The calling

I sat on the soft, golden sand, resting my back against the swaying palm tree. The sun was so hot today and the dappled shade of the tree gave welcome relief.

The soft, warm breeze ruffled my hair, bringing with it a warm, fragrant smell from the nearby spice market.

I smiled, as I watched a group of small children, wearing brightly coloured clothes, playing a game with small stones on the dusty earth a little way away. Their happy, bubbling laughter carried clearly to me. Innocents without a care in the world.

The sea, of the deepest azure I had ever seen, twinkled in the sun. The water looked so cool and inviting.

I kicked off my shoes, carrying them in my hand and ran towards it.

I sat on a small pier, swinging my feet over the edge to be caressed by the velvety smooth, cool water.

I watched small boats playing on the water, scudding along in the tranquil bay, as the wind breathed its warmth into their red sails.

I felt totally immersed in the scene, smelling, feeling, seeing everything in the minutest of detail.

From a great distance I heard a shrill and discordant sound. It pulled at me, reminding me of things elsewhere.

Perhaps if I ignored it, peace would resume, I could relax once more.

The sound got louder, louder, nearer and nearer until I could no longer ignore it!

It jerked me back to reality! I put the book down upon the sofa, feeling angry about the disturbance.

I picked up the phone, longing to return to my book and my imagination once more.

The smart meter

We got a smart meter,

A few weeks ago,

Would it save money?

Slow the cash flow?

It sits on the side,

Blinking a light!

Green is for miserly,

Red's a cash fright!

So how much does it cost,

To run a nice shower?

Oh no, the light's red,

That means lots of power!

The microwave, how's that?

It can't quite decide!

Its flashing a nice amber.

A little power applied.

So, which is cheaper,

Shower or bath?

I tried and I saw,

A nice soak then, I laugh!

Will it save cash?

Well, after a week,

We stopped watching its lights.

Except the odd peek.

But one thing is good,

When bill time comes near,

An estimated reading,

We will no longer fear.

Taking it up

Recently, I treated myself to a new dress. I hurried home and tried it on. I loved it, but it was just a few inches too long. So out came the needle and thread and I hemmed it up.

My daughter and I got chatting whilst I was sewing. She goes to a repair cafe, where people swap expertise to mend things, rather than throwing them away.

She commented that one day, somebody had come in because a button had come off of their shirt and they didn't know how to stitch it back on.

It got me to thinking about just how few people now can do these simple things that were once thought of as easy, everyday tasks.

Maybe parents seldom teach their children these simple skills anymore – sewing, mending, darning, fixing things around the house.

It is so easy nowadays just to pop to the shops, buy new and discard the old.

But should we let these skills die? I don't think that we should. Not only does it save us money, but it helps our planet, as we are re-using resources rather than simply throwing things away.

If your child loses a button, or breaks a toy, show them how to mend it, pass on your knowledge, so that they, in turn, can pass their skills on to their own children.

Summer breezes

Summer breezes sigh, 
Wafting seeds upon high.

Gossamer on the flow,
Finding places to flourish and grow.

The void

It had been a hard few months for her. If anything could go wrong, it had! She sat, exhausted and aching, feeling that nothing would ever be the same again.

She cried out, 'Please, someone, anyone, tell me what to do!' The silence laid heavy on her ears.

It was easy before – no problems, things just flowed in the way that they should, the way that they always had.

But in these last few months, nothing had gone to plan – nothing!

Once again she sought help, asking her angels, her loved ones, anyone to give her guidance. There must be something that she could do, something or someone that could help her.

'This is impossible! I can't see an answer!'

She sighed heavily, feeling as if she was drowning in a sea of blackness.

There must be someone out there that could inspire, help her, move her forward? Maybe some would see her plea, come to her aid.

The computer screen stared back at her, blank and mocking.

Two months. TWO MONTHS! That's how long it had been since she'd last written a blog post.

I love to comp on Twitter

I love to comp on Twitter,

I do it every day!

I have lots of lovely followers,

Who also love to play.

But oh, one thing annoys me!

It's constant day and night.

Retweeting my entry,

Instead of doing it right!

To enter comps correctly,

Its the original tweet you need,

Please take the time,

To go to the promoters feed!

You see, if you retweet mine,

Your entry might not win,

The promoter may not see it,

And that would be a sin!

Some comps only allow one entry,

To try to win the stash,

But copy mine,

And my entry will be trash!

Cos then I'll have two entries,

I'll never win the prize!

Please don't do it.

Is this word unto the wise!

So please, lovely followers,

Take a second more time,

Enter that comp properly,

Then I wouldn't need to rhyme.

A Mum thing

I moved out of my parents' home over 35 years ago and my brothers had moved out several years before that.

As a child, I had my own bedroom, and even had a plaque on the door proclaiming that it was my room. My brothers shared another.

Even to this day, my parents still call the room my bedroom. If asked where something is, My Mum will say 'Its in the boys room' or 'Its in Seren's room.'

The plaque still hangs there to this day, proudly in place.

My daughter moved out over a year ago. And I've found myself doing exactly the same.

There's still a plaque on the door with her name on, it is still referred to as her room, even though she now owns a house of her own.

It isn't the spare room, or the back bedroom – it is still HER room.

It must be a way in which Mums cope with things when their precious babies fly the nest, a way of keeping them close to them in some way.

Maybe if it is still called their room, then in some way they have not really gone. Sentimental things, us Mums, aren't we.

Dog sitting

Our friends have a dog.

She's quiet as a mouse,

They've gone on a holiday,

So she's come to our house.

With her bed and her food,

Some toys and a treat,

Having her visit,

Just cannot be beat.

The neighbour has a cat,

It doesn't like hounds!

Over the fence,

To its garden, it bounds.

She goes on long walks,

Stops often to sniff.

Reading the messages,

Catching a whiff.

She loves everyone,

Gives them a smile,

Has a good sniff,

Then walks on in a while.

She loves other dogs,

Jumps, bows and plays,

Tongue hanging out,

She's enjoying her days.

After her walk,

She needs a long sleep,

Snoring and wuffing,

As she dreams about sheep!

But all too soon,

Her family come back,

And off she will go,

Her things we will pack.

We love our doggy visits,

Its never a chore,

I wonder if her owners,

Would like to holiday more!

The wedding dress is chosen!

The wedding dress is chosen,

Its finally done.

Hunting around,

Has been so much fun.

The menu is sorted,

It sounds oh so nice,

Something for everyone,

Even sweet sugar mice!

Suits will be tried,

To find the best style,

So the very smart men,

Will make everyone smile.

Dresses for bridesmaids,

Will be chosen soon too,

There's so much choice,

What style, what hue?

The cake has been ordered,

It will be oh so yummy,

A slice after dinner,

Will fill up the tummy.

The flowers will be pretty,

Springs blooms, you see,

Tulips and daffodils,

Maybe a corsage for me.

There's music, a disco,

So we can all dance,

Flashing coloured lights,

As around we all prance.

What fun will be had,

On that very special day,

For very good weather,

Naturally, we'll pray.

And after that day,

My daughter will be a Mrs

With a handsome young husband,

To shower with kisses.

Wedding dress shopping!

As I've told before,

My daughter's getting wed!

So many dresses to choose from!

My daughter has said.

Will it be white,

Or a nice warm cream,

Full or fitted?

It must be her dream!

She tries on the first,

And pulls a strange face!

Well that style, we know,

Has fallen from grace.

Lots more follow,

To find the right fit,

Dress after dress,

We'll be here a bit!

She tries one that's gorgeous,

I gasp with delight,

But she doesn't like it,

Thinks its a sight!

Two hours pass,

We've narrowed it down,

One pretty dress – but,

I'm not sure, said with a frown!

She's tried all the dresses,

And still isn't sure,

So off we both go,

Out of the door!

Never mind say I,

There's more shops to try,

Plenty of time,

Is my happy reply.

Because for my darling daughter,

For perfection we'll fight.

So bring on more dresses,

Til we find one that's right!

Twitaculous

I love to comp,

As many of you know.

Web and Facebook,

I go with the flow.

But a while ago,

I found something new,

Twitaculous it's called,

Does the name give a clue?

Hundreds of prizes,

Are listed each day,

Over on Twitter,

I join, have a play.

I paid for a month,

To see how I do!

After a week, I won.

Out of the blue!

I enter each day,

Slowly I play,

Or you'll end up in jail,

Twitter does say!

I tweet and I follow,

Like and reply,

I'm having such fun,

My fingers do fly!

Another batch done,

Time for a brew

But in a few hours time,

I'll be back, do a few!

So thanks Twitaculous,

For being such fun,

I hope you like this verse,

My job here is done!

D-lightful!

I went to the Doc,

Just the other day,

Cos, I was feeling ill,

In many a way!

Aching and tired,

Tingly and numb,

Dragging around,

Feeling quite glum!

Ah, I need some blood,

To do a quick test,

Then go home and wait,

While we do the rest.

A few days did pass,

Oh dear, what is wrong,

Please hurry up,

What's taking so long!

At last, a call,

To tell me my ills,

We can fix this,

With a course of some pills.

Its quite simple you know,

You're lacking in D,

That vitamin from sunshine,

Is too low in me!

I pick up my pills,

Some yellow, some green!

Just one a day,

I take one, quite keen.

It's a long old job,

Three months on the dose,

But it will all be worth it,

When it comes to the close.

I'm already feeling better,

After a couple of days,

Finish em up,

And my spirits will raise.

The moral is learned,

To keep up my D,

A short time outside,

When the sun I do see.

Maybe a few pills as well,

And I'll be right as rain,

Happy and smiling,

As health I regain.

Sparky The Weatherdog

Sparky The Weatherdog,

Is a very special hound,

He gives us daily updates,

When he's on his walk around.

He likes to wear hats,

Different ones every day,

Pink ones, and blue ones,

Quite a large array.

He gives big wet kisses,

And wags his lovely tail,

Sparky you're so gorgeous!

The lads and lasses wail.

He loves a belly rub,

It really makes his day!

Four paws up in the air,

Is the Sparky way.

Sometimes he is naughty,

Like any other pup,

Tripping up his owners,

Getting in trouble, yup!

He plays with all the children,

At school time every day,

They love the fun and giggles,

He sees them, is away!

He has a big heart too,

Helps animals in need,

Sells paw prints and calendars,

It's worthy, we all agreed,

So if you're in love with Sparky,

With him you want to engage,

Just pop across to Facebook,

He's got his own fab page.

Sparky The Weathdog on Facebook

My name is Lazarus

My name is Lazarus,

A special sort of fish,

An easier type of pet,

You cannot possibly wish.

No walks or noise,

Just a flutter of a tail

Decorating your fish tank,

And munching the odd snail.

I like to eat cucumber!

A fresh slice everyday.

It gives me lots of energy,

To swim around and play.

Why my name?

I hear you say!

Very strange for a fish,

Who just hangs around all day.

This is why.............

I'm old you see,

Been around many a year.

But still full of life,

So of death I do not fear.

I like to rest,

Suckered underneath a log,

But when I fall asleep,

Staying stuck is such a slog!

My suck disappears,

To the bottom I do cruise,

Lying on my back,

Continuing to snooze!

Belly up on the bottom,

Oblivious to my owner's stare,

Dreaming of food,

Not listening to her prayer.

Don't let him be dead,

I will miss him o so much,

At her close friend,

She does so fiercely clutch!

I wake up just a bit,

And see her beady eye!

Flip, I'm back upright,

Through the water I do fly!

So now you know the truth,

Of how I got my name,

I rise up from the dead,

It is my claim to fame!