The Diminishing Bug

     

 
    Insects, love them, or hate them, are important to the world we live in. An analysis found that 40% of the insect world are decreasing and many are now endangered.

  
    Butterfly numbers for example have shrunk by 58% in England and the buzzing bumblebee has literally buzzed off, their population halving in areas of the US in the last 64 years. Changing how we farm, grow our food and even keep our gardens impacts these necessary creatures.

  
    In the last week, after a short illness a former neighbour and friend of mine sadly passed away and I could not help but think of her when I read about this global tragedy.

    Her garden was a haven for the insect world. She thought through every year before planting her flowers and shrubs. Not only thinking about the design, but the effect of replacing, and replanting would have on the bug population and soil condition of her beloved garden.

  
    We all need to take responsibility for the world we live in because it's not someone else's problem it's a problem shared by each and everyone of us.


https://devilslayingamongstotherthings.blogspot.com/2015/03/mariposa.html

Stirring Thoughts

    I watched a movie yesterday. In fact it was one of several. Okay, movies are my guilty pleasure since becoming a bed potato.  The title of the film is totally irrelevant and to be honest it's not a movie I'm liable to recommend, write a rave review about, or even remember about next week.

    However, what I did like about it was the underlying message, that I took from it. The message being that sometimes after  being with someone for a long number of years we actually forget why we got together in the first place.

    So as St Valentines day is approaching fast, here is one of my poems that reminds me of why I'm with my significant other.

      Weekend hugs to you all. xx

Today and Forever

I feel your touch and my skin burns

Filling me with excitement and delight

Your lips upon mine send tingling through my body

Like nothing I have ever felt before

The love you and I express, I know is real

A love that we can share today and forever




Christina Rowell

Gong Hei Fat Choy!

    The year that has already begun on January 1st, I've decided as it didn't start too well for me it was just a preliminary for the year that is beginning tomorrow. That means the bit of bad luck that I encountered four weeks ago is last years news.

    It is both the start of a new lunar year and more importantly for 20% of the World's population, Tuesday, February the 5th is the start of a brand new year.

    Each year of the Chinese calendar is symbolised by an animal and this year it is the year of the pig an animal which has a fabulous personality and is blessed with good fortune in its life. Coincidentally, or not  I was desperately needing something to attract my partners attention when I'm in need of help and the little guy pictured above is what hubby brought home from the supermarket the other day.

    I just squeeze his little pink squidgy body and he lets out a great big honk. (The pig I mean and not my husband.) Confined to sitting on my butt all day means I need lots of help and of course sustenance. Although I think I will give the dumplings which is traditional for the Chinese to consume in abundance at this time of year. Otherwise, I'll be rolling around rather than hopping.

    Have a fabulous week guys and a Happy New Year, Gong hei fat choy!

Before and After!

        Normally, before writing any blog post I search through my stock of photos to check if I have a picture, or pictures I can use. If there is nothing that I feel is right, on many occasions I get the camera out and start clicking. Today was no different, other than being confined to bed.

    The question I put to myself  was, did I dare to bare and show myself in my true light, or should I fix up my selfie using my Photoshop app?

    No, there was no need, I would show you a before and after. Yes, that's it the. Before, being the plaster cast applied to my ankle following my recent op and the After,  following my check-up on Wednesday. Stitches removed, new colourful cast. Looking good to go.

    Have a terrific weekend guys. Hugs xx

   

   

Chapter Two : Not as I had Expected

    The last time I told you about the next chapter in my own life I was about to embark on. Well, the page didn't start as how I had hoped, planned, or expected.

    By now I should have been 3000 miles away. Yes, I expected to be typing this post at my desk, sitting on my comfy chair. As well as airing and pressing my tartan dress in readiness for the Burn's suppers I speak at.

    Well I'm not, fate had something else planned for me and I'm still in Scotland, after breaking my ankle in five places. Ouch, that was me remembering. Nothing comfy about sitting, or standing at present.

    My outline for the new chapter in my book of life has just been torn into small pieces and thrown into the sea. Will I catch some of the pieces soon to place them all back together? Who knows? Have a great weekend amigos. Send some positivity my way.

 No suppers for me this year. Hey, who wanted haggis anyway?

Opening Chapter

    A new year has begun somewhere in the world and it's nearing the time to say goodbye to 2018 where I am. One thing that I'm itching to do from day one of 2019 is to get back into my writing chair. I can't literally sit in the chair, as it is inside a container which is being stored in a warehouse after having sailed the Atlantic Ocean, along with all my other worldly goods. So any old chair will have to do at present.

    However, deciding to move lock, stock and barrel 3000 miles away has disrupted my life somewhat and it has been impossible to spend time writing. The container isn't too far from it's destination, but I am and I won't be travelling for another couple of weeks. Therefore, I will have to wait a little longer before my butt settles into that comfortable upholstery once again.

    I've had many a sleepless night since we made the decision to move. Mingled in amongst the stress that I've felt is an overwhelming feeling of excitement. Last night was one of those nights that I tossed and turned. Thoughts of all kinds racing round and round inside my head. Thinking I was awake when I was actually sleeping.

    Not knowing what the future holds is part of being human, we are expected to tackle and cope with all those curved balls that come our way. Easier said than done. We are all the protagonists in our own book.  As each chapter starts and with every turn of the page our story can move in any direction, through the decisions we make, or the actions we take. Someone can enter, or leave our lives, altering the path we were taking in an instant.   

 Of course, we too have an impact on the lives of others, as the old movie, It's A Wonderful Life, illustrated perfectly. Yeah, it can be a little scary that sometimes we don't have full control of our destiny, because of others. Therefore, as my new chapter starts I'm trying to stick tight to the outline I've mapped out inside my head. Never, trusting an outline for a story to memory I have notes jotted down in a little, blue, notebook too. Belt and braces.

    Whatever, your new chapter holds for 2019, I wish you peace, love and strength for the pages you are about to have written in your life.

   

   

Cover Reveal

  

    I will have an Author Spotlight post at the end of this month featuring another fabulous author. However, today I'm wanting to share with you the new covers of the two books in my own, Salvation Series.

    My contract ran out recently for the ebook distribution of my work through my publisher, Featherweight Press and I had to make the big decision of trying to find another publisher or self-publish.

    I have already self-published a small collection of my poetry and therefore I thought I'd have a go at doing the same with my original babies.

    I hope you like the covers and my books will be available to download by the end of the week. Details will follow via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

     Happy reading.