Sitting Back and Relaxing

    I've had a little chillax time over the last few weeks, just sitting back and taking in the scenery, flora and fauna.
 

     There are times we need to take a break, catch-up with family, friends and that's what I've been doing.

    On Sunday I had a fabulous afternoon at a charity event with a couple of friends. A group of forty gathered together to take part in a game of  'Call My Bluff', which featured wine tasting.

    I was a panelist therefore I didn't need to sample all the wines. I don't know if that was a good thing, or a bad thing really.

    What I can tell you is that we all enjoyed the good wine, food and company.

Fills Me With Sadness

  
    Over the last few years I seem to have read about another library closing, at least once a month. This month was no different, information came to light that the Borough of Walsall, in England whose population exceeds two hundred and fifty thousand people (urban and rural areas) is proposing to close fifteen of its sixteen libraries, in order to save money.

    Public libraries have been providing the public with free access to information and literature since the mid-nineteenth-century (Public Libraries Act 1850) in the UK and now this facility is gradually disappearing from our towns and cities.

    Without libraries, many children and adults will not have the opportunity to read books and learn about things that they otherwise wouldn't. EDUCATION, EDUCATION. One of the reasons in which the Public Libraries Act was introduced extensively in the first place.

    My picture today is from an old book that I have in my collection, that was published back in 1910 by T.C. & E.C. Jack of Edinburgh. The page is promoting other publications by the same publisher and it makes me feel sad that many of our children in the future may not be able to access any literature old, or new.

   

   

Let's Talk

    Saturday, October 22nd, was 'International Stammering Awareness Day' and although the day has been and gone there's never a bad time to talk about stammering. The campaign itself wants to remove the stigma that is attached to stammering by talking openly about it. I personally stammered badly as a child and I therefore know that you are treated differently and sometimes very badly.

    The sad thing is that I wasn't any different from my friends and classmates, I just took a little longer than them to say what I had to say.  That doesn't mean I should have been bullied, mocked, or even dismissed as though what I had to say wasn't worth listening to.

    All that someone who stammers wants, is that they are listened to. Listened to in the same way as others are. Don't try to finish their words, or sentences, just be patient.

    I found that while some kids mocked, it was the adults that were apt to dismiss me. So, if the adults get it wrong what chance do the kids have? Therefore, education is key here and the only way we can remove this unjust stigma is to talk about it.
http://www.stammering.org


    

    

   

Bye George?

    
      Fort George, lies eleven miles, north-east of Inverness, Scotland and was built by King George II to defend his army from the Jacobites, following the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie at Culloden in 1746.
 

Rampart overlooking the, Moray Firth

        The fort which took twenty-two years to build, is the largest fortification in Europe and is currently  barracks to the, Black Watch (3 Scots) battalion as well as a tourist attraction.

    I visited there a couple of years ago and I could see why the location was chosen. Hidden from the road behind large grass covered mounds, the fortress sits high above Scotland's largest firth, the Moray. Enabling the army within its walls to defend itself from rebellers approaching by land and sea.

Fort George, Scotland

        The ramparts overlooking the estuary these days are used by tourists hoping to catch sight of dolphins and whales in the inlet, rather than defending the army inside. Therefore,  the Ministry of Defence is now considering the fort's future, in order of a cost cutting exercise.

The Moray Firth

        Will the drawbridge lift for a final time soon? I hope not for the seven hundred and fifty local people whose livelihoods depend on it and the fact that two hundred and fifty years of Scottish history could be entombed indefinitely.

Drawbridge entrance to Fort George

  

New Release 'In Deep'

    Yesterday was another exciting day for me, when I published my new eBook of poetry. It was certainly a new challenge for me as I haven't self-published before and at times it was a little frustrating. But, it all came good in the end. (Fingers crossed)

    I am particularly pleased with the cover as this is one of my own photographs which I took around twenty years ago, while in Crete, Greece.

    The poems themselves are a mixed bunch and topics from Halloween to Love are amongst the collection. Therefore, I hope that there is something there for everyone to enjoy.

    If you are looking for an ebook of short poems for yourself or, as a gift, 'In Deep' is now available to buy worldwide.  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MA4YTUS/ UK £0.99
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MA4YTUS/ US $1.20
                           European price Euro 1.09


                    

   

Sunset

As the sun disappears into the horizon of the west

Anticipating where to view it at its best

The reddish hue colors the sky

A fiery pleasure it is to the eye

Miss it today we need not fret

Tomorrow, another day will dawn

And once more at the end the sun will set

Embrace Yourself

    Over the weekend we the public have heard accusations of abuse and sexism against women being hurled between politicians. In my opinion, it all can become a little tiring and even prevent individuals from voting at all.

    Therefore, I did find it particularly pertinent  that one hundred and thirteen years ago, Emmeline Pankhurst founded the, Women's Social and Political Union, which campaigned for women's suffrage.

    Without women like Emmeline, the female population would be spending their lives barefoot, pregnant and chained to the kitchen sink. They would have no right to choose who they wish to run their country. 

    This of course wouldn't mean that women would solely lose out. Society as a whole would, as we can all be discriminated against. We need to remember that equality shouldn't be exclusive to one group as we are all gifted, talented, creative and resourceful in our own way.