A Creative Spirit
In May 2023, after months of hard work and lots of laughter as we shared differences in language, life and love, we published The 1st Promise: A Brit-Meets-Yank Romance: Sophia & Aaron, Book 1 of 3 (The Promise, a Brit-Meets-Yank). I am delighted to say the book was well received on both sides of the... Continue Reading →
It's been a strange couple of weeks. I could say why, but it's probably better if I don't. *laughing*. But the experience taught me that more enjoyable doors can open as one door closes. Yep, sometimes we can't see the wood for the trees. I have experienced many smiles over the last week, which have... Continue Reading →
I've not posted any updates to my blog for a while. That's not because I've been slacking, nope. I've been working on a romance novel that has consumed all my spare time. Even my beloved garden has taken second place, as have my other creative hobbies such as creating mosaics and painting. Anyways, a chance... Continue Reading →
The weather here continues to be warm and dry. Daytime temperatures range from 16C to 26C. We've had some rain but not enough to impact the drought situation so I continue to recycle as much grey water as possible. It's tough. I spent today feeding and watering all the plants using a watering can, writing... Continue Reading →
Mavis sighed, then summoned her husband. “Gerard, those damn hippies are back again in the woods next door!” Gerard groaned. Their local environmental group had only just finished clearing up all the soiled toilet paper, used condoms and rubbish from their last visit. “What do you expect me to do about it? ” “I don’t... Continue Reading →
It was our wedding anniversary on Tuesday. On Thursday we tried hydrotherapy pilates for the first time! AND Friday ... I am delighted to announce our online writing community (writingforums.com) published Halloween Tales: Short Stories of Supernatural Terror, and two of my stories were selected for publication. Happy dance in progress! Please take a look... Continue Reading →
Mavis stared unblinking at the television while the newsreader reported on the latest antics of politicians, protestors, the Police, Putin and nuclear war. The grim news of the latest price hikes on fuel and food presented with as much passion as reading a supermarket checkout receipt. Understaffed hospitals, a shortage of teachers, and babies dying... Continue Reading →
The weather over the last week continues to be reasonably hot, achieving temperatures of around 25C but still no rain. I am recycling water and reusing as much as I physically can. aka storing all the pool backwash, water from shower, dehumidifiers, collecting water in bowls etc. etc. Rant warning: While out for a walk... Continue Reading →
A Wanton Waste of Water Words: 296 Prompt: Sacrifice Throughout the summer months, Madge worried about the worsening drought situation in the Algarve. She fretted. Dams were little more than puddles ... as was the river in her local town. Newspapers and online groups continually warned that without significant rainfall there would be a severe... Continue Reading →
I continue to be delighted by how well my succulents grow in pots. During the heat of the summer, I moved many of my succulents into the dappled shade to give them some respite from the scorching temperatures of the mid-day sun. Pot-grown succulents do offer greater flexibility, especially when temperatures soar to the high... Continue Reading →
It's been hard to smile this week as I've had a raging toothache and ended up in A E for an emergency dentist appointment. Long story ... I'm now on strong antibiotics to try and calm the infection. SMILE= I think the infection is almost gone. I hope to announce a BIG smile next week... Continue Reading →
Writing Forums Friday Flash Fiction: This week's prompt was 'Broken'’ Max Words: 300 If it Ain't Broke Mavis lived by the wise old proverb: ‘if it ain’t broke don’t try and fix it’ ... or should we?Today her nine-year-old grandson came home from school and announced he could use any gender pronoun he chose, rather... Continue Reading →
With the escalating cost of fruit and vegetables one month ago I decided to experiment and grow Courgettes (Zucchini), tomatoes and cucumbers throughout the winter, or at least until Autumn turns to winter in November. Who knows, maybe the weather will be kind and they will continue to grow into January and February - we... Continue Reading →
The toilet inspector is out and about with her camera. This made me smile Toilet Sign at Walibi Rhône-Alpes - toilet sign
This week's prompt of Gouache proved a tough one! I know nothing about Gouache so ... Mavis decided she needed a hobby; or rather her daughter, Julie, decided she did and persuaded her to enrol in either the painting or Yoga classes held at her local village hall. “Mum, it will be relaxing,” her daughter... Continue Reading →
Do you ever wish you could turn back the clock? Two years ago my life changed and not for the better. The total knee replacement I pinned my hopes on that would allow me some modicum of normalcy aka would allow me to rejoin Pilates and Yoga, Zumba, walks on the beach and go body... Continue Reading →
I am sure many of us can relate to this! When Madge was little her Grandma frequently joked, “make the most of your youth, love. ‘Old age don’t come alone'.” The words puzzled Madge and she wondered who arrived with old age, but Grandma said one day she’d understand.She used to study her Grandma in... Continue Reading →
PROMPT: Wasted Works Words: 300 Jamie greeted his mum on return home from university with a hug, a kiss on each cheek, and a huge sack of dirty washing. Mavis smiled benevolently at her only son. She didn’t mind. She’d bragged to everyone Jamie got a ‘First’ at Cambridge. Although what it meant and how a... Continue Reading →
A BIG smile this week because after moaning for the last couple of years that I can't fully access my raised vegetable garden and listening to Mr. Piglet's moans because he has to climb up onto the bed to weed, plant and pick crops in the centre strip he finally agreed to redesign and create... Continue Reading →
It never ceases to amaze me that writing poetry or fiction ties in so well with my other interests such as gardening, painting and mosaics. All are creative in different ways and one stimulates the other. We have started a new garden project which requires a significant amount of manual work. I am usually the... Continue Reading →
Piglet in Portugal 