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Madame Lou Graham – One A Week 2020

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I just had to share this one, with thanks to Jilly for being inspired to share her poem that reads like a song.

Sugar on the Bee

This post is dedicated to Dale of Friday Fictioneers. FF is run admirably efficiently and lovingly by very talented and generous writer Rochelle Wisoff-Fields and Dale’s posts are fabulous slices of life and always a great pleasure to receive. If you want to write a hundred word story from a photo prompt, FF is for you.
This week Dale posted “Dreams” which reminded me of my several weeks in Seattle in early 2019 – and my fascination with a lady called Lou Graham who valiantly assisted with keeping Seattle financially afloat back in the day. Lou’s business sense, extraordinary generosity and intelligence (she valued education above all else) made her a true City Mother. There is more to read about Lou in Bill Speidel’s funny and informative love letter to Seattle, his excellent book: “Sons of the Profits”.

Madame Lou Graham

Gentlemen, good evening, I hope you’re feeling bright
I’m…

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Weekend Writing Prompt #146 – Epoch

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A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in the comments.

Thank you, Sammi! So impossible to resist, I’ve done this in the airport!

I do not know why this post won’t allow comments! I can’t seem to fix the issue on the mobile version. If I figure it out… Fixed…

Name It

We give a name to

Each notable event

To mark the periods

In our life

I wonder what

Today’s epoch

Will be called

When I think back

WARNING! The Spinner has escaped…

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Not to be missed! Crispina’s epic five-book series is coming out in March but available for pre-order now! I beta-read the second and cannot wait to read them all.

crispina kemp

The Spinner has escaped the web and is wandering the pages of Amazon worldwide!

While all five books of The Spinner’s Game, in both kindle versions and paperback, will be available from 21st March 2020, the kindles are available for Pre-Order.

When asked what she rated as the worst part of producing these e-books and paperbacks, the author Crispina Kemp answered, “The upload to Amazon process. It took an age.”

As might be expected when loading not one, not two, not five, but what amounts to ten books in one fell swoop.

Wizard! Crispina remarked in a self-congratulatory mood.

All books can be accessed from Crispina Kemp on Amazon

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Dale Takes The Proust Questionnaire

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So. One of my favourite bloggers, David Kanigan, at “Live and Learn” challenged some of us to take the Proust questionnaire. Of course, I put up my hand. While some of these answers would probably change if I had taken more time, the object is to shoot off the first thing that comes to mind. So I followed protocol and didn’t modify a thing, despite David’s offer to do so. I am honest, if nothing else 😉

Live & Learn

  1.  What is your current state of mind? Fuzzy (but I’m sick so…)
  2. What is your favorite journey? The one I am taking right now. Being my own woman.
  3. What is your idea of perfect happiness? Being good with who I am
  4. What is your greatest fear? Being insignificant
  5. What is your most marked characteristic? My smile
  6. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? My sloppiness
  7. What is the trait you most deplore in others?  Insincerity
  8. What is your greatest extravagance? Getting my hair done
  9. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?  righteousness
  10. On what occasion do you lie? I To protect the person I am lying to (white lie)
  11. Dislike most about your appearance? My hands
  12. Which living person do you most despise? Despise is such a strong word…
  13. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

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Mosaics, Mesh & Eyelash

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I do not know what I did to be included in this wonderful, marvellous gorgeous group of women…

Art Gowns

While the world awaits Princess Blue Holly to save the Art Gowns Mermaids, let’s take a look at a photo shoot from last month!

Above: In a knockout mesh gown, accessorized with mesh fan, full length gloves and mosaic hair, renowned Torch Chanteuse, Rene Rosso, opens the layout.

Art Gowns was lucky to get Gigi for this shoot. Her fall schedule is hectic, as she devotes much of her time to saving all birds, with a focus on turkeys. Here she is resplendent in a mosaic gown, accessorized with mosaic hair and bracelets .

Shehanneis the meaning of splendour in a mosaic and eyelash gown with full length mesh gloves and mosaic hair. The beauty team gave her a 1980’s Italian vogue make-up look. When she got home the Hamster Dudes didn’t recognize her and called police.

Holly is adorned in a mosaic and mesh gown. Her…

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Remembrance Day

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I don’t usually post anything particular on this day.  There are no vets in my family on either side. It almost feels weird that is it so. Not a one? That does not mean, however, that I do not purchase my poppy every year, that I do not respect what all our vets have done; that I do not feel pain that so many find themselves pushed aside, suffering from PTSD and other malaises.

I do, however, have friends currently in the military or who have retired from service so for them as well, I share this beautiful song by Trevor Guthrie. Proceeds to this song go towards raising funds for Wounded Warriors of Canada

Rules – Crimson’s Creative Challenge #45

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Another Thursday, another CCC prompt!

I admit to being a very bad employee. This is the third day in a row that I find myself writing a post on none other than my phone!

I have set up my bar, I have polished every surface as well as my glasses; I have even polished cutlery to busy myself. I have chatted with a member who sat at my bar to eat his lunch.

So, now, bored to tears, I found myself looking at Crispina’s lovely photo and suddenly hearing my father’s voice saying “Red right returning” and a haiku was born. So NOT the way I was gonna go but hey…why not?

Rules

Red right returning

When coming in from the sea

Must be respected

Contemplation – Friday Fictioneers

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Good Wednesday, my peeps. Let me begin by apologising for not getting to all the fictioneers’ stories last week. I shall still try to catch up, if I can.

Our leader Rochelle has chosen J.Hardy Carroll’s interesting pic this week. Care to see what you can come up with? Click on the frog below and add your 100-words worth!

Click me!

Contemplation

Whatcha doin’ lyin’ on the floor like that?

Contemplating.

Contemplating your potential death should that contraption fall on ya?

Hah! No, but yes.

What? Yes or no?

No, not worried about the contraption but thinking of death in general.

Why on earth would you?

 

Gasp!

 

Is there something you need to tell me?

Oh no! I’m not dying. Not yet, anyway.

Jeez. Then why would you?

I went to see this cool show called ‘A Night of Grief and Mystery’.

Optimistic title. I can see the attraction. Not.

It was fascinating.

Death?

More about the journey we will all take.

Ugh.

*************

My go-to buddy, Julie and I went to see this show last night.  It was so fascinating, combining Stephen Jenkinson’s story-telling with Gregory Hoskins Band. Could not help but make one think and want to discuss it afterwards!

And honestly, we did NOT know we were gonna be the dynamic purple duo!

At Last – Once More

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I worked a wedding on Saturday at the golf club – and have been tired ever since!

It’s not easy to work from 3pm till 1am (I was lucky enough to leave at that time) and then be back at work for 11 the next morning (later?). I dunno about you, but when I work so late, I can’t just hit the hay and sleep. A couple of beers and a chat with my buddy, B, who was still up, and I finally closed my eyes at 3-something.

Been trying to catch up ever since. My inner clock is a tad wacked.

Anyhoo, I digress (surprise, surprise). The wedding was between a beautiful Egyptian and her handsome Irishman. The bridesmaids wore gorgeous emerald green dresses of varying styles – because this bride knows that not all women can wear the same style! The groomsmen were all tall and dashing in their matching tuxes (coz guys don’t have the same issues 😉).

150 multi-cultural guests including the rather imposing orthodox priest, mingled about, glasses of bubbles to toast the new couple.

A lovely trio of singer, stand-up bass and piano kept things smooth and jazzy during the meal which looked amazing: mozzaella and heirloom tomato salad, followed by a cream of squash soup, then choice of braised beef, filet mignon or halibut. Dessert was a chocolate and peanut butter bomb.

There was a wedding cake but it got forgotten – taken out solely for “the picture”.

The DJ went to work playing those songs that get played at all weddings, including a few Egyptian pieces that hd me dancing while pouring drinks and shooters.

And then the first dance started. And I stopped, stunned.

Suddenly I realised the date and that exactly 17 years ago, Mick and I were dancing to the same tune.

 

 

Weekend Writing Prompt #117 – Antipathy

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A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend.  How you use the prompt is up to you.  Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like.  Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise.  If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in the comments.  Thank you, Sammi!

Word Prompt

Antipathy

Challenge

It’s not in my DNA

I cannot muster sympathy for whining

My tolerance for whinging is nil

Moaning about your life

And doing nothing about it

Is antipathy to me