Activity – Athelstone – Den of Writers

Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly competition July 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years ago

Sand

Mum was a good woman. I say was; I mean is. She’s still alive. But since the diagnosis of dementia, well, for a long while before that, I knew she was slipping away.

She sits with me as I work.

I have a phone to repair. A capacitor has failed, a tiny surface-mount component. It is fiddly and the manufacturer won’t replace it. But I wil…[Read more]

Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly Competition – June 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years ago

Libby: Sound Waves.
A real slice of life. Beautifully portrayed, the violent action all at a distance and the thoughts of the protagonist so quiet so mundane that we just know a bomb is going to explode into the story.

Sandra: Another fairy tale.
Ah, becoming an adult. I’m so glad I’m not the only one still waiting for that Corinthians mom…[Read more]

Libby replied 5 years ago

Thank you @athelstone. I enjoyed writing to the theme. The other entries were so good I’m very chuffed to have won.
I’ll go away and think of a theme for July.

Athelstone replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 5 years ago

The garlic will be ready for harvesting in a few weeks.

Thea replied 5 years ago

Ha, bet it’s nicer than shop bought! 🙂
- JaneShuff replied 5 years ago
  
  How long does it keep for?
  - Athelstone replied 5 years ago
    
    I’ve no idea…hang on…according to google, it lasts about a month just sitting around doing nothing, but if you put it somewhere warm and dry so that the skin-layer of leaves goes papery, it can last for several months.
    - JaneShuff replied 5 years ago
      
      I thought you were an experienced garlic grower but I see you’re a novice like us! At least yours has grown. Ours never showed its face!
      - Libby replied 5 years ago
        
        The best I’ve managed is chives.
        One thing about the weather this year: the patches of meadow pea on the lane’s verges are larger than usual. Rich golden yellow flowers liked by bees.

Athelstone replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 5 years ago

Well, there’s a lot to think about. And to get started on.

Athelstone replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 5 years ago

I certainly agree with the point about idle chat.

Athelstone replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 5 years ago

I have belonged to one or two sites that have been invaded and effectively ruined by the invaders, after which they failed. How is a site murdered?

As for contributers…well, that’s tricky. When it comes down to it, it’s people’s leisure time. If they feel compelled to contribute then I’d sort of hope it was some sort of internal compulsion…[Read more]

Athelstone started the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 5 years ago

1) It’s that time of year when our hosting providers ask for some money again. As ever, this forum is free to members, but should anybody wish to contribute please head over to the Donations group where you will find information in the forum. You will need to join the group, which doesn’t commit you to anything, to view the posts.

2) You can…[Read more]

Athelstone started the topic Monthly Competition – June 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years, 1 month ago

I shall be 65 this month. For most of my life, that was a significant date. It was the year that you became an Old Age Pensioner. Not now. It was a Labour government that did that. Hey Ho. OK, here’s a minor trope in many a thriller, in many a genre. You’re waiting for something significant, but it doesn’t happen. 250 words min, 500 words max.

Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly Competition – May 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years, 1 month ago

Ta ever so, Gail. My little story is about real people I knew a long time ago, and a real bar, so it was easy in a way. I liked your theme and I liked Sandra’s entry too. Pity about the numbers but that’s the way things are right now.

Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly Competition – May 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years, 2 months ago

*warning for language and content*

Sweep Weep

Shit! That’s Gaz over there. He mustn’t see me like this. Oh my God! I don’t even know how he got into those jeans. I can see the bulge of his iPhone. He’s looking my way. Stay busy with the cart, keep my hood up, pick the big brush. He’s never going to recognise me.

Called into the Woodpecker club…[Read more]

@athelstone