Crow-Crop

Oh, Annie is well in! A great story. But what's it going to be like to be outside the top ten?

Blow-Glow

Stow-Show

Quote by Mendalla
I think there's known issues with that word count, or at least there used to be. So you're probably good.

Your right , Scott. Word count was accepted. I've read it and it is not just 'probably good'--Welshdreamer42 has written an excellent story.

Sten-Stew

Stet-Step

Duet-Suet

Quote by Sugarcube
Hope we all receive miracles.

With you all the way, Sugarcube.

But you have set my tummy rumbling mentioning that range of eats.

Does-Dues

Toss-Toes

Quote by Ceebees
I stare out the window and contemplate going into the garden to tidy up after the trail of devastation the wind left last night.

I don't know your location, Ceebees, but if it's the same wind we had , it has torn down half of a high fence (which has stood for thirty years), smashed glass and shifted the door in the greenhouse, which has had to be blocked with a bench.

The one bright spot yesterday was verification of a memoir genre piece which tells of how to talk yourself out of writing something after research spread over several years. My gratitude to Elizabeth Black for a very interesting comment.

I'll pour myself an Earl Grey and try another one of Sara's medical cookies.

Gasp-Gash

I don't know if this has been mentioned before, but on the old site, I could break off composing mail to check out a subject. When I returned there would be a notice telling me I had unfinished mail. Now leave the page--and anything on-going disappears.

Scott, I know you are due your cataract op sometime next week, so if it's sooner rather than later I wish you well. I had mine done two months ago, painless, brief and I can see so much better now. Painless on two counts really, I had mine done on the NHS. Have you had to pay? That kind of pain takes longer to get over.

Must try a couple of Sara's medical syringes. Will it be okay if I insert them orally with a cup of Earl Grey tea?

Wash-Wasp

Lard-Bard

Quote by Mendalla
New ape story in the queue, and it's my comp entry.

Seven hours and your tale is not on show yet, Scott (I didn't know that apes had tales). But Molly and co are very prompt with comp stories and there's no sign of a vast queue. So since I'm hanging around within touching distance I might get to be one of the first to read it.

No hot water at this time. Can't we put a timer on the kettle? Anyway I'll compensate with a couple of Sara's great bear cookies. And please shake off that cold, Sandra. So out of character, you being miserable.

pyre-lyre

Halt-salt

Quote by WriterGirl
Redwriter, loved your comp entry! I imagine more will start coming in next week.

Thank you for that. But a possible series from WriterGirl? Well, I can hardly wait. Go on--get started! And I'm not just saying that out of any level of gratitude.

tare-tale

Oh! Oh! No action for a full day. I hope the bug hasn't struck even more wildly. Or maybe everyone has been working on their comp story. I hope that is the reason. Everything is cold. I'd better put the kettle on in case someone manages to struggle out of their bed.

Brr! Is there no heating in this place? Hurry up, kettle and I'll have a hot chocolate and raid a cookie jar. Then back to struggling with a memoir. Good morning , when you get here.

Hope to agree with you, Gillian. I've never been keen on Ricky Gervais, but our daughter said Afterlife was worth watching but the sadness within it might upset her mother. (Now thankfully recovered from a depressed state). So Sunday night we took the risk and watched the first four episodes of series one. Finished series one last night and got into series two.

To say I am surprised would be an understatement. The way Gervais has mixed the poignancy and sadness with humour is quite remarkable. And in the process there lessons in humanity. The acting in it is impeccable too, the extreme characters are just this side of believable. An excellent experience.

We have had so much grief and worry on site lately, that maybe you might be ready for a little smile at my expense.

On Friday I opened the up-and-over garage doors with the remote on my key-fob. Climbed into my car to take my wife to the shops (standard practice). Pressed the starter button--nothing--totally dead. A kindly neighbour took my wife to the shops. Deciding we would not need the car over the week-end I left it until Monday for whatever treatment was necessary. Out of mind.

A 4.00 am this morning for no explicable reason, the car came to mind. Why had it been so dead? Then, the thought, what had I done with the key fob? It usually goes into my pocket. (Are you ahead of me now?). Soon as I was up, it was--garage, keys into pocket, into car, and before pressing starter button, hesitation. If the car did not fire, my fears were unfounded. But if it did fire, I, having told a few folk about it, would look like an ancient idiot. Yes, you know what happened don't you? Exactly!

I need a good stiff hot chocolate and a few of Sara's cookies. Oh, at least my dear lady patted my head and said a soothing 'There. There.' As you would a pet dog.

I might just go lie down. Cheerio, your ancient idiot friend, Jim

Quote by AaronArcher
Im doing the best I can with family support and staying busy.

My heart goes out to you, Aaron. We all have fears of a loss as mighty as that. Family and staying busy, that is your wisest option.

My biggest wish is that I'll be first, and at least at present the odds are stacked so that I'm more likely to get my wish.

Still, a rocket shaped shortbread won't do me any harm, will it?

Quote by Mendalla
Ever had a first draft of a story done and been afraid to go back and look at it again? Like, maybe you actually wrote something that seriously sucks?

Hah, All the time Scott. Just had one. Go on, be bold.

Coffe and whatever cookies are left, please.

Scott, my thinking exactly--where do I want to go with this, And not surprisingly WriterGirl shows us they was so cleverly.

Shoot me. I didn't realise it was Sara's birthday. In the words of the song, Sara, " Keep young and beautiful." or maybe "Stay as sweet as you are." If the cookies are any testimony, years may pass but cookies are for ever. If I can dig up a shortbread one now I might try Scott's Ethiopian coffee.

A wish for everyone here that the coming year is healthy and kindly for you all. May each month be a good month for you. Each day a happy day.

The downbeat messages in the last two comments show that life's pain is never far away but we pray for the strength to overcome such things. Ping's and Writer Girl's pieces had me rereading my offering on this dire subject, printed here, two years ago. I am now some seven years older than my father was at that dark time. But to worry about it probably encourages the demons. So I keep writing, or trying to, my legs don't work so well, but my brain is still alert (if forgetful) and I laugh as much as I can. Life can really get you down if you let it. There have been times when I thought I'd never see 2022, Now, I only have nine hours to wait.

Happy New Year! And pass Sara's joyful cookies. There's no malt whiskey lying around is there?