Friends – Activity – Claire Waller

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

Well done, Libby – a deserved win!! And thanks Ath.

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.

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

DoW problems: Usability just isn’t what it should be; not being able to post pictures is a pain; definitely doesn’t promote idle chat.

The wordcloud was very far from perfect, but had one significant difference: the course offerings meant new people were always joining, wondering wth was going on, some figuring it out or persisting without fig…[Read more]

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.

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

Deeply pleased to hear other people want idle chat.

Barny replied 5 years ago

Idle chat about what? Oh, … yeah. Yes please.
- JaneShuff replied 5 years ago
  
  Been lucky enough to escape Covid testing but got to have two next week before travelling. Are they really as awful as people claim?
  - Barny replied 5 years ago
    
    Ah, I can spot idle chat when it slaps me in the face. Have done one of the lateral flow type – you have to stroke your tonsils with a long cotton bud, then right up your nose. Fun. I find the tonsils one really difficult, makes me retch. OTOH I was clear 🙂 In the UK we can get free tests from pharmacies. Go for it! Hope it’s a nice holiday.
    - JaneShuff replied 5 years ago
      
      Well, I’ll let you know Barny but it sounds disgusting!
- Barny replied 5 years ago
  
  [idly] you did ask. Yeah let me know how it goes, but you can skim the details if you want.
  - JaneShuff replied 5 years ago
    
    Watch this space…
    - JaneShuff replied 5 years ago
      
      All fine! But only nasal swab for PCR test in France!!
      - Barny replied 5 years ago
        
        🙂

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

Even after a year-plus of lockdown in various degrees I don’t do social media at all, no Facebook, no Twitter, no Zoom, no anything, so the Silence of the Denizens has been quite saddening for me. Not that I’ve been better (except in one respect) than anyone else. My problem is the opposite of that of several leading lights here: having…[Read more]

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.

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

My thoughts… I agree that the format doesn’t help and I’d love to see it changed. Maybe to something that would encourage more idle chat. Something about the format makes me feel I need to have something particularly worthwhile to say in order to post. I think idle chat is important for keeping relationships going but I may be in a minority…[Read more]

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

I don’t post here as often as I perhaps should, though I love knowing it’s here if I need it, or to celebrate good news with other peeps, and of course, to be challenged to write a short story every now and again.

Beyond that, I think because I’m published, working on new material, editing for other people, testing a writing course, I don’t have…[Read more]

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]

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

Blimey, managed to write something and very pleased to be able to enter the comp. Was a bit concerned at managing to get to 250 words and wanting to post without having to DQ myself! Happily at 256 words including title. 🙂

This might be the day.

He hadn’t closed the curtains. The sunbeam found the bed at 6.37 and warmed his left foot at 6…[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.

@claire