Blog
Olympia, Cannon Beach, and authors, and readers
Today I am sitting in the sun in my garden with Henry in another chair beside me. He was happy once I put a cushion on his seat like mine! It is only a week, since I returned from a wonderful literary weekend, the Get Lit Festival in Cannon Beach. It was fabulous! I...
FINDING TIME!
Finding time for all the things I want to do is always a challenge. This month has been particularly busy. According to FriesenPress Publishing, spring is a season that forces us to be patient. Here in my corner of the Pacific Northwest, spring is...
MANY SMALL THINGS AND A COUPLE OF REALLY BIG ONES
There are many small moments that make my day: Waking to sunshine coming through my window in the morning.The rain stopping as I am about to take Henry for a walk and allowing us to make a full circuit of the park and get back home before coming down again. Working in...
A MONTE CRISTO SANDWICH IN OLYMPIA
When I get the chance to visit my friend Ingrid in Olympia, it is always fun, quiet, and relaxing—and Henry, my twenty-pound Schnauzer, has a blast. He sits on his puffy bed in front of her glass patio door, waiting for squirrels and golfers to go past. By the end of...
Thoughts on the New Year
I am not at all sure how I feel about going into the “New Year” anymore. It just seems to be more of the same. I still have to sleep—and not too well at the moment. Eat—the question often being, what? And get up out of my warm bed and try to be productive. I must walk...
TUMBLING THOUGHTS
This has been a hectic year. My second memoir, Untethered, was published on July 17th—my grandmother’s (Mummy’s) birthday. I hosted six teas in the garden and raised over $2,500 for Bellingham at Home. A big thank you to everyone who attended. I also had a book event...
“THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME”
After well over a week of incredibly frustrating sleep patterns, (only sleeping a few hours at a time) I am finally getting a good night’s sleep. The Joys and tribulations of travel. As Dorothy said in The Wizard of Oz; “There is no place like home." Even when going...
LAST FEW DAYS
My time in England is coming to an end. I am back in Sussex, with my mother, and the sun is still shining although the wind has picked up and my nose is cold when I go outside. In the last couple of days I have taken a trip into Chichester and been to a pub for my...
THE TOWN OF NANTWICH
My sister and I when I first visited Nantwich in 2010. In the rain yesterday, while staying at my sister's in Kidsgrove, England, we went a lovely town called Nantwich. A historic market town in Cheshire, England, located on the River Weaver, about four miles south of...
MEMORIES OLD AND NEW
I am back in my country of origin—England—in Sussex, where many buildings are ancient. Houses are built in the Tudor style, and some actually are from that period. It’s a place where many roofs are still thatched. The most common thatching material used across...
THE JOY AND STRUGGLES OF TRAVELING
I arrived in the United Kingdom on the 31st October from Seattle, a long flight—a relatively comfortable seat, a pillow and a blanket, and a pretty good chicken dinner, but still exhausting. Some hours later, in a rental car—driving on the left side of the road can be...
It has been more that a minute this time!
There has been so much that is is almost too difficult to know where to start. Catching you up on what's been happening may make this blog a long one. I appreciated my viewers, and I thank you for reading all my exciting news. Firstly: I now have a new website, which...
It’s Been a Minute
OBSESSION OR LOVE (Part Two) It has been just over two months since I last posted! I haven’t been ill or lazy; just crazy busy. In April and early May, I was finalizing the editing of my new book, Untethered: A Memoir. It was exhausting, frustrating, but...
Obsession or Love
IN THE GARDEN I wake in the morning to stiff, overworked fingers refusing to bend, my lower back achy with tight muscles, and puffy eyes from pollen. I slide into a dressing robe, make and drink my tea, and enter a hot shower. I wash the pain away, and emerge clean,...
ART IN FLOWERS
Today was a beautiful, warm spring day. Henry and I took an early morning walk to the beach—no coats necessary. On the way, I dropped off the little free magazine Corridor at various spots. Later, I picked up the final piece of my edited work and visited some friends....
WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING
When I last wrote my blog, at the beginning of February, I wrote that it was snowing. It was our only snow for the winter, and while I was happy about that, it has rained an awful lot since then, and Henry, my dog, hates to walk in the rain! Today, I have been forced...
AND NOW WE HAVE SNOW!
The white world of winter has descended. It is pretty in the garden. But when I walk Henry outside, even with the sun shining, my eyes water, my glasses fog up, my lips go numb, and my nose is so cold I can hardly blow it! Still, Henry enjoys himself, and the...
POSITIVE, SUNNY, COLD DAYS
Although I am usually awake before the sun rises, I continue to doze, depending on my sleep that night, or start reading one of the books on my table. My book of the moment is The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. It is an incredibly researched story...
CABIN FEVER
One beautiful morning, almost two weeks after first getting sick, the sun came out. It was an incredible feeling of freedom. I emerged from the covers, took a lovely hot shower, and took Henry for a walk to the beach. My time with cabin fever was finally over. ...
UNDER THE COVERS
Christmas Day was lovely. But by the end of the next day, I was coughing, and it only got worse. I crawled under the covers, piling more and more blankets on top. I persuaded Henry, my pup, to join me on top of the covers. He doesn’t snuggle, but it was nice to know I...
BOOKS, BOOKS, AND MORE BOOKS
Bibliophile Why do I read History, Poetry, Fiction, And more? In the books I accumulate. I travel while lying in bed, Learning of cultures and customs Around the world My books collect In piles On bedside tables And on the bed,A few...
CHRISTMAS TIME
Henry's Christmas photo at Three Schips and a Girl daycare, where he loves going once a week. I think he is protesting the wearing of antlers! “Bah, humbug, I think these antlers make me look silly. But, did I hear the word ‘treats?’ Ok, I’ll sit and let you take my...
The Letter R
Hello to all my Readers, I have taken so long to get writing about the letter R because it has been an especially hard time for me over the last couple of months. The struggle for life became overwhelming difficult for my precious little dog Daisy. It was the...
THE LETTER
My letter Q stands for Questions and Quality—something representing a positive trait or feature. I always have questions running around in my head, and I love the Quality of written words. Questions to ask in Writing As a writer, it is imperative to ask questions—the...
THE LETTER P
With rare time to spare, I can get serious about blogging about the letter P today. Of course, the first that comes into my head when we go to the bathroom! But there are so many great words beginning with that letter when I think of writing. Powerful, People, Places,...
The Letter O
My words today are all from the fifteenth letter in the Alphabet: O Obstacle, Objective, Overwhelmed, and Obstinate The definitions of these words are: Obstacle—something that blocks one’s way, prevents or hinders progress. Objective—an aim or goal to which effort is...
The letter N
It has been almost another month since I last wrote here, and I am still only on the letter N of the Alphabet Challenge—I find it challenging to fit everything I want to do into my time. Today, I will focus on Names, Nationality, Non-fiction, and Narrative, plus a...
The Alphabet Challenge continues…
M words — motivation, magic, memories, momentum It has been a while since I put my fingers to work on the Alphabet Challenge. M is the letter for this blog. This is my list: Motivation, Momentum, Memories, and Magic. WRITING: Sometimes, it is hard to find the...
The Letter L
L is my next letter in the alphabet. L for me is Landscaping/gardening, Lee Langley, author, and Living in London. Landscaping/Gardening are my passion but also my nemesis. There is always more to be done. Last year, the moles wreaked havoc in my garden to the point...
SNIPPETS OF MY LIFE USING THE K LETTER
Kerria, Korean Lilac, Kolkwitzia, Kaleidoscope, Keaton, Kedgeree, Kissing gates, and Keyboard. IN THE GARDEN It has been a busy time in the garden this last week; spring is almost over. The tulips and daffodils are gone. My dwarf bearded Iris bordering the edge of my...
JUGGLING ALL MY BALLS IN THE AIR
Continuing with the ABC challenge, I am on J today. All last week and this week, I felt that I was scrambling to catch all the balls flying in the air. I am writing for two groups, trying to finish my second memoir and keep my blog up to date and interesting, plus all...
THE LETTER I
The letter I, is the subject of today blog. My words are, Improved, Internet, Instant, Interesting, Interesting, Islands, Important Issues, Irrigation, Innovation. Writing I only write on a computer. I stopped writing by hand a long time ago. It was hard to read, and...
LIFE GOES ON
Life goes on regardless of how we feel, even when you want to bury your head in the sand. The last few days, I have felt the desire to stay in bed and forget everything else. Instead, I am motivated this morning to get out of bed and keep going by the enthusiasm of my...
THE ABC’S OF LIFE
In today's ABC, my letter is G. My words today are Goals, Gardening, Gates, and George. Goals: It is important to have goals in life. Sometimes it is as simple as getting from A to B in traffic or getting up at a certain time. Then there are my writing goals; I...
SPRING IS HERE
The ‘Worm Moon,' originally so named by the Native Americans because they noted that as winter ended, the full moon illuminated the earthworm's trails on the newly thawed soil. I watched it rise on March 25th over the fence at the back of my house; it was big and...
THURSDAY MORNING AND THE LETTER E
It is Thursday morning, and already, there are so many distractions pulling me away from writing. I have two dogs, both schnauzers and one over eighteen years now. Plus, I am an outside person. I was raised in the freedom of the sun and sea of the Caribbean....
D is for Daisy
My letter today is D, and the story of Daisy. I hope you will read to the end and discover how she took such a tight hold on my heart. She is an amazing little dog who has been through many traumas: two major oral surgeries, loss of a toe to second joint because of...
THE LETTER C
Today, as I stare out of my living room window in the middle of the day, I watch the sky become darker and darker. I am sure we are about to have an atmospheric river dumped on us or a pile of snow! Believe it or not, while I was in the bank yesterday, I noticed their...
THE WRITING LIFE
The last few days have been busy with everything other than writing, but I did squeeze in a few hours of editing! Moving furniture and appliances to make room for the necessary new ones. I was also having some plywood ripped off the floor and a piece of flooring...
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A WRITER
I would love to say I sit at my table with my computer in front of me and create. Yet my mind refuses to stay in one place for any stretch of time. What I do, though, is write in my head for hours every day. Some of it is lost to the universe. Other ideas stick with...
THE DAILY CREATIVE LIFE
CREATIVE WRITING Our Blue Bottles Writing Studio prompt this week was Bubbles in the Air. This was my story; A creative non-fiction about a close friend of mine, followed by a poem from another member. BUBBLES IN THE AIR by Elizabeth Jane Pryce A small plastic machine...
SPRING IS IN THE AIR
DAY BY DAY This has been a difficult week. I can no longer manage too many things happening in a day. I am exhausted. The one day I physically worked in a clients garden was longer than I generally worked. Although it was tiring, it was also exhilarating. I am way...
SPRING IS IN THE AIR
DAY BY DAY This has been a difficult week. I can no longer manage too many things happening in a day. I am exhausted. The one day I physically worked in a clients garden was longer than I generally worked. Although it was tiring, it was also exhilarating. I am way...
DAY BY DAY
I awoke this morning to a fireball of a sunrise. My bedroom was awash in a red glow. It was beautiful, even if it might mean that the weather today may bring more than a few surprises. I am glad I was too tired to post this blog last night. Back in bed, drinking my...
A FREEZING, SNOWY TIME
SNOW PICTURES OF THE GARDEN PETS It seems like a lifetime ago that the weather here in my hometown changed from 40 F plus to temperatures in the minus degrees. Minus 19F in places, I read. The coldest it has been here in seventy years. Daisy, my almost 18-year-old...
A Cold Snap
THE GARDEN The wind chill factor was, as expected, very cold. The Rhododendron and Camellia leaves are curled in on themselves as protection. The snowdrops, which were beginning to flower, are lying flat on the ground, I’m not sure if my yellow witch hazel, which was...
HAPPY NEW YEAR
The End of the Year here in my town was filled with beautiful sunshine. I went for two lovely walks in my neighborhood that day, cleared up a portion of a garden, checked the books I'd read, paid my bills, and enjoyed a happy movie with a small glass of whiskey and a...
SHARING SNIPPETS IN MY LIFE
I invite you to step into my world during the past holiday week. Henry waits for me on the sofa while Daisy plays the gymnast over and under the table and chair legs, causing me to occasionally jump up and rescue her from a tight corner. THE HOLIDAYS ARE A BUSY TIME...
DAY BY DAY
Following a nasty cold snap when walking my dogs wasn’t fun. When I didn’t want to get out of bed where it was warm, the last two days of sunshine warmed my body and heart. On those sunny days, I spent at least three hours outside working in the garden, blowing and...
THE UPS AND DOWNS OF LIFE
For the past month, I have been unable to write or create anything. I have sadly come to the conclusion I am no longer a viable caregiver. I get too embroiled in the physical and mental well-being of the person I am trying to help. I had become overwhelmed to a...
THE SMALL THINGS IN LIFE
I spent most of last week in a caregiving situation, which I found emotionally distressing because of the receiver’s inability to comprehend the extra care she needed. Most clients I care for are at least twenty years older than me. Some I have known for many years,...
DOGS, GARDENS, PEOPLE,& AN EMU STORY
Time management is critical in my day; dogs, gardens, people, and writing stories all take time. Some mornings, I don’t know what to start with first. I've learned that if I take care of my garden first, I am better equipped mentally and emotionally to do for...
AUTUMN IS HERE & THE STORY BEHIND THE BLUE BOTTLES Autumn is here, but summer isn’t quite over yet. In the week since I wrote about perseverance, I have been busy. I’ve picked beans, tomatoes, and apples and looked longingly at the quinces hanging on the tree....
PERSEVERANCE
The term "to do or die," comes from Robert Burns' poem Robert Bruce's March to Bannockburn, a poem about the first War of Scottish Independence. As a child, when I struggled with a project but was failing, I was told, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again."...
SUMMER IS ALMOST OVER
SUMMER IS ALMOST OVER Everyone likes to hear about other people's lives, so today I write about a slice of life from my world: the two-dog owner, avid gardener, poet, and writer of memoirs and fiction. I woke to a beautiful sunrise at about 7:00 a.m., put my little...
SMOKE IS IN THE AIR
The last two mornings, I have woken up to a large orange globe of sunshine floating in a low grey sky. It makes my little spot in the world less hot from the intense heat dome, but for the people suffering through the terrible fires, it must be a nightmare. It was...
Writing Stories from Interesting Prompts
PROMPT: There is an emu loose on the Highway. It is always fun to create a prompt and hear the various ways the writers of The Blue Bottles Writing Studio, develop their stories. Sometimes the themes are similar and sometimes vastly different. Here is a portion of one...
HOT, HOT, HOT!
With the heat dome building in the Pacific Northwest, the temperature in my area has been rising. I finally took a break from fighting the moles; they have been very active. I had to collect and add more stones to cover the soil in the garden. And the deadheading and...
“CHANGE IS AS GOOD AS A REST”
I grew up on the quote, “Change is as good as a rest,” by Winston Churchill. I don’t remember my grandparents, who raised me as a child, ever taking a holiday. If we went anywhere, it was always for a “change of scenery.” When it rained here in Bellingham last week, I...
Writing Stories from an Otherworldly Prompt
It is always fun to create a prompt and hear the various ways the writers of The Blue Bottles Writing Studio, develop their stories. Sometimes the themes are similar and sometimes vastly different Here are the stories written by four different authors about the...
The Process of Developing Art in My Surroundings
Like most things, it started casually with a few glass balls when they were a popular garden purchase in the stores. Then, I wanted to create space to access my plants for pruning, weeding, etc and started adding stepping stones as a weaving pathway through the...
Writing about Stories we See and Hear
A few days ago, while walking with my daughter and our dogs, my eye caught a tiny creature in the Y of a vine maple; dinosaurs were making a comeback! I loved that someone, probably a child, had left the toy for those passing by to see. It was Movable Art. Two days...
Favorite flowers in the Garden
I agree with Ciscoe Morris, the Seattle gardening expert, every plant is a favorite. If it is in my garden, it is a favorite. But there are a few I love a bit more than others. Also, there are, of course, favorites for each season. For me, the Peony is the Queen of...
Writing Again
Writing Again It has been a while since I last wrote my blog. My small world seemed to fall apart when I became unwell. I didn't have covid, which was great. I didn't have a head cold or a sore throat. I have a wet cough that I couldn't stop and still can't. Then I...
Writing in a Sunny Garden
The sun has been lovely here in Bellingham over the last few days. It is Apple Blossom time! I have two apple trees. One is almost thirty years old and only three feet high. Back when I first arrived in Bellingham, I took a Master Gardener’s class in which I grafted...
Writing in the Spring Garden
Every year in late spring, I take my owl ornaments out of their winter seclusion and place them over my deck railing. I love to walk out of my door and see them sitting there. A few years back, I visited my son in Boise, Idaho, for the Mother’s Day weekend. One of the...
Writing Found Poetry
When the Blue Bottles Writing Studio met last Sunday, I suggested an exercise about Found Poetry, which is a type of poetry created by using words and phrases selected from another text. This can be achieved by blocking the unnecessary text, cutting,...
Writing about Working in my Garden
After three lovely days of going out and about with my friend Paul, I feel refreshed and rejuvenated. We spent the time together reminiscing; it is twenty-two years since Paul lived in Bellingham. Despite the cloud and rainy weather, we had fun. On our last day we...
Writing about an afternoon in the Tulips
My friend Paul and I spent the afternoon looking for tulips. We drove leisurely down Chuckanut Drive, which reminded me of a poem I wrote for a friend many years ago. Chuckanut Drive On a clear Sunday afternoon We meet and drive through dappled light shining on lime...
Writing in the kitchen Nook
Today I decided to move a folding table and chair into the space in front of a large window in the kitchen; the view was inspiring. The edging of colored brick was created a year ago to honor the diversity of people I know now, and those who have passed from...
Writing on a Rainy Day
After the beautiful warm sunshiny day yesterday, today wasn’t as nice. It was cold and wet. I couldn’t settle down to much today after I dragged a bag of stones back from the beach this morning in the fine Pacific Northwest drizzle. I don’t think I will do that again....
Writing in the Garden Today
Oh my goodness, when the sun shines brightly, the shrubs and trees burst into bloom. The 'Blireiana' flowering plum tree, one of my favorites, is almost over. It is the first tree to bloom here in Bellingham. It heralds the beginning of spring with its pretty...
Writing for the Blue Bottles Writing Studio
The last time The Blue Bottles Writing Studio group met, we read our stories created from a prompt on childhood: Your neighbor -‘hood.’ Where did you grow up? Here are some short excerpts from each of the writers in the group. What I enjoy the most is despite the...
Writing on a Tuesday Morning
Writing this morning began in bed. I got up and made my first cup of tea; I always make Earl Grey tea when I wake up. My writing time lasted all morning today, as both of my schnauzers slept until noon. I was working on one of the final chapters in the first half of...
Writing on a Typical Spring Day
Today is a typical early spring day. I walked to the beach with a cold, blustery wind blowing down my neck, a warm stroll along the beach picking up stones, and by the time I reached my house, it had started to rain, followed by hail for five minutes. The sun is...
Writing for Corridor Magazine
This is a poem I submitted to Volume 13 of the Corridor magazine coming out this month in Bellingham. Night Class Sitting in an empty room, my eyes roam, checking my space. Black slatted blinds hide the out-of-door. Two white walls meet like a broad screen....
Writing in the Garden
I love the changes I see happening every day in the garden. Although the weather is a little cool today, winter and snow are finally retreating into the back of my memory. My eight-pound, seventeen-year-old schnauzer bounces like a bunny as she runs up and down my...