Gooooooooooood morning Vietnam! to quote Robin Williams.
Hmm…nobody around. Well, I'll get the tea kettle going and make some coffee, then mosey on over to a window seat and watch the world go by with one of Sara's GF cookies.
Looks like another cool, overcast day here, but they're promising warmer weather over the weekend.
Try saying THAT five times fast with a mouthful of marbles!
Morning all. A raw, wet day here. Feels more like November than October. The weather folk say that there's warm weather coming again next week, but given their recent track records, I'll believe that when we get it!
Some Red Rose in a mug, please. Sweets for the sweet, after all!
And a couple of Sara's GF cookies, perhaps, while I retreat to the back and relax.
Quote by DenimAngel
Hi folks
Elmo = gluten free friendly cookies
In Elmo: pumpkin spice cookies, chocolate strawberry shortbread cookies, pineapple coconut shortbread cookies and hot cocoa and marshmallow cookies
Hope everyone is having a great Wednesday. Not much going on here.
Y'know, I didn't used to like pumpkin spice anything, but I've gradually come around to it for cookies and cuppycakes, so thanks, Sara, for the GF cookies! A rare treat!
(walks in, grumpy, slumps onto the floor)
My team, the Jays, didn't just lose – they embarrassed themselves.
And the blame belongs in the front office. Other teams stocked up on arms for the post-season. And one of the pitchers that they should have gone after beat them in Game 1…so someone should fire their asses!
(GRUMPS)
Hmmm…Mendala must be at the market or something.
So, lights on, tea kettle hot and steamy, pots of Red Rose and Nilgiri teas on the side.
Coffee's made, and hot in the urn, so come on down!
Meanwhile, the Jays lost yesterday behind their ace. Backs against the wall, they'd better get their bats out today or they will view the season as lost.
To lose to the Astros would be forgivable. To Seattle – not so much.
Nothing against Seattle – they've got a good pitching team. But to go out in the first round would be embarrassing, especially given that they did the same thing last time they were in the playoffs – and missed the playoffs last year by one lousy game!
I'm gonna grab a cuppa Red Rose and wander back and sit and be grumpy, okay?
Congratulations to all 10 winners & placers! I'm ecstatic that three of my favourites wound up on the podium!
I say – coffee & cookies for everyone – on WriterGirl's tab!
WoW! I can't believe that three of my favourites made the podium!
Congratulations you three, especially WriterGirl and my friend Mendalla! And InThisMoment's poem was terrific, and more than deserving of being up there!
And congratulations to all of the Top Ten! I heartily concur with the choices, and am just as heartily glad that I didn't have t try to select from among all the entries!
Huzzah! This calls for a Celebration!
(pads in quietly, looks around)
Hmm…I guess Mendalla must still be goofing off…I mean, "on vacation." Hope he's having a good time.
I've got the tea kettle on, and pots of Red Rose and Lemon Zinger teas available.
Coffee's perking, and the lights are on.
I've finished reading all the poems for the competition, and have gone back and selected a small number of favourites – which pretty much ensures that none of them will win!
I'm gonna go back into Sara's corner with a cuppa Red Rose, and see if I can't find some other great stuff to read! Wake me in a while, OK?
😴
I am always grateful that I'm not a judge, but especially so when it calls for poetry.
"I'd rather have been a judge than a miner…"
– Peter Cook & Dudley Moore
I'd like a cuppa Earl Grey please, and if there are any of Sara's gluten-free cookies left, a couple of those as well.
Quote by Mendalla
Bonjour from Trois Rivieres. Crashing here before heading home to the jungles of Southwestern Ontario. Decided to just enjoy our time in La Belle Province and leave poor NB for another trip.
Will read the three poems that I have not tonight, so just under the wire. Saw some scenery that could inspire new poems but some actually fits well with my comp entry as it is. Will post a few pics once I am home and have consolidated my camera photos with the ones on my phone.
Enjoy La Belle Province, mon ami! Jay and I have always wanted to visit the north shore of St. Lawrence, but so far haven't made it. I understand it's supposed to be quite beautiful in all seasons.
Now, let's get some caffeination happening, 'K?
Tea's hot, kettle's bubbling, there are pots of Red Rose and Jasmine teas on the side.
Coffee's perkin', and Sara was in the other day with fresh cookies, so enjoy!
After a while, crocodiles!
Yeah, I was out running errands all day for my lady wife, so didn't get a chance to come in and heat things up.
BTW, folks, Verbal is the latest entry in the comp with a lovely, luscious entry. Find it here:
https://www.storiesspace.com/stories/poetry/long-game
.
Meanwhile, I'll grab a cuppa and a cookie and go sit back in Sara's Seat and see what develops!
Quote by gillianleeza
I often feel like I am in the minority since I do not drink coffee or tea. And now I have given up soda, so no caffeine, sugar, or carbonated drinks. I've been so pleasant to be around the last few weeks. I'm trying to get under control some of my long Coivd symptoms, so I am willing to try everything to get back to my old self.
The weather has finally turned fall-like. I am thrilled to have all the windows open. It is incredible how much better I feel with fresh air blowing into the house.
I hope everyone is doing well. I'd indulge in a few cookies, but that's a no-no for now. Sigh...
Cheers!
.
Reminds me of my great-uncle Herbert.
First, he gave up smoking. Both kinds, tobacco AND grass.
Then he gave up drinking. Except for water, which he hated.
Then he gave up chasing teenage, loose women.
He didn't actually live any longer, but he swears it felt like it!
Hope it works for you, Gillian!
Ah! I see Sara's been here. FRESH COOKIES! And gluten free ones as well. Amazing!
I'll freshen up the coffee urn, and get the kettle bubbling. There are pots of Red Rose and Irish Breakfast teas on the side for those who want them.
I'll mosey back to Sara's corner and try to catch up some. It's been a while.
My wife and I went to the Avatar area/rides in Animal Kingdom at DisneyWorld a while back, and it was wild! Quite immersive, as they say.
I'll be interested to see what the sequel is like!
Take care out there, y'all, especially if you're in Florida, having to put up with Ian!
I wonder what's happened to Mendalla? Haven't seen him around his usual haunts for a few days.
Oh, well. The ways of the Ape are strange.
I've got coffee on, with pots of Red Rose and Lemon & Ginger teas on the side.
I'll wander behind the bar and see if there are any of Sara's GF cookies available, then make myself comfy until someone else comes in for breakfast.
Another comp entry, I see, not (yet) Verbal's.
In some ways, my friend, letting go of a book is the hardest part. You've worked on it for so long, and you've been polishing and polishing and polishing…
But you have to finally say, "Well, damn! I can't do any more damage here," and let it go.
Of course, then when it's published, you see the typo on Page 1 that you read and missed a hundred times…
(wanders in, glances around, sniffs the air, and sits on his haunches)
I had a haunch that this place would be quiet (snicker) but not THIS quiet! Jeez!
Well, let's get some caffeine going, and see that improves things…
The tea kettle is hot and steaming, and I've put out pots of Red Rose and Earl Grey teas.
The coffee is made and hot, and there's milk as well as cream for those who want 'em.
Not sure if anyone takes oat or soy milk, so I'll leave that detail to Mendalla.
Now, if Sara would just show up with some gluten-free cookies…
I'll mosey over to her corner, and set a spell and see.
Meanwhile, a number of new comp entries, including two thought-provoking ones by ShyThespian (scary), and Amy (amusing, and true!), so if you're not up-to-date, dive in and enjoy!
Quote by JustAnotherSapphic
Bit of both, I think, cause that game is mostly luck. Usually it's played for $10,000.
.
Hey Elyse! I just noticed a story in The Guardian – British newspaper – about Alan Rickman. I didn't know if you'd be interested, but thought I'd point it out anyway:
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/sep/24/alan-rickmans-secret-showbiz-diaries-harry-potter
He was a versatile actor, and an intriguing person.
And good afternoon to everyone else. I'd like a cuppa Red Rose, and I'll mosey over to Sara's corner and see if she shows up.
If morning's glory,
Then read a story
And when it's done
You'll have some fun
.
A little unBEARable doggerel to start your day!
Lights on, tea kettle is steaming and ready, and coffee is made.
I'll leave last night's washing up for Mendalla…as a courtesy, of course, it being his bar.
(wanders in, sniffs the air)
Hunh. Nobody home!
Well, I guess I can get things started.
(flicks on the lights, sweeps the floor)
I've put the tea kettle on and made the coffee. I think that's…
Oh, wait. People are doing that poetry thingie, so, I guess…
.
The time is dawn
The lights are on
The tea is ready
If hands are steady
The coffee's hot,
But I am not!
I'm cool…
Quote by KatarinaTechgoddess
Another cup of tea for me
With lemon and some sweet honey
To soothe my throat so sore and dry
And comfort as the day goes by
Happy Sunday all y’all 😎☕️
.
A cuppa Red Rose would be great, or Earl Grey would be even better.
And with Writer Girl away, perhaps I could sit with Kat?
(pads over to Kat's table, lays his muzzle on the counter, and looks up at her with soulful eyes)
Hmm…nobody around.
Oh well.
Flip on the lights, sweep up the floor…done.
Tea kettle is put on, and I've even taken a run at making coffee. This urn is pretty similar to some others I've set up before, so let's hope the results aren't atrocious!
Hopefully, someone will come along with some treats, perhaps Sara with her cookies.
So, Inspirations is open for business!
Any takers? Good morning, all!
Quote by Mendalla
Coffee steaming in the pot
…
Vacation looms for this ape. A couple weeks off work with a driving tour to some parts of my country I have not been to before as part of it. So I'll be scarce for a couple weeks at the end of the month and into the start of October. Still around for another week, though.
Maybe you could show me how to manage the coffee maker? Then, when I'm around, I can get things started.
Meanwhile, where are you going, Mendalla? Mayhaps I've been there and can offer you some free advice.
But then again, as I tell me clients, free advice is sometimes worth what you pay for it!
Gee. Nobody around. Well, I'll at least put the tea kettle on so people can make tea, hot chocolate, or instant coffee.
I don't think I'll be any more adventurous than that. I'm not familiar with the coffee set-up here. I think I'll leave that to Mendalla!
Quote by KatarinaTechgoddess
Technically I shouldn’t be going out anywhere without the new epi-pens. But the nurse did assure me that being only one month beyond the expiration date, I should be fine. But apparently not fine enough to give me the serum. Praying the damn things come before 2 pm tomorrow. Otherwise I have to wait until next week to get vials. In which case I’m gonna have to be extra careful to avoid my food sensitivity list (Aka everything that tastes good). Ah well. It could be worse. It’s just frustrating to wait.
Take care, Kat! That doesn't sound like something worth being impatient about!
Well, folks. I guess the moderators located an emergency supply of barf bags, because they published my poem. I won't say approved it…
Anyway, you can find it here:
Big sigh…
Look, poetry's not my thing, unless it's limerick, then I can excel.
But I didn't think that appropriate for the competition…so…
I wrote a poem. More doggerel, really. I think. With a trailing wind…
But I've submitted it, so I'm committed, and waiting to BE committed.
It'll show up…once the moderators can find a barf bag…
.
The Bear had a thought of a poem
Even though he knows he don't know 'em
But when he got there
The Bear found himself bare
He submitted, but should have buried it in loam…
I'm slowly working my way through the poems – as time permits – while working on a poem of my own. I know how I want it to be when it's done, I just can't figure out how to get there – yet.
I know this feeling. It means my subconscious is working on it, and I shouldn't rush things. I hope.
Meanwhile, I also managed to find some time to read Kat's most excellent story, "The Locket", and would highly recommend it to all and sundry. Find it here:
https://www.storiesspace.com/stories/realistic-fiction/the-locket-2
Quote by Mendalla
I shall join in your toast to Her Majesty. 96 years on Earth and 70 on the throne is a good run by any standard. And she remained throughout that time very much the kind of monarch that even a definitely not-monarchist like me can admire, which is no mean feat.
And I don't know if you are kidding but if you want to include "and" in your poem, I imagine it will fit in somewhere. 😋
I'm just reading the rules, Mendalla, and "and" is one of the words in the specification.
However, I very much doubt anyone would normally write a poem WITHOUT "and" in it.
Now, I understand there's a contest brewing here, and I understand it's…poetry?
Oh, dear. (sigh) Well, I'll give it a shot.
Anybody got a blindfold? I write poetry best when I can't see what I'm doing…
I understand that the entries have to contain these four specific words: Dream, Imagine, Peace, and.
Or at least, that's how I read the rules…
Good afternoon all.
I'd like some tea, and to offer a toast:
To Elizabeth Windsor, Elizabeth II or Britain, Canada, and the Commonwealth.
Her reign was long, her actions true, and her passing will be mourned.
The Queen is dead. Long Live the King!
Morning, all! I've been MIA for quite a while, but life kept getting in the way.
I'm going to try to drop a new story that's been sitting in my file for a while. It was my entry to a public fiction-writing competition sponsored by The Toronto Star. (Hint: I didn't win the $5,000 prize). Maybe when I review it, I'll see why I didn't win??
Anyway, I'd like a big mug of Red Rose to speed me on my way, please.
I'll have a cuppa Earl Grey, please, plus a couple of Sara's GF cookies, please!
Sara – do we get to sign your boot, like we used to sign casts in high school? I'd like to draw a polar bear on it, looking ferocious – but cute. You know – like me!
