@hilary
Active 3 years, 7 months ago-
Jill posted an update 11 months, 1 week ago
First read Sandra’s August comp prompt and thought not for me this time, but then found something inside thought differently and I have written an entry yet to be edited! It was enjoyable to write and I hope there will be many other entries! I do tend to ‘compose’ ate the moment early in the month at present as late in month is when chemo cycle…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly Comp – July 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 11 months, 1 week ago
Well done, Sandra! And thank you for the prompt, Seagreen. As ever, some fine entries.
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Sandra started the topic Monthly competition August 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 11 months, 1 week ago
As usual, I began my search for inspiration by looking through my collection of charity shop-acquired poetry books, although ‘Intimate expanses’, a collection of Scottish poems published 1978-2002, in which I found Liz Lockhead’s ‘My Rival’s house’ was a first purchase from Carcanet. It details a vivid account of a first meeting with a future…[Read more]
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Jill replied to the topic Monthly Comp – July 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 11 months, 1 week ago
Ok ~ think I have posted my congratulations and comments and thanks on Seagreen’s wall. Silly me! However, all heartfelt, so thanks for prompt and excellent entries from fellow Denizens…
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Janette replied to the topic Monthly Comp – July 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 11 months, 1 week ago
Thank you, Sea, for the challenge and for the kind words. Congratulations, Sandra, your words clearly came from the heart and made you a worthy winner.
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly Comp – July 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 11 months, 1 week ago
Have to say I am astonished to be chosen, Sea – and grateful, despite feeling that I fell far short of ‘enthralling’ in comparison to those far more apt which were posted, and made impressive reading. Also, following what has been something of a let-down day, this was a welcome cheering, so thank you for that. I’ll aim to post August’s…[Read more]
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I have posted my congratulations and comments and not sure why they are not showing here! Perhaps under Seagreen’s link? This site confuses me at times. Anyhow, Congratulations once more.
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Seagreen replied to the topic Monthly Comp – July 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 11 months, 1 week ago
Thank you for indulging my ‘tearful’ requirement and apologies again for being so late with the results.
@Jill – Good to see you back, and thank you for diving back into the monthly comp with your tale of Lucia. I confess to knowing nothing about Vestal Virgins, but your entry has definitely piqued my curiosity and I’m sure there’s a much larger…[Read more]
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Congratulations, Sandra and fellow entrants. All excellent stories which touched me and brought tears to my eyes. Sandra’s image resonated with my own recent experience and sadness as my husband had to go home alone for nine days, tired and worried when I was in hospital. I chose not to write a personal story as enough personal emotions w…[Read more]
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Seagreen replied to the topic Monthly Comp – July 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 11 months, 1 week ago
Foolishly, I thought I’d have time on my nightshift to absorb the stories and choose a winner. Ha! The salt mine overlords had other ideas.
I promise it’ll be done today…
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Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly Comp – July 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 11 months, 2 weeks ago
Teabreak tells it straight
I have been known to buff the truth a little, just to get a sparkle when a story is recounted. And if that helps somebody see the finer details a little more clearly, then who am I to deny them the opportunity? However, just as experts say we should resist the call of Mr. Sheen and microfibre when rare treasures are at…[Read more]
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John T posted an update 11 months, 3 weeks ago
I haven’t been around (apart from a flying visit to Janette last week) but much is happening. I’m still ploughing through the first draft of book three – almost there. And Apples in the Dark 2: Angels and Blackbirds is now out in the wild, and available to order through any bookshop (please – I make a loss on every copy sold through Amazon). Sum…[Read more]
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It was lovely to catch up with you, John. I’m also making more effort to visit here, and I must say, the monthly comps have been a great exercise in tightening prose and the challenge of new writing.
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly Comp – July 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 11 months, 3 weeks ago
Okay Sea, that ‘honesty snagged my conscience:
The last time I cried was as I attempted to sleep, having earlier been admitted to hospital after my husband Steve correctly diagnosed the oddness of my being unable to control my fingers, while doing the Saturday General Knowledge as potentially a stroke. Quoting ‘FAST’, he did everything right…[Read more]
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Janette posted an update in the group
DONATIONS 11 months, 3 weeks agoPresuming your details haven’t changed since last time, I hope you will find my £20 donation in your bank. Hope you find the rest.
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Thanks so much Janette!
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Athelstone posted an update 11 months, 3 weeks ago
It’s that time again. If anybody feels inclined, please take a glance at the Donations Group. If you aren’t a member of the group, you’ll need to join to see the forum, but that doesn’t commit you to anything.
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Will do.
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Seagreen replied to the topic Monthly Comp – July 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 11 months, 3 weeks ago
As you know, Sandra, this prompt came about following the loss of one of our cardiologists and my subsequent inability to write anything meaningful in his Book of Condolences. Faced with Imposter Syndrome because I didn’t know him as well as some of the other nurses, I simply invalidated my feelings and wrote a stiff little sentence that had n…[Read more]
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Jill replied to the topic Positivity in the forum Blogs 11 months, 3 weeks ago
On another personal note regarding positivity, (forgive me) my consultant had
good news this week as a scan had shown that the treatment is doing its job. He and we are delighted and he agreed that positivity helps the body help itself so to speak. Thank you for the previous good wishes from Denizens. Jill x
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Nothing to forgive. Brilliant news, Jill.
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Thank you. 3rd chemo finished today so now halfway through treatment! Go well, Athelstone. 😊
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly Comp – July 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 11 months, 3 weeks ago
<p style=”text-align: right;”>Sorry Sea, I’ve been racking my brain (while fighting off Ken Dodd and attempting to pack for some days in the Hebrides) but am totally bereft of words about tears.</p>
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Janette replied to the topic Monthly Comp – July 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 11 months, 4 weeks ago
The Last Sense
Curse my tears, dissolving my bold exterior to expose the raw feeling beneath. How dare they come at a time when I needed to show courage? To offer a united support when Mum’s strength had finally crumbled?
And see how the foundations of mine gave way, leaving the sturdier ones to put on the brave faces; carry the weak link of…[Read more]
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RichardB posted an update 12 months ago
Finest line of dialogue I’ve encountered for some time. From The Watchmaker of Filigree Street, by Natasha Pulley:
‘What does a clockwork octopus in an elevator shaft sound like?’-
I love that book, and the sequel. Beautifully written, with a touch of magic.
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I agree with Kate. They’re both lovely books. Natasha Pulley has a warmth in her story telling that I find appealing.
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Not read the book, but I imagine a sort of rattley squeak.
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Jill replied to the topic Positivity in the forum Blogs 12 months ago
I began this blog by citing how Positivity is helping me at the present time and now I would like to explain why I believe and sincerely hope that it is helping my immune system be as strong as it can be in the light of the fact that chemo does temporarily compromise the immune system.
The physiology of positivity is interesting. I quote from…[Read more]
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Jill replied to the topic Positivity in the forum Blogs 12 months ago
Yes, Athelstone I read all about him on Wikipedia and he was a very interesting and talented, intelligent man. Also related to the Henry James’s.
Hope your day and writing going well. Jill 😊
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Glad to hear this Jill, I hoped it would spark a good response, with or without reading Liz Lockhead’s poem. And best wishes for chemo cycle’s successful ending.
Thank you, Sandra ~ appreciated. Entry edited and will be posted soon! Took me back down memory lane ~ a long way! Jill 🌈
I admire your ability to write while having the chemo treatment, Jill. I don’t think I’d be able to do that.
Hello, Libby ~ hope all goes well with you and your writing. Thank you for your comment. I think I am lucky in that the chemo isn’t the ‘aggressive’ kind and I haven’t really had side effects, just a few niggles. True, I get a little tired but I can rest and often that is when many writing ideas occur! I also find writing is therapy. 4th Cyc…[Read more]