This is the twelfth part of a fiction serial, in 854 words. Carole thought for quite a while before answering. “Find somewhere to stop, and I will tell you who I was on the phone to”. Her voice was quieter than usual, and she looked worried after she said that. Inside the roadsid … | Continue reading
Wasn’t advertising great in the past? New must-have gadgets or essentials that were available at a good price. And you never knew you needed them until you saw the advert. I’m guessing these would be very popular today. Mum and baby enjoying a beer in the daytime? “Oh, it’s only … | Continue reading
A good tip from Nan to try to end the frustration of having to keep logging in to comment. Out of interest, I have never had that ticked on my settings, but some followers have still experienced the hassle. | Continue reading
David over at https://cabbieblog.com/2023/10/10/copyright-conundrum/ has highlighted an issue for bloggers (like me) who use images found online to illustrate posts. The new technology of AI is being deployed to find those who have used images that are copyrighted, even if the us … | Continue reading
This is the eleventh part of a fiction serial, in 800 words. They had only driven as far as Scunthorpe before Karl became convinced that the silver car was following them. He had seen it appear behind on a roundabout only five minutes after leaving Skegness, and it had not droppe … | Continue reading
Before I started to research those weird and wonderful historical album covers, I had never seen an album with a ventriloquist’s dummy as the ‘recording artist’. Those dummies creep me out at the best of times, but I had no idea they made so many records. So here is a special one … | Continue reading
With the news from around the world getting worse day by day, I found some nice old photos of people with their pets to look at instead. I like the dog’s expression in this one. A sheep makes a good pet too. The little girl is so sumptuously dressed. With her loyal dog, and her … … | Continue reading
This is the tenth part of a fiction serial, in 769 words. Up in the room, Karl wasn’t happy. “So, what’s all this about? Now someone is following us, and has found us despite throwing away your phone, changing the car, and going completely off the planned itinerary. What’s with t … | Continue reading
This is the ninth part of a fiction serial, in 780 words. It took almost three hours to drive to Skegness, on the Lincolnshire coast. The traffic was bad on the way, and the weather cool and cloudy. Karl had been there once as a boy, a very long time ago. Driving along the seafro … | Continue reading
Whether it is the title of the album, the name of the recording artist, or the image used on the cover, there is something not right about this selection. Would you leave your daughter alone with this man? I hope there was a chaperone. A scary clown and small children? Shouldn’t … | Continue reading
This is the eighth part of a fiction serial, in 750 words. On the drive to Manchester, Karl made a decision. Stopping at some services, he told Carole he needed to use the toilet, and made some phone calls. His first call was to the hotel he had been booked into, cancelling the r … | Continue reading
Well, Beetley seems to have missed out on the predicted ‘mini-heatwave’. Saturday was dull and cloudy, and though not cold, it failed to climb above 19C here. (66F) Today is predicted to be a cloudy 22C, so while I am not yet putting away my shorts, I am still wearing a zip-up fl … | Continue reading
This is the seventh part of a fiction serial, in 747 words. Karl’s afternoon meeting was short, and when he got back to the hotel there was no sign of Carole in the room, or in the public areas. He decided to have a drink in the bar, presuming she was still out phone-shopping. Si … | Continue reading
I grew up thinking that every woman had ‘big hair’. Sleeping in rollers or hairnets, regular visits to the hairdresser, and ages spent perfecting their coiffure, women of the era used large hairstyles to define their look. The following photos bring back great memories of my yout … | Continue reading
A great offer from author and blogger, Stevie Turner. You can get one of her popular novels for FREE, but be quick, as it is a one-day offer only. | Continue reading
Shaily has a question for the community about the length of a short-stories collection. Please add your comments or opinions on her post by following the link. | Continue reading
This is the sixth part of a fiction serial, in 760 words. Whoever had cut the tyres had done a good job. Long cuts on the sidewalls, close to the rims of the alloy wheels. They must have been in possession of a very sharp knife or a tool of some kind to have done … Continue readi … | Continue reading
At this time of year, I can usually feel my mood changing. It’s almost tangible, and though I always try to fight it, I rarely win. It doesn’t help that lately I have been feeling ill, and reminded every day about my age and how that limits so many things I used to do without … C … | Continue reading
This is the fifth part of a fiction serial, in 732 words. She sat down on the bed next to Karl. “Okay, it’s like this. We were running a scam, an online scam. I was the face of it, and he was the brains behind it. Do you remember Pyramid Selling? You might never have … Continue r … | Continue reading
I am happy to announce a new book from Teagan, the talented American writer and blogger. Please follow the link to discover more, and you will find buying options there too. | Continue reading
This is the fourth part of a fiction serial, in 760 words. When his bladder woke him up before seven-thirty, Karl stood in the bathroom getting flashbacks of the previous night. Too much wine before the main course, then extra wine after eating. What had made him so relaxed that … | Continue reading
Because I am in the ‘Over-65’ age group, I was offered a Covid-19 booster using the Pfizer vaccine. The appointment was booked through my GP surgery, and I had the booster vaccination on Monday afternoon at a different location that is being used as a local vaccination centre for … | Continue reading
This is the third part of a fiction serial, in 765 words. After parking in the underground garage of the hotel, Karl got his case from the boot, and Carole followed him up to reception. He had her sit in the lobby while he spoke to the clerk at the desk. “Er, I have a … Continue … | Continue reading
Last month I wrote about having extras on my car that confused me. Extras I Don’t Need Or Want As mentioned, I went back to the dealership to try to resolve the issue with the experts there. This is what haopened. I was dealt with by the sales manager, who was very helpful and sh … | Continue reading
This is the second part of a fiction serial, in 760 words. It took a while before Carole opened up, and they were not far from the industrial area outside Bournemouth before she told her story. “Some guy I know got me involved in some stuff. No point going into details, but it tu … | Continue reading
I was glad to have had two posts in draft to publish yesterday, as in all other respects Sunday was a wipeout, a ‘Lost Day’. Awakening in the dark in the early hours, I had felt the familiar discomfort of back pain caused by kidney stones. I had these investigated at the hospital … | Continue reading
This is the first part of a fiction serial, in 740 words. It is the winner from the ‘Opening Lines’ selection that was voted for by readers of this blog. They always said never to pick up hitch-hikers. But the girl was so pretty, and she genuinely seemed to be distressed. Karl pu … | Continue reading
It has been something of a flat week, recovering from too much rushing around the week before. At least the weather has been kind, with unseasonably warm temperatures, and only occasional rain. It is dark at around 6:30pm now though, a sign of the long evenings ahead. ——————————— … | Continue reading
A random collection of images that appealed to me. Instructions on how to use a modern home telephone, from 1951. Henry Ford with his first production car, 1896. A photo taken from the torch of the Statue of Liberty, 1930. East Germans travel into West Berlin after the wall is ta … | Continue reading
As I have previously confessed, I love these weird record album covers. So here are some more! Please change the name of your group, Dick! Steve was certainly hogging the limelight. I feel sorry for the others. Tell me that doll isn’t spooky! Here it is again! ‘Tea bagging’ obviu … | Continue reading
There are so many to choose from! I don’t think the family wants to listen to granny’s accordion. A sexy grandma, and an inflatable doll. He was ready for a long night! (I wonder who was taking the photo?) The flag, the Bible, and a gun. (Spot the name of the location behind) Two … | Continue reading
I saw this film recently on a TV showing, and although it is six years old, I had never heard about it before. **No real plot spoilers** It is a science fiction film, set in the near future (2200s) and all the action takes place in outer space. The multi-national cast was impress … | Continue reading
A Victorian psychiatrist, Dr Hugh Diamond, believed he could diagnose the mental health condition of female patients by studying photographs of them. Here is a photo of the doctor in question. He worked in this huge asylum from 1848 until 1858, situated in the rural county of Suf … | Continue reading
I was not online from last Thursday lunchtime until Monday morning. When I went to check on the Spam and Trash folders on Monday, there was 0 Spam and 2 Trash. Both comments in the Trash folder were genuine comments, so I restored them. Now it is Wednesday, and the figures are 0 … | Continue reading
Situated on the north-west coast of England nest to The Irish Sea , the town of Blackpool became one of the first popular seaside resorts in Britain, in 1870. Close to large industrial towns and cities, it was the first choice for most working-class people taking day trips or ann … | Continue reading
These strange album covers seem to be popular, so here are some more. Mary Hinge again. Remember her last offering, ‘Fingering and Praying’? Everyone always needs the right music for washing and ironing. (Apparently) She knows exactly what her lips are for. I am going to come rig … | Continue reading
Most days I am up before 8am to let Ollie out into the garden and make my first cup of tea. There are times when I oversleep, but not that often these days. This morning, Julie had left for work before 8, and I hadn’t heard her around the house as I usually do. Still … Continue r … | Continue reading
When I find these online, I am often left wondering why they asked someone to take that photo! An assault rifle and their pet parrot. Perfect props for a family photo. Who needs clothes, when you have transparent rainwear? He was probably trying to liven up a family party. Now th … | Continue reading
Back on my blog after four days away, a break to attend a family wedding in Kent and catch up with one of my oldest friends. So much coming and going during the month of September, this last trip was so tiring it felt as if we had been away for ten days, not four. … Continue read … | Continue reading
Lorraine is a blogger and writer that I follow. After she had treatment to cure cancer, it left her totally blind. She manages to write her blog posts and books with the help of her husband, but as he is disabled, it is a struggle for them both as a couple. She is in the … Contin … | Continue reading
Completing a very busy September, I will soon be off the blog again until Sunday evening. As usual, I will be unable to read your posts or leave comments, or reply to any left on this blog. I hope you all have a great weekend, and see you soon. | Continue reading
Abraham Lincoln, before and after the US Civil War. 1860 on the left, 1865 on the right. A mountain of American Bison skulls after a mass killing of the animals for meat and skins, 1870. A 1920s ‘Flapper’ in America, and a beautiful car. A giant Manta Ray, caught in the 1930s. Wo … | Continue reading
I could not resist featuring some more of those weird or creepy record covers, so here is another selection. Many of them have a religious theme, which is apparent. She is taking her rifle to heaven, just in case. Is it just me, or are those girls rather scary? Men in corsets? No … | Continue reading
Months after buying it, I am still struggling to learn everything about the new (second-hand) car I bought. I have managed to turn off the stop-start function that always killed the engine at traffic lights, or in queues. I did discover the automatic headlight feature which I act … | Continue reading
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It has been a while since I wrote about blogging, but I was lucky to get a fresh crop of new followers recently, so it prompted me to think about blogging in 2023, eleven years after I started. Some new bloggers still lack patience. I get emails or comments asking me how they can … | Continue reading
It has been a hectic overnight trip to the wedding in Essex. But it came with many plus points that made the journey worthwhile. On Saturday morning, I took Ollie to our next door neighbours to spend the night. I also took his dog-bed, a couple of his favourite toys, and food and … | Continue reading
I am off to attend a family wedding soon, the first of two this month. (The second one is next Friday!) So, no blogging for me until much later this weekend, if at all. Back to normal on Monday, all being well. | Continue reading