@jillsted
Active 4 hours, 1 minute ago-
Jill posted a new activity comment 11 months, 3 weeks ago
Thank you, Athelstone. Hope all well with you and I look forward to reading your July comp. entry! 😊
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Jill posted an update 11 months, 4 weeks ago
What is new for me is that participating here amongst previous writing friends has opened up a veritable well of ideas and words! They are gushing forth: just popping into my head! This surely must slow down soon?!! Meanwhile, this creativity is helping with my positivity as I approach 3rd chemo cycle and feel in fine fettle. So thanks to fate…[Read more]
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Jill replied to the topic Monthly Comp – July 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 11 months, 4 weeks ago
THE VESTAL VIRGIN
Background History
(Some data courtesy of Wikipedia)
This is the story of Lucia and her parents who lived in Ancient Rome. Lucia was prepubescent and had been chosen to be enrolled in The Virgin Goddess Vespa’s College of Six Priestesses.
This is the story of a young girl chosen to help protect Rome’s Sacred Hearth…[Read more]
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Jill posted a new activity comment 1 year ago
Not sure where this will appear. Meant for my blog but think I have mis directed it! Hey ho!
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Jill posted a new activity comment 1 year ago
A few quotes I have come across~~ inspiring positivity?
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world”. Mahatma Gandhi
“Happiness is not something ready made, it comes from your own actions”. Dalai Lama
“Every day may not be good, but there’s something good in every day”. Alice Morse Earle
“When you have a dream, you’ve got to grab it an…[Read more]
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Jill posted an update 1 year ago
I found it interesting, if sad that Athelstone was reminded of a Cypriot student friend by my comp. entry. What suffering that friend endured like so many Cypriots. My husband was working in Cyprus at the time of the coup and invasion and we were caught up in the mayhem, but we did not lose our own home and were eventually safely back in England…[Read more]
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Gosh. Small world. My father was working there at the time and my younger sister was born earlier in the year. I was 5. Luckily for us we were able to leave sharp-ish shortly before the coup. I’m sorry you got caught up in it but glad you got out.
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Good to hear from you, Bella – small world indeed! Wishing you and your writing well. 🌈🌞🌈
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Jill replied to the topic Monthly Competition June 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 year ago
Thank you, Athelstone for setting the thought provoking theme and now for your considered and kind comments in judgement. I enjoyed each of my fellow writers’ entries and it is a good feeling to be amongst such talented people once more.
Last but not least (sorry!) I extend huge congratulations to the worthy winner, Seagreen.
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Jill posted a new activity comment 1 year ago
Thank you, Janette. I never really stopped writing something or other for long! For instance, after four or five years of writing a weekly story and sharing it on FaceTime with younger grandson in America, I did have to admit that ideas had dried up! So we went over old ones, but then have found other literary ways of sharing the gift of…[Read more]
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Jill posted a new activity comment 1 year ago
Thank you, Janette. Lovely to speak with you again and hear that positivity has carried you through many life challenges. Another philosophy I have come across, to paraphrase, is that a crisis can be turned into an opportunity. Maybe a more difff
Thank you, janette for your kind words and positive vibes. Lovely to connect once more and hear…[Read more]
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Jill replied to the topic Monthly Competition June 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 year ago
The Last Divided Island (approx 300 words)
The mini heatwave in England in June slowed down Stella’s physical activities and afforded her more time for reflection and remembrance. Almost fifiy-one years previously she and her parents had been forced to flee to London from their Cypriot home amid the mayhem and sufferings of war.
The woman she w…[Read more]
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Jill posted an update 1 year ago
I think I have an idea/outline for the June competition, but needs working on ~ my exchanges here to date have inspired me to try my luck. ‘It is not the winning, though but the taking part’ as someone once said…. Also I am having to get used again to how Den functions!
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Jill replied to the topic Positivity in the forum Blogs 1 year ago
Athelstone ~ You have sent tingles through me by your kind words and considered and intelligent comments. I well remember all of your contributions of similar ilk. Thank you. There is so much to this subject and I may add more sometime later, but it is a lovely Sunday morning and not too hot as yet and so I will carry on at a gentle pace with w…[Read more]
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A few quotes I have come across~~ inspiring positivity?
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world”. Mahatma Gandhi
“Happiness is not something ready made, it comes from your own actions”. Dalai Lama
“Every day may not be good, but there’s something good in every day”. Alice Morse Earle
“When you have a dream, you’ve got to grab it an…[Read more]
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Not sure where this will appear. Meant for my blog but think I have mis directed it! Hey ho!
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Jill posted a new activity comment 1 year ago
Hello, Athelstone. I was a member of Word Cloud from its inception; invited because I had just had a critique from Harry et al. Therefore I saw many writers come and go as well as forming good online relationships with those who stayed long term. It was so beneficial and inspiring and I learned a myriad of writing skills from both the…[Read more]
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Jill started the topic Positivity in the forum Blogs 1 year ago
I have mainly been a half glass full person for all of my lengthy years on this planet, although there have naturally been exceptions otherwise I would not be human. As cancer has struck for a second time in 35 years, I am finding positivity in attitude that the outcome of this treatable, if not curable form is going to be the good prognosis…[Read more]
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Jill, I admire your courage and agree positivity is the strongest medicine in most things. It has carried me through many challenges in life, though as you said, you also have to remember you are human. Keep on keeping on, and I send over positive vibes.
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Thank you, Janette. Lovely to speak with you again and hear that positivity has carried you through many life challenges. Another philosophy I have come across, to paraphrase, is that a crisis can be turned into an opportunity. Maybe a more difff
Thank you, janette for your kind words and positive vibes. Lovely to connect once more and hear…[Read more]
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Jill posted an update 1 year ago
Well! I happened upon this site again by chance after probably 5 years and it has been lovely to remember ‘old’ writing friends and, indeed, read some of my own stuff from so long ago. So I thought I would just pop by to say ‘Hello’ and wish you continued enjoyment on your writing journeys.
I am now 78! and still writing in one way or another…[Read more]
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Mention whatever you want. The Cloud brought many of us together and it was a fabulous start for many, and a nudge on the way for others.
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Hello, Athelstone. I was a member of Word Cloud from its inception; invited because I had just had a critique from Harry et al. Therefore I saw many writers come and go as well as forming good online relationships with those who stayed long term. It was so beneficial and inspiring and I learned a myriad of writing skills from both the…[Read more]
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Hello, Jill. It’s great to hear you are writing again, and I wish you well with your treatment. I agree, we have a lot to be thankful for in Den, that it is a place we can find each other after the closure of Cloud, and carry on with our writing challenges.
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Thank you, Janette. I never really stopped writing something or other for long! For instance, after four or five years of writing a weekly story and sharing it on FaceTime with younger grandson in America, I did have to admit that ideas had dried up! So we went over old ones, but then have found other literary ways of sharing the gift of…[Read more]
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Jill replied to the topic Monthly Competition: June 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years ago
Six great entries and difficult to choose a winner, as although all but one use the theme of Midsummer Madness, each also encompasses Midsummer Magic in the quality of the writing. Diverse interpretations; equal merit.
First, Sandra’s contribution. This promised drama and menace from its opening and I loved the way Sandra’s unique descr…[Read more] -
Jill replied to the topic Monthly Competition: June 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years ago
Gentle reminder – only one week left if you are thinking of entering the June competition. 🙂 Would love to read more of your creations on the theme of Midsummer Magic or Midsummer Madness.
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Jill started the topic Monthly Competition: June 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 1 month ago
It is June and we are approaching Midsummer, so I have chosen the lighthearted theme/title MIDSUMMER MAGIC for the competition to lift our spirits in these difficult times. I feel you should have a choice too and so you may use MIDSUMMER MADNESS as your theme/title instead. Interpret in any way you wish. What is important is to let your…[Read more]
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Jill replied to the topic Monthly comp – May 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 1 month ago
Thank you, Libby – what a lovely surprise to find I am the winner for the interesting topic you set us. Loved the other entries and enjoyed going back down memory lane myself. I have many memories from that happy childhood, but having to focus on the school journey was good writing discipline! Less is more and all that jazz…
Your…[Read more]
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Well done, Jill!
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Glad to hear it, Jill.
Thank you, Athelstone. Hope all well with you and I look forward to reading your July comp. entry! 😊