An Interview With Dan Antion ! The Evil We Choose.

Hi everyone, I know I have been very quiet of late but I am hopefully back ! Today I am delighted to have Dan Antion of NoFacilities here visiting me to discuss his new book, part two of The Dreamers Alliance , The Evil You Choose.

“Hi Dan it’s really great to see you come on in, let’s go through to the garden and take a seat . Ruby is ready out there sleeping. You’ve certainly picked a great afternoon for us to have tea and a chat about Book 2 in your series The Dreamers Alliance, Knuckleheads.”

“Hi willow it’s good to be here, it’s nice and restful here considering how central to the town you are. I’ll just take a seat here if I may.“

“And to drink Dan? I am having a black coffee but I do have all types of tea in just for you.”Yes do sit there you have the shade and a nice view.
What can I interest you in? something to eat? we have the typically English sandwiches, cream cheese and salmon , ham and cheese, coronation chicken…ect., cakes and scones with clotted cream and jam.”
“I try one of each willow they are small and delicate.. not like the sandwiches back home. Not much more than a bite each. I think I’ll try some earl grey Please”

© willowdot21

“Now then, let’s talk about the book.
What gave you the idea for Dreamers Alliance, Knuckleheads and The Evil You Choose. Did both books come to you as a done deal or did you start the first book and find there was just so much more to write.”

“I actually started this series with The Evil You Choose. I was trying to work in a lot, probably too much of the backstory when it was suggested that maybe the backstory could be a separate book. I set The Evil You Choose aside and wrote Knuckleheads.”

“I believe you said they can be read as stand alone stories….is that correct…I have actually read both books and yes indeed they both stand alone well but they are great as a pair. Here try one of these beef and horseradish sandwiches they are very tasty.”

“Cheers… yes they do have a kick. The books yes I wanted to write them so they could stand on their own, but everyone who has read both agrees that the second book is better if you had read Knuckleheads first. There’s a third book in the series as well. That is a sequel to the current book, and will be released in late November. The third book, working title, “When Evil Chooses You,” is a true sequel.”

“I like the sound of a third book Dan, I shall definitely be up for reading that one too. When I finished reading The Evil You Choose, I really wanted more? So how long have you been writing this story? Have you found it hard or have experienced being along for the ride while the story wrote itself? Can I offer you a piece cake or a scone?

© willowdot21

“The Victoria Sponge looks very light willow I think I will try some of that, did you make it?

I started writing The Evil You Choose in early 2020, shortly after I retired. I thought I would have it finished by July or August, then I switched to Knuckleheads. I finished a rough draft of that fairly quickly, but I already had an idea for a sequel. I started working on that, to make sure the entire story would hang together. By the spring of 2021, I had drafts of all three books. Several people had suggested waiting until all three were complete before releasing any of the series, since events might need to change. That turned out to be excellent advice, as all three books have changed over time. I thought I was ready to release the books in March 2022. I ordered proof copies and began working with my beta readers and proofreaders.”

I find, Dan I can write absolutely anywhere and do , but do you have a special place where you write , a room, a shed or do you just write just like me do you write where ever ? How is the cake? ” More tea?

“The cake is very moist and so are these scones did you make them all willow.”

“I made the cakes and sandwiches but the scones are made by hubby he’s an excellent cook not unlike your Billy. “

“Well he does have a light touch willow your lucky. Where do I write? most of the three books have been written at a small desk in our bedroom. I am comfortable there, and its size prevents me from cluttering it with distractions. I built the desk, and I guess that fact helps me to feel creative in that space.”

“Are there parts of this story that you have drawn from your personal life or have you plucked it all out of the either Dan?”

“I do experience lucid dreams. I have since I was a teenager. I am not able to travel in them like Zach, but I often become aware of the fact that I am dreaming, and I can change the nature of a dream. The childhood portions of Knuckleheads are drawn from my own experience, and those of my brother and a few close friends. I found it impossible to make up a different childhood. I wouldn’t know what it would have been like. All three books are set in the area around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I am very familiar with that area and although I’ve lived on both coasts, and in New York City and briefly in the south, I think Pittsburgh is the most interesting place I’ve ever lived.

I also had several friends who were labeled as being “mildly retarded” or were considered “abnormal” and suffered from isolation when we were in school. The school systems were very crowded in the 1960s, and they really didn’t have time to deal with these kids. The character of Billy is a composite of those kids. There is no one person that is Billy, or Zach, but I understand both characters.”

I can understand that well Dan, I was isolated at school, by teachers and piers… Like Billy I had a couple of good friends and apart from them I kept very much under the radar. Thankfully we all grow up and experiences like that often makes us stronger “

How about we visit my local pub later and I can review your two books. But first Dan? Here are the important links for everyone to visit!

relinks.me/B0BCBQSHQZ

Amazon and universal link to my author page

reLinks: relinks.me/DanielAntion

Knuckleheads Kindle edition

Knuckleheads Paperback edition.

https://www.facebook.com/dantion

http://nofacilities.com

The Blurb The Evil You Choose.

Zach Amstead had kept his ability to participate in lucid dreams a secret for over fifty years However, in the high-tech world of the 21st century, he has been discovered by an FBI Special Agent who has a corrupt agenda and who is willing to employ illegal tactics while working toward his goal. 

Thomas Slocum gives Zach a choice – cooperate in an illegal operation or be arrested as a terrorist. Slocum’s plan puts Zach on a collision course with organized crime leaders, a corrupt politician and brings innocent people into dangerous situations. Worse, the FBI process which allowed Slocum to uncover Zach’s abilities threatens to expose the abilities of his best friend, Billy. 

Zach must get ahead of the FBI in a dangerous race. He must protect Billy, and he must choose where along the spectrum of good and evil he can place his trust.

Well Dan it’s been great to have you here to sit and chat, I have really enjoyed talking about your new book. I hope you can come again soon. Maybe when the third part of the trilogy is out.

Keep an eye out everyone out everyone I shall be reviewing books one and two very soon.

Throwback Thursday Slang.

Its Lauren’s turn to pick our subject prompt for Throwback Thursday, the brainchild of Maggie and Lauren .

This week’s prompt is: Slang
I think this should be no sweat, but I’ll provide some questions to help you along. You can always free write if you’d rather.

What were the words you would have used to describe something cool or popular.

Fab, Gear, Smart, Chic, Far out, Groovy.

How about those things that were uncool?

Square, Old hat , Dated, Sad,
What were the hairstyles of the day?

Cilla Black Bob I still wear it, fringe or centre parting with longer hair, the twiggy cut, Prtula Clarke cut oh! Yes and the afro and the page boy must look for a photo of the afro….I wore them all.

The twiggy look.© willowdot21

the petula cut © willowdot21

The log parted in middle sometimes with fringe © willowdot21

The Cilla look which I still sport.© willowdot21

Did they have a name everyone used to reference them?

A Bob, curtains, a Petula and a twiggy.
What were the styles of the time?

Mini , Maxi, Midi, Paisley, Op Art, tie dye, bell bottoms, Flairs, ect! Platform shoes , Stilettos , Doc Martens
What word would you have used to describe something distasteful?

Naff, Square, Old Hat. Boring
What about peers you were not fond of or were not part of your tribe?

Geeks, Swats, Oddballs
Any phrases you remember that were used (or overused)?

Man, Fab,Gear, Outasight, Groovy Baby,

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.

Just a heads up because I have been keeping mine down.

I really don’t know where to start but I feel if I don’t start soon I may just melt into the ether and I don’t want to do that!

Perhaps if I just go chronologically things might become clear to you and hopefully to me .

6th September we dropped Ruby off at an “almost sister’s house” to stay for four nights while we were away.

7th September we headed for London, west London to our old stomping ground to meet people we have known on and off for over 65 years. We were meeting up to scatter the ashes of our bestman Bob.

© willowdot21

There were eleven of us present , Bob’s ex-wife and his only son amongst the number. We met at the park at the bottom of the road he grew up in until he married and moved out.

The tree opposite the gate where we spread the ashes. © willowdot21

Standing around remembering old times. © willowdot21

The gate at the bottom of Bob’s road. © willowdot21

© willowdot21 Bob Last year.

After scattering the ashes we went for a pub lunch and reminised a lot more.

8th September we were packed and picked up my sister and her husband and drove up to Norwich for our niece’s wedding. Late afternoon we arrived at our hotel, after a long and very wet drive. We had a coffee then went to the station to pick up my eldest sister and bought her back to the hotel.

Then we heard the very sad but not unexpected news that our Queen Elizabeth had died. We had a long reflective and chatty dinner.

I was born in 1953 , a few months after the Queen’s Coronation. Therefore the Queen has been the figure head to the background of my whole life. We all knew she would not live forever but , old and tired and yes indeed her hands in the photo of her meeting Liz Truss, our new Prime Minister, looked very bruised, suggesting she had had a canular fitted. Even so her death came as a real shock.

One of my brother’s received a M. B. E. From the Queen, for recognition of his Army Career and service to his country. I saw the lovely photos of him, his wife and daughter at the Palace. My sister Frankie accompanied her husband to a Royal Garden party. We also saw lovely photos of that occasion too.

Apparently the road my family lived in when I was growing up was often used by the Queen on her way to Heathrow Airport or London Airport as it known then. This was before the M4 motorway was built. One day my mum was out walking with me in her arms. The Queen’s car went by, my mum lifted me up and she said that the young Queen smiled and waved…. I was too young to remember.

thank you for your service mam 💜

The 9th of September dawned bright and we went out for a walk after breakfast we found our way out to some woods and found a very spooky looking building which was an Asylum in its day. We met a nice young chap who told us all about the place….he was a painter and decorator and was working in the building behind which is a prison for the criminally insane…..

© willowdot21 .

So then back to the hotel to get ready , then all five of us squeezed into the car…not really it is a big car! Off to the wedding and the heavens opened! ..it rained all through the service , canapes and drinks and the meal and speaches finally it q I’ll cleared up to a lovely evening!

The wedding started normally enough, a friend of the bride was playing the piano beautifully when suddenly she started playing Darth Vader’s theme from StarWars. Low and behold Four Star troopers, Boda Fett and Darth Vader walked up the ailse , apparently they were there so Darth could claim the bride . Thankfully the Groom and Groom’s men successful saw the interlopers off. The service then continued without a hitch!

© willowdot21

A sulking Darth Vader and Boda Fett.© willowdot21

I even got kidnapped 😃 © willowdot21 .

All the while the rain was relentless. © willowdot21

Now rain at a wedding is supposed to bode good luck and happiness. It also brings rainbows which are definitely a good luck sign 🌈.

Lots of love for Steve & Sarah. © willowdot21.

10th September we packed up and after breakfast we took eldest sister to the station then went back to pick up other sister and her husband for the journey home. Another long day. In the evening we went and got Ruby back she had had a great stay with her new friend Bo, nearly sister’s new dog .

© willowdot21

Sunday was washing, dog walking and housework and reading book one of a two book series which you will hear more of soon.

Monday 12th started a week of Drs appointments , phone calls, and the like, hubby is still not well and having trouble with his ears and hearing and other worrying things. We have had our seasonal flu jabs and we booked up for our Covid booster. It’s all go here.

Shopping, helping family and neighbours also filled the week, the weekend was busy too and all the while I wanted to blog but just could not settle to it. There were a few family birthdays three infact!

Then Monday 19th was The Queens funeral and yes we watched it for most of the day. It was meticulously done and really very touching and beautiful. The Royal family really had a very long and exhausting fully of emotions and even tears for their beloved, Mum, Gran and great Gran….Rest in peace Marm you have done your bit.. God Save the King, Charles 111.

R.I.P. Elizabeth.

So here we are halfway through another week and all I can ask is that you could be patient and I will try to catch up …as soon as I can.💜💜💜

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.

Wordless Wednesday : Eerie Encounters on Friday!

+© willowdot21.

Part of Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday.

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.