Robbie Cheadle's Blog, page 23

Robbie’s Inspiration – Reblog: Treasuring Poetry, meet Gwen M. Plano and a review #readingcommunity #poetry

Thank you to talented author and poet, Gwen M. Plano, for this lovely interview about poetry. I have also reviewed her latest book, The Soul Whisperer’s Decision. Thanks for hosting, Kaye Lynne Booth.

Treasuring Poetry – Meet talented author and poet, Gwen M. Plano, and a review #poetry #bookreview #readingcommunity

Robbie’s Inspiration – Book reviews: Goodbye Old Paint by C.S. Boyack, A Beggar’s Bargain by Jan Sikes, and Live and Let by Judith Barrow #readingcommunity

I am a little behind with sharing reviews of books I’ve read. I am catching up with three that I have read and reviewed recently. I have another three reviews to write with two other books nearly finished. Thank you, Alexa, for being such a good reader.

Goodbye Old Paint by C.S. BoyackPicture caption: Book cover for Goodbye Old Paint featuring a Jeep

Goodbye Old Paint is another fabulous romp through the fantasy world of Lizzie and the Hat. Following a devastating flood that damaged many of the businesses in town, Lizzie is very hard up for money. There is just no work around. Lizzie has living expenses to pay and a student loan hanging in the background. The situation is quite desperate so when a couple of government agents appear, who know her recent history as a monster hunter and promise the forgiveness of her debt if she helps them, Lizzie has no option but to take the bait.

Enter the gremlins. I love gremlins. Somehow these horrid little creatures with their big teeth and ability to eat anything have always been my favourite fantasy creature so I was delighted to see them make an appearance. They didn’t let me down, they were just as destructive and horrible as I remembered from the movie entitled Gremlins.

Several characters from the previous six books make an appearance in this one and I was delighted to see Dash and a few witches pop up in helpful rolls. Poor Lizzie, as always, must face some uncomfortable obstacles on her adventure, but she has great friends and the Hat by her side.

The Hat is a glorious feat of imagination and I love that it can transform into a ‘fool’s cap’ and use the points to work a mobile phone. This always delights me.

Purchase Goodbye Old Paint from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CJ7B84TW

A Beggar’s Bargain by Jan SikesPicture caption: Book cover for A Beggar’s Bargain featuring a barn, dog, and 1940’s car

This is a delightful romance with an interesting historical setting. Layken Martin has just returned home following his discharge from the army. He is penniless and during his time abroad, both his parents have passed away, leaving the family farm neglected and in debt to the local banker. Layken desperately wants to save the farm from repossession, but the banker is a selfish and hard man. Layken’s situation seems unsolveable when the banker suddenly offers him a bargain. If Layken marries his unwanted daughter, Sara Beth, he will give Layken extra time to repay the morgage and will also give him a small sum of money to carry on with. Seeing no other option, Layken accepts the bargain.

Layken intends to treat Sara Beth like a sister for the period of the morgage reprieve and once he’s back on his feet, they can go their separate ways. But while men make plans, life happens, and Sara Beth turns out to be made of strong stuff. She is determined to play her part in saving the farm and quickly proves her worth. Naturally, the two start to develop feelings for each other but the bargain stands as a huge obstacle between them.

The couple’s path crosses with those of a few other people who all become a part of the desperate bid to save the farm. Various traumas occur which all the involved people have to overcome while learning about the importance of good neighbours, kindness, and sticking together during difficult times.

Layken and Sara Beth were both delightful characters and the kind of hardworking and kind people I would love to know. There are a few periods where belief must be suspended for short periods following a serious injury, but this did not detract from the story for me, even though I know a great deal about illness and recovery.

A lovely, feel-good story that will leave you believing in the goodness of humanity. Who wouldn’t want to read a book that?

Purchase A Beggar’s Bargain by Jan Sikes from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/Beggars-Bargain-Jan-Sikes-ebook/dp/B0CVK8442G

Live and Let by Judith BarrowPicture caption: Book cover of Live and Let featuring an ocean scene

I really enjoyed this short book about the author’s experiences running an air B&B, in those days it would have been called a holiday let. The author, her husband and their three small children go on a short holiday to Pembrokeshire, Wales. They fall in love with the area and put in an offer for a ‘doer upper’ which they came across by chance while out for a walk. The stars align and their offer is accepted resulting in the family relocating to this beautiful place.

The husband starts his own business, but additional income is required so the couple decide to convert a part of the large house into a flat to rent out to holiday makers. This is the start of several hilarious anecdotes about the behaviours of various tenants including a couple who practice yoga daily in the front garden in the nude.

I enjoyed learning a bit about the author’s life as a young, newly married woman and the events leading up the purchase of the house in Pembrokeshire as well as the funny stories about the tenants.

A most entertaining short read.

Purchase Live and Let by Judith Barrow from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/Live-Let-Judith-Barrow-ebook/dp/B0D2P5TRCL

Robbie’s Inspiration: Teagan’s Christmas in July Celebration: Sneak peak into Something Fancy, my baking book WIP #Christmas in July #baking #SomethingFancy

Picture caption: Teagan’s Christmas in July badge featuring Santa on the Beach

Today’s post is for Teagan’s Christmas in July Celebration. You can find Teagan’s latest post here: https://teagansbooks.com/2024/07/13/christmas-in-july-fun-songs/

You can find the challenge outline here: https://teagansbooks.com/christmas-in-july/

I am working on a baking book. It is not a cookery book, but rather a book full of ideas for decorating cakes for various special occasions and including my recipes for the foundation cakes for the cake artworks. I am also including some of my baked goods treats recipes. The book will include my tips on cake decorating such as how to cut and shape cake, create marble icing effects, and line cake pans.

This is a sneak peak into Something Fancy and comprises of my Christmas cake recipe and a few pictures of decorated Christmas cakes I’ve made.

Recipe (makes 1 x 26 cm round cake) for Christmas cakeIngredients for Christmas cake

250 grams currants

240 grams sultana

200 grams mixed berries

240 grams raisins

120 grams mixed peel

180 grams chopped cherries

300 grams plain white cake flour

pinch salt

2.5 ml mixed spice

2.5 ml cinnamon

300 grams softened butter

300 grams sticky brown sugar

30 ml lemon zest

6 eggs, lightly beaten

45 ml brandy

Method for Christmas cake

Preheat the oven to 140 degrees Celsius. Double line the cake tin with thick baking paper.

Beat the sugar and butter in an electric mixer. Add the lemon zest. Add the eggs, beating in one at a time.

In a separate bowl mix the dried fruit, spices, salt cherries and flour. Add the egg mixture and mix well. Lastly, pour in the brandy and combine.

Scoop the mixture into the baking tin and level with the back of a spoon. Wrap a layer of tin foil around the base of the baking tin and place in the oven. Bake for +- 3 hours.

Picture credit: Skiing snowman Christmas Cake

Picture Caption: Christmas ‘Three Generations’ cakes

Michael and I have a Sir Chocolate Highdays and Holidays children’s baking book about Christmas.

Picture caption: Sir Chocolate and the Missing Christmas Harp story and activity book available from Amazon USA here: https://www.amazon.com/Chocolate-Missing-Christmas-holidays-books-ebook/dp/B0BNHX8XGC

Robbie’s Inspiration -Reblog, Growing Bookworms: Illustrating children’s book #growingbookworms

A quick update about my aunt. Unfortunately, she’s had a relapse and I was in the ER for another 7 hours last night getting her tested and readmitted. She was tired but okay when I visited at 3pm today. I am a bit behind with comments as a result, but I’ll catch up again.

This month’s Growing Bookworms post is about illustrating children’s books and Kaye Lynne Booth’s new children’s series, My Backyard Friends. Thanks for hosting, Kaye.

Growing Bookworms – illustrating children’s books #childrensfiction #growingbookworms #readingcommunity

Robbie’s Inspiration – Tanka Tuesday #poetry #TankaTuesday

My first poem is for Tanka Tuesday which you can join in here: https://tankatuesday.com/2024/07/02/24-seasons-syllabic-poetry-challenge-no-41-7-2-24-part-iii-the-summer-solstice-june-21-july-6-geshi-%e5%a4%8f%e8%b3/

My second poem is another anecdote from the ER.

Old Man Winter (Tanka)

Old Man Winter works

Cleans out accumulation

Of old, dead leaves

Leftover decorations

From autumn’s colourful ball

Picture caption: my peach tree has lost every leafAnecdotes from the ER – The Dancer

The door to the emergency room waiting area opens and three men shuffle in. They are an eye catching trio. Two greying men in knitted cardigans and comfortable shoes supporting the elbows of a younger man. The youngster’s hair is fashionable shaved up the sides with a poofy afro on top. Thick socks cover his feet which stick out of open-toed slip on shoes. All of their backs are very straight and their feet are splayed like ducks.

Later, I see the youngster and one of the older men again. The youngster is in the cubicle next to my aunt. His friend clucks around him like a mother hen. My aunt is on a drip, her eyes are closed, her face waxen. The youngster’s dark face is shiny with health but his eyes are glazed, a bit vacant.

What’s wrong with him? I wonder

Later, Mother Hen asks me if I have a charger for a mobile phone. I lend him my battery and he strikes up a conversation. They are dancers. Rather, he is a retired dancer and teacher and the young man was one of his pupils.

“He’s a very talented dancer,” the older man whispers. “He was selected for further development by a dance school in New York. He was lonely and during December he got into meth. We didn’t have the money to bring him back.” The faded blue eyes look at me, pleading for my understanding.

The doctor strides over, eyes bright behind Harry Potter glasses. He motions to Mother Hen and they disappear behind the drawn curtain.

I am not listening but I hear the words lumber puncture and possible stroke. More mumbling and I hear “financial”.

The doctor pops back into view and strides away.

Mother Hen peeps out and whispers to me: “I’m taking him to the Helen Joseph. He needs to be admitted and I can’t afford private care.”

I smile. “It’ll be okay. You’re very good to look after him.”

Drug taking

Masks anxieties

Sooths life’s pain

Smooths life’s path

Everything a fantasy

Except they can kill

Picture caption: another part of the garden. It still looks like autumn.

Robbie’s Inspiration – Teagan’s Christmas in July celebration: A letter to Santa and Christmas decorations

Thank you to the dynamic and talented Teagan Riordain Geneviene for this fabulous idea. This is my contribution to her Christmas in July celebration which you can join in here: https://teagansbooks.com/2024/07/06/christmas-in-july-kickoff-hullaba-christmas/

For this first post, we are requested to include a decoration. Here are my fondant Miss Christmas Cracker and Mr Christmas Pudding.

Letter to Father Christmas, North Pole  – December 1942

Written on behalf of Elsie Hancy by her sister, Jean Hancy

15 December 1942

Dear Father Christmas,

I hope you don’t mind that my sister, Jean, is helping me to write this letter. I only started school in September and I haven’t learned all my letters yet.

It is school holidays now and my sisters and I are having a nice time at home. After we have finished writing our letters to you, my older sisters are going to make a paper chain to decorate the front room. Mother has given them some old paper which they will cut into strips and glue together to make the loops for the chain. I am going to watch as Mother says I am too young to cut with scissors.

Mother said that we should all ask for peace for Christmas this year. She is tired of the war and wants it to end soon so there will be more food for everyone and we can have a bigger coal fire to keep us all warm. She says there are severe food shortages in the cities and that we are lucky we live on a farm and have lots of milk to drink. We also have more meat than the people in the cities as Father is able to shoot rabbits when they come onto our farm. I do enjoy rabbit stew, it is one of my favourite meals.

Father says that the Allies are doing well in North Africa and this has given all the soldiers new hope. Father doesn’t talk about the war much but I know he is also hoping it will end soon. I am lucky to have Father at home with us. The fathers of most of my school friends have been called up to fight for Britain in the war. Father is a farmer and it is his job to stay on his land and help to produce food to feed the nation.

I don’t know what it means to have peace. Britain has always been at war since I can remember. Mother says that when the war ends, I will be able to have butter and jam on my bread every day and my brothers and sisters won’t have to go to bed hungry at night. That sounds very nice so I am asking you to please bring us peace.

If it isn’t too much trouble, it would be nice if you could also bring me a doll. She doesn’t have to be new, I don’t mind if someone has loved the doll before me, but I would really like to have one.

Thank you for reading my letter. Please travel safely when you come to England and be careful of the Nazi bomber planes. If you need to you can shelter in our bomb shelter in the garden. I know Father won’t mind.

Your friend

Elsie

Replica of a bomb shelter at the Duxford Imperial War Museum

While the Bombs Fell ebook: https://www.lulu.com/shop/elsie-hancy-eaton-and-robbie-cheadle/while-the-bombs-fell/ebook/product-17en5p2k.html?q=robbie+cheadle&page=1&pageSize=4

While the Bombs Fell paperback: https://www.amazon.com/While-Bombs-Fell-Robbie-Cheadle/dp/1912416433

Robbie’s Inspiration – Poetry Book Review: Shh, Purely Poetry by M.J. Mallon #poetrycommuntiy #book review

What Amazon says

A compilation of sensual, love and relationship poems. Quirky, unusual and evocative.

Shh, Purely Poetry is a collection of poetic pieces about love, sensuality and relationships with sections entitled: love as fuel, (food and coffee love,) the summer and winter of love, strangers in love, quirky aspects and nature as sensuality.

Inspired in part by daily prompt poems written for the 365poetrypromptchallenge, observations of places, people and my travels.

Early Reviews
A beautiful collection of sensual poetry based on love and relationships of all kinds. As many of these pieces come from word prompts, it’s interesting to see these different voices/narratives come to life. There are some observers, some voyeurs, some sapphic, some with varying innuendos, some in mourning for lost love and some enthralled in a new beginning. I enjoyed the use of rhyming schemes in poems such as ‘Gotta stick together ladies’, the alliteration in ‘Blooms of Blossoming Bliss’ and repetition in ‘War Talk’. The imagery throughout is wonderfully conveyed and makes each poem vividly its own tale. A unique and thoughtful collection that easily connects to a reader, and I would thoroughly recommend! (I also enjoyed the ‘Blackpool Funny Girls Drag Show’ as I attended the afterparty of The Book Party and the conga was brilliant!!!) Review Quote Amy B Garratt.

A loving collection of poetry that delicately weaves in relationships at many stages. Many are sensual, full of texture and images, and some offer unique takes on human interaction. Here are a few beautiful passages: “The Sweetness/The longing/Each kiss deeper/different and the same/Like I belonged to more than him/Like I belonged to the poetry.”؅—Dining on Poetry, “…beautiful calligraphy to highlight/tiny ink splodges to add character/tear drops to remind me of sad days.”—Love Hidden In the Margin, and “She is fair and I am dark/Slight and I am robust/We fill our together/completing our silhouettes.”—Silhouettes. “Shh, Purely Poetry” is meant to be savored more than once by lovers of sensuous and thoughtful poems. Review Quote D. L. Finn

A beautiful and loving collection of poetry that discusses love and relationships of all kinds. It’s fun, sensual, full of imagery and very unique. This collection of poems contains many pieces that are derived from word prompts, so it was really interesting to explore all the different narratives that were weaved throughout. I believe this is a collection of poetry that is super sweet and meant to be savoured (see what i did there? )
My personal favourite from this collection was “The Universe is Ours” Review Quote Book Sirens

M J’s compelling poems celebrate the colour of sensuality, the power of love, the sweetness of desire, and the four seasons of romantic relationships.
Vivid imagery and evocative language capture the essence of sensuality, while awakening the senses and igniting the imagination – the partner’s body is often explored like a treasure map, with descriptions of carnal beauty and the pleasure of touch, celebrating the irresistible pulchritude of the human body and the joy of physical connection:

“I can still feel her lips on mine
Salty like the caramel snack
That she turned down for peanuts.
My hands caress her breasts
They sit up pert. Asking – no begging to be touched.”
~ fragment from ‘Valentine’s In Chocolates’ Review Quote Book Sirens

My review

I reviewed this book in my capacity as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team. If you would like your book reviewed, you can contact Rosie Amber here: http://rosieamber.wordpress.com/.

This is a delightful and entertaining collection of poems that all revolve around romance and love. The poems range from those expressing the most tender of emotions to those that are what my mother would term ‘saucy’. All of them will grab hold of your heart and give it a squeeze. All are relatable.

A few extracts of the poems that stand out in my mind from this collection and demonstrate the range of the poems:

“You wore a tangerine dress the day I met you
On the beach we sat on the sand
Your citrine necklace completed you
You positively shone like the sun”
From Tangerine Dress

“We met again, a second chance to see that …
twinkle beyond his eyes.
He had a wicked sense of humour.
Stripping down to his boxer shorts.
He catwalked for me, strutting his think.
We ended up in a tangle of limbs.
Me untangling his boxer shorts!
From my Boxer Boy

This poem really moved me a lot:
“Listen, please! In silence, his desperation drips.

Like a leaky faucet needing repairs.

And yet. There is something about him.
A strangely erotic quality.
That draws my eyes towards him.
But – he has one tiny, immense flaw.”

This is a wonderful collection that will take you down your own romantic memory lane with its magnificent highs and terrific lows.

Purchase Shh, Purely Poetry by M.J. Mallon from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D12C3329

And, from Amazon UK here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shh-Purely-Poetry-Sensual-Relationship-ebook/dp/B0D12C3329

Robbie’s Inspiration – Book Review: Petals of Haiku: An Anthology #poetry #readingcommunity #Petals of Haiku

I was very excited to learn that four of my haiku would appear in this collection edited and compiled by Gabriela Marie Milton of Literary Revelations. This delightful book of haiku by 160 international poets most certainly did not disappoint and I am proud to have been a tiny part of its whole.

What Amazon says

Literary Revelations invites you to immerse yourself in the captivating world of “Petals of Haiku: An Anthology.” This superb collection features the work of over 160 talented poets. The art on the cover by award-winning painter Hikari sets the tone for what awaits inside – a world where words dance off the page and into your heart. The background photo by award-winning Japanese photographer Naoki Kimura adds another layer of beauty to this already exquisite collection.

Petals of Haiku is not just an anthology that Literary Revelations is proud to publish. It’s a masterpiece that encapsulates the essence of haiku poetry. The spectacular haiku writers featured in this collection bring to life the delicacy of seasons and the profound range of human emotions, from joy to grief, in a way that is both delightful and deeply moving.

My review

Petals of Haiku is a gorgeous collection of haikus by 160 poets from all over the world. Due to its multiculturalism, the reader gets a brief glimpse into the changing seasons and poetic interpretations of the theme in a wide variety of different ways. All of the haikus are beautiful and this book is the equivalent of taking a walk through an enchanted word garden.

Every sense is appeased by the poetry in the book. The very first poem, by Andrew Collins, is as follows:
“golden syrup sun
dripping over toasted fields
grass butter melting”
Magnificent!

Some of the poems arouse a feeling of subtle heartache at nature’s overwhelming beauty. One such poem is by Melissa Lemay:
“early morning drive
puffs of white clouds mirror
peach blossom teardrops”

Sandy Lender writes:
“wrinkled neck stretched smooth
towards sky warmth, feet scoop-shape
turtle sun ballet”

Other poems demonstrate the writer’s reaction to a floral wonderland.
Lauren Scott’s poem:
“she relaxes on
silky red petals, my muse
and her nuances”

D. Wallace Peach’s fantasy:
“petal-thin eyelids
a child’s moon-faced innocence
crafted of stardust”

The five poems are a sliver of the poetic delights encase in an incredible detailed and vivid cover created by Iuliana Irimia. Congratulations to Literary Revelations on a gem of a collection.

Amazon USA purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D578FJWJ

Gabriela has published some lovely posts about how well this book is doing. It is being displayed in the Treasure House of the Rinsenji Temple in Japan which I think is really wonderful.

Petals of Haiku Enters Immortality – The book together with Hikari’s painting of the cover will be displayed in the Treasure House of the Rinsenji Temple, Japan

This is my favourite of my own haiku in this collection:

fiery red blossom

vies with purpose opponent

bright floral upstart

Picture caption: My photograph that inspired the haiku. I thought the two trees were amazing. I stopped in a side road and walked down the main road to get this picture.

Robbie’s Inspiration – a song parody for Tanka Tuesday

This song is not what Colleen had in mind for Tanka Tuesday, but this has been my week so here it is …

You can join in Tanka Tuesday here: https://tankatuesday.com/2024/06/25/24-seasons-syllabic-poetry-challenge-no-40-6-25-24-part-ii-the-summer-solstice/

Help me, Doctor

It’s seven o’clock on a Saturday

I’m at Mill Park ER again

There’s a sad old lady sitting next to me

Her smile is a death head’s grin

She says: “I could really use a hot coffee

My son’s in trauma, the outcome unknown.”

The steam wafts up as I listen to her story

Between answering calls on my phone

***

La, la-la, di-dee-da

La-la, di-dee-da da-dum

***

“Help me, please, doctor, please help me

For pain relief I implore

I need something, and I need it quickly

I can’t take the pain anymore.”

***

A young boy plays games while he’s waiting

His brother arrived some time ago

His mother pops in to comfort him

Time moves so incredibly slow

“Mom, when we will be able to leave here?

My phone battery will soon go dead.”

“Your brother must first see the neurologist”

Anxiety pulls on her shoulders like lead

***

Oh, la, la-la, di-dee-da

La-la,di-dee-da da-dum

***

Opposite sits a pretty, young woman

An overnight bag clutched to her chest

She looks small and forlorn, tears ready to fall

“I’m okay,” she smiles, trying her best

The nurses are constantly running

While doctors deal with complexities and gore

They work side-by-side with efficiency

Trying hard good health to restore

***

“Help me, please, doctor, please help me

For pain relief I implore

I need something, and I need it quickly

I can’t take the pain anymore.”

***

The hospital’s busy for a Saturday

There’s not a free chair to be seen

Two helicopters arrive, paramedics keep patients alive

It’s starting to seem like a bad dream

The white noise has my head spinning

The smell of carbolic makes me feel ill

But I sit on my chair, trying to be cool, calm, and there

Until my aunt goes to the ward where it’s still

***

“Help me, please, doctor, please help me

For pain relief I implore

I need something, and I need it quickly

I can’t take the pain anymore.”

It’s been a crazy week of the ICU for five days and now the high observation ward, but we are getting there and my aunt is recovering. She will move to my house for a further week on Wednesday if everything continues to go well.

Robbie’s Inspiration – Repost: A marvellous post created by Resa for Square Peg in a Round Hole #poetry #bookreview #art

A huge thank you to the amazingly creative Resa McConaghy for sharing a splendid review of my latest poetry book, Square Peg in a Round Hole.

Resa is a Costume Designer in film, television & Digital media and has credits with: Showtime, ABC, Disney, CBS, CBC, Hallmark and more. She is also an artist and a lover and promotor of art. Resa promotes nature conservation and designs and creates beautiful gowns from recycled material. You have to see them to believe how gorgeous they are.

You can find Resa’s beautiful gowns here: https://resamcconaghy.com/

You can find Resa’s fantastic posts including her excellent sketches, as well as street art photography, here: https://graffitiluxandmurals.com/

Square Peg in a Round Hole – by Robbie Cheadle