as she jumped she wiped all their memories of her visit and Joyce’s of the split in time!

K.L.Caley’s Cottage.

Morgarna landed back outside of the the cottage with the red door…. With a loud tut she fished her mobile out of her bag and rang Merlin. “I am back at the house again Merls I want a bath and a special meal I am tired!!”
“Babes trust me knock at the red door believe me you won’t regret it? Ask for Joyce, I’ll meet you after the next jump in the Beema”
With that he hung up!

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Well there was nothing for it Morgarna walk up to the door of castle cottage and knocked. After a few minutes the door was opened by a familiar looking woman.
“Hello can I help you’ she asked with a smile.
“Hello I’m here to see Joyce, my name is Morgarna.”
“What, did you say Morgarna.. Mum has been telling us all week that you were coming….to be honest we thought you were a figment of her imagination… Really you’re really too young to have been a friend of her’s from the war.”
Morgarna smiled and waved a hand behind her back and whispered in Joyce’s daughter’s ear… “No I am not too young and you will think this is all perfectly normal” as she swept round her and into the room.

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Sitting in a chair by the fire was a nintey six year old Joyce beaming at her. “Morgarna you came how lovely I am so pleased to see you….I know you made us all forget you but last week my memories of you returned and, I knew you come .”
Morgarna was delighted to see Joyce had survived the war . She sat down with Joyce and her daughter came in carrying a tray of doorstep cheese and pickle sandwiches and a pot of tea.
“Mum told me you needed cheese and pickle doorsteps and tea… She said not to attempt the soup as that was your magic…. whatever that means! “
Joyce’s daughter Diane left laughing and Morgarna and Joyce set in for a long catch up.
Eventually Morgarna left and so happy to hear all about Joyce , the other land girls, Joyce’s family and why they lived in Castle Cottage.

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As Morgarna left late that evening the Anomaly was waiting for her and she jumped.
As she landed she saw , a stone tower with an arched centre. Beyond the tower is a line of houses. Then to her delight standing by a BMW waving like mad was Gail and Merlin….shouting “it’s your round!”

Tower – Image by KL Caley

this is part of K. L. Caley’s # writephoto Tower..

One-Liner Wednesday: Family communications.

You know when children are young they all tend to try and out do eachother in their woes? Well yesterday hubby initiated a what’sapp with the boys.

Hubby: How is everyone doing today.

Eldest son : Been a bit rubbish tbh but I’m ok, you?

Youngest Son : Jesus Christ work! Don’t get me started.

Middle son. : Try my job, that’s when you need Jesus to help.

Well I am here to tell you they never change!

Part of LindaGHill’s One-Liner Wednesday.

One-Liner Wednesday. Dragons.

“We all have a Dragon within, find it, train it , use it!”

© willowdot21

yes use it!

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

Wordless Wednesday. Peak a Boo!

part of Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday.

#TankaTuesday Weekly Poetry Challenge No. 288: #Tastetherainbow-Colour Poetry

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Its Tuesday again and time for Colleen’s Tuesday Tanka Challenge. Colleen says “Hello everyone. Happy September! This week, choose your own syllabic form and a color to feature in your syllabic poem. Think about the different ways you can use color in a poem.”

I have chosen a Tanka today. As I am going to a wedding later this week I have used it loosely as my subject. My colours are red and white.

© willowdot21

The bride flows in white
Red-blooded groom full of lust
Hearts beating with pride
All part of Nature’s big plan
Yes it’s all procreation

Song Lyric Sunday: Say Something!

Jim Adams

Hi everyone it’s Sunday again and this week our great and gracious host, Jim Adams has help from Di at Pensitivity102 for this week’s Song Lyric Sunday prompt which are: Sounds, Talk, Voice, Words

Well that’s a great prompt Di. Thank you. My choices range from the early eighties right through to twenty sixteen.

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Memories of different times!

“The Voice” is a song by Irish singer Eimear Quinn that was the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 1996, representing Ireland. The music was composed, and the lyrics were written, by Brendan Graham, who had also written and composed “Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids“, the Irish winner from the 1994 contest. The victory, which was Ireland’s fourth in five years, was their seventh (and to date last) contest victory, which remains a record for the most contests won by a single country.

Celtic Woman is an all-female Irish musical ensemble conceived and created by David Kavanagh, Sharon Browne and David Downes, a former musical director of the Irish stage show Riverdance. In 2004, Downes recruited five Irish female musicians who had not previously performed together, vocalists Chloë Agnew, Órla Fallon, Lisa Kelly and Méav Ní Mhaolchatha, and fiddler Máiréad Nesbitt, as the first lineup of the group that he named “Celtic Woman”. Downes chose a repertoire that ranged from traditional Celtic tunes to modern songs.
They released the voice in 2007.

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This is a great song , Charlie Puth he’s such a Hugh talent.

“We Don’t Talk Anymore” is a song by American singer-songwriter Charlie Puth, featuring vocals from fellow American singer Selena Gomez. It was released on May 24, 2016,nas the third single from Puth’s debut studio album, Nine Track Mind. The artists wrote the song with Jacob Kasher Hindlin. Musically, it is a pop song with Puth’s tropical-inspired production. The song peaked at number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100, earning Puth his second top-10 single and Gomez’s sixth and Puth’s second highest-charting single as a lead artist to date, behind “Attention“. It has also attained the top 10 positions in more than 20 countries, and reached number one in Italy, Lebanon and Romania.

Puth created the guitar line during a trip in Japan. He produced the beat in the Philippines and recorded his vocals in Los Angeles. Months later Puth played the song for Selena Gomez, whom he had met previously at an after party following the MTV Video Music Awards. He thought that their voices would complement each other well and then asked her to sing the second verse. Gomez’s vocals were recorded in Puth’s closet. Her recording session lasted approximately 15 minutes. On December 10, 2015, Puth posted a snippet of the song announcing the collaboration with Gomez.nOn January 10, 2016, Puth posted a second teaser.

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I really love this song 💜

“More Than Words” is a song by American rock band Extreme, released as the fifth track and third single from their second album, Pornograffitti (1990), in March 1991. It is a ballad built around acoustic guitar work by Nuno Bettencourt and the vocals of Gary Cherone (with harmony vocals from Bettencourt). The song is a detour from the funk metal style that permeates the band’s records. As such, it has often been described as “a blessing and a curse” due to its overwhelming success and recognition worldwide, but the band ultimately embraced it and plays it at every show.

The song is a ballad in which the singer wants his lover to do more to prove her love other than saying the phrase “I love you.” Bettencourt described it as a warning that the phrase was becoming meaningless: “People use it so easily and so lightly that they think you can say that and fix everything, or you can say that and everything’s OK. Sometimes you have to do more and you have to show it—there’s other ways to say ‘I love you.'”

“That song gave us the freedom to make the record we really wanted to make when we started recording our third disc,” Cherone told KNAC. “It got us doing huge tours all over the states and around the world… As the nineties went on, however, we really started to resent the song. We were tagged ‘the More Than Words guys’. We didn’t like the perception the song created about the band. I remember being on tour with Aerosmith in Poland… it was on that tour we decided we would not play the song. We just didn’t do it. A couple nights into the tour, Steven Tyler writes in big letters on our dressing room door, ‘Play the fucking song!’ His attitude was almost father-like. He was like, ‘Look, this is your first time in Poland. When do you think you will be back? They want to hear it, so play it!'”

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I remember my first Sony Walkman with great affection!

Wired for Sound is a studio album by Cliff Richard, released in September 1981. The album peaked at number 4 in the UK album charts upon release, and spent a total of 25 weeks on the chart in 1981–82. The album was certified Platinum by the BPI, and achieved global sales of over one million.

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The title track was released as the lead single of the album, and was followed up by a cover of Shep and the Limelites 1961 US doo-wop hit, “Daddy’s Home”. The singles peaked at numbers 4 and 2 respectively on the UK singles chart.”Daddy’s Home” was held off number 1 for four consecutive weeks by the Human League‘s “Don’t You Want Me”, but earned gold certification from the BPI for sales over half a million. The track was recorded live at the Hammersmith Odeon on 1 May 1981, for a rock ‘n’ roll special to be broadcast later by BBC Television.

“Broken Doll” is a cover of a Wreckless Eric single from 1980. Reportedly, Richard also wanted to record Eric’s “(I’d Go The) Whole Wide World” too, but only if he could change some of the lyrics – which Eric refused.^[3] “Young Love” was given new lyrics and retitled “The Last Kiss” for a cover version by David Cassidy featuring George Michael. It was released as the lead single for Cassidy’s 1985 album Romance, becoming a top ten hit in the UK and Germany. “Once in a While” was originally recorded by Leo Sayer on his 1980 album Living in a Fantasy and released as a single in the UK and Australia.

The promotional video for the title track is one of Richard’s best-known, and was filmed around the centre of Milton Keynes, the new town in Buckinghamshire that was developed after the Second World War. It features Richard walking around and on rollerskates, while listening to music on a Walkman cassette player; such devices were then newly available in the UK.

A remastered version of the album was issued in July 2001, with the B-sides of both singles included as bonus tracks.

Throwback Thursday #54 – Raindrops on Roses

This week’s Throwback Thursday ( Maggie and Lauren’s brainchild) prompt comes from Maggie, she said “Welcome back to Throwback Thursday. Lauren had us dressed to the nines last week, so I thought this week we could be a little more casual and relaxed. I thought it would be fun to remember our adolescence and just think about a few of our favorite things.”

This week’s prompt is: Favorite Things Pick any period of your adolescence and think back to all your favorite things. Feel free to elaborate as much as you want.

Who was your favorite relative? Not to play favorites, but who was the person you connected with more than others? Aunt, uncle, cousin, grandparent, or parent? Why were you closest to them?

Apart from Mum and Dad and the family, my favourite relative was not a real relative. My mum’s close friend Aunty George. As I said she was my mum’s best friend. My mum was not a well woman and she was in hospital a lot and I usually got to stay at Aunty George’s house which was a very posh house! She had two daughters and a son and of course Uncle George. I spent lots of time in that house, I even joined the choir at their church and went there with Christine and Kathryn. Yes I loved Aunty George she was kind, patient and taught me a lot!

What was your favorite TV show? Share a clip if you can find one.

The Woodentots

And Ready, Steady Go!

What was your favorite book or favorite family story?

What Katy Did is an 1872 children’s book written by Sarah Chauncey Woolsey under her pen name “Susan Coolidge”. It follows the adventures of a twelve-year-old American girl, Katy Carr, and her family who lived in the fictional lakeside Ohio town of Burnet in the 1860s. Katy is a tall untidy tomboy, forever getting into scrapes but wishing to be beautiful and beloved. When a terrible accident makes her an invalid, her illness and four-year recovery gradually teach her to be as good and kind as she has always wanted. More information at

What was your favorite, song, record, or album. Feel free to share a YouTube video of it.

I loved The Rolling Stones, The Monkeys, The Hollies, Beach Boys, Adam Faith, zombies, well everyone really!
Favourite Album hard but it has to be The Rolling Stones Between The Buttons.

Who was your favorite teacher? What grade were you in and what subject did they teach?
Miss Jones, she taught Geography in senior school.

What was your favorite subject (not teacher) in school?
English.

Who was your favorite (aka best) friend? What things did you do together?

Anne , she was in the year above me and we got a lot of stick from the Nuns and pupils from our year forms. We had lots of fun together staying at eachother’s homes, shopping, going to youth club, listening to music..
Here’s a song that reminds me of Anne.

What was your favorite way to pass the time?

Listening to music and imagining what life would be like. Hanging out with Anne and helping out at the Library.

What was your favorite holiday? How did you celebrate?

Christmas:
I really don’t know how my mum used to produce such wonderful Christmas dinners, for so many people because money was so tight but she really always came up trump’s.
It all started on Christmas Eve when we all went shopping with mum…. We all regardless of age had stuff to carry home. Everything was bought, then it was home and busy in the kitchen…mince pies were made, veg prepped, turkey stuffed, gravey prepared. The Christmas pudding and cake were made weeks before yet always tasted as fresh as if they had been made the day before. As fast as my mum made mince pies my brothers pinched them!
The Christmas decorations and the tree went up on Christmas Eve too, when I was old enough I went to midnight mass with my older brothers and sisters.
We had a tiny kitchen and how we all got in there to help here was a miracle.
Mum’s old gas cooker was very temperamental and often blew up.. nothing worse than singed eyebrows thank goodness.
There were eight of us plus numerous waifs and strays! No one was ever turned away from our door.
I have always followed my mum’s tradions, her menus and her panicks.
Breakfast : scrambled eggs and salmon with buckfizz.
Dinner:
Turkey and Ham or Pork or occasionally Beef. Stuffing, sausage meat, roast parsnips, carrots, sweet potatoes, potatoes, basted with honey.
Coliflower and Broccoli cheese, Brussel sprouts, peas and gravy, Yorkshire pudding, bread sauce and Cranberry sauce, apple sauce and horseradish sauce!
Christmas Pudding, Cheesecake as mice pies.

I remember one year when I was about fourteen years old. Dad was washing up at our Belfast sink ( before they were fashionable) he put the plates on the draining board, we dried them and put them on the dresser behind him. What we didn’t realize was that he was lifting the clean dishes and washing them again 🤣🤣

What was your favorite toy or possession? Doll, camera, radio, bicycle?

My rabbit Osie and teddy Jungles. My best friends and I still have them. Osie’s outfit is made out of one of my Dad’s old socks!

Bonus: What was your favorite adventure? Family trip, amusement park, field trip, or vacation perhaps.

I used to love going with Dad every few weeks to the Barbers. We’d go on the bus and tube to Chiswick Park, dad would have his hair cut and a shave and I would sit and watch. Then he’d buy me an ice-cream from the Italian ice-cream parlour on Chiswick High Street before we went home. I always felt special because it was just me and dad!

© willowdot21. Some but not all of the family. Dad with me at the front.

K.L Caley’s #WRITEPHOTO – Fledgling

Fledgeling – Image by KL Caley

For visually challenged writers, the image shows a tiny bird hiding in a plant pot.

This week Gail and Morgarna return to the new house and they all learn happy lessons in humanity….well in Morgarna’s case for now!

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Morgarna and Gail were sitting on the Castle wall drinking mead , “What is that smell Morgarna”
“It’s the smell of the castle, body odour, urine,and animal dun all human life! “
Just then the Anomaly appeared, “Right Gail time to jump , I have had a blast”
As they both jumped Gail could be heard saying ” So has my nose , it’s honks enough here to cure blocked sinuses! “

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Merlin was in the kitchen making coffee when he heard Morgarna and Gail as they landed in the lab. “Coffee is on the brew” he shouted.
“Oh! I could murder a cup” Gail shouted, “can I have it in the bath, this new body of mine is stinking..and I need to change my clothes, I’ve not done that for years”
“Good job for you that there is more one bathroom here there was only one at the old place…as a treat you can use the big one in my room. Just this once mind and you can use any of my potions they are all safe …ish” Morgarna ended on a grin.
Gail didn’t need telling twice she was off and running up the stairs with the mug of coffee Merlin had handed her.

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Morgarna had her bath and washed her hair reluctantly, how strange she thought how much she missed those dark and dirty days of cold draughty castles ….

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“That was uncharacteristicly kind of you to let Gail use your bathroom and potions…are you sure they’re safe babes? ” Merlin asked as Morgarna joined him in the sunny living room…”How did she do”
Morgarna lit a cigarette and poured herself a large Shiraz and relaxed. “She was amazing we met her David, she and he thrashed out the whole story he didn’t know all of it. She helped him by showing she was at peace now, and he told her about his life with May. We even met one of the grandchildren, well I did.” Morgarna paused to take a sip of her wine. ” Gail convinced Dave that suicide was not the answer and if he’d killed himself and one of his family had found him it would of been as painful as what had happened to him.”
“So it went well then ?” Merlin asked.
“Yup Merls it did and with a little help from me” she waved her hand, ” I think everyone is at peace with the past. Then I took Gail back to our time where she had a good time…even had some fun with Garth, you know the Blacksmith..” Morgarna winked.
Merlin’s face lit up, “Indeed I do..and that means Gail’s body works well…good for her …good old Garth… perhaps she can learn there’s good in life….even if it’s post mortem “
Morgarna nearly choked on her Shiraz , “Bloody hell Merls are we becoming sensitive…dare I say more human….” They both erupted into laughter.

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Fledgeling – Image by KL Caley

Outside in the garden Gail was enjoying the warmth of the sun, clean clothes and a really welcome feeling of piece. She heard Morgarna and Merlin laughing and she felt really happy…. Almost as happy as she was on her seventeenth birthday, she put her hand to her neck and held the locket.
Just then she heard a little tweeting and flutter of wings. Following the sound she found a tiny bird hiding in a plant pot. “Hello little one’ she said. “Don’t be afraid, have you lost your way? I know how that feels but with help from kind people you can get back, well almost to where you should be. ” She bent down and looked at the little chap who seemed to be listening to her every word she was saying.
Gail sat by the flower pot chatting to the fledgling until the light began to fade . Just when Gail began to think she’d have to sit here all night the little chap came out of the flowerpot in answer to a call from the tree opposite.. his mother was calling him in to roost…. After his second attempt he took off and disappeared with his mum.
Gail sat there and felt tears on her cheeks. Oh! tears she thought for the second time that week after years of none…these though we’re tears of joy.

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“Gail, Gail where are you? ” Morgarna was calling from the kitchen door.
“Merlin wants to take us out for dinner and he’s paying you can choose where we are eating! “
Gail took a deep breath wiped her heavily made up eyes and smiled!
“Steak ” she shouted, “I fancy steak” as she ran back to the house like a fledgling to her parents !

Song Lyric Sunday: Takes time to Mature.

Jim Adams

This week August 28, 2022 , the prompt for Jim Adam’s Song Lyric Sunday has been suggested by Greg’s Blog : Better with Age: Failed or Overlooked Songs that Eventually Became Fan Favorites .

So the first so first song that springs to mind is Kate Bush’s (Deal with God ) Running up that Hill. Which was originally released in 1985 from her fifth Album Hounds of love. The single reached number three.

 In 2022, “Running Up That Hill” received renewed attention when it was prominently featured in the fourth season of the Netflix series Stranger Things. Its appearance led to the song’s resurgence on charts around the world, reaching the top three on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the charts in eight countries, including the United Kingdom for three consecutive weeks, Ireland for seven consecutive weeks and Australia for nine non-consecutive weeks. All the information you need is on Wikipedia

Thus taking thirty seven years to reach number one and be the massive hit it is. I have featured all this before. I cry every time I hear this song because it means so much to me…its helped me more than once for reasons I don’t care to share. Such a great song here it is again with Lyrics.

Ralph McTell – Streets Of London (1968-1974)

In 1968 I had met hubby, by 1974 I was married, had our first and was expecting our second. This song is just amazing. Hubby’s uncle was a Vicar and a friend of Ralph McTell he had a fund raiser at his church and Ralph McTell agreed to perform there, we were lucky enough to go. It was magical listening to this great performance in a small Church. A never forgotten experience. This another song that always makes me cry.

Streets of London” is a song by Ralph McTell, who first recorded it for his 1969 album Spiral Staircase. It was not released in the United Kingdom as a single until 1974. McTell himself noted that there were 212 known recorded versions of the song. The song was re-released, on 4 December 2017, featuring McTell with Annie Lennox as a charity single for CRISIS, the Homelessness Charity. Roger Whittaker also recorded a well received version in 1971.

The song was inspired by McTell’s experiences busking and hitchhiking throughout Europe, especially in Paris and the individual stories are taken from Parisians. McTell was originally going to call the song “Streets of Paris”— but eventually London was chosen, because he realised he was singing about London;  also, there was another song called “The Poor People of Paris“.

McTell’s song contrasts the common problems of everyday people with those of the homeless, lonely, elderly, ignored and forgotten members of society. In an interview on Radio 5 with Danny Baker on 16 July 2016, McTell said that the market he referred to in the song was Surrey Street Market in Croydon.

information from Wikipedia

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Derek & The Dominos – Layla (1970-1972)

“Layla” is a song written by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon, originally recorded by Derek and the Dominos, as the thirteenth track from their only studio album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970). Its contrasting movements were composed separately by Clapton and Gordon. The piano part has also been controversially credited to Rita Coolidge, Gordon’s girlfriend at the time.

The song was inspired by a love story that originated in 7th-century Arabia and later formed the basis of The Story of Layla and Majnun by the 12th-century Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi, a copy of which Ian Dallas had given to Clapton. The book moved Clapton profoundly, because it was the tale of a young man who fell hopelessly in love with a beautiful young girl, went crazy and so could not marry her. The song was further inspired by Clapton’s secret love for Pattie Boyd, the wife of his friend and fellow musician George Harrison. After Harrison and Boyd divorced, Clapton and Boyd eventually married.

“Layla” has since its release experienced great critical and popular acclaim, and is often hailed as being among the greatest rock songs of all time. Two versions have achieved chart success, the first in 1972 and the second (without the piano coda) 20 years later as an acoustic Unplugged performance by Clapton. In 2004, “Layla” was ranked number 27 on Rolling Stone‘s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time“, and the acoustic version won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Rock Song..

information from Wikipedia

Another great song from the same era as Streets of London…..Yup it makes me cry. Someone pass me the tissues please.

Happy Sunday Everyone.

K.L.Caley’s #writephoto: Curtain Wall.

Oops I am late again …it’s all Morgarna’s fault but better late than ever!

This week’s episode comes with a warning the story contains a line on drugs and susicde.

Curtain – Image by KL Caley

For visually challenged writers, the image shows a crumbling stone curtain wall stretching as far as the edge of the photo.

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As they entered the chapel Gail shivered.. “what was that” she asked looking at Morgarna who laughed and said “honestly your asking me? …. Merlin built a tad more into your bracelet than he has already told you. We didn’t actually expect you to travel just yet… But, hey you’ll cope !” Morgarna paused to stubb out her cigarette and then continued, “you have now got sensory feelings, you can be seen and you can eat, drink and sleep where ever you are “
“You mean not just in the house like before…”
“yes” smiled Morgarna” it might take a little getting used to but you’ll be fine”
Morgarna reached into her bag and pulled out a file flicking through quickly she said to Gail ….. “We are here to stop a suicide…. Oh!… Gail I am sorry … You were a suicide …”
Gail’s eyes filled with tears ..”yes I was and I really regret it I missed so much…. Do you think I can help? “
“Yes indeed I do who better than someone who has been there and done that “
The sourceress and the ghost walk up the short aisle, Gail shivered again “what’s the problem ” Morgarna asked . ” I don’t know ” Gail replied ” it’s years since I have been in a Church and it’s all so strange being free to travel and have feelings …just not used to it I suppose”.

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Morgarna was sitting on the wall across from the chapel , as she looked around her she recognised it a curtain wall, and she smiled at the fact that the chapel was outside the wall which would of put it outside the castle that would of once stood here. Obviously a castle of my time when my powers were thought more of then the new Christianity? My days do I miss them? ….
As Morgarna sat in the early evening having a cigarette and crafty Bacardi and coke from her flask she heard a car pull up on the road near by. Looking across she saw it was a classic Ford Anglia, obviously a loved old car taken out on high days and holidays. A man got out and crossed the field, slowly, towards her. He saw Margarna who waved and smiled. He came and sat next to her.
Morgarna looked at him, he was in his early eighties she guessed and was obviously a handsome man in his time… though he had an air of sadness about him … she also felt this person had, had a full life.
“Hello young lady what are you doing here on your own”
Morgana smiled, laughing inside that this mere mortal thought she was a young lady….she was neither. ” Hi, I am not on my own, my friend is in the chapel I just came out to have a cigarette and a drink and watch the sunset”
“I am heading into the chapel right now would you care to join me” he asked.
“I would indeed” she replied jumping up. ” I am Morgarna and you are? “
A slight twinkle touched the man’s eyes and he smiled , “Well lady Morgarna you have made me smile for the first time in a while, may I introduce myself my name is Dave . Can I take your arm I left my walking stick in the car… I don’t think I will be needing it again!”
Morgarna and Dave left the wall and went into the chapel together.

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Entering the chapel for a second time that day Morgarna was surprised to see that Gail had found Candles and had placed them around the chapel giving the place a cosy aura.
“Gail I met someone outside, come and say hi “
Gail appeared from a small cupboard looking a little dusty but smiling, ” I love it here it’s so calming once you get used to the quiet…no traffic..” She stopped dead and blinked. “Dave!”
David looked at Gail and went as white as a sheet, Morgarna grabbed his arm and got him to a pew before he fell.

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“Do you two know each other?” Morgana asked as she waved her hand behind her back producing a tray of three mugs of strong sweet tea and some sandwiches! Dave was too distracted to wonder where they had come from and gratefully accepted a steaming mug.
Gail was the first to answer … “This is Dave my boyfriend, well he was ..he was my life” David reached out and touched Gail’s arm then jumped back shocked to find she was actually there! He then spoke, “Gail how can it really be you I saw you last in the police mortuary? It can’t be you! Is this a cruel trick….what’s going on and today of all days ….no! ” Morgarna could tell David was really stressed out by all this. Again she waived her hand and he stopped speaking and started breathing.
Gail looked shocked, “You came to see me at the mortuary…”
“Yes the police asked me to identify you, you had my name and phone number in your locket.
Gail touched her neck, “my locket I really miss that , you gave it to me on my seventh birthday, I kept your name and phone number in there all the time…even after you left me. ” She reached out and touched his face … “Have you lived well Dave? Did you forget me quickly”
Morgarna slowly walked down the aisle and out of the chapel leaving Gail and David to talk.

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Morgarna felt drawn to the curtain wall each step closer to it she took she could feel history and ghosts of the past. She climbed up to the top of curtain wall and to her delight she saw life as she remembered it, the servents, the folk who lived within the castle walls, the traders, hawkers, blacksmiths the animals…the mud the dirt the smell…she loved it. Just then she heard voices as two soldiers from the watch came up to her, “Lady Morgarna what are you doing up here is there anything amiss?”
Morgarna smiled at them both, ” No nothing wrong, I was just enjoying being home and the sights, sounds and smells of my world… I miss them so much! “
The two soldiers exchanged glances ..”but you haven’t missed them you’ve not been away.”
Morgarna sighted …no not yet ..not yet”
“Well mi’lady if all is well we are just off for supper “
‘Off you go lads I’ll keep watch for you I love the night air up here. ” Morgana spent an hour watching the surrounding countryside from her vantage point, listening to the sounds of her beloved castle gently slowing down for the night …all was gentle …all was well … perhaps she could stay a while.
Just then she saw three horse riders approaching ….it was herself, Merlin and Morgause and as ever they were laughing and bickering . Time for me to go she supposed…. She spent a few more moments watching herself and her loved ones , in simpler times …harder, dirtier but simpler , then she jumped from the wall and landed back in 2023 opposite the chapel.

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In the chapel Gail and and David were still talking, though now they were actually relaxed in each others company. As Morgarna came in David beckoned her over… “Come lady Morgarna …. according to Gail you really are a lady and much, much more….come and sit with us and we’ll tell you what’s been happening while you disappeared! “
Morgarna joined them and lit a cigarette, she offered them to Gail …Dave refused he’d give up years ago.
Gail picked up the story. “I met Dave when I was sixteen, we were so in love… He gave me a beautiful locket for my seventeenth birthday. Dave was in a group and I went everywhere with them , I was one of the crew I made all their stage gear…”
“She was handy with a needle in those days a great seamstress …but that was before.” David went quiet and his eyes went dark.
Gail took a deep breath then continued. ” I was really happy my parents were not best pleasd because I dropped out of school and left home. Anyway we toured all over and even went to the US, Canada, Japan , Australia and New Zealand. It was fun and we had the best four years of our lives….” David looked sad ” until we didn’t ” he said .
Gail’s eyes filled with tears , David wiped one away…” I can’t believe this, real tears”
” Yes real tears I ruined my life and affected everyone else’s through my stupidity. See it was hard work traveling, sewing, hotels, gigs, festivals and then the partying …I partied hard , one night one of the roadies gave me a little something to keep me going…… Soon I couldn’t do without it …. eventually Dave noticed , the whole grouped noticed I was useless…
Dave did his best but I was stubborn, he sent me off to rehab but I just wouldn’t try… I ran away time and time again…. Eventually I ended up on the streets , real riches to rags. Then I died one night in a filthy squat, I had, had enough I took as much stuff as I could find lying around the squat and drank all the alcohol I could find. I was found a few days later laying in my own vomit a perfect meal for the rats. ” Gail looked so sad that Morgarna reached out and touched her .
David took up the story. ” She was a real mess, heart breaking, they found her locket around her neck and my name and number. I was in Scotland with the group at the time so I caught the night sleeper down to identify her… .. I never forgot how she looked … Thank goodness I have seen you now as you are. “
Morgarna asked “why are you here David, why today.”
David looked at Gail, “My beautiful wife died this day last year which just happens to be the day all those years ago that I had to identify Gail It just got too much for me I decided to come here and take some pills then lock myself in my beloved old car and slip away. “
“Surely you’re leaving family behind” said Morgarna.
“Yes three sons, and two daughters and plenty of grandchildren but I just can’t sleep the nightmare of seeing Gail in that state l all gaunt and rat eaten , they returned after May died. I just want peace.
Gail looked so shocked, “You can’t do that Dave , you be leaving a bad lasting image to your child that’s so wrong Dave”
“Your right Gail I have changed my mind I shall be strong and carry on.”
Gail hugged him , “I do love you Dave and I am so glad you recovered from my suicide and had a good life. “
Just then there was a commotion at the doorway… “Granddad where have you been we’ve been worried sick , we saw you old car was gone from the garage and you’ve been gone for 24hrs… “
Dave spun round ,”Ryan how did you find me..”
” Guessed you’d be here this was Grandma’s favourite place, I saw your car from the road and boy what a relief your safe and okay. ” With that Ryan threw his arms around Dave.
“Thank God you’re okay Granddad I thought you’d done something stupid.”
Then he noticed Morgarna , Gail had pressed the button on her bracelet and disappeared. “Oh! Who are you?” Ryan asked.
David smiled and replied “this is Morgarna she has been taken good care of me”

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Later Morgana waved Ryan and his granddad off in the old but immaculate Ford Anglia, followed by Ryan’s girlfriend driving her Ford Fiesta, which Ryan had arrived in!
As they drove off Morgarna waved goodbye and a huge weight lifted off of David’s shoulders, he forgot the nightmares he’d been having remembering only good memories of Gail and happy days with May.
“You can show yourself now Gail they’ve gone. I have eased his mind and he will think meeting you was just a dream. “
Gail smiled thank you Morgarna I feel so much better too . Look” she said reappearing and holding out her hand , “Dave has given me back my locket isn’t it beautiful. “
“Yes indeed it is let me help you put it on” replied Morgarna. ” Did you get to say a proper goodbye to David”
Gail smiled again… “I did and he told me that when he dies he and May will visit to see if I am ready to cross!”….?
Right said Morgarna do fancy a quick visit to an Arthurian Castle? Come on last one to the wall buys the meade for the night .

THIS IS PART OF K.L CALEY’S #writephoto.