bonds
we form
with others
of our own blood
or unrelated
forged in the fires of life
create a circle of steel
sanctuary formed in kinship
there may not always be harmony
but the ties of love cannot be broken.
Another lovely collection of poems and stories from this gifted writer…I love Cronin’s writing, as she has a natural gift for storytelling. Her latest collection is lovely and a joy to read. Expeditions, Rejection, and The Colour of Life poems all spoke to me, especially Bear Witness which highlights a current plight society faces. It is hard to highlight any of the stories, as they all spoke to my heart, but if I had to choose Miss Lloyd’s Robin and On The Run are lovely. The Secret brought tears. There is much laughter and beautiful observations nestled within the pages and I want to read them all again.
Thank you for listening and if you would like to know more about my books and their reviews you can find them on my books page My books and reviews 2023
Welcome to a round up of posts you might have missed on Smorgasbord this week.
It has been a mixed week weather wise here with high winds, some sunshine and flurries of snow. We have got off lightly looking at the headlines from around the world, and even in the UK less than 100 miles away at the nearest point, there has been very heavy snow and disruption.
We are getting ready to have our kitchen renovations done so we will be moving our computers back into the dining room for a while. It will be good to get that job done. Looking at the empty pots in the garden I am also looking forward to better weather at the end of the month to visit the garden centre to get the new plants and get the outside looking more colourful.
As always my thanks to my friends who contribute to the blog…
William Price King joined me this week for the Big Band Era with The Andrew Sisters, Artie Shaw and The Turkey Trot ..Also the last post on the life and music of the incredible Quincy Jones. On Friday a new series on the music giant Stevie Wonder….You can also find William – Blog– IMPROVISATION– William Price King on Tumblr
Debby Gies will be here on Monday with a short story… and she also joined me in the funnies posts this week. Despite being on her winter break in Mexico she is still visiting posts and commenting, not just here but around the writing community. Follow the link to Debby’s blog to browse her archives…D.G. Kaye
Carol Taylorwill behere on Wednesday with her A-Z of food and the letter ‘S’. On her own blog in Monday Musings Carol explores the properties of Clove as a natural antibiotic, and shares news of a message in a bottle found over 100 years after it was set adrift.. and some music.. In her green kitchen some great tips for keeping bananas fresh for longer, a homemade cleaning agent for your kitchen, energy efficiency for your appliances old and new, and buying fish on the Internet! On Thursday … ever eaten a chocolate burger?….Catch up with all of Carol’s posts this week:Carol’s round up 5th – 11th March 2023
Thank you very much for your visits, comments and shares to social media, as always it is appreciated ♥
Her kids wanted new things for their children and Milly decided to have a garage sale for toys she had hoarded. Neighbors came and went, but one little boy stood in front of the rabbit hutch all morning. She had put 20 dollars on the ticket as they were expensive to buy new. He clasped a dollar bill in his hand. “My dad says I can have a rabbit when I can buy the hutch”. A tear rolled down his cheek. He raced down the street waving the sold ticket in his hand and she smiled at his joy.
Above the World
Rare gift of late summer sunshine. Younger legs than today, eager to take even the steepest paths. Breathlessly grateful for viewpoints on the climb. Ultimate prize, tomato and mayonnaise sandwiches high above the world. Late summer grass offers resting place before the reluctant descent before dark.
memories of youth when mind and body aligned eager for the climb to reach the top of the world above life’s imperfections.
I’ve read Variety is the Spice of Life from cover to cover twice. Each time picking up on a new twist, a witty nuance, or a significant message embedded in her delicate prose. Sally Cronin is a brilliant writer, with unusual depth and enormous appeal. From her delightful comment, “I’ve morphed into my mother,” to “the seasons of life as in nature are defined from cradle to grave,” her poems and essays resonate. I highly recommend this five-star read. Pick one up today.
Thank you for listening and if you would like to know more about my books and their reviews you can find them on my books page My books and reviews 2023
Welcome to the round up of posts you might have missed in the last week here on Smorgasbord.
I hope that all has gone well for you during the week. It has been busy getting back into the swing of things since we got back and getting ready to get more pre-sale work done on the house.
This week I was honoured to be included in a post by Pete Springer along with John Howell, Marcia Meara, Marian Beaman and new author, David Mohrmann.
Peter explores the celebration of achievement but also the fact that you are never too old to begin your writing journey. He also highlights the envy that might tinge our lives from time to time as others around us seem to step ahead of us for one reason or another, but often it can be inspiring
In the next few weeks I shall be starting the 2023 series of meet the authors. This series offers me the opportunity to not just share my personal recommendation for the author, but to also check for new books I might have missed, changes to biographies and profile photos and check links.
I also I hope will introduce you to previously unknown authors to you and their books. As the curator of a towering TBR like most of you, I hope it will also encourage you to move books waiting in line up the queue.
Just a reminder to all authors who have not updated their bios recently it is a good idea to double check they are up to date across Amazon and Goodreads and anywhere else you promote your books.
As always my thanks to my friends who contribute to the blog…
William Price King joined me this week for the Big Band Era with Benny Goodman, Hal Kemp and The Grizzly Bear…Also the next post on the life and music during the 1980s of the incredible Quincy Jones You can also find William – Blog– IMPROVISATION– William Price King on Tumblr
Debby Gies was here on Monday with a repeat post from her archives on the subject of Epistolary Writing and joined me in the funnies posts. Despite being on her winter break in Mexico she is still visiting posts and commenting, not just here but around the writing community. Follow the link to Debby’s blog to browse her archives…D.G. Kaye
Carol Taylorwas here on Wednesday with her A-Z of food and the letter ‘R’. On her own blog you can find her Monday Musings 27th February 2023…Natural Antibiotic ,Olive leaf Extract, Music from Lee Mead plus how to Reduce your Carbon Footprint at home…and Thursday Thoughts which include Rod Stewart and Red Burger Buns?…Rabbit Holes, Fitness Update and Artificial Intelligence…Head over to read all of Carol’s posts from the week CarolCooks2 weekly roundup…26th February to 4th March 2023
Thank you very much for your visits, comments and shares to social media, as always it is appreciated ♥
Michael placed a clod of barren earth in a pouch before joining Maggie, waiting with their meagre possessions by the side of the road. Carrying their bundles and what food was left, they walked eighty miles through desolate lands to Cork. With their last few pounds, they bought passage on a ‘Coffin’ ship. Surviving storms and disease aboard the crowded vessel, they made their way to Michigan. Michael toiled in a copper mine, until the growing family settled on a farm near Hurontown, where they mixed the earth from the old country with the rich soil of the new.
Drought
parched soil
plants in stasis
wildlife starving and gaunt
dwell in a colourless landscape
and wait
thunder
heaven’s trumpet
awakens the near dead
into a state of expectance
and hope
raindrops
born of dark clouds
plummet towards the earth
a cascade of glistening pearls
of life
drum beats
syncopated
create a symphony
drawing all out of the shadows
to dance
grass shoots
vibrantly green
burst through the ground in days
a miracle of abundance
at last
Bear Witness
Images seared on the mind. Men, women and children fleeing a future they have experienced before. Faith lost in those who swore to protect. Fear that borders crossed only hold more danger. Spectators from afar can only look on powerlessly, grateful for the safety and peace they often take for granted.
do not look away bear witness to tragedy give deepest respect to those who flee tyranny do not become complacent
I’m glad this book is divided into two sections: one containing poems and the other with stories. Some of the poems read like prose, and readers might be confused as to what they’re reading.
I like how the author starts the collection with “Key Words,” a powerful poem emphasizing how three words can change a life. The poem to which I can relate to the most is “Useful,” talking about how smiles can make helping others rewarding. “Neighbourhood Cats” reminded me of how our cats would have gone after birds if my mother had let them.
Speaking of cats, I loved the story “The Neighbourhood Watch,” in which a cat may or may not have played a role in the death of an abusive husband. When I started reading “On the Run” and realized it was about another abusive husband, I almost skipped it. But since stories I read before it had satisfactory endings, I stuck with it and am glad I did.
Not all stories in this collection are about abusive husbands. I especially liked “The Home Help,” a surprising tale about an elderly woman who gets more than she bargains for when hiring someone to help around the house and garden.
It’s nice to read stories that cover some unpleasant topics but always have feel-good endings. If you like such stories plus poetry that’s easy to understand, this book is definitely for you.
Thank you for listening and if you would like to know more about my books and their reviews you can find them on my books page My books and reviews 2023
Welcome to the round up of posts on Smorgasbord that you might have missed this week.
It has certainly been a busy week for us with parties and travel and a very special lunch with two exceptional authors and friends. The first photo is from my sister Diana’s 80th birthday lunch which was the third of the meals we enjoyed while we were in Portsmouth including on the Sunday at No 27, a fabulous restaurant. Here we are enjoy our lunch.
The birthday cake that my sister Sonia organised and set alight with a sparkling 80...
The next celebration was meeting up with Judith Barrow and Alex Craigie for lunch in Cardigan in Wales.. so wonderful to finally meet Judith after 9 years and Alex who she introduced me to. Love their books and it is a long awaited meet up.
Alex had contacted me a couple of weeks before to ask for a high resolution of the cover for my latest collection and I wondered why… and what an amazingly creative gift it was.
Let there be light.. so touched and will treasure always.
I would also like to thank Abbie Taylor and Toni Pike for their wonderful reviews this week on their blogs for Variety is the Spice of Life… I am so grateful..
As always my thanks to my friends who contribute to the blog…
William Price King joined me this week for the Big Band Era with Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington and The Blackbottom dance…Also the next post on the life and music of the incredible Quincy Jones You can also find William – Blog– IMPROVISATION– William Price King on Tumblr
Debby Gies is here on Monday with a repeat post from her archives on the subject of Epistolary Writing and will be joining me in the funnies post later in the week. Despite being on her winter break in Mexico she is still visiting posts and commenting, not just here but around the writing community. Follow the link to Debby’s blog to browse her archives…D.G. Kaye
Carol Tayloris here on Wednesday with her A-Z of food and the letter ‘R’. On her own blog on Monday she exploredNatural Antibiotics…Colloidal Silver, John Herschel Glenn and Whoopi Goldberg…It was pancake day on Tuesday… a delicious treat anytime of year. On Wednesday Carol explored the cuisine of Finland…The Land of Reindeers and Midnight Sun…On Thursday Carol reminded us of Dolly the cloned sheep and where that technology has led science, also an amazing fusion of rock and wagner that will amaze you. Catch up with all of Carol’s posts in her weekly round up CarolCooks2 weekly roundup…19th-25th February 2023-
Thank you very much for your visits, comments and shares to social media, as always it is appreciated ♥
country
blessed with rainfall
called the Emerald Isle
glistening jewel in the ocean
of life
forest
vibrant and strong
all shades of viridis
reflected in its canopy
of leaves
olives
plump and healthy
pressed for their precious oil
tossed into colourful salads
and sauce.
lush jade
verdant healer
bringer of good fortune
protects the mind, body, spirit
and heart.
gardens
planted with mint
will attract butterflies
repelling less welcome visits
from bugs
A Dream Home by Sally Cronin
As a girl she didn’t dream of fairy tale weddings or fancy white dresses. She was an orphan, in and out of foster homes, and all she wanted was a house of her own. They met at the local community centre; a carpenter, his hands worn and callused. He asked her what her dream was and she shared her vision. He said nothing, just smiled and nodded.
I couldn’t wait to delve into this new collection of poetry and prose, as I’m familiar with this author’s work. It was, as I expected, a delight. First, there was a collection of wonderful short poems, many related to nature and our connection with the natural world around us. They were all inspiring and exquisite, and many dealt with the most elemental subjects, such as kinship, pilgrimage, rejection, love, seasons, and the forces of nature. I particularly loved the series inspired by the author’s garden, but every poem in this collection was a gem.
The flash fiction and short stories all pulled at the heartstrings. The flash fiction was often combined with the poetry in a very enriching way. The short stories were all a heart-warming delight, and I think my favourite was “Home Help.” “The Village,” set at the outbreak of World War Two, was a close second.
This was a joy to read, and I give it a resounding five stars.
Thank you for listening and if you would like to know more about my books and their reviews you can find them on my books page My books and reviews 2023
Welcome to the round up of posts you might have missed this week on Smorgasbord
I hope the week has treated you well. We where out to lunch on Monday to celebrate my 70th birthday and the treats spilled over to Valentine’s Day, even after 43 years still something we like to celebrate.
This week is my 2nd eldest sister Diana’s 80th birthday so cause for more celebrations in the family. The three of us are all in February, and my brother slipped into March. A busy time of year for parties.
It is also my blogging anniversary today and hard to believe that it is 11 years since I signed up with WordPress… time really does fly when you are having fun.
Apart from a lovely lunch on Monday I have also been out and about this week…with the lovely Robbie Cheadle talking about poetry, sharing one of my favourites and one from by latest collection, plus a wonderful review from Robbie for Variety is the Spice of Life. Thanks to Kaye Lynne Booth too for her hospitality on Writing to be Read.
If you would like to share two posts from your archives in this current season please let me know if you are happy for me to delve into your archives to select them. I am currently scheduling for the first week in April. It would be lovely to have a few more.
As always my thanks to my friends who contribute to the blog…
William Price King joined me this week for the Big Band Era with Billie Holiday and Bunny Berigan, Count Basie and The Tango…Also the next post on the life and music of the incredible Quincy Jones You can also find William – Blog– IMPROVISATION– William Price King on Tumblr
Debby Gies was here on Monday with a repeat post from her series on relationships in time for Valentine’s Day. Online dating is big business and whilst many find love, many also find scammers and Debby offers some practical advice on how to stay safe…She also shares one of the posts from her archives on the subject of telecommunications. Despite being on her winter break in Mexico she is still visiting posts and commenting, not just here but around the writing community. Follow the link to Debby’s blog to browse her archives…D.G. Kaye
Carol Taylorwas here on Wednesday with her A-Z of food and the letter ‘Q’. In her Monday Musings Carol looks at another antibiotic alternative.. Grapefruit Seed Extract look at food packaging and in particular takeaway containers and some lovely music from Oliver. – Catch up with this post and her other posts this week Carol Taylor’s Weekly Round Up 12th -18th February
Thank you very much for your visits, comments and shares to social media, as always it is appreciated ♥
a
silver
formation
of sea dwellers
undulate with grace
synchronized skill to hunt
to herd their prey into shoals
with deadly force clicks and whistles
well practiced over millions of years
hunger needs sacrifice to be sated
with full bellies it is now time to play
oceanic clowns on hunt for fun
to frolic and gambol in waves
crests to surf and depths to dive
somersaults in the sun
a school of dolphins
classmates and kin
bound for life
in their
pod
Winning by Sally Cronin
They heckled the last in the pack on the track as he struggled to keep up with the rest of the runners. Even in the lead position Peter could hear their jeers and laughter. One more lap and the race would be over and it was going to be a triumph for him, but a bitter disappointment for his friend Michael. As the seconds ticked by Peter thought about what winning this race would mean for him. Then he dropped back and ran by the side of the person who really mattered and they would cross the line together.
We’re just climbing out of a deep freeze that saw temperatures plummet to below -30 Celsius, that’s around -22 Fahrenheit for my southern friends. I can hear your teeth chattering from here.
So of course, I went skiing with my Dad. Just a pair of Canucks wrapped like Egyptian mummies, snow pants crinkling like cellophane giftwrap, careening downhill, as a toothy wind whistled across our goggles and helmets. A tad bit loopy? Perhaps. But a bonding and pleasant memory forged, another chapter written in our life stories . . . that’s a certainty.
In my opinion, that’s precisely what this wonderful compilation of poetry and short stories is about. A blend more satisfying than a cup of freshly brewed specialty coffee on a sunny back yard deck in late June. Perhaps I’m being watched by a marmalade cat who disapproves of my intrusion into her afternoon routine of prowling the garden.
The world spins billions of individual tales every day; most go unnoticed. That caterpillar munching on that leaf may struggle with a desire to remain wingless, despite the insistence of the butterflies that his inclination is unnatural.
Guilty secrets, locked for decades, in the conscience of an elderly woman are laid bare for a beloved few, while a village holds its collective breath as it awaits some devastating news.
We never know when a smile or small act of kindness may save a life.
Reading this book is like sitting on the front porch with a trusted friend as he shares some cherished lore. Every now and again, he pauses to give you an earnest glance before speaking in a gentle voice. “And this is the way of things, not all bad, and not all good.”
I recommend this book to those who appreciate fine wordsmithing about discovering gems hidden in the guise of the mundane.
Have I enticed you to learn more and grab your copy?
Thank you for listening and if you would like to know more about my books and their reviews you can find them on my books page My books and reviews 2023
Welcome to the round up of posts you might have missed this week on Smorgasbord.
This week there have been signs of spring in the garden and they were very welcome. Still some frosty mornings but this bit of colour makes all the difference.
I had not planned to be out and about this week but I received some lovely features from some very generous reviewers of my books. A huge thank you for making this a week to remember. Phil Huston, Mark Bierman, Claire Fullerton, Smitha Vishwanath and Lauren Scott.
Like so many of you, I have a towering TBR and with my February Amazon run adding another 6 books, I am up to 40 waiting to be read. I have upped my reading time and I have decided that I need to clear the decks before adding any more. So I have created a wish list of books as I get introduced to them or promote them and I will buy them when I have read those already in stock, especially those that have been waiting for far too long.
I am going to be travelling soon and that will offer a wonderful opportunity to catch up and I am looking forward to sharing my reviews with you.
As always my thanks to my friends who contribute to the blog…
William Price King joined me this week for the Big Band Era with Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and The Lambeth Walk…Also the first post on the life and music of the incredible Quincy Jones You can also find William – Blog– IMPROVISATION– William Price King on Tumblr
Debby Gies On Monday I am sharing one of her posts from her series on relationships. Online dating is big business and whilst many find love, many also find scammers and Debby offers some practical advice on how to stay safe…Debby also joined me for two funnies this week. Despite being on holiday she is still visiting posts and commenting, not just here but around the writing community. Follow the link to Debby’s blog to browse her archives…D.G. Kaye
Carol Tayloris here on Wednesday with her A-Z of food and the letter ‘Q’. In her Monday Musings Carol looks at another antibiotic alternative.. honey which is astaple around here, and an amazing video of a groundhog family who visit a suburban garden every day during the summer along with other wild animals. In her Green Kitchen Carol looks at kitchen waste, in particular milk and ways to store and use up milk rather than throw away, including a recipe for Portugese Milk Tarts – Catch up with Carol’s posts CarolCooks2 weekly roundup…5th-11th February 2023
Thank you very much for your visits, comments and shares to social media, as always it is appreciated ♥
Christina Strigas is a Montreal, Greek-Canadian, who has self-published three novels. a trilogy based upon the real life of Zaharoula Sarakinis, a spiritual healer.
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