www.parkpublications.co.uk

I've just had an article published in the Spring 2011 edition of "Countryside Tales" - www.parkpublications.co.uk This is a lovely magazine and if you write articles, poetry or short stories look them up. If you want to see my artcle, either buy the magazine or I will send you a copy of my article by Email.

Everything has a past

This may seem deep but have you ever thought that everything has a past - obviously humans and animals have as no matter how old they are, they have had years on this earth before they reached that particular age. Even a piece of paper on the ground has a past. Was it thrown there or did it blow there in the wind? Where did it come from? We live in the present and look to the future, but everything we see has a past.

Ways to save money and be creative

One obvious way to save money and be creative is to take up gardening. I'm reading a lovely book called "Allotments" which I bought at a National Trust shop. If I had the time I would do just that - take up an allotment. According to the book, you need to spend four hours a week in it to keep on top. We spend time away visiting relatives so it is not possible to spend a regular amount of time on an allotment. However, I love pottering in the garden and this year in Lent decided to go for growth! I already have a potato and strawberry patch but yesterday dug out another strip from our lawn and planted more potatoes, leaving a spare piece to plant peas which I have sown in individual pots and taken into the greenhouse to germinate away from mice. For a little amount of money, you can buy packets of seeds to grow vegetables and flowers and usually there are far too many seeds to use. When the tomato season comes round, you will have a glut of them but the flavour of cherry tomatoes beats any bought at the supermarket. Get creative and save money!

Village life

I've just read an article on village life - it seems that community life has changed over the years. Whereas people met at Church or the village pump (so the article said) now people meet in groups in the community hall. Having just heard a nearby village holds a "Zumba" class in their community centre and they cater for 90 people each time, perhaps we should just join them! I must say though I prefer the old life where you met people on the streets walking to the shops or at church or at the tennis club. Are we all just living more private lives than ever before - that is what the article suggests. In some ways good, in some ways bad. What do you think?

Creating a circle of love

Today we aim to create a circle of love by planting five rose bushes in a circle - the rose of course means "I love you." In the centre we will place a statue of a boy and a girl in love - representing myself and my husband. Create your own circle of love.

BE STILL

BE STILL

Be still and know that God is here
In your presence now.
Sending rays of quietness,
His love and peace and gentleness
Are signs that He is watching
You for you are special in His
Heart and will be now for evermore.


My own poem from my poetry book "God, Love and Laughter"

Take time to be still - life can become too frantic at times.

Tossing Pancakes

TOSSING PANCAKES

I tossed a pancake up in the air
But it landed on my brother's hair.
He cried but smiled when I gave him the pan
"YOU have a try - do as many as you can!"


If you like this poem, you will like those in my two poetry books "God, Love and Laughter" and "Poems of Love, Life and Laughter".

March 2nd 2011

Today is my 64th birthday. I feel like singing "When I'm 64" but age doesn't bother me. I am young at heart and full of good spirits. Today I will celebrate with a meal in town with that special person in my life - my husband - and remember the day I was born when the snow was as high as the windowsills and there was rationing! How times and the climate has changed.