David L. Atkinson's Blog, page 38
August 16, 2016
Writing - I was Ticed
There seems to be a lot of talk these days about mindfulness which is hardly surprising with the Olympic Games in progress. In fact you can hardly go anywhere without hearing the term but in fct it is not new.
[image error]Lou Tice (1935 - 2012)
Lou Tice was probably better known in the USA rather than in the UK but I did attend his Investment in Excellence course, here in Yorkshire, a number of years ago. I have never attended a mindfulness course but judging from what I have heard there a number of similarities.
[image error]
Tice's thinking was very much based upon our internal thought processes, habits and attitudes towards ourselves, in relation to our performance as human beings in various aspects of our lives.In some respects, it perhaps is an oversimplification, thinking positive will aid success. The 'trick' is finding ways of getting subjects to believe that changing thinking can bring about success.I have a real example of the opposite happening. One of my children was due to take her Maths GCSE a few years ago and repeatedly said that she would fail. As hard as I tried to get her to be more positive and have more self-belief she continued on a negative tack. She failed! No surprise there then and she had to re-take which she passed well. It was as if she had to fail before her mind would recognise that she had a need to get the qualification and enable her to be successful.One of Tice's sayings was that if you are in an argument with someone and you have no self-worth you've already lost the argument 2 - 0. It is quite logical if you think about it.
[image error]
So what has this to do with the Olympics or even writing?
In fact I believe that it affects all aspects of life. Even Robert Burns recognised it in his spider story from history. The bit missing from that story is that if the spider had believed in success it wouldn't have had to try so many times. We see examples of positive thinking in many of the events taking place at present. Listening to the comments of winners about positive thinking and the levels of emotion invested are palpable, and evidence of the intensely personal nature of performing. So as Tice suggested, if you are not utterly convinced in your ability to win, then you are not just running against the others in your race, your running against yourself. You've lost!
[image error]
As an activity writing is somewhat different from cycling in the velodrome or running the 100 metres but it is a very personal activity and we who write invest considerable emotion in our words. This is why I say don't aspire to write - WRITE!
God Bless
[image error]Lou Tice (1935 - 2012)
Lou Tice was probably better known in the USA rather than in the UK but I did attend his Investment in Excellence course, here in Yorkshire, a number of years ago. I have never attended a mindfulness course but judging from what I have heard there a number of similarities.
[image error]
Tice's thinking was very much based upon our internal thought processes, habits and attitudes towards ourselves, in relation to our performance as human beings in various aspects of our lives.In some respects, it perhaps is an oversimplification, thinking positive will aid success. The 'trick' is finding ways of getting subjects to believe that changing thinking can bring about success.I have a real example of the opposite happening. One of my children was due to take her Maths GCSE a few years ago and repeatedly said that she would fail. As hard as I tried to get her to be more positive and have more self-belief she continued on a negative tack. She failed! No surprise there then and she had to re-take which she passed well. It was as if she had to fail before her mind would recognise that she had a need to get the qualification and enable her to be successful.One of Tice's sayings was that if you are in an argument with someone and you have no self-worth you've already lost the argument 2 - 0. It is quite logical if you think about it.
[image error]
So what has this to do with the Olympics or even writing?
In fact I believe that it affects all aspects of life. Even Robert Burns recognised it in his spider story from history. The bit missing from that story is that if the spider had believed in success it wouldn't have had to try so many times. We see examples of positive thinking in many of the events taking place at present. Listening to the comments of winners about positive thinking and the levels of emotion invested are palpable, and evidence of the intensely personal nature of performing. So as Tice suggested, if you are not utterly convinced in your ability to win, then you are not just running against the others in your race, your running against yourself. You've lost!
[image error]
As an activity writing is somewhat different from cycling in the velodrome or running the 100 metres but it is a very personal activity and we who write invest considerable emotion in our words. This is why I say don't aspire to write - WRITE!
God Bless
August 15, 2016
Writing - Revelations of Divine Love
As the fallout from the Black Death threw England into turmoil, a woman with a man's name produced a piece of literature that still resonates across the world today. In the realm of value in a post I am sharing somethings that until today I wasn't aware of.
[image error]Julian of Norwich (1342 - 1416)
Julian was an anchoress, someone who, for religious reasons, withdraws from secular society so as to be able to lead an intensely prayer-oriented, ascetic, and—circumstances permitting - Eucharist-focused life. She could fairly be described as the 'mother' of English literature. The process of becoming an anchoress was quite gruelling judging by the descriptions I have read. It wasn't simply withdrawing from the world and becoming a religious couch potato. You had to give up your life and be walled up in a cell until your death. Those who chose this path would be witnesses at their own funerals, receiving the last rites, and have the door to their room sealed or bricked up. They could never leave on pain of excommunication.
[image error]An anchoress cell
Julian probably took her name from the church in which she was walled up for decades. She wrote a mystical text which should rightly be propped up next to your copy of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Revelations of Divine Love was produced in 1395 a time in which the church was in turmoil with two popes, disease, riots and war.
[image error]
The schism in the Catholic church ran for almost 40 years when Pope Gregory XI returned the papacy from Avignon in France to Rome. The ripples from this ecclesiastic pebble dropped in the religious pond spread across all of Europe with people not knowing to which pope prayers should be designated. Following the death of John Wycliffe in 1384 heretics were becoming increasingly persecuted. He had argued for a reformation of the church with no relics or pilgrimages, no payment for indulgences, and access to the Scriptures through English translations. Wycliffe's supporters were termed Lollards and were rounded up and executed. The Lollard's Pit was close to Julian's cell on King's Street in Norwich and she would have been acutely aware that any heresy would have been sniffed out and dealt with summarily.
[image error]
During all this turmoil and indiscriminate death Julian wrote a calm, optimistic and loving book. In the book she stresses that God sees no sin, he is both mother and father, and that love is the root of everything.It is believed that Julian was around forty years of age when she elected to become an anchoress and possibly as the result of serious illness. It could have been a touch of the plague, Norwich lost over half of its population at this time. She was receiving the last rites and a crucifix was held in front of her which supposedly triggered 16 revelations that formed the basis of meditation for the rest of her life.When Julian decided to become an anchoress there were benefits that even in modern times some would welcome the opportunity. She was in her forties and had enough personal wealth to sustain her and a maid to see to her daily needs. She would not have to marry again or undertake the potentially deadly procedure of medieval childbirth, and she would have the time and freedom to meditate and to read and write. At that time women couldn't attend university - they couldn't even get a decent education - so becoming an anchoress meant that although physically restricted she was intellectually free.
A printed version of this book didn't become widely available until the turn of the twentieth century but is fast becoming a must have or read. Apparently, the work has inspired the pope, and the Queen has Julian's words on a stained glass window in front of which she prays.
I leave you with an inspirational quote from the book,
“Truth sees God, and wisdom contemplates God, and from these two comes a third, a holy and wonderful delight in God, who is love.”
― Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love
God Bless
[image error]Julian of Norwich (1342 - 1416)
Julian was an anchoress, someone who, for religious reasons, withdraws from secular society so as to be able to lead an intensely prayer-oriented, ascetic, and—circumstances permitting - Eucharist-focused life. She could fairly be described as the 'mother' of English literature. The process of becoming an anchoress was quite gruelling judging by the descriptions I have read. It wasn't simply withdrawing from the world and becoming a religious couch potato. You had to give up your life and be walled up in a cell until your death. Those who chose this path would be witnesses at their own funerals, receiving the last rites, and have the door to their room sealed or bricked up. They could never leave on pain of excommunication.
[image error]An anchoress cell
Julian probably took her name from the church in which she was walled up for decades. She wrote a mystical text which should rightly be propped up next to your copy of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Revelations of Divine Love was produced in 1395 a time in which the church was in turmoil with two popes, disease, riots and war.
[image error]
The schism in the Catholic church ran for almost 40 years when Pope Gregory XI returned the papacy from Avignon in France to Rome. The ripples from this ecclesiastic pebble dropped in the religious pond spread across all of Europe with people not knowing to which pope prayers should be designated. Following the death of John Wycliffe in 1384 heretics were becoming increasingly persecuted. He had argued for a reformation of the church with no relics or pilgrimages, no payment for indulgences, and access to the Scriptures through English translations. Wycliffe's supporters were termed Lollards and were rounded up and executed. The Lollard's Pit was close to Julian's cell on King's Street in Norwich and she would have been acutely aware that any heresy would have been sniffed out and dealt with summarily.
[image error]
During all this turmoil and indiscriminate death Julian wrote a calm, optimistic and loving book. In the book she stresses that God sees no sin, he is both mother and father, and that love is the root of everything.It is believed that Julian was around forty years of age when she elected to become an anchoress and possibly as the result of serious illness. It could have been a touch of the plague, Norwich lost over half of its population at this time. She was receiving the last rites and a crucifix was held in front of her which supposedly triggered 16 revelations that formed the basis of meditation for the rest of her life.When Julian decided to become an anchoress there were benefits that even in modern times some would welcome the opportunity. She was in her forties and had enough personal wealth to sustain her and a maid to see to her daily needs. She would not have to marry again or undertake the potentially deadly procedure of medieval childbirth, and she would have the time and freedom to meditate and to read and write. At that time women couldn't attend university - they couldn't even get a decent education - so becoming an anchoress meant that although physically restricted she was intellectually free.
A printed version of this book didn't become widely available until the turn of the twentieth century but is fast becoming a must have or read. Apparently, the work has inspired the pope, and the Queen has Julian's words on a stained glass window in front of which she prays.
I leave you with an inspirational quote from the book,
“Truth sees God, and wisdom contemplates God, and from these two comes a third, a holy and wonderful delight in God, who is love.”
― Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love
God Bless
August 14, 2016
Writing - When you can't write
At the moment I am having distribution difficulties with my blog which is affecting visibility. I've taken the opportunity to have an easier time - well it is holiday time.
[image error]
However, I still have a need and hence this brief encounter.
If you are like me then irrespective of the circumstances you will produce something. The worth will come later when I put the links to my published books. It is important to keep plugging away because eventually you will develop a number of followers and receive the plaudits that you thought were never going to come. I was described as a writer by someone this morning which was very gratifying. So please read on.
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]
However, I still have a need and hence this brief encounter.
If you are like me then irrespective of the circumstances you will produce something. The worth will come later when I put the links to my published books. It is important to keep plugging away because eventually you will develop a number of followers and receive the plaudits that you thought were never going to come. I was described as a writer by someone this morning which was very gratifying. So please read on.
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
August 12, 2016
Writing - Just for another laugh
As always August brings the Edinburgh Fringe which has spawned such wonderful talents as John Cleese, Rowan Atkinson and the like. Well here are some of the jokes from this year's effort.
[image error]
“I’m from an area, in Birmingham, where we say we’re working class. Ironically. Because we don’t and we’ve got none.” Lindsey Santoro
[image error]
“How to describe my act? If you can imagine a piece of paper with a venn diagram on it and there’s one circle labelled ‘music’ and an overlapping circle labelled ‘comedy’ then my act is on another piece of paper…” Tom Taylor
[image error]
“Here’s a little tip for you. If you haven’t already, get yourself a dog. Dogs are great. Before I got a dog I was just some guy in the park throwing a stick and carrying a bag of crap." Jethro Bradley
[image error]
“My child thinks that if he doesn’t say ‘hashtag’ before a word I can’t hear it.” Sindhu Vee
“I was always too slow to catch butterflies when I was a kid, so I’d just put my net over a caterpillar and wait.” Alex Mahoney
[image error]
“I don’t know what my tasks at work are supposed to be any more. The main thing I seem to spend my day doing now is repeatedly dropping the Google Streetview man into the River Thames. Pretending he’s my work colleague. That kills eight hours doesn’t it?” Ian Lane
“The people at home won’t be able to tell this but I’ve been on holiday for a week in the sun. 40 degree heat. And I’ve still come back whiter than Donald Trump’s dreams for the future.” Lauren Pattison
[image error]
“It’s just so much easier to say you’re gay because then women know you’re interested and men… try harder.” Catherine Bohart
[image error]
“I’m not used to performing on radio and therefore to people who, by the trapping of the medium, are both in the future and blind.” Sean Morley
[image error]
“I realised I was British when I got hit by a car… and I apologised.” Michael Odewale
[image error]
“I recently found out that pinging an email is the same as emailing an email. It’s just sent by a different kind of person.” Joe Jacobs
And for the writers,
[image error]
“I said to her: ‘Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little bit fewer’.” George Lewis
God Bless
[image error]
“I’m from an area, in Birmingham, where we say we’re working class. Ironically. Because we don’t and we’ve got none.” Lindsey Santoro
[image error]
“How to describe my act? If you can imagine a piece of paper with a venn diagram on it and there’s one circle labelled ‘music’ and an overlapping circle labelled ‘comedy’ then my act is on another piece of paper…” Tom Taylor
[image error]
“Here’s a little tip for you. If you haven’t already, get yourself a dog. Dogs are great. Before I got a dog I was just some guy in the park throwing a stick and carrying a bag of crap." Jethro Bradley
[image error]
“My child thinks that if he doesn’t say ‘hashtag’ before a word I can’t hear it.” Sindhu Vee
“I was always too slow to catch butterflies when I was a kid, so I’d just put my net over a caterpillar and wait.” Alex Mahoney
[image error]
“I don’t know what my tasks at work are supposed to be any more. The main thing I seem to spend my day doing now is repeatedly dropping the Google Streetview man into the River Thames. Pretending he’s my work colleague. That kills eight hours doesn’t it?” Ian Lane
“The people at home won’t be able to tell this but I’ve been on holiday for a week in the sun. 40 degree heat. And I’ve still come back whiter than Donald Trump’s dreams for the future.” Lauren Pattison
[image error]
“It’s just so much easier to say you’re gay because then women know you’re interested and men… try harder.” Catherine Bohart
[image error]
“I’m not used to performing on radio and therefore to people who, by the trapping of the medium, are both in the future and blind.” Sean Morley
[image error]
“I realised I was British when I got hit by a car… and I apologised.” Michael Odewale
[image error]
“I recently found out that pinging an email is the same as emailing an email. It’s just sent by a different kind of person.” Joe Jacobs
And for the writers,
[image error]
“I said to her: ‘Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little bit fewer’.” George Lewis
God Bless
Writing - Just for a laugh
As always August brings the Edinburgh Fringe which has spawned such wonderful talents as John Cleese, Rowan Atkinson and the like. Well here are some of the jokes from this year's effort.
[image error]
“I’m from an area, in Birmingham, where we say we’re working class. Ironically. Because we don’t and we’ve got none.” Lindsey Santoro
[image error]
“How to describe my act? If you can imagine a piece of paper with a venn diagram on it and there’s one circle labelled ‘music’ and an overlapping circle labelled ‘comedy’ then my act is on another piece of paper…” Tom Taylor
[image error]
“Here’s a little tip for you. If you haven’t already, get yourself a dog. Dogs are great. Before I got a dog I was just some guy in the park throwing a stick and carrying a bag of crap." Jethro Bradley
[image error]
“My child thinks that if he doesn’t say ‘hashtag’ before a word I can’t hear it.” Sindhu Vee
“I was always too slow to catch butterflies when I was a kid, so I’d just put my net over a caterpillar and wait.” Alex Mahoney
[image error]
“I don’t know what my tasks at work are supposed to be any more. The main thing I seem to spend my day doing now is repeatedly dropping the Google Streetview man into the River Thames. Pretending he’s my work colleague. That kills eight hours doesn’t it?” Ian Lane
“The people at home won’t be able to tell this but I’ve been on holiday for a week in the sun. 40 degree heat. And I’ve still come back whiter than Donald Trump’s dreams for the future.” Lauren Pattison
[image error]
“It’s just so much easier to say you’re gay because then women know you’re interested and men… try harder.” Catherine Bohart
[image error]
“I’m not used to performing on radio and therefore to people who, by the trapping of the medium, are both in the future and blind.” Sean Morley
[image error]
“I realised I was British when I got hit by a car… and I apologised.” Michael Odewale
[image error]
“I recently found out that pinging an email is the same as emailing an email. It’s just sent by a different kind of person.” Joe Jacobs
And for the writers,
[image error]
“I said to her: ‘Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little bit fewer’.” George Lewis
God Bless
[image error]
“I’m from an area, in Birmingham, where we say we’re working class. Ironically. Because we don’t and we’ve got none.” Lindsey Santoro
[image error]
“How to describe my act? If you can imagine a piece of paper with a venn diagram on it and there’s one circle labelled ‘music’ and an overlapping circle labelled ‘comedy’ then my act is on another piece of paper…” Tom Taylor
[image error]
“Here’s a little tip for you. If you haven’t already, get yourself a dog. Dogs are great. Before I got a dog I was just some guy in the park throwing a stick and carrying a bag of crap." Jethro Bradley
[image error]
“My child thinks that if he doesn’t say ‘hashtag’ before a word I can’t hear it.” Sindhu Vee
“I was always too slow to catch butterflies when I was a kid, so I’d just put my net over a caterpillar and wait.” Alex Mahoney
[image error]
“I don’t know what my tasks at work are supposed to be any more. The main thing I seem to spend my day doing now is repeatedly dropping the Google Streetview man into the River Thames. Pretending he’s my work colleague. That kills eight hours doesn’t it?” Ian Lane
“The people at home won’t be able to tell this but I’ve been on holiday for a week in the sun. 40 degree heat. And I’ve still come back whiter than Donald Trump’s dreams for the future.” Lauren Pattison
[image error]
“It’s just so much easier to say you’re gay because then women know you’re interested and men… try harder.” Catherine Bohart
[image error]
“I’m not used to performing on radio and therefore to people who, by the trapping of the medium, are both in the future and blind.” Sean Morley
[image error]
“I realised I was British when I got hit by a car… and I apologised.” Michael Odewale
[image error]
“I recently found out that pinging an email is the same as emailing an email. It’s just sent by a different kind of person.” Joe Jacobs
And for the writers,
[image error]
“I said to her: ‘Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little bit fewer’.” George Lewis
God Bless
August 11, 2016
Writing - why do it?
I have been writing continually for about seven years without making any money at it so why do I continue?
[image error]Sylvia Plath
It is a fair question. I don't think I'm very good at it (writing) and if earnings had anything to do with the assessment of my ability, I would be correct in that belief. However, like Sylvia Plath there is a certain internal drive encouraging me to write and it is there every day. Now I'm not going over again, the arguments I have put between creativity and commercialism. This post is simply about what makes writers do what they do.
George Orwell wrote quite a long piece on why he was a writer which is summed up in the opening paragraph,
[image error]
"From a very early age, perhaps the age of five or six, I knew that when I grew up I should be a writer. Between the ages of about seventeen and twenty-four I tried to abandon this idea, but I did so with the consciousness that I was outraging my true nature and that sooner or later I should have to settle down and write books."George Orwell
[image error]Joan Didion
American writer, Joan Didion, puts it quite succinctly saying that it gives access to her own mind.
I can understand that because while writing I am accessing my own thoughts and feelings.
[image error]Mary Gaitskill
Another American writer, Mary Gaitskill, has produced a number of thought provoking passages on the subject but the piece I can associate with is her take on stories.
Stories mimic life like certain insects mimic leaves and twigs. Stories are about all the things that might’ve, could’ve, or would’ve happened, encrowded around and giving density and shape to undeniable physical events and phenomena. They are the rich, unseen underlayer of the most ordinary moments.
I know that in my early life I wanted to write and tried poetry but only rarely. Ordinary working life was busy in those days and, as there are no guarantees about how successful one might become, the need to earn money had to come first. In the last ten years as the children have grown up and relationships fell apart, I found more time to put pen to paper and have enjoyed producing the ten, almost eleven, full length novels I've written.
Every now and again I have a new follower on Twitter or other social media who describe themselves as aspiring writers. My advice to them is stop aspiring - write!
God Bless
[image error]Sylvia Plath
It is a fair question. I don't think I'm very good at it (writing) and if earnings had anything to do with the assessment of my ability, I would be correct in that belief. However, like Sylvia Plath there is a certain internal drive encouraging me to write and it is there every day. Now I'm not going over again, the arguments I have put between creativity and commercialism. This post is simply about what makes writers do what they do.
George Orwell wrote quite a long piece on why he was a writer which is summed up in the opening paragraph,
[image error]
"From a very early age, perhaps the age of five or six, I knew that when I grew up I should be a writer. Between the ages of about seventeen and twenty-four I tried to abandon this idea, but I did so with the consciousness that I was outraging my true nature and that sooner or later I should have to settle down and write books."George Orwell
[image error]Joan Didion
American writer, Joan Didion, puts it quite succinctly saying that it gives access to her own mind.
I can understand that because while writing I am accessing my own thoughts and feelings.
[image error]Mary Gaitskill
Another American writer, Mary Gaitskill, has produced a number of thought provoking passages on the subject but the piece I can associate with is her take on stories.
Stories mimic life like certain insects mimic leaves and twigs. Stories are about all the things that might’ve, could’ve, or would’ve happened, encrowded around and giving density and shape to undeniable physical events and phenomena. They are the rich, unseen underlayer of the most ordinary moments.
I know that in my early life I wanted to write and tried poetry but only rarely. Ordinary working life was busy in those days and, as there are no guarantees about how successful one might become, the need to earn money had to come first. In the last ten years as the children have grown up and relationships fell apart, I found more time to put pen to paper and have enjoyed producing the ten, almost eleven, full length novels I've written.
Every now and again I have a new follower on Twitter or other social media who describe themselves as aspiring writers. My advice to them is stop aspiring - write!
God Bless
August 10, 2016
Poetry Thursday 224 - Olympics and more
I feel that I owe the GB team competitors an apology! It seems that every time I turn on the TV whatever our athletes are riding breaks, or they fall off, or fall in, but they fail. Of course it could be something to do with the over expectation of the media. Which ever is the case I couldn't let it pass without some thought.
[image error]
Olympic Dreams
And so it has started,hobbies not for the faint-hearted.A couple of weeks of intensity,to try and beat personal history.Amid the rabid media swarming,heat and controversy creating.
Are the participants clean?Do the public seem as keen?Will they play by the rulesor behave as fools?How can we take it seriouslywhen participants cheat repeatedly?
The crowds will attend every sport,cheering, worshipping as they ought.Athletes will acknowledge with thanks,cry a few tears as they achieve higher ranks.Then it will be over, or so it seems,but in four years’ time more Olympic dreams.© David L Atkinson August 2016
The reality of summer holidays in the UK
[image error]
Ordinary summer holiday
Families huddled on the beach
Salty fish and chips
Lost children screaming for mums
Delicious ice cream
Relaxed
Less busy because of the rain
A reduction in tension
ordinary summer holiday.© David L Atkinson August 2016
[image error]
Holidaying in the UK
You’re never quite sureif the hotel will be poor,or the weather fairly clement,and will the food be pleasant?Is the beach handy?Is the surface yellow sandy?Do we have to queue for all?“Mum I’ve lost the beach ball!”© David L Atkinson August 2016
God Bless
[image error]
Olympic Dreams
And so it has started,hobbies not for the faint-hearted.A couple of weeks of intensity,to try and beat personal history.Amid the rabid media swarming,heat and controversy creating.
Are the participants clean?Do the public seem as keen?Will they play by the rulesor behave as fools?How can we take it seriouslywhen participants cheat repeatedly?
The crowds will attend every sport,cheering, worshipping as they ought.Athletes will acknowledge with thanks,cry a few tears as they achieve higher ranks.Then it will be over, or so it seems,but in four years’ time more Olympic dreams.© David L Atkinson August 2016
The reality of summer holidays in the UK
[image error]
Ordinary summer holiday
Families huddled on the beach
Salty fish and chips
Lost children screaming for mums
Delicious ice cream
Relaxed
Less busy because of the rain
A reduction in tension
ordinary summer holiday.© David L Atkinson August 2016
[image error]
Holidaying in the UK
You’re never quite sureif the hotel will be poor,or the weather fairly clement,and will the food be pleasant?Is the beach handy?Is the surface yellow sandy?Do we have to queue for all?“Mum I’ve lost the beach ball!”© David L Atkinson August 2016
God Bless
August 9, 2016
Writing - Well known one liners
How do one liners become so well enjoyed by so many? Well if you don't write and only 'aspire' to write you ain't never gonna write one! Various authors have probably unwittingly created such gems during the daily grind of producing their work.
[image error]Italian Job
In the Italian Job Michael Caine says to one of his crime team who had just demolished a truck with explosives,
'You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off'
When Troy Kennedy Martin penned those words he probably thought them amusing but they are almost as well known as some famous Shakespearean lines,
'A horse, a horse my kingdom for a horse, ... '
[image error]Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl's work cascades with wonderful lines and Matilda is just one example where a plethora of quotes has you rolling.
“I cannot for the life of me understand why small children take so long to grow up. I think they do it deliberately, just to annoy me.”
"$5000 dollars hospital bill, I refuse to pay it. What are they going to do repossess the kid?"
and for the writers amongst us,
"Why do you want a book? What can you get from a book that you can't get from the TV quicker?"
Great lines, all of them. However, do you really ever know when you have written one? I doubt it. There is a sort of indication as to how good a line may be. YOU like it!
My second collection
I produced the above collection of poetry a couple of years ago but the important line for me is in the title Words from the Raindrops. It comes from a poem that is included in the collection and which I feel is particularly meaningful on more than one level.
God is in the Rain
When we pray to God looking to the skieswe see the clouds before our eyes,and as we pray to God we ask questionsfor ourselves and others, for His suggestions,on how to live each and every dayand keep illness, fear and trouble at bay.
When we pray to God looking to the skieswe see endless expanse before our eyes,and as we pray to God we confess our sinslooking for the peace His forgiveness bringsto our aching souls and tortured lives,bringing gentleness that we may survive.
When we pray to God looking to the skieswe see the sun before our eyes,and as we pray to God we give our vowto live as He would expect from nowso that the world will be a better placefor us and the rest of the human race.
When we pray to God looking to the skieswe see drops of rain before our eyes,but as we pray to God we fail to seethe extent and infinite care that Helavishes on us time and again,as frequently as every drop of rain.© David L Atkinson November 2014
The poem is in the form of a prayer and was written for church. I just felt that raindrops share the ubiquitous nature of God.
Now it could be that not many others think like me but I have sold copies of the book!
So never give up and be pleased when you create a line that resonates within you.
God Bless
[image error]Italian Job
In the Italian Job Michael Caine says to one of his crime team who had just demolished a truck with explosives,
'You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off'
When Troy Kennedy Martin penned those words he probably thought them amusing but they are almost as well known as some famous Shakespearean lines,
'A horse, a horse my kingdom for a horse, ... '
[image error]Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl's work cascades with wonderful lines and Matilda is just one example where a plethora of quotes has you rolling.
“I cannot for the life of me understand why small children take so long to grow up. I think they do it deliberately, just to annoy me.”
"$5000 dollars hospital bill, I refuse to pay it. What are they going to do repossess the kid?"
and for the writers amongst us,
"Why do you want a book? What can you get from a book that you can't get from the TV quicker?"
Great lines, all of them. However, do you really ever know when you have written one? I doubt it. There is a sort of indication as to how good a line may be. YOU like it!
My second collection
I produced the above collection of poetry a couple of years ago but the important line for me is in the title Words from the Raindrops. It comes from a poem that is included in the collection and which I feel is particularly meaningful on more than one level.
God is in the Rain
When we pray to God looking to the skieswe see the clouds before our eyes,and as we pray to God we ask questionsfor ourselves and others, for His suggestions,on how to live each and every dayand keep illness, fear and trouble at bay.
When we pray to God looking to the skieswe see endless expanse before our eyes,and as we pray to God we confess our sinslooking for the peace His forgiveness bringsto our aching souls and tortured lives,bringing gentleness that we may survive.
When we pray to God looking to the skieswe see the sun before our eyes,and as we pray to God we give our vowto live as He would expect from nowso that the world will be a better placefor us and the rest of the human race.
When we pray to God looking to the skieswe see drops of rain before our eyes,but as we pray to God we fail to seethe extent and infinite care that Helavishes on us time and again,as frequently as every drop of rain.© David L Atkinson November 2014
The poem is in the form of a prayer and was written for church. I just felt that raindrops share the ubiquitous nature of God.
Now it could be that not many others think like me but I have sold copies of the book!
So never give up and be pleased when you create a line that resonates within you.
God Bless
August 8, 2016
Tuesday Food Blog - Salad variations
Another weekend of catching meals as and when it was possible including eating out. However, I bought plenty of salad and a quiche so that I had plenty to fall back on. However, I received an unexpected gift!
[image error]
I have a couple of friends who grow their own vegetables and one of them brought me a courgette and some green beans. Not only did he bring the produce he told me of a recipe that he'd used for the courgette.
Quiche, sauteed vegetables and salad
The photograph shows the constructed meal and that the bought quiche was as bland as it looks will be no surprise. However, The vegetables were delicious as were the salad items.
Sauteed Courgettes
This item that can be eaten with any meal where you require a green vegetable and couldn't be easier to prepare. All that is required is some oil or butter, garlic and seasoning. Slice the courgette very thinly, warm the pan with the oil and add the seasoning and garlic. Place the sliced veg in the pan, heat through for a couple of minutes and then serve - couldn't be easier.
As an experiment I parboiled the green beans and then sauteed them also and they came out just as delicious. In fact the meal was so tasty without meat I could almost become vegetarian. (Stress on the 'almost'!)
The above method of preparing vegetables can be varied by adjusting the seasonings and the added herbs or spices. I'm sure if you are wanting to try variations you will have some flavour combinations that are your favourites which could marry up equally well. Another variation that could have the kids eating vegetables is making chips from sweet potatoes or carrots.
Hope you find plenty of value in this week's post.
God Bless
[image error]
I have a couple of friends who grow their own vegetables and one of them brought me a courgette and some green beans. Not only did he bring the produce he told me of a recipe that he'd used for the courgette.
Quiche, sauteed vegetables and salad
The photograph shows the constructed meal and that the bought quiche was as bland as it looks will be no surprise. However, The vegetables were delicious as were the salad items.
Sauteed Courgettes
This item that can be eaten with any meal where you require a green vegetable and couldn't be easier to prepare. All that is required is some oil or butter, garlic and seasoning. Slice the courgette very thinly, warm the pan with the oil and add the seasoning and garlic. Place the sliced veg in the pan, heat through for a couple of minutes and then serve - couldn't be easier.
As an experiment I parboiled the green beans and then sauteed them also and they came out just as delicious. In fact the meal was so tasty without meat I could almost become vegetarian. (Stress on the 'almost'!)
The above method of preparing vegetables can be varied by adjusting the seasonings and the added herbs or spices. I'm sure if you are wanting to try variations you will have some flavour combinations that are your favourites which could marry up equally well. Another variation that could have the kids eating vegetables is making chips from sweet potatoes or carrots.
Hope you find plenty of value in this week's post.
God Bless
August 7, 2016
Writing - Stretching the truth
Establishing a plan based upon a falsehood/misrepresentation of the truth. You actually come across politicians and dictators who do this and have done it throughout history.
There are two ways that this is a useful addition to the inspirational armoury of writers. In fact you can stimulate the ideas by asking a question - What if?
[image error]JFK
So if John F Kennedy had reacted differently over the Cuban Missile crisis?
What if the USA hadn't been persuaded to join in the second world war?
What if Iraq had WMDs?
Each one could lead to a different story. Here is an example of a real occurrence.
Yellow River - China
Geology tells us that there was a great flood in China around about 1900 BC. It occurred as a result of a landslide that blocked the valley through which the Yellow River flowed. But then comes the manipulation. The legend of Emperor Yu states that he tamed the flooded Yellow River by dredging and redirecting its channels, thereby laying the foundations for the Xia dynasty and Chinese civilisation. A lovely piece of opportunism with massive benefits for the creator.
The point is that once you have the germ of an idea you can play with it, twist it round or tell it as it was. Whatever the choice you have a wealth of material with which to work. I have used recent history for my last two novels. Flight into Secrecy is based upon the events of the lost aeroplane MH370 and my current work is based upon the events surrounding the collapse of Building 7 on 9/11. The beauty of writing such stories is that you have carte blanche to take the readers imagination to wherever you think is possible.
God Bless
There are two ways that this is a useful addition to the inspirational armoury of writers. In fact you can stimulate the ideas by asking a question - What if?
[image error]JFK
So if John F Kennedy had reacted differently over the Cuban Missile crisis?
What if the USA hadn't been persuaded to join in the second world war?
What if Iraq had WMDs?
Each one could lead to a different story. Here is an example of a real occurrence.
Yellow River - China
Geology tells us that there was a great flood in China around about 1900 BC. It occurred as a result of a landslide that blocked the valley through which the Yellow River flowed. But then comes the manipulation. The legend of Emperor Yu states that he tamed the flooded Yellow River by dredging and redirecting its channels, thereby laying the foundations for the Xia dynasty and Chinese civilisation. A lovely piece of opportunism with massive benefits for the creator.
The point is that once you have the germ of an idea you can play with it, twist it round or tell it as it was. Whatever the choice you have a wealth of material with which to work. I have used recent history for my last two novels. Flight into Secrecy is based upon the events of the lost aeroplane MH370 and my current work is based upon the events surrounding the collapse of Building 7 on 9/11. The beauty of writing such stories is that you have carte blanche to take the readers imagination to wherever you think is possible.
God Bless
