David L. Atkinson's Blog, page 36
September 9, 2016
Writing - Another pen v sword moment
Periodically I come across examples of significant historical writing that has had an effect and which I think it valuable to share.
[image error]Grigory Zinoviev
The writer of this significant piece was Grigory Zinoviev, a Bolshevik Revolutionary and a Soviet Communist politician. He wrote a letter in 1924 that the Daily Mail decided to publish four days for the British General Election, which may have been a major influence on the outcome of that election.
One particularly damaging section of this letter read:
The 'settlement of relations' was hoped to be between the Soviets and a Labour government.
The UK Government in the 1920's was in turmoil with a short lived coalition, followed by a similar Labour government and then an equally unsuccessful Tory government. The election in 1924 produced a Tory landslide and many Labour members blamed the Zinoviev letter for its failure at the polls, blaming the voters fear of Bolshevism for the swing to the right. However, the likelihood was that the Liberals holding the middle ground were swayed to the right away from Labour rather than risk a Bolshevik Revolution in Britain. So more the movement of Liberal voters rather than a swing away from Labour.
[image error]
In fact the letter seems to have been a clever forgery produced by enemies of the Bolshevik state in an attempt to destabilise their position in Russia. This didn't come out until much later so at the time the Zinoviev letter was blamed for the election result.
[image error]
So the pen once again was a powerful weapon producing possible political consequences, irrespective of the voracity of the letter.
So write your books and your poetry but don't forget to contribute to the current state of the world with your pen (or laptop).
God Bless
[image error]Grigory Zinoviev
The writer of this significant piece was Grigory Zinoviev, a Bolshevik Revolutionary and a Soviet Communist politician. He wrote a letter in 1924 that the Daily Mail decided to publish four days for the British General Election, which may have been a major influence on the outcome of that election.
One particularly damaging section of this letter read:
A settlement of relations between the two countries will assist in the revolutionising of the international and British proletariat not less than a successful rising in any of the working districts of England, as the establishment of close contact between the British and Russian proletariat, the exchange of delegations and workers, etc. will make it possible for us to extend and develop the propaganda of ideas of Leninism in England and the Colonies.
The 'settlement of relations' was hoped to be between the Soviets and a Labour government.
The UK Government in the 1920's was in turmoil with a short lived coalition, followed by a similar Labour government and then an equally unsuccessful Tory government. The election in 1924 produced a Tory landslide and many Labour members blamed the Zinoviev letter for its failure at the polls, blaming the voters fear of Bolshevism for the swing to the right. However, the likelihood was that the Liberals holding the middle ground were swayed to the right away from Labour rather than risk a Bolshevik Revolution in Britain. So more the movement of Liberal voters rather than a swing away from Labour.
[image error]
In fact the letter seems to have been a clever forgery produced by enemies of the Bolshevik state in an attempt to destabilise their position in Russia. This didn't come out until much later so at the time the Zinoviev letter was blamed for the election result.
[image error]
So the pen once again was a powerful weapon producing possible political consequences, irrespective of the voracity of the letter.
So write your books and your poetry but don't forget to contribute to the current state of the world with your pen (or laptop).
God Bless
September 8, 2016
Poetry Thursday 228 - People maintained
The world and its neighbours are always talking about legacies. They may be sporting, political or social, but these legacies perpetuate. Only the other day someone was referring to the legacy of Margaret Thatcher and comparing her with Theresa May. A message to those who always want us to look backwards.
'Its gone and time has healed the wounds - leave them alone.'
To be thoroughly disgusting - stop picking at the scabs of the past.
[image error]
The Thatcher Dichotomy
There is no doubt that residue is left,
that polarised feelings are deeply felt.
No question of her not leaving a mark.The range was from good to bad in equal part.She was loved and hated in equal measurewill be celebrated in death as a national treasure. A position that leaves some elatedwhile others have the government berated.Guilty of destroying communities’ heartthe NHS destruction her policies start.A tigerish defence of Britain’s protectorateand refusal to allow EEC dictat.
The boss of every feeble manMaggie undoubtedly was a woman!©David L Atkinson April 2013
Human interactions are fraught with pitfalls. The problems that arise range from minor spats to wars, and perhaps it is due to what is in today's offering.
If the cap fits
You just can’t trust themno matter how long you’ve known them.They are only interested in one thing,those aspects of life that benefit them.
Thirty years is no measure to them,dependability only illusory in them.They are only interested in one thing,those aspects of life that benefit them.
No matter what you do for themirrespective of the gratitude you show them.They are only interested in one thing,those aspects of life that benefit them.
Irrelevant all that’s done for you by them,regardless of the generosity from them.They are only interested in one thing,those aspects of life that benefit them.
Charities may receive support from them,religion may succour them.They are only interested in one thing,those aspects of life that benefit them.
The terrible lurking shame for them,is where trust seems to lie for them.They appear to be interested in only one thingbut whatever, it is unaware of them.© David L Atkinson July 2014
God Bless
'Its gone and time has healed the wounds - leave them alone.'
To be thoroughly disgusting - stop picking at the scabs of the past.
[image error]
The Thatcher Dichotomy
There is no doubt that residue is left,
that polarised feelings are deeply felt.
No question of her not leaving a mark.The range was from good to bad in equal part.She was loved and hated in equal measurewill be celebrated in death as a national treasure. A position that leaves some elatedwhile others have the government berated.Guilty of destroying communities’ heartthe NHS destruction her policies start.A tigerish defence of Britain’s protectorateand refusal to allow EEC dictat.
The boss of every feeble manMaggie undoubtedly was a woman!©David L Atkinson April 2013
Human interactions are fraught with pitfalls. The problems that arise range from minor spats to wars, and perhaps it is due to what is in today's offering.
If the cap fits
You just can’t trust themno matter how long you’ve known them.They are only interested in one thing,those aspects of life that benefit them.
Thirty years is no measure to them,dependability only illusory in them.They are only interested in one thing,those aspects of life that benefit them.
No matter what you do for themirrespective of the gratitude you show them.They are only interested in one thing,those aspects of life that benefit them.
Irrelevant all that’s done for you by them,regardless of the generosity from them.They are only interested in one thing,those aspects of life that benefit them.
Charities may receive support from them,religion may succour them.They are only interested in one thing,those aspects of life that benefit them.
The terrible lurking shame for them,is where trust seems to lie for them.They appear to be interested in only one thingbut whatever, it is unaware of them.© David L Atkinson July 2014
God Bless
September 3, 2016
Writing - 10 things we didn't know last week
There is some pretty doubtful items this week; pizza not money as an incentive; love at first sight; and, selling slaves to pay off school debt!
[image error]
1. Victoria Beckham believes in love at first sight.
Isn't that sweet?
-------------------------------------
[image error]
2. Mayors in Pakistan can run cities from jail.
Home from home perhaps.
-------------------------------------
[image error]
3. There's a hidden message from Mussolini under an obelisk in Rome.
In Rome you'd need to be more specific as to which obelisk.
-------------------------------------
[image error]
4. Elephant numbers in Africa will halve in nine years at current rates of decline.
Poaching is obscene.
-------------------------------------
[image error]
5. People born underweight are less likely to exercise during their lives.
Self-fulfilling prophecy.
-------------------------------------
[image error]
6. Georgetown University in Washington sold 272 slaves in 1838 to help pay off the school's debts.
It'll never come back as an option.
-------------------------------------
[image error]
7. New Yorkers will pay $56 a month to trim a minute off their commute.
Can't see the wood for the trees.
-------------------------------------
[image error]
8. A fifth of UK parents regret the names they gave their children.
There are some simple rules that parents should consider; imagine yourself calling your child's name from the door to have them come inside; imagine your child trying to write their name; and, consider completing official forms.
-------------------------------------
9. A psychiatric institute in Germany still holds brain parts belonging to victims of the Nazi eugenics campaign.
Useful!
-------------------------------------
[image error]
10. Offering free pizza to employees will motivate them more than offering more cash.
Bellies bigger than their pockets.
-------------------------------------
God Bless
[image error]
1. Victoria Beckham believes in love at first sight.
Isn't that sweet?
-------------------------------------
[image error]
2. Mayors in Pakistan can run cities from jail.
Home from home perhaps.
-------------------------------------
[image error]
3. There's a hidden message from Mussolini under an obelisk in Rome.
In Rome you'd need to be more specific as to which obelisk.
-------------------------------------
[image error]
4. Elephant numbers in Africa will halve in nine years at current rates of decline.
Poaching is obscene.
-------------------------------------
[image error]
5. People born underweight are less likely to exercise during their lives.
Self-fulfilling prophecy.
-------------------------------------
[image error]
6. Georgetown University in Washington sold 272 slaves in 1838 to help pay off the school's debts.
It'll never come back as an option.
-------------------------------------
[image error]
7. New Yorkers will pay $56 a month to trim a minute off their commute.
Can't see the wood for the trees.
-------------------------------------
[image error]
8. A fifth of UK parents regret the names they gave their children.
There are some simple rules that parents should consider; imagine yourself calling your child's name from the door to have them come inside; imagine your child trying to write their name; and, consider completing official forms.
-------------------------------------
9. A psychiatric institute in Germany still holds brain parts belonging to victims of the Nazi eugenics campaign.
Useful!
-------------------------------------
[image error]
10. Offering free pizza to employees will motivate them more than offering more cash.
Bellies bigger than their pockets.
-------------------------------------
God Bless
September 2, 2016
Writing - Pepys' Great Fire
This Sunday, 4 September, the River Thames becomes a blazing beacon, as London marks the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of 1666. A 120-metre barge bearing 190 replica 17th-century buildings will be set alight in the heart of the city. The spectacular event is being produced by Artichoke as part of London's Burning, a festival of arts and ideas for Great Fire 350
[image error]Great Fire of 1666
Now is not the time to be relating the well-known tale of the purge of 1666, but perhaps to reflect on the fact that Samuel Pepys sat in his rooms and wrote about the event.
[image error]Samuel Pepys
Oh the miserable and calamitous spectacle!
What else are writers but conveyors of the truths they observe but with a personal slant?Artists produce artefacts that represent events and scenes, however, as in the above case the artefact will be destroyed. Rather like Banksy and his murals which wear out or are pulled down.
Whatever happens there will be some record. My records are below.
December 2015
Steele My hero was created post recession and so has no concept of how 'good' things were pre-2008. In 'I Have To Get It Right' when he began to flex his muscles he was working in an accountant's office. Then after the Gurentai took him under their wing and removed all of his financial worries, it was justice that was his major concern. He did become involved in international relations in 'The 51st State' but it was for the maintenance of a respectful distance between countries, rather than economic reasons. His trips into the USA had repercussions which can be read about in 'The Biter Bit' but then by the time things began to change in 2011 and the recession was really biting, Steele was trying to make sense of the state of the nation in 'A Changed Reality' and coming up against some really nasty people taking advantage of the shortage of money. By the time the USA are out of their recession Steele's steps are still being dogged by an unknown enemy from the same country. In 'Inceptus' we also find out more about what makes the man tick. The most recent Steele book 'Castled' where Steele is once again at risk from unseen enemies. It would seem that he has become quite recession proof!The most recent addition to the Steele family is Earth plc in which our hero is concerned with political and emotional issues in this crime fighting adventure.
All books are available in paperback or ebook through Amazon, Smashwords and all good book shop websites.
Cessation
This is a dystopian story that hinges directly on the state of the nation as a result of fiscal mismanagement. Having said that it is more a story of human relations, privations, love and loss.
Poetry - there are also two thoughtful collections of poetry available solely through Amazon.
The Musings of a Confused Mind
and
Words from the Raindrops
God Bless
[image error]Great Fire of 1666
Now is not the time to be relating the well-known tale of the purge of 1666, but perhaps to reflect on the fact that Samuel Pepys sat in his rooms and wrote about the event.
[image error]Samuel Pepys
Oh the miserable and calamitous spectacle!
What else are writers but conveyors of the truths they observe but with a personal slant?Artists produce artefacts that represent events and scenes, however, as in the above case the artefact will be destroyed. Rather like Banksy and his murals which wear out or are pulled down.
Whatever happens there will be some record. My records are below.
December 2015Steele My hero was created post recession and so has no concept of how 'good' things were pre-2008. In 'I Have To Get It Right' when he began to flex his muscles he was working in an accountant's office. Then after the Gurentai took him under their wing and removed all of his financial worries, it was justice that was his major concern. He did become involved in international relations in 'The 51st State' but it was for the maintenance of a respectful distance between countries, rather than economic reasons. His trips into the USA had repercussions which can be read about in 'The Biter Bit' but then by the time things began to change in 2011 and the recession was really biting, Steele was trying to make sense of the state of the nation in 'A Changed Reality' and coming up against some really nasty people taking advantage of the shortage of money. By the time the USA are out of their recession Steele's steps are still being dogged by an unknown enemy from the same country. In 'Inceptus' we also find out more about what makes the man tick. The most recent Steele book 'Castled' where Steele is once again at risk from unseen enemies. It would seem that he has become quite recession proof!The most recent addition to the Steele family is Earth plc in which our hero is concerned with political and emotional issues in this crime fighting adventure.
All books are available in paperback or ebook through Amazon, Smashwords and all good book shop websites.
Cessation
This is a dystopian story that hinges directly on the state of the nation as a result of fiscal mismanagement. Having said that it is more a story of human relations, privations, love and loss.
Poetry - there are also two thoughtful collections of poetry available solely through Amazon.
The Musings of a Confused Mind
and
Words from the Raindrops
God Bless
September 1, 2016
Writing - From whence inspiration springs
My purposes for writing these posts is to try and help. Part of being inspired involves your imagination being sparked by some kind of stimulus. Stimuli for one writer can be like pollen to a bee or a complete turn off to another.
[image error]William Wordsworth
I wouldn't be understating the case to say that the UK has become Londoncentric to the exclusion of the rest of the country. Just ask anyone who lives and works outside the capital. In fact it is the North that began the English identity.
If you take the northern limit of this northern chunk of England to be Hadrian's Wall and then for the southern most limit to be a line from Hull to just south of Liverpool, then you will have the greatest site of action for the Romans, the Vikings and much of the Industrial Revolution took place - a period of time covering hundreds of years. In fact the first English kingdom was that of Northumbria around the north east.
[image error]
In fact the north had a great deal going for it. In the early years it had the best soldiers; it had cultural backing from the Lindisfarne Gospels and the Venerable Bede's history of the English people.Then came the Vikings who initially came to loot, but eventually brought their wives and families to settle largely in Yorkshire and Cumbria. The developments in this part of England continued in stages over the centuries but relations with the south of the country have tended to be strained.
[image error]Daniel Defoe
Of course, as one would expect, writers have had their comments. Defoe, a dyed in the wool Londoner, whined that the north was a place of horror where nobody wanted to live. Yet not long afterwards Wordsworth was saying that the north was a place to inspire the finest feelings and thoughts. The two writers were in part talking of the countryside and it generated our interest in nature for hundreds of years until the present day.
Even so there has been an almost continual antagonism between the north and the south. From 1066 there has been an almost pathological distrust of the north. William the Conqueror adopted a scorched earth policy towards it because of frequent Scandinavian influxes. The north/south divide was reinforced further when Henry VIII outlawed Catholicism. It was in the North where you had the Pilgrimage of Grace rebellion against the south. To a degree it was unsurprising that there were such divisions as the North was a very long way from the south, they developed their own words, patterns of speech and behaviours. Chaucer, in the 14th century, wrote that southern people couldn't understand the people from the north because of the 'different words' that they used.
[image error]
Writers use their experience and sense of identity when they produce their works. The sense of identity is a difficult concept to talk of because it is what other people tell you about. However, there should be mutual respect and recognition of the values and differences between different parts of the country. It should be seen as a richness.
God Bless
[image error]William Wordsworth
I wouldn't be understating the case to say that the UK has become Londoncentric to the exclusion of the rest of the country. Just ask anyone who lives and works outside the capital. In fact it is the North that began the English identity.
If you take the northern limit of this northern chunk of England to be Hadrian's Wall and then for the southern most limit to be a line from Hull to just south of Liverpool, then you will have the greatest site of action for the Romans, the Vikings and much of the Industrial Revolution took place - a period of time covering hundreds of years. In fact the first English kingdom was that of Northumbria around the north east.
[image error]
In fact the north had a great deal going for it. In the early years it had the best soldiers; it had cultural backing from the Lindisfarne Gospels and the Venerable Bede's history of the English people.Then came the Vikings who initially came to loot, but eventually brought their wives and families to settle largely in Yorkshire and Cumbria. The developments in this part of England continued in stages over the centuries but relations with the south of the country have tended to be strained.
[image error]Daniel Defoe
Of course, as one would expect, writers have had their comments. Defoe, a dyed in the wool Londoner, whined that the north was a place of horror where nobody wanted to live. Yet not long afterwards Wordsworth was saying that the north was a place to inspire the finest feelings and thoughts. The two writers were in part talking of the countryside and it generated our interest in nature for hundreds of years until the present day.
Even so there has been an almost continual antagonism between the north and the south. From 1066 there has been an almost pathological distrust of the north. William the Conqueror adopted a scorched earth policy towards it because of frequent Scandinavian influxes. The north/south divide was reinforced further when Henry VIII outlawed Catholicism. It was in the North where you had the Pilgrimage of Grace rebellion against the south. To a degree it was unsurprising that there were such divisions as the North was a very long way from the south, they developed their own words, patterns of speech and behaviours. Chaucer, in the 14th century, wrote that southern people couldn't understand the people from the north because of the 'different words' that they used.
[image error]
Writers use their experience and sense of identity when they produce their works. The sense of identity is a difficult concept to talk of because it is what other people tell you about. However, there should be mutual respect and recognition of the values and differences between different parts of the country. It should be seen as a richness.
God Bless
August 31, 2016
Poetry Thursday 227 - Beware the dark side of the force
This has little to do with Star Wars but more the hidden side of human psychology, or human nature. It is the reason why seemingly normal human beings do outrageous, or hideously evil acts.
[image error]
Dark Side
There is the dark side,matt black, featureless, empty.But what does it hide?All that tempts and scares he.
So when do you access the dark side?A void noir but threatening.When you least expect that ride,triggered by stimulus upsetting.
That lurking dark side,waiting to slip into your consciousness,teasing, testing danger applied.The feeling of pit bottomless.
The interminable dark side.Once again suppressed but presentrelief to God’s humanity, sighededging you from discontent.© David L Atkinson August 2016
For whom the bell tolls
We’re not allowed to speak out,we have to toe the lineof expected norms,without a squeak or pout.
Know your place,and cast youreyes down,lest you deny your lowly race.
Keep your heads down,stay out of troublefor a change,and don’t even frown.
They are watching us all the time,looking for the slightesterror.That is when the bell will chime.© David L Atkinson August 2016
[image error]
Dark Side
There is the dark side,matt black, featureless, empty.But what does it hide?All that tempts and scares he.
So when do you access the dark side?A void noir but threatening.When you least expect that ride,triggered by stimulus upsetting.
That lurking dark side,waiting to slip into your consciousness,teasing, testing danger applied.The feeling of pit bottomless.
The interminable dark side.Once again suppressed but presentrelief to God’s humanity, sighededging you from discontent.© David L Atkinson August 2016
For whom the bell tolls
We’re not allowed to speak out,we have to toe the lineof expected norms,without a squeak or pout.
Know your place,and cast youreyes down,lest you deny your lowly race.
Keep your heads down,stay out of troublefor a change,and don’t even frown.
They are watching us all the time,looking for the slightesterror.That is when the bell will chime.© David L Atkinson August 2016
August 30, 2016
Writing - The power of description
I have read loads of books in the last 50+ years and loved many of them, but quite often the sections I remember are descriptions. If you think about it that is quite logical as it is description that sets scenes, introduces characters and puts events into the readers mind.
[image error]
One of the first memorable descriptions I encountered was in the above book. It is a description of the sea during a winter, Murmansk convoy during the second world war. Alistair MacLean manages to convey movement, the sullenness and power of the sea on the page. It hooked me into reading all of his books even though that section only lasted two or three pages.
[image error]
I was reminded of the power of description in Caleb Pirtle III's latest novel Friday Nights Don't Last Forever available on Kindle.
Synopsis
The dream of college football propels Casey Clinton into the best and worst times of his life. On Friday nights in Avalon, Alabama, football reigns supreme. Quarterback Casey Clinton’s magic arm drives recruiters and his opponents wild. Girls worship him. A preacher’s wife seduces him. Life can’t be any better.
Although Caleb is writing about an American Footballer that is a vehicle for an examination of the pressures and emotions involved for a young man in almost any professional sport. It is very well put together and well worth a read.
A extract
He had seen it all before.He knew what they all knew.Glory lay only ten steps away.In a split second, it would all be over.Ten steps.That wasn't much.Jesus, he could piss that far.The cold rain washed the sweat from his face. The pain had subsided. The blood was drying where his lip had been split by a linebacker's elbow.It was all instinct now.Automatic.Casey Clinton had one last chance to reach glory ...
If you wish to know what happens next click on the link above.
Of course there are instances when description can become too long and unwieldy. My favourite author, Charles Dickens is guilty of that sin on occasions. In fact overly descriptive prose can be as much a turn off as a turn on and only the writer knows what he/she is trying to achieve with their descriptions. I like the way in which Caleb Pirtle uses shorter sentences to maintain pace and heighten interest while building the tension in the readers mind. Dickens, in Barnaby Rudge (for me the lest readable of his books) has sentences that are a paragraph long. It introduces a turgidity into the process of reading which is a turn off in my opinion.
I am often guilty of moving on too quickly as I seem to be driven by the events when I should take the time to complete the picture before creating the action. I think I'm learning to be better!
God Bless
[image error]
One of the first memorable descriptions I encountered was in the above book. It is a description of the sea during a winter, Murmansk convoy during the second world war. Alistair MacLean manages to convey movement, the sullenness and power of the sea on the page. It hooked me into reading all of his books even though that section only lasted two or three pages.
[image error]
I was reminded of the power of description in Caleb Pirtle III's latest novel Friday Nights Don't Last Forever available on Kindle.
Synopsis
The dream of college football propels Casey Clinton into the best and worst times of his life. On Friday nights in Avalon, Alabama, football reigns supreme. Quarterback Casey Clinton’s magic arm drives recruiters and his opponents wild. Girls worship him. A preacher’s wife seduces him. Life can’t be any better.
Although Caleb is writing about an American Footballer that is a vehicle for an examination of the pressures and emotions involved for a young man in almost any professional sport. It is very well put together and well worth a read.
A extract
He had seen it all before.He knew what they all knew.Glory lay only ten steps away.In a split second, it would all be over.Ten steps.That wasn't much.Jesus, he could piss that far.The cold rain washed the sweat from his face. The pain had subsided. The blood was drying where his lip had been split by a linebacker's elbow.It was all instinct now.Automatic.Casey Clinton had one last chance to reach glory ...
If you wish to know what happens next click on the link above.
Of course there are instances when description can become too long and unwieldy. My favourite author, Charles Dickens is guilty of that sin on occasions. In fact overly descriptive prose can be as much a turn off as a turn on and only the writer knows what he/she is trying to achieve with their descriptions. I like the way in which Caleb Pirtle uses shorter sentences to maintain pace and heighten interest while building the tension in the readers mind. Dickens, in Barnaby Rudge (for me the lest readable of his books) has sentences that are a paragraph long. It introduces a turgidity into the process of reading which is a turn off in my opinion.
I am often guilty of moving on too quickly as I seem to be driven by the events when I should take the time to complete the picture before creating the action. I think I'm learning to be better!
God Bless
August 29, 2016
Tuesday Food Blog - Spanish Tortilla (omelette)
I have looked at making one of these dishes in the past but have been put off by the possible stodginess and uninteresting nature. When all said and done it is made from eggs, potatoes and onions. Where is the attraction in that?
Spanish Tortilla (omelette)
The second sticking point is in the name. It seems that those who produce this dish can't decide on whether it is tortilla or omelette. I have no definitive answer but I know my supermarket sells it as a tortilla.
I created a couple over the last few days with reasonable success. The process disclosed few problems other than the need for a smallish frying pan or a helluva lotta eggs!
Ingredients
5 eggs, beaten1 onion, chopped500g new potatoes, slicedoil for cookingseasoning
Method
Slice the potatoes and par boil for 10 minutes, then drain. While the potatoes are boiling, fry off the onion in olive oil with salt and ground pepper. (I added a clove of garlic at this point.) When the potatoes are ready drain, add to the frying pan with the onion and stir so that all are coated with oil and seasoning. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for five minutes before adding to the beaten egg. Coat thoroughly. Add more oil to the frying pan if required and put on a medium heat. Pour the egg mixture into the pan and reduce to the lowest heat. Cook for 25 minutes then turn the tortilla to cook the top for 2 or 3 minutes.Serve either hot or cold.
The turning over of the tortilla can be done by sliding on to a plate placing a second plate on top and flipping over before returning to the pan. If you have a pan that has a lid then that would preclude the need for the turning over. A third option is to cook under a grill to seal the top. If you choose the last option you can sprinkle cheese on top as another option.
As you can see from the lower photograph I served it cold with salad.
God Bless
Spanish Tortilla (omelette)
The second sticking point is in the name. It seems that those who produce this dish can't decide on whether it is tortilla or omelette. I have no definitive answer but I know my supermarket sells it as a tortilla.
I created a couple over the last few days with reasonable success. The process disclosed few problems other than the need for a smallish frying pan or a helluva lotta eggs!
Ingredients
5 eggs, beaten1 onion, chopped500g new potatoes, slicedoil for cookingseasoning
Method
Slice the potatoes and par boil for 10 minutes, then drain. While the potatoes are boiling, fry off the onion in olive oil with salt and ground pepper. (I added a clove of garlic at this point.) When the potatoes are ready drain, add to the frying pan with the onion and stir so that all are coated with oil and seasoning. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for five minutes before adding to the beaten egg. Coat thoroughly. Add more oil to the frying pan if required and put on a medium heat. Pour the egg mixture into the pan and reduce to the lowest heat. Cook for 25 minutes then turn the tortilla to cook the top for 2 or 3 minutes.Serve either hot or cold.
The turning over of the tortilla can be done by sliding on to a plate placing a second plate on top and flipping over before returning to the pan. If you have a pan that has a lid then that would preclude the need for the turning over. A third option is to cook under a grill to seal the top. If you choose the last option you can sprinkle cheese on top as another option.
As you can see from the lower photograph I served it cold with salad.
God Bless
August 28, 2016
Writing - The blank page
Just as an aside to all aspiring authors, a blank piece of paper is just that, but it is also other things.
[image error]
First of all you should not see it as an obstacle to your progress. It is in fact an opportunity. On that blank page will go your words, none of which are new, that you have arranged in such a way as to represent part of your imagination.
[image error]
Of course it is also a place to try out different word orders. If you're like me editing isn't your favourite sport and so I tend to write, read and re-write, as I'm proceeding. I still have to edit because time is a good barrier between creation and final production as it allows you to come back to a piece and make changes if they are necessary.
I don't totally agree with Anne Lamott, I find that sort of attitude rather negative, but you do have to start somewhere. Irrespective of what type of book you're writing you need to start and that is the initial operation.My first line in my current novel begins,
“I must admit this is very kind of you "
You could write almost any sentence, or piece of dialogue or description to begin your magnum opus because you can change it if need be.
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There are countless writing courses and pieces of advice on how to begin, and there are even flyers like the above that throw ideas at you. I reproduced the one above because it isn't subject dependent but it will allow you to make those first marks on your blank page.
Then of course there is the elephant in the room which tends to be the attitude of significant others to the would-be writer. Until they have a copy of your published work in their hands they won't believe that you are a writer. That is difficult as it may be your parents, your spouse or someone just as important to you. This is the elephant and you can only get rid of it one bite at a time. One nibble could be the completion of your first chapter. It may be 2 or 3 thousand words long so it is significant and as such may give the nay-sayers room for thought. BUT in reality it doesn't matter because if you have the will to write then that is what you will do irrespective of the opinion of others.
Finally, there are those who think that they can criticise you because they were good at English at school. Believe me there are plenty out there. It is similar to people's attitude towards schools and education. They think because they went to school that they know all about it when in fact they know very little. Their logic doesn't stand up to close scrutiny. It is rather like saying that you drive a car therefore you know how they work.
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The first sentence on the above is what is inescapably true. Like many processes it doesn't finish when you finish your first novel even if it is published by some world renowned publisher. Try reading someone like Colin Dexter or Ian Rankin. They wrote series of novels within one genre and using the same lead characters. They are good writers but their first efforts are quite raw in comparison to their final works.
So going back to the blank page, don't despair, write that first word or sentence and move forward.
God Bless
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First of all you should not see it as an obstacle to your progress. It is in fact an opportunity. On that blank page will go your words, none of which are new, that you have arranged in such a way as to represent part of your imagination.
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Of course it is also a place to try out different word orders. If you're like me editing isn't your favourite sport and so I tend to write, read and re-write, as I'm proceeding. I still have to edit because time is a good barrier between creation and final production as it allows you to come back to a piece and make changes if they are necessary.
I don't totally agree with Anne Lamott, I find that sort of attitude rather negative, but you do have to start somewhere. Irrespective of what type of book you're writing you need to start and that is the initial operation.My first line in my current novel begins,
“I must admit this is very kind of you "
You could write almost any sentence, or piece of dialogue or description to begin your magnum opus because you can change it if need be.
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There are countless writing courses and pieces of advice on how to begin, and there are even flyers like the above that throw ideas at you. I reproduced the one above because it isn't subject dependent but it will allow you to make those first marks on your blank page.
Then of course there is the elephant in the room which tends to be the attitude of significant others to the would-be writer. Until they have a copy of your published work in their hands they won't believe that you are a writer. That is difficult as it may be your parents, your spouse or someone just as important to you. This is the elephant and you can only get rid of it one bite at a time. One nibble could be the completion of your first chapter. It may be 2 or 3 thousand words long so it is significant and as such may give the nay-sayers room for thought. BUT in reality it doesn't matter because if you have the will to write then that is what you will do irrespective of the opinion of others.
Finally, there are those who think that they can criticise you because they were good at English at school. Believe me there are plenty out there. It is similar to people's attitude towards schools and education. They think because they went to school that they know all about it when in fact they know very little. Their logic doesn't stand up to close scrutiny. It is rather like saying that you drive a car therefore you know how they work.
[image error]
The first sentence on the above is what is inescapably true. Like many processes it doesn't finish when you finish your first novel even if it is published by some world renowned publisher. Try reading someone like Colin Dexter or Ian Rankin. They wrote series of novels within one genre and using the same lead characters. They are good writers but their first efforts are quite raw in comparison to their final works.
So going back to the blank page, don't despair, write that first word or sentence and move forward.
God Bless
August 27, 2016
Writing - 10 things we didn't know
Handsome Japanese, lottery ticket buying millionaires and politically correct court language.
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1. In the Grand Canyon, the US postal service delivers mail by mule.
It would be cruel to suggest that donkeys carry mail everywhere esle.
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2. It would take 112,000 years to fly to the nearest Earth-like world travelling at 25,000mph.
I'll not book that trip then.
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3. Woody Allen spends $100 a week on lottery tickets.
Shouldn't be allowed - greedy git!
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4. Lawyers in the US are forbidden from using terms like "honey" and "darling" in court.
Ok sweety!!!
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5. Action movie star Jason Statham has kicked more people in his films than he has punched.
Keeping his hands clean.
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6. Elephants can't stand chilli powder.
A matter of personal taste.
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7. The winner of the First Lady cookie bake off has predicted the Presidential winner each year since 1992 - except in 2008.
Drumpf?
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8. There's a strong chance the most hated word in the English language is "moist".
No its - Newcastle.
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9. Dolls designed to put girls off pregnancy may encourage them instead.
Nothing as perverse as a woman.
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10. Japanese companies pay handsome men to make staff cry.
Why? I'll do it for half the wages!!!
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God Bless
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1. In the Grand Canyon, the US postal service delivers mail by mule.
It would be cruel to suggest that donkeys carry mail everywhere esle.
--------------------------------
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2. It would take 112,000 years to fly to the nearest Earth-like world travelling at 25,000mph.
I'll not book that trip then.
--------------------------------
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3. Woody Allen spends $100 a week on lottery tickets.
Shouldn't be allowed - greedy git!
--------------------------------
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4. Lawyers in the US are forbidden from using terms like "honey" and "darling" in court.
Ok sweety!!!
--------------------------------
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5. Action movie star Jason Statham has kicked more people in his films than he has punched.
Keeping his hands clean.
--------------------------------
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6. Elephants can't stand chilli powder.
A matter of personal taste.
--------------------------------
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7. The winner of the First Lady cookie bake off has predicted the Presidential winner each year since 1992 - except in 2008.
Drumpf?
--------------------------------
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8. There's a strong chance the most hated word in the English language is "moist".
No its - Newcastle.
--------------------------------
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9. Dolls designed to put girls off pregnancy may encourage them instead.
Nothing as perverse as a woman.
--------------------------------
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10. Japanese companies pay handsome men to make staff cry.
Why? I'll do it for half the wages!!!
--------------------------------
God Bless
