There is a Londoner named Chris Ross with a large online presence as ‘The East End Poet’. He also makes ukeleles and is a fan of West Ham football club. He wrote this, which I think is great. (Copyright Chris Ross) You can discover more about him using these links, including his … | Continue reading
Hard to believe, but this is an actual newspaper article writing about a recruitment campaign for women to join London’s Metropolitan Police. It dates from the 1930s. | Continue reading
The old weather-related saying is that ‘March comes in like a lion, goes out like a lamb’. I’m pleased to say that is not the case this year as we have sunny weather and temperatures up to 10C (50F) that are forecast to last all week. Okay, it has been below feezing overnight and … | Continue reading
This is the sixteenth part of a fiction serial, in 840 words. Before they went to sleep that night, Jenny had a question for Stacey. “Why do you have barrier guards with weapons? Does anyone try to attack you? It seems peaceful here, so I don’t understand why so many people are w … | Continue reading
I do not suggest that any of these maps are accurate! (Though some probably are.) | Continue reading
To cheer ourselves up, we decided to book a short holiday to Turkey, leaving later this month. I haven’t been overseas since 2011, though Julie has made a couple of short trips while I stayed home to look after Ollie. It all seems straightforward enough. Book a room direct with t … | Continue reading
I was thinking about this song today, and checked my blog to discover I had featured it previously, in 2017. But that was in one of my A-Z series, so I decided to give it another outing today. The information is from Wikipedia, but I bought the single when I was 18 years old in … … | Continue reading
I do not claim that any of these are true! You can decide for yourselves. | Continue reading
My blogging friends Ed Westen and Susanne Swanson frequently post photos of the Hummingbirds that are attracted to feeders in their gardens. https://catsandtrailsandgardentales.com/ https://deartedandjody.wordpress.com/author/democratizemoney/ They both live in the north-west of … | Continue reading
This is the sixteenth part of a fiction serial, in 811 words. Dinner was a communal affair. A short walk back in the direction of the bridge took them to what had once been a theatre and concert complex next to the river. The former foyer was now a large dining hall, with people … | Continue reading
Yesterday I reblogged Sarada Gray’s post about changes to Kindle book storage and ownership being brought in by Amazon. In a reply to one of my comments on her post, ‘zerothly’ wrote this. What I’ve done is download them all and put the Kindle Fire into airplane mode, which unfor … | Continue reading
I am reposting this from Sarada Gray to let everyone know that Amazon is removing the facility to download Kindle books that you own, and they will only be available on Amazon devices in the future. If you close or delete your Amazon account, you will no longer have access to tho … | Continue reading
I have no idea of any of these are true, so this is a disclaimer in advance. However, we have been using Himalayan Pink Salt for years now, and I do recommend that. | Continue reading
This is the fourteenth part of a fiction serial, in 828 words. James didn’t say much, and Jenny thought it best not to ask too many questions until she met Thomas later. When she had finished eating, he took her further down the train into a carriage marked Female Quarters. Insid … | Continue reading
Sad news that Roberta Flack has died at the age of 88. I have seen many tributes featuring her most well-known songs, so here is one that I bought on a single in 1972. Two of my favourite singers at the time with a duet. Where is the love? (Where is the love?) Where is … Continue … | Continue reading
Never too old to learn something new. Most of the images can be enlarged by clicking on them. Locations where Roman coins have been found. This may no longer apply to America. The topography of South America, with The Andes shown on the left. Actual size of countries in dark blue … | Continue reading
1994 sounds fairly recent, until you remember it was 30 years ago! The British Duo with the unusual name, Everything But The Girl, released their latest album that year, and then this song from it, as a single. I already liked them, mainly for the crystal-clear vocals of Tracy Th … | Continue reading
Today’s selection has nothing controversial, upsetting, or completely unbelievable. In fact I went the extra mile and fact-checked these and they are all true. The Ratfish is even on video on You Tube. This might be Smitty’s Pizza in Ohio, or it might not… At the edge of the Boha … | Continue reading
This is the thirteenth part of a fiction serial, in 831 words. Choosing the nearest bridge, Jenny looked across and could see a barrier on the other side. It was higher than a tall man, and well-constructed from metal and wire. Afraid of the water below, she walked in the centre … | Continue reading
Something educational for the day of rest. | Continue reading
A Song For You. This has been featured on my blog before, in 2014. But I love it so much, here it is again. Written by Leon Russell and released by him in 1970, I actually prefer this version by Donny Hathaway from the following year, which I bought when I was 19. Though I … Cont … | Continue reading
This is the twelfth part of a fiction serial, in 870 words. The day before she was due to leave, a delivery robot brought a parcel to Jenny’s apartment. She opened it in the bathroom, where there were no cameras. Inside were two black security overalls, an electric prod with a ha … | Continue reading
A selection of memes and images for Caturday. Having your deceased cat stuffed is never a good idea. I think I am number 4. Car accessory for cat lovers. Language lesson. | Continue reading
I am delighted to feature a new book from fellow blogger and published author, Janet. She lives on the south coast of England, and her blog posts and stories are quirky and delightful. You can get a taste of those from her new book, which is available from Amazon at an exceptiona … | Continue reading
The original version of this song was by ‘Screaming’ Jay Hawkins, released in 1956. My dad had the record, and I always found it to be rather comedic, almost silly. Then in 1965, Nina Simone recorded a cover version, and that hit the spot when I was 13. It’s a very short song, bu … | Continue reading
Visit the post for more. | Continue reading
I posted something similar to this previously, but it needs to be mentioned again. It turns out that pets also have their own “last wishes” before they pass away, something only veterinarians who euthanize old or sick animals are aware of. A Twitter user, Jesse Dietrich, once ask … | Continue reading
This is the eleventh part of a fiction serial, in 840 words. It was over two weeks before Gabriel summoned her to another lunch meeting. Plenty of time for Jenny to fret about her forthcoming mission to the Outer Zone. The young technician who shared her transport every day showe … | Continue reading
Doing the simple things in life can often be very rewarding. Yesterday we decided to make the most of the last day with no rain forecast by taking a little afternoon trip, leaving home just after midday. Starting with a thirty-five minute drive to Downham Market, to visit our new … | Continue reading
In my quest to offer something different, this is for the book lovers. | Continue reading
With all the important events in the world at the moment, this snippet of news might have escaped your notice. In case you don’t already have enough to be worried about, you can add this to the list. Just as well it is only a ‘possibility’. There is a ‘City Killer’ asteroid on co … | Continue reading
Assorted stuff about animals, some of it very educational or interesting. | Continue reading
The latest batch found online. | Continue reading
My car. I have just left my car at the local dealership for the annual Ministry of Transport test and 12-month mechanical service. The car has to pass the test to be road legal, so now I have the familiar nervous wait until later today to discover if it has passed. If not, I wil … | Continue reading
No humour today, just these. Hair ribbon information. British monarchs since 1066. | Continue reading
This is the tenth part of a fiction serial, in 788 words. Gabriel’s office was much the same as hers, except for a lot more terminals on his desk. A folding table and two small folding stools had been arranged in the free space, and there was a selection of small sandwiches and c … | Continue reading
When I’m An Old Lady by Joanne Bailey Baxter When I’m an old lady, I’ll live with each kid, And bring so much happiness just as they did. I want to pay back all the joy they’ve provided. Returning each deed! Oh, they’ll be so excited! (When I’m an old lady and live with my … Cont … | Continue reading
The Gospel/Disco mashup you never knew you needed. ZZ Cat. Cat with an important job. Moon Cat. Learning geography. The population of the two orange areas is the same as all the red areas. A good word to know in winter. | Continue reading
A really miserable week weather-wise, with every day gloomy and cold. We had some rain too, and then last night it started snowing just around sunset and we got our first dump of snow this winter. Fortunately, it didn’t settle. —————————————————————————————- With the endless gloo … | Continue reading
More random stuff, some of it political. Very cold here this morning! Guess the film. British humour inspired by you-know-who. Anti-Trump stuff. Avoid these if you like him. | Continue reading
It’s 1963, I am 11 years old and I hear a new pop song on the radio. I tell my dad about it (he works in the record business) and he gets me a copy that week. It might sound old fashioned and dated now, but it’s a ‘you had to be there’ moment. She … Continue reading Songs I Like … | Continue reading
This is the ninth part of a fiction serial, in 772 words. The day before she was due to start her new job, a delivery robot brought her a parcel containing more orange overalls and some comfortable soft shoes. Inside one of the shoes was a handwritten note, presumably from Gabrie … | Continue reading
This is my usual message on the 14th of February. For all of you who are looking forward to celebrating today with a loved one, I hope that you have a lovely romantic time doing whatever you have planned. However. Let us never forget the people who are alone, and not from choice. … | Continue reading
This Twitter post from American Robert Serling really sums it all up! I saw it yeasterday, and Fraggle also sent me a link to it. It went viral online apparently, so you might have already seen it. ‘I don’t want to connect my coffee machine to the wifi network. I don’t want to sh … | Continue reading