Finally, days of sunshine! David and I have had a splendid week inside and outside. We ventured out in the evening on two occasions, one for the Cock Inn pub Quiz Night, and one to the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield to enjoy an hour of comedy with Lee Pollard. Both excellent nights out.
Anyway it is all in the shedcast so I'll leave you to listen in. I will post photo's of the week below, they say it all. I have a busy day ahead as I am helping to edit the upcoming Shortlands Poetry Circle Anthology to commemorate their 110 year anniversary. So, it will be an afternoon in the garden, doing what I really enjoy - reading poetry.
Our visit to the theatre - The Crucible in Sheffield. We looked like aliens, but then so did everyone else.
We went for a drive in the new (as yet unnamed) car, and had a little picnic in the countryside.
And, if you haven't seen my phone-art, here are some of the little pictures that I have created with my phone and index finger, on my new phone. I love doing this instant artwork.
I don't appear to have created a Happy Monday, I'll work on it for next week, meantime, I hope you have all had as good a week as we have. David is in the garden this morning, painting his little shed and the sun is shining.
Have a lovely weekend, keep safe and keep smiling,
Hello everybody, yes, the hills have certainly been
alive with the sound of spoken voice this week. In preparation for last night's
Barnsley Spoken Voices, Our North, CD launch, David and I took to the
countryside and strode out while the weather was so good. Of course there was a
bit of a rehearsal while we slogged up the hill to Pilley, if you can breathe
whilst hot footing it up Pilley Hill, then there's not a lot wrong with you.
My week was spent in a panic of poems, with a
little bit of cello practice thrown in. There was a very pleasant interlude on
Thursday, Halloween, when a gruesomeness of grommet sized ghosts and ghouls
came knocking at our door offering 'Trick or Treat.' Well, I didn't want a
trick so I had my bowl of sweeties at the ready and a bit of change to throw
into their buckets. Bless!
On Friday morning David and I went into town to do
a bit of shopping, it was really busy. I think people were celebrating the Not
Brexit day. It was good to see the town so swift. I went off to do my little volunteer
bit for the afternoon, and David took the shopping home. When I got back the
shed was all lit up with fairy lights, the electric fire warming the space, and
the bottle of wine opened. We had a lovely 'shed date' complete with music. I
love our shed.
Of course we watched the rugby world cup final on
Saturday morning. What a shame our lads couldn't work their magic just one more
time, but South Africa played so well, they did deserve to win.
And that brings me to yesterday, and a lovely
Sunday. A family Sunday lunch with our son and his partner set us in a great
mood for the evening's entertainment. It was the launch of the 'Our North' CD,
at the Rockingham Centre in Hoyland. It's a venue we've never been to before,
and we were pleasantly surprised when we found a bar (always a good start).
I was excited to be filmed by the Civic team for a
little YouTube video (watch this space next month) and after that I could relax
a bit and enjoy the event. There is such talent out there. The evening was
organised by Jeff Platts, and Lee Pollard was on form, as was Billy Bywater,
Neil Roystone, Stan Duncan, Jo Brooks, Tedge, Gladys Wainwright, Mick Hawkins,
Nigel Downing, and Mark Jackson, (if I've missed anybody I am sorry).
And the evening was made all the better by a vegan
buffet of Barnsley portions - the best curry I've had in a long time. Thank you
Mick and your lovely lady, Laura, for providing such wonderful nosh.
So it's back to the diet today, sort of.
Here's a few pics of last night:
Jeff and Jane
The Crowd Gathers
Get the beer in Billy!
The CD is selling well
And guess who's books are on show.
Preparing the Order of Service
Stan Duncan and Co
Wayne and Jason the Civic Organizers
Another photo opportunity
poet Nigel Downing
Poet Gladys and Dave
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They're not the best pics, but it gives you a flavour of the evening.
This week is shaping up and looking quite exciting, so check me out next week to find out what I've been up to.
Hello dear reader, let me start by thanking you for following my blog, the stats are increasing and I know I have some lovely blogfans out there. That is so reassuring because I do spend many hours alone, either in my shed, writing, or playing the cello. Of course that is the path I have chosen and I wouldn't have it any other way, and when I do get to be in company I really enjoy that, too. So, thanks for joining me now and then.
This week has been particularly quiet because David has been away visiting our daughter. I met him in Sheffield, at Meadowhall, when he arrived back on the Megabus, yesterday morning. He looked like he's been to Katmandu, rucksack and all, but the only souvenir of his trip was his bedsheets which he'd stuffed in the rucksack ready to go into the washing machine. He did take me to 5 Guys for lunch though, where we shared a burger and chips, and while it was a good burger, I thought it overpriced at nearly £11 for a burger, chips and a large paper cup of coke.
Now, the big news is that I have a date for my book launch, Sunday 27 October. It is to be at the Tap and Brew in Hoyland, at 4p.m. David and I have been designing a poster all morning, and this is what we have come up with:
So, pop it in your diary if you are going to be anywhere near the Tap & Brew in Hoyland on Sunday 27 October. The Tap & Brew is a great little pub, with a good selection of real ales, and a fantastic selection of gin drinks. I'll be reading a short excerpt from Higgs Bottom, and introducing you to Sharpan the Rawskin, Reusable condoms, and a couple of unusual sonnets. It's all clean stuff though! I'm looking forward to going to see my mate, Lee Pollard on Thursday, 10 Oct, when he has a one-man show in Barnsley. I shall make a full report next week. And I've also got a slot in Elsecar, next Saturday, 12 Oct, at the Heritage Centre, somewhere between 11a.m. and 4p.m. That should be a fun event with Ray Hearne leading the show. What other news? Well, Ihave new boots:
They are very lovely, and keep me steady on my feet. Keeping up the image of Whacky Lady!
And I have kept away from the baking thing since my last disaster, eating bananas, and other such ready delights. Here is a poem I wrote this week:
Don’t Tell Me
I’m Too Old To Vote
Don’t tell me I can’t eat jelly for breakfast,
Don’t tell me what to wear, don’t tell me I’m past
My sell by date and Brexit’s not my affair,
Don’t tell me my brain is spongyfying at a rate of knots,
It’s not, it’s not, and if it is so what?
I’m a person of the planet; I’m not a microchip,
I’ve worked, I’ve procreated; I think I’ve done my bit,
And while there’s breath inside me I’m still a part of it,
So don’t tell me I’m too old to vote, I’m not the walking
dead,
I can reason, I’m still in the boat, and you know what Doris
said:
Don’t underestimate the silver haired, the ankle biting
short,
They can rise to hold positions such as: Judge, Supreme High
Court.
So don’t tell me I’m too daft to weigh up all the facts,
I can make a sound decision about parliamentary Acts,
Don’t take away my freedom; don’t take away my pride
Don’t tell me I’m too old when the fact is I’ve survived
Because I’m bloody canny, and I’ve worked to stay alive,
I’ve dodged the bullets, stood my ground, kept faith; I’ve ducked
and dived
And I’m not beyond enjoying this extraordinary ride.
Don’t say the old are a burden on today’s society,
You wouldn’t be so scathing of a gnarled and knobbly tree,
You’d say, look how magnificent those ancient branches are.
And you’d prop it up, and hug it, feed it tree-food caviar:
You’d say, there’s wisdom in that tree, think what it must
have seen,
You’d respect its age, look after it, sweep away its falling
leaves,
You’d make sure as it got older it was safe from harm,
Not look on it as a fruitless has-been, scored and scarred,
Don’t tell me you’re unhappy with the way I rock and roll,
Stick this inside your ballot box - I’m not too bloody old!
So there you have it, another week goes by in the life of Jane Sharp. I hope you will join me next week to see what I've been up to. Oh, I nearly forgot, here is a short excerpt from Higgs Bottom to wet your appetite:
Have a fun week dear reader, love you lots, bye for now,
Happy Monday everyone! Well, it's a bit grey and drizzly in Birdwell this morning, not a good drying day, as they say, but yesterday was lovely and it wasn't only the weather. I had a leisurely morning with Valentino (my cello) and then I donned my glad rags and tripped off on the 66 bus to Hoyland for an afternoon of spoken word and music.
What a laugh! Lee Pollard, a natural Barnsley comedian with his unique spoken word delivery, was a perfect antidote to all the Brexit bafflement that's going on. I especially liked his Exploding Pies and the scenario of home life when the money collector comes round and all the family lay low. Even though we were warned of swearwords the odd 'f' word was contextual and perfectly natural. I am glad he kept away from the 'c' word because I'm still not at all easy with that one. Then again, that's just me. The audience were divided, some preferring to chatter away over their pint instead of listening. But those of us closer up enjoyed every word. And in between the words came the music of Matt Bilby, a swarthy singer guitarist with all the right gear, mixer deck, mike, electric wires, pedals and of course a very robust voice. His sound was very 90s, add that to a full pub and the cacophony of happy people, and no wonder people in the street had to stop to see what was going on. I was lucky to get a good comfy seat on one of the leather sofa's in the bar, and I was in good company. It was great to meet Sue and Brian, Lisa and Andrew, who I hope to bump into again sometime, maybe at a future reading. Just in the nick of time I caught a number 2 bus back and was home for 7 pm. Let's have more spoken word and music afternoons. I might even take to the floor myself before too long. Watch this space. Of course I gave Higgs Bottom a bit of an airing; got to get the word out there.
Higgs Bottom gets about
Higgs Bottom on the train
I am definitely on the promotion trail, well it is coming up to Christmas and what better present could you wish to give than an entertaining book. Whether it is for a twelve year old, his parents or his/her grandparents, Higgs Bottom is a read for everyone. Right! I'm off to do my cello practice and then it will be lunchtime. Where does the time go? Love you lots dear reader, thanks for your support by peaking at my blog from time to time. Talk again soon, Love Jane x
