More hotpenning!

Lying in bed this morning, I was in need of some inspiration. A quick text to my friend John and I have three more little hotpenning projects to keep me busy. Thanks John!

Number 1 - Boris and the suet ball stealer 

My rat seemed strangely distracted this morning. Usually, having been up all night Boris would be curled up in a tight little ball in his hammock, dreaming of tunnels and ropes and probably girl rats - he was entering into those rebellious teenage years. This morning however, he was alert, his little nose twitching into thin air. He had obviously had quite an evening; his home was in complete disarray, as if in homage to Tracey Emin. Chuckling to myself I I wondered whether this was the result of a fit of rage, or an illegal rave. My mind imaging a string of street rats sneaking up the stairs, and tapping a secret knock, desperate to be let in to 'the' party. Boris didn't strike me as the trendy sort, for a starter I had named him Boris, then again maybe he had a pseudonym, Boris by day Pierce by night? Gosh, I know where he gets his day dreaming habit from, I've been rat fantasising for 20 minutes! 

Anyway, something was bothering him. Bending down to meet his eye line, I tried to follow his gaze. Desk, half completed painting, half a curtain, doodles, poetry book I really must finish, oddly fashioned lumps of clay. I should cut Boris some slack, my room wasn't much better. Surely my mess wasn't distressing him? Oh wait, I bet it's that Squirrel! 

"Have you never noticed our resident suet ball stealer?"

Eager for him to get a closer look, I lifted Boris into my arms and tiptoed to the window. 

"He's a right monkey that one; always scaring away the birds to steal their food, jumping about and digging up the garden. Actually I shouldn't confuse you, he's a squirrel not a monkey. Though some people call them tree rats, but that's a bit derogatory."

Ignoring my wittering, Boris was captivated, his eyes darting back and forth following the squirrels leaps and scurries amongst the tree branches and along the fence. Pulling his eyes away for a moment, he looked back at his home. It seemed so small, so insignificant. His heart sank, it would never feel the same. A deep yearning filled him, and he struggled in my arms. I was too trusting, I'd had let him on the window sill before, only this time he would jump! 

(I think this is the first time I have written a story with two characters from the first person perspective - it's quite difficult)

Number 2 - The Golden Goblin

With a leap and a bound he was on top of me, a random little grasshopper, tricked by my yellow sundress. I could almost sense his disappointment. 

The little grasshopper wandered around sporadically. "This is no flower! It isn't even edible! OH NO, OH NO, IT'S A TRAP!". Clarence's mind raced back to that scary night round at Godfrey's. It had been his first sleepover and his friends, seemingly more daring than him had suggested ghost stories. He quivered at the memory of those ghastly tales, told in the meagre light of a single fire fly. Each had been worse than the last, and then Godfrey told his tale. He hadn't slept a wink that night, and his parents had been quite alarmed by his nervous demeanor the following morning. The truth is, four years had passed but that tale had never really left him. He had told himself time and time again, it's not real, it's just some stupid tale the grown ups made up to scare us young ones out of having fun, It's all just a nasty load of rubbish. But his mantra had failed him. Terror stricken he froze. The Golder Goblin had got him!

(I think this story could have a second installment! Who and what is this Golden Goblin? I will get the old cogs working on it)

I have ran out of time, so pop back tomorrow for the third and perhaps more Golden Goblin!

Bye 

Maria x

Hotpenning part 3

Maria gazed at Blue Teddy in dismay, how was she going to break this to Lizzy. Blue Teddy sheepishly looked up to her; "I'm sorry auntie Maria, but I can't hide it anymore. I am a girl teddy, and I want to be pink!" Auntie Maria, took Blue Teddy in her arms. He was quite a sight. She had wondered why he had been so quiet this last half hour, and now she knew. His once soft baby blue fur, was thickly lathered in the barbie pink paint Lizzy had bought for the girl teddies playroom. Around his round little belly, was the orange tutu, Lizzy had worn for Halloween, and fashioned on his little paws, were pink ballerina slippers, his new name stubbornly written on the sole. OK, Pink Bear, I'm sure mummy Lizzy won't mind, but lets see if we can make you a nicer tutu. 

Maria picked up the small stone bear, it felt quite cold in her hand although there was something rather strange about it. Suddenly it's serene little mouth cracked open and uttered four words, "Wisdom comes from living". "Oh!" exclaimed Maria, quite taken aback by the talking stone bear. "Are you a Buddha Bear?". "I conform to no religion, but follow only the Bearnecessities of Life, That is to sleep, eat and hug. If you too follow this wise path, your life will be one of bliss".  Well Maria was quite chuffed, sleeping and eating already took up the majority of her days, and she was certainly a hugger, perhaps in time Maria could become a Blissful bear?

NO! Mr Wicken, shouted Mrs Wicken - you simply can't wear THAT to the garden party. "But all the other roosters are wearing it, I think I look cool, you know - down with the chicks?" Mrs Wicken rolled her eyes, trust her to marry the nutty one. He was only 4 and obviously having a major mid life crisis. "Darling Chickypoo" she said soothingly, desperately trying to disguise her grating annoyance. "The other roosters are not wearing pigeon feather waistcoats, only Bob is, and you know he's slightly loopy, cavorting with Mrs Woody, who you know is married by the way! Honestly this was meant to be a nice neighbourhood! Plus, you know as well as I do, that neither of us will be, how do you put it? "Down with the chicks!" They are young, we are not so young, it's their prerogative to think us ancient and uncool".

"But don't you think I look like Rocky Rooster? Maybe if I gelled my comb, you know made it look a bit like Elvis?"

"Elvis!!" Screamed Mrs Wicken. "It's been 40 years since Elvis was cool, the young chicks aren't fashioning themselves on him, they like Elbow and The Doves and such like". Mrs Wickens was at the end of her feather, everyday this week, Mr Wickens had been acting like a crazy middle aged delinquent. Just yesterday he had spent all day in the coop, only to burst out , sat in food trough he had 'transformed' into an Aston Martin!

Mr Wicken looked crest fallen. "Those stupid doves, they get all the attention, just cause their so white and perfect. I don't even have an elbow, how come chicks like elbows?

Mr Wicken was evidently way behind on the times. "You know", said Mrs Wicken with a wink, "I like Elvis, and you already have a wonderful white suit of feathers. Why don't you gel your comb, fluff your chest and pop on your blue suede shoes?"

Mr Wicken, smiled. He could strut his stuff like the best of them. 

And Mrs Wicken? Well, at least he wasn't wearing pigeon feathers. Looking at his now, his ego restored. She remembered why she'd married him.

Piddle! said Maria - I'll never teach this dog to do what I say. Mark had predicted that Maria would be useless at training their 4 month old springer spaniel puppy, aptly named Springstein. For a starter, she had chosen him because he was 'cutely mischivious'. In other words naughty! It was going to be an up hill struggle. As Maria's favourite pot, smashed to the floor it suddenly struck her. I will use reverse psychology! 

"Springstein stay on the sofa. Springstein eat mummies favourite shoe. Springstein steal the Sunday roast, make yourself ill and be sick on daddies side of the bed. Good boy, Springstein." Mark wandered in, with a look of complete bewilderment. "Did you just praise him for being sick on my side of the bed?"

"Yep, I'm trying reverse psychology"

"WHAT! He's a dog!, He doesn't understand that!"

"Are you sure? He seems to be doing a little less naughty stuff"

"Right that's it Springstein, you and your mum are going to doggy training school!"

Maria and Springstein shared a look, they were allies now. Them again the evil doggy maria trainer.

Haiku - week 1

During my writing class last year I got rather hooked on Haiku, and have written around 40 in total, the occasional one of which is good. Haiku, for those who don't know (I didn't until my class), is a form of Japanese poetry, which consists of three phrases printed in a single vertical line, that count 17 mora (their version of syllables). English Haiku is generally counted in a 5 syllable, 7 syllable, 5 syllable structure, and relate to any subject, whereas traditionally they pertain to the natural world. Generally it is the natural world that inspires me, so I tend to  stay true to tradition where possible.

Here is this weeks attempts, all of which were inspired by my trip to see the seals at Horsey:

1.   Collage of footprints 
      Exodus of shared purpose 
      Vanish with the wind

2.   Look to the heavens
      Be it dark, or be it bright
      Ever changing sight


3.   Lie back on the grass
      And see the sky as a child
      A circus of clouds


4.  The world reflected
      In a puddle, look and see
      A new perspective


5.   Each of us unique
      See the world as no other
      Be shepherds not sheep

6.   Hidden in the dunes
      Mothers sleeping butterball
      Melting peoples hearts


7.  Climbing the sand dunes
     Reach the top and scan the sea
     for bobbing faces


This one doesn't follow the correct structure but I still like it:


8.   The sky it changes constantly
      Watch it's clouds glide peacefully
      Let your mind know tranquility


A mixed bag of poetry but I enjoyed writing it. Why not have a go?


Maria xx

Puddle Mirror

One of my New Years resolutions was to attempt more poetry. Thus each week I should have at least seven poems to share with you. I am hoping they will get better with practice! 

This was inspired by a lovely trip, with our couch surfing friends, to Horsey to see the seals - who were super cute as always.

Puddle Mirror

Puddle Mirror of the sky

So dark and moody, I inward sigh

In winters grasp, it seems so long

In warmer skies I do belong

My mind it wanders to my dreams

Of summers past, my smile it beams

But now my heavens cast it's shroud

Of heavy, thick and rainy cloud

My mood it dampens day by day

Until at last a break through ray

Falls upon the grassy plain

And all life starts to grow again

I see reflected bright and blue

A cloudless sky that looks brand new

Next day I look and see no more

My puddle mirror on the floor

Hope you liked it! Any views on how I could make it better? 

All the best,

Maria x

Doxie

This is a very personal blog, but seen as I have written about it, I feel OK to post it. 

While away on my honeymoon my gorgeous Springer Spaniel Doxie passed away at the grand old age of 16. I realise it must have been one of the hardest phone calls my parents have ever had to make, and I confess I didn't take the news very well. He was in many ways my best friend and I am sure all pet owners are similar in feeling a very close bond. 

Having come home for the first time since his death, I was initially so wrapped up in the hectic fun chaos of Xmas that it didn't hit me Doxie hadn't run up to greet me as he usually did. My parents intentionally or not, had taken or hidden his photos away, and there was only an ominous box on top of the fish tank. My dad soon asked when we would be making the trip to spread his ashes, and it was that evening, when everyone was asleep that it hit me. I wrote this then, thinking of him, and I am glad to say that it really helped me through the following day.

I have put this off for so long. It was the worst shock to hear that you had died, and I know our parents had dreaded telling me. I had always joked you were invincible, and now I sit, at midnight alone with just your ashes. Usually you would have nuzzled me when I cried, or if you were feeling a tad grumpy just let me lay my head on you. Now though, I'm cradling a box, ashamed to show so much grief almost a year later.

I had to force myself to open it, see you as you now are. I didn't want to gasp tomorrow when I finally spread your ashes. How awful of me to have left you in a box, a constant reminder to everyone else but me.

I have finally pulled my finger out. Of all the walks we shared I had known instantly where I wanted your ashes to rest. Silly really as we had only walked there once, but I am sure it must have been one of your favourites. I don't even know the name of the place, only how to drive there. A bay, with a walk to the left and a walk to the right. We went right. Me, you and Deino - your young heir; he's learnt some of your tricks but not all. The Christmas pressies have remained intact. We used to have to re wrap yours at least 3 times!

It's a really long walk, a good two hours, along the coast, through fields and over stiles and fences. Through a field of cows, which you still barked at despite their size, and finally a stony little bay.

You had dived straight into the water and started your incessant excited barking, while doing the doggy paddle. In all the time we had been walking we hadn't met another sole, and I threw caution to the wind, stripped and swam with you both, throwing you the odd stone, which you swam towards then left. You always preferred shallow rivers for rock collecting. Used to bring back the biggest you could - God knows why your teeth were so chipped.

Anyway, damp but happy the three of thus headed back and then you found a dead rabbit! Stinky and rancid, you were so proud of yourself, and it was to me you offered your prized gift. It was the same on many walks, rats, dead fish, anything minging. Then again, I nicknamed you Sexy Loverdog and to you these were the best presents you could bestow on me. I preferred your kisses minus the putrid animal breath. Do you remember the doggy breath mints we used to get you?

I'm off on a tangent, the truth is, by the time we got back to the car we were all wet, muddy and happy and that was Nirvana to you. I really hope you will be very happy there, and I will always love you.

Your best friend
Maria xxx

The walk the following day, was lovely and I am sure he will be very happy there. A little troop of us, went on the walk - my parents, sister, husband and Deino, and I carried Doxie, taking a sometimes random route as he would have done. The cows were still there, huddled around their feeding trough. There was a bracing wind and it was very muddy; Deino, who is usually a blond Labrador was black by the end! On arriving at the beach, I quickly took my shoes and tights off and paddled in the water before my parents could try and talk me out of it. It was freezing but there was no way Doxie would have visited a beach and not gone in the water. We spread his ashes and ate a little bar of chocolate in memory. It seems so odd to say, and I know we look for signs. But there was a dead gull on the beach. I was so glad! It seemed as though it was meant to be and I could picture Doxie happily splashing about and rolling in stinky dead gull. Daft I know.

Anyway it really helped me to write my feelings down. And it's very nice to think of him happy.

Maria x