The Last Post

I'm sounding the last post for this blog. I have decided to cut back on my writing and time spent on the Internet. Yes, indeed, time to change my ways and put energy into things that really count in life. My blogspot, Writing For Joy, will continue with regular postings for the time being. My Wrinkly Writers (wordpress) will also have regular comments on 'this and that' added as appropriate, but all others will only be added to if there is something specific to report on (such as books or awards to add to my author blog etc).
My thanks to all visitors and especially those who have left comments.
Of course, IF I am suddenly inspired to write another novel and the characters refuse to stay dormant in my head, then write I must. But that will mean less blogging, not more!
I have started on art work again. Walking is getting harder but best to make the most of what can be done even if it has to be done slower. Sitting too long at one time is not good! Taking snaps with my camera is a good way to keep in touch with our outdoor activities. But the photos can go on Writing For Joy — some of the landscapes I will turn into pictures with ink, crayon and paint. Here are a few snaps of a walk we did on Good Friday. From home we walked under the Hoad to Booth's Supermarket for light refreshments. Walking down to Canal Foot, along the beach to Plumpton, across the fields back to the canal, along the canal again to lunch at Booth's Supermarket. On the photographs, you will see Industrial Ulverston side by side with Ulverston's lovely landscape.

Spring has truly arrived!

Words not necessary!

Spring Is Here — another wedding anniversary!

It was our 58th wedding anniversary on Spring Day. Just like when we married, the day was really dull to start with. The following day the sun shone and the spring flowers glowed. I took photographs to remind us of the joys of goodbye winter — hello Spring! I took them through our windows rather than outside. Yes, those plants in the bay window are still the same ones that were there in the Late October photographs! A couple have finished flowering but the plants are still growing strong! Like our marriage? I guess that is so — solid foundation with strong roots, blooms past their best but we look at our children and grandchildren and rejoice in the fruit! Soon the garden will be a mass of blooms and it will go on through summer and autumn. Even in the winter flowers appear. Not a lot but greatly valued for the cheer they give.

Living Water!

Jesus sometimes spoke of Living Water — the water that he gives to believers, water that He connects to Life Eternal, a spring bubbling up for all to receive. Bubbling up! That is what seemed to be happening when I had the Holy Spirit entering into my life. For a while I would suddenly be overtaken with JOY bubbling up, impossible to contain. It just had to be released! Now, every time I see bubbling, swirling, dazzling or brightly reflecting water, I am uplifted for reflections of a glorious period in my life are again refreshed. I don't have to ponder on the reason for it, to experience the beauty and joy is itself uplifting and refreshment to the soul. Add white birds to these wonderful glittering patterns of brilliance, and my heart sings, 'How great thou art!'

The Pheasant

The pheasant

A royal visitor to our garden

clothed in robes of silk

glowing in the sunlight

copper and gold,

purple, blue, red

white scarf snowy white.

he stands on the rail

six feet from our window

does he know he’s free

from gun and dog

strutting on the lawn

beneath the tree?

stay pretty bird

in sunshine bright

nature’s living treasure

for eyes to admire

not guns to blast

but to give us pleasure

Pride Before a Fall! (trials of ageing?)

Here is my latest book. It is now released as an eBook — print version to follow in a few weeks. (Go to Dare Empire bookstore for book details etc as well as ordering in Kindle or pdf.) Quite a bit of interest has already been shown.

I had an opportunity to show off my books when invited to an event that I really thought not exactly suitable for an author but it was my Magpies Nest Publishing that presumably caught their attention. I don't like going out at night, partly because I get up early and am tired in the evenings and partly because, with my eyesight problems I can't see very well at night. Street lighting is not much good for me as it tends to cast long shadows I can't see into.

The businesswomen's showcase event last Tuesday night. I guess I stood out as the old granny! Not much interest shown in books. A lot of it was 'women's stuff'. One or two stopped by to look at the books. Not in a good place really. I was told to choose an empty table. So I chose ground floor near the door. Then someone asked if I would mind moving because they wanted to link to the one next to it. Being ever the obliger, I began the move (I had a lot of books, a showboard, leaflets, bookmarks, business cards, posters etc) Then someone came and said that it was her table, she had only just popped upstairs. So my hubby carried everything up the spiral staircase for me. By then the best tables had gone. Anyway, we set it up. All the real activity was happening downstairs but a couple of talks brought folk upstairs. Those that did stop to chat (well they did have to answer my question - 'do you do much reading?') showed interest. I gave three books away and I was asked if I would give a talk to a new group just starting. About books? No ME. She was interested in the way I changed my occupations to fit in with family life etc. Who knows? Something may come from it. My most memorable thing that happened during the evening? My hubby had gone to get the car and put my stuff in it. (No way could I have carried it down the spiral staircase) When I finished chatting to the woman interested in my life, I went down to the exit. I walked outside to see if he was having to wait with the car on a yellow line. I have difficulty seeing at night. The nearest car was not ours but another one like it was just up the road. I turned and set off — literally! I fell over a low wall I did not see!

A lady nearby came over and told me to stay still. No need, apart from a huge swelling on the side of my right shin, bruises on my thigh, hip, arm, swellings on my hands, minor grazing, I'm quite all right. Dear oh dear — I know old biddies should stay home at night! I should take my own advice!

NEWS FLASH — The Dark Mirror now in paperback!

The Creaking Branch

The Creaking Branch



I rise each morning, a creaking branch
Bowed and hurting
But unafraid
To meet
Each new day’s challenge.
Love keeps me strong.

The Tree of Life to which I’m grafted
By hands divine
Flows with sap
Of Holy Spirit
Strengthening me
With unquestioning love.

Loss of family and faithful friends
The sands of time
Flowing faster
As life moves on,
While in the flesh
Immortality has yet to dawn.

Life is challenge, pain, joy, love
Grief and sorrow,
Memory loss
So unkind,
But swells of ecstasy
Bring healing from the Tree of Life.

Flood, fire, tempest, earthquakes
Cannot destroy
Eternity —
Though Earth may die
The Tree remains
Infinite.