Friday 28 August 2015

CEPHALOPOD COFFEE HOUSE



The Cephalopod Coffeehouse: August 2015

Welcome one and all to the Cephalopod Coffeehouse, a cozy gathering of book lovers, meeting to discuss their thoughts regarding the works they enjoyed most over the previous month.  

Pull up a chair, order your cappuccino and join in the fun.  

If you wish to add your own review to the conversation, please click on the above link where you can then sign on to the link list.

This month I would like to recommend a fabulous book detailing ordinary life and its ups and downs.





About the Author

Jan Ruth lives in North Wales (UK) and her books feature the rugged Welsh landscape and more often than not, her love of dogs and horses. Although she writes serious love stories with strong characterisation, she also captures the humour of modern everyday life and the endless complications of relationships.
Wild Water
(The Wild Water Series Book 1)
By
Jan Ruth
Approx. 324pages

Book Description from Amazon

Will life and family conspire to keep these lovers apart again?

Wild Water is the story of forty-something estate agent, Jack, who is stressed out - not only by work, bills, and the approach of Christmas, but by the feeling that he and his wife, Patsy, are growing apart.

His misgivings prove to be true when he discovers Patsy is having an affair, and is pregnant. As his marriage begins to crumble around him, he becomes reacquainted with his childhood sweetheart, Anna, whom he left for Patsy twenty-five years before.

His feelings towards Anna reawaken, but will life and family conflicts conspire to keep them apart again?

MY REVIEW 4*

On the surface Jack Redman is a successful man, his estate agency is doing well, he has a great family and a beautiful wife who runs a beauty salon.  

Then his life begins to unravel at an alarming rate.  His wife admits to an affair and the fact that she is pregnant.  The stress of managing the business, his father’s health is not good which means he has to take on responsibility for the office in Wales as well as in Wilmslow, so he finds himself travelling up and down a motorway.  

He meets up again with his first love, who is engaged to be married, who wishes to place her ramshackle farmhouse on the market.

There are highs and lows, emotional roller coasters, a list of characters that are likeable and not so likeable, true to life in the fact that we all know people who seem to live their lives as a soap opera. 

It would have been very easy for this story to become farcical but the beauty of the writing allows the story to unfold at a fast pace without losing control of time and characterisation.



Tuesday 25 August 2015

LUIGI

Mondays Finish the Story – August 24th, 2015
Posted on 2015-08-24

 Welcome to Mondays Finish the Story!

This is a unique flash fiction challenge where we provide you with a new photo each week, and the first sentence of a story. 

Your challenge is to finish the story using 100-150 words, not including the sentence provided. Don’t forget to use the opening sentence… 

This challenge runs from Monday to Sunday! Get creative and have fun finishing the story!


Please include the photo with your bit of flash and a link back to this post. 

Do not forget to click on link to find the blue frog and add your link so that others can enjoy your story too! Now let’s have some fun!


2015-08-24 – Photo taken of an old photo in 2014 – Barbara W. Beacham

Finish the story begins with:  
The family had no idea that little Luigi would grow up to be…”

LUIGI

“The family had no idea that little Luigi would grow up to be…” 
Harriet’s voice dwindled away as she became absorbed by the picture in front of her.  The photograph album was open but this was the picture her index finger had landed on.

Her visitor looked up into Harriet’s face. 

“Aunty, what happened to Luigi?  Who was he?”

Caroline patted her aunt’s hand encouraging her to continue.  This was a member of the family she wasn’t aware of. 

Harriet began to speak again and told her great-niece the family story.  Luigi was a precocious boy, always wanting attention but somehow everybody adored him.  The female members of the family attended to his every wish, he never cried, never wanted for anything and then he grew up to be a body part model.

Harriet looked at her great-niece, “I’ll let you guess which body part, my dear.”

The two women, separated in age by 50 years, both burst into fits of giggles.

Word count: 149

Friday 21 August 2015

PROGRESS






It's time for this week's Friday Fictioneers.  Click on the link to find out more; 

Here is the photo prompt:

Photo credit: C.E. Ayres




PROGRESS

It is progress. 

Honestly it really is. 

To make progress you destroy what is already there.

The council meeting was quite vocal, the sound decibels in the board room rose to a crescendo as everybody had a point to make.

Lilian sat quietly waiting for her chance to speak.

The chairwoman nodded at her to proceed as soon as there was a break in the arguments.

A demure woman normally this was too important to Lilian.

She started to speak and nearly faltered as all eyes turned towards her. 

A round of applause followed her speech. 

The vote was passed.

Word count: 100

Wednesday 19 August 2015

DIRECT LINK SPECTACULAR SETTINGS WEP AUGUST 2015



This first challenge has two parts. You may do both parts or just one. Your choice.


August 19 - SPECTACULAR SETTINGS.

For this challenge you will be asked:
1.    to share with us a paragraph from a novel, or an extract from a poem, or a photograph that stopped your heart with a spectacular setting etc. 
2.    then you will describe to us how your chosen 'setting' spoke to you. Why did you like it?
3.    then you have the option to:
1.    write your own 'setting' piece in any genre, or 
2.    write your own poem which highlights 'setting' in some way, or 
3.    share a photograph that blows you away every time you look at it and tell us why.
4.    share an artwork that shows a 'setting' you love and tell us why you love it.
5.    write a small playscript which is all about 'setting'.
Remember, setting is both place and time.


Many thanks go to our hosts Denise Covey and Yolanda Renee for re-establishing WEP, a bi-monthly writing challenge, they work very hard to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible.  



Here is my contribution: 

PART ONE:

Picture courtesy of the internet

Heidi By Johanna Spryi

CHAPTER 1

UP THE MOUNTAIN TO ALM-UNCLE

From the old and pleasantly situated village of Mayenfeld, a footpath winds through green and shady meadows to the foot of the mountains, which on this side look down from their stern and lofty heights upon the valley below.  The land grows gradually wilder as the path ascends, and the climber has not gone far before he begins to inhale the fragrance of the short grass and sturdy mountain plants, for the way is steep and leads directly up to the summits above.

I read Heidi as a young girl, probably nine or ten years old.  The description of a path leading up to a mountain took my imagination as something I had never experienced and probably never would.

The language is quite simple but has enough, almost exotic, vocabulary about it to appeal to a young girl’s imagination, ‘stern and lofty heights’ – ‘inhale the fragrance of the short grass.’ 

It was only in books that I could realise the potential of such words and try and use them in my everyday language, not that that went down well with my peers who thought I was a bit of a snob.

As the story proceeds it becomes clear that this idyllic route to the top is going to change a little girl’s life in ways unimaginable.

On a clear sunny morning in June two figures might be seen climbing the narrow mountain path, one, a tall strong-looking girl, the other a child whom she was leading by the hand, and whose little cheeks were so aglow with heat that the crimson colour could be seen even through the dark, sunburnt skin.  And this was hardly to be wondered at, for in spite of the hot June sun the child was clothed as if to keep off the bitterest frost.  She did not look more than five years old, if as much, but what her natural figure was like would have been hard to say, for she had apparently two, if not three dresses, one above the other, and over these a thick red woollen shawl wound round about her, so that the little body presented a shapeless appearance, as, with its small feet shod in thick, nailed mountain-shoes, it slowly and laboriously plodded its way up in the heat.  The two must have left the valley a good hour’s walk behind them, when they came to the hamlet known as Dorfli which is situated half-way up the mountain.  Here the wayfarers met with greetings from all sides, some calling to them from windows, some from open doors, others from outside, for the elder girl was now in her old home,.  She did not, however, pause in her walk to respond to her friends’ welcoming cries and questions, but passed on without stopping for a moment until she reached the last of the scattered houses of the hamlet.  Here a voice called to her from the door.  “Wait a moment, Dete; if you are going up higher, I will come with you.”

The power of words can conjure up fantastic images, spectacular settings and along with an image, as on the cover of this particular book, a story to unfold.

I only wish I still had my childhood copy of the book.  I do have a copy downloaded on to my Kindle for posterity’s sake. 


PART TWO:

SPECTACULAR SETTINGS

This picture plucks at my heart strings.  It is a picture of a very dear little boy plus the added spectacle of the sea meeting the sky.  To me, it is very evocative.   The freedom and joy expressed in the little boy’s stance is priceless.


THE BEACH

Different hues of blue spread across the horizon, the sun glinted and sparkled on the water, shining like diamonds on crests of gentle rippling waves.  The horizon stretched out as far as the eye could see, the sky a cloudless azure, a perfect summer’s day.

It wasn’t very often a day like this happened in the UK.  Molly had decided to make the most of this rare opportunity, packed up her large, cavernous stripy bag, stuffing in suntan lotion, bottles of water, wet wipes, nappies, a change of clothing, snacks and treats, her mobile phone (most important) a couple of towels and various other must-haves for a day at the beach.

After settling down in a sunny spot, she slathered his arms and legs and nose with Factor 50, as he protested and squirmed with lots of laughter and tickles along the way but she must protect her blonde, blue eyed baby boy from the ravages of the depleted ozone layer. She jammed his sun hat on his head, turned him towards the shingle and let him go.

She let Timmy run loose where she could keep her eye on him because if you gave her 18 month old toddler an inch then he would gaily and cheerfully take the mile.

His little legs toddled off, his arms came up, his hands fisted in joy as he kicked out with his legs finding running a bit more difficult over the pebbles than running around on a floor or the paved courtyard at home.

Molly could hear his squeals of delight as he spied the water.  Luckily there was a drop down to the beach before the tide met the sand so if he took it into his head to go charging towards the salty water she would be able to catch him and bring him back to safety. 



Crossing her legs into a quasi lotus position Molly reached into her bag for her tobacco.  Keeping a beady eye on her youngster she rolled a cigarette and thought she would add a little magic to it this morning.  They planned to stay on the beach for several hours so she would be safe to drive back home later. 

Taking a well earned puff, she exhaled slowly as her thoughts turned to more than a year ago when her labour pains began nearly two months early.  Living in a hamlet in a headland on the south east coast of England, sheltered in an area of low-lying land, meant that a journey to the nearest hospital would take 40 minutes.  Luckily her good neighbour bundled her and her partner, along with her own young son, into her car and drove as quickly and as safely as possible to the hospital.

Frantic calls to the imminent grandparents ensued but young Timmy decided he wouldn’t wait for anybody.  After a couple of days in an incubator and a couple of weeks in the special care unit Molly was able to bring her small baby home. 

She waved to him as he called to her, pointing to something he saw out on the sea, his bright inquisitive eyes spotting something only visible to him.  Perhaps it was a glint from the sun making a shape of a whale or something similar.

Mellowing out and relaxing her mind further Molly now considered her future.  She had a major decision to make and although most of her mind was made up she tried to consider all aspects.  It really wasn’t going to be an easy decision.

Pros and cons, what-ifs, maybes, should she and, most importantly, could she make a life if she took this course of action.  Molly knew she would upset a lot of people by taking this decision but her main concern would be to ensure Timmy had a loving home life, his relations around him and that she had a good support network.
She unfurled her limbs, stood up and stretched in to a yoga pose she used to do, elongating her back and folding her waist over to reach down to her feet.  As she rose again she saw Timmy’s quizzical face in her eye line.
Jabbering away in what she termed ‘Timmy-speak’ he pulled at her shorts making her come with him and pointing to the sea.  Molly picked him up in her arms and pulled his trainers and socks off, slipped her own sandals off on to the rug, adjusting Timmy’s weight in her arms a bit more securely, they made their way over the shingle to the edge of the water.
Timmy squealed as she dangled his feet in the salty water.  She placed him down on his two feet, gripping his hand tightly, much to his protests, as a gentle ripple washed over her larger feet and his tiny, white feet.
A piece of brown seaweed became entangled inbetween Molly’s toes, cold and squidgy and lumpy; she let go briefly of Timmy’s hand to disengage the smelly algae from between her toes. 

Down he went on hands and knees, full face into the briny liquid.  Molly scooped him up as he spluttered all over her; she brushed the water from his eyes and pushed his hair back on his forehead.

‘Again, mummy, again,’ came the delighted shouts.
Nothing fazed this boy of hers.  He had no cares in his little world, he cried, he was picked up, he was hungry, he was fed along with all the other caring aspects of tending to a toddler. If only her own life was that simple.

Back on the rug, cuddled into her, her sleepy boy nodded off.  Molly took the opportunity to gaze out to the sea, the horizon a line divided by two colours of blue, meeting far out.  She knew there was more out there, she knew there was another life waiting for her.  

Did she have the courage?  Should she wait and see if things got better?  Did she want them to get better?  She must find an answer soon.

Word count: 1002




Tuesday 18 August 2015

THE GLUE


This is a unique flash fiction challenge where we provide you with a new photo each week, and the first sentence of a story. Your challenge is to finish the story using 100-150 words, not including the sentence provided. Don’t forget to use the opening sentence… This challenge runs from Monday to Sunday! Get creative and have fun finishing the story!
Please include the photo with your bit of flash and a link back to this post. 


Do not forget to click on the above link to find the  blue frog and add your link so that others can enjoy your story too! 

Now let’s have some fun!


I would also like to wish our host, Barbara, a speedy recovery and recuperation, get well soon. 

Photo credit: Barbara Beacham
Finish the story begins with:  “I see absolutely everything.”

THE GLUE

I see absolutely everything but wish I didn’t

It is so stressful being omnipotent

Well that’s what my family say

‘Cos I know what they do every day

They think they can keep secrets from me

Spreading their gossip like branches of a tree

Why they have to be so nasty

Words uttered so hastily

More to the case a terse text

An answer pinged back all vexed

No time taken to digest and think

In a matter of an eye’s blink

From bad to worse

With words that curse

Riled up they come to me

Knowing that I see

Absolutely everything

And can swing

The vote either way

I won’t portray

An image of decay

Not tomorrow or yesterday

My time is limited

I’ll nip it in the bud

Then what will they do

Because I am the glue

Binding this family together

For now and forever.


Word count: 150

Thursday 13 August 2015

MORNING





Rochelle has given us the following photo as this week’s prompt, it is a blast from the past for some participants but new to me.  Click on the link above to take you to Rochelle's site where you will find the blue froggy to link your story and read other contributions. 

Photo Credit: Madison Woods


MORNING

She woke up very cross
Thinking about her boss
Who said he was at a loss
She didn't give a toss
If the office was in total chaos
Changing the company logos
To letterheads in blue emboss
Fancy fonts and different sizes
Drop-down menus select choices.

Stationary at the drive-thru
Waiting in the queue
In the early morning dawn
Her attention was drawn
To a struggle on the wall
Brown and small
Green and tall

The instinct to survive was strong
She had to fight to belong
To step up her place
In the corporate rat race.

Word count: 97

Monday 10 August 2015

THE OUTING

This is a unique flash fiction challenge where we provide you with a new photo each week, and the first sentence of a story. Your challenge is to finish the story using 100-150 words, not including the sentence provided. Don’t forget to use the opening sentence… This challenge runs from Monday to Sunday! Get creative and have fun finishing the story!
Thanks today to J.A. over at Living Author Society for suggesting a topic for this week’s challenge.

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/2015/08/10/mondays-finish-the-story-august-10th-2015/
Please include the photo with your bit of flash and a link back to this post. Do not forget to click on the link to find the blue frog and add your link so that others can enjoy your story too! Now let’s have some fun!


 
Photo credit: Barbara W. Beacham

Finish the story begins with:  “Where did they go?”

THE OUTING

‘Where did they go?’

Darcy didn’t have the answer to that question.

She could make up a story to tell her children as they trudged along the single track path to the ruins in the distance.  The red dusty brickwork lent itself to visions of cowboy westerns, rifles at the ready, men defending their stance behind walls that crumbled under a bombardment from the enemy.

She could tell Brian and James about the War that had been fought here; a hard, bitter battle that ended with many, many casualties.  Women and men fought side by side, to retain their freedom, to be allowed to live their frugal lives scratching a living from earth that was reluctant to nurture the seedlings they had sown in the spring.

‘Mum, mum,’ Brian tugged on her sleeve.  ‘Can we eat our sandwiches when we get there?’

Seven year old twins thought more of their stomachs rather than history.

Word count: 150