The Glorious 12th

And it is indeed the glorious 12th. Praise be! I'm alive! After two months of nasty health issues I am finally stone free and feeling much better. I can't thank the doctors and nurses of Barnsley hospital enough, and now I can look to the future. And looking to that future what do I see? My latest novel - now available on Amazon Kindle

Yes, it's Higgs Bottom, my latest novel, and it's been published on Amazon Kindle and will also be available as a regular book from the Amazon Store any day now. I urge you to give it a look, and I'd really appreciate it if you could write a review. Of course it goes without saying that I'd like you to tell all your friends, relatives, work colleagues, people you meet on the bus, the train, the plane, people you bump into at the pub, on holiday, at festivals, the people who live next door, and the people who run your corner shop, oh, and not forgetting your kids and anyone else's kids, who I am sure may learn a thing or two upon entering the world of Ryan Coxson. And in advance, THANK YOU.

And what else can I see? Well, at this moment I'm waiting for a couple of poetry submission acceptances (or rejections). I've recorded a poem for the Northern Poets' CD coming out in November, and I'm going to bring out a second edition of Tears From the Sun - A Cretan Journey. That should keep me busy for the next few months, then it'll be Christmas. And in between all that I hope to visit a few friends, eat some hearty meals and drink the odd glass of bubbly.

I'm looking forward to having an action packed life to report back to you, a life full of laughs, with the odd walk thrown in.

So, talk again soon. I hope you are enjoying a fun filled summer.

With love and hugs,

Jane x 

A Poet Without a Voice

Well, this is not good. I'm about to set off for Nottingham for a choral weekend, maybe even a spot of poetry entertainment, and I've LOST MY VOICE. AGGGGGGGH!!!!!!!!!!

How did this happen. I blame travelling on the buses with all those coughs and sneezes. Then again, it could be due to the Rock of Ages rock concert that I went to in Barnsley last weekend. Yes, I did do a bit of Tina Turner, Queen, Meatloaf, and it was the latest I've been out of bed since New Year's Eve, so maybe there is no wonder that the old vocal chords reacted.

The quote of the day from Hubby is, 'There will always be a bar.' And I have no doubt I will find one in sunny Nottingham. Any other time it wouldn't have bothered me to be quiet for a few days, but this fat lady ain't gonna be doing any singing, not today anyway. Let's hope the elixir kicks in by tomorrow night.

Of course I've been up to lots and lots since I last blogged. (Sorry for the big gap in keeping you up to date). We had lots of fun at Easter when we went to the Jousting Tournament in Leeds, and the weather was so good too. We had a look around the Armoury, had a pint by the canal, and thoroughly enjoyed watching men trying to knock each other of a horse.

It was fun! My knight in shining armour.

Always holding my tummy in.

It was very pleasant down by the canal.

Then we had a trip to Rotherham, and that was a lovely day too. Rotherham is really underrated. The minster is well worth a visit, and the whole town has a very medieval feel to it. We did find a little wine bar.

So, have to finish here because it's almost time for me to catch the bus to Sheffield for my little jolly with the Middlesbrough choir. I will be back soon to report on whether I find my voice. Meanwhile have a great bank holiday weekend, even though it's a bit chilly (I've got me vest on). As always lots of love and hugs.

Byeeeeeeeeeeee!
Jane x

'Tis The Season To Be Jolly

Yeah! 'Tis the season to be jolly! So, politics apart, I am pushing forward with a 'tra-la-la' attitude, sparkling my way to Christmas Day. This year we have a little gold tree. It is the last month of our Golden year so in the absence of gold bars, the tree will have to suffice. The lights went on last night and instantly brightened up the house.

 This year's Christmas card is dedicated to all those unfortunate people who are homeless and having to sleep rough on the street. My poem (below) likewise.

The Hug

It all began at Christmas when I saw you in the street,

your face was full of whiskers, and your red-veined ruddy cheeks

were glowing in the lamplight, and when snowflakes hit your nose,

there was promise of a whiteout, and you’d nowhere else to go.

The belt around your trousers was a piece of plaited string,

and the jacket you were wearing had worn to paper thin,

your grimy fingers fumbled with the buttons at your neck,

it made you wheeze like smokers do, harsh, giving the effect

of a pair of struggling bellows hard cranking up some puff,

meanwhile your eyes glazed over, and the shirt was not enough,

it would not stop the cold from striking through; it would not stop

pneumonia or flu. And you and I, both knew you could

not stop the snow from coming down. I looked at you and smiled,

but you were not the Christmas I remembered as a child.

The snowflakes kept on coming, and they whitened your red hat,

they landed like a blanket, an Icelandic habitat,

I saw your breath mix with the air, thick fog about to freeze,

the thought occurred you'd die right there, and not make Christmas Eve.

And so I sat beside you, and the snow began to melt,

I wrapped my coat around you, and I shared the way you felt,

I gave you cake, and brandy, and I got you to your feet,

you told me you were homeless, and rough-sleeping on the street,

you hugged me, and I held you close, a mother and newborn,

together, Christmas loving saw you safely through the storm.

         

                                                          

On Tuesday I went to my first Christmas party, it was the Music and Memories Group at the library in Barnsley, and I played the piano (keyboard) for a bit of carol singing. That went well, there was a lovely buffet, dancing, and I even got to meet the Mayor who was wearing the snazziest boots I've ever seen. Well, it was a lovely start to part-time. 

The next party is on Sunday, when it will be our son's birthday - more cake! And after that it will be cake all the way to Christmas, cake and bubbly that is, I will definitely be rocking around the Christmas tree. 

I hope you will all be doing the same, have a very happy Christmas and an even happier New Year.

Love and hugs,

Jane x