@athelstone
Active 1 hour, 6 minutes ago-
Sandra posted an update 4 years, 4 months ago
I’ve just been reminded of Allan Guthrie’s 34 tips on writing, including pleonasms – a word unknown to me when I first heard it, but which tweak my writing conscience quite frequently. https://notetoselfhumanize.wordpress.com/2010/09/14/32-writing-rules-allan-guthrie/
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition December 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 4 months ago
December destined to be a quiet month, I suppose, and very few of you seemed to have suffered from the prurient curiosity about the activities of Jack and Jill’s activities I did, Nevertheless the two entries submitted were a pleasure.
Ath’s trawl through several nursery rhymes returned me to childhood, browsing through books illustrated by the…[Read more] -
RichardB posted an update 4 years, 4 months ago
One piece of good news for the new year: subsequent to the vile attacks on it by the Farage thing (and others) for rescuing migrants in the Channel, the RNLI has just announced that donations in 2021 have broken all previous records. The more I think about the implications of this, the better I feel.
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Yes, I saw that. It’s great. Really marvellous. We seem to have certain people amongst our present government who lack even the most basic decency and compassion*, so it’s heartening to see a positive reaction like this.
*for the sake of impartiality, other domestic political parties may well have members similarly lacking in humanity.
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Although, of course, Farage is not a member of HM Government. The fact that he has stood for Parliament seven times (I believe) without ever coming near to being elected is another heartening sign that his poisonous opinions aren’t as widely accepted as he (and others) would like to think.
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Hi Richard, did you catch the radio programme about the Penlee lifeboat disaster?
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Unfortunately I missed it, but I have found something on YouTube posted by the RNLI itself. I hesitate to post a link because funny things have been known to happen when I do, but a search for ‘RNLI 40th Anniversary of Penlee Lifeboat Disaster’ will find it. Relatives of the lost crew, and others, reminiscing. It’s rather moving.
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition December 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 4 months ago
Just realised deadline is today – I’ll be back ASAP to read and muse over a decision.
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RichardB replied to the topic Sounds familiar? in the forum Blogs 4 years, 5 months ago
I did actually consider putting in something about rationing, but decided that I’d make my point more vividly by keeping it simple and sticking to one issue.
Rather more distressing than your neighbour, I had an e-mail argument a few months back with my oldest friend (I haven’t seen him for a couple of years, and perhaps it’s just as well), who…[Read more]
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RichardB started the topic Sounds familiar? in the forum Blogs 4 years, 5 months ago
Let me introduce you to a news story that might have happened in an alternative November1940.
JAILED DOCKER IS HERO, SAYS MP
It was a national disgrace to jail a man for striking a blow for freedom, said Marcus Snellgrove, MP for Much Ordure and leader of the Bin the Blackout campaign, after Poplar dock worker Albert Throbbing was sentenced…[Read more]
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Knicks replied to the topic Monthly competition December 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 5 months ago
Well Done
Jack opened his eyes to see the hooded glower of Constable Roquefort shining down upon him like the judgement of heaven. That glower caused him to squint, which drew his attention to the dull pain pulsing from his vinegar-wrapped crown.
“Where’m I?”
“Hospital.” Roquefort’s brusque, deep growl was like a wolf’s, of which Jack wa…[Read more]
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Knicks replied to the topic Monthly competition December 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 5 months ago
Ath this proper Mother Goose / Enid Blyton 😊😊 Gonna do my best Sandra!
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition December 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 5 months ago
Thanks, Ath, though I’m not sure I’d welcome being 21 again, in many ways (all those nights with screaming babies!!)
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition December 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 5 months ago
Come on folks! Jack and Jill went up a hill … As a child you must’ve wondered what happened to send them tunbling down! It’s my birthday on Friday (a horribly big one) so please present me with a story for the December comp.
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Janette posted an update 4 years, 5 months ago
Apologies for the over-long gaps between my visits to Den. So much is still going on for me, including regular follow-up hospital visits following my multiple, bi-lateral arm breaks, one arm sadly looking towards being permanently handicapped. It happens to be my dominant arm, so many problems have arisen, including housework, personal care, the…[Read more]
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Oh dear, Janette, that sucks on so many levels. All I can do is send you a virtual hug, so consider it sent.
At least you’ve been getting follow-up care. MrsB fell and broke her left humerus while we were on holiday about fifteen months ago. There were a couple of visits to local hospitals while we were still there, but since coming home she’s…[Read more]-
Oh, Richard, that’s not good. If she’s still not right, they should be looking after her. I have to say I cannot fault my treatment, and they sent me for a bone density test, which showed up Osteopenia, which they are addressing. Is a consultation with your doctor worth a go?
Thanks for the hug – sending one right back.
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Knicks replied to the topic Monthly comp – November 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 5 months ago
Congratulations Sandra! Wonderful as always. I’m looking forward to your next comp theme! (And the fact that I’ll be off work for the holidays which hopefully means I can do it some justice) 😊✨
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Sandra posted an update 4 years, 5 months ago
December comp is up – you’ve a month to exercise your writing muscles and put one of 2022’s Resolutions into practice.
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Sandra started the topic Monthly competition December 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 5 months ago
When Jack and Jill are found – Jack unconscious, Jill bruised, with a broken wrist, on the downward path from Old Well Hill, each are separately interviewed while in their hospital beds. Each gives an implausible and conflicting account of the events which led to their injuries.
As a local journalist you want a front page story but are mindful o…[Read more] -
Sandra replied to the topic Monthly comp – November 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 5 months ago
Thank you Ath, and thank you Knicks for a version I wish I’d thought of , so many excellent phrases. Now to try to craft an irresistible competition!!
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Newbie replied to the topic Monthly comp – November 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 5 months ago
Congratulations Sandra. I loved both stories so I don’t envy Ath having to choose.
Couldn’t think of anything so had to bow out.
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Knicks replied to the topic Monthly comp – November 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 5 months ago
Real rough, block-of-text, stream-of-consciousness business, because it’s the end of the month, and how did we get here?!, and I been stupid-busy so zero time for much fanciness, or many words 😅😅
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I Got Nothing
Understanding. To buttress. In-sight. The value in me seeking the value in you, and seeing it. Knowing it, like a true friend. What…[Read more]
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Squidge replied to the topic The Future of the Den – Part 2 in the forum Blogs 4 years, 5 months ago
Ath, I know I’ve not been round much recently, but that looks fab! Noticed that blogs and whatever the heading is next to it both go bold when you click on blogs, but it seems so much easier and intuitive to navigate. Thank you xxx
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Seagreen replied to the topic The Future of the Den – Part 2 in the forum Blogs 4 years, 5 months ago
Had a quick peek and it looks great!
I’ll investigate further when I have more time but wanted to say thank you, Ath, for all the effort you’ve put in. - Load More

Thanks for the link, Sandra. I’m guilty of using pleonasms. They’re filler words when I’m thinking of what to say next, like typing a comma whenever deeper thought is needed.
Thanks, Sandra. This is an excellent list. I shall bookmark it.