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Thursday 31 March 2011

Words with Jam.

My article on ten words that should be abolished is on page 25 of April Words with Jam, out now.  How exciting is that?  Off to have a read now.  Looks like a really good issue.  This is a magazine that gets better and more interesting as time goes on. 

Wednesday 30 March 2011

P.G. Wodehouse.

Reading Leave it to PSmith by P.G. Wodehouse.  This book is just as funny, clever and ridiculous as the others I've read.  He writes with such charming wit that the book is hard to put down.  I think everyone should have one of these on their bookshelf.

Thursday 24 March 2011

Writing Articles.

I've had some articles published, as seen on the viewer to the left of the blog.  Now off to write a story or two.  Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine while it lasts.  Good weather for planting seeds and spring - cleaning.

 

Monday 21 March 2011

World Poetry Day.

Today is world Poetry Day; does that mean anything?  To me it gives a chance to talk about Poetry, (though I don't need an excuse, as my blog followers know).  When I have an idea for a story, to get a clearer picture of my characters, and give me a deeper understanding of where I'm going, and what I'm trying to say, I write a poem about it.  For instance, here's one I wrote earlier.  The story is written, just needs altering quite a bit, and a character needs working on a bit more.  Enough waffle, here's the poem.  Hope you enjoy it.

 NAGGING MARINA.



Golden wood chip sprinkled around,

Evenly spaced, herbs in the ground.


Lavender, thyme, basil and sage,

Chamomile tea for calming the rage.


I strangled Marina and buried her there:

Deep in the ground, no-one’s aware.


Her constant nagging drove me nuts,

I put an end to the if’s and the buts.


                                                           Now Marina has gone forever,

Buried beneath the herbs and the heather.


Everyone loves my new herb plot,

Nagging Marina can lie and rot.

                                               -----------------------------------------------------
 
 
Photo courtesy of photostock.

Saturday 12 March 2011

People's Friend & Poetry.

Had a rejection from People's Friend this morning.  Reason being, the story was not appropriate for P.F.  So I've got this weeks magazine, and reading through the brilliant stories to see where I'm going astray. 

I've entered a poetry competition here Your comments or votes would be hugely appreciated, thank you in advance.

Wednesday 9 March 2011

St. Patrick's Day Pasties.

It's not long before St. Patrick's Day next week.  If you're celebrating the event, it's traditional in Ireland to have corned beef and cabbage.  Here's a great recipe to help the party go down well. 

Top tip.  These pasties are best made on a Monday when you have left over vegetables from the Sunday dinner.
Ingredients.
For the pastry.                              For the filling.

8oz Plain Flour                                 Tin of corned beef.
2oz stork margarine                           mashed potatoes.
2oz trex lard.                                      vegetables. carrots, suede, peas, cabbage.

Beaten egg for glazing.                                                            curry powder if you like it.
Pinch of salt.                                  

Method
Cut the fat into small squares, and rub into flour with salt.  Handle lightly with cold hands.  Make a well in the centre, and add cold water slowly and mix with a cold knife until it combines together.  Don't overdo the water.  Knead gently until it sticks into a ball.  Chill in the fridge while you combine the filling.  Mash all the vegetables together, season with salt and pepper, curry powder will give the pasties a tang if you like it.  Mix a small amount of gravy into the filling to stop the corned beef from going too dry.

Four a board, divide the pastry into four.  Roll out one of the pieces, then place a side plate over the pastry and cut round it.  Fill the circle with veg and corned beef, then using a pastry brush, paste the edge of the circle with egg wash.  Seal the pasty up and then paste egg wash all over.  Repeat with the other three.  Bake on a greased tray in a hot oven for 20 - 30 minutes or until they look and smell yummie.

Allow them to cool, and see how long it is before they've dissapeared.  Guaranteed to send St.Patrick's Day off with a smile.
I would have a picture, but they weren't around long enough.

Here's a grumpy pansy instead.

Tuesday 1 March 2011

Stylish blogger award.



Thanks to Teresa Ashby for awarding me with the stylish blogger award.  What a treat.  Here are seven things about me.

1.  I'm a mum to three grown up children.  They're daughter Ann who is 31, and working on the cruise ships doing beauty therapy.  Eldest son is in Exeter airport working as a fireman, but has got a job in Birmingham, just waiting for a date, so he will be coming home soon.  Our youngest son John-Aled works as a clerk checking in and out the lorries at TNT.  I wrote a poem about them.

Being Your Mum

My role as your mum is such a privileged one.
Three fine young people before me I see,
Each contributing to society.

Ann is all at sea, on the cruise ships,
Giving beauty treatments to the cruisers.

Iwan is off to Torquay, to make a fresh start,
Preventing fires in the nearby airport.

Aled is the top telephone man at T.N.T.,
Always there when needed.

So when you wrap it all up,
Ann, Iwan and Aled,

You’re the cream of the crop.

Xx I love you xx


2.  I adore poetry.  My Grandma was constantly doodling little rhymes and dittys.  She wrote funny poems that made me laugh.  I used to sit with her and do the same.  Mostly I enjoy nonsense rhymes, but they sort things out in my mind.  Sometimes I imagine I'm poet laureate for Warwickshire.  This poem was published in Quantum Leap small press poetry magazine, it's about a lady who passes by our shop each day.


Scratch card Annie

Walks like the tin man,
Scratching cards, fast as she can.
If she wins; back she goes,
Another scratch card, away on her toes.

She’s got blinkered vision,
All she lives for,
Is her two o’clock scratch,
Trying to catch
The winning ticket.

How she affords petrol, to run her car,
Or even food from the local Spar.
I really don’t know it’s a mystery to me.
Runs like clockwork, scratch card Annie.

She must dream of becoming rich,
But I know she wouldn’t ditch
That scratching habit, it’s more
Of an obsession.

Scratch card Annie learn your lesson.
Save your money, buy new clothes.
But she loves the thrill, and until
She wins ‘the big one’,
Scratch card Annie will carry on.



3.  I am a memeber of writelink  community where writers can blog, post work such as short stories, poetry or articles, then other members comment on them.  It's a friendly site, and I enjoy it a lot.
 
4.  I am hooked on P. G. Wodehouse novels.  They're full of wonderful characters like Gussie Finknottle, Madeline Bassett, Bertie Wooster of course;  not forgetting the ever knowledgeable Jeeves.
 
5.  I am qualified as a hypnotherapist, I had my own practice for two years.  My first client was an alcoholic.  I put him into a hypnotic state, did all I was trained to do.  When he woke up, I asked, "How do you feel now."  He said, "To tell you the truth I want to go home and have a drink!"  He was the worst client I had. 
 
6.  I work with my hubby in our shop in the middle of a housing estate.  People say, "Why don't you have a shop in town?"  We're both happier to be among the people, I call it our little shop of inspiration.  We meet some wonderful people, and hear lots of lovely stories.  Being handy for the residents on the estate keeps us busy.
 
7.  I love reading the tarot cards.  It always amazes me how accurate the reading are.  I used to do lots, but now only do it occasionally. 
 
Thanks Teresa for my award, now I will add mine to the list.  Don't feel obligated anyone.

http://www.patsy-collins.blogspot.com/
http://darkfantasy13writer.blogspot.com/
http://oliviaryanblogspot.blogspot.com/
http://francesgarrood.blogspot.com/
http://writingallsorts.blogspot.com/
http://jlpwritersquest.blogspot.com/
http://strictlywriting.blogspot.com/
http://susievereker.blogspot.com/

I know we're supposed to have 15, but here's 8 to have a look at.