Friends – Activity – Whisks

Athelstone replied to the topic Reorganization And Declutteration (have I created a new word) in the forum Blogs 2 years, 4 months ago

By the way, ” I’ve even written my gift list for next year”. I believe this is actually against the law.
Athelstone replied to the topic Reorganization And Declutteration (have I created a new word) in the forum Blogs 2 years, 4 months ago

Oh yes, prevaricating about the bush as Wallace refers to it. I do a great deal of that. Top tip. Every so often, copy the contents of that 1TB hard drive somewhere else as well. Whether that’s the Cloud (Dropbox, One Drive, Google Drive, Apple iCloud and so on) or another sleek 1TB hard drive. The day may come when your adorable cat decides the…[Read more]
Squidge posted an update 2 years, 4 months ago

I always seem to come on here to apologize for not being here… Suffice to say that Life is a bit complicated and sad at the mo, and I’m not at my best. When I have the head space, I’ll be back.

Power to all of your pens in the meantime though 😉
Terrie started the topic Reorganization And Declutteration (have I created a new word) in the forum Blogs 2 years, 4 months ago

Barely six weeks in to another year and I am wondering what task should I tackle next?
The Christmas tree is gone the limited decorations I possess and are packed away .The few yuletide cards received are now repurposed into gift tags for the next festive season and thank you messages are all written or texted. Holey moley I’ve even written m…[Read more]
Terrie joined the group DONATIONS 2 years, 4 months ago

DONATIONS

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Terrie replied to the topic Monthly Competition – February 2024 in the forum Monthly Competition 2 years, 4 months ago

The Emporium.

I’d been watching the place for a while and now I was ready.

The tiny shop by the empty mill was cobwebbed in layers of age and the light inside flickered with a hospitable glow. The antique-looking sign over the bottle-glass door announced it was an “Emporium Of Returned Things”.

It was out of the way and the perfect place…[Read more]
Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly Competition – January 2024 in the forum Monthly Competition 2 years, 4 months ago

Well, what do you know? Three totally different old things.

Sandra, you brought a bit of Rembrandt’s brutal honesty in your piece. I’m not sure whether I was meant to but I chuckled along as I read this. It reminded me of the moment when I realised that my hands now resemble my own father’s as I remember them from years ago. It was an honest…[Read more]
- Pinkbelt replied 2 years, 4 months ago
  
  Wow. Never expected to win. My way of gently reintroducing myself. I’m dipping my toe back in so I’ll give it a go. Let me have a think and I’ll post a bit later.
Athelstone posted an update 2 years, 4 months ago

Aha! I’m away at a writing weekend in Bournemouth! Still checking here and really happy to see the action. Must post soon.
Athelstone started the topic Monthly Competition – January 2024 in the forum Monthly Competition 2 years, 5 months ago

Last year I asked for up to 500 words on something new. This year it occurs to me that this is also the time of year when we look back. The topic is “something old”. Up to 500 of your finest however you wish.
Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly Competition – December 2023 in the forum Monthly Competition 2 years, 5 months ago

Thanks Alex. We don’t get many entrants to the competition any more, so winning can be, if not a poison-chalice, a hot coffee-cup. Your prompt was perfect for Christmas and I had fun writing about it.
- Libby replied 2 years, 5 months ago
  
  Sorry I didn’t manage to do a story, Alex. I had work to finish, and it’s a busy time of year.
  Congratulations, Ath. A lovely story, exactly right for the season.
Athelstone posted an update 2 years, 5 months ago

A very happy, prosperous and successful New Year to all Denizens.
Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly Competition – December 2023 in the forum Monthly Competition 2 years, 5 months ago

Not sure what exactly is happening. Maybe old age is catching me up but I posted this already. There was an amusing intro about how it’s too long and how I’d have to take my chances. And so on. Anyway, it is too long (by loads), so I will have to take my chances.

The Stoggy

I’m a magical creature called a stoggy. Don’t get too excited bec…[Read more]
Athelstone replied to the topic Season's greetings in the forum Podium 2 years, 5 months ago

Libby, I thought I’d replied, but I was also looking at some site updates that need to be done soon, so my mind was obviously elsewhere and I didn’t press the button.

Absolutely. I quite agree. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and the same to all other Denizens.
- Libby replied 2 years, 5 months ago
  
  Hi Ath, you did reply! I received an email on Christmas Day: “And to you, Libby. And a very happy Christmas to all of us.”
  
  It never appeared here on the site. I put this down to a computer glitch.
  Thank you for this reply and the next one. Happy new year 🙂
RichardB replied to the topic A Corporate Crime Scene: Lac Mégantic, 2013 in the forum Blogs 2 years, 5 months ago

Burkhardt’s first reaction to the disaster was to lay the blame on Harding (now there’s a surprise…). This, after Harding had expressed concerns about the locomotive, which were dismissed, and made his offer to go and check on the train, which was also dismissed. The transcript of the phone call makes his anxiety plain. After he’s told he’s not…[Read more]
Athelstone replied to the topic A Corporate Crime Scene: Lac Mégantic, 2013 in the forum Blogs 2 years, 5 months ago

Mr Burkhardt is an interesting character who has, it seems, been profoundly interested in trains his entire life. Your blog inspired me to research the man a bit and it does seem that he knows best in matters of running a railroad. Of course, he had “previous” for being the manager of a railroad that allowed a train to run down a sloap while…[Read more]
RichardB started the topic A Corporate Crime Scene: Lac Mégantic, 2013 in the forum Blogs 2 years, 5 months ago

All my previous railway accident stories have concerned British trains in the steam age, since that is my area of interest and expertise, but the Lac Mégantic disaster, which happened in Canada as recently as 2013, is interesting partly because of the contrast in railway practices between here and North America, but mostly because the usual…[Read more]
RichardB posted an update 2 years, 6 months ago

Seen by MrsB today somewhere, I believe, on Facebook:
‘We used to have empires, ruled by emperors. We used to have kingdoms, ruled by kings. Now we have a country…’
- Athelstone replied 2 years, 5 months ago
  
  Just so.
- Daedalus replied 2 years, 5 months ago
  
  At the risk of inflaming any anger about this just before the season of peace and goodwill (unless you live in Gaza) here’s an article about the £billions spent on dodgy PPE from people with personal connections to the governing party https://democracyforsale.substack.com/p/michelle-mone-disease-corrupting-british-politic
Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly Competition – November 2023 in the forum Monthly Competition 2 years, 6 months ago

Well done Alex. Also, sorry Janette – I had half an entry written when I glanced up and noticed it was all over. Not good enough ????
Seagreen replied to the topic Monthly Competition – November 2023 in the forum Monthly Competition 2 years, 6 months ago

A worthy story, Alex. ☺️
Seagreen replied to the topic Monthly Competition – November 2023 in the forum Monthly Competition 2 years, 6 months ago

Sorry, J. I have the visuals – i.e. can picture in my mind what I want to say, but it appears I have lost the ability to string words together on a page.
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