Thursday 19 May 2016
Today
Today is no different from yesterday other than I am another year older. It is not a day to be sad, but a day to be thankful that I can celebrate the life I've had. Tomorrow though will be a little different from today, because today is my birthday.
Sunday 15 May 2016
Life Isn't Perfect!
Writing anything of substance has been difficult over the last few weeks, as I've been moving home. Yawn! Yes, I've told you this before.
I've been living in my new home for over a week now and trying to get the whole house into some kind of order should be my priority. However, being a writer I'm a little biased and the number one room on my priority list, is my office.
Initially I had some Internet problems. Okay, maybe I should rephrase that and admit I couldn't remember which box I had packed the modem in, the good news is I did eventually find it. So, Internet problem solved.
Today , my bookcases have been put in situ and I've started to fill the shelves with some of my beloved books, dictionaries, bibles , and manuscripts. Hooray! I can start to work in ernest. Oh! I forgot my new desk hasn't arrived yet. C'est la vie, life isn't perfect.
Thursday 12 May 2016
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.
Tuesday 3 May 2016
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.
Thursday 28 April 2016
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'.
Sunday 24 April 2016
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
Thursday 21 April 2016
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
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