#Writephoto Round-Up – SHOPPING

Trolley’s dash left and right

It’s the last Christmas shopping night

Prices have gone bargain low

At least that’s what the shopper’s told

Can you get that last-minute gift?

Before there is a family rift!

Have you remembered the brussels sprouts?

Oh no! They have all sold out.

Extra blankets for the chair

Auntie will fall asleep in there

And hot chocolate for the kids

What a magic time of year it is!

Shopping Trolley in an empty supermarket — Shopping – Image by KL Caley

As a few of you have probably guessed this photo was taken during lockdown, this was a photo taken on an afternoon in a supermarket when the shop was scarily empty for the daytime with only the odd worker and customer to be seen.

In James Herbert’s book Dark Places (highly recommended), he discusses how something more ordinary can often be far creepier than going for the obvious cemetery at night scenario’s. Somehow, this makes me feel like this. A bright supermarket during the day being so oddly quiet with the odd trolley here and there. You know it should be bustling with people but it isn’t. Why? Well in this scenario we know why but I wanted to capture this moment as I think it could prove useful for revoking that feeling for some future writing.

What a bumper crop this week! It always amazes me how one little photo can bring so much creativity in so many different ways.

Here is the list below (if I have missed anyone, please let me know).

Entries:

I hope you’ll join me for another #writephoto challenge published today at 12 o’clock GMT.

Thank you all again for taking part in #writephoto – Shopping

With special thanks to Sue who originally made the #writephoto challenge so meaningful for all of us and gave me her blessing to continue it.

Take Care
KL ❤

#Writephoto Round-Up – Stones

I loved this photo (and this view). There are a lot of places where people feel the veil between worlds is thin and whilst I am not sure what I believe in that regard, I imagine this could easily be one of those places. I definitely felt at peace here.

I very much imagine Sue (Vincent), the originator of the #writephoto prompt, would have loved it here and been able to shed more light on that feeling, these lands and the history. Indeed, she probably walked this path a time or two. This image was taken on the edge of North York Moors National Park.

I wonder if there is anywhere local to yourselves that gives that sensation of inner peace. If so, I’d love to hear about it.

Some stones are located in the grassland which is surrounded by hills. — Stones – Image by KL Caley

Well, the computer gremlins have been at work again this week. What is it they say, more hurry less speed?! Definitely applies to me. Whilst I was feeling smug and confident about a fantastic new author post and book launch post I’d written for Sunday. Apparently, those little devils forgot to remind me to set this post to publish….grrrr.

In amongst emergency covid tests and calls to the doctors (for darling my LB this time not me). I hadn’t noticed until today, apologies. However please do take time to read through them if you get a chance. We even have a couple of new entrants. Welcome to the challenge 🙂

Entries:

I hope you’ll join me for another #writephoto challenge published ~~today~~ yesterday at 12 o’clock GMT.

Thank you all again for taking part in #writephoto.

With special thanks to Sue who has been in my thoughts this week . She made the #writephoto challenge so meaningful for all of us and gave me her blessing to continue it.

Take Care
KL ❤

#Writephoto Round-Up – SLOW DOWN

Life has not been giving me an easy ride lately, between illnesses and toothache, I’ve been running a bit low. To be honest I think it’s my bodies way of retaliating. I have definitely taken on a lot of stress this year, some deliberate, some accidental. I was made redundant earlier this year when my employer went through financial difficulties, however during the redundancy process, I ended up being promoted to another job, one I have a lack of experience in, whilst I enjoy a challenge (and I do enjoy the new role), at times it has been overwhelming and a struggle.

We also took on the task earlier this year of buying and fixing up a house, a task which started off as a fun challenge, but as more and more problems have been uncovered has become somewhat burdensome. The demoralisation of getting paid every month and knowing that the money is going straight out to a plumber or an electrician or a roofer (for the third time!) is difficult.

Family illness, hospitalisations and childcare problems have all played their role too (and not to mention the constant fear of covid).

It’s well documented physiologically that stress triggers adrenaline and cortisol in the body, which can have negative effects over time. I suspect this may have come to a head with my body no longer playing ball.

In 1974, cardiologists Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman coined the phrase “hurry sickness” to refer to “a continuous struggle and unremitting attempt to accomplish or achieve more and more things or participate in more and more events in less and less time.” I suspect this is too true for many, myself included.

This month I am taking the time to slow down and take a breath. I have so much to feel thankful for, a wonderful family, a job, a house and the future that I am building for my child.

For visually challenged writers, the image shows an area of plants with a sign showing 5MPH.

“I have learned that nothing is as pressing
As the one who’s pressing would like you to believe
And I am content to walk a little slower
Because there’s nowhere that I really need to be.”
— Bright Eyes

Thank you so much for the marvellous entries this week. I have tried to reblog a few since the post went out so hopefully, you will have seen some of them trickling through, but here is the list below (if I have missed anyone, please let me know). It makes for fantastic reading.

Entries:

I hope you’ll join me for another #writephoto challenge published today at 12 o’clock GMT.

Thank you all again for taking part in #writephoto – SLOW DOWN.

With special thanks to Sue who originally made the #writephoto challenge so meaningful for all of us and gave me her blessing to continue it.

Take Care
KL ❤

#Writephoto Round-Up – PUMPKIN

What will emerge
From these bright green vines
Spiky to hold
Stretching and creeping
Across the murky brown soil
Bright yellow flowers
Burst into life
As they fade
They do not die
But transform
Into a golden orb
That grows and grows
Until late autumn nights
When the pumpkin is picked
And celebrated far and wide.

Pumpkin in a pumpkin patch — Pumpkin – Image by KL Caley

Last year we started our first ever allotment and to our great delight, one of the things which have grown wonderfully is pumpkins. This year we got a wonderful collection of pumpkins, we invited my little boy’s friends over to pick one each. Not only did we get to show my little one the value of nurturing something and watching it grow but we then got to see the sheer joy on all the little one’s faces as they got to pick out a treasured pumpkin, it was a wonderful feeling. It reminds us just how wonderful, beautiful and fascinating nature can be.

Pumpkins in the Car - Image by KL Caley — Pumpkins in the Car – Image by KL Caley

Not so much love for the little pumpkin this week but thank you for all the fabulous entrants.

Entries:

I hope you’ll join me for another #writephoto challenge published today at 12 o’clock GMT.

Thank you all again for taking part in #writephoto – PUMPKIN

With special thanks to Sue who originally made the #writephoto challenge so meaningful for all of us and gave me her blessing to continue it.

Take Care
KL ❤

#Writephoto Round-Up – SKULLS

Aaah I’m late, sorry everyone. I’ve been back and forth to the dentist this week and it looks like I need to have root canal treatment so needless to say I’m not quite on top of my game at the moment.

So, onto my mystery box of skulls. As a few of you may know, I bought a house a few months ago, it needed a ton of renovation work and we’ve been chipping away at it ever since. The house seems to have had a few interesting occupants previously, amongst the things we have found so far is a box of skulls, wallpaper with floating heads all over it, a few letters in a child’s hand, and various army type belongings. We’ve also had a handwritten letter posted through the door telling of God’s plan to bring an end to it all (obviously all are entitled to their own religious beliefs and values but was rather uncomfortable being contacted like this). My friends now get joy out of the house and can’t wait to hear stories about the latest things we find.

I’ve had so many wonderful responses and enjoyed each and every one. I have tried to reblog a few since the post went out so hopefully, you will have seen some of them trickling through, but here is the list below (if I have missed anyone, please let me know). It makes for fantastic reading.

Entries:

I hope you’ll join me for another #writephoto challenge published today at 12 o’clock GMT.

Thank you all again for taking part in #writephoto – skulls

With special thanks to Sue who originally made the #writephoto challenge so meaningful for all of us and gave me her blessing to continue it.

Take Care
KL ❤

#Writephoto Round-Up – POISONOUS PLANTS

Deadly but beautiful.
Isn’t nature just amazing?

A few years ago I took an amazing trip up to Alnwick Castle & Gardens in Northumberland. It was a fantastic day out. Alnwick itself is truly beautiful and if anyone does decide to visit, I wholeheartedly recommend Barter Books shop, a converted railway station which is a treasure trove of wonderful books.

Anyway, I stray off-topic. One of the best areas of the Gardens is the aptly named “Poison Garden”. Behind locked Iron Gates are a menagerie of the worlds most deadly plants. Visitors are only allowed to enter the garden with a Poison Garden Warden. Although that is not a bad thing, they give the most wonderful tour filled with various anecdotes and stories about various plants.

Alnwick Poison Garden Gates – Image by KL Caley

One of the most thought-provoking things about the tour is how much wisdom we may have lost. The tour guide pointed out that almost every child knows that if stung by a nettle you can soothe it with a dock leaf. Yet many other pieces of plant knowledge like this, which families once knew has gone with the reliance on doctors, pharmacists and these days, the internet. Whilst I adore the allotment and the discovery of how rewarding it is to grow your own food, self-medicating is not on the list, but it’s certainly an interesting thought, are there more natural less processed remedies on our doorsteps, which our ancestors would have understood far better than we do?

As ever, another fabulous collection! Thank you all so much. Here is this week’s entries below:

Entries:

I hope you’ll join me for another #writephoto challenge published today at 12 o’clock GMT.

Thank you all again for taking part in #WRITEPHOTO – POISONOUS PLANTS

Take Care
KL ❤

#Writephoto Round-Up – TOMB

Their creepy and their kooky
Mysterious and spooky
Their all together ooky
The #writephoto family

Definitely plagiarising there but imitation is the sincerest form of flattery? And wow, wow, wow – what a wonderful collection of kooky, spooky and ooky responses our little tomb created.

This is actually the table tomb of Sir Rafe Bowes of Streatlam, which sits prominently at Egglestone Abbey. In the prompt, I alluded to the fact this site had its own intriguing little ghost story.

According to legend, in the 1300s Brother Martin lived at the Abbey. One moonlit evening during a stroll along the riverside he met a young girl by the riverside, the two became lovers, meeting every night at their secret location by the river. Racked by guilt Martin confessed all, locking himself in his cell and praying for forgiveness. One stormy evening he ventured from his cell and found her once again by the river. She was overcome with joy but Martin was pale, breathless and sweating, he grabbed her and accused her of being evil, sent from the devil to tempt him. She began to scream for help and his hands found her throat and strangled her. Sobbing Matthew threw her lifeless body into the water.
He returned to the abbey, delirious with fever. The monks nursed him back to health but he never spoke. Upon the next stormy night Brother Martin took himself down to the merciless waters and threw himself in.

Locals have reported over the years sightings of a ghostly monk seen around the ruins or the river. What do you believe?

A brilliant collection of entries. I have tried to reblog a few since the post went out so hopefully, you will have seen some of them trickling through, but here is the list below (if I have missed anyone, please let me know). What is your favourite?

Entries:

I hope you’ll join me for another #writephoto challenge published today at 12 o’clock GMT.

Thank you all again for taking part in #writephoto – TOMB

With special thanks to Sue who originally made the #writephoto challenge so meaningful for all of us and gave me her blessing to continue it.

Take Care
KL ❤

#Writephoto Round-Up – EMERGING

“Good Morning,” said the voice, deep and low.

Strange, I thought and slowed my jog to a walk. I looked around, no-one was on the path in front or behind me.

“Sorry if I startled you!”

I looked up and emerging from the wall was a stone man, his skin tinted with green.

“I’ve been watching you go by every day and just wanted to say hello”.

What in the name of…

“Morning Carol”, a bright springy voice came from behind me and caused me to jump.

“Morning Suzie, did you hear that voice?”

“What voice?” Suzie slowed her pace to stand beside me and I looked up at the man. After a few seconds of silence, I began to feel self-conscious.

“Sorry Carol, I’ve got to get going.” Suzie began to jog away.

I looked around for a few more moments and then set off too.

“See you tomorrow Carol”, the deep voice called from behind me.

Emerging - Image by Geoff Le Pard — Emerging – Image by Geoff Le Pard

I just love this photo, how intriguing and I have never seen anything like it. It was taken by Geoff Le Pard on a walk around North London. A special thank you to Geoff who writes over at TanGental for agreeing to be this month’s #guestphoto. See what he has to say about the Not So Little Green Man

Send your feature photo entries to kl.caley@yahoo.co.uk

Woe to the earth, and to the sea, because the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time.”
[Apocalypse (Revelation) 12:12]

Thank you to Myrna Migala for supplying the interesting quote above that she thought fit the image. I’ve never had a quote entry before, it’s certainly an intriguing one.

Apologies, I have not responded to many posts this week. We had a little family holiday over on the North West Coast. My tired old phone which normally does so well decided to play havoc with my internet signal and dropped out regularly. The good news is I can read through them all in one tasty chunk today on my lunch break and I can’t wait.

Entries:

I hope you’ll join me for another #writephoto challenge published today at 12 o’clock GMT.

Thank you all again for taking part in #WRITEPHOTO – EMERGING

With special thanks to Sue who originally made the #writephoto challenge so meaningful for all of us and gave me her blessing to continue it.

Take Care
KL ❤

#Writephoto Round-Up – MONEY

Copper, silver and occasional gold
The stories of treasure and tales of old
Finance and fortune, chests and caves
Does fortune always favour the brave?

The story behind this image is a rather sad one. An elderly loved one passed away last year and I helped clear their home. Upon doing so, we found pockets of cash all over the property. We donated everything, clothes, furniture, collectables and jewellery to various animal charities (PDSA and the FAR PLACE being the most helpful with regards to collections and drop-offs) in the end we lost count of the tally but it was thousands of pounds all donated to worthwhile causes.

Entries:

I hope you’ll join me for another #writephoto challenge published today at 12 o’clock GMT. Today’s is our fabulous guestphoto entry.

Thank you all again for taking part in #writephoto-money/

With special thanks to Sue who originally made the #writephoto challenge so meaningful for all of us and gave me her blessing to continue it.

Take Care
KL ❤

#Writephoto Round-Up – FOLLY

She leaned against the arch doorway. Could he see her? Could others? She hoped he would come. Of course, his family wouldn’t like it…but to hell with them. They were in love after all. Nothing was more powerful than love…. right? God, where was he? It was getting dark now. She would be in trouble if she stayed out much later. She paced back and forth. What if something had happened? What if someone had found out? Time getting on, she bowed her head and walked away. If she did not make it home, she would not be allowed back out.

He stepped through the archway just in time to see her fleeting shadow walking away in the distance. He shouted, hoping she’d turn but she didn’t. He hadn’t meant to be late but he had to keep up the ruse with his family or he’d never be able to see her. His ribs hurt from running all the way. There was no point chasing he’d never catch her. Sullen, he walked to the steps and plonked himself down. A lily-white tissue danced on the breeze. He hated littering, who would want to ruin such a beautiful spot. Picking it up, he noticed one word, tomorrow? His heart danced. Tomorrow.

What a fabulous week for entries. I have tried to reblog a few since the post went out so hopefully, you will have seen some of them trickling through, but here is the list below (if I have missed anyone, please let me know). It makes for fantastic reading.

Entries:

I hope you’ll join me for another #writephoto challenge published today at 12 o’clock GMT.

Thank you all again for taking part in #WRITEPHOTO – FOLLY

Take Care
KL ❤