Wordless Wednesday. Sue.

© SueVincent

April 1: Flash Fiction Challenge: Swift Passage.

April 1 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a swift passage. You can take inspiration from any source. Who is going where and why. What makes it swift? Go where the prompt leads!.

I wrote this in honour of Sue Vincent. You can read her beautiful blog here.

The candle flickered her spirit left. Free from earth’s tethers and life’s pain she breathed again. Across the night sky lit by stars she flashed around the planet spreading love as she went. 

Alighting on her Moors, her spirit’s home. The stones welcomed her with love, they knew her worth. Cold winds could not chill her just carry her wisdom. 

Behind she left us grieving, family and friends alike. Her legacy will last forever as will the hole she left in our hearts. My last email to her said “sleep well.” Sue’s passage after death was swift to bliss.

Charli’s Carrot Ranch 

#TANKA TUESDAY WEEKLY #POETRY CHALLENGE NO. 219, #SpecificForm.

This is part of Colleen’s Tuesday Tanka. This week I chose a traditional Senryu.

SENRYU IN ENGLISH: Traditional 5/7/5. A Senryu is written about love, humor, a personal event, and should have irony present.

Sue & Ani ©Alethea Kehas.

A beacon of light
You touched my heart and my soul.
You left way too soon

The above photo was taken by Alethea Kehas.

Well Done to Everyone Involved With The Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic.

On February 1st, the Carrot Ranch team set a competition and fundraiser for one of our finest, Sue Vincent. Using one of her photos for inspiration. The brief was to write a 99 word piece of Flash Fiction or 99 Syllable Poem and keep it under wraps until the winners were announced.

You can find all the entries, winners and judges picks here
Congratulations and well done everybody.

I did get placed but I was delighted to be Judge, Geoff Lepard’s pick. All entries were judged anonymously. Thank you Geoff and team for the advice.

Here is my Entry.

No place like home.

They had spent the last five years searching for the perfect place to settle. Travelling to several planets and even one other galaxy but nothing suited.

So their hearts lifted at the sight of the valley. The elders raised their hands prononucing "This is the perfect place, protected by mountains with it’s own water supply. Even a few remaining buildings."

A voice from the back chirped up.. "That’s where we started from, I can see my house" There was hush, a sharp intake of breath. "As we have always said" their elders smiled. "There is no place like home"

©Sue Vincent

Midnight Haiku,my review.

© SueVincent.

My copy of this beautiful book from Sue Vincent late yesterday afternoon. I have read it, I simply couldn’t put it down . I am now re-reading it in-between housework and writing. Here is my review.

A Year In Contemplation Midnight Haiku. This is much more than a book it is a becon of light and wisdom. I read it in one sitting and found it delightful. Every Haiku or set of Haiku has a beautiful accompanying photo.
I am re-reading now, in-between cooking and cleaning and writing. Each turn of the page teaches me a little more. A beautiful book from a beautiful person.

You can buy A Year In Contemplation . Midnight Haiku. Here I definitely recommend it it a rare treat. And it’s top of the pops.

Available in Paperback and for Kindle via Amazon.uk, Amazon .com and worldwide.

Wordless Wednesday.

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The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Feb. 27, 2021

Badge by Shelley Krupa

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “-sty.” Find a word that ends in “-sty” or use the word “sty.” Enjoy!

Honesty is a commodity that is very often in short supply these days. On a large scale our leaders an politicians very often just play fast and loose with it, interested in their own ends. None of them have the decency or honesty to admit the mistakes they make.

We are often very tight on honesty with ourselves and others. Yet there are always those who’s honesty shines like a becon. They are like lighthouses guiding us through stormy waters.

I shall be honest now, I am not the best person I could be, not the best wife, mum, grandma, friend, sister but I try I know my faults. Let me guide you to a wonderful soul Sue Vincent. A beautiful person full of love and honesty.

© SueVincent

Sea of Souls.

This is a mystical moment from a past weekend spent in Cumbria with The Silent Eye. The weekend was entitled The Full Circle : Finding your way home. December 2018

It was late morning on the second day of the course and we visited a ring of stones and trees. Physically there were eight of us present, (one of our number was unwell) After a few moments instead of the space of this large place holding only eight people I was aware that I was caught up in a crowd of thousands of souls. I have a fear of crowds and I was afraid. One tree called to me and drew me to it.

I did confide this to one of my companions, Sue Vincent and she assured me, as the tree had done, that I was safe. There is more to tell.

A Sea of Souls

© willowdot21

Gently you called to me

Through the crowds of souls

You led me safely through a boiling sea.

I was trembling, frightened of drowning whole.

I had the word upon my lips

Whispering to you, I know you heard.

I was alive from toes to finger tips.

As you held me safe and shared with me my word.

© willowdot21.

As you can see the contest is not the only way you can help, there’s always the “Parade”. Reblog one of Sue’s posts from any of her sites (Daily Echo or France and Vincent) with a comment about why you found it special. Follow her blogs. Read one of her books, then leave reviews where you can.

Blueprint

Wonderful musings on life from Sue Vincent.

Sue Vincent's Daily Echo

To leave no place for regret in a life
Save only mistakes from which to learn
Letting error serve good purpose
Redeeming remorse for hurt
Carelessly committed
Youthful folly wakes
To see itself
Mirrored eyes
Reflect
Pain
Joy
Growing
Unfolding
Other choices
From a deeper well
Embracing each moment
A gift of living presence
Harmony of body and soul
Accepting human imperfections
Part of the blueprint for the journey home

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Special Collection Flash Fiction Challenge

Carrot Ranch

Hi everyone I make no apologies for repeating myself , I am singing Sue Vincent’s praises again 💜

© SueVincent.

Sue Vincent is many things, blogger, mother, grandmother, carer to her older son and and a founder member of the Silent Eye a modern mystery school and friend and inspiration to many worldwide.

I have met Sue at the Bloggers Bash, and also joined her and her companions from the The Silent Eye on a couple or their weekend workshops. My life has been enriched by knowing her. I have learned a lot from her and basked in the warmth of her friendship.

Like many others I have been inspired by her posts about her musings, beliefs and always been uplifted by her regular #midnighthaiku. Like many others I have joined in with Sue’s #writephoto prompts. Weekly Sue has tirelessly supported other bloggers by sharing their responses to to #writephoto. As well as explaining about the photo prompt and entering her own contrabution. Also her thoughts on her life, her family and reminiscences of her childhood and youth are always a delight to read. Not forgetting the the wise words and thoughts from her loving dog Ani at The Small Dogs Blog which are also a delight.

© SueVincent.

Recently, Sue has been faced with a new and difficult challenge: lung cancer. You can follow her blog to find out more directly from her. The Covid pandemic has served not only to pose a specific threat to a anyone with a severe respiratory illness, but it has caused loss of human connection through self isolation.

Now it’s time for Sue to receive something back from the community she’s been a cornerstone of for a decade. Jointhe Rodeo for the Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic at the Carrot Ranch – a contest, parade, and celebration all in one!

Here are some links you can use if you want to write your own post. Or Reblog any.

• https://scvincent.com/
• https://scvincent.com/2021/01/06/the-inconvenient-walking-dead-covid-cancer-carers-lockdown/ (this is the most recent post on the Echo about Sue’s recent adventures)
• https://franceandvincent.com/
• https://franceandvincent.com/books/
• https://carrotranch.com/
• https://twitter.com/SCVincent
• https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6551588.Sue_Vincent

I have already done the prompt below you can find it here.

January 28, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about life as a river of consciousness. Think about the possibilities of the prompt. Go where the prompt leads!

Here is what Charlie Mills at The Carrot Ranch has to say “On Monday, Carrot Ranch will launch an event to celebrate Sue Vincent and her writing. There will be a “99” writing contest from February 1-19 with a suggested donation that goes directly to Sue. We want to make it a big deal beyond our trees of the writing woods, therefore it carries a $100 grand prize. There will also be a parade of sorts, a chance to gather together with Sue to share and reblog her posts in February. Be sure to tune in Monday for the full announcement. I’m so proud of all who have arranged this event, and volunteered to help. I’m proud of all of you whom I know will push this out far and wide to celebrate one of our own beloved writers.

February is going to be different at Carrot Ranch. Don’t let it throw you. I’ll be cloistered away, working on my thesis submission. I’m grateful to the community for carrying on.

Here’s a schedule for you so you know what to expect:“

• January 28 Special Collection Challenge to Honor the work of Sue Vincent
• February 1-19: Sue Vincent Classic Rodeo Contest and Parade of Reblogs (announced Monday, February 1 at CarrotRanch.com/blog)
• February 3 No Collection
• February 4 Special Host: D. Avery
• February 10 Special Host Collection
• February 11 Sue Vincent Reblog Parade (no challenge)
• February 17 Special Sue V Collection posted
• February 18 Regular Flash Fiction Challenges return
• February 19 Contest ends
• March 22 Winner and Runners Up Announced

So go ahead and reblog, tweet, Facebook, or somehow otherwise share the contest! 99 word literary art is a fantastic way to celebrate a blogging hero and very deserving person.

© willowdot21 2019

Saddle up, everyone! It’s time for a Carrot Ranch Rodeo like none ever held before. The Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic begins on Monday, February 1st, and it’ll be a TUFF (The Ultimate Flash Fiction) prompt to fit within 99 words.