Start Walking the Walk

 

 
    Governments, education departments and schools continually condemn bullying. However, in some of our schools the bully is being allowed to carry on doing what they do best and that is intimidate others.

    I hadn't really planned to write about this today, but recently I heard of a teenage boy who has been relentlessly bullied over the last few months. The school has seen video footage of him being attacked and acknowledge that there is a problem.

    But, instead of the guilty being disciplined, the school has said that it is better the boy (victim) move school. Why, so the bully can move on to someone new?

    Why talk the talk when there is no intention to walk the walk?


#antibullying

Dropping Anchor

Anstruther Harbour

    The stormy seas that surround Scotland have historically brought many seafarers to our shores when their ships have ran into trouble. Back in September 1588 as the Spanish Armada retreated north, following their defeat by the English Navy, they too were hampered by bad conditions.

Village of Anstruther

     Ships no longer seaworthy, lack of food and fresh water, meant that several ships dropped anchor and the sailors had to seek refuge on Scottish soil. The small Port of Anstruther, on the Firth of Forth, East Fife, is where some came ashore, choosing never to return to their native land.

    When I visited there the other day I could see why many of the Spanish sea-man settled here. The clear water and golden sand could easily be mistaken for a small fishing port in Spain, making it a home from home. Of course, I'm sure the beautiful Scottish senoritas had something to do with it too.

#Anstruther #Scotland #Spain #Spanish Armada

End of School

The end of school term is drawing near,

We'll rally together and cheer.

The pencils are blunt and the pens have ran dry of ink,

No more cramming, or racking one's brain, straining to think.

A week long vacation with the family, maybe even two,

Meet up with friends, not all, just a like-minded crew.

We'll chat about the fun we had,

Pushing to the back of our minds, life's experiences that seemed bad.

The weeks will quickly disappear and some of our dreams will turn out to be pie in the sky,

Including the one, that the report was incorrectly defaced with the words, 'NEED TO TRY'.

#EndofSchool #poetry

Good at Heart

 

 
    I'm posting an extra post this week because last week I only published one; my excuse is that I was travelling. Lame, I know; but true. On Friday I was taking a five hour flight from the Canaries, which I do often and regularly alone; therefore I'm confident about the whole procedure that's involved in making this journey.

    But, to my constant amusement I find that I'm repeatedly, temporarily adopted by one, or more of my fellow passengers, who seem to take pity on the lone traveller.
 

 
    Just when I think that acts of kindness have exited mankind's backdoor, along comes a man, or woman who restore my faith. They make sure I know where to queue up, at the gate and what stairs to use when finally boarding.

   Instead of me being a mature  ...ty something, I happily become that wide-eyed innocent kid again. Maybe that's why I write, 'Young Adult.' Who knows?

   
     "In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart."
- Anne Frank

Children are the Victims

    Wars and natural disasters have many victims, however children bear the brunt. Many lose parents, all of their families and young girls and boys are duped into prostitution and slavery.

    Throughout the developed world including Europe and the Americas, child poverty is also a continual problem. Health, education and social acceptability are all impacted, the children find themselves in circumstances that can spiral of of control.

    Why are our children the victims?

Stirring the Evil Within

As darkness fell,

It could be that you're now a resident in Hell.

The wolves they howl.

The craziness that has beset man, means that anyone can fall foul.

As the vampires await their first bite,

Before darkness turns into light.

    The Kelpies have risen from the lochs and the pools,

They're joining forces with the ghosts and the ghouls.

Tonight is the night for devils and their kin.

The full moon is shining and that is the reason for the stirring of the evil within. 

Digital Assets

    My partner and I made a will many years ago,  therefore I thought that I had tied up everything in the eventuality of my sudden departure. However, it wasn't until the other day when I was listening to a radio broadcast on the subject of digital assets, that I realised that I hadn't. I had forgot about my book, the sequel (due for release soon) and all my other works stored on computer and disk. So remember, if you want your work to live on after you die and those you love to take care of it, make sure you legally tie up these loose ends.

 
    'Remember man as you pass by here, as you are now and I was once, as I am now you soon will be prepare for death and follow me.' Overland Bret Herte 1921