Welcome to the new series of the Sunday Interview..Human in every sense of the word.
As humans there are five main senses that we rely on to navigate through this world. And there is one that we all possess but do not necessarily use all the time…
Sight, Hearing, Touch, Taste, Smell….Sixth Sense.
For some people however, one or more of those senses do not function and we can only imagine the challenges this results in.
I don’t know about you, but I take my senses for granted, expecting to see my surroundings when I wake up each morning, hear the birds sing, feel the bedclothes as I throw them back, and the carpet beneath my feet. I expect to taste the marmalade on my toast, and smell the coffee I am about to drink. I also rely on my sixth sense, the one that people cannot really define, that somehow keeps me from making an error of judgement.
Scientists believe that we have other senses that are also important but that we have lost touch with over our evolution. But for this interview series I would like to focus on the six senses I have mentioned.
I would like you to write from 300 to 600 words about one or more of these senses.
We often associate significant events with our senses… the first time we heard a certain piece of music, touched an object or someone that had a profound effect on us, the first sight of a newborn baby or an event unfolding before our eyes, smelling a flower or eating a new food for the first time that was amazing.
You can choose to write about one sense or all of them, including that elusive sixth sense we have clung on to from the early days of man.
- What I would like you to share is how the engagement of your chosen senses influenced events in your life, perhaps changed your perspective, made you fall in love, or out of love.
- Does a certain smell or taste bring back a memory?
- Did you touch something that resulted in a lifetime phobia?
- Did your sixth sense kick in time to safe you from danger?
- Did you see someone across a room and know that they were the person for you?
- Do you hear a piece of music that brings back memories of someone or an experience in your life?
Please use the 300 to 600 words and if you need more that is fine, use what you need to engage us and our senses.
It is only fair that having set this challenge that I take part myself…
Meeting a ball of fluff and falling in love.
I had to give up my Lassie collie Sabre when my marriage broke up in 1977, and I was devastated at the time. Part of me desperately wanted another dog, and part of me was scared to lay myself open to more heartbreak, even when I remarried in 1980. I was able to use career and living abroad as an excuse for eighteen years, until we moved back to Ireland the first time in 1997. We ended up buying a house on two acres, part landscaped gardens with half an acre as a wild meadow. Perfect for a dog.
We decided it was time. For years we had joked about when we would get a ‘Sam’… the name I had already chosen, and I knew that I wanted another Lassie Collie.. They were hard to come by, but luckily my father-in-law lived opposite a renowned dog show judge, who gave me the number of a reputable breeder. I rang and they told me that a litter had been born, sired by their own champion, literally 10 kilometres from our new house. The pups were three weeks old and the breeder gave me the number to arrange a visit.
David was working in Dublin every day, but I rang and arranged an appointment for as soon as possible. When I arrived I discovered that the owner was not there, but his wife took me through to see the mother and the three pups, two girls and a boy. They were just fur balls at the time.. and only just brave enough to explore the back yard. She handed me the boy and I looked into two button eyes that shone with mischief… I tucked this milky scented ball of fluff under my chin and felt a small tongue on my neck. A shiver ran through me and I started to cry. I had never felt this instant a connection with anyone or anything before. Even writing this today, I still feel his soft fur and remember his scent over twenty years later.
I was so embarrassed, but the owner’s wife understood and just left us alone for a few minutes. When she came back to see how we were getting on, I had no hesitation in telling her that I wanted him. I knew that there was no way that this pup was not going to be a part of our lives. I paid for him there and then, and reluctantly left, promising to come back in three weeks with David to meet him. I told her that he was going to be called Sam, and she said that they would use that from now on when handling him.
We went back when he was six weeks old, and I called him when we came out of the kitchen. He immediately raced over and begged to be picked up…in fact his two sisters came with him, and the owner told me that their two year old daughter had been calling them all Sam!
After I had enjoyed a snuggle and kisses, I handed him to David and he too was captivated. It was tough to leave without him, but we arranged to be back in two weeks to pick him up.
That was the start of the most amazing non-human relationship I have ever had. That dog knew me better than I knew myself. When David went to Madrid a year later, it was just me and Sam except for every six weeks when I went to Spain, and I left him with two amazing carers. For over three years we did everything together, including driving over 2000 kilometres from Ireland to Madrid to join David in our home there.
That began a whole new adventure, and that bond that we made in those first few minutes, was never broken until the day I held him as he went to sleep.
How to participate:
If you have been on the blog before, either as an author in the Cafe and Bookstore or in the Posts from the Archives, I already have your book, blog and social media links.
All I need is a word document of your 300 to 600 word piece with any photos attached to the email sally.cronin@moyill.com
If you are new to the blog, then I will need your Amazon and Blog link, main social media links (in full please) If there is no bio on either Amazon or your blog please provide one, along with a bio photo. And then your 300 – 600 words with any photos attached to the email sally.cronin@moyhill.com
I appreciate that this a slightly different format to my usual Sunday Interview shows, but I hope that you will take on the challenge. It also means that even if you have been interviewed here before you are very welcome…
Look forward to hearing from you …. thanks Sally.
Reblogged this on Campbells World and commented:
Sally’s done it again!
She’s come up with a wonderfully unique way for us to promote ourselves.
OK.
Let’s get busy folks.
And.
Please, share share and did I mention share?
Thanks Sally.
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Thanks for boosting Patty…hugsx
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I’m teary-eyed and loving Sam… Such a beautiful share, Sally. ❤
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Thank you Bette. and I hope you will participate..hugs♥
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You and Sam were “love at first scent or touch,” Sally. It was such a memorable relationship. He is always your love.
This is going to be a very special new feature on your blog, Sally. I look forward to participate. ❤
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Fantastic Miriam.. look forward to it.. ♥♥
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Your idea is great. ❤ 🙂
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Beautiful story about Sam, and a very generous offer. Thank you for both.
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Thank you and look forward to you participating.. perhaps one from both of you in the same post…. xxx
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
All Sally needs is a word document of your 300 to 600 word piece about one or more of the senses listed, with any photos attached to the email given in her original blog post 😀
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Thanks Chris…hugs ♥
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🤗❤️🤗
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I am tearing up as your Sam and mine were two peas in a pod …identical in the breed and ..colour…Memories…A great idea for a new series as always…It is hammering down I can’t hear myself think as the thunder is joining in as well… I just got home from my walk in time no dancing in the rain today Lils has gone back to the village so I haven’t got my little partner…Hugs xxx
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Thanks Carol and hope you will participate.. hope your storm passes over quickly…and you must miss Lily… she is so lovely.. ♥
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I miss her dreeadfully, Sally and have been told she cries at night which I don’t like to hear…I sent her a parcel today which she should get tomorrow she likes parcels from us so that should cheer her up. It takes her a few weeks to settle back as it is so different there..no mod cons….I will have a think and put a few words together… Hugs ❤
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bless her… she also gets your undivided attention and must love that.. ♥
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Yes, there is that plus Aston is here as well and they get on really well most of the time…haha..So they miss each other as well …Hugs xxx
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A lovely idea, Sally. I shall think about this.
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Great Robbie.. I hope you will participate..hugsxx
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Sounds like you were destined to have Sam and I’m sure dogs have more senses than we do, pity they can’t write blogs!
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I know Janet, but they do inspire them…hugsx
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Sal, what a fabulous series this sounds! There should be plenty of entertaining entries. I shall do my best to pluck out a memory and definitely partake. 🙂 And oh, your Sam story once again brought tears to my eyes. Good thing the Kleenex box is handy! ❤ xox
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Thank you Debby… I am really looking forward to reading the stories… I am sure that yours will be wonderful ♥♥
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I’ll think of something! ❤ xx
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I know the feeling only too well. We just returned from 6 days away and left Dot at a Pet Hotel, where she was well looked after. She even had access to a pool! But I missed her so much. I teared up reading this. Another great series, Sally.
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Thanks Darlene and I hope you will participate… I am sure you had a right royal welcome… xxx
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Your story will be tough to follow but I will give it a try.
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Fantastic John… look forward to it..hugs
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😊
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Pingback: #Blogshare - Writing about the senses. New Series with Sally Cronin
Don’t know I overlooked this before, but what a touching story!
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Thank you and I hope you will participate Pete.
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What a lovely invitation, Sally. Thank you. I’ll give it some thought.
I very much enjoyed reading your story about Sam. The photographs are gorgeous. What a wonderful friend to have.
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Thank you Norah and would love you to take part… hugs xxx
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Thanks, Sally. I’ve been thinking. 🙂
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It always surprises me how often even we writers forget to plug in sensory input. This will be a useful column, Sally.
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Thank you Jacqui .. I am looking forward to reading the posts…xx
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What a handsome dog your Sam was! I really can imagine the feeling between you. Hugs xx
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Thank you Joy… he was special as they all are…hugsxx♥
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Reblogged this on Once Upon a Time…. and commented:
Sally has intuitively designed something for us to write that reaches into our experiences about our senses that is very unique and exciting to do.
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Thank you for sharing Karen and I hope you will participate..hugsx
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Sally, I wrote something already today as soon as I posted your great idea and everyone is going to love doing this. People, most people love to share their unique or very accomplished abilities. Karen 🙂
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Thank you Karen.. All received and a very unique and sometimes frightening gift..I have emailed you back..hugsx
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Sally, so glad I followed your suggestion….the new version is so much better. Thank you! Karen 🙂
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Sally, you tell us such a beautiful story about the instant love between you and Sam.
I am tear eyed along with you. Of course David would like Sam, he saw your love and felt the
joy of what Sam created.
Your idea about the senses is great and I will try if given half a chance. I am a great believer
in the sixth sense, it normally leads you more right than reasoned thoughts.
miriam
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Thank you Miriam and so pleased you felt that about Sam’s story. Look forward to receiving your piece to share..hugs Sally
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This is such a great idea and looking forward to all the stories. We will get our thinking caps on, Sally…
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That would be wonderful and you would both be very welcome Jaye and Anita..hugsxx
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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What a beautifully written tribute to a beloved member of your family.
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Thank you Liz… glad you enjoyed..
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I just love this story of Sam! I’ll be writing a story for you soon. 🙂
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Fantastic Jennie..look forward to it…hugs xx
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😀
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Thank you Sue..hugsxxx
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