To Inspire

[woodelf]

Would anyone like to see my website? I created it so as to inspire people, but I hope it also pleases those who can see it too. the site address is:-

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/theartsight

and I have already received lovely feedback, but this only strengthens my resolve to continue with my painting. Ta Muchly.

[Ethel]

Morning Lottie - a fine, sunny day here, too.

I thought I were doing well with crocus in flower and my clematis ready to burst open. Things certainly seem much better now it is not so bitterly cold.

I have to make do with the canal network if I wish to enjoy a watery vista, but we do have some beautiful countryside locally with lots of wildlife around the canals. The biggest advantage is the walks are relatively flat and easy underfoot. The River Severn isn't far away, at Bridgnorth and Bewdley but these lovely towns are tourist magnets.

Busy preparing for my holiday now, making lists.

[LoftyLottie2]

Oh Ethel, I would love to go away on holiday to some real sunshine and forget about architects and plans and care homes. Holidays, I fear, will have to be put on hold.

I too need flattish countryside. I can't do hills anymore!!

Had a lovely few days on a canal barge once. It was still in it's original form with a wood burner, etc. It was bitterly cold and we had to keep collecting wood to keep the fire going. Somewhere near Birmingham, but I can't remember where.


I'm off now!

Smile.

[Beatrice35]

LL2 Please stop rushing to defend me on every post here- know you mean well, yet am a big girl + can take care of self all by self thanks so please stop. Also, sad that you see the G word as unoffensive LL2. Soon everyone will think the F swear word is unoffensive as it will be used more + more often in all kinds of bizarre contexts. Just because words are used frequently or their meaning is diluted in society does not mean that the word is still not offensive in origin or right - it is just that the majority do not percieve it to be offensive that is all. The way morals are slipping in this country/society perturbs me greatly. Even in the art world, too many people want to shock like many Turner Prize art winners. Just an old fashioned girl who moves to the beat of a different drum ( even did so long before this chronic neurological condition) Just because something is part of the norm does not make it right. Warm wishes, Bea :-) who dares to be different ;-)

[LoftyLottie2]

OK. I won't defend you anymore. But take care because, although you don't mean to offend, in fact you can appear offensive on some of the threads you are on.

Bea, there are lots of words that are offensive in some contexts and not in others. I call Mr LL a git sometimes and it is meant affectionally. He is certainly not offended by it.

I dare to be different too Bea, but am aware of others sensibilities so tread carefully (most of the time). We have to be aware that our ways are not necessarily the best ways. Just be aware.

Diversity is what makes the world go round. :o)

[woodelf]

Hi Sarah...ooops sorry, I mean Ethel...so much for my excellent memory...smile.
Now then, I must remember not to go over the 2000 character limit; why doesn't AB put a character marker on here I wonder, cos once I get going...?
So, how do I spend my day you ask? Well at the moment it's still flippin' chilly down here (Basingstoke) and I can't get out to the countryside to wander...I like to wander not walk and to take my time, so it's still too cold.
As well as sketching for potential paintings, which I do when I get the urge...smile, I listen to audio books or am on the pc writing. Poetry and am working on a non-fiction book which needs a lot of research and a lot of audio listening too.
I'm a member of a local writers' group and am struggling with this month's "homework", as well as writing a new poem/ballad for our anthology which is based on the four seasons of the year.
I sometimes play my guitar (not great) and/or listen to music and in evening watch telly if there's owt worth watching...tonight is Whitechapel and Uni Challenge...I wonder how many characters all this is...better stop now...smile. Part 2 later perhaps.

[Beatrice35]

LL2 thanks for backing off as do not need a minder. Yet will agree to disagree with you on more than one point. Will continue to be Bea + am not here to win friends as have plenty anyhow + this is not the place for friendships. Am respectful, too, even if challenge others if they are shallow or use language that is not polite/good or if someone has morals that are dodgy or if someone only looks at something from one angle. Choose better words for affection than you LL2 thank goodness. Am very aware as a matter of fact - much more than you realise- not that have to prove self to you or anyone else here for that matter.
Enjoy the sunshine everyone :-) Warm wishes, Bea :-)

[Ethel]

Now that is very intriguing, Woodelf.

What is your non-fiction book about? Please tell.

I used to play the guitar but it was doomed from the start - I am tone deaf and was never able to tune the instrument myself. I can play piano as the notes are already there, unlike stringed instruments where you have to make them yourself.

I am very much looking forward to Whitechapel - who is the killer? Any idea?

[woodelf]

Well Ethel, in Whitechapel, I don't think it's the tour guide...too obvious, so it must be/may be one of the cops or one who knows about forensics as well as Ripperology.

Do you mind if I don't tell you what my book is about?...not until it's finished - someone might nick the idea before it's complete and there's still a heck more to do...or do ya think that's being mean and 'orrible?...smile.

The notes are there on the guitar, in between the frets, but I just like to play along with my fave singers and bands/groups.

[Ethel]

You've made me laugh - I know where the notes are on a guitar but it is somewhat more difficult than pressing a key on a piano.

Fully understand about your book - be like dad and keep mum.

Whitechapel - I think it could be the young police officer who seems to be a bit of a crawler. Not too long to wait in any case.

[Beatrice35]

woodelf- Understand about keeping some things under wraps about your book. Also, doing the same + only telling a select few whom trust- outside of AB of course- more about my book until it is published for the same reasons as you as people can easily nick ideas. Good luck with the book, too :-)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c /a/2005/12/14/MNGNKG7Q0V1.DTL&hw=Whale&sn=005& sc=501

This is the link, to the article have permission to use in my book, woodelf :-) May you be mightily blessed today :-)

Hugs, Bea :-)

[woodelf]

Whitechapel Ethel?...we were both wrong weren't we?...smile; but I think the ending was a bit weak though too.

Sorry B, still can't access links.

I wonder if I took out a patent on my book idea then I could tell more people without them thinking I'm branding them a "teef"....smile.
Hey ho, I aint that good a writer anyway, but I've been told the idea is unique, so....? who knows?...smile.

[Ethel]

Keep it very much to yourself, Woodelf, that's the best way to protect your book.

I think there will be a new series of Whitechapel and it will be yet another run of the mill cop drama.

I had no idea it was the doctor and I did enjoy it. I was quite happy with the ending. We still don't know if the police boss is gay. :)

[woodelf]

Hi guys, it's gone quiet in/on this thread, so let's see if this inspires any response...smile.

"The Coming of Spring"

Branches nippled by ripened buds
engorged with fire, inflame the woods
which wait alone for Winter's death
so still, as with some long-held breath.
Until the time when Mother Earth
releases her tumescent birth
and at that last climactic rush
the woods of Spring will cease to blush.

All my own work...smile...any good?

[Beatrice35]

Loved the poem woodelf. Though never heard of the words Nippled or Tumescent- are they your own coined words? Still it was a fabulous piece + enjoyed it very much!! Look forward to purchasing your book, for sure ;-) Hugs, Bea :-)

2 quotes to share with you guys:-

"No one appreciates the genious of your conversation as the dog does."- Christopher Morley

"We do not stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing." - Anon

[Ethel]

Thought provoking poem, Woodelf - mainly because the choice of words makes one think of the meaning.

I enjoyed joyed - spring is the birth of the new year to me and somehow always gives hope. It certainly seems to come in with a rush - snow one day, and crocus revealed the next.

And quite right, bea - we do grow old when we stop playing. There is an undefined time when children stop running and clambering for no other reason than because they are full of energy. That is the start of adult hood, I think. It's not a conscience decision - the running about just stops.

[Beatrice35]

" Great is the man who has not lost his childhood heart"- Mencius

Ethel- loved your post just now. As as child said joyed instead of enjoyed :-) so hearing that word just made me smile much- step back in time. Agree with your comments on woodelf's poem too :-) There is a big difference between being childish and being child like. Childish is something we rightly dismiss as adults. Hower, on the other hand, the imagination, the daydreaming, the sense of wonder, the inventiveness,carefree playing - spending time on our hobbies + fun/ leisure pursuits, being spontaneous especially with being kind to one another- these qualities of being childlike is something we must be careful to never lose + to practice regularly. Warm wishes, Bea :-)

[LoftyLottie2]

Liked your poem Woodelf. I write poems and prose too. But they all turn out to be really miserable and not at all inspiring or uplifting.

Ethel, the architect is alive and well!! Yet another set of plans going in within the next two weeks. Another hurdle over.

How's that packing going?

[woodelf]

Thanks guys for your words about the poem, though it's an unusual one as most of mine are 'humourous' ballads or are ones written specifically for children, in whom I believe it is necessary to maintain that world of innocence, not only in the author but his audience...what a load of pompous rot!...smile...but I still do believe in the innocence.

Beatrice, tumescent is a dictionary word, but I have used nippled as opposed to dotted or stippled or similar to describe the budded branches - and you must know what a nipple is?...smile; at least I hope it was a more evocative word.

Perhaps circumstance drives your poems and prose Lottie - as they do mine sometimes - but at least you are getting your thoughts and feelings down, where you can view them in a more dispassionate manner.

Have you finished making all those lists Ethel?...if so, you must be feeling listless...smile...a quick turn round the garden will cheer you up.

[Ethel]

Hurrah! for the architect, bea.

Woodelf, your 'listless' comment has made me smile. A while back a friend of mine left her husband and he took it very badly. As my friend's name is Ruth I said he was ruthless. Smile.

Now, how come 'ruthless' is still commonly used, but one never hears 'ruthful'?

I am on top of my lists and actually have a free morning tomorrow! And best of all I've done the ironing. I don't wish to whinge, but that is no mean feat when a person has myasthenia - it is a very hard job. So hurrah!

[woodelf]

Ethel, if your on top of your lists, i bet the lists are wondering whose mean feet are on top of us...laff?...I thought I'd never start...smile.