tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78077141518499802162024-03-17T17:46:50.760+00:00Raven's RamblingsRandom ramblings about what's going on in the life of Raven McAllan, author.
I write sensual stories to seduce the soulRaven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10915314417510492991noreply@blogger.comBlogger1347125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-84617395430477086792024-03-17T07:20:00.005+00:002024-03-17T07:21:04.612+00:00Should I stay or should I go now?<p><span style="font-size: large;"> I can't help singing those words, although I'm not in a singing mood. more of a hmm, should I stay with this WIP or go now and accept it's never going to get finished?</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgZ_yoTJdWHXLbS-2HwkHedq0KnYHg6OCoMq8E2YOcNlwqImPxoONO018O4A8f3DmgCxxcrtSCuMx5lLUY_wGpaWkdHUZR1i3Qr05FS8vgtuaNU5IPzH-2BJdJL09PZ1rdCfyMNLR9AzIGU3_5BlYbqfpEDTPlUFNz_KdPFQyoCU9xsPeYlA3Oh0O1Z4/s300/Queation%20makr%20for%20chicks%20on%20a%20wed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="191" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgZ_yoTJdWHXLbS-2HwkHedq0KnYHg6OCoMq8E2YOcNlwqImPxoONO018O4A8f3DmgCxxcrtSCuMx5lLUY_wGpaWkdHUZR1i3Qr05FS8vgtuaNU5IPzH-2BJdJL09PZ1rdCfyMNLR9AzIGU3_5BlYbqfpEDTPlUFNz_KdPFQyoCU9xsPeYlA3Oh0O1Z4/s1600/Queation%20makr%20for%20chicks%20on%20a%20wed.jpg" width="191" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It's a dilemma. One I hate facing but at the moment I think it's needs must as the saying goes.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It's annoying. I've got the first 35k done. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I've got the last 5k done.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But it's the bit in the middle that's defeating me and it is incredibly frustrating.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9W1_wPzBOWvVjsyj36uvTfwYH2hpr7ZD_FJI6maGM215Yr1wmmF_TZnbvt4FC7Ua9Sc8nesCp5p6isKDd9KRSp8ghU5DrZOhFWDBBd4E9F5lDpxW3_69765CkWP1w0QbhIU_hvAijWlp6ilJQe__WsjBepGI1UulNWH-OaqVUCMIdYsitxYSWMWBUALk/s236/Frustration%20.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="236" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9W1_wPzBOWvVjsyj36uvTfwYH2hpr7ZD_FJI6maGM215Yr1wmmF_TZnbvt4FC7Ua9Sc8nesCp5p6isKDd9KRSp8ghU5DrZOhFWDBBd4E9F5lDpxW3_69765CkWP1w0QbhIU_hvAijWlp6ilJQe__WsjBepGI1UulNWH-OaqVUCMIdYsitxYSWMWBUALk/s1600/Frustration%20.jpeg" width="236" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I've been messing with the story for months. It started off well, and I was racing along—well as fast as my three finger typing can let me race. 25k was written in a few weeks. Then life got in the way and I had to keep rereading what I'd written.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But still so far so good. Another 5 or so thousand words came in dribs and drabs.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXk2qvAvy2XDo7DNB7HjdSG3oIpwURWUbRml0FDPyWks1j3XeAiE8r-_MiV6peFl_SmgG9CPWp6Q5rTAn-Rcxd1mSKN9UEX9JC85ktQieBn3MkDb3xjEJrQqBTO-_8dDa68OdqgECRUGwXYyvGYhphvCIdYCBx3HOPbWW8wHURne4M3HIYKxJKkaQww7c/s192/flicking%20book%20pic.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="192" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXk2qvAvy2XDo7DNB7HjdSG3oIpwURWUbRml0FDPyWks1j3XeAiE8r-_MiV6peFl_SmgG9CPWp6Q5rTAn-Rcxd1mSKN9UEX9JC85ktQieBn3MkDb3xjEJrQqBTO-_8dDa68OdqgECRUGwXYyvGYhphvCIdYCBx3HOPbWW8wHURne4M3HIYKxJKkaQww7c/s1600/flicking%20book%20pic.gif" width="192" /></span></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then, in a change to the way I usually write I sorted theending out. I knew it, knew what I wanted to say and also knew I needed to get it down so I didn't forget any of it .</span></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Which was all well and good except for one thing. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The enormous void.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The knot that connects the two threads.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I can't find how to make that knot. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">At the moment I have three options. Or I think I do.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">One, accept it's not going to get the ends tied together. Leave it and write something else. (bBut I hate giving up and admitting defeat.)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Two, just keep plodding on and deleting as need be. (But plodding is boring and I don't want that)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Three, shorten it. Do a wee bow not a big knot. (But then I'd feel I was short changing everyone.)</span></p></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">So now I'm adding a fourth option.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Drink coffee, eat chocolate and read a book by someone else. Yes it is procrastinating, and putting off te decision. But as I've been faffing about with the thing for so long, a few days more isn't going to make much difference.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoIZhud0C7C_Eq2HlIZaRp25BZd1BjBnmWB2zBxw49LMGLAI2CBiVP9DaCjI6jqnqS0qfmpMeM-TkG1uu9Fm4Ngd1HN6ceOpF0wyGCi_7ck4-wKrhrjr-O6LGvgXp_sCZPGl0zDJSLwpfboLkGcW5DvXnNZtYpUw_tr8jKyi8se-EOYWYMxsu55o5hlc/s511/raven.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="492" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoIZhud0C7C_Eq2HlIZaRp25BZd1BjBnmWB2zBxw49LMGLAI2CBiVP9DaCjI6jqnqS0qfmpMeM-TkG1uu9Fm4Ngd1HN6ceOpF0wyGCi_7ck4-wKrhrjr-O6LGvgXp_sCZPGl0zDJSLwpfboLkGcW5DvXnNZtYpUw_tr8jKyi8se-EOYWYMxsu55o5hlc/s320/raven.jpg" width="308" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">wish me luck.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Reading,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">love <i><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>Raven xxx</b></span></i></span></p><p>(photos etc source Pinterest)</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-77766306701425746822024-03-10T07:27:00.000+00:002024-03-10T07:27:03.078+00:00When you think I wish I was like *****<p><span style="font-size: large;"> I've been writing this last week, and as the WIP progresses, I'm discovering things about my heroine I hadn't realised. (Yes, okay because I hadn't delved that far into how I intended to 'shape' her) I also rather like her and her attitude which is a relief because I want her to feisty but nice with it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">To be the sort of person everyone likes and respects.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWf9_jvANxUZAwzQ-RyhoWfJmBtrZ4ZBbyFlp858QcwtH2dsC_AbN3VuNbufj2yu8_P6dOmdhhNWh1yogUW-wP9ZhedZPt4CiKd7Iaymd_cU3KoY5IcERYk2z-mESRhFpwL9xmjWVgFzpmlRTxO_nHoml0Ncaj4cRoGk3bmampMHcrpPcasrnYpbyMKg/s564/respect%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="564" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWf9_jvANxUZAwzQ-RyhoWfJmBtrZ4ZBbyFlp858QcwtH2dsC_AbN3VuNbufj2yu8_P6dOmdhhNWh1yogUW-wP9ZhedZPt4CiKd7Iaymd_cU3KoY5IcERYk2z-mESRhFpwL9xmjWVgFzpmlRTxO_nHoml0Ncaj4cRoGk3bmampMHcrpPcasrnYpbyMKg/s320/respect%20.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(Source: Pinterest)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">If only we could all be like that.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I know we're all different, with our own individuality, but when I read something, or see something where a person is being at the least unpleasant and at the worst very bad or dangerous it does make me wonder. Why? What's the point?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Of course there must be a point and often it's easy to see it, but equally sometimes you can't fathom out that why.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1X99eOxH5n0YvsfBOl-M1m3cShjuDGPsXGuvWsGxk9Nxmmf5C0hGUrYqL8y61tPn5lGCVSqIZKJK92ierPJfY8aMG6OGFItgvNbh33QQl1bItSTqQNr8BM8ZT1fq2ZghvnkMw52-PHbRq5RzgQWFqkXlGWt5DXkZTtNcdjMpDVNBcO5djML_6nlqwpc/s846/%3F%20by%20freepik%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1X99eOxH5n0YvsfBOl-M1m3cShjuDGPsXGuvWsGxk9Nxmmf5C0hGUrYqL8y61tPn5lGCVSqIZKJK92ierPJfY8aMG6OGFItgvNbh33QQl1bItSTqQNr8BM8ZT1fq2ZghvnkMw52-PHbRq5RzgQWFqkXlGWt5DXkZTtNcdjMpDVNBcO5djML_6nlqwpc/s320/%3F%20by%20freepik%20.jpeg" width="213" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">And sometimes you never ever find out.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I was thinking about that as I reread some of my WIP and realised there was someone in it, who holds the clue to a lot of the things that happen in this book. And that person isn't nice at all.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Now I need to discover why they are as they are.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It's going to be a fun week.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Happy sleuthing,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">love</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <i><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>Raven xxx</b></span></i></span></p><p><i><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;"><b>(ps It's raining so I intend to hole myself up in my study, with coffee and write. wish me luck)</b></span></i></p><p><br /></p>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-32745701787789531762024-03-03T07:37:00.007+00:002024-03-03T07:56:04.898+00:00Not so much 'gizza job' as 'gizza break'...<p><span style="font-size: large;"> Years ago on British TV, there was a programme called Boys From the Black Stuff, and one of the characters 'phrase' was 'gizza job'.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Give me a job.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Well this week I feel like saying,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">'gizza break.'</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Just a wee one. Let me catch breath and smell the coffee. And reading something that makes sense would be good,</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7SI_cWMeOACs5Rawp9nw9URvFITF4kM414qy8pkc79npqyGTtHC5zKvkyBgZsBXU4smjK8skOUdfACtR5v-fwVz7eCl3v4SE6p5Yep_i6yPASjuq4itUGCZWtjlVwyqoEFK1LWM2eo_MjAKQI0tFEXp3A5Znhsrx6k2WZCTrn_AyMFo2cTsCzvGc6qk/s192/coffee.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="192" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7SI_cWMeOACs5Rawp9nw9URvFITF4kM414qy8pkc79npqyGTtHC5zKvkyBgZsBXU4smjK8skOUdfACtR5v-fwVz7eCl3v4SE6p5Yep_i6yPASjuq4itUGCZWtjlVwyqoEFK1LWM2eo_MjAKQI0tFEXp3A5Znhsrx6k2WZCTrn_AyMFo2cTsCzvGc6qk/s1600/coffee.gif" width="192" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(Please, not one I'm trying to write. Not this week.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">If that makes me sound pathetic, well I've felt a right whingebag, moaning old sod these last few days. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Old being the operative word in fact. Now yes, I know in some people's eyes I'm a geriatric. Probably a cantankerous one at that. Well past the 'oohh I'm eligible for a bus pass' age. However I've never really felt it as much as these last few months. I've always been off the refuse to grow old gracefully brigade. Get on with it and enjoy life.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Which generally I do. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes though, I think damn and blast (or words to that effect) What the you know what? Wonder if it's moan time. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Do the why me, snarl and frown. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnwqvqS2-3OEqS-NOYWs4SDYPg4qxh48VZ-qXfis4sXW1soHeeKRjUJtXEGBd2cvqj0B-crNwsCcU1MpUEqhPJ-WnRA4RPaGREk1-2j5BikMFJvY6shu1xb3sRzfrlxDUoa8t9KdHS74owXL9rBmLmpvXknSM_sKCqtbQocBimtN4IhCIrMVvovz_tIM/s564/grumpy%20cat%20%20.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnwqvqS2-3OEqS-NOYWs4SDYPg4qxh48VZ-qXfis4sXW1soHeeKRjUJtXEGBd2cvqj0B-crNwsCcU1MpUEqhPJ-WnRA4RPaGREk1-2j5BikMFJvY6shu1xb3sRzfrlxDUoa8t9KdHS74owXL9rBmLmpvXknSM_sKCqtbQocBimtN4IhCIrMVvovz_tIM/s320/grumpy%20cat%20%20.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(source: pinterest)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Then think oh sod it, a negative attitude is so bloody hard to keep up or enjoy. (If you get my meaning)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">However, this week, when the words didn't want to come, and the words that did come weren't the words that worked for where I'd written them, the 'sod it get on with it with a grin' frame of mind wasn't so easy to achieve.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So I decided to ignore the stupid outlook I had, ignore the WIP and do something else.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We went to Durham.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I'd forgotten how hilly it was and just how many cobbles you walked over, but it was so worth it. I forgot about words, except how to say please and thank you. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Read a book, ate too much chocolate and relaxed.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Had an excellent gluten free meal in Tia's, mooched around the fabulous indoor market, and chuckled at the ducks on the river.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Laughed and explored and came home in a much better frame of mind.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Edited a short story I'd written and got it ready to sub.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Wrote two thousand words that make sense.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And realised that the mini break did me the world of good.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Oh and yes, I know I'm lucky to be able to do that. If we hadn't I'd have put on my wellies and wandered around the village for a while to clear my head.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But I enjoyed my lovely mini break much more. Realised I like the glass half full me much more than the glass half empty one.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzC2YqSeIgs1ydjjki3tb6Cnc2c4xE319FAWeJ3NPdqdyXSRsl4gn0Dp-by5f5C4-ekvpSgzk1_j2Lbo3-nD9s_Z8Ec2YKQTmTFSTdpiplY61f5wIgokxJikXcxKoTVYb37r2nr6Ue0Cq6C0nhS5FO-cjkfRI5zEZYZbHRt8sSixyok66XZQOg3y1-Xo/s960/fizz%20in%20glass%20.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzC2YqSeIgs1ydjjki3tb6Cnc2c4xE319FAWeJ3NPdqdyXSRsl4gn0Dp-by5f5C4-ekvpSgzk1_j2Lbo3-nD9s_Z8Ec2YKQTmTFSTdpiplY61f5wIgokxJikXcxKoTVYb37r2nr6Ue0Cq6C0nhS5FO-cjkfRI5zEZYZbHRt8sSixyok66XZQOg3y1-Xo/s320/fizz%20in%20glass%20.jpeg" width="188" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Whatever you do, I hope you enjoy it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">love </span><i><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: x-large;"><b>Raven xxx</b></span></i></p><p><i><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>ps I've just got a new book out. The Match Up, from totally bound and also on Amazon</b></span></i></p>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-77169372524277832642024-02-25T07:00:00.001+00:002024-02-25T07:00:00.149+00:00It's just a word...<p><span style="font-size: large;"> But a word that gives someone very unpleasant shivers.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What word?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJiOJGIKF7SAQe-EvtH9hzs2Lyko5EKAIP6FXYi2HaphW8awx_V1Alv6nJ6i6-Ho_c67pZ7r0yUbS0Xq8xkJME8EVEJDqs8XAr7MmNWxshQoKqoKZWgmES2QSTZwGNiohdYtx1fmtfw-lAPfcdE4NkQTzddJupYxGj3fJ6AKsp8ReUJm4zDHnDa6TMxM/s300/Queation%20makr%20for%20chicks%20on%20a%20wed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="191" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJiOJGIKF7SAQe-EvtH9hzs2Lyko5EKAIP6FXYi2HaphW8awx_V1Alv6nJ6i6-Ho_c67pZ7r0yUbS0Xq8xkJME8EVEJDqs8XAr7MmNWxshQoKqoKZWgmES2QSTZwGNiohdYtx1fmtfw-lAPfcdE4NkQTzddJupYxGj3fJ6AKsp8ReUJm4zDHnDa6TMxM/s1600/Queation%20makr%20for%20chicks%20on%20a%20wed.jpg" width="191" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Well that depends on who's talking (or writing)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There are certain words that are a real turn off—teeth gritters—to some people and not to others.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">For me it's the word 'gotten'. I hate it with a vengeance and would write twenty words instead of using it. Got? That's fine, but gotten?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQy5cdfc7JiB3rm7R2HIN4i1JTSh32egmgcKEiMqUTKx0wmXHXvHmYCXc3zc5bqfPGfEYh5MAsUdvoUCI1FwCd7N2CVfxj5F24T4Ae0vN8gn_D7T2eAYVh9Y-EyOUdwI7-tTPPDQ-gNnfwf6SjZ4WKCm0CyjAhpufx0CqZ5o7PHXNTKlSfXATD1NXfVM/s1002/no%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQy5cdfc7JiB3rm7R2HIN4i1JTSh32egmgcKEiMqUTKx0wmXHXvHmYCXc3zc5bqfPGfEYh5MAsUdvoUCI1FwCd7N2CVfxj5F24T4Ae0vN8gn_D7T2eAYVh9Y-EyOUdwI7-tTPPDQ-gNnfwf6SjZ4WKCm0CyjAhpufx0CqZ5o7PHXNTKlSfXATD1NXfVM/s320/no%20.jpeg" width="180" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(source: pinterest)</div><p><span style="font-size: large;">No, no and no!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It gives me goosebumps. horrible ones. no reason, it just (another no, no it appears) does.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">While we're at it, evidently horrible is another word that some people detest.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I did a straw poll amongst friends, and asked for words that they detest. That might stop them reading something or make them shudder.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It was funny just what repels some people and other's think are fine.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Just as well we're all different or the world would be a very limited and boring place.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So (that was one of the words on the no, no list) in no particular order, here's some people's bugbears.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Starting a sentence or paragraph with, and, so, when, that and why. Oh and just.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Using words that no one understands. I quite like that because then I need to look it up and I discover a new word.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Using words not in general usage like perchance in a Regency story. (Oops, I was guilty of that years ago.)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Myriad, moist, and actually.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Slang that you only understand if you're a certain age...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The list could be endless, but I decided to stop researching. I did wonder if some words could be used in specific circumstances, but generally (another no go to a couple of people) the answer was no. Find an alternative.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Therefore, no moist sponge cakes, or myriad of colours.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Duly noted.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What do you think?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading (and word avoiding)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">love,</span><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Raven xxx</span></i></b></span></p>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-79913494038146368252024-02-18T16:17:00.001+00:002024-02-18T16:17:24.015+00:00To Tea or not to Tea?<p><span style="font-size: large;"> As opposed to coffee, hot chocolate, cocoa or soda.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Not that I honestly know what counts as soda these days. to me (aged) it's soda water. Like fizzy water but more fizzy. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rR9GMk3RkDbOxs2gEeQNA-WcdGZEdOAfDE2kdupFv0Y7OX6-WZ_dfvIn_peExvELoOa0f322LvsDI6QurxdLKexSS1u61L63QUipyoGddJLjeZNTu0vGDnD5NFvvu-emeAo4MtaH1RSsQhKIHdL4COWh6iYepGLpePpdbiN72aF5m0Jxs8snyGzSRfg/s345/fizzy%20water%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="236" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rR9GMk3RkDbOxs2gEeQNA-WcdGZEdOAfDE2kdupFv0Y7OX6-WZ_dfvIn_peExvELoOa0f322LvsDI6QurxdLKexSS1u61L63QUipyoGddJLjeZNTu0vGDnD5NFvvu-emeAo4MtaH1RSsQhKIHdL4COWh6iYepGLpePpdbiN72aF5m0Jxs8snyGzSRfg/s320/fizzy%20water%20.jpeg" width="219" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(source: pinterest)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I know to other people it's cola or stuff like that.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">All of which has nothing to do with my did I want a cup of tea question.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And why most people look at it and say hot water, slightly—<i>very</i> slightly—coloured.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNoEAKHU3rTibGitOFXtB0SaAlk-w4fUCpXnUUbjBWoybaVMQfWYsa0v1rNs7fpLNS6w6US3krwzsaqejbQJM8VQXB92skVjFF4lfkcwVbme9opVaeVasEQR_T3P9BTAO1GNYtD3HQmAzojuj0TV98pTIEmVoS21HFHWKXKoHEm73i0L-OAWsPqtPf-4/s4032/IMG_2105.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNoEAKHU3rTibGitOFXtB0SaAlk-w4fUCpXnUUbjBWoybaVMQfWYsa0v1rNs7fpLNS6w6US3krwzsaqejbQJM8VQXB92skVjFF4lfkcwVbme9opVaeVasEQR_T3P9BTAO1GNYtD3HQmAzojuj0TV98pTIEmVoS21HFHWKXKoHEm73i0L-OAWsPqtPf-4/s320/IMG_2105.HEIC" width="240" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's been like that since I was advised, years ago to try and cut down on my dairy intake, and cutting out milk in tea was the easiest way, for me, to do it. But then I had to cut down on the strength of it as well.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not that any of this bothers me, unless someone offers to make me a cuppa (or I'm on a plane) and trying to explain that in a mug of tea, a half a tablespoon of unmilked tea from someone else's mugful before its touched, is perfect. And it seems wasteful to use a tea bag for my hot coloured water!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of course I can (and sometimes do) use loose leaf tea in a pot, but it's really much easier just to siphon off that one half-tablespoonful.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's funny (or maybe not) just how everyone had their own ideas on how tea should be drunk.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Milk in first or last.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Teabag in mug—or pot.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84OlcHPeAu53iT4wx184cxyMGRqB04R4XRJBErwYNVmv2ox0W4FU2YmrxwA3X4LL5SBQvPyEFVUzES656dmDt2s0SxlglimhwmQMNbJbDly-yVFEKwgwOr3Wif4HCG0ObbMp-e2Ai9gekPfaEmpXiurzNva7FXbJnpCI8wckmhPgUq6zRVU5VqE5lsPk/s564/t%20pot%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84OlcHPeAu53iT4wx184cxyMGRqB04R4XRJBErwYNVmv2ox0W4FU2YmrxwA3X4LL5SBQvPyEFVUzES656dmDt2s0SxlglimhwmQMNbJbDly-yVFEKwgwOr3Wif4HCG0ObbMp-e2Ai9gekPfaEmpXiurzNva7FXbJnpCI8wckmhPgUq6zRVU5VqE5lsPk/s320/t%20pot%20.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(source : pinterest. My t-pots are in the dishwasher or the back of the cupboard)</span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe you think it should be loose leaf only.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Assam, darjeeling, jasmine, Earl Grey? The options are endless.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EyeWcmFkFz9rdiP_4vTCEMKI0Ztbod9rv8ncOqjvBl2NYpOQGiXesj0JTGVmyGUDD3G3gqJ6GxUGtkaZJmXkUOH3usBqA0ktM_nI5Pr5MFf2rebKEpzyV6cLWfVjXcmG2C265x5f_xQz98cZB8vrllhplIVP4CyoZyyqczwtBF2UyRz4TsyJcYl8GsY/s641/tbags%20and%20cup%20of%20tea%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EyeWcmFkFz9rdiP_4vTCEMKI0Ztbod9rv8ncOqjvBl2NYpOQGiXesj0JTGVmyGUDD3G3gqJ6GxUGtkaZJmXkUOH3usBqA0ktM_nI5Pr5MFf2rebKEpzyV6cLWfVjXcmG2C265x5f_xQz98cZB8vrllhplIVP4CyoZyyqczwtBF2UyRz4TsyJcYl8GsY/s320/tbags%20and%20cup%20of%20tea%20.jpeg" width="282" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(Source : Pinterest)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then of course we have milk, lemon or just hot—or is it boiling—water.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtL0Xgk0N6EAlepuK6Ub2jwmSalN5v36T_KHy-OhY9e6AdABFM7KZnn3sTvSSQP5lYEBiyapt9snYo9SY3QSaK-WdYp1bWqd5xejYPS4uCVeVbgqcYACGziZqO7EmgdnbdNMx1QaVxTlCyYEHl7gvV6dUVbxdZh8UBO2jfvY7EL-9QlXwz5W8HyQbzAW4/s3544/IMG_2108.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3544" data-original-width="2658" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtL0Xgk0N6EAlepuK6Ub2jwmSalN5v36T_KHy-OhY9e6AdABFM7KZnn3sTvSSQP5lYEBiyapt9snYo9SY3QSaK-WdYp1bWqd5xejYPS4uCVeVbgqcYACGziZqO7EmgdnbdNMx1QaVxTlCyYEHl7gvV6dUVbxdZh8UBO2jfvY7EL-9QlXwz5W8HyQbzAW4/s320/IMG_2108.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's a minefield.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">But it is fun when I have to offer a character in one of my books a drink and work out what they will choose.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cheers everyone</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy drinking,</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love</span> <i><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><b>Raven xxx</b></span></i></p><p><br /></p>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-26726054197754825092024-02-11T07:00:00.001+00:002024-02-11T07:30:26.744+00:00If I put it in a book, you'd say it was too far fetched.<p><span style="font-size: large;"> What would?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Are you sitting comfortably?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Then I'll begin.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">For a couple of weeks or so we were in Gran Canaria, getting some warm ( and hot) and dry weather.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Glorious sunrises </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZ0kmVDC8T-0L8c_Hmwr1Wz8NkFUEIxmNzLrzS2xl586Npuky0K8reMrDCWZfhJnx0qycjlp7ZU3txMBfjDLhPIzKf_58S7yLWhAqz0IT1WuTYN0Xehhs6MMAPfGVA9DcTNaLd83AvvmNIhhZ8RfJrV1gyMfHTDaitBcW4ItNrwu_xVkpsoZ3ldCn-dU/s4032/GC%20sunrise%20j.peg%20.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZ0kmVDC8T-0L8c_Hmwr1Wz8NkFUEIxmNzLrzS2xl586Npuky0K8reMrDCWZfhJnx0qycjlp7ZU3txMBfjDLhPIzKf_58S7yLWhAqz0IT1WuTYN0Xehhs6MMAPfGVA9DcTNaLd83AvvmNIhhZ8RfJrV1gyMfHTDaitBcW4ItNrwu_xVkpsoZ3ldCn-dU/s320/GC%20sunrise%20j.peg%20.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;">Fabulous views</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbDJjrZ-JX0FOkbB21ExYowNbdGQCwxZM0SkIVlYeGdX_nLd6ua2YKyMfr9jcC5ipJbvrCGq52aOW_k5LaE12g9iRd1F5ltL6N-nGq_FAqCWsJBJWvyE3p29KrawsmR85xZk0OS76g5SaRb42jdON3vO7XggfrvMOHiR67RQ7pgB4V5_adVuL_PCIIC8/s1600/PHOTO-2024-02-10-16-27-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbDJjrZ-JX0FOkbB21ExYowNbdGQCwxZM0SkIVlYeGdX_nLd6ua2YKyMfr9jcC5ipJbvrCGq52aOW_k5LaE12g9iRd1F5ltL6N-nGq_FAqCWsJBJWvyE3p29KrawsmR85xZk0OS76g5SaRb42jdON3vO7XggfrvMOHiR67RQ7pgB4V5_adVuL_PCIIC8/s320/PHOTO-2024-02-10-16-27-00.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Great weather</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGcJV9O5XhWncwM-P2XJDJc2_jhCtZ-jRcB0riU2O0-mznrTXTwY3j7edRfBqX1uPW2P8CoR_ZseHHbGMyaJalbSFKSWuBQvAgp4OgmzEh7IBzlxhN_GNRAfLsLxR6ATpF0sTqns5nRkEB7kHvyOnvpWK_NGZjEmhWzmbbw5su6PoOal4c2u0deNmNJw/s1600/PHOTO-2024-02-10-16-27-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGcJV9O5XhWncwM-P2XJDJc2_jhCtZ-jRcB0riU2O0-mznrTXTwY3j7edRfBqX1uPW2P8CoR_ZseHHbGMyaJalbSFKSWuBQvAgp4OgmzEh7IBzlxhN_GNRAfLsLxR6ATpF0sTqns5nRkEB7kHvyOnvpWK_NGZjEmhWzmbbw5su6PoOal4c2u0deNmNJw/s320/PHOTO-2024-02-10-16-27-33.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;">even some egrets</span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUp3yc862pCkaaGQXBv1UEPoSIipE8LjFSch6Gg929dgNstmSk4fqG04G6zS6jYswQy2DSb_hG0vh6S_niwsD3Mh_ZuXAwcy8S2BUC-S4mW5Pnw0yIhJ5lZB7dhsnaiZzCZzrKDzU_wO2bdE_Ot2wkiIrJELT4dBpGp_DqHogplTx-RMpFcJuf3ujVW8/s1600/PHOTO-2024-02-10-16-20-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUp3yc862pCkaaGQXBv1UEPoSIipE8LjFSch6Gg929dgNstmSk4fqG04G6zS6jYswQy2DSb_hG0vh6S_niwsD3Mh_ZuXAwcy8S2BUC-S4mW5Pnw0yIhJ5lZB7dhsnaiZzCZzrKDzU_wO2bdE_Ot2wkiIrJELT4dBpGp_DqHogplTx-RMpFcJuf3ujVW8/s320/PHOTO-2024-02-10-16-20-14.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;">So all in all lovely.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">That bit would be ok in a book I reckon.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Then it was time to come home.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When we come to the Canaries, now we've 'moved south' (from Scotland) we fly from Leeds Bradford Airport. The highest in the UK at 208 metres above sea level. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So often the weather can be a bit dodgy, to say the least.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But we flew out on the one non windy day of the week. And landed early.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Perfect.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway we set off home.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Snow, ice wind in UK.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But we notice our plane set off on time. All seems to be well. Flight sets off only ten minutes or so late. Good gluten-free food, smooth(ish) flight.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Then over the intercom...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"This is your pilot speaking. They are clearing the runway. We'll circle."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And the lovely husband and I puzzled as we couldn't feel the plane banking.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Then...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"Sorry we've got to divert to Birmingham. there will be buses to take you to LB. About two and a half hours."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Concerted groans around the plane, but safety first.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I read a book.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbGVLaVe5YlIrPy6g_TrSE-aD-ao4W8JtgFQcFUgePCf_STKP8i6RAWI-udRAGqFKnMhXSRXRJugurfCcD0vAfh1ceLz0uU4Y6TOH48QNTe4FVK42mwfbuMMhWlv2UYmu5ZtQbeLqrKxtPz8fG4Vr4p7u4yol6gQn5YZM9ItzzPfs5-EohHOR-yJk8k0/s192/flicking%20book%20pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="192" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbGVLaVe5YlIrPy6g_TrSE-aD-ao4W8JtgFQcFUgePCf_STKP8i6RAWI-udRAGqFKnMhXSRXRJugurfCcD0vAfh1ceLz0uU4Y6TOH48QNTe4FVK42mwfbuMMhWlv2UYmu5ZtQbeLqrKxtPz8fG4Vr4p7u4yol6gQn5YZM9ItzzPfs5-EohHOR-yJk8k0/s1600/flicking%20book%20pic.gif" width="192" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">We land... get luggage, given snacks and water, get on the bus with wet feet</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">(It's pouring. Have to walk a few hundred yards to coach. Deep puddles.)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We wait... and wait.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Then set off...turn off motorway...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Into suburbs. Er what?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Coach stops. At a bus stop. Somewhere. Ten minutes later another driver gets on.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We set off.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">He'd not been given the key for the loo.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hmm.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We are told it will be about a three hour journey.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Half hour later...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We stop. No one seems to know why.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">A few people get off and on.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Why did we stop?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Someone needed the loo, but the driver didn't bother to let people know <i>anyone</i> could nip to the loo</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Cue grumbles.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hot air... toasty. Someone moans.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Then freezing air. <b>Through the speakers!</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Lots of moaning.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We appear to be going the long way round.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Feels like the driver is lost. Round a city ring road the long way. Which is the wrong way!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Is it a wind up? Will someone get on the coach and go 'gotcha'?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We have to cross the pennines. Where it is still snowing...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">That three hours is somewhat ambitious.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Flashing lights.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, a rolling road block. No idea how long for.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Then we stop.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">On the motorway.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">For half an hour. No idea what the reason is.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We set off. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Why have we gone past the turn off we need?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, you guess it. Missed the turn.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Driver takes the next one which is a smaller not so snow-ploughed road. We drive through less than salubrious suburbs.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Let's hope we don't get a flat tyre.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Almost five hours after we got on the coach, we get to LB airport.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Luckily the coach to our car park is waiting.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Eight inches of snow on car, but luckily only (hahaha only) raining.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We drive home through lots of deep and big puddles.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Almost seven hours from getting off the plane we get home!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And the irony of it all?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The plane which was due to land fifteen minutes before us at LB, did so. As did the one half an hour after ours.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Sods law eh?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Well as I said if I put all that in a book...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Reading,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">love </span><i><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: x-large;"><b>Raven xxx</b></span></i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-3359410841651768872024-02-04T08:24:00.002+00:002024-02-04T08:24:48.478+00:00Where my trumpet is definitely blown<p><span style="font-size: large;"> This blog wasn't going to be about me jumping up and down with glee and having a celebratory glass of fizz.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCQsAn55mwueFuq5mIa7uDAOz4xKgasELqPFYobUhQ2q3uz5AxEed0BJ24nysI30knOSCYA7Kj9CZwoaFRrIf9Boe4lGDyM4hyphenhyphen_i56xgbfJZnys1hx8I7xdOMefBHWT96d-hkxx_x0_OVh_MZRWwnf8-80NGS8r6DWXsbhhl6ESJhVYaFG63GKeY2tLg/s240/fizz%20bottle%20cork%20coming%20out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="210" data-original-width="240" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCQsAn55mwueFuq5mIa7uDAOz4xKgasELqPFYobUhQ2q3uz5AxEed0BJ24nysI30knOSCYA7Kj9CZwoaFRrIf9Boe4lGDyM4hyphenhyphen_i56xgbfJZnys1hx8I7xdOMefBHWT96d-hkxx_x0_OVh_MZRWwnf8-80NGS8r6DWXsbhhl6ESJhVYaFG63GKeY2tLg/s1600/fizz%20bottle%20cork%20coming%20out.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">I've been on holiday and written very little, but oh boy did it make me want to get writing again. The blog was going to revolve around recharging my (or your) batteries.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But then I got news of a book being accepted for publication <i>and </i>realised that I've got another book out on Tuesday 20th, and that's only a couple of weeks away</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Which is even more reason to celebrate.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So I decided to say, yee ha look...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQGEEBP5wJbRBFSNm6E4m-TLk3tkqFo-RscV-mhfNAlCZHdPfIPxuIZh_LQxFOK4JN0oCvSaJnAWAp9Dn7Yd3LN1QTurHer2v-94q79wenbYo-DnzhkQDcjQ6crM3MZ-xyQR8sAHRdTW-QOpz8gFbwR6tfmesWRftygs46Y675uuqxt0d9qTOu4YeJPg/s2000/TheMatchUp_978-1-80250-846-8_SocialImages_ComingSoon.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQGEEBP5wJbRBFSNm6E4m-TLk3tkqFo-RscV-mhfNAlCZHdPfIPxuIZh_LQxFOK4JN0oCvSaJnAWAp9Dn7Yd3LN1QTurHer2v-94q79wenbYo-DnzhkQDcjQ6crM3MZ-xyQR8sAHRdTW-QOpz8gFbwR6tfmesWRftygs46Y675uuqxt0d9qTOu4YeJPg/w640-h426/TheMatchUp_978-1-80250-846-8_SocialImages_ComingSoon.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", serif; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Romansa Castle where love is all around—if you dare take a chance on it.</span></p><p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", serif; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", serif; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">When Lois McDonald discovers just what sort of person she has become, it makes her take a long, hard look at herself. She doesn’t like what she discovers and resolves to change. However, it’s not as easy as it sounds.<o:p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", serif; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Now she has to do her best to create a new person and stick to it, even though many people are sceptical and it would be oh-so easy to be snappy and catty.</span></p><p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", serif; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Zac Moncrieff is one of those people who doubts what he sees and hears. Nevertheless he is intrigued by this new Lois and wants to get to know her better.</span></p><p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", serif; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">They have to decide if it is worth putting aside past differences and seeing if the spark of interest between them will grow stronger. And if so whether they decide to become a couple.</span></p><p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Open Sans, serif; font-size: large;">https://www.totallybound.com/book/the-match-up</span></p><p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Open Sans, serif; font-size: large;">https://amzn.to/48XSGfF (UK)</span></p><p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Open Sans, serif; font-size: large;">https://cutt.ly/dwXWdA9r (.com)</span></p><p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is the third book in the Happy Ever after at Romansa Castle series and I <i>think </i>it will be the last. so far anyway, I have no more stories in mind that are set there. But you never know.</span></p><p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-size: large;">(The other two are The Fix Up and the Match Up, and all three are available from Totally Bound— https://www.totallybound.com/ and Amazon. And all three are, or will be available in eBook and paperback.)</span></p><p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-size: large;">So that of course is one reason I'm happy. I will of course be even happier if someone preorders it or buys it.</span></p><p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I got the great news that an old and long gone out of print book which has been revised and updated has been accepted for publication by a new, and I think one that will be a fabulous publishing company, Bastet's Quill Publishing, </span></p><p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555201065631</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bMdMBhHp7J-UxUMSIHPLDjrKA74NPr_2j4kEc_bodDV6tLnQTiuJqZ0gfiE29z0_o4YLQ4fI9enW42gzks3p-pauR0ZM39cVmzCoNgBJpnYw9nSidNv92DdMifEBF294O2stAlmdnJStYeCc84LAewWYD4di7k1fUQ-xCnQX2sfctBit2pmBilgkFVc/s1640/Bastet's%20quill%20logo%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bMdMBhHp7J-UxUMSIHPLDjrKA74NPr_2j4kEc_bodDV6tLnQTiuJqZ0gfiE29z0_o4YLQ4fI9enW42gzks3p-pauR0ZM39cVmzCoNgBJpnYw9nSidNv92DdMifEBF294O2stAlmdnJStYeCc84LAewWYD4di7k1fUQ-xCnQX2sfctBit2pmBilgkFVc/s320/Bastet's%20quill%20logo%20.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've been lucky enough to work with the publisher before and know that my book will be in good hands. Can't wait to see what we do with it.</span></p><p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-size: large;">And on that note, with recharged batteries and an urge to get this short story I am nearly at the end of finished, tidied up and sent away,</span></p><p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll just add,</span></p><p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-size: large;">happy reading, </span></p><p style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-size: large;">love, </span><i><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: x-large;"><b>Raven xxx</b></span></i></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-53449916483022543532024-01-28T08:10:00.000+00:002024-01-28T08:10:11.527+00:00The gorgeous time suck of research.<p><span style="font-size: large;"> It was only supposed to be a quick look at a jeweller's catalogue. I needed to check I'd got the right birthstones for the central characters in the story I'm half way through writing.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-Osil604piIrOLp_UWosp_39p1CnjOOHjA7mihOC8utel9gAEwak5CGBai58Q3UFmW6w8h8ZA2CSKbv2SpkXMjrhhcZ2lKa06jiO_Q91NnQkC5l8B4bll37GKSo3NAjqR_CSvCSxwkIVTnyZ1UKhiLl671pmYXWfmOLs3olVnBJQTbRujcQSQLPRuZQ/s564/birthtones%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-Osil604piIrOLp_UWosp_39p1CnjOOHjA7mihOC8utel9gAEwak5CGBai58Q3UFmW6w8h8ZA2CSKbv2SpkXMjrhhcZ2lKa06jiO_Q91NnQkC5l8B4bll37GKSo3NAjqR_CSvCSxwkIVTnyZ1UKhiLl671pmYXWfmOLs3olVnBJQTbRujcQSQLPRuZQ/s320/birthtones%20.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(source pinterest)</span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">But once I checked those, well then of course I carried on looking. At bracelets and earrings (my personal love). Then I moved on to china and <i>then</i> of course decided I needed to find when a certain manufacturer started, whether it was still in business and where. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Three hours later I hadn't added a word to my WIP, but I'd drooled over some old Wedgewood, lusted after a Sevres bowl, liked some pretty china mugs and realised that even if I could afford half the things I saw—and I can't—I'd be scared to use then and scared to lose them. I'm better off sticking to good old M & S or in the case of mugs, whatever supermarket has some that catch my eye.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I also realised that although I didn't need most of the information I'd learnt about the things I'd lusted over, I had needed that time just to enjoy the browsing, as well of finding out information I <i>did</i> need. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It got me fired up and ready to get stuck into my WIP. As well as giving me the opportunity to get my facts correct.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes a few stolen hours like that even up not being stolen at all but invaluable. not only for what you may or may not learn, but for recharging.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And now I've recharged, I'm off back to my Feisty heroine who is about ready to spit tacks.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Via the kettle and the cafetière of course. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SnM-BF4cNeDhKOZfCr_q2K6N0cJ00PJ7xiNcfrZvcPgC3Mdw06uT8orBnbHFh7cLPzETps9FLnINklaeYc8SmaqJplZJX0CyppQitP75oSdf9mpnTbHwnmnI04pYXBG_qOUQWZsA_YQC6At5mk3pcD0CC0_ftqmLLcHB7SHYaRgMMO6QwZYiQ6P40_s/s564/cafetiers%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SnM-BF4cNeDhKOZfCr_q2K6N0cJ00PJ7xiNcfrZvcPgC3Mdw06uT8orBnbHFh7cLPzETps9FLnINklaeYc8SmaqJplZJX0CyppQitP75oSdf9mpnTbHwnmnI04pYXBG_qOUQWZsA_YQC6At5mk3pcD0CC0_ftqmLLcHB7SHYaRgMMO6QwZYiQ6P40_s/s320/cafetiers%20.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(Source:Pinterest)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I let two cups go cold when I was ah researching.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Ate the biscuits though.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And on that note,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">happy reading,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">love</span><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: x-large;"><b>Raven xxx</b></span></i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-42155681817419059192024-01-21T08:31:00.002+00:002024-01-21T08:31:08.381+00:00How I got the muse moving...<p><span style="font-size: large;"> Via an overheard conversation, a motivating telling to, (or should that be telling off) and a cold and glorious sea side walk. It gave me some ideas.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KNanx1Reeoau2Vq2UyTp6yr7NB330QHr2ws0nDBJkpbwABC4gH1RaZFVjx-AO_0dzH5MtA0F5FGt-l_ji3FT8bBXX24xHpNk52TnciKjcMoJVr3_K8_4DDA44f7skyZGnababxOyeUn2fbCS8Mqt4tgjfsHUlMPQ2zi58DI2Q-laV3N1FELMaR_xvZc/s320/Orange%20sky%20at%20Hornsea%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KNanx1Reeoau2Vq2UyTp6yr7NB330QHr2ws0nDBJkpbwABC4gH1RaZFVjx-AO_0dzH5MtA0F5FGt-l_ji3FT8bBXX24xHpNk52TnciKjcMoJVr3_K8_4DDA44f7skyZGnababxOyeUn2fbCS8Mqt4tgjfsHUlMPQ2zi58DI2Q-laV3N1FELMaR_xvZc/s1600/Orange%20sky%20at%20Hornsea%20.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> (photo: Joanne Robinson)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had no idea what to chat about today, then two good friends both gave me suggestions, which although different, work together.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first was how I got my mojo back, motivated my muse and got it moving. (Lots of 'M's' there, but it is now my motto! <i>Remember the 'M's'.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The second: how I use the things I have seen on my travels over the years to set the scene. Base towns and villages on places I've visited or lived, get my geography correct, use my personal knowledge to create my story's setting.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELn1qkiEg3gEupY6D9yQQuyudAQ8gMuRyBjyA0Ru1eLF5jUGDtdNuYummKxP12zjdGYT3rywHIV0SbDMVq-WyS41lZDp5aVaUU4esJOITNOpy5huPhjnSO1c6Q1biS1YJItj4j3sU7l5PDHWjUrGhvTxLQ_DpYKwvTy1kC3vw40XAuLh0SNxYToKXTh4/s320/IMG_8006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELn1qkiEg3gEupY6D9yQQuyudAQ8gMuRyBjyA0Ru1eLF5jUGDtdNuYummKxP12zjdGYT3rywHIV0SbDMVq-WyS41lZDp5aVaUU4esJOITNOpy5huPhjnSO1c6Q1biS1YJItj4j3sU7l5PDHWjUrGhvTxLQ_DpYKwvTy1kC3vw40XAuLh0SNxYToKXTh4/s1600/IMG_8006.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"> Scotland </div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpChyKu-n1vubIpqblmKL3ivbfX7hrCnYB3HmJpxDQNWXG4TIvhHAGfeKR3nb7ntTKLI09X6PzahWJ58Cz_3P6kSAIXPD67Fvu34FOp5mZtfSoRtTU0Bj9Jmv_K3TOqkkH8w5p7sgKu3ulI-UkyVKGvvTgW8DpjHqAC1cWGLOHb2NVvErzRokJA3_ZQIg/s1600/junk%2017%20hk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpChyKu-n1vubIpqblmKL3ivbfX7hrCnYB3HmJpxDQNWXG4TIvhHAGfeKR3nb7ntTKLI09X6PzahWJ58Cz_3P6kSAIXPD67Fvu34FOp5mZtfSoRtTU0Bj9Jmv_K3TOqkkH8w5p7sgKu3ulI-UkyVKGvvTgW8DpjHqAC1cWGLOHb2NVvErzRokJA3_ZQIg/s320/junk%2017%20hk.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(Hong Kong)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyN2neUGXhsbeQ1Thaynre0ZD2OIEng7RPJOoR2FKt0M77e4t3e43JSBOMqoqsjE79rBtrRZSHipE2GGiGLApLKzr-PrlAUASKFSUQ9p8XP_scShfEfaXdbsq7D53sLBYFMm0-0712mP-DFpCJppbghGLmQIgiW9NGxRcscM4ui0PErECNvQaKPM3pys/s2048/Shaldon%20viewJPG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyN2neUGXhsbeQ1Thaynre0ZD2OIEng7RPJOoR2FKt0M77e4t3e43JSBOMqoqsjE79rBtrRZSHipE2GGiGLApLKzr-PrlAUASKFSUQ9p8XP_scShfEfaXdbsq7D53sLBYFMm0-0712mP-DFpCJppbghGLmQIgiW9NGxRcscM4ui0PErECNvQaKPM3pys/s320/Shaldon%20viewJPG.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(Devon UK)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqPLei_jAhkR1ASZYRC_wX6fctQIkhzG2Dlg6neV67zLhxaa7ZftiKUIB4xYZGn_8XPtwcz9f9R612EY9MoYMgsv3kmweXCGDdiiuBwWjcLGjdNBw4ayfQDZRNNk_RTXCf-2x0-YpHhUpU6O_dfhkI2lu55d_GLZFx5iLL9txoEjzqP7il7ARs8WKEBQ/s2048/IMG_9694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqPLei_jAhkR1ASZYRC_wX6fctQIkhzG2Dlg6neV67zLhxaa7ZftiKUIB4xYZGn_8XPtwcz9f9R612EY9MoYMgsv3kmweXCGDdiiuBwWjcLGjdNBw4ayfQDZRNNk_RTXCf-2x0-YpHhUpU6O_dfhkI2lu55d_GLZFx5iLL9txoEjzqP7il7ARs8WKEBQ/s320/IMG_9694.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">(Barbados)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">When I thought about it, I realised how one doesn't work without the other. Well, not for me.</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="font-size: large;">What got my muse back and raring to go?</span></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijArtXaD56ZkI7-D1QoBxwk86ZWcjqufAgw4X-4m5sNKpW1FK7mZUPQ4_dogZyjP3Z7on7EQrMUQL1iO-NS73syQ26aIo3HPb670hT4rRdnrMlfEY_cvf8w31kPqxxzrAY7WEJib6tO4Pn_h3jmVnQUyYjjU9FsZmNWWpQGucEtgstt8zKWuK4iUNWSq8/s564/typing.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="564" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijArtXaD56ZkI7-D1QoBxwk86ZWcjqufAgw4X-4m5sNKpW1FK7mZUPQ4_dogZyjP3Z7on7EQrMUQL1iO-NS73syQ26aIo3HPb670hT4rRdnrMlfEY_cvf8w31kPqxxzrAY7WEJib6tO4Pn_h3jmVnQUyYjjU9FsZmNWWpQGucEtgstt8zKWuK4iUNWSq8/s320/typing.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Or should I say who?<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSao7bwkeBOxVMU3KihYiE3Keb5z9WFMXcghH6CqOkrLd5MnPQd6A82HVRzwts7ER_oaSj0ar6uvBDWY9POAI_49ArhOCtAX9ZlGhL6q8I-pr1FxlyMv2ePH8a30Kb3TfxMkRnfCE_0pdTgdOIx7fbZ3nQUGDIXXfEfuiFdgFUzL1IlJcxWypWNaTNa8/s571/wondering%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSao7bwkeBOxVMU3KihYiE3Keb5z9WFMXcghH6CqOkrLd5MnPQd6A82HVRzwts7ER_oaSj0ar6uvBDWY9POAI_49ArhOCtAX9ZlGhL6q8I-pr1FxlyMv2ePH8a30Kb3TfxMkRnfCE_0pdTgdOIx7fbZ3nQUGDIXXfEfuiFdgFUzL1IlJcxWypWNaTNa8/s320/wondering%20.jpeg" width="316" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">It was several things.</span><p></p><div><span style="font-size: large;">The fact a fabulous ex-editor is opening her own publishing house—Bastet's Quill— and I want to write something for her. </span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">I was (and still am) writing a Regency story about a lady smuggler, set on the Yorkshire coast. I know where the story is going, am half way through and it's like walking through treacle. This is a moment a lot of writers struggle with, and usually I can climb out, go upwards and onwards reasonably easily well after only a few days moaning and groaning)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This time my muse shut up shop and remained stubbornly closed. Went AWOL</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoZvy6r8TXnbcyHrKNXCuNfMSr6HoIbzgJw4Sq4q-iIUBU0J1RiyUtE73lzYTP5_8hl9U9dF8IWj-_PZCxlbWUNCMmDmioGOXE10knbuK2jA2OflJCVzArni1ZjAL8SPv62GWC8o6DhVT8Zu9WvOU3Pnr_SoIPjT3ZzUJqmcQoSUCrSZvz3I1TwkqDMw/s564/gone%20fisihng.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="564" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoZvy6r8TXnbcyHrKNXCuNfMSr6HoIbzgJw4Sq4q-iIUBU0J1RiyUtE73lzYTP5_8hl9U9dF8IWj-_PZCxlbWUNCMmDmioGOXE10knbuK2jA2OflJCVzArni1ZjAL8SPv62GWC8o6DhVT8Zu9WvOU3Pnr_SoIPjT3ZzUJqmcQoSUCrSZvz3I1TwkqDMw/s320/gone%20fisihng.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">I even wrote bits of the story to be slotted in when I got to where they might be needed, but oh could I find the words to get to any of them?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">No!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I thought okay then, time to think of something else.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYg3fHcUmA6fole9vXADUvPW3RCo2mpyQwxQ2uOV3T8RnDeZXfKR-9lIzgv4qm0GNqSuuLonhapUUyxDT7jqcSi825-MhkmW8CtLRjlZtZq92lADbmQRzacp8UvNZi0crhArkDGFHEgr1AYsevhOn-VOfxR0cSpDTt-fQ-OdRlL26jlUv061wrqtPDFSQ/s300/Queation%20makr%20for%20chicks%20on%20a%20wed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="191" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYg3fHcUmA6fole9vXADUvPW3RCo2mpyQwxQ2uOV3T8RnDeZXfKR-9lIzgv4qm0GNqSuuLonhapUUyxDT7jqcSi825-MhkmW8CtLRjlZtZq92lADbmQRzacp8UvNZi0crhArkDGFHEgr1AYsevhOn-VOfxR0cSpDTt-fQ-OdRlL26jlUv061wrqtPDFSQ/s1600/Queation%20makr%20for%20chicks%20on%20a%20wed.jpg" width="191" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Then, by one of those lovely quirks of fate you sometimes get, I overheard a conversation between an adult and a toddler of about three or four years old. It went something like this... </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Child: "Freya says shut eyes go there."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Adult: "Where?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Child: "Where want to. Sneazland." </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">They moved away and I pondered about that. Dreams? Senses? Connections?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It got my muse thinking.</span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">Sneazland? Hmm.</span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I found a picture we took a few years ago on a dream holiday in New Zealand. The Wanaka Tree. Not on this one, but somewhere there's even one with me on the shore line in front of it. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLQuQbkaByb-obOao_dp2_glejOBRlmXKvgnfRDEsZ-dlGmv7UHbv4D_YAaBoXigwfJenGh6v4Yamg-SnTNcm_1IZNy6l_HHGUpV12BKx9EoJSR0o4uSMn5PReWvs5zQWqjPXr7YO2jeWPAtpS-ixIdmxqFvPchr90fgi7qFwbi8CuTtQSDtjgXtT9WA/s698/wanaka%20tree%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="698" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLQuQbkaByb-obOao_dp2_glejOBRlmXKvgnfRDEsZ-dlGmv7UHbv4D_YAaBoXigwfJenGh6v4Yamg-SnTNcm_1IZNy6l_HHGUpV12BKx9EoJSR0o4uSMn5PReWvs5zQWqjPXr7YO2jeWPAtpS-ixIdmxqFvPchr90fgi7qFwbi8CuTtQSDtjgXtT9WA/s320/wanaka%20tree%20.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">My muse perked up even more.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I've used the Wanaka Tree elsewhere in a book. could it appear in another one?</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4VYGFv-rooiAmHwLgIL_IkjgIuncyLFGzpKZfJ_lPqVknEPudio5mGYTRmaDLa6zDMQdugn3N5sXx1rxWQggLlr_AX0MkjGjT8FmeVwrTMHOz7Wr11ArVUjNrL-YHRkqy4VhPDWpjVegnc0B-VvDZaOGtrktPyyIGnt27SLCKzMyoW4dq3mjkZXr6-w/s748/Why%3F%20jpeg%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4VYGFv-rooiAmHwLgIL_IkjgIuncyLFGzpKZfJ_lPqVknEPudio5mGYTRmaDLa6zDMQdugn3N5sXx1rxWQggLlr_AX0MkjGjT8FmeVwrTMHOz7Wr11ArVUjNrL-YHRkqy4VhPDWpjVegnc0B-VvDZaOGtrktPyyIGnt27SLCKzMyoW4dq3mjkZXr6-w/s320/Why%3F%20jpeg%20.jpeg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Why not? The stories aren't even remotely similar. And let's face it there are lots of stories set in the same place by lots of people.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">So I'm writing. And I know the facts will be accurate. Ive been there, seen it, got the photo.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Take Hong Kong... or Barbados, or...well any of the places I've been lucky enough to visit. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I make notes. Copious notes. Take photos. Lots of photos. I am a great fan of notebooks. I've got a shelf of them. Some used with titles like Shaldon (a village in Devon), Pismo Beach (California), and Great Ocean Road (Australia).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Other's are a bit more cryptic.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9MFf7-IU5PXZrv-rjosf6kFySUzbflx4mU9nqBNzMrNuFtE3Rqi7BM1dyiNkXfEXbL-BAoOHHmyGKjPfXo0ZqW8adDCXi2evfuDE7c5-B1ts8S6v4OlIRig4PoFmEuwE1IqJcIud5eA3JT_NWY1YOpVN-8KGXRxB3euSt4Tx9UQ-YfHJVVWw360J9NQ/s320/IMG_2030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9MFf7-IU5PXZrv-rjosf6kFySUzbflx4mU9nqBNzMrNuFtE3Rqi7BM1dyiNkXfEXbL-BAoOHHmyGKjPfXo0ZqW8adDCXi2evfuDE7c5-B1ts8S6v4OlIRig4PoFmEuwE1IqJcIud5eA3JT_NWY1YOpVN-8KGXRxB3euSt4Tx9UQ-YfHJVVWw360J9NQ/s1600/IMG_2030.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Inside I've got info I think might come in handy. As well as a lovely way to remember all the great places I've been fortunate enough to visit.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm also a terrible eavesdropper. Some of the things you overhear make your eyes boggle and your jaw drop. But I store them up and hope tht one day they might come in handy.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">And they are often a good way to get the muse into gear.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">As is asking people to give you say ten words and you write something of 100, or 500 words or whatever with those ten words in it. A mate got best seller after she asked me to give her 10.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">And now, after writing this, my muse is screaming.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">She's in Wanaka. What next?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I better go and find out.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">love</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <i><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>Raven xxx</b></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">(all pictures, copyright Joanne Robinson or Pinterest)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-27709673516423599652024-01-14T09:47:00.005+00:002024-01-14T09:47:46.014+00:00Where it was almost 'Gone Fishing'<p><span style="font-size: large;"> But on reflection and a stern talking to—not quite. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgllBYR8L5xCsPvm4WdSS7984CbIo1gagndClwuar7PvpefzYECVawDTfyC-h-WNSyQDUkkRJ_faMZAylK-i_QXPCWz-jYot-20-yqCcXd6ZsvyqOm-D6fnfBOgRp57VqpWyIhrQvhpBOnDYT0ZJqmV-RF9m9YJDe3ahVRM9hiVdgxTrlGya9wWtAyMP6w/s564/still%20here%20pic.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgllBYR8L5xCsPvm4WdSS7984CbIo1gagndClwuar7PvpefzYECVawDTfyC-h-WNSyQDUkkRJ_faMZAylK-i_QXPCWz-jYot-20-yqCcXd6ZsvyqOm-D6fnfBOgRp57VqpWyIhrQvhpBOnDYT0ZJqmV-RF9m9YJDe3ahVRM9hiVdgxTrlGya9wWtAyMP6w/s320/still%20here%20pic.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(source: pinterest)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">It was a close run thing at times. </span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">I had no idea what to blog about, worried I was boring the pants off the few (thank you) people who read this and did a big nail bite, drank coffee and thought hard.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">My conclusion?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Of course I'd like to be able to produce a witty or thought provoking blog every week—or even just sometimes. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsWOok5XmS-TEDhd-iEs25uXe9DbcIX0CUHC6xCFKN_zOFtUTIehyphenhyphenCctAMRAK541xKS3X4Vz52VPYmhvhNjm6o5jOxbA2n8_FUN6PMTr4xBchD40c3i2xR3ePoJYduY2PXx4KpsPAJdLIff7eL9g30U82OiMgIP2ZLd8nEokdAkGztaiOckdntKALUvE/s300/Queation%20makr%20for%20chicks%20on%20a%20wed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="191" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsWOok5XmS-TEDhd-iEs25uXe9DbcIX0CUHC6xCFKN_zOFtUTIehyphenhyphenCctAMRAK541xKS3X4Vz52VPYmhvhNjm6o5jOxbA2n8_FUN6PMTr4xBchD40c3i2xR3ePoJYduY2PXx4KpsPAJdLIff7eL9g30U82OiMgIP2ZLd8nEokdAkGztaiOckdntKALUvE/s1600/Queation%20makr%20for%20chicks%20on%20a%20wed.jpg" width="191" /></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I'd love to get hundreds of people reading it, commenting on it and looking forward to it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But you don't always get what you want in life. (Hey I'd also like best sellers, and to be able to write lots of words every day, none of which were typos or needed a massive delete session, but I'm not delusional.)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">However, what I do have are some people who read or glance at my blog every week. some who say they like it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">So for them the blog is here. And for anyone else who happens to chance upon it, please give it a chance. It's often about 'stuff'. Makes sense (I think) and is a good read. (I hope)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I'm in the middle of writing a Regency story about a lady smuggler on the East Yorkshire coast, so there's been a lot of visits to places like Hornsea and Bridlington and the surrounding areas. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Visited Bempton RSPB and marvelled at the sheer cliffs and the birds that inhabit them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSbj7f771JNryWVHvVIYdXqBlHyZKC4wmuKcf_k-Zq1wc08uNUGjShONRW8tGDil0yxC-NLFm48GOtdxhX_8-G2Gi6ao8YlgZPOceKTYTek2LZASATs5h7ZnVQLevKU95no99imELwNjbAA0ttYtTrM1Uy8Kw_D8lGVhjlzaxCWjAT1SU3MgmOi3V19g/s846/bempton.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSbj7f771JNryWVHvVIYdXqBlHyZKC4wmuKcf_k-Zq1wc08uNUGjShONRW8tGDil0yxC-NLFm48GOtdxhX_8-G2Gi6ao8YlgZPOceKTYTek2LZASATs5h7ZnVQLevKU95no99imELwNjbAA0ttYtTrM1Uy8Kw_D8lGVhjlzaxCWjAT1SU3MgmOi3V19g/s320/bempton.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">(source pinterest)</div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I've discovered a lot about the lost villages of the coast—many of the cliffs crumble—and realised that it's still happening today. In one village a whole street is in danger of collapsing onto the beach in the next year or so.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lh2LWmkVkbYMw8LMZX4p9EPA1g5hXW7UUgwwGgC9OQRB6MvA-9siAYpNiImbhuN3tG-CTQWGRLMOpeva8sCHRlnlrbRujjEg1EMXismkYmLEMakQ_z4CvDtNIPefdRIKutbSQ_g9fS0ri0x1HVgxBM52JyzC3dNqi52-doAZJ5A1F5nBoA2BM2hZpCM/s3264/IMG_8445.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lh2LWmkVkbYMw8LMZX4p9EPA1g5hXW7UUgwwGgC9OQRB6MvA-9siAYpNiImbhuN3tG-CTQWGRLMOpeva8sCHRlnlrbRujjEg1EMXismkYmLEMakQ_z4CvDtNIPefdRIKutbSQ_g9fS0ri0x1HVgxBM52JyzC3dNqi52-doAZJ5A1F5nBoA2BM2hZpCM/w480-h640/IMG_8445.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">(map on Hornsea sea front)</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">A road I remember driving along twenty or so years ago when we were visiting the area, doesn't exist. Big danger signs are posted on farmland,and if you walk along some of the beaches you can see where more rocks have fallen.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">There's even a caravan or two teetering on an edge.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Scary stuff.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But as I discovered in my research, these Yorkshire people are made of hardy stuff.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">They do and did just get on with life.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">So when my lady smuggler gets accosted by excisemen...</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Well you will just have to wonder...what next!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Happy wondering,</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">love </span><i><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><b>Raven xxx</b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><br /></p></div></div>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-9680377574835526562024-01-07T06:55:00.020+00:002024-01-07T08:49:22.655+00:00Where I wonder where the words have gone<p> <span style="font-size: large;">Half a century and a bit ago (blimey) I had an English teacher who said words are precious, so use them wisely.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzB7UfxNb5sNZFjm835NbQMnlWiCxAhHRHPYg-pzZJRHtBt6mti0aLWSz_QB7haHllqAZMSWFNr94TGui8Q_X3u0_0VhutDB-dxwez5Cz1Be52LLJdC7sDxlGFT5GtEvc51yAfED3lH22vW-Ig6eFym9hWj5wrUb3-7jvlmwO8K-718y4PfPbZ2V3EcI/s300/little%20moments%20jpeg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzB7UfxNb5sNZFjm835NbQMnlWiCxAhHRHPYg-pzZJRHtBt6mti0aLWSz_QB7haHllqAZMSWFNr94TGui8Q_X3u0_0VhutDB-dxwez5Cz1Be52LLJdC7sDxlGFT5GtEvc51yAfED3lH22vW-Ig6eFym9hWj5wrUb3-7jvlmwO8K-718y4PfPbZ2V3EcI/s1600/little%20moments%20jpeg.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">(source: pinterest)</span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Not only can you play with them and sometimes make them up (hogglepodgepot anyone?), they can cheer people up, emphasis actions and explain things. But, they can also hurt. The way they are put together is important. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The teacher added, 'Remember you can use words over and over in whichever way you choose, but <i>how</i> you use them will be in some way, how you as a person are defined.'</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdWwxp8aWIRhAaxLD-kLhl211X_HVPly3M6kyM4Sy7iZKlR0Y7U8xZ3nmHRiF8opvd_3EWRHxfeSDZhxeLnrT73m56u9h-UowQfpsBsXTPBmwGxJra2sZ1LdTKXJ_1aIG00TQRjhkDi0v9GctySmA4LzaSJzWEOlISiDbMBkbhWZ7sAFwdB9Cktzfx00/s564/words%20jpeg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="564" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdWwxp8aWIRhAaxLD-kLhl211X_HVPly3M6kyM4Sy7iZKlR0Y7U8xZ3nmHRiF8opvd_3EWRHxfeSDZhxeLnrT73m56u9h-UowQfpsBsXTPBmwGxJra2sZ1LdTKXJ_1aIG00TQRjhkDi0v9GctySmA4LzaSJzWEOlISiDbMBkbhWZ7sAFwdB9Cktzfx00/s320/words%20jpeg.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">(source: Pinterest.)</span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">At the tender age of elevenish I confess it was all a bit above my head. I loved writing and making stories up, weaving a pattern with words and painting pictures with them, but didn't know that was what I was doing—defining me.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Then I was told my essays were too flowery, too wordy (yes really) and not concise enough. I had to relearn how I used those precious words.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I suppose that was why it took so many years for me to say sod it and start playing with words again.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Now I can't imagine not deciding what words I want to sit next to each other. How a group of them make a sentence, then a paragraph and eventually a story. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It's magic!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Sadly, sometimes it's also hard going.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Lately, those words have been most reluctant to come out and play. They remain stubbornly in my mind, and refuse to be put into words (that sounds daft but I hope you know what I mean.) The latest WIP should be called WNIP (work <i>not</i> in progress) It's been sulking at around 6k.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It was darned frustrating. I knew the story, I even knew how it could end. I just couldn't get it out of my mind and in print.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I could have had a stern few words with those words. A bit complicated but you get the gist. Why was it so difficult?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">After all, I've just written this.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">At first I thought it was because I had so many other things on the go. Then that the story I was attempting was rubbish. Then that I was in a holiday mood (which is crazy as I usually get up early on holiday and write before anyone else is around) Then I thought, 'stop making excuses, you just can't be bothered.'</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tH4KZyTIGjKgu-khBOzUiy4Q_6aWvLz397zwVvibwguDlfUO9mmXLh15TxMi4ygo9o8sXF2-kpvplP9oNkYI2Jys0SfA21FCtWNywk6o6eqb4xvSTZaJ4Wr7fl8elJxVnx-2eheqVB2LW5-kqfdCBbaQ3yoiP9HYi4Fc-OLShgqMVvfBqIxrgWLD0kk/s192/flicking%20book%20pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="192" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tH4KZyTIGjKgu-khBOzUiy4Q_6aWvLz397zwVvibwguDlfUO9mmXLh15TxMi4ygo9o8sXF2-kpvplP9oNkYI2Jys0SfA21FCtWNywk6o6eqb4xvSTZaJ4Wr7fl8elJxVnx-2eheqVB2LW5-kqfdCBbaQ3yoiP9HYi4Fc-OLShgqMVvfBqIxrgWLD0kk/s1600/flicking%20book%20pic.gif" width="192" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">So I left the story alone, flirted with another one, gave up on that as well and read instead. Did some puzzles, crosswords and so on. Drank coffee. Read some more.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1TBvoMBUTSF8UfhoqmsqYbtorY9nyc3XiXwMxRKwbMfPSZlGPBCeZ4fFR17GddM07rug2heDkifZyYVGkuSRbYzBIil7bU48fiuGFl41pSEWSCEeb9QqjRPPSgP8JGEAtfTs4A2N_J29OAdtFqm8aAp4Aanc8pKOoQju4UjMzMaEAgGUq_PBt1x18mM/s192/coffee.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="192" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1TBvoMBUTSF8UfhoqmsqYbtorY9nyc3XiXwMxRKwbMfPSZlGPBCeZ4fFR17GddM07rug2heDkifZyYVGkuSRbYzBIil7bU48fiuGFl41pSEWSCEeb9QqjRPPSgP8JGEAtfTs4A2N_J29OAdtFqm8aAp4Aanc8pKOoQju4UjMzMaEAgGUq_PBt1x18mM/s1600/coffee.gif" width="192" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Decided there was no point in worrying that my words had gone AWOL.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Then suddenly a few days ago, I woke up in the middle of the night with the whole story in my mind. Thought, yeah, yeah, if I remember any of this in the morning it will be a miracle. How many times have I written a book in my mind at night and not remembered any of it?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Too many.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But, I remembered it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">All those lovely words coming together and weaving a picture in words. Not the picture I thought it was going to be, but a fresh one. Hopefully a better one.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And those first few K that stumped me?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I've given them a stern talking to, mixed them up, saved some, let others have a holiday and introduced new ones.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So hopefully as from today, they will behave. Let me use them and give them new companions. Let me add to them, and then several thousand of them later, chose two of them so I can type</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">'the end".</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">If you'e waded though all this, if you read my blogs and or my books, then two more of those words are heartfelt.</span></p><p><i><span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: large;"><b>Thank You.</b></span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">love</span><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b> <i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Raven xxx</span></i></b></span></p>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-58341091941982683212023-12-31T17:33:00.002+00:002023-12-31T17:33:22.348+00:00well you have to, don't you...?<p><span style="font-size: large;"> I am lucky in my inlaws. My sister in law, Susan (called Sue) Midwood and I are partner in crime... or wine.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">That means at New Year we are happy to celebrate with a wee glass or three.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltL8pyWpSkTNiKPWuQfXP3hSNVFguOTA_vGjvSrGyx75nUEonHZwaNoIv6NXzyJjWvkLcNUU5ypng1QKav0Wpj8jsfqeSWLsx_KfLj435HHPaZs77VXeG-cclxn56wbJg0wKLuBZ0VdrKvwXWrYosFKeXHlw0PCDiIYCzcwdcuDu4DVEzWNpl2cZiM_U/s3840/D51E92CD-3148-4393-9557-A9019B518B50.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltL8pyWpSkTNiKPWuQfXP3hSNVFguOTA_vGjvSrGyx75nUEonHZwaNoIv6NXzyJjWvkLcNUU5ypng1QKav0Wpj8jsfqeSWLsx_KfLj435HHPaZs77VXeG-cclxn56wbJg0wKLuBZ0VdrKvwXWrYosFKeXHlw0PCDiIYCzcwdcuDu4DVEzWNpl2cZiM_U/s320/D51E92CD-3148-4393-9557-A9019B518B50.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This year, we are not having fireworks, and knowing us might not even ( shock horror) stay up for the bells. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Though we will celebrate.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">we were both looking at Facebook earlier and realised our memories are of us two, most new years ever since we got onto Facebook. Okay some years we forgot, but in the main it's us. And strangely in the One Eyed Rat in Ripon.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2xITVblSbrQDclhWEUxOWP78Vzg4J6ePUiUypAsDixkhSAPjq9uqr0DWL3XH_RsaU5_KPmxAoTDhS2RTlYB3vUuWXFKXEBueJRraymxzgWg9tjmCnelhzgAKj8EZmRjjEZHQGQCYlFjdjJt18GX8g41cppS-kddJLP3xBT4wsIy1doOqiaVNwSmu4Ck/s3264/IMG_3839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2xITVblSbrQDclhWEUxOWP78Vzg4J6ePUiUypAsDixkhSAPjq9uqr0DWL3XH_RsaU5_KPmxAoTDhS2RTlYB3vUuWXFKXEBueJRraymxzgWg9tjmCnelhzgAKj8EZmRjjEZHQGQCYlFjdjJt18GX8g41cppS-kddJLP3xBT4wsIy1doOqiaVNwSmu4Ck/w400-h300/IMG_3839.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;">somewhere that is cool, cheerful and we love.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I have my lap top... she will nag in the nicst possible way to get me to write and we can smell the lamb cooking for dinner...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Cheers.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIW2O3sNS30jXEoyxLdKCL6LV_OfRJDBZhvV68gVaTGL1-P8sDPNua2FhS0Ytzg5ovhBbLID9jaeAWp6H_9q0dQFmINGbB72io21Vbf7fgZjQHMmT0JcO6ALCsmET26hwz9zRRwNf2P24sSkjVHJQekt5UPZDg5XnCZZhnF4FdmfuCqZIilOdHxPH34w/s2313/IMG_1983.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1437" data-original-width="2313" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIW2O3sNS30jXEoyxLdKCL6LV_OfRJDBZhvV68gVaTGL1-P8sDPNua2FhS0Ytzg5ovhBbLID9jaeAWp6H_9q0dQFmINGbB72io21Vbf7fgZjQHMmT0JcO6ALCsmET26hwz9zRRwNf2P24sSkjVHJQekt5UPZDg5XnCZZhnF4FdmfuCqZIilOdHxPH34w/s320/IMG_1983.heic" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;">Yes we are older (probably not wiser) but are comfortable in each other's company.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">so from us to you all,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">let's hope for a happy and prosperous New Year, where we all hope we get what we wish for.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">love <i><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>Raven xx</b></span></i></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-11430615378101093612023-12-24T07:43:00.002+00:002023-12-24T07:43:00.209+00:00Festive greetings...<p><span style="font-size: large;">Wherever you are and whatever you celebrate (or choose not to) ... I hope you have a good day tomorrow.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Snowy,</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i0KjFcsLrGTJwuWSnrYJrEGSkkNrS1-1N6cC6oWq9ZVz-o-OPYI1uPg861O235GClpfFB6E3244ot5EnuhM52zf49LqAHg5t0uBIWNZ7SRo949wD6VrUdhvIHxOGQoncglJGdlRmqH4r1kb_LELDAvr_65OZk67EttPZtbtH4t0j3VDrAgA_e1vnVj0/s960/snowy%20christmas%20tree%20in%20garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="717" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i0KjFcsLrGTJwuWSnrYJrEGSkkNrS1-1N6cC6oWq9ZVz-o-OPYI1uPg861O235GClpfFB6E3244ot5EnuhM52zf49LqAHg5t0uBIWNZ7SRo949wD6VrUdhvIHxOGQoncglJGdlRmqH4r1kb_LELDAvr_65OZk67EttPZtbtH4t0j3VDrAgA_e1vnVj0/s320/snowy%20christmas%20tree%20in%20garden.jpg" width="239" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;">Sunny,</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6z6upAIsbqH26LALZaPOS2tWnq05D9m2-msc9Av87_8tBLkZ8n1wKklRuy10nEQ4_3r3mlkAA1OvnHQ8WR94EYpps8WkjaZJHvpAEWC6XSm8ZBv-pKZnuyEU50-S5lYc3S5bF_K3WjyqHERm95jikSDS5IHl3AHN7bMS9N6wOR68JqJWhsgoLSApi_q8/s320/IMG_3154.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="239" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6z6upAIsbqH26LALZaPOS2tWnq05D9m2-msc9Av87_8tBLkZ8n1wKklRuy10nEQ4_3r3mlkAA1OvnHQ8WR94EYpps8WkjaZJHvpAEWC6XSm8ZBv-pKZnuyEU50-S5lYc3S5bF_K3WjyqHERm95jikSDS5IHl3AHN7bMS9N6wOR68JqJWhsgoLSApi_q8/s1600/IMG_3154.jpeg" width="239" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;">or anything inbetween...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Take care,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">love <i><b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">Raven xxx</span></b></i></span></p>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-90837010048278579592023-12-17T11:11:00.005+00:002023-12-17T11:21:03.555+00:00Where it was going to be a rant but...<p><span style="font-size: large;">Now, with the passing of time...six days or five nights, I'm more likely to say—with sorrow—</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"OY! Do not diss your customers."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">That's right, you heard me correctly. You might think your customer is a first class A**hole, but one of the first rules of customer service is not to show it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And never <i>ever</i> argue. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigey93xyiXLKlL49eAiGBSLfJ5q01OWozxlIxz7nisQIrE3vxDZwhe8isMl_TPQClNdGQ_pSD9HKBxH3mvrBBzEGMTGxgfGcR20LwMDz86EbIUdnhIXzVr45e3-afsPaKGtdvYN63qe9-CO6Bf1jBfQAKuT-9tBBTqLdPveij8Cnt16BwgisGAEv4yMZ4/s235/argue%20silhouette.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="139" data-original-width="235" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigey93xyiXLKlL49eAiGBSLfJ5q01OWozxlIxz7nisQIrE3vxDZwhe8isMl_TPQClNdGQ_pSD9HKBxH3mvrBBzEGMTGxgfGcR20LwMDz86EbIUdnhIXzVr45e3-afsPaKGtdvYN63qe9-CO6Bf1jBfQAKuT-9tBBTqLdPveij8Cnt16BwgisGAEv4yMZ4/s1600/argue%20silhouette.jpeg" width="235" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Be polite but firm.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Or better still try to sort out the problem.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LgfxGBEtYkwakGea5cHQM5Kon1DRwWDQk_LKrarH06m9ldvAh832aExNewewCjUhy-WwqEME6mnx86DOIyh4g-AMRcWeYqdpkIHx9_qQKiSxtpRnbGu6T_3UJ_YEVEl-B1GyjudZx_yfJSsKAblckbE6lvXWD7vhlVJ7eaSufIFm85kCp_SbRjUNxb4/s563/5b144924ed1f722c514f693f6dd1b312.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="563" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LgfxGBEtYkwakGea5cHQM5Kon1DRwWDQk_LKrarH06m9ldvAh832aExNewewCjUhy-WwqEME6mnx86DOIyh4g-AMRcWeYqdpkIHx9_qQKiSxtpRnbGu6T_3UJ_YEVEl-B1GyjudZx_yfJSsKAblckbE6lvXWD7vhlVJ7eaSufIFm85kCp_SbRjUNxb4/s320/5b144924ed1f722c514f693f6dd1b312.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Then go and scream into a cupboard.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So now maybe you are wondering why I'm rambling about this, on this week's blog.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Are you sitting comfortably??</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Good. Then I'll begin</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Once upon a time—okay, last week—the lovely husband and I were on the receiving end of the restaurant manager from hell's attitude.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It all started out so lovely. A treat for my umpty-second birthday. To a place that had been recommended. Owned by a very prestigious chef, and an award winner.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We arrived and were seated promptly. The person who seated us muttered something about specials as she went away, but nothing else.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">After ten minutes when other people were seated, we wondered if perhaps there was a problem. Had they <i> *</i><i>horror* run out of wine?</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Another ten minutes went by and then almost another. We finally caught the eye of the person who served us to ask what was going on. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We were told out waitron had only come on shift and was waiting for the specials list.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We were waiting for any list, but preferably the wine one.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Which eventually we got.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Our waitress turned up and she was lovely, very apologetic and very helpful with regards my need for no gluten and we duly ordered.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The starters turned up and they were lovely. This boded well we thought!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">How wrong can you be?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrPIN5SJfS2_t5ukbjJggqffKD2VKKAUg41A7DAEtQ34CJBtwO3cspXnqD0LISPFR4vYuyky_-_XIZ2iYOgniAsPmk_UySeV9Ve5bpitATp0x5DGT9ligoP-kCRdwLwAPdMsqpWio9istF7pkkN7t9HC2p5MkukE02cyDbWT89tHKTwiNnSxurvC6glI/s254/fb5e1b063334cacbef287f79ec3a25c4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="235" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrPIN5SJfS2_t5ukbjJggqffKD2VKKAUg41A7DAEtQ34CJBtwO3cspXnqD0LISPFR4vYuyky_-_XIZ2iYOgniAsPmk_UySeV9Ve5bpitATp0x5DGT9ligoP-kCRdwLwAPdMsqpWio9istF7pkkN7t9HC2p5MkukE02cyDbWT89tHKTwiNnSxurvC6glI/s1600/fb5e1b063334cacbef287f79ec3a25c4.jpg" width="235" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Very wrong it seems.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The main courses arrived. I had ordered pheasant, the lovely husband a pork chop.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Okay well they didn't look that appetising, but we started to eat. Then stopped and looked at each other.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Hmm. I love pheasant, its rich colour and flavours. But this was whiter than white sauce, and to be honest, it could have been anything—not even meat. However, I stared at the chop my other half held up to show me.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It was almost the same colour as my 'meat', with a good half inch of white unappetising fat on one side. As for crackling? Forget it. That chop had never seen how to crackle in its life.<br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;">Our waitress was very unhappy on our behalf when she asked us how it was and we told her. She said she'd get the manager.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Who came with an attitude. And bad manners. She told us we were disrespecting the chef!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">That's right. When we asked if the meals were as they were usually served she just said we were disrespecting the chef! And told me angrily she had a fridge full of pheasant and they served many each week.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Good, but that didn't answer my question.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway she stormed off and give her her due comped our meal. But we would have much rather had the meal it sounded like it should have been from the menu and paid three times its price.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Our lovely—and embarrassed waitress—got her tip, and a reassurance none of it was her fault. But it left a nasty taste in my mouth, and no, not from the lack of dinner.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">However the next night we went elsewhere, had a fabulous meal and a complimentary glass of champagne because it was my birthday.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So all's well that ends well, but I still wonder how you can really think that arguing like that with your customers is the right thing to do?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Or is that just me?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, we're home now, praising our second meal to high heaven.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Anyone who is in York, UK Fish and Forest, in Micklegate is very worth the visit!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Their food is fabulous, all their servers great and the atmosphere perfect.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And even better almost everything is naturally gluten free!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7uOJZhmJX0NxigLASOKT50JU5GrnkPV4rDDGqdULcZG4Y6pYMFJHV6Bq5BmNfq_tLZH_-WRqPlVIJVrlKi1CDJOOdeB2U4ZXW-45a-dnruWDOaCo9z9THYRyeDwka9WXoZCnZf3rptDKA9k6kEywHeWgkt9lWUxVCoFC7SFXG52z4vrM9CW3wnq0ztM/s2000/f%20anf%20f%20menu%20%20.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7uOJZhmJX0NxigLASOKT50JU5GrnkPV4rDDGqdULcZG4Y6pYMFJHV6Bq5BmNfq_tLZH_-WRqPlVIJVrlKi1CDJOOdeB2U4ZXW-45a-dnruWDOaCo9z9THYRyeDwka9WXoZCnZf3rptDKA9k6kEywHeWgkt9lWUxVCoFC7SFXG52z4vrM9CW3wnq0ztM/s320/f%20anf%20f%20menu%20%20.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">(that's a sample menu, ours was slightly different, but delicious.)</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Happy eating,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">love </span><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Raven xxx</i> </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">(all pics, Pinterest except the menu which is on Fish and Forest's web site.)</span></p><p><i><br /></i></p></div>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-40368017840964690282023-12-03T05:50:00.005+00:002023-12-03T06:24:04.588+00:00with or without bits...?<p><span style="font-size: large;">That's juice I hasten to add. Orange juice. With or without bits? Concentrated or fresh?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Ice cubes? Ah, not in the Christmas morning fizz and juice, which we indulge in family tradition.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjja4xMMDdEN8HF-ViA-jMQ7EBUaxNwejP9pbOSLaYlZaT3-boRxCOg_2KblvLEqILBc4z8k4IcjMXatLMlHbZdRw2fGlyGB1MTKhKCjKN2qoteUbMYXp_WW4sf3pGhsuQEkM1YQ1-PZ4dvgapQy9WQBaRObfqyEUs3d3QjOAiFlha77qsQi2esq72SAw/s462/oranges.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="462" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjja4xMMDdEN8HF-ViA-jMQ7EBUaxNwejP9pbOSLaYlZaT3-boRxCOg_2KblvLEqILBc4z8k4IcjMXatLMlHbZdRw2fGlyGB1MTKhKCjKN2qoteUbMYXp_WW4sf3pGhsuQEkM1YQ1-PZ4dvgapQy9WQBaRObfqyEUs3d3QjOAiFlha77qsQi2esq72SAw/s320/oranges.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(source, pinterest)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Then we come to apple juice. Cloudy or not?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ljKF-uTOrer-9mGU3bfe0YbJXHXZ8OxzwHEb6FEFKFJNLKXRZj-VHglN1ojzkN-mpM1mIYbK1Lg_xP9rzoX_LXxIxR132vpk54XAGZEREgKcjWUN1wdbZeTrIE3BKMgIrLfWTecXVsRL__0ahDZWGwOIL8tUdK-15ljrT2l45yrW_j4HNylmXZxOl2Y/s313/apple%20juice.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="236" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ljKF-uTOrer-9mGU3bfe0YbJXHXZ8OxzwHEb6FEFKFJNLKXRZj-VHglN1ojzkN-mpM1mIYbK1Lg_xP9rzoX_LXxIxR132vpk54XAGZEREgKcjWUN1wdbZeTrIE3BKMgIrLfWTecXVsRL__0ahDZWGwOIL8tUdK-15ljrT2l45yrW_j4HNylmXZxOl2Y/s1600/apple%20juice.jpeg" width="236" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(Source Pinterst)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And don't get me started on any other juice or liquid. There's enough with water... soda sparkling or still? Slimline tonic or 'fat tonic'? Which make? Bottle or can.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNXxaCyMrvnwTUYwb7atWY-rJPJs5VmvQUQeG8VXO4xOWijqsFJWF6rlGw3jQKX-BGZgQKlxAdLZPbN_nyesG4fhbdFoJj56tsTKEowQwey7eNtF1b27MEnMmHoKTi8iXOINmdGMtopbm_vOBByW6k25UjZO4OEssl48Uma4gwg8XOjn1qq9iPYsQVtU/s354/water%20.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="236" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNXxaCyMrvnwTUYwb7atWY-rJPJs5VmvQUQeG8VXO4xOWijqsFJWF6rlGw3jQKX-BGZgQKlxAdLZPbN_nyesG4fhbdFoJj56tsTKEowQwey7eNtF1b27MEnMmHoKTi8iXOINmdGMtopbm_vOBByW6k25UjZO4OEssl48Uma4gwg8XOjn1qq9iPYsQVtU/s320/water%20.jpeg" width="213" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(Source, Pinterest)</span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Spirits? Whose? What strength?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUA_q-AzENRF_mKu_cAEUb7ssk6lkRN68ZpL-hPDXIEEzYxcFMZWODumaFEgmRb2FsLJy3f3rE_SZGgYVv1KeYVllKyRXbDmuUxaCTDLP1tav05N2QRTVUBCOsvNq6ho8VUMXg8EcEAVbnfAT6RyZdc9fMHi5AHcluFqb1npvvIqs6NKXqF3x9VCbWRA/s526/FF%2014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="526" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUA_q-AzENRF_mKu_cAEUb7ssk6lkRN68ZpL-hPDXIEEzYxcFMZWODumaFEgmRb2FsLJy3f3rE_SZGgYVv1KeYVllKyRXbDmuUxaCTDLP1tav05N2QRTVUBCOsvNq6ho8VUMXg8EcEAVbnfAT6RyZdc9fMHi5AHcluFqb1npvvIqs6NKXqF3x9VCbWRA/s320/FF%2014.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LAeOjpV_KMq2Hp-NXhQqv_1OSdDns3Vspiqbh7D5loxaYx1LbCsQGQ9AmBzhM9pscpotqKZeveHe4ZFhBq_WOtOKSoUWZEpsyAmS-HR1TvQ2P_e5tjZ7uy2ucHdVyHudCtBFhvsTPTaB1eMjg2fiSgi79fvWEc5eYpdQTCQQIyFN8bG-sx7rFFnFEI0/s2048/snowy%20garden%20with%20sun%20dec%2012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1529" data-original-width="2048" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LAeOjpV_KMq2Hp-NXhQqv_1OSdDns3Vspiqbh7D5loxaYx1LbCsQGQ9AmBzhM9pscpotqKZeveHe4ZFhBq_WOtOKSoUWZEpsyAmS-HR1TvQ2P_e5tjZ7uy2ucHdVyHudCtBFhvsTPTaB1eMjg2fiSgi79fvWEc5eYpdQTCQQIyFN8bG-sx7rFFnFEI0/s320/snowy%20garden%20with%20sun%20dec%2012.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ARr9an9b0TD_RONXfqYhbUORzzWWRGsVviQVseg-GEuk3Enlm7B6pQfRZlrAPmLIS8MTt3dgeiGFxz66TpgTuYZ3AovCR7yzF5WZ0BcLHYMCvrx-k2NKQ78xo_4BF3Q0O1zWVppj9rzC3ljezxy3TIMTe2cDgLyQc_iRQLjKoKrYHpT2PMcBc3uJe1c/s960/Slide1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ARr9an9b0TD_RONXfqYhbUORzzWWRGsVviQVseg-GEuk3Enlm7B6pQfRZlrAPmLIS8MTt3dgeiGFxz66TpgTuYZ3AovCR7yzF5WZ0BcLHYMCvrx-k2NKQ78xo_4BF3Q0O1zWVppj9rzC3ljezxy3TIMTe2cDgLyQc_iRQLjKoKrYHpT2PMcBc3uJe1c/s320/Slide1.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Wine is even more of a minefield. Red, whit, rose? Sparking? If so which. Spanish, French, South African...etc etc.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXZqTMkYaxFbqF2jbO22AwJ446rAmoAJmyqj-34VVr0LBKFKhrtnw7xNbKdtiwlx5aTzI7WCmxfPVhbp-cvvzzibabHZTFghCJBWT9yKej6pGojwvDCigvgNTI7UGsiW7YT2XYIEJo52Be675FWvEOL-X9nevCuBOMWMAdRjlGA0YFCaT9VRtgv7NZGM/s846/painted%20wolf%20wines.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXZqTMkYaxFbqF2jbO22AwJ446rAmoAJmyqj-34VVr0LBKFKhrtnw7xNbKdtiwlx5aTzI7WCmxfPVhbp-cvvzzibabHZTFghCJBWT9yKej6pGojwvDCigvgNTI7UGsiW7YT2XYIEJo52Be675FWvEOL-X9nevCuBOMWMAdRjlGA0YFCaT9VRtgv7NZGM/s320/painted%20wolf%20wines.jpeg" width="213" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">It's all a bit of a minefield, especially when family or friends get together. Because of course we all have our favourites.</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglr0T6w3tAUy8_WTVX_-RQwEhBkBx5kyGmqCqR0WQID1MgM62KPmfQIJtrZUzBILh2__BI6mKyXVaiM1pFqhe3Iztj3mOMjTKiU9FNHdejl3K-uOKQMIW2w2U-q6nvTktjtIn7gGTrov0s5Q3T0x6dEd8d2-2XYa1Y-fw7RV5H90eNB7RcZjSDooE4_M0/s155/holly%20wreath.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="155" data-original-width="126" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglr0T6w3tAUy8_WTVX_-RQwEhBkBx5kyGmqCqR0WQID1MgM62KPmfQIJtrZUzBILh2__BI6mKyXVaiM1pFqhe3Iztj3mOMjTKiU9FNHdejl3K-uOKQMIW2w2U-q6nvTktjtIn7gGTrov0s5Q3T0x6dEd8d2-2XYa1Y-fw7RV5H90eNB7RcZjSDooE4_M0/s1600/holly%20wreath.jpg" width="126" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Especially at Christmas.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We all have our favourites. Anyone seeing my shopping trolley would think I was opening a pop up shop</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQ4hDbnT90Md3iu2R_dBURnpqH67trLE1tETj6WxuCN0_uJZ7TyavSzplrspQDTebfonUBOIZWW5tjtjXRLBYeNwG0Swg_qXFSfCrlMyD5hv8_9AXmu5KlPUBh0Xq1zJE3rtpIi6HpLKRUB50gX0V4pQVatVlo3PHz9fahoQTkCoGf9aN6tkjO5sCtyY/s4032/shopping%20lisk%20paper.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQ4hDbnT90Md3iu2R_dBURnpqH67trLE1tETj6WxuCN0_uJZ7TyavSzplrspQDTebfonUBOIZWW5tjtjXRLBYeNwG0Swg_qXFSfCrlMyD5hv8_9AXmu5KlPUBh0Xq1zJE3rtpIi6HpLKRUB50gX0V4pQVatVlo3PHz9fahoQTkCoGf9aN6tkjO5sCtyY/s320/shopping%20lisk%20paper.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8m4PZ07qQdcrjYOQU1wqLWWymeyWHB4EFmUsOeq7tzLnaE5fcT6HAN9Iimb6vqNiQFU_YnYHriBKISXWZ0avjGoKzA2YgQNZQ4bnmeSciGNCu-46OMFappvVUTcXbGeInhF_lgN03yJb8aB4D3GEeLuBP-3LnRx4LRpgK9ME2fsVX2WyLY1XLVVI-qgc/s354/springfield%20life%20from%20stone.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="236" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8m4PZ07qQdcrjYOQU1wqLWWymeyWHB4EFmUsOeq7tzLnaE5fcT6HAN9Iimb6vqNiQFU_YnYHriBKISXWZ0avjGoKzA2YgQNZQ4bnmeSciGNCu-46OMFappvVUTcXbGeInhF_lgN03yJb8aB4D3GEeLuBP-3LnRx4LRpgK9ME2fsVX2WyLY1XLVVI-qgc/s320/springfield%20life%20from%20stone.jpeg" width="213" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">But then over time it all gets finished. The OJ gets finished with breakfast and the fizz. The apple juice ditto.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">Spirits save. Tonic keeps in unopened cans and bottles.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And all is enjoyed. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In moderation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Memories of places we've visited and enjoyed any of the above are chatted about. Photos found and reminisced over.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MAbeDL1irq4hOgtN6LvLGm6S1nDgh3lmIxWbfZZmp2o7pKC6-XhV_rkj-tcY98RyH7R3RQDcTddZndgqzLTeUhXcWbzemWG3IYSktNrMAbmsESjTRtTDf5w4Fj_NJyK2lzoR3V1vTAZPrBZvLbtDwUTitZNNqO42p943sFVqD4gT3PonIJ4Yz_8TrGM/s4032/IMG_1817.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MAbeDL1irq4hOgtN6LvLGm6S1nDgh3lmIxWbfZZmp2o7pKC6-XhV_rkj-tcY98RyH7R3RQDcTddZndgqzLTeUhXcWbzemWG3IYSktNrMAbmsESjTRtTDf5w4Fj_NJyK2lzoR3V1vTAZPrBZvLbtDwUTitZNNqO42p943sFVqD4gT3PonIJ4Yz_8TrGM/s320/IMG_1817.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(Painted Wolf Winery, Simondium Guild between Paarl and Franschhoek, Sth Africa)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-5PTDZpW5SVPFrszO2W588KjpFv4TQ44aLwvE9iZVt3OOFOL1_iFF7LuyKidNYjjeRSckJLztlXoYg2QkNFXmkFfbLzX55YPuUPecaq1eqUm7k8zV-ZGtMyGZ7D6BDvvHBpA89XY_Qptr-zXynLXPOXA0X2NekDcbAoq1jVjAFmnLT3CDQphw3mDfck/s4032/IMG_1748.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-5PTDZpW5SVPFrszO2W588KjpFv4TQ44aLwvE9iZVt3OOFOL1_iFF7LuyKidNYjjeRSckJLztlXoYg2QkNFXmkFfbLzX55YPuUPecaq1eqUm7k8zV-ZGtMyGZ7D6BDvvHBpA89XY_Qptr-zXynLXPOXA0X2NekDcbAoq1jVjAFmnLT3CDQphw3mDfck/s320/IMG_1748.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(Springfield Winery, Robertson Valley Sth Africa)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It's a wonderful time of the year.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Cold shivery UK and memories of days gone by in the sunshine.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile, time to make a shopping list.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Take care everyone, happy reading</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Love </span><i><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><b>Raven xxx</b></span></i></div>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-47869241852938748482023-11-26T06:34:00.003+00:002023-11-26T06:36:28.132+00:00I love the festive season... <p><span style="font-size: large;"> In December...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuoi_mL5BUAJ39UC1_vJx51xxYCyvIwwpN-JnU-gZjq1MNJ2Acq2RBRe-gT4Fc1rntzqkPmFgUxqtF6ScWS_Hkvr4pKQ1hWzDjGmwbX0ainZG0ScyJPkv7v8WoczdLl2Usl1pyHM_Ydo12zCj6U4kDuFOc_v60DZZf6iNGIYWqTCg524n7r14yOFFZfw/s564/hello%20december%20.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuoi_mL5BUAJ39UC1_vJx51xxYCyvIwwpN-JnU-gZjq1MNJ2Acq2RBRe-gT4Fc1rntzqkPmFgUxqtF6ScWS_Hkvr4pKQ1hWzDjGmwbX0ainZG0ScyJPkv7v8WoczdLl2Usl1pyHM_Ydo12zCj6U4kDuFOc_v60DZZf6iNGIYWqTCg524n7r14yOFFZfw/s320/hello%20december%20.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(source: Pinterest)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">(yes I know we're not there yet but...)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When I was a child, many moons ago we never put our tree up until after my birthday. I'm a Sagittarius. So, December started, then it was my birthday <i>then</i> let's get ready for Christmas. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAc5TZq5f8A5b4REc702RKxPGVGRVIrUOhygZvHLRjDRRitp4BexHiUDcHN9iofnKH2W8gcWsUwdDds0rEvB2hBZIV59pt4vZhNx7wOiGsa0LGhcJu1mjjt3Dk1N9Vf_-wgppQbMeVi37VLV5BT9s1B68RzRfP-7DsqWkwUaUBN1FwHhI90BLFxi16rA/s320/Half%20advent%20cal.%20.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="210" data-original-width="320" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAc5TZq5f8A5b4REc702RKxPGVGRVIrUOhygZvHLRjDRRitp4BexHiUDcHN9iofnKH2W8gcWsUwdDds0rEvB2hBZIV59pt4vZhNx7wOiGsa0LGhcJu1mjjt3Dk1N9Vf_-wgppQbMeVi37VLV5BT9s1B68RzRfP-7DsqWkwUaUBN1FwHhI90BLFxi16rA/w400-h263/Half%20advent%20cal.%20.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I loved it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It made the whole month seem magical. Full of love, fun and surprises.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The downside of course was if there was what we called a big present I really yearned for, <i>and</i> my parents could afford it, I got it as a joint present.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Don't get me wrong, I was very happy in that I was lucky enough to be gifted a bike or something, but I had to wait until Christmas day for it. Half of which was my birthday present.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Not easy for a five year old!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">However, I was fortunate. There was always something to open on my actual birthday, and it was far enough away from Christmas day not to always get one joint present. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Does that mean I was mercenary? I don't think so. We're not talking lots of expensive stuff here, just the sheer excitement of ripping off wrapping paper to discover what it was hiding.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">(Let's be honest, I still get that same thrill)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">These days though, the festive season seems to start earlier and go on later.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I put my tree up in December, but before my birthday now. I still have a session of Christmas music playing, present wrapping and a glass of wine as I snip and cut. I still forget someone's present and have to hunt for it in the back of the wardrobe! I srill like the ritual of putting presents out and wondering what Santa will bring.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgdQsAjfK6gKSbvI6dBkb2iqze48sHVUd8Ue0oQTT8usu_MyKp2OAoq39-kVISbvoXeYoWI-ibBV1fwsUjA8N9BVwpr_AGVWYZ6V1n1lVk9xuXM9CvkT9afzGxkME7rk3sPwPAb5DClBMl7ONZdlB_D5JexagmysNFO6nds_r9Z6EMbN4zuj-iobjuvs/s960/Slide1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgdQsAjfK6gKSbvI6dBkb2iqze48sHVUd8Ue0oQTT8usu_MyKp2OAoq39-kVISbvoXeYoWI-ibBV1fwsUjA8N9BVwpr_AGVWYZ6V1n1lVk9xuXM9CvkT9afzGxkME7rk3sPwPAb5DClBMl7ONZdlB_D5JexagmysNFO6nds_r9Z6EMbN4zuj-iobjuvs/s320/Slide1.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, a kid at heart.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But not in November. Call me Ms Bah Humbug, but I enjoy the anticipation of ohhh soon it will be December and I'll be able to start my advent calendar, we can go and choose a tree, put up the decorations ad play Christmas songs until we're sick of them...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">(NB that will be never)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So I'm counting down the days and getting ready...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">how about you?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">love </span><i><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: x-large;"><b>Raven xxx</b></span></i></p>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-64751648292043229872023-11-19T06:11:00.001+00:002023-11-19T06:11:17.754+00:00What a difference some days make...<p><span style="font-size: large;"> Hi all, ( or is it one person and their pet?)</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyZ_I3KIcpvzmlZu7JOsUsFIh896_yvikxECQ0VVDukypp795MawhFVV_4uFqOsHYoPkLl1bBpGCfjQWDyIzXOJHsO9I8B0aJ7FwAUHFotcVziUkp5mxpkm4MP2mTIuyJ3Cc1hdY__f6booDizerCpGvaqcyFf_FFaT-eCjyYHmjvB7CAaEL2oaHtQok/s601/waving%20hand%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="563" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyZ_I3KIcpvzmlZu7JOsUsFIh896_yvikxECQ0VVDukypp795MawhFVV_4uFqOsHYoPkLl1bBpGCfjQWDyIzXOJHsO9I8B0aJ7FwAUHFotcVziUkp5mxpkm4MP2mTIuyJ3Cc1hdY__f6booDizerCpGvaqcyFf_FFaT-eCjyYHmjvB7CAaEL2oaHtQok/s320/waving%20hand%20.jpeg" width="300" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(source pinterest )</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Sorry about last weeks non blog. It wasn't brought to you due to a severe case of brain fog!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Nor were my edits finished, the crumble made or the washing done.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ci2D9s1_X8UXcNLI1BjM30Adbh4rxgNd2su49sWzwscgpQWvmmkXWweaU-KFP2IEIE1OUT6iqC_xbOI-Y8EnalNnEzydkX7NXU615oR2sPuuGUCTf15VoWRuFphqmQ8TkNWfV-vs8Nkj9oj06y6MGql1cQUOxpM4RBvUI33HL6zHw3xIM6BYw_oZwQk/s564/brain%20fog%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="564" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ci2D9s1_X8UXcNLI1BjM30Adbh4rxgNd2su49sWzwscgpQWvmmkXWweaU-KFP2IEIE1OUT6iqC_xbOI-Y8EnalNnEzydkX7NXU615oR2sPuuGUCTf15VoWRuFphqmQ8TkNWfV-vs8Nkj9oj06y6MGql1cQUOxpM4RBvUI33HL6zHw3xIM6BYw_oZwQk/s320/brain%20fog%20.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(pic source: pinterest)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I woke up with a brain that didn't want to work. It was like walking through treacle, trying to fight my way out of a giant cobweb or net curtain.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">urgh.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Luckily it doesn't happen very often and I've learnt to let it have it's way...or is that have its day?</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">So I had a long bath, with a good book, </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHJ9fKT0Ge-kDd33aRPBWZ2vszwTOGnXAodDwdAvVz4yvLw83kdykor0buRMqzi2znGFAM9SgQYdg1S7WFeUpCq_-y8ahbUPQpnaBQXvENbIIScwTy_RcRAsljj-OE2UJjxhyphenhyphenbRLta59Lf-vAUW3qCwvVixvEt-ZRsmSPZX19empO_5dVcTJo7uyPrwU/s192/flicking%20book%20pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="192" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHJ9fKT0Ge-kDd33aRPBWZ2vszwTOGnXAodDwdAvVz4yvLw83kdykor0buRMqzi2znGFAM9SgQYdg1S7WFeUpCq_-y8ahbUPQpnaBQXvENbIIScwTy_RcRAsljj-OE2UJjxhyphenhyphenbRLta59Lf-vAUW3qCwvVixvEt-ZRsmSPZX19empO_5dVcTJo7uyPrwU/s1600/flicking%20book%20pic.gif" width="192" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">took a ready meal out of the freezer and let my brain take a day off.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">By Tuesday it had sulked enough and the edits were finished, checked and sent of to my lovely, long suffering editor, the crumble (apple and blackberry) made and the washing done.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbCargch4dvaMZxhrRAaGW2lUQ1JfF6vGNOI6BVhoD_T86ObL1t_VkXk_gVB9D-sBAlNyfqbBi7eWkq13BG1K_3kuk0a0-6Yd0FdZ_hIW30GFKdcXNBjxZEZWCjU59O2RLznYSMElL2vAAEMrzjp91aHIdo-l5nRv3bYNgpCr8-lVrfubjdmdtah0T-k/s789/crumble%20topping%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbCargch4dvaMZxhrRAaGW2lUQ1JfF6vGNOI6BVhoD_T86ObL1t_VkXk_gVB9D-sBAlNyfqbBi7eWkq13BG1K_3kuk0a0-6Yd0FdZ_hIW30GFKdcXNBjxZEZWCjU59O2RLznYSMElL2vAAEMrzjp91aHIdo-l5nRv3bYNgpCr8-lVrfubjdmdtah0T-k/s320/crumble%20topping%20.jpeg" width="229" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(source pinterest)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">What a difference a few days makes.From doing nothing to being productive.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe it was my brain's way of telling me I needed to slow down and smell the daisies ( or the coffee) Whatever it worked. I took time out. I'd been for some walks, tidied my undies drawer, and read. Now I was ready for action.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">And I thought...</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">what should I write next?</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love writing Regency, I love contemp and rom com.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lots to chose from.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll let you know what I decide, when I do. At the moment I'm playing around with one of each... Which is not the best way to get on. Maybe I should draw lots?</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">What do you think?</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Reading,</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love </span><i><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: x-large;"><b>Raven xxx</b></span></i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ps I better say a big thank you to pinterest. It found my graphics for me this week, big time.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-88310464322032400402023-11-05T06:58:00.001+00:002023-11-05T06:58:11.903+00:00It only takes one word...<p><span style="font-size: large;"> ...one sound or a scent to make you remember.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">To take you back.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What am I rambling on about?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">After a delay Cassie and Raven's 2023 Christmas anthology is now out in eBook as well as paperback, and as I stroked my copy, and I read the blurbs, it made me think.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ts4rk5qnr5j2dBCEeiCdzxS7kwz973UQ0N0sIWOhs2m2gM2vc-TeVUQZWFjJ8ty9XkfvUiYEDNAFESYw2GWOsw4KMPkrD7GobZpU_nvtYWTpwxHbG82M48rp_qaPOX8d9KCqy8cNdS1M-bxR50E2hpLa_k0L97bWhh-6LX5K8hUn-bXHpoftMJuJg5M/s2000/awonderfulchristmastime-poster-4%5B1848%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ts4rk5qnr5j2dBCEeiCdzxS7kwz973UQ0N0sIWOhs2m2gM2vc-TeVUQZWFjJ8ty9XkfvUiYEDNAFESYw2GWOsw4KMPkrD7GobZpU_nvtYWTpwxHbG82M48rp_qaPOX8d9KCqy8cNdS1M-bxR50E2hpLa_k0L97bWhh-6LX5K8hUn-bXHpoftMJuJg5M/w400-h266/awonderfulchristmastime-poster-4%5B1848%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I set my contemporary story, 'Christmas Isn't Cancelled' in Scotland, roughly where I used to live. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">As I wrote about the rain, it was as if I could hear water splashing, the swish of car tyres as they drove through puddles. Smell wet trees and soil, and see the river flowing faster than usual. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Remembered some of the more unusual Christmas Trees I'd seen.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFcg4l2KrKJure80xs7exlx51-2yt8JbV_CXqrPXU8iGdPYprSrewKUwfeSDQNQMHKBNS-IZ5hRZiRZNPXcJmjEOOJb-tvFq1-8W3tHnxyg10QJgcGTzzj2bkjlYPF4J-Le6LDlN9YkfFwY_LyVXHKQatzBmu92nKGWGMb7R28ZVvYfnkzuUw-CSgrRk/s960/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFcg4l2KrKJure80xs7exlx51-2yt8JbV_CXqrPXU8iGdPYprSrewKUwfeSDQNQMHKBNS-IZ5hRZiRZNPXcJmjEOOJb-tvFq1-8W3tHnxyg10QJgcGTzzj2bkjlYPF4J-Le6LDlN9YkfFwY_LyVXHKQatzBmu92nKGWGMb7R28ZVvYfnkzuUw-CSgrRk/s320/Slide1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Daft though it seems, I got a bit choked up as I remembered wet (and also cold and snowy) Christmas's there. I could scent the snow, and remember the warmth of the Aga as we came back indoors after a walk, or making snow angels. The gorgeous aroma of turkey roasting and mince pies cooling on the cake rack. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Darn it now my tummy is rumbling!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My Regency story is set partly in Rutland and partly in Yorkshire, and this was fun to write as they are both places I know, and I could picture the areas—albeit imagining them as I reckoned they might have been two hundred years ago.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So to celebrate the fact A Wonderful Christmastime is now up and running...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Here's the links</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">https://amzn.to/3SsGNsF (UK)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">https://cutt.ly/cwR0OEcM (.com)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">and the blurbs... </span></p><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Four Festive Stories Of Romance And Love</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">The Christmas Stocking</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Christmas approaches, and the servants who work in Duke Street are beside themselves with excitement when they are given a half-day holiday to attend an impromptu Frost Fair being held at the local park. To add to the festive fun, Daisy has knitted herself a pair of brightly coloured stockings, and when an incident on the ice threatens to leave her face as scarlet as the stockings themselves, Jack saves her from falling and spares her blushes. They return home to Duke Street ahead of the other revellers, but when they do, it’s to discover the house is in chaos. Can Daisy and Jack step up to the plate and save Christmas?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Decisions at the Barking Dog</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Lady Isabella Austin has been banished from her home for Christmas. Her mama has been matchmaking on behalf of her elder sister, and Lady Isabella is surplus to requirements. The Duke of Redbourn discovers what’s afoot and makes plans to avoid being trapped in a situation not of his making, knowing his potential bride is as reluctant to marry him as he is her. Can a chance meeting at the Barking Dog Inn change his mind on his determination to never become a bridegroom?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Together For Christmas</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The suburb of Patcham is a happy place. Single mum, Zoe Harper, is preparing for Christmas with her son, Brody. Thousands of miles away, Daniel uncovers the first clue in a trail of deceit that will lead him back to England to uncover the truth. An admission of guilt is what Daniel needs if he’s to stand any chance of finding Zoe and meeting the son he didn’t even know was his.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Christmas Isn’t Cancelled</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Alison Piper has plans to spend a peaceful, quiet Christmas at her holiday cottage in Scotland, until two stranded travellers turn up at her door seeking shelter. A blast from her past, divorcee Ross Thomas, and his five-year-old son, Aiden. Will Santa know where to find this lost little boy? Alison is determined he most definitely will, and if she and Ross can make it a Christmas to remember for Aiden, it might also turn out to be one they will never forget themselves.</span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFN-K5aTDBIuUqRLDYH4QqgcRltyREIlGBTc27-c-orygu0dBc13k7fgP5x1u0bSHg1Ne75BaUqW1cNdv69A6Rdw-Kk2SA6IpG0eI0wLi56UWdiJQYjkKKvy5ObT0CbXrYQqIeJN_kIyc94dK5CJLZRXaqvMkXjXbczc_99HeJ8vEoM3WTre8ntzCphT8/s612/awonderfulchristmastime-socialmediapatch%5B1853%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="612" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFN-K5aTDBIuUqRLDYH4QqgcRltyREIlGBTc27-c-orygu0dBc13k7fgP5x1u0bSHg1Ne75BaUqW1cNdv69A6Rdw-Kk2SA6IpG0eI0wLi56UWdiJQYjkKKvy5ObT0CbXrYQqIeJN_kIyc94dK5CJLZRXaqvMkXjXbczc_99HeJ8vEoM3WTre8ntzCphT8/w640-h640/awonderfulchristmastime-socialmediapatch%5B1853%5D.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> Happy reading,</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">love <i><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>Raven xxx</b></span></i></span></p><p><br /></p>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-14391799423435668832023-10-30T11:09:00.002+00:002023-10-30T11:09:54.672+00:00First of all it was going to be...<p><span style="font-size: large;"> Woot look at this...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JFPq7gAdteZU8ha1caeR4DutbJr6HTFXA9e6zb62xZk2kbNKrRqH_bSENrSnND87ovx0GOuLkvoqowAxW8LSa2bDWgAIpIqBiTCMJgxgb3hHGPsvAbeKBEW9KNBzxl1fRQF2CZUibkbDil27vlLQ7XEZtGPo_iWtzB7p6yoHmP-jAf0sRPFPisRVBCg/s960/Cassie%20and%20Raven%20%20The%20Story%20so%20far.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JFPq7gAdteZU8ha1caeR4DutbJr6HTFXA9e6zb62xZk2kbNKrRqH_bSENrSnND87ovx0GOuLkvoqowAxW8LSa2bDWgAIpIqBiTCMJgxgb3hHGPsvAbeKBEW9KNBzxl1fRQF2CZUibkbDil27vlLQ7XEZtGPo_iWtzB7p6yoHmP-jAf0sRPFPisRVBCg/w400-h225/Cassie%20and%20Raven%20%20The%20Story%20so%20far.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">and then we were going to say...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Soon we can do this...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJHhi47HMqaVe0tUDIWodQSMYBsKT7nf30FrVDjYHrukQCF4_JS95mo-7eS5BL63YQMkP9OJXdOMfaZ6NkRUMUABmL5Khm8aRPJ2woZHdi7kza_okzphRJb71v5RyAE5wIsaGIznOhI8t47BKE-Z5-l5cN8QrJQdipgPcNY4K1h6F92YQW6iZ836p_LA/s2000/cover-reveal-awonderfulchristmastime%5B1849%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="2000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJHhi47HMqaVe0tUDIWodQSMYBsKT7nf30FrVDjYHrukQCF4_JS95mo-7eS5BL63YQMkP9OJXdOMfaZ6NkRUMUABmL5Khm8aRPJ2woZHdi7kza_okzphRJb71v5RyAE5wIsaGIznOhI8t47BKE-Z5-l5cN8QrJQdipgPcNY4K1h6F92YQW6iZ836p_LA/w640-h426/cover-reveal-awonderfulchristmastime%5B1849%5D.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;">But as ever there's a spoke in the works...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">A certain site where you can buy our books decided we could have this Cassie and Raven Christmas anthology out in paperback early.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So our oohh cover reveal is up and running on Amazon...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">and Goodreads</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">so now here it is on here </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWbBEqQGb0Rfwn2b8Af2zenkNpSmy1T5FfivMMW6NnhCI6gqLr59S1KRDaHrt6ORMm0eD3hsEH9_Q-3bl2eHb8w-IiS5Igde70b5TMWcHdV268v-fVg8wziZUz3ETI7MImvdo4Yq3cI6prCzRL7WGBXmNKylC6cafafUylcw2POxVJmsa1_kbJG5ovw4/s2000/awonderfulchristmastime-poster-4%5B1848%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="2000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWbBEqQGb0Rfwn2b8Af2zenkNpSmy1T5FfivMMW6NnhCI6gqLr59S1KRDaHrt6ORMm0eD3hsEH9_Q-3bl2eHb8w-IiS5Igde70b5TMWcHdV268v-fVg8wziZUz3ETI7MImvdo4Yq3cI6prCzRL7WGBXmNKylC6cafafUylcw2POxVJmsa1_kbJG5ovw4/w640-h426/awonderfulchristmastime-poster-4%5B1848%5D.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;">The eBook will follow ASAP.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile if you prefer paperbacks now's your chance to read it before it's out electronically.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">https://amzn.to/40nZShB (UK)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">https://tinyurl.com/mv6ve9nr (.com)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Reading,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">love,</span></p><p><i><b><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">Raven and Cassie xxx</span></b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWZp8VrwUl8K9yKODWnNo-aM4WTK64Ybs0hTC9j5lUWhbcMtlQX7V4mFP0xvjzdkfS0xJ_V8VWLIO1fiJW0KqejWfQO-4j3N1eid8gQ9ogDzan8USBTO_4tdft54JSpd5lmwDD1LCyGS6Y7ynCEZeFfXWvhaEpG2udmCuhFgLMjd30ccmlJjqbVMhQb0/s612/awonderfulchristmastime-socialmediapatch%5B1853%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="612" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWZp8VrwUl8K9yKODWnNo-aM4WTK64Ybs0hTC9j5lUWhbcMtlQX7V4mFP0xvjzdkfS0xJ_V8VWLIO1fiJW0KqejWfQO-4j3N1eid8gQ9ogDzan8USBTO_4tdft54JSpd5lmwDD1LCyGS6Y7ynCEZeFfXWvhaEpG2udmCuhFgLMjd30ccmlJjqbVMhQb0/w400-h400/awonderfulchristmastime-socialmediapatch%5B1853%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-35559111983464112782023-10-24T16:30:00.001+01:002023-10-24T16:30:00.163+01:00It's that time of the year again...<p> <span style="font-size: large;">The one where we start wondering where we put the wrapping paper we bought in the January sales, where all the excess Chriatmas cards are...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_1vFUgVKj7AtNnrpRrn2AazboRyrJ-8A8UIw-ovR_QTP66gRBHK17ASR9CI-A_8jjxoljp8SGqyjE6Gjkt4Q16NkpJ79aE-As9u_bm2mLEAx9_zrk2sEaccLPMoi_TuwXqndf-rcnXiv9r8wQR9T-tlbjkZiuCcqGbtuOb1NzT9GI3ajWtGKOd_X0XU/s564/thinking%20pose.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_1vFUgVKj7AtNnrpRrn2AazboRyrJ-8A8UIw-ovR_QTP66gRBHK17ASR9CI-A_8jjxoljp8SGqyjE6Gjkt4Q16NkpJ79aE-As9u_bm2mLEAx9_zrk2sEaccLPMoi_TuwXqndf-rcnXiv9r8wQR9T-tlbjkZiuCcqGbtuOb1NzT9GI3ajWtGKOd_X0XU/s320/thinking%20pose.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(Istock via pinterest)</span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">and</span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Eagerly await all the Christmas stories due out—or already out.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZdsKEhCdDF4po6oZe27Nc3Eqf8XfxPICnBL2dyIg0-10SwBvQ6eGTiTppMnAc346fWlSkCT_06NOTvwztmTBINNwtEIzRi5vqx-ZF0HtRVq3sTC18ICnuKB5Gb0MeVHRc_8BvgfTlTEku9cI8ZGHdKMyMiaxIrDf9vq2Qa4dhPJ00aZSwe3dY-Ll-I0/s155/holly%20wreath.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="155" data-original-width="126" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZdsKEhCdDF4po6oZe27Nc3Eqf8XfxPICnBL2dyIg0-10SwBvQ6eGTiTppMnAc346fWlSkCT_06NOTvwztmTBINNwtEIzRi5vqx-ZF0HtRVq3sTC18ICnuKB5Gb0MeVHRc_8BvgfTlTEku9cI8ZGHdKMyMiaxIrDf9vq2Qa4dhPJ00aZSwe3dY-Ll-I0/s1600/holly%20wreath.jpg" width="126" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> (couldn't find a non specific Christmas book thingy...)</span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Over the last three years the lovely Cassie O'brien and I have brought out three Christmas books—so far.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillIqr9ssKtyxxEb51LgZY5Sgvakn-Cs3nq5xIpyq10-Uhi4FTA550jCCajpcSfooB2RphjPeGRtvxmsXkrXdiBDXfh5rmE6F5X8cZfY9UonbqYVzt7lTGvtwqlPQSWRRlYdXYP3YyYTXWze7416_ERcprf-M9PzHpIHVmAGkyxn_wNi4AZ_OPW9qqNFI/s1500/once%20upon%20a%20christmastime.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="936" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillIqr9ssKtyxxEb51LgZY5Sgvakn-Cs3nq5xIpyq10-Uhi4FTA550jCCajpcSfooB2RphjPeGRtvxmsXkrXdiBDXfh5rmE6F5X8cZfY9UonbqYVzt7lTGvtwqlPQSWRRlYdXYP3YyYTXWze7416_ERcprf-M9PzHpIHVmAGkyxn_wNi4AZ_OPW9qqNFI/w250-h400/once%20upon%20a%20christmastime.jpg" width="250" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbgw3Nge1-GhDH71IxCMAL0hNwS1QwsE_QR-Z5FwYf-2e7JGAkYkfq8O8rhzOFmXEVGEo9NoHmrk_qi5KDW8zySF7fbBrM9_XMUEpKejd_rDNgKG7C1P96QkQOfXM1VBJAnn36trlXcAeB5ibpOSnjejHyDuo_57rZDdwsLQC7sXp8nnm3F387u-5v1k/s1500/It's%20Christmastime%20once%20more.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="936" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbgw3Nge1-GhDH71IxCMAL0hNwS1QwsE_QR-Z5FwYf-2e7JGAkYkfq8O8rhzOFmXEVGEo9NoHmrk_qi5KDW8zySF7fbBrM9_XMUEpKejd_rDNgKG7C1P96QkQOfXM1VBJAnn36trlXcAeB5ibpOSnjejHyDuo_57rZDdwsLQC7sXp8nnm3F387u-5v1k/s320/It's%20Christmastime%20once%20more.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzK-3U-dCDegFqgrNpe0fhIGZOWUV12UPo6CE4VLLzI5f1Ksl7j5RIMb5XTL1i3OthsjQGbooByl3ulmDpd1nilrWahexmO2Xl0ezRW3Nw61P0X73VrI9VYR5AG-vSr3gL_n92mQ-SReMzCw7J7ScnVI_Oity5BMG4FuxBOStv9pu75B7e4sl4JCuu4Y/s1500/Christmastime%20is%20here.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="940" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzK-3U-dCDegFqgrNpe0fhIGZOWUV12UPo6CE4VLLzI5f1Ksl7j5RIMb5XTL1i3OthsjQGbooByl3ulmDpd1nilrWahexmO2Xl0ezRW3Nw61P0X73VrI9VYR5AG-vSr3gL_n92mQ-SReMzCw7J7ScnVI_Oity5BMG4FuxBOStv9pu75B7e4sl4JCuu4Y/s320/Christmastime%20is%20here.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">You can find them all in ebook and paperback on Amazon</span><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>https://amzn.to/405tb8B</span><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORpuvcDnU2BwLXq_ME1dx5fszVw49jJvEn1PJ3HLsTvn6-GVzk4kXSnF4cyRb3gn00Jkv5Btm2-Z_0F0DoLEjGi3tYxoEsal6nCeDkhkfk9LfqZq1_yUBUXa6Us4SlZEGnkgrm_JarxhLBUtwsrgA21Kc7bxpu1OHVMhDfWNhAwojGm8NeyXgsuH6tiI/s960/Cassie%20and%20Raven%20%20The%20Story%20so%20far.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORpuvcDnU2BwLXq_ME1dx5fszVw49jJvEn1PJ3HLsTvn6-GVzk4kXSnF4cyRb3gn00Jkv5Btm2-Z_0F0DoLEjGi3tYxoEsal6nCeDkhkfk9LfqZq1_yUBUXa6Us4SlZEGnkgrm_JarxhLBUtwsrgA21Kc7bxpu1OHVMhDfWNhAwojGm8NeyXgsuH6tiI/w640-h360/Cassie%20and%20Raven%20%20The%20Story%20so%20far.jpg" width="640" /></a>Now it's time for us to say</span><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">What's next...?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">and then say...</span><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Watch this space...</span></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEAA-3dLSF-ji9Lr7-Dp5Ea6JrNuXZnbePtxM_cteqh__g6JEhKN53IDyNcVb3XNL-8W4iDenNV_SLSSnIahjXnJOf6EPDPWDL8OVR6tj5IxjVnAtJFHflIYO2K2FuCE0Q7gn3aiAzuJgtjCvTSQorxkfTOWsXFKjBrWBpkyWpmAXMXCtarhm2E4-jWM/s564/question%20mark%202.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEAA-3dLSF-ji9Lr7-Dp5Ea6JrNuXZnbePtxM_cteqh__g6JEhKN53IDyNcVb3XNL-8W4iDenNV_SLSSnIahjXnJOf6EPDPWDL8OVR6tj5IxjVnAtJFHflIYO2K2FuCE0Q7gn3aiAzuJgtjCvTSQorxkfTOWsXFKjBrWBpkyWpmAXMXCtarhm2E4-jWM/s320/question%20mark%202.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-79234782676123756172023-10-22T07:59:00.002+01:002023-10-22T07:59:40.158+01:00On rediscovering somewhere<p><span style="font-size: large;"> Not a very inspiring title is it?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Sorry. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Blame lack of sleep... The rain.. That it's almost November...The...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Okay, I blame me. The culprit. I just couldn't come up with anything better.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Sorry...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">(I was trying to find a suitable icon or something here, but nothing grabbed me...in any way)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">However, I digress (I love that word no idea why)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I've spent this last week in Rutland, in the English Midlands. The smallest county, in England, with the largest reservoir, Rutland Water. That's the church they had to raise to save it when the valley was flooded. Normanton.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2O1kajuB3jk8q6fmrRRvsSWzu6lPg6PxeY96Cttk9fWfHFzyrVwLbCmQhrq9_AtvThUPFe2okD9vmZQ7NuUU8qkIt71DRMish3V6ppHZy02l_azBsjAGauG-jDbUNMCGG4xOK2NXOx2IwxbWF4VHKRO55_c9QMBsD16v6iWMUxZuiL9JeEuZVda-TOk/s2383/normanton%20church%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1787" data-original-width="2383" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2O1kajuB3jk8q6fmrRRvsSWzu6lPg6PxeY96Cttk9fWfHFzyrVwLbCmQhrq9_AtvThUPFe2okD9vmZQ7NuUU8qkIt71DRMish3V6ppHZy02l_azBsjAGauG-jDbUNMCGG4xOK2NXOx2IwxbWF4VHKRO55_c9QMBsD16v6iWMUxZuiL9JeEuZVda-TOk/w400-h300/normanton%20church%20.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It also has<i> </i>the longest brick built viaduct in the UK. Harringworth Viaduct. You can just see some of it in the background of the picture.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBgJkGA7dp02_nqbLkNiKK8a_jnSrr_bYt4aunu9WNyyT6VFwDRhd6tmJlIp6rP6p0dREcFf9Tk8wwnSk_5RUMBbLPNjgbNi5Sh8jyP-ZbAqnvTIlBpETiuVi8a8G4CQog-2ABKip0DLaJI2YFzGOUyPa215Q9DR049J9qKpv1RupAgnBCfK_i793n4s/s752/rutland%20sign%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBgJkGA7dp02_nqbLkNiKK8a_jnSrr_bYt4aunu9WNyyT6VFwDRhd6tmJlIp6rP6p0dREcFf9Tk8wwnSk_5RUMBbLPNjgbNi5Sh8jyP-ZbAqnvTIlBpETiuVi8a8G4CQog-2ABKip0DLaJI2YFzGOUyPa215Q9DR049J9qKpv1RupAgnBCfK_i793n4s/s320/rutland%20sign%20.jpeg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(source pinterest)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I went with a friend, just us two, no partners and lots of books. Which ws just as well when we got hit with the storm.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOosNo1pOUV1emSyok4RRYhTq1pzZFbf69PLRCmJmjCPCl0Ja3tFKep3_9-aRATUAFlhyphenhyphencP9TYk6oxXfD-2uINJ-i24ZG5L6u9G489mxLYefCDjZLGsVsp20-WxZx2Sy8T2EoKYvRkPrmfhKa31-r2-fDqp2fsO4FIL5hFEZYlPC9a-ULvfpm4elBs-qA/s3760/rain%20in%20rutland%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1903" data-original-width="3760" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOosNo1pOUV1emSyok4RRYhTq1pzZFbf69PLRCmJmjCPCl0Ja3tFKep3_9-aRATUAFlhyphenhyphencP9TYk6oxXfD-2uINJ-i24ZG5L6u9G489mxLYefCDjZLGsVsp20-WxZx2Sy8T2EoKYvRkPrmfhKa31-r2-fDqp2fsO4FIL5hFEZYlPC9a-ULvfpm4elBs-qA/w640-h325/rain%20in%20rutland%20.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">But before that we visited all over the county—and to bits outwith it. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">It took me back several decades. To places I visited to visit as a child, and then revisited twenty years later with my husband.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">And things I've never seen before</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhla4dt4BYJig8ABZaVhMaJk27K3rBX8j6veYOVYQsEzObvciOdBWL0ZLjnlXoSC57ewldturnaFPMzY6WZpZdFL31IcIX8-SQOAOZB8L0bGLS1jhQK3tD2DVLjZE5krmycYwTkP5gjZnFE0Gr05IQT5iweUdOPnMrPYDCnSN6yjY4dPAfuh5uCv2KsLf0/s3840/rutland%20water%20monument%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhla4dt4BYJig8ABZaVhMaJk27K3rBX8j6veYOVYQsEzObvciOdBWL0ZLjnlXoSC57ewldturnaFPMzY6WZpZdFL31IcIX8-SQOAOZB8L0bGLS1jhQK3tD2DVLjZE5krmycYwTkP5gjZnFE0Gr05IQT5iweUdOPnMrPYDCnSN6yjY4dPAfuh5uCv2KsLf0/s320/rutland%20water%20monument%20.jpeg" width="180" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(monument at Rutland Water)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-size: large;">And oh boy did the memories flood back. Where I'd paddled, where I'd fallen off a horse and sprained my ankle. Where my dad and I used to cycle to, go for a walk and watch the birds flying around. (And hide our jam sandwiches from them)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Stately homes and thatched cottages. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Chocolate box charm and industrial terraces.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Such a lot to see. And rediscover.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">It gave me ideas. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cBf5rwZ_55qbLT6f9NdtPeEIElfsaUi_yjlOAdLPTeWIwKn2tXPP_ln0LfqTppk2SwGybwgK35YDxG9BQgx8ToGDrxjtilOg4Mk92hKvN7AW9ut8wN2hJcXqfYQZPGYannsFSv32b-YcDltJ0LQv5Jvf5p4inapeXGbGOdYei4QUbw-N3KKABRyPsFo/s300/Queation%20makr%20for%20chicks%20on%20a%20wed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="191" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cBf5rwZ_55qbLT6f9NdtPeEIElfsaUi_yjlOAdLPTeWIwKn2tXPP_ln0LfqTppk2SwGybwgK35YDxG9BQgx8ToGDrxjtilOg4Mk92hKvN7AW9ut8wN2hJcXqfYQZPGYannsFSv32b-YcDltJ0LQv5Jvf5p4inapeXGbGOdYei4QUbw-N3KKABRyPsFo/s1600/Queation%20makr%20for%20chicks%20on%20a%20wed.jpg" width="191" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Best off all, I spent a week with a friend and chilled.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now some of those ideas and memories are about to help with my next book.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wonder if anyone can guess what it's about?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Reading,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">love <i><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>Raven xxx</b></span></i></span></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-54484639439095887162023-10-17T08:26:00.001+01:002023-10-17T08:26:37.549+01:00Covers, and clever cover artists. Plus, catch ups, choclate biscuits and clever clogs who are 'always' correct'<p> <span style="font-size: large;">Or some such thing...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I admit this blog is late because I am <i>not</i> a clever clogs, anything but. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Why do you (or do you not) ask?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Well, it's like this.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Last Sunday I was away with a mate. girls only, no husbands lets put the world to right few (ie each chocolate biscuits and grumble) days. So I sorted out a blog—or so I thought—scheduled it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">You've got it...I didn't.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So here we are</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This was the beginning of the blog. Which now as it is late very very late...I've amended.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Over the years I've been lucky enough to have been published, I've been very fortunate to have been given some amazing covers. Every cover artist has gone the extra mile to try and make sure the cover is suitable for the story. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Not easy when I do tend at times to only give a vague description of how my characters look. After being told once, very firmly, that the man on the cover looked nothing like a reader envisaged him from my description in the book, I tend to stick to things like basic physique (ie NO man boobs) hair colour, curvy etc etc. Nothing too definite (apart from the lack of man boobs) </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This cover by Emmy Ellis is one of those covers where all I said was a red distinctive dress, not of the norm, and she came up with this! Absolutely perfect. Emmy had created me ( and others) some brilliant covers over the years.)</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8UUnapxsRP1MbFobTK1Sdl-lDkr0YvSRCCQzw_58TASjbe5Wh0cxHzFgIrCle8S_XEkLemOwALqC3OJGs4yhRKWM4gkGYR1w_795ZAyDeEk9VW03WjhvbD4UpWvWnDq30sApxGpif7zLYgxqEr9kdygy7FK2fMeoNSCSGAEENw3ObSsn3FgHUZt-Xds/s288/theearlandthecourtesan_9781786862075_xlrg-180x288.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8UUnapxsRP1MbFobTK1Sdl-lDkr0YvSRCCQzw_58TASjbe5Wh0cxHzFgIrCle8S_XEkLemOwALqC3OJGs4yhRKWM4gkGYR1w_795ZAyDeEk9VW03WjhvbD4UpWvWnDq30sApxGpif7zLYgxqEr9kdygy7FK2fMeoNSCSGAEENw3ObSsn3FgHUZt-Xds/w250-h400/theearlandthecourtesan_9781786862075_xlrg-180x288.png" width="250" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.totallybound.com/book/the-earl-and-the-courtesan-print (and Ebook)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Apart from my Totally Bound covers, Emmy has also created the covers for and edited the Christmas anthologies Cassie O'Brien and I bring out each year. Look out for the next one, A Wonderful Christmastime, very soon. I haven't got that cover yet of course but...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My first cover artist was also fabulous. Victoria Miller created most of the covers for the books I wrote for the now sadly defunct and much missed Breathless Press</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">As the books are mainly out of print (though some <i>have </i>now been rereleased elsewhere) I can't show you them easily but I thought Victoria wouldn't mind if I showed you one of them...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-G83cAgavQRKe3XzZZTV512PvmsFQy6znosFMs4_-xt5jjJA-aw8gGoGqqKJeaywZ1Az2kT0o0wysLtuQHLEQTRPey2rvvCJJTYIB_qqC-FY8yuf1o2-ZX5ofFbANqmh2PlYWdooqV6l3bsRKjtSDQYk-aqi406eSM8HaXgbZNTDZqyF0ZhNIS87LyB8/s210/arosebetweenthethornes%20140x210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="210" data-original-width="140" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-G83cAgavQRKe3XzZZTV512PvmsFQy6znosFMs4_-xt5jjJA-aw8gGoGqqKJeaywZ1Az2kT0o0wysLtuQHLEQTRPey2rvvCJJTYIB_qqC-FY8yuf1o2-ZX5ofFbANqmh2PlYWdooqV6l3bsRKjtSDQYk-aqi406eSM8HaXgbZNTDZqyF0ZhNIS87LyB8/w267-h400/arosebetweenthethornes%20140x210.jpg" width="267" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">We both loved this cover because it was at the time very different from the normal Regency cover.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Then there's Jay Aheer who did most of my Evernight Publishing covers and like Victoria and Emmy always managed to work out exactly what's needed</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKaZioRCsplGYMvVkx9vAXOdGiypEMZ92efzCTDZwehBwoaWY3zZnkIA8CDJb9zQwhN4QYPrESaKKa24vJpOSm56L5Kdtp2tGZ0aRm7V3EZPcpVm0e7kD0k8q-x2F1t-mwztnJF3ZoyqgoGva8ih5PrgWVPZPoTmk-lLE_53AjOSFxJ6L4cSS3QtLW6k/s2400/Kera-faire-eBook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKaZioRCsplGYMvVkx9vAXOdGiypEMZ92efzCTDZwehBwoaWY3zZnkIA8CDJb9zQwhN4QYPrESaKKa24vJpOSm56L5Kdtp2tGZ0aRm7V3EZPcpVm0e7kD0k8q-x2F1t-mwztnJF3ZoyqgoGva8ih5PrgWVPZPoTmk-lLE_53AjOSFxJ6L4cSS3QtLW6k/w250-h400/Kera-faire-eBook.jpg" width="250" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;">This is a Dark Isle book written by me as Kera Faire and she's captured the mystique perfectly.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Amy Coveney did the covers for the Katy Lilley, Devon trilogy that is not available at the moment—until I work out how to put them on Amazon myself (I'm not the most tech savvy person in the world) I need to learn, not only because I'd like more people to be able to read them, but also becasue the covers are amazing and yes capture the spirit of the books.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-gL-PK2QMoBaIiadOR4b91ZjBJzgH_WNP2v0Rm35neIAFwIcC0HTC8O4kVqd9wC1m2Hx8vKHARB4FUCXqh5xG1nS8egsqCq6VfM5gFLg8H86lxCIeNPJ3r8rNffO-wnI3TxDwZy3paAeCa8cxfRWYMsSlwTnCz63WLrdg9HoV6rx8hBy4p6kfQ6ETIg/s640/FINAL%20KINDLE%20COVERnewbeginningsforbryonybennett.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-gL-PK2QMoBaIiadOR4b91ZjBJzgH_WNP2v0Rm35neIAFwIcC0HTC8O4kVqd9wC1m2Hx8vKHARB4FUCXqh5xG1nS8egsqCq6VfM5gFLg8H86lxCIeNPJ3r8rNffO-wnI3TxDwZy3paAeCa8cxfRWYMsSlwTnCz63WLrdg9HoV6rx8hBy4p6kfQ6ETIg/w250-h400/FINAL%20KINDLE%20COVERnewbeginningsforbryonybennett.jpeg" width="250" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">There has been more artists of course. Kelly Martin for the covers for The Romansa Castle series</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLW_cZNt19-cc-SCDtmSWB-FdJ4s9UIrP9eG8YrHKuCIAN7aRJ188opR9Chv82P3NdkpGsiKV45dS5R6bAp8ye43dUoKnrziYilfZeotpAZAG-6GjCUNsG0JpkRn2GKzthiNsKT2-SoHvZp7p2qTOSO2Pa_vC_NVRx967WCRc9nx2l3RItB6mmdDh7i7c/s720/TheCatchUp.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLW_cZNt19-cc-SCDtmSWB-FdJ4s9UIrP9eG8YrHKuCIAN7aRJ188opR9Chv82P3NdkpGsiKV45dS5R6bAp8ye43dUoKnrziYilfZeotpAZAG-6GjCUNsG0JpkRn2GKzthiNsKT2-SoHvZp7p2qTOSO2Pa_vC_NVRx967WCRc9nx2l3RItB6mmdDh7i7c/s320/TheCatchUp.gif" width="200" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Erin Dameron-Hill for the Scots and the Sassenachs</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBfHuHgLeLL_mYKzILyeZdXLEwjKtFqtKf7NiCFLSjKUZzwpOVDB5X_LtH5KnOIo2naYygCtMOkrCmGsOAR4RwiYzwhoZ9YPkKH2IMOXVIIDU3WncpJ2ZW_h9yggPFGV56RY_rNaSt-_rnbfmk9_1vOlK2O_LsLvi7WTANpe_uBvlkH3ZEJFj2I_ssC8/s2400/978-1-83943-603-1_TheBaronsSavingGrace_1500x2400.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBfHuHgLeLL_mYKzILyeZdXLEwjKtFqtKf7NiCFLSjKUZzwpOVDB5X_LtH5KnOIo2naYygCtMOkrCmGsOAR4RwiYzwhoZ9YPkKH2IMOXVIIDU3WncpJ2ZW_h9yggPFGV56RY_rNaSt-_rnbfmk9_1vOlK2O_LsLvi7WTANpe_uBvlkH3ZEJFj2I_ssC8/s320/978-1-83943-603-1_TheBaronsSavingGrace_1500x2400.jpeg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">I could go one and on, but I'd be sure to miss someone so i'll just say that cover artists are as essential os editors. In different ways of course, but just as bad editing can put a reader off so can an indifferent or irrelevant cover.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">So than you cover artists. Like I said the other week, my books would be nowhere as appealing without then and editors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I must add as well, for me, publishers. I've still to dip my toes in alone as a self publisher writer. Thanks to Cassie sorting out joint books out, I've not needed to but I must try...</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">(All my books that are still published you can find on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B00694RHJI</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">and publishers websites)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Oh and in case you wonder where the always correct Clever Clogs bit comes in...</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">ask anyone about my bugbear...Whisky and whiskey</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Scotch had no E </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNNx-zx8kCShydVvBQDc6Cr9uL2U_-CRFrcSe_8z1rw8uY1wuVqAOIYsF9gMTv9y2tKmA_MDPLELM0KxTPHUaIeYvNZgY9gNlhzdH-JtKERsBgspria142PNdcOzcQKBMOBkxcP0TDZ2VLgRTl5dG0kQ8fvqJ6z32zEh6Npg7iKLpb6ondUp9HkJ6xIg/s752/the%20macallan.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNNx-zx8kCShydVvBQDc6Cr9uL2U_-CRFrcSe_8z1rw8uY1wuVqAOIYsF9gMTv9y2tKmA_MDPLELM0KxTPHUaIeYvNZgY9gNlhzdH-JtKERsBgspria142PNdcOzcQKBMOBkxcP0TDZ2VLgRTl5dG0kQ8fvqJ6z32zEh6Npg7iKLpb6ondUp9HkJ6xIg/s320/the%20macallan.jpeg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">(courtesy of Pinterest, our bottle is mainly empty)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">and on that note,</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Reading,</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">love </span><i><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: x-large;"><b>Raven xxx</b></span></i><br /><p><br /></p></div>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-38715164091980795072023-10-01T15:45:00.005+01:002023-10-01T15:45:53.733+01:00Not Food for the mouth but...<p><span style="font-size: large;"> Food for thought...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This was going to be once more a post about amazing gluten free fish and chips. This time from Deep Blue in Brandesburton, East Yorkshire. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvT3OSU_tUa2hAjCSIfjWc2W00dAWEnUofSltawDr6hGfkxnDvZb9wnQKDW0TjFVYwbVtq-g6jtWRIMIfiH2dYP4Y5YGGmcQ6EWM23zi0zHEFJZIKCa8QKoYSRZ_mjH5FaOVr-tdpQbBv-Gh6PNymubBZYvCShcY_q5DcqMtZnjdJHZ-oYQNxXMTwoTw/s419/Fish%20n%20chips.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="236" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvT3OSU_tUa2hAjCSIfjWc2W00dAWEnUofSltawDr6hGfkxnDvZb9wnQKDW0TjFVYwbVtq-g6jtWRIMIfiH2dYP4Y5YGGmcQ6EWM23zi0zHEFJZIKCa8QKoYSRZ_mjH5FaOVr-tdpQbBv-Gh6PNymubBZYvCShcY_q5DcqMtZnjdJHZ-oYQNxXMTwoTw/s320/Fish%20n%20chips.jpeg" width="180" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(source, pinterest.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> ~I ate mine~</span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Best I've ever had, and that includes those from the fish and chip shop voted best in Britain. (Sorry to them)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But then I noticed one of my old (not in age) editors celebrating how many years she'd been doing the job and it brought me up short.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> How often does anyone who is not an author realise just how important those people are?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Our editors are our extra eyes and ears. They are an extension of how our minds work. They can see what we mean and more importantly what we do not mean. Save our sanity, (or story)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I might not speak for everyone, but I wouldn't feel happy putting a book out without it being edited. Properly edited. I'm not bad at grammar, but not always au fait on what's needed. And when I've written something, and I read it over, I 'read' what I know should be there and not necessarily is.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">That's when my editors come in.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kD31prJu4HyvZpzwy_aelsDnwdn4ueKlsi8w43zG0msywBGIyrI7qOKNhhSMZb-NtLunMZ_bf62zwtx65SplyEZO0TjMnU3gaJcC4YE-QYrPeTEnhAIwo1UFjSDt2ZVSOxCS1CHz7UZUfPJsU_KII-E0p-OyXCDz67hP_soxU2ysAqIVkFEwLuChRc0/s846/re%20editing.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kD31prJu4HyvZpzwy_aelsDnwdn4ueKlsi8w43zG0msywBGIyrI7qOKNhhSMZb-NtLunMZ_bf62zwtx65SplyEZO0TjMnU3gaJcC4YE-QYrPeTEnhAIwo1UFjSDt2ZVSOxCS1CHz7UZUfPJsU_KII-E0p-OyXCDz67hP_soxU2ysAqIVkFEwLuChRc0/s320/re%20editing.jpeg" width="213" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(source pinterest)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, in general, I've been incredibly lucky with each and every editor I've had. There's only been one who I didn't get on with. The one who told me if I wanted E in Scottish whisky it would be seen as a typo. Anyone whose read any of my blogs know why that is a big no no for Scotch. She then told me if I insisted to use the UK spelling (er what???) then I shouldn't write for a non-UK publisher!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">(rant over)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Luckily My publisher didn't agree.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">And I changed editors. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of course, over the years there has been quite a few and I'm not going to name names. In case I miss anyone.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">But to each and every person, whose name is in in one of my books, as 'editor', thank you.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">You are one of the reasons I keep on writing.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XELjqBZDQNVmhEu3BMYYO9kCNZ_8Xeq7qfzIU37TZ7zOKBNNsf8G-AkhyphenhyphennYCTmbjN5AiSBIiUp8uj13t-WD1yWkwHH9H6in9H03xbiXv0H2fCR-Ira47Uxym2YJJjekNPhnVtUQ8luYE2J6dvpbgdmN1h3MoSlAZ9CFDlwgo6AhZXbY0Nug5liBUKTw/s564/open%20book.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XELjqBZDQNVmhEu3BMYYO9kCNZ_8Xeq7qfzIU37TZ7zOKBNNsf8G-AkhyphenhyphennYCTmbjN5AiSBIiUp8uj13t-WD1yWkwHH9H6in9H03xbiXv0H2fCR-Ira47Uxym2YJJjekNPhnVtUQ8luYE2J6dvpbgdmN1h3MoSlAZ9CFDlwgo6AhZXbY0Nug5liBUKTw/s320/open%20book.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">(Source, pinterest)</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">You, my readers are the other.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Reading,</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">love <span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Lobster;"><b><i>Raven xxx</i></b></span> </span> </p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-75156349653879164742023-09-24T15:12:00.003+01:002023-09-24T15:12:59.190+01:00A beer festival where?<p><span style="font-size: large;">You may well ask.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In a church. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">To support the parish</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And I forgot to take any pictures. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">(so here's some beer my lovely husband drank earlier this year)</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65V-u-DEq4i9EVLWZKjPTiS-LrNkquSv34HGLnV9zK3T_G3NSbz17sej0sGIF_xl_KJI92SsnGof7dBrzfwo1_KRpke_SDGjegJG9aKTxzcOFvy8wcfqPSak-UUEmSpmWqChbx4PxFsogM3rXCe_86jYv_qefabeAW6n4cpoiOJdF0AkBPBJqHx2I_FU/s4032/IMG_0942.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65V-u-DEq4i9EVLWZKjPTiS-LrNkquSv34HGLnV9zK3T_G3NSbz17sej0sGIF_xl_KJI92SsnGof7dBrzfwo1_KRpke_SDGjegJG9aKTxzcOFvy8wcfqPSak-UUEmSpmWqChbx4PxFsogM3rXCe_86jYv_qefabeAW6n4cpoiOJdF0AkBPBJqHx2I_FU/s320/IMG_0942.HEIC" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />(and some wine)</span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">We have friends who organise this on behalf of the church and so far have never been able to attend. This year we were determined to go.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Only one snag. No drinking and driving. Which was a bit of a problem as we live about an hour and a half drive away.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I nobly said I'd forgo my glass of wine—I knew there was no gluten free beer this year—but I wasn't driving home late at night, in the dark. (Tiredness not being a wuss). </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So we got self catering accommodation and stayed over. Definitely a good thing to do.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I drank wine, the lovely husband got to chose from an excellent selection of beer, and we had a chance to catch up with friends.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">All in a church. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What a great idea.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ol0OHXKZDL59c_yUbDXgJVgnHyGCC3Af3VRAzDptwKhHYR0gMkF--h3FrBRiS-u-cqECM9QSk7Xhnud4GnuSXXQs8K7tj9q15BWkrR5Aj9AsOJXl4f-1T1l-jJDbjw6at-b9gFlN1yeGwqmn97wnBSNDpaeiemrmyccHZRzsKeHN7reUZGMVGpRqlY4/s2592/3%20ravens%20beer%20sign%20Sail%20and%20anchor%20%20Fremantle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1936" data-original-width="2592" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ol0OHXKZDL59c_yUbDXgJVgnHyGCC3Af3VRAzDptwKhHYR0gMkF--h3FrBRiS-u-cqECM9QSk7Xhnud4GnuSXXQs8K7tj9q15BWkrR5Aj9AsOJXl4f-1T1l-jJDbjw6at-b9gFlN1yeGwqmn97wnBSNDpaeiemrmyccHZRzsKeHN7reUZGMVGpRqlY4/s320/3%20ravens%20beer%20sign%20Sail%20and%20anchor%20%20Fremantle.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">( just becasue)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">And on that note, having spent a lovely three days away, I'm off back to Regency times to see how my hero and heroine are going to spend Christmas.</span><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07stJPkyeAhTnff7Gj0PfgUS-4ZPwPqSJajxm6WA3cqwOISyo0THAkiy4RcqurOUWh_pUpEDsWf8c-HI3CFC7d1wZHWSMGV1gMp6qCHfipB0Tic1IiRTeybHVikr3WPs8iEBypWUiZYnWkQxVrx-gHjJEN8P_hLDo9wxfNk8rvXCy2EJr0meYibFDiPU/s3264/IMG_8659%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07stJPkyeAhTnff7Gj0PfgUS-4ZPwPqSJajxm6WA3cqwOISyo0THAkiy4RcqurOUWh_pUpEDsWf8c-HI3CFC7d1wZHWSMGV1gMp6qCHfipB0Tic1IiRTeybHVikr3WPs8iEBypWUiZYnWkQxVrx-gHjJEN8P_hLDo9wxfNk8rvXCy2EJr0meYibFDiPU/s320/IMG_8659%202.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUvL8inOfi3Hj8zbX8SZsTNxIyCGInsbtMvI6R6pcld9cbUTVsGdefsCu48lJd_xMG9TvaMmBWq7J0k_sqrl-meQv0NETSCj-YrAJG86pin7eHAQKR6p5vnVv7sKCQYH4O-UuDdFJsfcNIUx8NddoD_wvp1qTHcIiPqrI8w3hCX4h9rM-cgmCXepQcOA/s3264/IMG_8569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUvL8inOfi3Hj8zbX8SZsTNxIyCGInsbtMvI6R6pcld9cbUTVsGdefsCu48lJd_xMG9TvaMmBWq7J0k_sqrl-meQv0NETSCj-YrAJG86pin7eHAQKR6p5vnVv7sKCQYH4O-UuDdFJsfcNIUx8NddoD_wvp1qTHcIiPqrI8w3hCX4h9rM-cgmCXepQcOA/s320/IMG_8569.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I do hope they let me in on the secret.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">love</span> <span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: large;"><b><i>Raven xxx</i></b></span></p>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807714151849980216.post-3728848104141209672023-09-17T11:38:00.001+01:002023-09-17T11:39:54.008+01:00who has the grapes?<p><span style="font-size: large;"> It's a not so well known fact that I love seedless grapes and hate ones with pips with a vengeance.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsB6x7ywncBzVdWzaf8NHjVJurePxqTZOyh7ar7bnvOTs6af29LUlKuYd_nb86CqACT2aTrYkZ-XJVAEAH6hI1vYQmblfOGd3zyWOMgndDESuEyYP0MUs1n_kLu1H3SG-Rn-azUUXIKqvUuJwYmij06tys2P_XT0WPKyUJ-WlzEd0WWZmgy7hmdjrCxcQ/s846/grapes.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsB6x7ywncBzVdWzaf8NHjVJurePxqTZOyh7ar7bnvOTs6af29LUlKuYd_nb86CqACT2aTrYkZ-XJVAEAH6hI1vYQmblfOGd3zyWOMgndDESuEyYP0MUs1n_kLu1H3SG-Rn-azUUXIKqvUuJwYmij06tys2P_XT0WPKyUJ-WlzEd0WWZmgy7hmdjrCxcQ/s320/grapes.jpeg" width="213" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">I mean you bite into them and wonder if you've broken a filling. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Oh not so bad as an unexpected nut or bit of toffee but I mean, really a hard pip-filled grape It's just not on. I want to savour it, not check it for teeth chipping hazards.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Which got me thinking about other food hazards...when you get to 'a certain age'. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Food, treats—okay sweets—chocolate— coleslaw.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hold on you say. Coleslaw? Not very likely is it?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Oh yes it is... (No need to do the pantomime chorus, the lovely husband and I have been there got the t-shirt and so on.. because YES it is.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Which is not something I want to contemplate as last week I had to have a healthy tooth out.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Because I'd cracked it straight down the middle.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">On coleslaw.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-WfxNcCTmUUSlUJKQ2shf_E48nRBB9kI6-8WpmsXVHYEgmuaknLCwzLHMrTgekEBpfvYRObe-0JXX7iZk6VluTxjqyHIKK7dFn61_aKFDtX2VClJOvTd9kCo4YpS2u_gwYhehi_B20dglNlz25cE3HIeL7vdHlpwjVKgqzfygkzNtudtabfE93HN0P8/s846/coleslaw.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-WfxNcCTmUUSlUJKQ2shf_E48nRBB9kI6-8WpmsXVHYEgmuaknLCwzLHMrTgekEBpfvYRObe-0JXX7iZk6VluTxjqyHIKK7dFn61_aKFDtX2VClJOvTd9kCo4YpS2u_gwYhehi_B20dglNlz25cE3HIeL7vdHlpwjVKgqzfygkzNtudtabfE93HN0P8/s320/coleslaw.jpeg" width="213" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">I kid you not. Crunchy coleslaw and a bit of the cabbage was hard enough for me to have to say bye bye to a tooth. Just call me gappy.</span></p><div><span style="font-size: large;">I'm lucky I have a fabulous dentist who made the whole extraction relatively painless. (Thank you Dr Kath). A wee bit of tugging and one tiny ouch moment as one of the injections went into my palate. The rest was okay bite in this wedge of sterile cloth to stop the bleeding, don't eat or rink anything hot, read this information leaflet and you will have an achy jaw. And if you need to, ring me.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And I headed home to contemplate lukewarm soup half cold tea and do not use a straw, I realised that actually I'm darned lucky. It was a tooth, yes, but only one.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">and I got into see my dentist fast.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In the grand scheme of things I would never have thought coleslaw could be a culprit to deprive me of a tooth.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Now a seed or ten in a grape...?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Luckily mine are seedless.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Plus the chocolate is soft, the biscuits dunkable and the sore mouth is getting better.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnLwGt9cmdr6l9KnsR1l29gR81GYDao8Z-9xJElSbd_CNGQHJebxKxDY3TZAIGsyKXFxDDf625sBtEYaepaYxAWybuAQg5uxBeP2TwHM72M9FlhB2XkoOXobeODg2hYfkznmZqa5OvJAzuIoSoJcV-E1yFrM6XH0PaOqhOETYZN_tEG_bfyVXy3SQ70M/s500/digestive%20biscs.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnLwGt9cmdr6l9KnsR1l29gR81GYDao8Z-9xJElSbd_CNGQHJebxKxDY3TZAIGsyKXFxDDf625sBtEYaepaYxAWybuAQg5uxBeP2TwHM72M9FlhB2XkoOXobeODg2hYfkznmZqa5OvJAzuIoSoJcV-E1yFrM6XH0PaOqhOETYZN_tEG_bfyVXy3SQ70M/s320/digestive%20biscs.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I hope you all have a good (and extraction-less week)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading,</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">love </span><i><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Raven</span><span style="font-size: large;"> xxx</span></b></span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">All pics courtesy of pinterest</span></div><div><br /></div><p><br /></p>Raven McAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259780628536524891noreply@blogger.com1