@katemachon
Active 1 day, 11 hours ago-
Libby replied to the topic Monthly Comp – July 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 10 months, 1 week ago
A great prompt, Sea – I just haven’t had time to write a story this month. Very enjoyable entries from everyone.
I’m sorry to hear about the cardiologist.
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Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly Comp – July 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 10 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 10 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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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly Comp – July 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 10 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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Athelstone posted an update 10 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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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly Comp – July 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 10 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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Athelstone replied to the topic Positivity in the forum Blogs 11 months ago
William James seems like an interesting man. He’s an example of something less common these days, a polymath. He studied widely across medicine and philosophy, developing expertise in both fields so that he taught physiology, psychology and philosophy (at different times) at Harvard, whilest finding time for an apprenticeship as a painter, and…[Read more]
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Terrie replied to the topic Monthly Competition June 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 11 months, 1 week ago
Thanks, Ath, for this months competition theme, what a great crop of entries it garnered.
Congratulations ,everyone, for the interesting and well crafted reads and well done Sea for being the one taking the lead into the July challenge.
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Libby replied to the topic Monthly Competition June 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 11 months, 2 weeks ago
That’s such a fabulous story, Seagreen.
I enjoyed everyone else’s entries too. Thank you Ath for the prompt and all your comments.
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly Competition June 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 11 months, 2 weeks ago
Oh, hooray, and congratulations @ Seagreen, but similarly to all for a varied and thought-provoking selection of ‘last times’. Thank you too Ath for the prompt – a subject which I ponder increasingly frequently.
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Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly Competition June 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 11 months, 2 weeks ago
Bumper crop springs to mind, but the cliché is wrong because these stories didn’t just spring up, they were all lovingly made by hand.
Janette’s story reminds us of the way that roles are exchanged as age demands. More than this, it reminds us that life is full of last moments each important and deserving of attention and memory. There is a wist…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly Competition June 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 11 months, 2 weeks ago
Any more takers? Last chance today. That could be the subject.
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Libby replied to the topic Monthly Competition June 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 11 months, 2 weeks ago
Moving On
The elderly man picked up a landline receiver. On his desk lay an open, glossy page of Country Life. The man underlined a phone number and dialled.
“Hello, my name’s John Tucker,” he said. “I’d like to sell my house. Could you send a valuer?”
He gave his address. A distant phone voice burbled.
“Two valuers?” said John. “This aft…[Read more]
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Terrie replied to the topic Monthly Competition June 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 11 months, 2 weeks ago
Just pulled the last bit of candy floss from my brain, looked at some famous last quotes “Julius ‘Groucho’ Marx and Noel Coward.” Played with some authors and their book titles, used some well know sayings and came up with this bit of fluff.
<u>The last question</u>
I was surprised when the invite appeared mysteriously on my lap.
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Libby started the topic "Galley Beggar Press – Pressing Issues" on Substack in the forum Coffee Shop 11 months, 2 weeks ago
If anyone would like a free one-month subscription to Galley Beggar – Pressing Issues on Substack, let me know. As a subscriber myself I can give this offer to three people. I’d need your email address so please include it in a PM.
The Pressing Issues newsletter is available to non-subscribers. Subscribers get all the other stuff too — insights…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic Positivity in the forum Blogs 11 months, 3 weeks ago
Jill, it’s so good to hear from you again, in spite of what you’ve been, and are, going through.
I think any response that isn’t on a level with your own experience of positivity is likely to sound trivial, or at least less significant. But it is a fascinating topic. It’s often said that realists have a less positive expectation of outcome, but…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly Competition June 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 12 months ago
Two fabulous stories and still half of the month to try your hand. What luck!
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Athelstone replied to the topic Richard's Literary Byways: Pavane, by Keith Roberts in the forum Blogs 1 year ago
It was, and still is, a very good blog indeed. I remember it well, and on the strength of your recommendation I bought Pavane. It is a unique book, with an extraordinary atmosphere. Since reading it I’ve returned many times to check on parts and to reread. It really is remarkable that it isn’t better known. It’s somewhat depressing that a book so…[Read more]
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Terrie replied to the topic Monthly Competition May 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 year ago
Congratulations, Ath, for your interpretation with a twist and well done Sandra, Sea and Libby as well.
I enjoyed everyone’s entries.
Its always interesting to see others take on a challenge prompt.
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Athelstone started the topic Monthly Competition June 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 year ago
It’s been on my mind that during this month I will begin the last year of my sixth decade. The topic this month is the last of something. So, whatever that suggests to you, good, bad, indifferent, in a maximum of 500 words.
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