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John S Alty posted an update 6 years, 10 months ago
My activity page is now completely occupied by bots!
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Libby posted an update 6 years, 10 months ago
I suppose bots aren’t the type to be outside, enjoying the sunshine, perhaps having an ice cream or two.
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Kate replied to the topic Monthly comp – July 2019 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 10 months ago
Bringing a gun into a house changes it. The fear that used to coil in your stomach like writhing vipers has stilled. No need to jump at every squeak and clonk. Now, a strident voice in the street or the sound of smashing windows makes you smile. A slow, secretive smile.
You think it’s power, and the gun feels like it. The slick weight in your h…[Read more]
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Squidge posted an update 6 years, 10 months ago
So I am no longer the mum of two children; I’m the mum of two adults (supposedly) as Squidgeling T was 18 last Saturday.
Feels very strange. Empty nest syndrome beckons…but so do holidays out of term time, opportunities to reconnect with Mr Squidge (you don’t realise how much of your identity is tied up with your kids until they are doing…[Read more]
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Aww. In my view they should have left the age of majority at 21. Especially since they all seem to stay on the payroll for far longer than that anyway…
Anyway, congratulations on having two adults and enjoy some quality time with Mr Squidge.
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“they all seem to stay on the payroll for far longer than that anyway”
Tell me about it!
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Congratulations, Squidge. Enjoy your return to a more independent life!
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Wait until you’re a grandparent. That’s an even stranger feeling!
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It does change, Squidge. It can be a bit disorientating at first and sometimes a bit sad, but you’ll develop a new relationship with them which, even though it’s a totally different shape, completely fills the hole they leave behind. Odd that.
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I’ve been somewhat strategic in helping my daughter to develop her independence. It was I who left home for trips away, leaving her to fend for herself (once she was working, I should add!). Good practice, I thought, for when she gets a place of her own – and she agreed. She has not long returned from her big first trip, spending three months in…[Read more]
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It is a strange feeling, Squidge, which for me felt as though time had played a trick on me. It played stranger tricks when my granddaughter fledged, but suddenly you will wonder how you fit everything in. Athers is right, the holes are soon filled and the relationships blossom, or should I say metamorphose into something quite different and…[Read more]
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Aw, thanks all. I know things do get easier – and become different – as we’re already on that road with our eldest. We’ll take it slow, and Mr S and I will no doubt talk about it all and fingers crossed we’ll find a new equilibrium soon.
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All my nest-leavers are now in their forties(!!!) and yes, there’s huge benefit in re-discovering the bloke you remember from way back when, but also great to build new relationships with the emerging adults. All different. All totally rewarding.
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John S Alty replied to the topic Making sense? in the forum The Writers' Lifeboat 6 years, 11 months ago
Thanks, everyone. Bit of a relief, back on track now. It’s the context that makes all the difference. The song is about seeking adventure now, because it’s later than you think. Eg:
Hitchhike down to Mexico,
Drive to Kathmandu,
Better do it now, my friend,
Time catches up with you.Thanks again, everyone.
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John S Alty replied to the topic Making sense? in the forum The Writers' Lifeboat 6 years, 11 months ago
Thanks Jane. The previous line, which I’m still working on, is something like:
Go now, go now, don’t hesitate, your only master’s you,
Don’t ever let yourself regret the things you didn’t do.I think in that context it’s clearer. No?
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John S Alty replied to the topic Making sense? in the forum The Writers' Lifeboat 6 years, 11 months ago
Hmm. It was intended to mean if you seek adventure now it will not be necessary to later regret not having done so, but it does seem to imply the opposite.
Good line but in the wrong song!
Jonathan, I sing like a cat with its tail in a mangle, but maybe someone else might want to sing it. My interest is in the music and words.
Thanks, both of you. -
John S Alty started the topic Making sense? in the forum The Writers' Lifeboat 6 years, 11 months ago
Does this line: “Don’t ever let yourself regret the things you didn’t do” immediately mean to you: Don’t regret being adventurous? When I analyse it, it seems to mean different things. Maybe context is important to the perceived meaning. It’s a song and so it needs to pan but I’m beginning to wonder if it means what I meant it to mean!
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Squidge replied to the topic Monthly comp – July 2019 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 11 months ago
Bringing a gun into a house changes it.
It doesn’t matter that it’s locked away, out of sight. There’s something tangible – a weight, a tension – that comes with the knowledge of its presence, which terrifies me more than him.
He explained the gun’s for protection.
What extra protection could he need? He has his expression, his speech…his…[Read more]
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Barny replied to the topic Publishing deal!! in the forum Podium 6 years, 11 months ago
Tremendous news and tremendous writing, you Author, you!
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Kate replied to the topic Publishing deal!! in the forum Podium 6 years, 11 months ago
Fabulous. Huge congratulations.
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Squidge replied to the topic Publishing deal!! in the forum Podium 6 years, 11 months ago
Bloody fantastic news, Kaz! Well done xxx
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John S Alty replied to the topic Publishing deal!! in the forum Podium 6 years, 11 months ago
Well done, congratulations!
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John S Alty replied to the topic Monthly comp – July 2019 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 11 months ago
Bringing a gun into the house changes it; that’s the truth. It’s not as if it was much of a gun, just an old Spanish automatic called a Ruby. Piece of junk, but cheap on the street. I never knew my dad to be scared of anything but he was scared now. Really scared.
Before, when he hit my mother, we cowered in a corner of the kitchen, my sis…[Read more]
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Libby replied to the topic Monthly comp – July 2019 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 11 months ago
Here’s my entry, which contains mental health issues in a character under military duress. First line plus 200 words.
Bringing a gun into the house changes it.
Edward came home on leave. He was given embraces by Mother, pats on the shoulder by Father, and – foolishly, I now think – a salute by me, his brother. He laid his cap and service rev…[Read more]
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Kate replied to the topic Help with a Title, please. in the forum The Writers' Lifeboat 6 years, 11 months ago
‘Improbable life’ gets a thumbs up from me too.
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Thanks John – make my job harder, why don’t you? 😉