Category: Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday #18 And An Olympic Hangover
Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday #18 And An Olympic Hangover

paulaacton2 Comments

Around 3am I climbed into bed exhausted, while I may not have run 5000km last night, or 800m, or even one leg of the 4 x 400m, physically, let me tell you mentally I ran every single one! I bounced in my seat cheering Team GB on  to what has been our best ever medal haul at an Olympics. For this lazy Sunday I will share a couple of blogs still but I want to talk about sport first.

At school they try to tell you it is the taking part that counts not winning and, to an extent that it true, but once you reach the levels these athletes reach winning means performing to the very best of your ability, we have seen elation and heartbreak, and we have heard athlete after athlete, swimmers, cyclists and representatives from every sport thank the National Lottery who fund many of the projects. I have also seen on FB people complaining the lottery money is being used in this way and that saddens me, it saddens me they are so short sighted they do not understand how the success of a small group of individuals can inspire hundreds of children to decide they want to give a sport a try. We live in a time where schools and councils have sold off playing fields, free sports other than football, cricket and rugby are becoming fewer, and at a time when the world is in such turmoil and hate seems some days to get the upper hand they dismiss the way in which sport bring people together. Maybe this more than any other image sums up to me the lessons are youth can learn from the Olympics, that even in your own quest for success and glory, compassion, camaraderie, and decency bring you just as much respect if not more.

nikki-hamblin-abbey-dagostino-runners-collide-help-rio-olympics-dh6

One of our greatest athletes, Mo Farah was born in another country and there are those who would argue that he should not be here but I guarantee you not one of them feels the same pride in our country as he does, they would not be willing to put in the hard hours, gruelling training sessions to pull on that vest and represent us all, anyone who questions if an immigrant should represent a country only needs to listen to him talk about how much the British shirt means to him.

Sport brings together people from different countries, backgrounds and beliefs together and I think even more so at this games we are seeing a break down of barriers, people challenging taboo subjects…

The last video there features a controversial character because of a medical condition which means her body produces high levels of testosterone, she has had to fight to compete and if you consider her appearance she does indeed appear masculine, but so do some others without any genetic reasons, there is an argument that it gives her an advantage but if that were true she would never have won a silver previously and would all the records, she has proved medically she fits the criteria to compete and that should be enough.

Sport is the one thing that has the potential to bring equality, understanding and friendship between nations, both teams and fans, okay some sports such as football the rivalries get out of hand but think rugby, think of those who cheered Michael Phelps on to his final golds, we should encourage anything that promotes healthy activity, team work and harmony.

So it is evening now, my daughter has been here all day, she was supposed to be going out with a friend but a cancellation saw her show up on my doorstep and we have spent the day watching wrestling and sorting out book shelves, I swear even I wonder at times if there is such a thing as too many books then realise I just need a bigger house and it will all be okay. As it has got so late I am going to just share a couple of blogs then head off to write a book review for tomorrow before watching the closing ceremony in bed…

  1. First up your chance to grab a free book over on Mel’s blog, not only is she a brilliant writer she also designed my Voices cover so I may be biased https://msfowle.wordpress.com/2016/08/20/free-book-giveaway/
  2. I have never been to the Edinburgh Fringe but blogging means you can often live vicariously through others https://annkoplow.wordpress.com/2016/08/21/day-1329-edinburgh-dreams/

Going to hit publish now and get off to bed I really will be back to normal soon I promise, but at least this week I can get back to sleep properly.

 

Lazy Sunday #17
Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday #17

paulaacton3 Comments

This morning I am doing an impression of a zombie, and though I am starting this in the morning I can see it stretching ahead into the afternoon before I make the post coherent enough to hit publish.

Staying up until four this morning made perfect sense at the time. You start watching athletics, then you think I will just watch one more event, then just one more jump. then before you know it. you are only an hour away from the final of the heptathlon with it hanging in the balance for you country’s defending champion. and you think what the hell I may as well watch it, saves catching up in the morning.

Before I start with the post I want to take a minute to send love to two fellow bloggers who are dealing with the harsh realities of life this week, first Veggiewitch who has gone through that painful process this week of losing her mum, and the second is Julie who is facing losing her beloved husband Ants, though the type of loss is different both these incredible women have shared their incredibly powerful experiences of seeing their loved ones deteriorate and battle different forms of dementia. Their strength and compassion is outstanding and though neither of them probably realise it their courage at sharing their stories will be helping so many others dealing with the grief that comes with watching a loved one slip away even before the body gives up. I wish I could reach across the appropriate oceans and give them a hug each but instead I can only send love and cyber hugs.

So on with a few posts for this week…

  1. First up a photo/poetry post from an amazing Irish photographer, I have featured this blog before but especially at times when things are tough I always find the beauty of nature to be soothing, I have written my best poetry sat in the middle of a field with a notebook and pen in hand and these photos make me think of those days, https://nigelborrington.com/2016/08/12/friday-poem-the-valley-and-the-mountain-top/
  2. Next up I am featuring an author who will be at the same signing of me next year in Peterborough, as you all know I don’t write a lot of poetry, my daughter is far more talented in that direction but that does not mean I do not enjoy reading it, this struck me as quite profound, especially if I look around those friends who I love most in real life though I like to believe  https://cameronlincoln.wordpress.com/2016/08/13/tribe-a-poem/

Sorry but due to distractions you only got two today, blame my daughter, she showed up for dinner then insisted we watch a film, we watch Pan and it was actually really good but then I had to catch up on the Olympics so here is the Pan trailer and I will catch you next week with the normal five blog shares xxx

 

Lazy Sunday #16
Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday #16

paulaacton1 Comment

So I am late putting this up today, partly because we have had nice weather here today and I have been getting some washing done and secondly because I was out last night at my best friends and my head was not so good earlier lol. I am sat here now with a caramel hot chocolate and have been watching a little bit of football until I realised the Icelandic fairy tale has come to an end and now have on Judge Rinder’s Crime Stories, I like Judge Rinder but was not sure how I would enjoy him doing something more serious, it is okay but very similar to dozens of other true crime programmes, his barrister background is not really used to bring anything new to it. So because I am late just four for today…

  1. There are some days I want to run away and go back to a simpler life where technology simply had an on/off switch but it is always nice to know you are not alone in your battle against the machines https://makropp.wordpress.com/2016/06/27/monday-musings-aint-technololgy-grand/
  2. When my computer died and ate all my files I had to start again on some things, others I had printed off hard copies and had to retype every thing, this is a lesson now maybe we can all learn from, not only to back up but to keep those back up files up-to-date with technology https://cbwentworth.wordpress.com/2016/06/27/a-weird-writing-dilemma/
  3. I listen to the podcast hosted by this blogger so was interested to see his new youtube vlogs https://writingishardwork.com/2016/06/27/when-you-feel-like-nobody-reads-your-novel
  4. We have all giggled at the auto correct meme’s well put your drink down, we don’t want to spray it over the keyboard and have a giggle with a lovely lady who has recently returned to blogging and I am so happy to see her back https://robincoyle.wordpress.com/2016/06/27/won-thing-a-bout-otto-correct/

That is it for this week again sorry it is so late, catch up again next Sunday.

Lazy Sunday #15
Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday #15

paulaacton1 Comment

Today is a little different as I have barely had time to sit and type, I am taking advantage of a little sun to get some laundry done including the bedding, I hate it when you have to have wet washing draped around the house constantly, it is bad enough in Winter but in Summer it should not be an option. So here we go with this weeks choices I promise I will be more chatty next week…

  1. I read this article this week and I have to confess I am probably guilty of over-sharing stuff from my personal life, I guess at the minute the thing is I have a small number of followers and they feel more like friends than ‘fans’, maybe that will change as more people sign up but part of me hopes not but maybe there will be more on the writing side to share than just normal stuff https://jennifermeaton.com/2016/06/20/ten-steps-to-building-a-killer-authors-platform/
  2. I have to share this because when I read it during the week I sprayed coffee over my keyboard, and am proud to say I too am a book whore https://thatweirdbrowngirl.wordpress.com/2016/06/15/i-identify-as-a-straight-up-book-whore/
  3. So we now have another blogger who has become a very dear friend, she also writes some amazing characters, including the very very sexy vampire Christian, so I was thrilled to see this drop in my inbox https://hnsieverding.wordpress.com/2016/06/26/quote-from-ck3/
  4. As many of you will be aware, unless you reside in a cave somewhere with only enough internet connection to read this, it has been a week of upheaval here in the UK. Votes were cast the results came in some were happy some were not and there was a lot of name calling. People argued if you thought certain ways it said certain things about you, it was never that simple, there were lots of complex issues and it should never have been a straight yes or no question, but what is done is done and now we get on with moving forward and healing, the British sense of humour of course will be essential in this process so I thought I would share a post from this friend, just don’t send him food selfies https://nobodysreadingme.wordpress.com/2016/06/25/how-to-have-a-high-old-time/
  5. I cannot write Haiku’s, not putting myself down just stating a fact, I am far to wordy and poorly disciplined to manage this most rigorous poetic form, thankfully others are far more talented in that respect so I can just share theirs https://willowdot21.wordpress.com/2016/06/24/betrayal-haiku/

Time to jusmp off and go vac the bedrooms now, so much for lazy Sunday!

Lazy Sunday #14
Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday #14

paulaacton3 Comments

Well the birds are singing and I am sat hugging a double choca-mocha, the weather is undecided and I am hoping the school uniforms dry quickly just incase mother nature decides she is not going to co-operate with my plans for catching up with the washing today.

Because this is the one blog post of the week I write in real time rather than scheduling it does give me the chance to share things that grab my attention right up to the last minute, it is Father’s day here in the UK so I have just posted to FB as I know my dad rarely reads my blog, though he does surprise me occasionally but I will just take this chance to wish all the dad’s out there a Happy Father’s Day.

Now on with the business of the day which is of course blogs…

  1.  Now I have to say I learnt to say no a long time ago, but then again I have always been slightly opinionated and strong-willed, I have also never really cared what other people think of me, and I have to say I am not sure if that is a sign of intelligence or psychopathy? Take your pick! However Sarah discusses some interesting research about cake and chocolate, personally I am rather suspicious of anyone who says no to either right from the beginning strikes me they may be a fake rather than intelligent because who doesn’t like a bit of cake? https://sarahmichellelynch.net/2016/06/17/its-okay-to-say-no/
  2. Next up a bargain summer read, or if you fancy leaving a review you can contact the author for a free digital version, I loved her First Series and fell a little in love with one of her characters but have not read this latest one yet so you know who will be getting herself a copy https://msfowle.wordpress.com/2016/06/16/summer-sale-on-my-book/
  3. As I mentioned it is Father’s day and I just read this post from the lovely Dallas, you get to know people by interacting, eventually you know them, their family and their history, people you never met in person become part of a huge virtual, global extended family, and sometimes they share pain as well as joy. Reading posts as the man so proud of his allotment experiences the indignities of failing health and age is heartbreaking but even more so knowing how helpless those who love him are, this latest instalment, that of finding the right care home is especially poignant on a day like today, because sometimes loving someone means doing what is best for them even when it breaks your own heart, https://crazytraintotinkytown.com/2016/06/16/the-long-road-home/
  4. A new blogger this week, and he also happens to be another of the Darker Side authors so I am sure he will feature more in future, I cannot do micro poetry, I tried the six word story thing at one point but I accept my failings, even 500 word flash fiction is hard for me a tend to be more wordy though I like to think I stop short of full blown purple prose, but here is the perfect example of how to say much with only a few words https://cameronlincoln.wordpress.com/2016/06/12/hard-time-micropoetry/
  5. You might recall the other day I mentioned trying the pomegranate and raspberry tea/infusion, well I saw this in my inbox and it seemed like fate then I discovered I live in entirely the wrong climate to grow one, I am gutted but once I make my fortune and have a house with a huge conservatory you better believe I will be growing one in there https://tjsgarden.com/2016/06/12/pomegranate-is-1-in-our-top-10-heat-resistant-plants/

 

So that is your five for this week, I am going to go pull out al the furniture in my bedroom in the search for the missing fitbit before I accept defeat and buy a new one next payday, enjoy the rest of your Sunday xxx

Lazy Sunday #13 & Vlog Time #67 – Getting Back In A Rhythm
8. Vlog Time · Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday #13 & Vlog Time #67 – Getting Back In A Rhythm

paulaacton7 Comments

Well let’s be honest still struggling with the rhythm otherwise you would have got the vlog on Friday, however it was actually filmed in time this week I just forgot to edit it then there was writing, and football, and the day job, well you get the drift.

So it is Sunday and I have been up since silly o’clock despite the monster having a lie in, why is it when they finally do lie in you are always wide awake, I have had a coffee and now have a diet coke opened, however I have invested in some different Twinings herbal infusion things to try including the nettle one which the monster really wants to try after I told him all about nettle tea, I will be more careful what I talk about on the walk to school in future. I don’t actually like tea, and I have always had a mental block when it comes to the fruit tea type things but I am trying really hard to think of them as fruit infusions, if you want to take a peek at the range you can find them here.

I just went and made myself a pomegranate and raspberry infusion so lets get a move on with this weeks blog posts and I will let you know how I do with it once it cools a little…

  1. The first blog I am sharing today is by someone whose black out poetry always blows me away but today’s selection from sharing is an update and a reminder that sometimes you have to walk away from a project to be able to come back with fresh eyes and enthusiasm https://cbwentworth.wordpress.com/2016/06/06/back-to-the-novel-front/
  2. This blog has featured here a couple of times for various reasons, today there are four reasons this post qualifies, first she is the only person I know who takes as many photos as I do when she goes places, secondly she goes to quite a few stately homes I have not visited yet so I can see them through her eyes, thirdly the bakery van reminds me of when I was a kid growing up in the village and we actually used to have one come round (slightly bigger it was in the back of a box van, you stepped in and it was lined with shelves) and the final reason there is a dalek, need I say more? https://lucywilliamspoetry.wordpress.com/2016/06/05/lucys-diary-05062016/
  3. Now this one is actually something I should do, it would make so much more sense to organise the people I follow into authors, Doctor Who related, charity related, celebs etc just need to find the time, maybe this post will give me the final push https://mundusmediaink.com/2016/06/06/get-organized-with-twitter-lists/
  4. Book covers are becoming a big business, everyday I see more people who have just grasped the basics of photo-shop launching themselves as cover artists but I believe that some of the best covers are those that authors turned cover artists create and non more so than this lady, I maybe bias because she did the Voices cover for me but I am in the process of buying a design from her for The Dragon’s Mark so when I recommend her you know I am putting my money where my mouth is https://msfowle.wordpress.com/2016/06/11/new-covers-at-melchelle-designs/
  5. The final one is a little different, I love the idea of interior design, of course the reality with pets and kids will never be those rooms looking back from magazine pages but this blog is actually a really great way to take a peek at how those rooms get designed, about the influences in colour choice and design, this post is about the influence colour in nature has in the design world https://valentinaexpressions.com/2016/06/10/bring-nature-in-flirtatious-mix-valentina-cirasola-interior-designer/

So before I go let me tell you this infusion smells great, however it tastes strange warm to me and I can’t help think it might taste better ice cold, I might leave a little and try it that way later just to see, but I think this might be ne I could get used to drinking in time. So now a quick vlog and then I shall see you next week…

Lazy Sunday #12 & Vlog Time #66 – Quick Catch Up
8. Vlog Time · Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday #12 & Vlog Time #66 – Quick Catch Up

paulaacton2 Comments

It is Sunday afternoon and I am sat with a cold diet coke today rather than a coffee, have only had internet back on a couple of days so this will be brief today with just a couple of share posts and a very short vlog. I have just got the free 14 day trial of Now TV and have finall started watching Game of Thrones but I swear that has no relation on how few blogs I have read, honest!

  1. All three blogs I am sharing today are by people I have featured before but if they keep posting good stuff what can you do? So first is https://janerisdon.wordpress.com/2016/06/02/greensted-church-the-worlds-oldest-wooden-church-part-4-of-my-latest-jolly/ now I am Pagan in terms of my personal beliefs but I have to say as buildings I love churchs, I love the history you can find and I love wandering round old graveyards. Take the religion out of it and they are like living history books, you can wander round see the trends in terms of monument design and inscription, this is one I would love a wander round.
  2. Second is because this country is just so beautiful, the photographer has a great knack of capturing the beauty in nature and pairing it with beautiful words. https://nigelborrington.com/2016/06/03/tramore-beach-in-time-and-the-princess-of-the-sea-anne-lise-andresen-and-liam-mc-daid/
  3. And the final blog for today is from another previously featured blog this time once again for putting a smile on my face, very little we as humans ever create can come anywhere near the majestic beauty nature provides, if only we as humans could learn to appreciate it and not trash it for our own pleasure https://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/2016/06/05/stunning-photographs-of-some-lifeforms-we-share-earth-with/
  4. And a fourth link for you, something different but from my part of the world, we take our pies very seriously here in the UK, http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/huddersfield-bakers-retain-domination-world-11429207

Now a quick few words

Lazy Sunday #11
Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday #11

paulaacton3 Comments

It has been a busy week here the monster turned 8 on Friday so everything has revolved around him this weekend likewise this post is shorter than normal as I just have time to down my vanilla latte before I have to get him ready to go out with his dad and his family, so without further ado here are this weeks selection of blogs I have been enjoying…

  1. I love shoes, one of the most frustrating things about my spinal issues is the pairs of shoes I have with heels that I can no longer wear. When I saw this post I was intrigued, whenever I go to museums I love looking at the old shoes but this exhibition is more a celebration of all types of footwear not just historical however take a look at the first photo I have to say those ‘feet’ shoes are freaky https://anabelsblog.wordpress.com/2016/05/19/toronto-bata-shoe-museum/
  2. Last year I only found this blog after the awards and when the meet up was about to happen but this year I am hoping to get to cast some votes myself and encourage you to support your favourite writers, photographers and other creatives https://sachablack.co.uk/2016/05/19/vote-now-annual-bloggers-bash-awards-now-open/
  3. As you know I lost my gran last year, it is so important to talk and learn the stories of our own family, I was lucky I was researhing the family tree so took advantage of that to find out about that part of my family, sadly my paternal grandparents passed when I was too young to think about our history and no one had ever really discussed anything so the stories were lost, if you get the chance take the time to listen https://loreezlane.wordpress.com/2016/05/17/decoding-stories/
  4. Thank you, two simple words which mean so much yet we throw away so easily, how often do we say thank you to someone who holds a door and passes us something and of course we mean it on a very basic level but how often do we really thank those whose love and support really, today I would like everyone to say thank you to at least one person around them that they take for granted https://jedizaugg.wordpress.com/2016/05/17/a-simple-thank-you/
  5. Getting self published books reviewed without spending a fortune is a tough business so I was thrilled when Thomas Rydder published a link to this post which I will be hoping to put to use myself http://publishedtodeath.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/list-of-online-reviewers-who-accept.html
  6. Finally I shall leave you with a rather interesting post on the craft of writing https://chrismcmullen.wordpress.com/2016/05/17/write-selflessly-to-sell-more-books-writewithcare/

Right I shall away now to sort out the monster new clothes for him to put on, such hard decisions to make will he wear Marvel or Star Wars today? Enjoy your lazy Sunday and the rest of the week and I shall be back next week with more madness.

Lazy Sunday #10 & Vlog Time #65 – Strange Camera Effect
8. Vlog Time · Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday #10 & Vlog Time #65 – Strange Camera Effect

paulaacton1 Comment

It is evening as I get round to this this week so rather than coffee I have a nice cold diet Coke with ice in front of me, it has been quite warm here today. Anyway as it is late I am going to just do four plus the vlog and an appeal on behalf of a friend…

  1. I think at times we all lose our way in the stories we tell, get to a point where we cannot see the wood for the trees, well if you hit the brick wlaa this post may help you identify problem areas, I know some seem obvious but they are usually the ones we over look… https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2016/05/02/5-reasons-your-story-is-stuck/
  2. I love snail mail, I love sending and receiving it but I cannot help but think how much more fun it would be to retrieve my mail from one of these, https://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/2016/05/03/what-the-mailman-saw-photos/
  3. I don’t write poetry very often, it is something I don’t feel comfortable with and when I do it tends to centre on nature or grief however I love this poem, to be fair I love most of the stuff he posts but this one struck a real cord with me https://chestermaynes.wordpress.com/2016/05/07/i-am-the-transformation-of-things/
  4. The final one is about loss and how we deal with it, how to make sense of it to those left behind, if that is possible https://rarasaur.com/2016/05/12/the-upside-down-tree/

I had intended on posting this Friday night but I got tired, then Saturday between furniture moving and Eurovision I pretty much wore myself out…

This is the trailer for Gareth’s GoFundMe which you can find here

I know most people are not in a position to help but if you can share with anyone who might be able to help him that would be great.

Lazy Sunday #9 & Vlog Time #64 – Introducing Miss Molly
8. Vlog Time · Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday #9 & Vlog Time #64 – Introducing Miss Molly

paulaacton5 Comments

Hello, or even good morning as it is still morning as I sit down to begin this, I have just stuffed my face with a bacon butty and m now sipping my mocha although it is so warm here today I could happily swap it for a nice iced vanilla latte. I have had a week off work and while you would think that would have given me lots of extra time I seem to have been really busy with family and have achieved very little this week, though I do have sore ribs now from laughing so much playing a board game called Vampireology with my daughter and her boyfriend last night, the game took four hours though we hope it will become quicker to play once we stop having to refer to the rule book every other move lol.  But you are not here to listen to me rave about a game you want to know what I have been reading so lets make a start…

  1. First up is a lady who has become a friend, she like so many of us us struggling with getting the breaks and initial sales and reviews to get going with her writing career in terms of making a living from it, so she has decided to treat everyone with excerpts on a Sunday in the hope you will like what you read, I have a couple of her books waiting to be read something I really need to remedy, if the excerpts intrigue you please consider either buying the books or even approach her about a trade for a review, without those Amazon reviews getting your work noticed is almost impossible, https://bridgetstraub.com/2016/05/01/excerpt-sunday/
  2. I confess I am sharing this mainly for one photo in it although it is of course a fascinating post, however the mural painted on the end of that building took my breath away and makes me think in an age of so many high rise buildings why do more companies not commission this sort of work https://anabelsblog.wordpress.com/2016/05/02/toronto-distillery-district/
  3. I am sharing this just because it is Monday tomorrow you might just need an extra smile https://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/2016/05/02/reserved-for-monday-funnies/
  4. Next up a post from my dearest friend Rhonda, she is developing an incredible talent with her camera, the only downside being we seem to be seeing less of her talent with words, however this post is something dear to my heart, that precious gift of being able to wander with your camera and capture a unique moment in time, https://50-shades-of-gray-hair.com/2016/05/06/in-the-blink-of-an-eye/
  5. THe next up is something that plagues every creative person at some point, the spectre of self-doubt this is a great post about trying to get past your inner demons https://sachablack.co.uk/2016/05/02/dont-let-writers-self-doubt-beat-you-4-steps-to-conquer-it/
  6. If you have been around Facebook or read certain other blogs you are bound to have come across this story in the last week or so but just in case you missed it… https://makropp.wordpress.com/2016/05/02/monday-musings-your-books-are-so-good-i-shouldnt-have-to-pay-for-them/

So that concludes the reading portion for this week now onto the vlog which I am afraid is very short this week and you do not get to see me at all, I had intended filming more and adding this footage to the end of a vlog but it was a little longer than expected and she is cuter than me…

One last thing I am going to leave you with is if you follow me on Instagram you will have seen me playing with a new app on my phone to create photo collages, the perfect excuse for me to take more photos but here are a few I have made so far the app is called Phototastic, enjoy and I shall see you next week xxxx

2016-05-04 23.10.06 2016-05-05 14.10.50 2016-05-05 14.22.22 2016-05-05 17.55.18 2016-05-05 21.43.52