You may have noticed in the new this week, that one of those rare occasions occurred in the deep, dark night skies above us.
For about 3 or 4 days this well (Feb 25th -28th) we would have the chance to view all our ‘sister’ planets in an arc in the night sky.
My family drive few minutes from our house (we live near a new Observatory but that was fully booked!) but still managed to see at least 6 of the planets (apparently Neptune was hiding behind the moon..I may have wrong it could be Saturn!)
Anyway it was a rare unique this to see these planets all in alignment with the next viewing of this type not happening until 2040!
This trip inspired this short view response, as it does …
It’s Christmas time again and although this might be a time for the children, have never wondered how the presents manage to find their way under your tree?
Well Santa’s secret and often mischievous helpers perform the ‘magic’ of bringing Christmas alive for everyone.
This is just if their poetic stories as you prepare for Christmas again this year (2024).
“The Naughty Elves”
On a Saturday night
The expectant darkness arrives
A small army will dim their light
As among the shadows they hide
Amid the needles, among the stitches
They weave their magical ways
Creating clothes that make you itch
So you’ll scratch for days and days
They will chuckle, and they will laugh
As they plan their next scheme;
A pair of socks to pinch your calf?
And toothpaste that is actually whipped cream?
The Naughty Elves work with a wicked grin;
They busy themselves with tricks
Testing the toys they make a din
By banging the handmade drumsticks!
Helping out Santa is their aim
That’s what he would like to think
There’s only one group left to blame
The Elves that make a right stink
Santa looks at them with a long sad face
The Elves withhold their snigger
When Santa begins to laugh, they embrace
Their smiles get bigger and bigger…
So it’s off to the sleigh for a night-time view
The naughty Elves have worked really hard
Coming soon to a house near you
The handmade Elves Christmas card..
This is one of the 25 “Poems for the Festive Season” available as an E-Book on Amazon
As we had our first batch of snow in 2024 it reminded me of seeing children getting overly excited.
The sleighs came out aplenty. Warm coats and wellington boots were located . And of course gloves were to tools of creativity as Snowmen/women started to appear for the briefest of periods.
The shorter-lived but eternal joy could been seen, as the winter snow-filled fervour saturated the day, as the schools closed, leaving hosts of happy, free spirited children to once again enjoy their youthfulness!
Here’s my little take on the ‘iceman’ created by cold hands, yet leaves you with a warm heart.
It’s starts slowly, builds momentum, showers the sky with its aura, as the power fades, so do you (but we still remember the ‘sparkle’)
Having been to a firework display earlier today, it got me thinking as I watched in absolute spectacular wonder, as this unbridled free spirited fireworks joyfully peppered the black night sky, with its myriad of colours, attracting thousands of eyes, glued looking upward, transfixed at this annual spectacle.
Here’s my two pennies worth..
A quiet rumble that cannot be heard,
Begins without us knowing,
Friction generates movement all around
We watch in awe and wonder, where is this going?
A sudden expected spark
Explodes in front of your startled eyes
Unbridled power exudes forth
What we witness, shouldn’t be a surprise
Now the embryo births into life
Momentum propels growth ahead
We await the true sparkle
When we now see the ‘head’
Crying and tears hit our ears
Into the night, life crashes into the open, vibrant air
The firework makes its dramatic, memorable appearance
Staring in awe, we are consumed by care
As the pops, bangs and whistles perform
Enigmatic, joyous smiles are displayed
Illuminous greens, reds and silver shine bright
The fireworks, like all things, then begin to fade
Colours and energy shoot into time
For some, this is your journey, for now
Your aura transcends; emboldens others
That sparkle flickers; before it takes a bow
Memories of the sounds that you heard
Picture the shapes, the splendid wonder you recall
Imagine the plaintive beauty that existed
See for yourself, the magic of it all
No tricks to play here
Reality with a slice stunning, awesomeness
Cracking sounds, booms of active life abound
Enjoyment, contentment, is what we seek, I must confess
To witness a display of such freedom, liberty
Makes the eyes dance to life’s rhythmic beats
To the sounds of crackling, streaming, cheering
Knowing all too well; this is a Fireworks life; on repeat…
For protection many will seek only the people or the process close to home. The ones you can trust. In effect you have to put yourself in a ‘bubble’ to keep out the ‘rays of destruction’ firing at you from all angles.
Well being is touted often and maybe in some people’s eyes far too often. Yet everyone has the propensity to ‘suffer’ from any type of instability. As it’s such a personal journey what affects one person is water if a ducks back to someone else. Still you treat each case as necessary. Maybe little little ditty reminds us all that it could be ‘me’ next or at some point in the future.
The Bubble
Something isn’t quite right
I cannot tell you what;
Tormenting me all day and night
Like that buzzing fly, I need to swat
I rack my torrid, fragile brain
Hoping to find some respite
No umbrella nearby and here comes the rain
A creeping darkness now envelopes the light
How do I get break free?
What help can I seek?
Is the answer; a glass of vodka martini?
Or will someone listen, as my words leak
Being in a bubble keeps you sane
Locked inside a delirium of fantasy and awe
The next addiction is sweet like sugar cane
A damaged mind plays tricks and is never a bore
As I sit here and ponder the winding route
Of where to plunder next;
Where is the map of support I can salute?
You can send that to me by text
I can read it, and will probably weep
My eyes, heart, filled with trepidation
Out of my skin my words begin to seep
Please defibrillate me into resuscitation
With a heavy, laden load I submit
Over to you to pick me up
I hope you’ll never ever quit
Lead me to once again, to drink from the ‘happy’ cup
A thrilling match, an even thrilling finale – the final is in the future as we patiently await the outcome. The only question that remains is; What will be the result When the Final Whistle Blows…
When The Final Whistle Blows…
When the final whistle blows,
How will you feel?
Has Kane and Watkins boosted our mood
Will Pickford protect our goal like a shield?
When the final whistle blows,
Can Gallagher and Rice protect us?
Or will Stones and Dunk safeguard our back
Or should we ‘Jose’ and park the bus…
When the final whistle blows,
We can rely on the speed of Bellingham and Eze
We may see Joe Gomez move down the wing
As we celebrate a goal with a ‘Yay’!
When the final whistle blows,
The young Mainoo and Wharton will arrive;
Speed and skill intertwine
Our ‘young bloods’ are starting to thrive
When the final whistle blows,
Saka and Gordon move at pace;
Let’s trouble every defensive guard
And give them something else to face
When the final whistle blows,
Bowen and Foden add more to the mix;
Left or right makes no odds
A problem we hope any team can’t fix
When the final whistle blows
Walker and Konsa sit tight;
Calmness plus speed suits us fine
In any match, any day or any night
When the final whistle blows,
Sublime feet sends Guehi and Arnold out
A pass of brilliance will be delivered
The receiver latches on; and has no need to shout
When the final whistle blows,
We hope to be ‘tripping’ the light fantastic;
At any moment you may not be Shaw
Fingers crossed we won’t need anything too drastic
When the final whistle blows,
Palmer and Toney add even more threat
A chilling celebration we hope
On a final date in the future, that is now set
When the final whistle blows,
Where will you all be?
It could be heaven or in some hell of a place
We’ll all have to wait and see…
When the final whistle blows,
58 years is a long time to ‘roam’
I just hope and pray; with a nod and a wink Gareth; please bring our football home…
Company of Fools: Wild, Irreverent Rom-Com Novel Proves Love & Life are Tricky Business (if Not Impossible!)
J.W. Nelson’s ‘Company of Fools’ zeroes in on the tumultuous life of Justin Whalley, a well-intentioned man who dreams of a wife, children and a steady job. But of course, in true literary fashion, this is too much to ask – as Justin finds himself thrust into the pain of heartache, embarrassment, a love triangle at work and the obligatory suspicious death of a colleague. Join Justin as he attempts to unravel the mess, get his life on track and figure out how on earth anyone can define the world “normal”. It’s hilarious, poignant and tugs at the heartstrings.
United Kingdom – J.W. Nelson has been writing his entire life. This unique muscle of creativity affords him a frank view of the world and people around him, something that oozes off each page of his latest romantic comedy novel.
AVAILABLE IN 14 COUNTRIES ON AMAZON
‘Company of Fools: Selling For Love & Life, Is A Tricky Business’ will either make readers grateful their own lives are so “boring”, or provide a wake-up call for them to get their shizzle back on track. Either way, it’s absolutely thrilling.
Meet Justin Whalley. He’s a straight-laced, not too bad-looking young man who wants three things from life – a wife, children and a good job. Not too much to ask, right?
For Justin it’s nigh-on impossible. His tumultuous journey to attain everyone else’s picture of ‘normal’ involves a heady rollercoaster journey (with his family and close friends strapped in beside him) through a wave of emotions, embarrassment and heartache.
He finds the girl he thinks is ‘The One’. Starts to win her affections and hopes his love story is about to blossom. However, the whole game seems impossible. Changing tack he ventures down a dangerous, wild path which threatens to damage his clean-cut reputation at work.
Justin’s ‘so-called’ sales performance sees him hauled up in front of his manger. He becomes embroiled in a love triangle at work. And then things turn disturbingly dark when a work colleague dies in dubious circumstances.
Are women always this difficult?
Is selling for love and life really such a tricky business?
Or is it Justin’s Whalley ways?
“This novel has everything die-hard fans of romantic comedies and drama crave, while of course giving them something totally new and engrossing,” explains the author. “Justin is perfectly flawed and, in a way, represents the hopes and vulnerability of us all. His struggles are ours, and we’ll find ourselves championing for his eventual success and stability.”
Continuing, “I’ve always had a huge interest in the common man, and our relationship with humanity as a whole. Justin isn’t sensational at all; he could easily be living next door, or might even remind you of yourself. Be prepared to run the gamut of human emotion as Justin attempts to emerge victorious from this thing we call “life”. As they say – nobody comes out alive!”
I was born in Birmingham on the same day as my mother.
I have enjoyed writing since I was ten years old. My stories were often read out to the class in English at school. Since then I have continued to write for the enjoyment of it, whether it was lyrics for songs, poems. I attempt to dedicate time to writing full-length manuscripts (hopefully for publication).
I’d welcome the opportunity one day to be able to write screenplays and scripts for movies and/or television.
And recently released on Amazon (and within the next couple of weeks in book shops) – Young Adult adventure mystery – Pentagon Pirate Gang; The Secret of the Orchard (for ages 9+)