Robbie Cheadle's Blog, page 32

Robbie’s Inspiration – My children’s story: Witch Goodie and the Sad Peacock published by MasticadoresUsa #childrensfiction #readingcommunity

Thank you to Barbara Leonhard from MasticadoresUsa for publishing Michael and my illustrated children’s short story, Witch Goodie and the Sad Peacock.

“Witch Goodie and the Sad Peacock” by Robbie and Michael Cheadle 

Robbie’s Inspiration – Tanka Tuesday and CMMC: September Close Up #poetry #wildlife

Cee’s topic for CMMC is September close up. How could I resist that? You can join in here: https://ceenphotography.com/2023/09/06/cmmc-september-close-up-or-macro-3/

Warthogs eating togetherImpala next to the roadElephants at the watering holeOne of my cheeky loeries checking up on me.Distraction

Stealthy thief

Insidiously

Invades minds

Searching for

An opportunity to

Fill them with white noise

This week’s Tanka Tuesday challenge is Synonyms Only for:

QUIET & SEEK

I used Insidiously and searching for. Stealthy would also have fitted. You can join in here: https://wordcraftpoetry.com/2023/09/05/tankatuesday-weekly-poetry-challenge-no-336-9-5-23-synonyms-only/

I have been sick for a several days. I just felt more and more exhausted. I thought I had hay fever from all the dust, heat and blossoms so I struggled on. I also thought the news that Michael needs more surgery in October had impacted me emotionally. This sort of news has never made me exhausted before, but there’s always a first time. When I finally saw the doctor on Wednesday morning my blood pressure was sky high and I had a throat, ear and sinus infection. Wow, that’s a first for me.

The most interesting thing about it all was that I could not write. Not a single phrase would form in my mind. I started a hefty antibiotic course plus several other medications yesterday and felt somewhat better today. The words came back in a rush. How strange!

Robbie’s Inspiration – Tanka Tuesday and Sunday Stills #poetry #spring

Terri’s Sunday Stills and Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday prompts seemed to fit together perfectly this week.

Colleen’s Ekphrastic challenge is based on this amazing painting shared by Rebecca Budd on her ChasingArt.com blog.

Waiting

“See you later, Daddy”

Sweet lips press his cheek

“You’re so hairy.” Copious giggles ensue

“Your beard tickles my nose”

Brief hug, then away

***

Leaning back in his chair

Sipping hot coffee

He watches them vanish; mother and daughter

Possessors of his heart

A precious pairing

***

Sun shines through the window

Spotlights bright flowers

Silent sentinels observing contentment

As he confidently

Awaits their return

You can join in Colleen’s challenge here: https://wordcraftpoetry.com/2023/08/29/tankatuesday-ekphrastic-poetry-challenge-no-335/

Terri’s Sunday Stills prompt is Hints of Spring.

Hints and Africa are oxymorons. There is nothing subtle about southern Africa. Everything here is wild, bright, and extreme. So there are no hints at spring. One morning you wake up and spring/summer has arrived for another 9 months. Bliss!

The birds are back

I loved the way the early morning sun created a halo around this bird’s breastSerious nest building. I don’t know what these birds are so don’t ask, but if you know, tell me in the comments.Eleanor on a wire – yes, I know, she is incredibly adorable.

And then there were blossoms – lots of them:

I love this picture – Our compost heap – restaurant a la Eleanor, is behind

You can join in Sunday Stills here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2023/08/27/sunday-stills-hints-of-autumn-or-spring/

Robbie’s Inspiration – Book review: Fusion: Poems of Life by Balroop Singh #poetry #bookreview #poetrycommunity

Picture caption: The cover of Fusion: Poems of Life depicting two people standing holding hands on the top of a snow covered mountain. Click on the cover to find this book on Amazon US.What Amazon says

Fusion is the elixir of life. We seek it in every aspect of the cosmos. The magic of fusion manifests itself in the colors of dawn and dusk, in the melodies of nature, in the singing of birds, in the miniscule moments of joy, inspiring us to live in harmony with each other despite the edges that threaten to swallow us.

The poems in this collection are an amalgamation of harmonies and edges that bind us firmly. We have to wade into murky waters to measure the depth. We have to risk the heights to know our worth. Slippery snow makes us learn how to create footholds. Some songs of life dilute in the hourglass of time to erase the shadows – dark or light, all the colors play an equal role to create a fusion.

My review

Reading this collection of poems is an elixir for the soul. There is a thread of peaceful acceptance of life’s worse and best that runs throughout this collection and is very soothing for a restless mind like mine. Some of the poems I read over a few times and thought about for a long time afterwards as some of the words seemed to reach out to me and demand additional thought and attention. I found myself approaching things I’m not as fond of in life with a better attitude as a result of these reflections which really is a remarkable thing.

This book is a marvelous read for anyone, but it can be a guiding spirit if you let it.

The poem that resonated with me the most is I Wish I knew Then What I Know Now! I am going to share two of the beautiful stanzas:

“I wish I had known
That the dark clouds would crumble
And the streamers of joy
Would dance around me.”

and (not consecutive)
“When I drowning in the sea of tears
I wish I had known –
There is life beyond distress
A life of liberation, of jubilation, of celebrations!”

Amazon US purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CDVLH86T

About Balroop SinghPicture caption: Author photograph of Balroop Singh

Balroop Singh, an educator, a poet and an author always had a passion for writing. She would jot down her reflections on a piece of paper and forget about them till each drawer of her home started overflowing with poetic reminders, popping out at will! The world of her imagination has a queer connection with realism. She could envision the images of her own poetry while teaching the poems. Her dreams saw the light of the day when she published her first poetry book: ‘Sublime Shadows Of Life.’ She has always lived through her heart. She is a great nature lover; she loves to watch birds flying home. The sunsets allure her with their varied hues that they lend to the sky. She can spend endless hours listening to the rustling of leaves and the sound of waterfalls. She lives in California. You can visit her blog at http://balroop2013.wordpress.com

Robbie’s Inspiration – Robbie’s Home Schooling Cake

This is my second entry into the Great Bloggers Bake Off challenge being hosted by Mel and Jack from Caramel blog. The entries are amazing this year.

We are excited to be sharing another bake from the super duper talented Robbie Cheadle, the creator of ROBBIE’S INSPIRATION and ROBERTA WRITES. This is a baking showstopper of a cake that highlights an aspect to Robbie’s character which we admire greatly. The pictures below are of Robbie’s HOME SCHOOLING CAKE, but I want to let Robbie’s own words explain the background to this inspired creation:

I made it during Covid 19 as part of my memories of this time in our lives when our children were all home schooling.

The woman with the washing basket was based on me and all the washing I did during the lockdowns. The children are a mix of all the South African children who were impacted by the lockdowns and had to learn on-line with a laptop and headsets.

We need to give you some close up shots of this brilliant cake. There is Robbie with her pretty eye lashes and the washing basket!

Continue reading here: https://crushedcaramel.wordpress.com/2023/08/27/robbies-home-schooling-cake/

Robbie’s Inspiration – Robbie’s Sunflower Field Cake

Thank you to Mel from Caramel blog for posting my Van Gogh Sunflower Field Cake entry for the Great Blogger Bake Off. Do go over and see all the amazing baking entries.

Whenever I see an email land in the inbox from Robbie (the creator of ROBBIE’S INSPIRATION and ROBERTA WRITES– I feel very excited to see what she has sent over. What an incredible inspiration Robbie’s baking creations have been, and we have loved sharing some of her showstoppers on THE GREAT BLOGGERS’ BAKE OFF over the past few years. Well Robbie has done it again! She has left us in wonder at her attention to detail and patience

This is stunner is Robbie’s VAN GOGH SUNFLOWER FIELD CAKE, made to her husband who turned fifty this year – isn’t it exceptional!!

Continue reading here: https://crushedcaramel.wordpress.com/2023/08/26/robbies-sunflower-field-cake/

Robbie’s Inspiration: W3 Prompt #69: Wea’ve Written Weekly #poetry #birds

Thank you to David from Skeptic’s Kaddish for hosting this weekly prompt.

You can join in here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2023/08/23/w3-prompt-69-weave-written-weekly/

Nest selection

The birds, they sang, in the early afternoon

From a hidden space, behind the palm tree

I saw a flash of yellow, heard a twittering tune

Snuck up close, camera readied for action

Picture caption: Male weaver hidden in the tree

Proceeded to spy on the newest, hanging nest

Which the plain, brown female was inspecting

The male held his breath, knowing he’d done his best

But that wouldn’t stop any forthcoming rejection

Picture caption: female weaver inspecting the nest

Don’t let it be “start again“, I could hear him think

As she peered inside and out, then fluttered about

Breath bated, he wondered if she question the chink

His planned response “That’s how the light gets in“

Picture caption: male weaver neatening up around the nest

To his enormous surprise, she reacted with delight

“I’ll move in right away, just move over, my dear”

He nearly fell off the branch, expected more of fight

Ignorant blighter, has no idea the strife’s just beginning

This is the prompt:

Below are the first 14 lines of Leonard Cohen’s (1934 – 2016) ‘Anthem’;Select any two or three of Cohen’s lines from below and incorporate them into a poem of your own;You must: keep Cohen’s words in the original order, but you may change the punctuation;Your poem should be no less than five lines and no more than 20 lines.‘Anthem’ lyrics

The birds they sang

At the break of day

Start again

I heard them say

Don’t dwell on what has passed away

Or what is yet to be

Ah, the wars they will be fought again

The holy dove, she will be caught again

Bought and sold, and bought again

The dove is never free

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack, a crack in everything

That’s how the light gets in

Robbie’s Inspiration – A wonderful review of Lion Scream #poetry #sixthmassextinction #readingcommunity

Thank you to poet and blogger, Selma Martin, for this wonderful review of Lion Scream. Selma has a beautiful book of poetry, In the Shadow of Rainbows. Click on the cover for the Amazon purchase link.

This Graphic Collection with YouTube Links, Poetry, Prose, and a Short Story Is a Must Read

At the end of this book review, I want you to imagine me screaming…

About the book:
(as seen on Amazon)

Do you rely on Earth for your survival?

Lion Scream is a graphic collection of poetry and prose. The book portrays the
author’s experiences with South African wildlife and the growing impact of the
Sixth Mass Extinction and Climate Change on the natural environment.

Lion Scream
There is no jungle
Only acres of smooth stumps
There is no jungle
No habitat, no food source
Hopeless lion screams tonight

“In this reflective collection of syllabic poetry, poet Roberta Cheadle weaves words,
emotions, and images as she recounts her soul-stirring journey around South Africa
in 2022. She highlights the plight of the animals in the face of the Sixth Mass
Extinction, during a visit to Ukutula Lodge & Game Reserve. Lion Roar is a poetic
and photographic roadmap to the heart & soul of South Africa with highlights about
the increasing impact of global warming on humanity and the greater planet.
A must read!”
—Colleen M. Chesebro, Author of Word Craft: Prose & Poetry, The Art of
Crafting Syllabic Poetry

Lion Scream: Syllabic Poetry About Southern African Wildlife
by Robbie Cheadle (Author)
launched on March 6th, 2023
255 pages. 

Continue reading here: https://selmamartin.com/this-graphic-collection-with-youtube-links-poetry-prose-and-a-short-story-is-a-must-read/

The Shadows We Breathe (Volume 2) edited by Sarah Brentyn #bookreview #readingcommunity

What Amazon says

Life promises joy and sorrow. Alongside the light, there will always be traces of darkness. It is the nature of being human.

In this anthology of short fiction, we explore health—how the state of our bodies and minds nurtures us, damages us, and forms our reality.

Eight artists, whose words paint worlds, bring you stories of pain, confusion, acceptance, and courage. They reveal the conflicting and contrasting nature of health.

Whether mental or physical, our state of being can create chaos or bring us peace.

Within these pages, beautiful words are spun into tales threaded with darkness.

Discover the shadows we breathe.

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/.

I really enjoyed this collection of beautifully written and insightful 500-word short stories, 50-word micro fiction and 10-word microbursts from eight talented writers. The theme of this collection is health and each author has given this central theme her own unique interpretation.

It was interesting to me that many of the stories had female protagonists who had suffered, or continued to suffer, at the hands of another person who had power of them. The abuse suffered by the protagonists had a significant impact on either their physical or mental health. It made me ponder whether equality for women really exists at all, anywhere in the world. In the stories where women did have the upper hand it was a result of circumstances created by another or through nefarious means. It would be interesting to see what sorts of stories men created for the same theme. There is a lot to be said for a book that can make the reader think this deeply about its theme.

All the stories are powerful, well written and have good twists so I can’t chose a favourite from among them. Instead, I’m going to share a few quotes that stood out for me.

“There used to be a filter, I think, like a soft-serve ice cream machine where nice and nasty each had their side or blended together in a high-pile twist.” from Thoughts by Sarah Brentyn.

“Carl had sold their old Dodge in Wichita, and they had nothing more to cough up but their guts. Shari’s life collapsed under the weight of their debt.” from The Well by D. Wallace Peach.

“I found you in the grey pre-light of dawn, a brooding figure strangely suspended in the shadows, still as stone. Floating, ghost-line. But not serene.” from Suspended by Ali Isaacs.

“Dad’s text messages gave nothing away, but when she phoned, Mum’s voice always betrayed his steady deterioration.” from Barbed Wire in the Palm of My Hand by Ruth Daly.

The micro fiction and microbursts are equally entertaining, and each tells a complete stories despite its short length.

A wonderful book for people who enjoy a short burst of colourful flavour.

Purchase The Shadows We Breath Volume 2

Amazon US

Robbie’s Inspiration – W3 Prompt #68: Wea’ve Written Weekly #poetry #cats

This week, David from Skeptics Kaddish has facilitated the writing of poems in response to this picture:

This is a 99 syllable poem comprising of 3 stanzas of 5/6/11/6/5 each.

Feline slinks cautiously

Through agapanthas

Proud of her stealth and hunting proficiency

She eyes avian pests

Time to take them down

***

Loeries feast unperturbed

Peach juice runs and drips

Fruit left mangled in the wake of gorging beaks

Birds look preoccupied

But are quite aware

***

Cat measures the distance

Gets ready to pounce

Birds take off in a cloud of mocking screeching

Land in the closest tree

Continue to jeer

You can join in here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2023/08/16/w3-prompt-68-weave-written-weekly/