A Visit from Stanley

The Kelpies, Falkirk

    When I was a kid, which wasn't yesterday; I took part in a school project which encouraged us to have penfriends. It was a way not only  to get us writing, but to communicate with our peers throughout the world. We exchanged photographs, little snippets about our daily lives, our culture and if you were interested in collecting stamps it was great.

The Falkirk Wheel

    I corresponded with two girls in New Zealand, both lived on sheep farms. and they sent me photographs of the sheep and little cuttings of fleece, which as a ten-year-old really grabbed my attention. One girl I found a little more interesting than the other because she was indigenous, something I knew nothing about and found fascinating. I found myself eager to receive her letters each month. Sadly though, I think she didn't find me so engaging as she stopped writing and I filed my memories of my oversea's friends away.

Forth rail bridge

    However, when a relative of mine received a 'Flat Stanley' in the mail from Florida  last week, my memories of my penfriends came flooding back.

     He was given VIP treatment and in a very short space of time, Stanley along with his new amigo had in one day visited more tourist hotspots than many of the locals have. The wonderful thing about Stanley's visit was that adults and children alike were keen to join in the fun and have their photographs taken with him, a pleasurable visit by Stanley indeed.

www.flatstanleyproject.com

Rules of Engagement

    I got the key's to my new home last Friday and over the weekend it was time  to roll up my sleeves, remove the tired old floor coverings and wash down the paintwork before the decorators moved in on Monday.

    The house itself is around 100-years-old and although through the years modernisation has taken place there are still remnants of its original charm in tact. There are also hints of the age group of some of the previous occupants hidden away in little nooks and crannies.

    One gem I came across is within a cupboard in the main bedroom, written in childish handwriting in faded, red ink, was a list titled, 'Rules for undying love.'

Rule 1  : First you need to find a cute boy and attract his attention.

Rule 2  : If he isn't interested, remember there are plenty of other boys.
Rule 3  : He needs to think you are special and takes no notice of other girls.

Rule 4  : IMPORTANT, Dad needs to like him.

If all the above rules are met, you will have undying love.

    I couldn't help but think of, Megan Trainor's hit, 'Dear future husband', when I read this and thought how wonderful innocence is.

As You Like It

Last week was the anniversary of William Shakespeare's death and celebrations were held all over the world.

    But, the passing of the bard 400 years ago, opened up the discussion once again as to why his work is still taught in UK schools.

    There are many who believe that it should no longer be taught as it has no relevance in today's world. However, reading his plays, watching productions of them on stage and screen there is no denying that they are filled with love, envy, racism, deceit, manipulation, murder, sex and violence. Unless the human race has turned over a new leaf in the last week whilst I wasn't looking, these things are very pertinent in the world we live in.

    Shakespeare, is normally taught to children from the age of 15-years upwards, an age that we know that kids do like to read, watch films and play video games that contain many of the aforementioned. Therefore it's not a time to abandon his work but be a little more innovative in how we put it across.
 
    With the Internet, now more than at any  other time there are more resources available to help  teachers. So please let's carry on teaching the bard's work for the reasons, that it is relevant and it can be taught 'as you like it'.

The Bully

They push, they pull, they prod and jibe

They tell you, you're different so you can't be one of their tribe

You don't want to let your parents, teachers know, or with your siblings your secret share

Because life just seems damn unfair

But don't allow yourself to be beaten by a bully

They are the ones that it's difficult to understand fully

Time for Summer

I've longed for the sand to trickle through my fingers and toes

For the sea-breeze to tickle my nose

To feel the warmth of the sun beating down

Shining above my head like a halo, a crown

To see the vendor selling hot-dogs and drinks

The tide washing over my sand-castle, then it sinks

Inhaling the fresh sea-air, filling my lungs

Falling into the water with a splash, when my feet slip off the jetty's ladder rungs

It's time for summer and scary fairground rides for those who dare

Taking a daytrip, a week or a month holiday without a care

Watching the Sunset

    Sunday was a lazing around on the sofa day. Accompanied by copious cups of coffee, chocolate and channel surfing. My little grey cells have been in dormant mode since my move and in need of a little TLC.

    There was nothing on Netflix that caught my eye, but on the TV guide I noticed that a 1950's movie, directed by Billy Wilder was on and one which I could watch over and over again. It was, Sunset Boulevard, starring, William Holden (as Joe Gilles) and Gloria Swanson (as Norma Desmond) and it was probably no coincidence that it was showing on Holden's birthday. (Thought I'd share that piece of trivia with you !)

    The story told is that of a young screenwriter's dramatic affair with a tragic, forgotten, ageing actress. The story itself has been played out on our screens and in reality on endless occasions, however the thing I love about it, is the spoken narrative by Holden.

    Instantly you're drawn to the character and you most definitely want to listen to the story he has to tell.

    Unlike a book, the words voiced, and the visual mannerisms displayed pull you in. As writers we don't have the visuals, or the sounds, but we do have the opportunity to create that scene with what we put down on paper.

    Choosing the right words create the scene in the reader's mind and those same words give the characters a voice. The reader  must hear our narrative loud and clear, if they are to connect with our book in the same way as the audience connected with, Oscar nominated, Holden's portrayal of Joe Gilles.

Good Friends

Friends constantly go that extra mile,

Consoling you with kind words and a smile.

Needing to get things off your chest,

Convincing you that talking about problems is best.

Friendship is a two-way street,
 And any differences you will always find a way, to in the middle meet.