Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Water
This week the topic is Water.
Any kind of
water counts for this week’s theme from steam to stream, rain or sleet and, yes
for you northern folks, snow and ice.
Friday, 29 December 2017
Cee's Black & White - Water
Cephalopod Coffeehouse: 29 December 2017
The last Friday in the month is the time for Cephalopod Coffeehouse.
This is 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.
Hosted by:
http://armchairsquid.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/cephalopod-coffeehouse-december-2017.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+TheArmchairSquid+(The+Armchair+Squid)
The book I am reviewing today has a 4* rating from me.
371 pages
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Considered a troublesome burden, Evelyn Talbot
is banished by her family to their remote country house. Tall Chimneys is
hidden in a damp and gloomy hollow. It is outmoded and inconvenient but Evelyn
is determined to save it from the fate of so many stately homes at the time -
abandonment or demolition.
Occasional echoes of tumult in the wider world reach their sequestered backwater - the strident cries of political extremists, a furore of royal scandal, rumblings of the European war machine. But their isolated spot seems largely untouched. At times life is hard - little more than survival. At times it feels enchanted, almost outside of time itself. The woman and the house shore each other up - until love comes calling, threatening to pull them asunder.
Her desertion will spell its demise, but saving Tall Chimneys could mean sacrificing her hope for happiness, even sacrificing herself.
A century later, a distant relative crosses the globe to find the house of his ancestors. What he finds in the strange depression of the moor could change the course of his life forever.
One woman, one house, one hundred years.
MY REVIEW
4*
A powerful read, well
written chronicling one women’s long life, over 100 years, although the book
doesn’t go into the last 50 odd or so years of her life, otherwise it would be
a huge missive. Evelyn is out of place
in her family, a late child, treated poorly by her family, treated as barely a
duty, stuck in the depths of Yorkshire in a crumbling mansion. The house is her home, its secret corridors
and outdoor byways her own secret places.
As adulthood crashes in on her, she finds life in the real world is not
easy, she is abused, physically and emotionally. She finds love with a visiting artist who
travels a lot. World War II breaks out
and everything changes.
It’s never boring, cleverly written, atmospheric and a very enjoyable read if you like a family saga with one main character which I certainly did.
Thursday, 21 December 2017
WEP - THE END IS THE BEGINNING
Here is my story:
THE END IS THE BEGINNING
It was over. The war was over. Daphne glanced down through the grimy window
on to the celebrations taking place below.
Dancing in the streets. Smiles on
faces. You could taste the euphoria. Daphne realised it wouldn't last. They thought all their problems would now go
away. She knew differently. She turned back to her patients, tending to
their needs. These poor soldiers,
sailors, airmen their lives would always be different. They would have to make new lives for
themselves, new beginnings, a fresh start but all free to live without
oppression.
George tried to take in his
surroundings. What he could see through
the slit in the bandages covering most of his face was very limited. He remembered bits and pieces, the screams,
the pain, the agony all around him. He
felt his mind slip away into a dark recess, it was the only way he could
cope. Now it seems he was away from the
fighting. Away from the noise, the
smells, the bitterness and grief that wafted through the air and permeated into
every pore of his skin. Now he was warm,
not able to move very much, still hungry, still thirsty and still afraid.
The next thing George knew was
the voice of an angel asking him if he would like a cup of tea. He tried to laugh. He’d rather have a pint of best bitter, he
didn’t care what the time was. His
upbringing and manners took over as he replied in a croaky voice that yes, he
would very much like a cup of tea.
Strong, capable arms positioned
themselves under his arms, as they lifted him to a seating position in the bed.
A waft of perfume consumed his
senses. His nostrils would remember that
smell forever. It took away the stench
of the battlefield, the stink of the latrines, the iron smelling blood that
seeped into his clothing.
Daphne held a spouted cup to
George’s mouth as he drew in a mouthful of tea.
His eyes focused on her hands as he managed to drink half the cup of liquid. It had obviously been stewed over several
hours but it was wet and, bliss of bliss, sweet on his taste buds.
Daphne sat by his bedside and
introduced herself to him. ‘I know your
name is George,’ she said, smiling at him.
‘You are probably wondering why you are here. I'm afraid you suffered severe burns to most
of your body but you are recovering very well.
It was touch and go to begin with. You are strong, a fighter and a very
brave man, along with all your colleagues here and elsewhere.’
George nodded. He had many questions but for now just
drinking that cup of tea had worn him out.
His eyes started to close against his will, he wanted to keep listening
to Daphne. He could listen to that
voice all day long and what he could see of her was lovely if rather
blurry. He wondered if his eyesight had
been affected. He wondered about the
rest of his unit.
Daphne patted his arm as she rose
to leave him. ‘Your commanding officer
is coming by tomorrow. He’ll tell you
everything you want to know. Just rest
now and I’ll be along a little later to get you settled.’
**********
Daphne returned to work after a
few days leave. Her heart started
thumping as she realised a different man was incumbent in the bed George should
be in. Sister came up to her and went
through the notes. Keeping her
expression professional Daphne waited, her shoulders relaxed as Sister’s
monotone described George’s move to a convalescent home nearer to his parents.
The London hospital closed its
doors six months later and Daphne transferred to the Cottage Hospital in
Suffolk. She had to keep nursing, it was
her vocation. Many people needed her
care. As she nursed her patients she
often thought of George. She didn’t
even know where he lived. There was
something about that man that wouldn't leave her. Many times she tried to shrug off the feeling
that she should make an effort to try and find him. There was little or no hope of her being able
to do that. The War Office wouldn't pass
any information to her as she wasn’t a relative.
A couple of men had asked her out
to the pictures or the village dance but she always declined. It wouldn't be fair on them as she was still
holding a candle for George albeit she’d only known him for maybe a week. That week was all it had taken. There was no way she could have let him know
how she felt, she was his nurse and he was a patient. It would have been unethical to show even the
slightest hint that she had feelings for him.
George walked down the High
Street. He kept his head down with his
hat pulled low over his forehead. It
shouldn't matter that his face was scarred, everybody had been so kind to him
since he’d been discharged from the hospital and returned to his family
home. Now all he had to do was find a
job. They were scarce but he would take
anything in an office. Physically he
couldn't do manual work because of his gammy leg and many other men needed
those jobs more than he did. Financially
he was solvent with the inheritance from his grandparents to keep him afloat
but he needed a mental stimulus or he would die of boredom.
Then he heard it. Then he smelt it. He knew that voice of an angel. He knew that perfume. He looked around and there she was. His angel, helping an old lady cross the
road. He wanted to call out. He whispered her name, Daphne.
Daphne heard a whisper on the
wind. She turned her head as she reached
the pavement. It was George. She smiled at him as her heart sang out in
joy.
Wednesday, 20 December 2017
Cee's Foto Fun Challenge - Letter R
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: R – Needs to start with the letter R and have
at least six letters
This week is Letter R – Needs to start
with the letter R and have at least six letters (rabbit, racing, radios,
relics, rivets, rotten, railroad, rhododendron, radish).
£5 Remembrance coin
Renovations
Pink Rabbit
Recycling bins
Raspberry Cheesecake
Friday, 15 December 2017
Friday Fictioneers - Blind Date
https://rochellewisoff.com/2017/12/13/15-december-2017/
The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
Joining in with Friday Fictioneers, our photo prompt this week is supplied by Sandra Crook.
BLIND DATE
Anthony
looked at his watch again, another minute had passed. How long should he wait under the lamp before
he could safely say that he’d been stood up?
He wished he hadn’t accepted the dare from his mates in the pub last
night. They’d obviously set him up for a
fall. He wouldn’t put it past them to be
hiding somewhere with their phones ready to take his picture to send just to
embarrass him.
‘Hi.’
Anthony
whirled round. A vision of gorgeousness
stood behind him, blushing furiously he extended his hand and leaned in to kiss
her rosy cheek.
Word count: 100
Cee's Black and White
Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Abandoned or Alone
This week the topic is Abandoned or Alone.
A lost baby seagull
Looking for his mum in the shop window!
Abandoned ruins
Lonely village hall and stage
Wednesday, 13 December 2017
Cee's Fun Foto Challenge - Letter Q
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Letter Q – Simply needs to have the
letter Q
This week is
Letter Q – Simply needs to
have the letter Q (queen, quiet, squeeze, squish).
Here is my entry for this week:
Quill House
Orford Quay
Home-made quiches
Monday, 11 December 2017
Sunday Photo Fiction
Each week a photo is used, donated by one of the participants
of Sunday Photo Fiction, and the idea is to write a story with the photo as a
prompt in 200 words or less.
This week’s photo prompt is provided by Eric Wiklund
THE PROMISE
She promised to follow him to the
ends of the earth. A new adventure he
said. A new life he said. New friends, new opportunities he said. She believed him. She believed in him. The night of the wedding she wondered. Shrugged her shoulders, things would get
better. The next night, she gritted her
teeth and the next and the next. When they
arrived at their new home she could hardly walk. She stood as tall as she could, her pride
would not let her hurt show. She smiled
at the house that was theirs. Not quite
what she expected from his description. Not
what she’d hoped for. The people stood
at their doors, sullen and suspicious. His
arrogance was showing. He was the lord
of the manor and the peasants knew it. Behind
closed doors the nightly rituals continued, the pain and torture that he told
her was love was relentless.
Hope came in the garden, peace
descended upon her soul, a fluttering began in the pit of her tummy. She knew then that she would endure. She had
to for the sake of the new life stirring inside her. She would find a way, escape was her hope.
Word count 200
Friday, 8 December 2017
Friday Fictioneers
https://rochellewisoff.com/2017/12/06/8-december-2017/
The next
photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer,
donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any
other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the
contributor credit.
Please
be respectful of your readers and keep your story to 100 words or less.
THE
TRYST
It was so cold she swore there were
icicles on the end of her nose, she thought she looked like the bare tree
adorned with sparkling dagger like icicles.
Alyson was tempted to look at her watch
again, it was only a few moments ago that she had exposed her wrists to the
biting cold. Patience. It was one of the disadvantages of always
being early.
She heard the squeak of the door then
he appeared, muffled up against the cold, a quick hug and a kiss on her frozen
nose before they hastened to their secret place.
FFfAW Challenge
FFfAW Challenge-Week of December 5, 2017
Posted
on December 4, 2017 by Priceless Joy
144th
Challenge
Flash Fiction for Aspiring
Writers
Week of 12-05 through
12-11-2017
This
week's photo prompt is provided by Enisa.
Thank you Enisa!
Change
So many noises, so many images. Round eyed and startled, her
fur bristled, her whiskers twitched, her ears were pricked trying to sort out
the sounds.
Daphne knew the move was right for them. It was the only way forward. Her redundancy pay out gave them a cushion
for a little while. She’d get through
Christmas on her own, with the help of Kitty Kat. She had picked her up a few days ago and then
her world collapsed all around her. No
boyfriend, no job, no home but hey-ho it was almost Christmas, a miracle could
happen.
Who was she kidding?
No, the further she travelled the better, far away from the sneaks and
self-satisfied smug work colleagues who thought they were mightier than her
just because they kept their jobs.
Good riddance too to the ex-love of her life who had said,
‘that’s life.’
Goodbye to you and hello new life, new opportunities and
maybe, just maybe a new love in her life.
She’d look Tony up when she got to the village.
Word count: 175
Guide for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers
1. A prompt photo will be provided each Monday pm to be used as a
base to your story. Please include photo prompt with your story.
2. Linking for this challenge begins on Monday pm and runs to the
following Monday pm.
3. Please credit photo to photographer.
4. The story word limit is 100 – 150 words (+ – 25 words). Please
try and stay within this limit.
5. Please indicate the number of words in your story at the end of
your story. (It doesn't count into the amount of words).
6. This is a flash fiction challenge (stories in 100-175 words or
less) and each story should have a beginning, a middle, and an end. Therefore,
no serial (continuation) stories. They become too complicated for our readers.
7. Add your story to the InLinkz Link-up (Blue Froggy button).
Please let me know if you need link-up instructions.
8. Please keep stories below R rating.
9. Please respect the diversity of our readers and writers in
regard to race, religion, and life style choice when writing your stories.
10. Remember, half the fun is reading and commenting on each
other's stories.
Cee's Black and White Photo
This week the topic is
Houses: big, small,
lighthouses, birdhouse, firehouse, toys etc.
Here is my entry for this week:
Wednesday, 6 December 2017
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Letter P
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Letter P – Needs to have at least 5 letters and start with P
This week is Letter P – Needs to have at least 5 letters and start with P.
Here is my entry:
Paddington Bear
Perfume Factory
Pippa's Tea Rooms
Peggotty’s Tea Shoppe
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