Category: Writing for the love of writing

Tell a story # 3

Ursula from an upturned soul has tagged me to write a story about this picture.

The rules;

Present a picture. Nominate at least 3 people to tell the story of the picture. It can be as short or as long as you want it to be. Be as creative as possible and use your imagination! Let’s see what kind of awesomeness can come from you!

The clown was trying to maintain his balance on the two set of ladders. But it wasn’t funny anymore. The audience also were concerned now. One of the ladder had all the vices and the other one had the virtues as the rungs. But they were too widely apart from each other. He could jump down but he wasn’t sure that the safety net would catch him.

Taking a bold and intuitive decision, he let go of the vices and leaned towards the virtues. The ladder caught the ledge of the edge of the tent roof, stabilized and stayed there long enough for him to scamper down. It was true the virtuous would be saved!

This the best I could do, awesome I think not, but adequate, I think so.

My prompt is;

Please write a story about this picture.

My nominees, any one is welcome to write. Please link back to my post so that I shouldn’t miss it. Thanks

#Keepitalive

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The alphabetical Questions

Rory is again testing our trivia knowledge. Here is a new set of questions:

Alphabetical Questions

Can you answer these questions and then can you make a 8 lettered word/s by using the first letter of each answer?

Now l know there are 26 questions, so there are lots of first letters from the answers here, there should be plenty of words you can make with 8 letters. Some answers, not many have two words as the answer, however, YOU are only using the first letter of the first word of that maybe two worded answer.

Also, you don’t have to answer all 26 questions, you may be able to create an 8 lettered word or more with the Letters from the questions you have answered correctly. However the 26 questions do offer you a broad selection of letters.

So what am l actually looking for?

Well that’s down to you – you can make a post should you wish displaying both the answers to the questions and your 8 letter word/s [If you can make more than one], or alternatively you can simply pop your answers into the comments section below.

Letter

Quiz Question

A

What is a John Dory? A fish

B

What does a dermatologist study? Skin

C

Which is the least used letter in the English language? X

D

Who made an album called ‘Hot August Night’? Neil Diamond

E

Who had a No.1 album called ‘I Say I Say I Say’? Erasure

F

What name is given to the first six books of the Bible? Torah

G

Zanzibar is an island of which country? Tanzania

H

What does the letter B stand for in author J. B. Priestley’s name? Boynton

I

In which US state is Appomattox Court House National Park? Virginia

J

Which of Santa’s reindeer were said to have a bright red nose? Rudolph

K

What do we call a chicken when it is under one year old? Hen

L

Which British racing driver has won the most Grand Prix races? Lewis Hamilton

M

The film Ring of Bright Water told the story of which type of creature? Otter

N

In mythology, which nymph was turned into a laurel bush to save her from Apollo? Daphne

O

Which American state is famous for its gambling casinos? Nevada

P

What game has suits called bamboos, characters and circles? Mahjong

Q

Who sang the first solo part on USA For Africa’s ‘We Are The World’? Michael Jackson

R

Which Scottish band took their name from a line in a Script Politti song? Wet wet wet

S

In what gear was King Midas according to a 1967 Hollies hit? Reverse

T

What nationality was Catherine the Great? Russian

U

Who was nicknamed ‘The Iron Lady’? Margaret Thatcher

V

Which of the Brontë sisters wrote The Tenant of Wildfell Hall? Anne Brontë

W

In which country was Israeli leader Golda Meir born? Ukraine

X

Out of all favourite casino games which has James Bond played in the most films? Baccarat

Y

Anthony Hopkins based his portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ on which British comedian? Truman Capote

Z

What was the name of the bespectacled, intelligent, plain girl in Scooby Doo? Velma Dinkly

This is done, and I am sure there are a lot of wrong answers, ( THANK YOU GOOGLE) but this the best I could do.

My eight letter word is: BROTHERS

OR ; FROTHERS

SO HERE IT IS.

Want to try your luck? Head over to A Guy Called Bloke and attempt this very taxing puzzle

#Keepitalive

Your blogging career

So this interesting questionnaire has been seen around in blogosphere from Aroused. It goes like this;

Please share a brief history of your blogging career –

From what lead you to start?

I started to blog because of constant prompting for from my WordPress account. I was following a friend’s blog through my account and every time I opened my app I would be asked to start my blog. And one day, I did exactly that!

Has your motivation changed since starting?

Yes to some extent. I started to blog, with a thought to write about my struggle with weight loss and also to write about the issues women over 50 years of age face. Now I am writing about a lot of other things as well. Writing for daily and weekly prompts is one of the changes.

What has the experience been like?

It’s been an amazing experience. I have gained a lot of confidence. Made a lot of friends and my writing skills have improved a lot.

Have you learnt anything?

You don’t get anywhere if you don’t take the first step.

Has your writing style changed?

A bit. I have improved and have also written poems, which ( some of them) have received a bit of praise as well. I can now formulate my thoughts and write in less time.

Are you planning to write a novel or are you already published?

No and no!

What advice would you give to a new blogger?

I would advice, if someone asked, to do you own thing. Write what comes naturally to you. If you don’t do that, writing will become a chore.

And please don’t forget to mention some of the highlights along the way – such as the people you’ve met, things you’ve learnt …

Met a lot of amazing bloggers here on WordPress. Fandango, A Guy Called Bloke, The Haunted Wordsmith, Salted Caramel, Crushed Caramel and the list goes on. I have learned a lot from these wonderful people.

If you like to answer these questions and share your blogging experiences, head over to Aroused and do what I did; Answer the Questions!

#Keepitalive

#Aroused

What do you see Jan/15/2019

The festival of lanterns

The people had been waiting for this night all year. The children had specially made their own lantern and were so excited to launch them into the air by sunset, that last day of winter. All the people gathered in the big town square near the time when the sun was setting. The festival was celebrated every year to give thanks for a year that had gone by, giving them all its bounties and ample harvest. The food was plentiful and the fruits sweet and abundant. The people believed that by celebrating and giving thanks, their town prospered.

Hélène Vaillant has provided another photo prompt

What do you see 1/15/19

#Keepitalive

#Whatdoyousee

Mystery blogger Award Nomination # 3

I have been nominated for another Mystery Blogger Award by the lovely Yaasotaa,

You can read all about it here in her post:

About The Mystery Blogger Award :

‘An award for amazing bloggers with ingenious posts. Their blog not only captivates; it inspires and motivates. They are one of the best out there, and they deserve every recognition they get. This award is also for bloggers who find fun and inspiration in blogging; and they do it with so much love and passion.’ –Okoto Enigma

The Rules :

1. Put the award logo/image on your blog.

2. List the rules.

3. Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link back to their blog.

4. Answer the 5 questions from the blogger who nominated you.

5. Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well.

6. Tell your readers 3 things about yourself.

7. You have to nominate 10 – 20 people.

8. Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog.

9. Ask your nominees any 5 questions of your choice; with one weird or funny question (specify).

10. Share a link to your best post(s).

Her Questions to me;

1. What is your favorite colour?why…

I love yellow to look at, not wear as it doesn’t compliments my skin tone. But I love yellow things like the sun, sunflower, rubber ducky.

2. What is best in my blog?

I love your post;

Time to end 2K18

3.Do you have any pets? describe about it?

I don’t have pets. I used to have tiny chickens as a kid but they didn’t survive to grow up into bigger chickens.

4. What do you feel when you see the word” love”?

I feel that we human should love our environment and save it from destruction. Love each other and spread love.

5. What makes you blogging?

I started to blog on an impulse but now it’s become an important part of my day. I love to share my thoughts, my experiences and some creative ideas with my blogging family.

Here are links to my favorite posts;

All things bright and beautiful

Responsibility

My Questions ;

If life offered a redo, what part of it will you want to change?

Can you remember what was the one thing you hated about school?

Growing up, what was your dream profession/job?

If you met your English teacher today, what would be her opinion about your blog?

Would you rather be the frog prince/ princess or the ugly duckling?

My nominees;

1. Fandango, of this that and the other

2. Rory of a Guy called Bloke and K9 Doodlepips

3. Teresa of The Haunted Wordsmith

4. Dr Tanya of Salted caramel

5. Mel of the Crushed Caramel

6. Ursula of An upturned Soul

7. Britchy of the Bitchin in the kitchen

8. KSBeth of I didn’t have my glasses on

9. Winnie of Musings

10. Di of Pensitivity

11. Suze of Suziland too or obsolete childhood

#Keepitalive

#Mysterybloggeraward

FTS # 2

Rules:

1. Copy the story as you receive it.

2. Add to the story in some fashion.

3. Tag another person to contribute to or finish the story.

4. Please use FTS as a tag so Teresa can find it or link back to part 1.

5. Have Fun!

The story so far:

Teresa’s Part

The Final Hunt

Anne and Gladys waved as the men left for their hunt. When they were out of sight, they both laughed knowing full well that none would have the heart to really shoot anything. They liked a boy’s day out as much as they liked a girl’s day in.

“So,” Fred said as they passed the gate into his family’s hunting grounds. “What do you think the girls are up to today?”

Alec laughed. “Talking about us, what else.”

Sam nodded. “Yep.”

As they walked through the fields into the tree line, the dogs’ ears’ picked up. Boy whimpered and cowered close to Fred’s legs Toby’s fur stood on edge as he stared into the woods and growled.

“Easy there,” Alec said, trying to calm him.

Sam kneeled and unzipped his gun as quietly as possible. Suddenly, both dogs were on alert as a …

Morpethroad wrote:

small, bespectacled man stepped through the bushes. The dogs were going berserk by now straining at their leashes. It was clear the dogs sensed a danger the men did not see.

The man walking towards them was squinting as he approached as he had the sun in his eyes.

“Good afternoon,” he said as he drew near, “your dogs won’t bite will they? I do have a fear of them.”

Sam stood with his gun in his hands unsure of what he was seeing and hearing. The place they were in was a piece of rugged bushland, no one lived there because it was the family’s hunting grounds and it was considered unsafe to even camp on the land for any reason at all.

Fred was trying his best to hold onto his dog, and Alec held firm on Toby’s collar. Once the small man came within a few feet of the hunting party, they could see…

Pensitivity101 continues:

he was holding something in a plastic bag.
Fred lost his grip and Boy lunged at the man who dropped the bag on the ground and threw his arms up to protect his face.
Fred was afraid they would have to shoot the dog but Boy wasn’t interested in the man at all, just the bag, which he snatched up and obediently brought back to his master.
The little man was shaking with fear as Sam reached out his hand to help him up.
‘You realise you’re trespassing don’t you?’ he said.
The man straightened his glasses and collected himself.
‘I’m sorry about that, but we’d received a report………..’
‘We? Who is we? and what are you doing here? You could have been shot!’
Fred had taken the bag out of Boy’s mouth and stared at the contents in disbelief.
‘Guys? I think you need to look at this…………………….’

My contribution;

Sam and Alec stepped forward to take a look at what was in the bag. Fred’s hand ,clutching the bag was trembling. The bag contained a severed hand, the digits were shaped like a claw. But it was like no human had they had ever seen. It was like it belonged to someone very big and skinny.

Whe……, Ahm …Where did you find this? Alec uttered the question through vocal cords which were refusing to cooperate. Sam and Fred were looking askance at the stranger. The whole situation had taken on a nightmarish quality.

The man, again made an attempt to introduce himself. “I am Bennett, from The Agency of Alien Detection, TAAD. We received the alien activity signals from this area and a party has been investigating the situation. This is part of the remains we were able to recover. Do you have any information regarding this?”

The three men stared at him with gapping mouth and glazed looks. Who would in their right mind would believe this man. But the evidence was in their hands.

Sam took the bag from Fred and was going to examine it closely when…….

Here I will tag;

The Bag Lady to take the story further.

FTS # 2

I got my first wish for this new year.

This would not be possible without all you lovely people who like and read my blog. Thanks a lot for the encouragement and love you all have shown to my writing. It’s been a wonderful experience for me.

I started my blog less than four months ago, and had no idea about how to write a blog. It was learning as you go. And I have learned a lot since September sixth. I think my readers are also noticing the improvement in my writing skill.

I will use this opportunity to list some of the benefits of blogging:

1. My mind is more active.

I can think up the words that I need faster. Getting better with synonyms and also improving in my spellings. My skill at using Google to find the facts, images and using of online dictionaries has gotten better too.

2. The time is no longer hanging on my hands.

I am now usually short on time for all the things that I want to fit in a day. But I noticed that though I am writing more now than I did in the beginning, I can write quickly and a couple of hours in the day suffice for all I want to post

3. I can write poems.

This the most surprising part of my blog writing. I hadn’t written poetry before I started my blog. But now I find that a poem is a better way to express some of my thoughts. It has more impact with less words and people seem to like them too. A fun, few lines poem says more than a whole page at times!

4. Writing is therapeutic.

Expression of love, hope, sadness and anger all can be beneficial to us. Writing them down is like getting them off your chest and it revlives you of the burden to carry these emotions on.

5. Sharing my thoughts gives an outlet to my expression.

I always had a tendency to pontificate. Now I can do so without the guilt of feeling like imposing on the time and minds of others, because only the people who want, read my posts. Free will! This sometimes can make a difference to the reader as well as the writer. I am sure all of you who write will agree with me that when we are writing, sometimes even we are surprised with what comes out on the paper, so to speak!

6. Short stories and flash fiction.

The biggest surprise of all! And I am so proud of myself for this achievement.

Thank you all once again for being my readers and supporting me on this journey of self discovery.

I would also welcome my new readers and hope that I can write content which is useful, amusing and informative to you all.

Lots of best wishes for the new year. Blessings to you all.

Waiting for your comments and feed back.

# Keepitalive

JusJoJan # 3

Are New Year Resolutions Over rated?

Every year, on the last day of December, we and I mean we as people in most of the world make resolutions for the next year. And a year later we look back and assess, how we have done on those ! Did we fulfill all or any of the pacts that we made with ourselves!

Has any of the resolutions you made became true? Mine very seldom do. Since I was young I did that every year and when next New Year’s Eve came, I couldn’t claim that all my resolutions and desires for that year had been realized. In fact it would be around the half-year mark, June or July that I could see that whatever I had planned fo this year was not going to be.

As most of my plans for the coming year would involve weight loss it was a given that wanting to lose fifty, sixty pounds in a year were doomed to failure anyway. And as young people are very ambitious and have a little practicality in their thinking, my plans would be fantastic and didn’t fall into the realm of achievability. Then came a time when I became more practical. In short, I grew up and my ambitions were tapered down to more achievable proportions. But there wasn’t one year that I could say that I got all that I had desired to get done that year.

My next move was the one I am sticking to till now. It totally lacks the excitement and romanticism of waiting for the time the clock would strike twelve on the last day of the year, ushering in the new year. It is a pragmatic approach. Now on the first day of the new year, I promise myself to do the best I can and be;

1. Kind to myself, in looking after my health, both physical and emotional. I make a pact to follow a healthy lifestyle, to be a more active version of myself and use the coming year for getting fitter.

2. A more giving person. To be there for my family and friends. To provide the support needed by the people around me. To not get angry and selfish.

3. To keep a check on my tendency of overspending and hoarding stuff that I don’t need for months to come. And I admit that this area needs a load of work and determination. I am always failing in this department.

4. And my new resolutions this coming year would be to write more meaningful content for my blog.

What are your plans for this new year?

How well do you do on your new year resolutions every year and how do you go about this ritual?

And what are your new year resolutions this year?

Waiting for your feedback and comments.

#Keepitalive

#Newyearresolutions

 

Mystery Blogger Award Nomination

Tom of Slumdog Soldier has nominated me for Another Mystery Blogger Award. Thank you so much for this honor to my blog. I appreciate your nomination and recognition very much. Tom is a great blogger and writer , you must visit his blog.

What is the Mystery Blogger Award?

‘An award for amazing bloggers with ingenious posts. Their blog not only captivates; it inspires and motivates. They are one of the best out there, and they deserve every recognition they get. This award is also for bloggers who find fun and inspiration in blogging; and they do it with so much love and passion.’
– Okoto Enigma

Some general rules:

1. Put the award logo/image on your blog.

2. List the rules.

3. Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link back to their blog.

4. Answer the 5 questions from the blogger who nominated you.

5. Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well.

6. Tell your readers 3 things about yourself.

7. You have to nominate 10 – 20 people.

8. Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog.

9. Ask your nominees any 5 questions of your choice; with one weird or funny question (specify).

10. Share a link to your best post(s).

Three things about me;

1. I have an eclectic taste in music, however I don’t listen to overly romantic songs.

2. I have a weakness for chocolate. I love all types of chocolates except white chocolate. For me, white chocolate is not a chocolate and is masquerading as one.

3. I get emotional very easily, specially if I am talking about something personal, so much so sometimes that I cannot complete my sentence.

Tom’s Five Questions:

1. What motivates you to continue blogging?

The fact that I am enjoying myself immensely here. The writing is fun, I never knew that I can write on so many diverse topics. Then there is the interaction with other bloggers in this world. I feel that I have made lot of friends here and it is fun to meet and chat with friends everyday.

2. Favourite blogging or writing advice?

I wrote a post on this recently. You can read it here;

Is blogging taking over your life.

In short, write from your heart, about topics that you are passionate about, divide your time between writing and reading and interact with fellow bloggers.

3. What do you hope 2019 will bring for your blog?

I hope to continue with my blog in the same trend that I already have, having a variety of topics and attracting more readers to my blog. Hope to get to 500 follows.

4. Do you have a favourite book or film that you never get tired of?

I have many books that I read again and again. I love the historical romances of Georgette Heyer. Her writing are full of humor and wit. I think I like her writing so much because these were my first introduction to romance.

5. What four words best describe you? (funny question)

An overweight, self proclaimed specialist on every subject, disregarding of the societal norms, advice giver. I think I have covered all the aspects of my personality! I think that these are more then four words.

My nominations;

Jamie of Applegate Genealogy

Been there with kids

Beutiflee

Winnie of Musings

Nova of My Naméste

Punam of Paeansunplugged

Tanya of Salted Caramel

Sonofabeach

The Stubborn Australian

Carol of The Wanderings of an elusive mind

A Guy called Bloke and K9 Doodlepips

My Questions;

What is the best thing about your blog?

What is your tag-line and how did you thought of it?

How would you encourage new bloggers?

How do you manage your time in the blogosphere?

What is the most embarrassing moment of your life? ( funny question)

For the nominees;

If you feel unable to accept the award or have a policy against accepting awards, there is no compulsion to do the award post. It’s your choice.

#Keepitalive

#Mysteryblogeraward

The Christmas challenge

Rory of A Guy Called Bloke and K9 Doodlepips has set a Christmas Challenge, which Paula of Light motifs has done and then tagged me along with two other bloggers to answer these very same questions.

A truth alert: I have researched the internet for most of the following information, as I think that we were meant to find out more about different Christmas traditions and customs.

Rory’s Challenge for 28th December was;

Answer the following questions and tag 3 bloggers to do the same.

What does Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother turn into a coach? 

A pumpkin 🎃

The German Christmas song Tannebaum is translated into English as what? 

Tannebaum, a German song is about a fir tree. In English it is translated as ;

O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree 
How lovely are thy branches 
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree 
How lovely are thy branches…

What is the name of the ocean current that appears every 5 to 8 years around Christmas off of the Pacific coast of South America? 

Absolutely no idea! Couldn’t even find it on the net!

Which nickname for Hollywood sounds Christmassy? 

Tinsel Town!

According to the Bible, how did Mary get to Bethlehem ? 

On a donkey.

British Children hang stockins up for Santa, what do Dutch children put out? 

The Dutch children leave a shoe out.

If you were celebrating Uphellia after Christmas, where would you be? 

Probably Scotland!

If you were born on Christmas day, what would be your Zodiac sign? 

Capricorn- The goat

Dec 21- Jan 19

The measured master planner of the horoscope family, Capricorn energy teaches us the power of structure, delayed gratification and setting goals for the long haul.

In the film ‘Die Hard 2’, which airport did the terrorist take over on Christmas Eve? 

Washington Dulles International Airport.

Who stole Christmas from the town of Hooville? 

Nobody, Grinch tried but didn’t succeed. He instead found love.

In North America, which organisation is always the first to spot that Santa is underway?

Official NORAD Santa Tracker.

The dragon-slayer, St. George, was born in Cappodocia. In which modern day country is Cappodocia?

Turkey.

What kind of net, found on many a Christmas tree in the Ukraine, is supposed to bring good luck?

People in Ukraine believe that finding a spiderweb on the Christmas tree is a sign of good luck. So there are tree ornaments designed to look like spiderweb made for Christmas.

The story goes as following;

A poor but hardworking widow once lived in a small hut with her children. One summer day, a pine cone fell on the earthen floor of the hut and took root. The widow’s children cared for the tree, excited at the prospect of having a Christmas tree by winter. The tree grew, but when Christmas eve arrived, they could not afford to decorate it. The children sadly went to bed and fell asleep. Early the next morning, they woke up and saw the tree covered with cobwebs.When they opened the windows, the first rays of sunlight touched the webs and turned them into gold and silver. The widow and her children were overjoyed. From then on, they never lived in poverty again.Source: Wikipedia

I am tagging:

Kristian

Nova

Tom

Have fun.

#Keepitalive