Hello everyone,

I’m back with a new page 3. This month’s featured book is one recently published by Dian Bowers, titled “Life in the Big Forest”. Details are on page 3 and an excerpt is included. This children’s storybook can be purchased through Amazon.ca, or directly from the author. Details are included.

The story of the month is one of my own. Titled “Vultures Incognito”. It is appropriately hot and steamy, but in a good way as we are still in a heat wave. The story is about a woman trapped in the desert with no end in sight…

The poem is another classic from Angela van Breemen about memories, titled “The Silver Sphere”. Angela is very busy these days with a new novel published, plus a CD that she has just recorded.

Dian Bowers is in the process of rounding up any interested parties who wish to participate in our latest story chain. For anyone who might be interested in joining in this challenge, details are available on page 4 with information for two contacts.

Hope your summer has been fun,

Bren

Hello everyone,

The summer is flying past for me, but I’m just loving the weather – rain with sunny intervals – very British. Well, I have to send out a request for stories and poems. I’m running out of your submissions and am having to subject everyone to some of my own very old stories.

This week, I have started with a story that I wrote in 2002 when my writing was more primitive, and less inventive. The story is about my early experiences with country life in Alliston and is titled “Town and Country”.

The poem of the week is also one of my own and also has a country theme, but from long ago and inspired by one of Constable’s paintings. It is titled “A Pastoral Reality”.

Then a slice-of-life story from Robert O’Meara about street gangs in Montreal, titled “Alley Kids”. It reminds me of West Side Story somehow. That always seems to happen when there are cultural differences. I hope your children are enjoying their summer and making friends. I’m making new friends in Mount Forest and am trying to start up a writing group. I’ll let you know how I do.

Bren

Hello everyone,

Well, the weather is wonderful, but don’t forget to take your brelly with you. You never know… Maybe some gum boots too…

This week’s stories are not theme-based. The first one addresses a serious dilemma for the terminally ill about life’s end. Written by Robert O’Meara, it brings into focus the help sometimes offered to the dying…M.A.I.D. and the tragedy of the mentally ill.

The poem of the week, written by one of our resident poets, Angela van Breemen, is a warning about the demise of the human race because of our inattention to the destruction of our planet. Mother Earth is calling for help.

The story of the week is written by me and is about the teething trials of a young exterminator. If my son asks, I definitely did not write it about him. But all the events are real and did in fact happen.

Hope you enjoy the stories. Until next time.

Bren

Hello everyone,

This is too nice a day to be working inside, so I’m going to keep this brief. This week’s stories begin with another humorous, slice-of-life story from Robert O’Meara’s childhood and titled “School Days.” I remember well the thick leather strap used by the nuns.

Next is a beautiful poem from Angela van Breemen – a reflection on the state of the world and our complicity.

Finally, a story from me about a time when I first arrived in Alliston in the year 2000, and an event that was about to take place that first summer. The story is titled “Time To Bath the Dog”.

I hope you enjoy this week’s stories and find time to relax, do some gardening, etc.

Don’t forget to send comments for the authors.

Bren

Hello everyone,

I am waking to sunshine and birdsong these days. I have vivid memories of the birds singing in the morning, and the songs here are mostly the same as the bird songs in Scotland. I set out the hummingbird feeder today. Hopefully, there will be some action in the coming days. My cat is never far from the back door, watching the comings and goings of the goldfinches and others at the seed feeder.

My house has sold and I will be moving in June, but this doesn’t affect my blog, and my murder mysteries will continue to be based in Alliston for the foreseeable future.

This week’s stories are just in time for Mother’s Day. The first story took me back to my own childhood and a do-not-touch time when I stared at the treasures in my grandmother’s china cabinet. The title is “Through a Child’s Eyes”, written by Dian Bowers.

Then this week’s poem is bleak – a glimpse into the results of oppression, written by Sofia Saalik and titled “A Conversation With Leeches.”

Then we have another Mother’s Day story from Angie Rose Carnegie, titled “Mom’s Last Birthday”. A story of her mother and uncle, both in care being brought together for a visit. The photos are her own, taken on that special day when the two siblings met for the last time.

The last story of the week is chapter three of our current story chain. This chapter is written by Kim Burgess and takes the story to a new level. Read on…

Don’t forget to send your comments to brendashort@writingblog.ca, and if you would like to see your words in print, send me a short story … any subject, and you may be the next author to be published here.

Bren

Hello Everyone,

Well, I’ve finally got my taxes ready for the accountant. Fingers crossed that I don’t owe anything. I should know in a few days. My new kitty cat ran off just before the big storm last week. She turned up the next morning and I have no idea where she went, but she was dry and clean…and hungry of course! She hasn’t been in such a hurry to go outside since her big adventure.

I have a heart-wrenching story for you this week from Robert O’Meara. Get the tissues ready to read “Fathers, Daughters”.

Then a whimsical poem from Tammy Tipler-Priolo, somewhat introspective. I’m sure we can all relate. The poem is titled “I Talk To Myself”‘

I have also contributed a story this week, about a hidden love that ends with near tragedy. The title of the story is “The Secret Code”.

Last, but not least, is the second chapter of our latest Story Chain, “The Letter”. This chapter is written by Angela van Breemen and for those of you who missed the first chapter, it can be found in Archives, under the heading Story Chains. Find all of this week’s stories and the poem on http://writingblog.ca

There’s still time to submit your Mother’s Day story and poems for the chance to be published. Send them to brendashort@writingblog.ca and don’t forget to send your comments about this week’s stories.

Bren