Paula R.C. Readman's Blog, page 3

Flash Fiction for you to read…

Please take a break and enjoy a cuppa or a glass of your favourite tipple while reading my latest piece of flash fiction called A Bit of Preloved. Just click on the link below and find out why sometimes, pre-loved comes at a price, so Jethro found out the hard way.
Thank you for taking the time to read it.

Chat again soon.

https://www.cafelitmagazine.uk/2025/04/a-bit-of-preloved-by-paula-r-c-readman.html

Busy, Busy,Busy.

Over the last few months I’ve had highs and lows. Our lovely cat, Willow has become a cat angel after cancer made her suffer. We had to let her go as much as it broke our hearts.

Willow

Spring is finally here. The garden has been keeping me busy as I dug over the vegetable plots and put together a tomato plant mini greenhouse. I sowed tomatoes, beans, and squashes seeds indoors. I have planted potatoes and onions in the garden. I hope the frost clears soon so I can start planting my seedlings out. My husband and I hope to build two more wooden arches in the garden as we want to add a metal gate down the side of the house.

Writing News

My novel Stone Angels has been accepted for republication next year which is amazing. I’ve been busy writing new short stories which I have been submitting to Cafelit Publishing company. I want to get into the process of writing much longer story. I do have an idea which I’m developing and making notes about any ideas which come to me.

One of my new paintings

Painting News

I’m wanting to create a new painting each month and glue them into a small album to built up a collection of my art. In our village, the history group has organised an art exhibition for May. I have created three new paintings ready for it. I not expecting them to sell, but if they did, the organiser takes 20% commission. I’ve decided not to focus on making money but to the process. I feel as though I’ve always running rather than taking the time to develop my art by playing around with different techniques and styles.

I shall drop by again soon.

If Wishes Were…

Please check out my new short story, If Wishes Were… sometimes you must be careful what you wish for.

Thank you for taking the time to read it.

https://www.cafelitmagazine.uk/2025/03/if-wishes-were-by-paula-r-c-readman.html

AI created image.

Something short to read.

Are you looking for a short read to enjoy with a cuppa or maybe a glass or two of your favourite tipple then please check out this tale of brotherly love.
Thank you for taking the time to read it.

https://www.cafelitmagazine.uk/2018/01/gemini-rising.html?m=1

When life is coming to an end.

To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”

― Thomas Campbell

Once upon a time, I saw a cat in my garden eating bread, I’d just thrown out for the birds. I was shocked because bread to me was the last thing I thought cats would eat.

The young cat was thin with bright questioning eyes and very timid. Over the weeks, I started noticing that it seemed to spend most of its time in my garden.

If I had the kitchen door open it would pop its head in the door. I would speak to it and it seemed to listen, but run off, if I moved towards it.

My husband and I called the cat, Felix because it looked like the cat in the advertisement for cat food. Over time, Felix would become a little braver and some mornings we would find it asleep on the patio in our wicker chair.

As the cat spends so much time in our garden we began to think it must be a stray.

Today, Willow decided to look out the window.

Had its owner moved away and left it behind?

Whenever my husband and I arrived home and reversed our car up the driveway, the cat come running along the path towards our garden.

I said to my husband, “It seems to recognize our car.”

Then I began to notice that it always came from the same direction, and decided to find out if the cat was indeed a stray. I inquired about the cat at the house where I thought it lived.

The young woman said “She’s my daughter’s cat”

I told my husband the cat wasn’t a stray. Whenever I was in the garden the cat would appear, and if I was in the kitchen with the door open she would come in. It took the cat, whom I now call Willow, because it was so willowy, four years to trust us. She decided to adopt us. For a long time, she never meowed and we couldn’t stroke her.

Slowly, she let us touch her head, then her back, but never her belly.

Willow soon moved in with us to become part of our family.

Love you, daddy.

After fifteen happy years together a visit to the vets told us that Willow is at the end of her life shattering our hearts. Now, we are making more of a fuss by leaving the heating on high rather than turning it down as Willow feels the cold more. If I’m upstairs working, I check on her to make sure she is okay.

At the moment, she isn’t drinking enough but she’s eating. Rather than hugging the radiator, she moved around the room more, and yesterday she sat looking out the window, which was lovely. Willow doesn’t seem to get comfortable any more and is more wobbly on her legs.

This morning she had a fuss with Russell before he left for work.

Willow’s favourite place.

Every day is another day with our little princess and we feel so lucky. Willow will never spend another summer in the sun on the patio roof keep an eye on everyone.

End of Life Care.

“In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.” – Terry Pratchett

Many of you will already know the story of how Russell and I were adopted first by Willow and then four years later, Brutus (Willow’s brother ) arrived at our door.
Apart from being different breeds of cats their personalities are the opposite.

Willow hasn’t been a cat who likes a lot of fuss. She’s more a thoughtful cat who enjoys her own space and company. She did come and cuddle up to me when I was laid up with my bad leg and spend all day with me. Now she wants to be left alone.

Brutus is a soppy cat who loves a fuss and loves being groomed. He will follow me around in the garden. If I leave the garden and cross the road to chat to a neighbour he will come and get me.
After a life of neglect Brutus knows he has a safe, warm place to sleep during cold winter.

Brutus

I was told once upon a time they were house cats but we have always given them the freedom to come and go. Willow spent her summer sleeping on the patio roof enjoying the sunshine. She never wandered far from home.
Brutus would check out his old stomping ground before coming home to sleep in the front, side or vegetable garden in the summer time.
Brutus and Willow had an unspoken truce that the back garden and patio roof was hers. Even in the house, Willow ‘s part of the house was the living room and main bedroom. Brutus had art studio and writing room, if he was indoor. Willow won’t stay in the same room as him.

Brutus and Willow. Willow hiding from him.

Two days ago, we became aware something wasn’t right with Willow. It was the first time she had ever taken a ride in a car or been to the vet’s. Our hearts sank when the vet told us she had cancer of the liver. The blood tests showed that her outlook wasn’t good. Yesterday, another trip to the vet confirmed that the cancer was inoperable and she only has a month left with us. He has given her an injection to take away the pain and it should last a month. Any signs that she is suffering and we will take her straight back.

We realised earlier on something serious was happening to her because there isn’t any flesh on her but she has never been a fat cat and was a good little hunter. If we put food down she eat it.

Our poorly princess, Willow.

At the moment, I’m in my writing room with Brutus asleep on a chair beside me. Every hour, I go and check on her. She’s eating okay and has water. She’s cuddled up against the radiator which we have left on for her. I pet her and tell her how much we love her, then her tail starts tapping and I know she just wants to be left alone.

Our hearts are broken but we know she’s had the best life ever with you.

Thank you for dropping by.

Chat again soon.

The Rift

As you might be aware I’m trying to write more light-hearted tales. If you have a few minutes please check out my latest short story The Rift.

https://www.cafelitmagazine.uk/2025/01/the-rift-by-paula-r-c-readman-craft.html

It’s available to read for free on the amazing CafeLit site the home of short stories.

Please leave a comment here or on the Cafelit site, thank you.

Happy Reading.

To go that extra mile.

What makes a good leader?

Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality….

Warren G. Bennis

Someone who looks at the argument from all sides and makes a decision based upon common sense, rather than popularity, monetary gain or their religious beliefs. Someone who is for the people and of the people in a multicultural society.

A good leader knows they must be a voice for all people and not just the few. They must be willing to stand up and be counted when tough decisions have to be made for the good of all, and not just the few.

It is much easier to favour others like you, but if you are to lead all people then your decision has to be based on the common values for all.

It takes a brave person to step up and lead a country in the world today as nothing is so clear cut and society is all about the individual needs rather than the big picture.

The First…

Words can be like X-rays if you use them properly – they’ll go through anything. You read and you’re pierced.”
–Aldous Huxley, Brave New World

At the weekend I finished editing a short story I wrote some time ago, but it was rejected. This time while editing I kept asking myself what was the main thread of the story.

By staying focused on the main theme, I was able to reduce the word count and tighten the storyline. Once I was happy my husband read through it before I submitted it.

Today, I received the new it has been accepted and will be published online. I’m really pleased.

I’ve decided to move away from my dark tales and write more light-hearted ones. This tale is called The Rift.

Keep watching this space as I will be posting more details soon.

Chat again soon

Following Your Heart ❤️

What is your mission?

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. – Maya Angelou. 1928 – 2014

My mission for 2025 is just to enjoy life. Being lucky to have just about enough money to cover household bills I can focus my thoughts on being creative.

Towards Western Lane

I want to just enjoy being healthy so I’m planning on being as active as possible by walking around my village following the footpaths.

The world is changing so fast and is so unstable with wars and environmental issues. It can be quite stressful watching the news.

Finding a safe place to keep youself physically and mentally sane is what I’m focusing on.

So at the moment, I am busy writing a short story for Bridge House Publishing. Staying focus on one thing at a time and not listening to the news is keeping me sane.

Keep sane and happy everyone