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Jill replied to the topic Monthly competition May 2026 in the forum Monthly Competition 2 weeks, 5 days ago
(15th March 1969 Wedding – Songs: Where do you go to, my lovely,Peter Sarstedt and The way it used to be, Engelbert Humperdinck)
Marie Claire
The sun filtering in through the yellowing net curtains barely lightens the dim, soulless room, mirroring the dullness I feel inside as I watch you staring at me with blank incomprehension.
We have lived…[Read more]
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Sandra posted an update 2 weeks, 5 days ago
May’s monthly comp is up – something to inspire lots of you I hope!
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Sandra started the topic Monthly competition May 2026 in the forum Monthly Competition 2 weeks, 5 days ago
What I’d like you do for May’s competition is
1) choose a significant anniversary in your life: e.g. birthday, wedding, first child: graduation – then,
2 ) Google the UK Top 10 singles chart for that week.
3) select two, three or four song titles from that list and,
4) use them (loosely if necessary!) as a basis for a short story, of…[Read more]
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Jill replied to the topic Monthly Competition April 2026 in the forum Monthly Competition 2 weeks, 5 days ago
Congratulations, Sandra. Loved your entry, which captured the mind and voice of that little girl so well. Look forward to your May competition challenge!
Thank you for the kind comment on my own entry.
Thank you, Terrie for setting this challenge which stretched creativity to meet the four word inclusion criteria.
Thank you, too, for yo…[Read more]
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly Competition April 2026 in the forum Monthly Competition 2 weeks, 5 days ago
Thank you , Terrie, both for the challenge and your comments on both my entry and Jill’s excellently crafted, sensitive story. I’ll aim to set something for June by the end of today.
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Terrie replied to the topic Monthly Competition April 2026 in the forum Monthly Competition 2 weeks, 5 days ago
Jill – this story was woven with the muted grey overtones of something unpleasant being cast off. I enjoyed how you linked the idea of metamorphosis with the prompt word butterfly as well as showing the protagonist dealing with the stages of an abusive relationship and its outcome with quiet strength too. Perceptively written.
Sandra, I loved…[Read more]
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Terrie replied to the topic Monthly Competition April 2026 in the forum Monthly Competition 3 weeks, 1 day ago
Just to remind everyone there are only two days left until the end of the April competion and as there are only two entries so far, both equally as worthy of being chosen as the other, I may have to resort to flipping a coin or standing at midnight by candlelight and chanting one of those weird childhood choosing rhymes ….mid…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic A bit "poorly" in the forum Blogs 3 weeks, 2 days ago
Thanks for all the kind wishes. Please don’t think me rude that I haven’t responded individually. I still find messaging quite an effort. Your words are very much appreciated.
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RichardB replied to the topic A bit "poorly" in the forum Blogs 3 weeks, 3 days ago
So glad to see you back, Ath – I was beginning to be afraid we never would.
And as it turns out, we nearly didn’t. My God, what a time you’ve had. All my best wishes for your continued recovery, and I do hope that the issue still hanging over you turns out to be not too catastrophic.
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Libby replied to the topic A bit "poorly" in the forum Blogs 3 weeks, 3 days ago
Heavens, Ath! I’m glad you (and Mrs Ath) are now recovering. Thank you for telling us what you’ve been through. Take care and take it easy.
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Seagreen replied to the topic A bit "poorly" in the forum Blogs 3 weeks, 4 days ago
What an experience! I’m just glad you’re home and on the mend. Credit to you for maintaining a positive mindset and to Mrs Ath for being amazing!
Not sure if you know, Ath, but positive feedback for specific nurses ‘Natalie did this, Esme supported me with that’ can be used for their revalidation. Just saying. ☺️
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Sandra replied to the topic A Step Into Indie Publishing in the forum Blogs 3 weeks, 4 days ago
Thank you for this Janette; as a Blurb self-publisher , (but not seller), I much appreciate this breakdown of your experiences .
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Sandra replied to the topic A bit "poorly" in the forum Blogs 3 weeks, 4 days ago
I’ve always found the same, right up to last week with the theatre nurse who held my hand while my eye was bring anatheasised for an op. bless him. (all well post op.)
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Thea replied to the topic A bit "poorly" in the forum Blogs 3 weeks, 4 days ago
Oh my goodness, Ath, what a time you’ve had! I am so glad to hear that you were well looked after in the hospital and are now home. Thank goodness for Mrs Ath’s quick thinking!
I hope you are taking things easy and making good progress. It’s great to see you back at the Den. Sending very best wishes for a speedy recovery 🙂
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Athelstone replied to the topic A bit "poorly" in the forum Blogs 3 weeks, 5 days ago
Honestly, nobody wants to get ill and go to hospital, but I don’t regret having met the staff. From the cleaner who I talked to a lot, to the nurses who tirelessly carried horrible pots away without a single complaint, to the consultant who (I now see) was joking/hinting about discharge when she said, ‘We must get this catheter out, unless you use…[Read more]
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Sandra replied to the topic A bit "poorly" in the forum Blogs 3 weeks, 5 days ago
Crikey Moses, William, I’m heart-heartedly glad to hear you are home and hopefully on your way to some sort of recovery – what a torrid time you and your family must have gone through, and thank you for updating us so vividly.
Sendng love and the most healingest of good wishes
Sandra
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Janette replied to the topic A bit "poorly" in the forum Blogs 3 weeks, 5 days ago
Hell, Ath, this is too much for one person to put up with, and must have been (and continues to be) very frightening. I really do hope that the ‘frightening bit’ is treatable, and that you get an upturn in health very soon. Thinking of you loads and sending positive vibes your way.
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Athelstone started the topic A bit "poorly" in the forum Blogs 3 weeks, 5 days ago
So many people have asked, ‘What’s wrong with you’ and ‘Why are you still in hospital?’, (I’m out now) that I thought a small blog might help. Don’t get me wrong, there are many people, including on this site, who have had worse problems, often for longer. But I’ve never been this ill, so I’ll press on.
In the beginning, at the very tail end…[Read more]
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly Competition April 2026 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 month ago
Untitled
‘Gobsmacked’ the inelegant word that came to mind when I read the letter. What else would you expect , being told your three year-old daughter’s poem had been awarded first prize ? A prize which earned her up to three sittings with well-renowned portrait artist Bernard Broom. Especially when I’d not an inkling she’d written any…[Read more]
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Jill replied to the topic Monthly Competition April 2026 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 month, 1 week ago
METAMORPHOSIS
Vulnerable, estranged from her family, unexpectedly out of work and living in poverty in Aberdeen, the Granite City, it was easy for her to understand now why she had been taken in by him. He was extremely charming and persuasive. She’d moved into his luxury apartment soon after their first chance meeting.
The first time he hi…[Read more]
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