Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Weekly Round Up – Books, Music, Health, Short Stories, Great Guests and Laughter

Welcome to the round up of posts you might have missed on Smorgasbord this week…

I know that at the moment the round ups are slightly longer than usual (that is saying something for me!) due to the number of posts from your archives. Right now I am reading through over 55 bloggers archives, and that is an perfect antidote to the weather.. Two days of sunshine (not necessarily in the same week), and rainy days. We are hopeful that July will be better, but as yet, I have not put any of my winter clothes away, and I have not got my sandals out either.

Anyway.. I can tell from the comments that you are enjoying the posts from other blogger’s archives and I am learning more about the people who support me here and also getting a great insight into all kinds of topics. I have enough posts to take us through to September and more coming in every day. The aim was to get as many people chatting to each other and following new blogs, and so pleased with the outcome. Thank you for keeping it all going with your likes, comments and shares.

Next Sunday the new Sunday Interview begins and I am now booking for mid-August onwards. I know that some of you are planning to participate and may be waiting until you see the first couple and their format… don’t wait too long will you.

Author Paulette Mahurin is kicking off the series on June 30th, and if you are still not sure what it is all about…. here is the original post:https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/23/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-new-sunday-interview-series-human-in-every-sense-of-the-word-starting-sunday-june-30th-2019/

Without further ado….here are the posts that you might have missed this week.

Another post from the archives of Paul Andruss here on Smorgasbord… and this week he leaves us with some questions… about the financial aspects of our writing, professional and peer group opinions of our writing, and where our efforts place us in terms of writer vs. author status. Something to think about………Three Minutes Forty-nine

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/21/smorgasbord-posts-from-my-archives-three-minutes-forty-nine-our-value-as-writers-by-paul-andruss/

Although the band Free were only together a few years they left a legacy behind and influenced many artists. Only one number hit.. but one that I still play today.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/18/smorgasbord-music-column-one-hit-wonders-all-right-now-by-free-sally-cronin/

Chapter Six – Spring Comes to the Magic Garden.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/22/tales-from-the-irish-garden-serialisation-spring-chapter-six-the-magic-garden-comes-to-life-by-sally-cronin/

Chapter Seven – Jeremy the Donkey

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/23/tales-from-the-irish-garden-serialisation-spring-chapter-seven-jeremy-the-donkey-by-sally-cronin/

The last post of the week is in response to Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge by Charli Mills and the prompt this week is ‘Waiting’. This week in her post Charli Mills talks about the challenges they face with completing on their house with VA loans dependent on certain work being carried out and an inspection to check compliance. Added into the mix is a starling intent on building a nest in the most inconvenient place. Waiting for the Bus

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/23/smorgasbord-short-stories-carrot-ranch-flash-fiction-waiting-for-the-bus-by-sally-cronin/

We baby sit a new kitten, I am made to do 300 half sit ups and I get a black eye playing water volley ball with the boys.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/20/smorgasbord-letters-from-america-1985-1987-june-1986-kittens-sit-ups-and-water-volley-ball/

My response to this week’s Colleen’s Tuesday Poetry Challenge 132  and the prompt words ‘Influence and Perception’ and I have chosen ‘ Mould and Sense’ for my Haibun and I have had a little fun with this one….Life’s Lessons #Haibun

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/19/smorgasbord-poetry-colleen-chesebros-weekly-tanka-poerty-challenge-haibun-life-lessons-by-sally-cronin/

Sherri Matthews takes us on a holiday to the Norfolk Broads, a fabulous boating holiday, and an introduction to the more ghostly side of this idyllic part of the country. Holiday Reading, Ghosts And The Norfolk Broads

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/20/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-guest-writer-sherri-matthews-memoir-holiday-reading-ghosts-and-the-norfolk-broads/

This is the third post from  mother and daughter writing team HL Carpenter (Helen and Lorri). This post is a an interesting look at Blog Hops for book marketing and some key elements that I agree with wholeheartedly. Top Drawer News — Blog Hops and Movie Stars

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/17/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-top-drawer-news-blog-hops-and-movie-stars-by-hl-carpenter/

John Rieber shares the most expensive burger in the world in 2012.. it was for charity… certainly comes with some interesting accessories. Burger (2012) $295 – The World’s Most Expensive Burger Unveiled!

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/17/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-burger-2012-295-the-worlds-most-expensive-burger-unveiled-by-john-rieber/

In June 2017, Frank Prem posted a poem a day.. and so I have chosen the poems he posted on this day and then the subsequent poems that correspond to his posts here…

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/18/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-poetry-long-night-moon-by-frank-prem/

Marian Wood with a short story….. We have all had one of those days…..

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/18/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archive-potluck-short-story-just-one-of-those-days-by-marian-wood/

I have selected this post, because I am sure that if you are around the same vintage (66) you to will have memories of before and after the Internet. Research Before The Internet by Tasker Dunham

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/19/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-memoir-research-before-the-internet-by-tasker-dunham/

Lorinda J. Taylor with some of the libraries that Lorinda values…The original Coburn Library became the Tutt Library in 1962. Reminiscences about Old Libraries from an Old Librarian, Part 1 by Lorinda J. Taylor

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/19/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-reminiscences-about-old-libraries-from-an-old-librarian-part-1-by-lorinda-j-taylor/

Jennie Fitzkee shares her analogy for teaching…Teaching: it’s The Cake and the Frosting

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/20/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-teaching-its-the-cake-and-the-frosting-by-jennie-fitzkee/

This week I selected one of the hundreds of book reviews that Olga Nunez Miret shares with her.. all very thoughtfully crafted. This review was for an author that I enjoy reading too. Terry Tyler for her book Legacy, Project Renova 4.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/20/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-bookreview-legacy-project-renova-4-by-terry-tyler-terrytyler4-by-olga-nunez-miret/

This is the final post in the series from Fraggle Photography…in this  post I am sharing another day out with Fraggle’s grandson Cal to the Zoo…and it seems there is another photographer in the family. Cal & Frag’s Excellent Adventure – Fraggle Photography 2015

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/21/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-cal-frags-excellent-adventure-fraggle-photography/

This is Elizabeth Slaughter’s final post from the archives and Elizabeth looks at some of the exercise equipment that has been trendy over the years.. “Jumping for Joy”

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/21/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-exercise-jumping-for-joy-by-elizabeth-slaughter/

This is the final post from Kim from By Hook or by Book  and whilst browsing through her archives, I spotted that she had reviewed one of the authors in the Cafe and Bookstore… . Broken Heart Attack (Braxton Campus Mysteries #2), by James J. Cudney ~ 5.0 Stars

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/22/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-broken-heart-attack-braxton-campus-mysteries-2-by-james-j-cudney-5-0-stars-by-kim-of-by-hook-or-by-book/

The final post from Gibson Square The Cabbie Blog and this week a post from the Urban View series which looks at buildings or locations in London that have a hidden history..and as I have worked with a lot of herbal therapies over the years, this one caught my eye…Down Your Alley- Herbal Hill

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/22/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-down-your-alley-herbal-hill-by-gibson-square-the-cabbie-blog/

This is the fourth post from the archives of Susanne Swanson that I have chosen.. you will find plenty to browse if you head over.  Cats in particular are the muses in her household and they have some wonderful adventures. And today finally.. we have her lovely cats….

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/23/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-cats-seeking-shelter-in-the-rainy-northwest-and-baseball-by-susanne-swanson/

Poet and author Balroop Singh is always a welcome guest here on Smorgasbord and has shared many posts in the past. This time I get to choose the posts from Balroop’s archives and for her final post in this series, I have chosen another poem which brought to mind some I have known…… A Social Butterfly by Balroop Singh

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/23/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-poetry-a-social-butterfly-by-balroop-singh/

New Book on the Shelves

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/22/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-new-on-the-shelves-dead-white-and-blue-the-juniper-junction-holiday-mystery-series-by-amy-m-reade/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/23/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-new-on-the-shelves-a-braxton-campus-mysteries-book-4-mistaken-identity-crisis-by-james-j-cudney/

Author Update #Reviews

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/17/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-author-update-reviews-frank-prem-c-s-boyack-stevie-turner-and-judith-barrow/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/21/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-author-update-reviews-j-e-pinto-charles-e-yallowitz-pamela-wight-fiona-tarr/

Last week I covered the dangers of salmonella, despite the government and food safety experts telling us that it is now safe to eat under cooked eggs: Preparing Eggs Safely Food Safety – #Lysteria – You cannot see it but it sees you..the perfect host!

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/17/smorgasbord-health-column-food-safety-lysteria-you-cannot-see-it-but-it-sees-you-the-perfect-host-sally-cronin/

The heart is obviously an essential organ of the body, but it can be a case of out of sight out of mind.. Understanding how it works can bring it back into focus.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/18/smorgasbord-health-column-major-organs-and-systems-of-the-body-the-heart-and-how-it-works-sally-cronin/

 A new series on our cravings and why they are not always as they seem.. but first one of the prime suspects is dehydration...

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/19/smorgasbord-health-column-new-series-what-causes-your-cravings-part-one-dehydration/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/18/smorgasbord-laughter-lines-guest-comedian-d-g-kaye-and-a-joke-from-sallys-archives-8/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/20/smorgasbord-laughter-lines-guest-comedian-d-g-kaye-and-a-joke-from-sallys-archives-9/

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Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Weekly Round Up – Solar Minimum, Jazz Guitar, Vitamin Deficiency, Italian Cookery and Mischief in the court of Charles II

Welcome to the round up of posts that you might have missed on Smorgasbord during the week..

We are still waiting for summer with four times the annual monthly rainfall already in June. Not good news for the farmers and their crops… We also have a northerly air flow across Europe which means that even Madrid where we used experience temperatures in the late 20s and early 30s at this time of year, is only getting 16 to 20 degrees.

There is no doubt that there is climate change, but it is hard to put much stock in the warming that is threatened when the central heating is still on in June. There is no doubt that mankind is damaging our planet to a great degree but we have been also experiencing a reduction in solar activity in the last few years and are now in what is called Solar Minimum. This actually could put climate warming on the back burner for the next 50 years with extensive cooling and longer and colder winters for us all.. You might find these posts interesting   especially as we had 16 days of solar inactivity in the last month.

The Climate Depot: https://www.climatedepot.com/2018/02/08/solar-minimum-may-bring-50-years-of-global-cooling/

Astronomy Now: https://astronomynow.com/2015/07/17/diminishing-solar-activity-may-bring-new-ice-age-by-2030/

On a more cheerful note…..I have received some wonderful submissions for the new Sunday Interview beginning at the end of the month, and I will be scheduling posts in the next week. I would love to hear from you, with your perspective on the human senses.. and sixth sense, along with the opportunity to promote your blog and books if you are an author..

Here are the details: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/23/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-new-sunday-interview-series-human-in-every-sense-of-the-word-starting-sunday-june-30th-2019/

Looking forward to hearing from you…

Here are the posts from the week that you might have missed….

As always I am very grateful for the contributions from the regular guests and also to everyone who drops in during the week to like, comment and share.. the blog would not be the same without you.

This week William Price King shares the music of Grammy Award winning American Guitarist Pat Metheny

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/11/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-the-music-column-with-william-price-king-pat-metheny-guitarist/

Part two of the story of Barbara Villiers, mistress of Charles II by Paul Andruss

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/14/smorgasbord-posts-from-my-archives-barbara-villiers-part-2-uncrowned-queen-by-paul-andruss/

Carol Taylor and I team up to share the deficiency of nutrients that are likely with a poor diet, the foods that contain this week Vitamin B12 and Vitamin E.. which helps B12 be absorbed.. and some recipes that contain healthy amounts of both..

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/12/smorgasbord-health-column-cook-from-scratch-to-prevent-nutritional-deficiencies-with-sally-cronin-and-carol-taylor-vitamin-b12-cyanocolbalamin-combined-with-vitamin-e/

This month Silvia Todesco begins a series of summer themed recipes, beginning with the classic rice salad…Classic Rice Salad (Insalata de Riso)

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/13/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-italiancookery-with-silvia-todesco-summer-classic-rice-salad-insalata-de-riso/

The story continues with Winter: Chapter Four – The Flight to the New Land and the court must pack up and leave the palace under the magnolia tree in Spain and head off on the backs of the Goose Express to The Emerald Island to face an unknown future.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/15/tales-from-the-irish-garden-serialisation-winter-chapter-four-the-flight-to-the-new-land-sally-cronin/

The next episode this weekend is Winter: Chapter Five – The Dapperman..unable to bring all the clothes from the queen’s wardrobe of of her courtiers, the services of the local fashion designer is sought.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/16/tales-from-the-irish-garden-serialisation-winter-chapter-five-the-dapper-man-sally-cronin/

Lovely to welcome back Colleen’s Tuesday Poetry Challenge 131 following her relocation and settling into her new home. This week she set us the challenge to find synonyms for her prompt words ‘Beginning and Consume’… here is my response.. Old Soldiers.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/12/smorgasbord-poetry-colleens-tuesday-poetry-challenge-131-double-etheree-old-soldiers-by-sally-cronin/

That time of the week when I participate in the Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge by Charli Mills the prompt is ‘Many Hands’ and here is my piece of flash of 99 words, no more, no less.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/15/smorgasbord-short-story-carrot-ranch-flash-fiction-many-hands-by-sally-cronin/

This week Sherri Matthews shares her father’s story, which was complicated. It is a frank look at his life and also acknowledgement of how much he is loved. This was first posted in 2013. Sherri’s father sadly passed away in 2016, but she had dedicated her blog to him with a lovely tribute..About Sherri Matthews

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/13/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-guest-writer-sherri-matthews-memoir-my-dad-the-great-train-robbery-and-a-game-of-cricket/

Time to welcome another regular contributor to the Archive series John Rieber.. this time I am going to be selecting the posts from his extensive archive..This week a restaurant with a difference.. and if you remember your grandmother’s cooking.. you will want to eat at this restaurant. A Staten Island Restaurant Hires Unique Cooks – The World’s Nonnas!

Image CBS New York

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/10/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-recipes-grandmas-cooking-in-the-kitchen-a-staten-island-restaurant-hires-unique-cooks-the-worlds-nonnas-by-john-rieber/

This is the second post from  mother and daughter writing team HL Carpenter (Helen and Lorri). Here is a short story… keeping the fairy tale alive.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/10/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-fiction-the-truth-about-fairy-tales-by-hl-carpenter/

Today I am sharing the second post from the archives of Marian Wood and her blog Just Muddling Through Life Marian has been blogging since October 2018 and posts about family life, writing, fiction and poetry…for her second post I have chosen a short story…..

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/11/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-short-story-money-a-row-a-walk-and-a-tight-situation-by-marian-wood/

In June 2017, Frank Prem posted a poem a day.. and so I have chosen the poems he posted on this day and then the subsequent poems that correspond to his posts here…this based on his experience as a psychiatry nurse.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/11/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-psychiatry-4-acute-observations-the-futility-of-triple-words-by-frank-prem/

This is the second post from the archives of Tasker Dunham. I have selected this post as I remember my father building a replica biplane for my brother when he was four, along with a headset borrowed from the station we were based on.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/12/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-memoir-grandad-dunhams-flight-simulator-by-tasker-dunham/

This is the second post from the archives of fantasy author Lorinda J. Taylor and in this week’s post she explores some of the grammatical changes over time and some E-Book formatting tips..

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/12/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-ye-olde-grammarian-no-6-a-hodgepodge-plus-some-e-book-formatting-tips-from-lorinda-j-taylor/

Olga Nunez Miret writes detailed and thought provoking book reviews and here is one that caught my eye..

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/13/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-bookreview-fallen-idols-a-century-of-screen-sex-scandals-images-of-the-past-by-nigel-blundell-penswordbooks-by-olga-nunez-miret/

Pre-school teacher of over 30 years, Jennie Fitzkee, has been a welcome guest here many times but this time, Jennie has let me loose in her archives… this will be fun.  In this post Jennie compares childhood and summer.. then and now.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/13/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-childhood-and-summer-then-and-now-by-jennie-fitzkee/

This week London  Cabbie writing as Gibson Square shares a post from the Urban View series which looks at buildings or locations in London that have a hidden history..

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/13/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-an-urban-view-223-bow-road-by-gibson-square-the-cabbie-blog/

This is Elizabeth Slaughter’s third post from the archives and I remember watching black and white movies at the cinema as a child and then on our television that was not colour until well into the 1960s.. Elizabeth shares her love of the big screen.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/14/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-movies-in-colour-by-elizabeth-slaughter/

Time for another post from Kim of By Hook or by Book and  I have selected one from her Whimsical Wednesday Series – Mr. Rogers Edition

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/15/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-whimsical-wednesday-mr-rogers-edition-by-kim-of-by-hook-or-by-book/

This week’s post from Susanne Swanson is a post which mirrors my sentiments about team building exercises in general.  And it is something to think about in relation to how we all react when we here the words ‘Think outside the Box’

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/16/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-thinking-outside-the-box-puzzle-by-susanne-swanson/

And for her final posts…appropriately by Balroop Singh... I have shared an ode to Poetry.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/16/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-ode-to-poetry-by-balroop-singh/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/10/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-author-update-reviews-bette-a-stevens-andrew-joyce-and-marina-osipova/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/14/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-author-update-reviews-sue-vincent-janice-spina-christoph-fischer-and-teri-polen/

Eggs are highly nutritious and have been much maligned over the years. But they do need to be prepared carefully.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/10/smorgasbord-health-column-food-safety-eggs-are-wonderfully-nutritious-but-should-be-prepared-carefully-by-sally-cronin/

This week I share the shopping list of foods that may help you ward of dementia… but also some things to look out for in elderly relatives if you are caring for them.. Sometimes dementia symptoms can be down to interaction with other drugs or a urinary tract infection.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/11/smorgasbord-health-column-the-brain-shopping-list-for-the-brain-and-its-support-systems-by-sally-cronin/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/11/smorgasbord-laughter-lines-guest-comedian-d-g-kaye-and-a-joke-from-sallys-archives-7/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/13/smorgasbord-laughter-lines-random-thoughts-and-a-joke-from-the-archives/

 

Thank you very much for dropping in today and for all your support… look forward to seeing you again soon.. Sally.

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – The #Travel Column with D.G. Kaye – The Island of #Cuba #Caribbean

Welcome to this month’s edition of the Travel Column at the Smorgasbord. Today we’re going to learn more about the island of Cuba.

Officially named, the Republic of Cuba, Cuba is located in the northern part of the Caribbean where the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea meet, just south of Florida and the Bahamas. Havana is the capital of Cuba and the largest city of the Republic. Cuba also reigns over another island, Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth) as well as a quite a few other minor archipelagos, covering a land mass of over 42,800 square miles. The exact name of Cuba and where it was derived from are unknown. It is believed that Christopher Columbus named the island for a town named Cuba from his native Portugal. The native language is Cuban Spanish, their own dialect from original Spanish.

Similar to many other Caribbean islands, Cuba was inhabited by the Taino people since 4000 – 3000 BC until the 15th century when it became a colony of Spain, again, until the Spanish American War of 1898 when it became occupied by the United States. After signing the Treaty of Paris in 1898 and more politics, Cuba became formally independent from the U.S. May 20, 1902, going through several leaderships and several political takeovers leading to the eventual takeover by a dictatorship in 1952 by Fulgencio Batista until he was ousted for his corruption and taken over by Fidel Castro under communist rule. Cuba is culturally considered part of Latin America and exports sugar, coffee and tobacco and nickel. As of 2016, Cuba was still declared an authoritarian government ruled country.

Before Castro took over in 1959, Cuba was considered one of the most advanced countries in Latin America. Cuba relied heavily on aid from the USSR. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, their economy went into a sliding depression, allowing some the opportunity for self-employment and the legalization of using the U.S. dollar for business, encouraging tourism.

For many decades, Cubans were not allowed to leave this island, yet many tried to flee communism in unsafe methods to get across the waters. Prior to January 2013, Cuban citizens weren’t allowed to travel abroad without obtaining official permission and applying for a government issued passport, which was usually denied and cost 5 month’s salary. Back on September 9, 1994, the U.S. had agreed to grant Cuba 20,000 visas annually if Cuba kept a promise to prevent further dangerous attempts to enter the U.S. by unsafe methods across the water.

Also, with the intervention of the U.S. government, in 2010, Cubans were granted permission to build their own houses. Approximately 85% of people own their homes paying no property taxes or mortgage interest. It is said there is no homelessness in Cuba. But in May of this year, because of increased U.S. trade embargo and a large decline of aid from Venezuela, and oil and fuel costs, Cuba has begun rationing staples, as almost two thirds of their country’s food is imported. Cuba’s natural resources include tobacco, fish, citrus and tropical fruits, coffee, beans, rice, chicken, potatoes and their most important export mineral – nickel. Cuba is currently drilling for oil as a geological survey has shown their capability to produce approximately 4 – 9 billion barrels.

Currency

Cuba has what is known as a dual currency system. The Cuban peso (CUP) is used to set wages and prices, while Convertible pesos (CUC) is used for the tourist economy, set at par with the U.S. dollar.

Tourism

Tourism in Cuba was originally restricted to segregated areas designed for tourism, and away from Cuban society. But it was marked that in 2003 over 1.9 million tourists visited Cuba mainly from Canada and Europe, helping to generate revenue for the country. In 2011 that number jumped to just over 2 ½ million tourists, making it the 3rd highest tourist destination in the Caribbean, coming in just behind Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

But with the introduction to more sanctions put on them by the Trump government in 2017, and the Cuban people not able to be innovative with their own business enterprising, tourism is currently down in Cuba. Many Canadians travel to Cuba for their winter vacations, as it’s one of the cheapest winter vacations for us despite the political clime.

Note: The rules for travel to Cuba by Americans have stipulations. Americans may not travel to Cuba with the impending embargo solely for the purpose of tourism. The Obama government was working on measures to change this policy, but the current administration has made more changes. Americans have 12 viable authorized travel categories to enable them to visit there. You can learn about these avenues in this Guide to Americans traveling to Cuba. You can also learn more about Legal Documentation required and what is and isn’t permissible when traveling to Cuba.

Climate

Climate in Cuba is tropical with light trade winds blowing throughout the year. Dry season is typically November through April with the rainy season May to October. Average temps run from 70 to 80 degrees. And of course, like most islands vulnerable to hurricanes, because Cuba sits close to the Gulf of Mexico, it is prone to frequent hurricanes. Cuba was hit by Irma in 2017, leaving enough damage, but incomparable to the damage after it hit Puerto Rico.

Beaches

Cuba is known to have some of the most pristine and beautiful white sand beaches. Couple that with turquoise waters, quiet and palm trees, it presents a serene and warm getaway. Some of the most beautiful and popular vacation spots in Cuba are Varadero (currently rated 2nd best beach in the world for 2019 by Tripadvisor), Santa Maria, and Los Cayos Coco, just to name a few. All tourist beaches offer the usual watersport activities and guided boat tours. You can read more details about the various beaches HERE

Shopping

Cuba isn’t typically known as the best shopping destination in the Caribbean, but there are still a few great finds to be had there. Cuba’s number one claim to fame are ‘the Cuban cigars’, which are treasured widely by cigar afficionados around the world. You can also find local chain stores, and a few boutiques in hotel shops where you may find some international brands of clothing and toiletries. Cuba also has some well-known rums. And as on most Caribbean islands, you can always find local markets selling hand-crafted goods from leather and wood, as well as handmade textile articles.

Gastronomy

A typical national Cuban dish is rice with black beans, a salad, roast pork (or fish or chicken, occasionally, beef), and fried plantains. This traditional dish is known as ‘comida criolla’. But in hotels and what’s classified as ‘the tourist network’, you can find various restaurants, specializing in Spanish, Italian and Chinese cuisine. I think there’s tons of room to grow in the sector of gastronomy for Cuba.
Notable Facts

• The music of Cuba is world famous for its Salsa, Bolero, and Rumba dancing.
• Don’t talk about politics while there as Cuba is still a communist country and their government doesn’t tolerate criticism lightly
• Crime levels are minimal. And you can usually find police on every block
• Least commercialized island in the Caribbean
• Make sure if you are going to stay in a bed and breakfast that it is one with a blue sign, not an orange sign on the front of the house. The orange sign is for Cubans only and both tourist and house owner can get in trouble by not abiding
• Never be working there on a tourist visa
• It is considered illegal to take photos of police and/or soldiers
• It is considered rude by Cubans to blow your nose or spit in public.
• Make sure to pack everything you may need for the trip to Cuba as there are many shortages of consumer goods – especially toiletries.
• Most of the cars driven in Cuba are old American cars dating back to prior of 1959 when America once played a big part of the central stage in Cuba. Once Castro came to power, he banned all imports of foreign cars and parts. But in the last couple of years a growing number of new Asian automobiles have been brought into the country. These newer vehicles are very expensive for the typical Cuban local and mostly unattainable
• Don’t forget to tip for every service you receive. The locals earn very little in Cuba, and those working in service industry desperately rely on tips
• The average salary for a Cuban is $20 per month!

My perspective

I have never been to Cuba, but I have quite a few friends and family members who travel there every winter to escape the cold and get a good bang for their bucks. Because I can’t speak from actual experience, I will share a few more things I have learned first-hand from those I know who have been there:

• It’s the beautiful weather and unspoiled beaches keeping them going back
• The food is less than spectacular
• Be sure to pack some old clothes – especially sneakers you no longer wish to keep and give them to the maids or any other service person in your resort. They will be more than thrilled to have anything wearable, especially American items they have no access to
• Don’t stray far from your resort without a guide
• If you’re looking for sun and sea and a more quiet and lazy vacation and aren’t a big foodie, you’ll enjoy it there

Me, personally, I have zero interest in going to Cuba despite the beautiful weather and beaches. I am not a big foodie to say the least, but I have several dietary restrictions that wouldn’t be met there for me – so I’ve been told. Also, if I’m going to travel to an island, I’d surely be going to one offering shopping – especially, international duty-free shopping! Plus, as a justice seeker with a difficult time keeping my opinions to myself, it may prove difficult for me to be somewhere where I couldn’t use the freedom of speech.

Has anyone here ever been to Cuba and would like to share their experience? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

© D.G. Kaye 2019

My thanks to Debby for sharing the guide to Cuba’s history and tourism. We usually select our holidays from glossy magazines or flash online websites that give you the showstopping information but not necessarily the possible downside to a location..Important to have all the facts before spending a great deal of money.

About D.G. Kaye

Debby Gies is a Canadian nonfiction/memoir author who writes under the pen name of D.G. Kaye. She was born, raised, and resides in Toronto, Canada. Kaye writes about her life experiences, matters of the heart and women’s issues.

D.G. writes to inspire others. Her writing encompasses stories taken from events she encountered in her own life, and she shares the lessons taken from them. Her sunny outlook on life developed from learning to overcome challenges in her life, and finding the upside from those situations, while practicing gratitude for all the positives.

When Kaye isn’t writing intimate memoirs, she brings her natural sense of humor into her other works. She loves to laugh and self- medicate with a daily dose of humor.
I love to tell stories that have lessons in them, and hope to empower others by sharing my own experiences. I write raw and honest about my own experiences, hoping through my writing, that others can relate and find that there is always a choice to move from a negative space, and look for the positive.

Quotes:
“Live Laugh Love . . . And Don’t Forget to Breathe!”

                 “For every kindness, there should be kindness in return. Wouldn’t that just make the world right?”

When I’m not writing, I’m reading or quite possibly looking after some mundane thing in life. It’s also possible I may be on a secret getaway trip, as that is my passion—traveling.

Books by D.G. Kaye

One of the reviews for Have Bags Will Travel

Lana B. 5.0 out of 5 stars Super fun travel reading

Have Bags, Will Travel” is a delightful read on the experiences of travel, fashion, the art of packing suitcases with the emphasis on having a good time. Author, D.G. Kaye details her days on board planes to many popular destinations and her vivacious antics with friends. She also relates her solo travels to exotic destinations with steep cliffs and too much baggage. I particularly enjoyed the details of the by-gone, romantic days aboard Wardair, and the exquisite details of vintage Las Vegas.

A consummate shopper, D.G. Kaye relates her rather humorous run-ins with customs officials. How does it feel to be singled out routinely by airline officials? A read through this humorous pages will give you the insight to these first-hand conflicts.

I would say this might be required reading for shoe connoisseurs and fashion mavens especially if they have a plane ticket in hand. Germ avoidance theory is also discussed, and it may never be possible to look at airplane bathrooms the same.

D.G. Kaye brings back the memories of best friends and blazing trips through the desert. Many readers will identify with the struggles of this stylish lady attempting to blend in to avoid a custom’s mishap. A short and super fun read, “Have Bags, Will Travel” is perfect for your next airplane ride.

Read all the reviews and buy the books: http://www.amazon.com/author/dgkaye7

and Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/D.G.-Kaye/e/B00HE028FO

More reviews and follow Debby on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/dgkaye

Connect to Debby Gies

Blog: http://www.dgkayewriter.com
About me: http://www.wiseintro.co/dgkaye7
MeWe: mewe.com/i/debbygies
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@pokercubster (yes there’s a story)
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/dgkaye7
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dgkaye
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dgkaye
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/dgkaye7

Thank you for joining us today and we would love to hear if you have been to Cuba and your feedback.. thanks Debby and Sally.

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – The Weekly Round Up.. Gems from your Archives, Universal Energy and All That Jazz

Welcome to the round up of posts here on Smorgasbord that you might have missed…

The week has been unremarkable here except for the fact that it is June and it has not stopped raining for a week, with at least another week to go… and the heating is still on twice a day. This has not helped the work in the back garden which requires a couple of days of dry weather to put down gravel and then cement…

I am officially banning all singing and dancing for the rest of the summer… see what happens when this dance academy puts on a show and perform ‘Singing in the Rain’  I rest my case!. Thanks Lucinda Armstrong

There is nothing more to say… except let’s get on with the week’s posts..thank you for dropping in and also a huge thanks to those who have contributed this week.

A reminder of the new Sunday Interview series beginning at the end of June…I am already receiving some terrific pieces about our senses…

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/23/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-new-sunday-interview-series-human-in-every-sense-of-the-word-starting-sunday-june-30th-2019/

This week William Price King introduces us to a contemporary artist.. Hiromi Uehara Jazz Composer and Pianist.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/28/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-the-music-column-with-william-price-king-hiromi-uehara-jazz-composer-and-pianist/

Two more posts from Paul Andruss...and the first is about a drink with an ancient history.. Mead. Poetic Mead

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/01/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-poetic-mead-by-paul-andruss/

Coffee a Noxious Concoction.. for coffee lovers everywhere..

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/02/smorgasbord-posts-from-my-archives-smorgasbord-writer-in-residence-coffee-a-noxious-concoction-by-paul-andruss/

This weekend I begin the serialisation of Tales from the Irish Garden... and in the first post a reminder of how the story left off in the previous book.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/01/tales-from-the-irish-garden-serialisation-previously-in-the-magic-garden-by-sally-cronin/

Chapter One..

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/02/tales-from-the-irish-garden-serialisation-winter-christmas-under-the-magnolia-tree-by-sally-cronin/

Annette Rochelle Aben takes us through the universal energy we can expect in June….

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/31/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-numerology-your-universal-energy-for-june-2019-by-annette-rochelle-aben/

Sherri Matthews joins us for a series of four memoir posts. In her first post.. a little nostalgia about her first meal out with her Dad.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/30/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-guest-writer-sherri-matthews-memoir-times-past-challenge-chinese-spoons-and-eating-out/

This week the Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge by Charli Mills  prompt was strawberries and mint… here is my story – The Devilish Mojito…

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/01/smorgasbord-short-stories-the-carrot-ranch-flash-fiction-challenge-strawberries-and-mint-the-devilish-mojito-by-sally-cronin-by-sally-cronin/

Welcome to the series  Posts from Your Archives, where bloggers put their trust in me. In this series, I dive into a blogger’s archives and select four posts to share here to my audience.

If you would like to know how it works here is the original post: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/28/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-newseries-pot-luck-and-do-you-trust-me/

Robbie Cheadle writes for both children and adults, but clearly children’s books are very dear to her heart… here is a post that demonstrates that. The Life of Roald Dahl.

Photograph from The Official Roald Dahl Website

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/27/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-kidsbooks-the-life-of-roald-dahl-by-robbie-cheadle/

Jacquie Biggar with a recipe that brings back memories..also a link to a festive cookbook that looks great.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/27/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potlucksunday-recipes-baking-up-memories-by-jacquie-biggar/

Financial expert Sharon Marchisello explains the need to identify your tolerance risk when investing.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/28/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-finance-investment-know-your-tolerance-for-risk-by-sharon-marchisello/

Diana Wallace Peach treats us to a wonderful short story.. The Optometrist and the Dragon

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/28/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-the-optometrist-and-the-dragon-writephoto-by-d-wallace-peach/

Carol Taylor is on a short break so I took the opportunity to delve into her archives to find some gems to share with you.. in this post a secret garden…

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/29/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-travel-thailandkoh-samuia-secret-garden-by-carol-taylor/

This is the final post from Beetley Pete… also known as Pete Johnson who blogs from Norfolk…I could not leave the archives without sharing a post about Ollie.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/29/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-dogs-ollie-and-his-guests-by-beetley-pete/

An inspiring poem from Miriam Hurdle – The Sun Welcomes Me…

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/29/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-poetry-the-sun-welcomes-me-by-miriam-hurdle/

Pre-school teacher of over 30 years, Jennie Fitzkee, has been a welcome guest here many times but this time, Jennie has let me loose in her archives… this will be fun. She is always coming up with creative ways to engage the children.. and here is just one. “The Stop Game”, From Dinosaurs to Poetry

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/30/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-the-stop-game-from-dinosaurs-to-poetry-by-jennie-fitzkee/

Olga Nunez Miret gives us a guided tour through her hometown of Barcelona…

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/30/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-la-merce-in-barcelona-and-a-few-visits-hospital-de-sant-pau-and-palacete-albeniz-by-olga-nunez-miret/

A new participant to the series with some lovely photographs of wetland wildlife and a cute grandson.. Fraggle Photography.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/31/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-the-wetlands-report-part-1-fraggle-photography/

Another new participant.. Elizabeth Slaughter with a memory that could have ended very differently.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/31/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-timber-r-r-r-r-by-elizabeth-slaughter/

Kim of By Hook or By Book is a book reviewer and here is an example.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/01/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-ya-scream-all-night-by-derek-milman-reviewed-by-kim-of-by-hook-or-by-book

Gibson Square (pen name) writes The Cabbie Blog and over the next four weeks I will be sharing trivia and little known facts about London.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/01/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-london-trivia-gibson-square-the-cabbie-blog/

Susanne Swanson shares her trip to Hawaii.. with some lovely photographs.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/02/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-hawaii-the-beginnings-by-susanne-swanson/

Balroop Singh shares the therapeutic benefits of music…. I won’t argue with that… cannot imagine my life without it.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/06/02/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-have-you-felt-the-emotional-and-therapeutic-appeal-of-music-by-balroop-singh/

New Book on the Shelves

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/28/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-new-book-on-the-shelves-historicalirishfiction-mahoney-by-andrew-joyce/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/29/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-new-book-on-the-shelves-death-in-shangri-la-a-dotan-naor-thriller-by-yigal-zur/

Author Update: Reviews

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/27/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-author-update-reviews-chuck-jackson-karen-ingalls-and-allan-hudson/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/31/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-author-update-reviews-s-a-harris-geoff-le-pard-john-w-howell-and-gwen-plano/

The second post in the series on the brain.. and how it develops from conception through life.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/30/smorgasbord-health-column-top-to-toe-the-brain-how-the-brain-develops-from-conception-through-life-by-sally-cronin/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/28/smorgasbord-laughter-lines-how-to-deal-with-clowns-and-chocolate-and-a-joke-or-two-from-the-archives/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/30/smorgasbord-laughter-lines-guest-comedian-d-g-kaye-and-some-jokes-from-sallys-archives-guest-comedian-d-g-kaye-and-some-jokes-from-sallys-archives/

Thank you so much for dropping in today and for all the support… I am just off to do my shopping…Sally

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Weekly Round Up.. John Wick 3 -Spirits in the Sky, Polar Bears and Apple Daiquiris

Welcome to the round up of posts that you might have missed during the week on Smorgasbord.

We have had another busy week on the back garden work… a little unpredictable but we are fitted in between other jobs, weather dependent such as gathering silage for next winter’s feed. We live in the country and one has to go with the flow… but I will be glad when the job is finished and the digger is gone…We will then be able to sit out and enjoy the summer sun which is there until 10pm at the height of summer.

We also had visitors this week.. old friends from Portsmouth. Adrian and I were co-presenters on radio and on Internet Television and we became friends with his wife Chris too at the same time in 2007. We had a lovely two day catch up… and also rehashing fond memories. We discovered a new place to us locally .. a fabulous spa and hotel with a wonderful grill which we visited for lunch… they all had the tempura batter fish and chips which was apparently delicious and I had the goats cheese, caramalised onion, apple and walnut pizza… They also did a range of non-alcoholic cocktails and we all had Apple Daiquiris which were stunning… a bit of an ice-cream headache but what a way to get your 5 a day..

We then went to see John Wick 3 at our local cinema, both David and I loved John Wick 1 and 2 but were very disappointed with this third outing. We knew there would be a lot of action and quite a bit of violence and the stunts and the effects were amazing, but the fights in particular went on far too long.. 10 minutes and despite complex and brilliant choreography they became boring… It was more of a video game than a movie and the script was sparce. The problem is that is was stand alone, it is two years since the previous film.. and it literally picked up where it left off leaving you trying to remember what happened the last time. So if you have not seen John Wick 1 and 2.. I suggest you do before you see this one at the very least.. and be prepared for lots of action, most that is stretched out too lon and is very much more violent that the previous films.

Anyway a fun week and will be looking to recreate those apple daiquiris asap.

Just a quick note… to say that I will be serialising Tales from the Irish Garden from next weekend… it will take around 13 weeks and I am hoping that you enjoy.

There is a new series of the Sunday Interview coming up at the end of June and I have set a slightly different challenge this time… 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.

If you head over to the post you will find my own interpretation of this challenge and details on how to participate… hope you are up for it…

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/23/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-new-sunday-interview-series-human-in-every-sense-of-the-word-starting-sunday-june-30th-2019/

Time for the posts from the week.

As always my thanks to the contributors and everyone who is participating in the current Posts from Your Archives.. 50 bloggers and counting. As you can imagine I am having a blast reading everyone’s archives and I am managing to post 15 authors a week. So apologies if you are not featured yet, but you will be in the coming couple of months.

This week I share another two posts from Paul Andruss on the subject of poetry.. and the first is William Blake.. A man born before his time.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/25/smorgasbord-posts-from-my-archives-william-blake-a-man-born-before-his-time-by-paul-andruss/

The second is Lord Byron.. a complicated man....

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/26/smorgasbord-posts-from-my-archives-lord-byron-mad-bad-and-dangerous-to-know-by-paul-andruss/

Personal Stuff – Short Stories – Flash fiction stories in response to Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge by Charli Mills

Carved in Wood… a widow returns to a wood and tree with carved initials..

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/20/smorgasbord-short-stories-carrot-ranch-flash-fiction-carved-in-wood-by-sally-cronin/

And this week’s Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge by Charli Mills 

A Mother’s Dilemma – Disappearing Ice.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/25/smorgasbord-short-stories-carrot-a-mothers-dilemma-by-sally-croninranch-flash-fiction/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/21/smorgasbord-music-column-one-hit-wonders-spirit-in-the-sky-by-norman-greenbaum/

My intention with this blog was to create a watering hole where writers could gather and exchange experiences and knowledge and so delighted with all that I am discovering by delving into your archives.. and finding some gems even you have forgotten!

This week Robbie Cheadle takes us on her trip to London with her husband, and shares three parks and Sherlock Holmes house.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/20/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-uk2018-three-parks-and-sherlock-holmes-house-by-robbie-cheadle/

USA Today bestselling author Jacquie Biggar with one of her guests Roxanne St. Clair…

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/20/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-guest-posting-with-jacquie-biggar-roxannestclair-new-york-times-bestselling-author/

Financial expert Sharon Marchisello explores the link between financial and physical health.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/21/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-finance-the-link-between-financial-and-physical-health-by-sharon-marchisello/

This week Diana Peach shares a rather wet weekend with a grandson in charge of the garden hose and open window… what could go wrong!

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/21/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-my-rug-cleaning-fiasco-by-d-wallace-peach/

I chose a poignant poem by Miriam Hurdle that touched many hearts…

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/22/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-poetry-beautiful-tiny-baby-by-miriam-hurdle/

Pete Johnson, Beetley Pete reviews the original Titanic film from 1958 – A Night to Remember.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/22/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-retro-review-a-night-to-remember-1958-by-beetley-pete/

Carol Taylor introduces us to their forever dog Saangchai and his early antics…

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/22/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-dogs-are-not-our-whole-life-but-they-make-our-life-whole-by-carol-taylor/

The Story Reading Ape with another of his guests over the last six years.. author Billy Ray Chitwood, who shares his life story.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/23/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-the-story-reading-ape-and-his-guest-billy-ray-chitwood/

D.G. Kaye with another of her down to earth posts on social media and the impact on our lives. Are we getting lost in social oblivion ?

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/23/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-are-we-lost-in-social-oblivion-by-d-g-kaye/

Darlene Foster gives us a tour of her home town… Medicine Hat in Canada..

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/24/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-travel-ten-reasons-to-visit-medicine-hat-canada-by-darlene-foster/

A short story from Christine Campbell… The Thing Is.…

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/24/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-short-story-the-thing-is-by-christine-campbell/

Charles Yallowitz with another of his compelling poems..Fear

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/25/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-poetry-fear-by-charles-e-yallowitz/

The final part of D.Avery’s linked story The Fold.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/25/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-the-fold-final-part-by-d-avery/

We continue the story of the Hollywood auditions… courtesy of Jane Risdon and it is always useful to have a brown paper bag to hand.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/26/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-the-auditions-part-three-blow-into-the-paper-bag-by-jane-risdon/

Mary Smith had a wonderful trip to Canada for a special birthday celebration and shares some of her trip with us.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/26/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-marysmithsplace-canada-part-3/

New book on the shelves

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/23/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-new-book-on-the-shelves-the-escape-series-book-2-catching-butterflies-search-for-home-by-sandra-j-jackson/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/24/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-new-book-on-the-shelves-soap-on-a-rope-cold-cream-murders-book-3-by-barbara-silkstone/

Author Update

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/20/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-author-update-reviews-ann-chiappetta-richard-dee-and-lyn-horner/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/24/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-author-update-reviews-claire-fullerton-c-s-boyack-and-balroop-singh/

The estimated consumption of fizzy drinks around the world is 50billion units a day!  The American Soft Drink Association was proud to say a few years ago that the average American consumes over 600, 12oz servings per year. Children are consuming many more fizzy drinks than adults and they estimate that the average teenager drinks an average of 160 gallons of soft drinks per year until their late 20’

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/21/smorgasbord-health-column-worldwide-market-for-fizzy-drinks-is-an-estimated-340-billion-a-year-but-at-what-cost/

The start of a updated series on the major organs of the body.. starting with the brain. This week an introduction and the anatomy.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/22/smorgasbord-health-column-top-to-toe-revisited-the-brain-introduction-and-anatomy-by-sally-cronin/

This rescue cockatoo is found a new loving home and renewed joy of life and music..

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/21/smorgasbord-laughter-lines-guest-comedian-d-g-kaye-and-some-jokes-from-sallys-archives-episode-12/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/23/smorgasbord-laughter-lines-gone-fishing-and-some-jokes-from-the-archives/

Thank you very much for dropping in today and I am off out and will check in on everything this evening.. thanks Sally.

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Weekly Round Up -Herbie Hancock, Gems from Your Archives and Talkative Parrots.

Welcome to the round up of posts on the blog you might have missed this week.

We currently have a digger in the back garden, a cement filled trench awaiting blocks for a retaining wall and mounds of earth, that I am sure will be turned into a wonderfully landscaped vista by the end of the week.. that’s the plan anyway.

I had to do a complete replant of my pots this week as the ones I bought from a supermarket as good value, turned out to be duds.. I did think when I put them in that they were too dry and watered them and gave them some feed but after two weeks of TLC… most had died. Anyway… I went to my usual garden centre and paid a bit more and they are all thriving. Just goes to show sometimes bargains do not work out. It is the first year out of about 50.. that it has happened so I should count myself lucky.. All the pots are round the side of the house at the moment with equipment coming in and out and I will have fun putting them back later in the week.

We have old friends arriving Tuesday for two days. They are currently touring south and west Ireland finishing in Dublin over the weekend before coming down to us.. we are only an hour from their return ferry so handy… This is their first time in Ireland and I am looking forward to hearing how they got on..

The Posts from Your Archives is going well. I am so enjoying browsing and reading everyone’s posts to select the four I am going to publish… I feel I am getting to know people a little better and I am discovering some hidden gems to share as you will see later in the post. If you are on the list and have not heard from me… I am just about to begin scheduling the June spots and will get in touch with dates shortly.. It looks like this series is going to run into July which is terrific.

Time to get on with the round up and as always I am very grateful for all the contributions, shares, likes and comments..

William Price King shares the music of American Jazz Pianist, Keyboardist, Composer, Band Leader and Actor Herbie Hancock.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/14/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-the-music-column-with-william-price-king-american-jazz-pianist-keyboardist-composer-band-leader-and-actor-herbie-hancock/

Another two part series from Paul Andruss on Poetry… with some iconic examples from the masters.. According to the Muse….

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/18/smorgasbord-posts-from-my-archives-according-to-the-muse-a-dialogue-in-2-halves-part-1-what-is-poetry-paul-andruss/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/19/smorgasbord-posts-from-my-archives-according-to-the-muse-a-monologue-in-2-parts-part-two-born-to-die-by-paul-andruss/

This week I reviewed Devil in the Wind: Voices from the 2009 Black Saturday Bush Fires by Frank Prem.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/18/smorgasbord-book-reviews-devil-in-the-wind-voices-from-the-2009-black-saturday-bushfires-by-frank-prem/

This week in early June 1986 we drove the 7 hours to reach South Padre Island on the Gulf of Mexico.. fabulous place (those shrimp were to die for) and also I up my exercise routine (makes my knees ache just reading about it!)

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/16/smorgasbord-letters-from-america-june-1986-south-padre-island-and-getting-fit-sally-cronin/

Delighted to welcome guest writer, singer/songwriter guitarist Michelle Monet to the blog today who explores the concept of fame and the inclusion of ‘big names’ in memoirs to catch the public’s eye.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/13/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-guest-writer-michelle-monet-memoirs-i-was-told-that-my-memoir-could-be-a-huge-bestseller-if-i-do-more-celebrity-name-dropping-huh/

Robbie Cheadle with a short story in response to one of Sue Vincent’s Photo Prompt Challenges  Memorandum left by Dr Thompson

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/13/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-short-story-memorandum-left-by-dr-thompson-by-robbie-cheadle/

Jacquie Biggar with a delicious recipe for soup that can be adapted for everyone’s tastes and would make a great starter or main course.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/13/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-sunday-potatosoup-cooking-up-memories-by-jacquie-biggar/

This week D.Wallace Peach back to nature, and if you think you have bats in your belfry… you might not be crazy.

photo by John Pearce via Flickr

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/14/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-bats-in-the-writers-belfry-by-d-wallace-peach/

Finance expert Sharon Marchisello shares some of the ways you can pay off your mortgage early.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/14/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-finance-paying-off-your-mortgage-by-sharon-marchisello/

Our resident foodie, Carol Taylor, shares the stray dog and welfare issues in Thailand and how one mum and her pups enters their lives

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/15/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-properly-trained-man-can-be-a-dogs-best-friend-by-carol-taylor/

Miriam Hurdle takes us on a trip to Yellowstone National Park and Alaska with some amazing photography.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/15/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-a-trip-to-yellowstone-park-and-alaska-by-miriam-hurdle/

Pete Johnson, Beetley Pete, takes us on a ride in his time machine to ancient Rome.. where would you like to travel to.. the past or the future..

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/15/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-my-time-machine-by-beetley-pete/

D. G. Kaye – Debby Gies has a wonderful book review feature every Sunday and here is an example where she reviews Midlife Cabernet by Elaine Ambrose.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/16/smorgasbord-post-from-your-arcives-potluck-d-g-kaye-sunday-book-review-midlife-cabernet-by-elaine-ambrose/

This week I am sharing a guest post by author A.C. Flory from the archives of Chris Graham, The Story Reading Ape.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/16/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-the-story-reading-and-his-guest-author-a-c-flory/

A heartwarming and poignant short story from Darlene Foster…The Special Date.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/17/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-shortstory-the-special-date-by-darlene-foster/

Author Christine Campbell shares the first part of a tour of Scotland when she and family drove whilst her husband cycled from John O’Groats to Embo..

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/17/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-cycling-days-1-to-3john-ogroats-to-embo-by-christine-campbell/

Another wonderful episode in the linked flash fiction family saga.. The Fold by D. Avery

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/18/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-arcives-potluck-the-fold-part-three-by-d-avery/

Charles Yallowitz takes a look at the art of ‘Banter’ the exchange between two people… usually comedic. The Art of Bantering: Not as Easy as You Think

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/18/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-the-art-of-bantering-not-as-easy-as-you-think-by-charles-e-yallowitz/

This is the third post from author Jane Risdon and since you enjoyed the audition posts last week.. here is part two…The Auditions Part Two: Let’s Play Rock ‘n’ Roll by Zeppelin

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/19/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-the-auditions-part-two-lets-play-rock-n-roll-by-zeppelin-by-jane-risdon/

This post by Mary Smith, illustrates that sometimes the hardest part of caring for a person who has dementia can be leaving them to have some much needed respite… even when they are never far from your thoughts.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/19/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-my-dads-a-goldfish-downhill-slide-by-mary-smith/

New Book on the Shelves

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/14/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-new-book-on-the-shelves-undercover-crime-shorts-by-jane-risdon/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/15/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-new-book-on-the-shelves-mystery-fire-in-the-vineyard-by-christa-polkinhorn/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/16/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-new-on-the-shelves-children-davey-derek-junior-detectives-series-the-case-of-the-mystery-of-the-bells-by-janice-spina/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/17/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-new-book-on-the-shelves-ghost-horror-haverscroft-by-s-a-harris/

Author update #reviews

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/13/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-update-reviews-hugh-w-roberts-don-massenzio-and-nicholas-c-rossis/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/17/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-author-update-reviews-victoria-zigler-sue-coletta-and-amy-reade/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/14/smorgasbord-laughter-lines-guest-comedian-d-g-kaye-and-jokes-from-sallys-archives-episode-10/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/16/smorgasbord-laughter-lines-guest-comedian-d-g-kaye-and-some-snippets-from-sallys-archives-episode-11/

 

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Weekly Round Up

Welcome to the round up of posts that you might have missed this week on Smorgasbord.

A quiet week on the home front, with a couple of days of sunshine and more today, so I will be out in the garden for much of the day…not so much making hay as getting rid of the rust in my joints!  David has been working to level off the back garden which was left as a weedy slope, and once the workmen have completed the pathway and resurfaced the back patio, we shall have a lovely spot to eat out which gets the sun in the summer until 10.00pm.  Also another step to getting the house ready to go on the market next spring.

I have also managed to find dry enough days to finish by pot plants. We then had three days of torrential rain and I am afraid some of the younger plants drowned.. you have to be hardy around here!

As always thank you for your support during the week and to the contributors who continue to share such wonderful articles.

I am so thrilled by the amazing response to the new Posts from the Archives series with over 40 bloggers allowing me access to their archives, to select four posts to share with everyone. This means I will be doing a lot of reading of posts, which is wonderful and it means that we have about three months worth of posts. Apologies if you have just gone on the list, but I will respond to you and get in touch when I have selected your posts… The first of those later in the post..

Now for the posts from the week……

This week William Price King shares the life and some of the work of jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer Miles Davis

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/30/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-the-music-column-with-william-price-king-jazz-trumpeter-bandleader-and-composer-miles-davis/

Two posts this weekend from Paul Andruss on Glastonbury and King Arthur.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/04/smorgasbord-posts-from-my-archives-the-dancing-floor-of-glastonbury-tor-by-paul-andruss/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/05/smorgasbord-posts-from-my-archives-arthur-king-or-pawn-by-paul-andruss-by-paul-andruss/

In this series we look at cooking and your diet from a different perspective. Usually we emphasize the health benefits of food and how they can be incorporated into your diet. But, what happens if you do NOT include them in your diet.

We wanted to share with you what happens if your body is deprived of individual nutrients over an extended period of time.

Carol Taylor takes the ingredients that contain good sources of the nutrient and creates dishes that the whole family will love..this week Vitamin B6.. and delicious Chicken and prune tagine, tofu and honey bites and spicy sweet potato balls.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/01/smorgasbord-health-column-are-you-getting-enough-vitamin-b6-chicken-and-prune-tagine-tofu-and-honey-bites-spicy-sweet-potato-balls-sally-cronin-and-carol-taylor/

Annette Rochelle Aben with the Universal Energy for May and what that could mean for you as an individual…

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/01/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-numerology-your-universal-energy-for-may-2019-by-annette-rochelle-aben/

I trot this post our once a year as a reminder that you are being watched… even when you are not in front of your computer screen. It is not only thieves and vagabonds you need to worry about who might have designs on your empty house, but also trying to claim on your health insurance for some unfortunate mishap that took place while you were having fun in the sun.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/02/smorgasbord-something-to-think-about-reminder-going-on-holiday-with-your-bff-social-mediaby-sally-cronin/

My review of the anthology to raise funds for cancer research compiled by Stevie Turner : Understanding: An Anthology of true and significant life events

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/30/smorgasbord-book-reviews-understanding-an-anthology-of-true-and-significant-life-events-compiled-by-stevie-turner/

I unearth one of my poems on the culinary delights of holidays

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/01/smorgasbord-posts-from-my-archives-poetry-holidays-by-sally-cronin/

This week’s carrot ranch flash fiction challenge In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about sisu. It’s a Finnish concept of enduring strength, the ability to consistently overcome. Sisu – DNA.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/04/smorgasbord-short-stories-the-carrot-ranch-flash-fiction-sisu-dna-by-sally-cronin/

The majority of us who are losing weight will hit a plateau some weeks into the diet.. In this post I explain why and how to work through it.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/04/smorgasbord-health-column-size-matters-the-sequel-weightloss-hitting-the-plateau-by-sally-cronin/

You can find details in this post…love to hear from you, and as I mentioned if on the list it could be a few weeks before you feature :https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/28/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-newseries-pot-luck-and-do-you-trust-me/

Christopher Graham began the new series and I selected one of his guest posts from Emily Gmitter with a wonderful post that I recommend you read.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/02/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-the-story-reading-ape-a-selection-of-guest-posts-emily-gmitter/

Here is the first of the posts I have selected from the archives of D.G. Kaye, Debby Gies. Every month on the last Friday, those who participate in a global We Are The World Blogfest, (#WATWB) share inspiring stories of random acts of kindness, or projects that are making a difference to people around the world.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/02/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-d-g-kaye-kindness-rocks-project-watwb-how-it-began-how-to-participate/

Children’s author and travel writer Darlene Foster is a regular visitor to the blog and has shared some amazing posts. The first post that I selected was from 2013…about a wonderful organisation in Canada that raises funding for the Children’s Hospital.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/03/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-cwill-bc-group-rewards-by-darlene-foster/

Author Christine Campbell has given me permission to browse her extensive archives dating back to March 2013… and the first post I have selected is from May 2013… and is about crafting, and in particular those delicate handkerchiefs that have been usurped by the paper tissue in many of our homes…

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/03/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-crafting-memories-by-christine-campbell/

The next contributor to the series is fantasy author Charles E. Yallowitz who has a wonderful blog where you can find stories, thoughts on life, book related posts and poetry. This week a poem on the journey of an Indie author.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/04/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-poetry-path-of-the-indie-by-charles-e-yallowitz/

I am delighted to share the first post from the archives of D.Avery who is the author of three short story and poetry collections. I have selected a wonderful serial that I am going to share over the four posts from D’s archives

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/04/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-serial-the-fold-part-one-by-d-avery/

This is the first post of four from author Jane Risdon… Jane loves to go on a ‘jolly’ for those of you who are unfamiliar with the expression… It is taking a road trip and having fun.. basically. The first post from her archives of 2016 is an example of that.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/05/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-hardwick-hall-another-jolly-from-2016-part-one-bess-of-hardwick-a-force-to-be-reckoned-with-by-jane-risdon/

My next guest in the new series of Posts from Your Archives is author Mary Smith.. I have two blogs to select the four posts from and the first is from her blog My Dad’s A Goldfish, where Mary shares here experiences caring for her father as his dementia worsened. In this post however, she shares the tragedy of the dementia of a school friend who she has remained in contact with, who developed the disease at a much earlier age. Very poignant…

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/05/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-potluck-my-dads-a-goldfish-for-john-m-by-mary-smith/

New books on the shelves

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/29/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-new-book-on-the-shelves-sister-witch-the-life-of-moll-dyer-legends-of-the-family-dyer-book-1-by-david-thompson/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/02/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-new-book-on-the-shelves-thriller-the-second-korean-war-by-ted-halstead/

Author Update – Reviews

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/29/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-author-update-reviews-mary-adler-a-j-alexander-and-jacquie-biggar/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/03/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-author-update-reviews-vashti-quiroz-vega-tony-riches-iain-kelly-and-sacha-black/

I have often highlighted the inconsistencies of medical studies and the profound and sometimes downright dangerous statements made that vilify or extol the virtues of either a food or medication. This was the case in 2012 when a Professor, labeled one of the UK’s leading experts stated that everyone over the age of 50 should be prescribed statins to reduce their cholesterol levels.  In this post I look at the latest research into Statins and their long term impact on our health.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/30/smorgasbord-health-column-the-cholesterol-myth-part-one-and-statins-the-new-research-sally-cronin/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/30/smorgasbord-laughter-lines-guest-comedian-d-g-kaye-and-a-joke-from-sallys-archives-2/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/02/smorgasbord-laughter-lines-guest-comedian-d-g-kaye-and-more-jokes-from-sallys-archives-3/

Thank you again for dropping in today and I hope you have enjoyed catching up with the posts. Take care and hope to see you next week too. Sally.

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine Weekly Round Up- Glenn Miller, Roses, Mexico, New Books, Reviews and Guests.

Welcome to the round up of posts that you might have missed this week on Smorgasbord.

Some stand out moments from the week that I would like to make a special mention about.

The first was the nomination for the blog for the Versatile Blogger Award by Brigid Gallagher which I was very honoured to receive. I know that many bloggers are now award free. I quite understand, as when you are at full tilt, it is tough to take the time to respond to an award and also to draw up a list of willing nominees.

However… even after six years, I still get a kick out of awards and I have met so many wonderful bloggers through other people’s nominees, that it is well worth the effort. And also it is an opportunity to showcase newer bloggers who are still finding their feet or deserve to have some promotion.

Anyway.. this was my response with 7 more secrets about me…..and some nominees who are terrific bloggers.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/04/smorgasbord-and-the-versatile-blogger-award-nominated-by-brigid-p-gallagher-7-things-you-may-not-know-about-me/

The second highlight is the release of Understanding: An Anthology of True and Significant Life Events… Compiled and contributed to by Stevie Turner and 18 other authors including myself and quite a few of our blogging community.

The proceeds from this anthology will be going to Cancer Research and it is a very worthy cause.

Over the next week I will be posing a number of author profiles of those who have contributed and I hope that you will follow those authors and also support their work in this collection.

About the anthology

The following authors and bloggers kindly answered questions posed by Stevie Turner regarding significant life experiences they had undergone. These events include sexual abuse, a near death experience, alcoholism, being diagnosed with cancer, depression, losing weight, getting married, being a mother to many children, being the daughter of a narcissistic mother, and many more!

In this first post I share the authors who have contributed with a profile on Stevie Turner, D.G. Kaye and in the coming two weeks will feature the other authors in separate posts.

All proceeds will be donated to Cancer Research:

You can buy the anthology for only 99c: https://www.amazon.com/UNDERSTANDING-Anthology-True-Significant-Events-ebook/dp/B07Q5NLHRZ

And on Amazon UK for 99p: https://www.amazon.co.uk/UNDERSTANDING-Anthology-True-Significant-Events-ebook/dp/B07Q5NLHRZ

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/07/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-special-feature-proceedscancerresearch-understanding-an-anthology-of-true-and-significant-life-events-compiled-by-stevie-turner-and-18-other-authors/

Now on with the other posts this week.

This week William Price King shares the life and music of the legendary Glenn Miller whose music is still loved over 70 years since his untimely death during the Second World War.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/02/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-the-music-column-with-william-price-king-glen-miller-trombonist-composer-big-band-leader/

In his final gardening post, Paul Andruss shares the beauty and background to the rose.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/06/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-the-gardening-column-with-paul-andruss-only-a-rose/

In the second part of her posts on Puerto Vallarta in Mexico, D.G. Kaye shares the fundamentals that you need to know about renting, shopping, tipping, exchanging your cash, dining and how to drink safe water.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/01/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-the-travel-column-with-d-g-kaye-puerto-vallarta-mexico-part-two-renting-shopping-tipping-and-water/

This week my guest is author Ann Chiappetta who shares where she would love to live in the world, the animal she would most like to talk to and her favourite season.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/07/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-the-sunday-interview-getting-to-know-author-ann-chiappetta

My review for Small Town Kid by Frank Prem – recommended

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/05/smorgasbord-book-reviews-small-town-kid-by-frank-prem/

This week Carol Taylor and I join forces to share the foods that contain good amounts of Vitamin B3 and the recipes that the whole family will enjoy.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/03/smorgasbord-health-column-cook-from-scratch-with-sally-cronin-and-carol-taylor-to-prevent-nutritional-deficiencies-vitamin-b3-niacin/

A lovely guest post from Joy Lennick in tribute to her mother…

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/04/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-guest-writer-joy-lennick-a-tribute-to-my-dear-mama-mum/

Sally’s personal stuff

This week in the R’s of Life,  I look at the true cost of retail therapy and the waste associated with our drive to own the latest and the most fashionable.  And also the mountains of food that goes uneaten in most of our countries when millions are starving.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/02/something-to-think-about-the-rs-of-life-survival-in-a-modern-world-retail-therapy-the-true-cost-by-sally-cronin/

This week I share the abundance of food that you can enjoy as you lose weight… starving the body is not an option, and cutting out food groups is counter productive.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/06/smorgasbord-health-column-size-matters-the-sequel-weightloss-all-the-delicious-foods-you-can-eat-by-sally-cronin/

Being the first week of the month… .Colleen Chesebro allowed us to pick our own words as prompts…My Etheree is entitled ‘April’

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/03/smorgasbord-poetry-colleen-chesebros-weekly-poetry-challenge-etheree-april-by-sally-cronin/

 

Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction – the Prompt this week is ‘Fire’

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/06/smorgasbord-short-stories-carrot-ranch-flash-fiction-fire-by-sally-cronin/

Donna W. Hill is a breast cancer survivor and in this week’s inspiring post she shares her motivation and also encounters with butterflies and knitting.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/01/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-family-butterflies-me-an-authors-breast-cancer-survival-story-by-donna-w-hill/

This week Jen Moore, shares the delightful character who is her son, and the warm and embracing way that the family manages his dyslexia.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/02/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-family-the-funny-thing-about-dyslexia-by-jen-moore/

This week Norah Colvin shares all things berry.. which resulted in a lot of discussion about what is a berry and what is not, and how to get hold of our favourites…

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/03/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-family-berry-delightful-by-norah-colvin/

A new contributor this week and the first post from the archives of Susanne Swanson who shares her return to her kindergarten school, celebrating its 100th anniversary.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/05/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-family-frank-b-cooper-school-refrain-by-susanne-swanson/

New Book on the Shelves

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/01/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-new-book-on-the-shelves-amie-savage-safari-amie-in-africa-book-5-by-lucinda-e-clarke/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/03/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-new-book-on-the-shelves-special-pre-order-price-99c-99p-the-mayhem-series-book-3-silent-mayhem-by-sue-coletta/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/04/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-new-book-on-the-shelves-trudys-diary-libraries-of-the-world-mysteries-book-1-by-amy-m-reade/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/07/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-new-on-the-shelves-shortstories-a-box-of-memories-by-allan-hudson/

Author Updates

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/01/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-author-update-reviews-d-wallace-peach-barb-taub-and-mary-smith/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/05/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-author-update-reviews-jean-lee-paulette-mahurin-pamela-s-wight/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/02/smorgasbord-laughter-lines-a-mixed-bag-and-some-observations-on-life/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/04/smorgasbord-laughter-lines-another-odd-assortment-and-more-observations-on-life/

 

Thank you very much for visiting this week and for all your support, it is always appreciated.

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine Weekly Round Up – Good intentions by Grandmas, Bird Watching and Halley’s Comet

Doesn’t time fly when you are having fun. Well I am anyway and I hope you are too… It has been a busy week offline with various projects and also taking advantage of the cold but sunny weather. It is hard to believe that it is January 20th already but it is great that the evenings are growing lighter by a few minutes each day.

My thanks as always to you for dropping in so often and keeping me motivated and here are some of the posts you might have missed..

This week Linda shares the delightful!! coat that her Grandmother managed to find at the charity shop for her..

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/17/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-guest-writer-linda-bethea-grandma-and-the-coat-from-hell/

Getting to know you – Sunday Interview with author Denzil Walton.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/20/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-sunday-interview-getting-to-know-you-with-childrens-wildlife-author-denzil-walton/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/15/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-music-column-belgium-ireland-1997-and-barbra-streisand-and-celine-dion/

The first part of our trip from Houston to Carlsbad Caverns and to see Halley’s Comet on its once in a lifetime visit.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/18/smorgasbord-letters-from-america-1986-new-mexico-carlsbad-caverns-and-halleys-comet/

The title of this series came about as I dipped into a Thesaurus to find some words for a poem I was writing. I noticed that a great many words that reflected (see what I mean) key elements in our lives began with the letter ‘R’. In this first post quite a bit about what I think about RESPECT

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/15/something-to-think-about-the-rs-of-life-respect-in-our-modern-world-by-sally-cronin/

Chapter one of the sequel to my first book written 20 years ago which followed my 18 month challenge to lose 150lbs. I am told at 42 that I am unlikely to make 45!

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/19/smorgasbord-health-size-matters-the-sequel-chapter-one-life-or-death-by-sally-cronin/

This week I look at the nutritional elements of Asparagus and Carol Taylor turns this very healthy vegetable into some delicious meals.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/16/smorgasbord-health-cook-from-scratch-with-sally-cronin-and-carol-taylor-asparagus-nutrient-packed-and-delicious-recipes/

Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Poetry Challenge.

I have chosen ‘Secret and Draw’ for my key words this week and I am also trying my hand at a Haibun… here is the link  where you will find a description of this form which is a combination of prose and poetry.

Rejuvenation

I have discovered the secret to eternal youth. I stand before the mirror. With eyes almost closed the image blurs. Wrinkles disappear. Hair regains its colour. The extra pounds fall away. I am tall and strong. A reflection of how I used to be. I draw the image towards me absorbing its essence.

Do not be deceived
Challenge the silver backed mirror
Remain young at heart.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/17/smorgasbord-poetry-colleen-chesebros-tuesday-poetry-challenge-haibun-rejuvenation/

New book on the shelves

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/14/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-new-book-on-the-shelves-how-to-craft-a-kickass-protagonist-10-steps-to-hero-by-sacha-black/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/16/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-new-book-on-the-shelves-fancy-meeting-you-here-by-jim-webster/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/17/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-new-book-on-the-shelves-non-fiction-the-universal-mind-by-peter-weisz-dip-psych-hnd-bacp/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/19/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-new-book-on-the-shelves-paranormal-end-of-day-a-hodes-hill-novel-book-2-by-mae-clair/

Author Update -Reviews

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/14/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-author-update-reviews-judith-barrow-jacquie-biggar-and-daniel-kemp/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/18/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-author-update-reviews-tony-riches-iain-kelly-and-lizzie-chantree/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/15/smorgasbord-laughter-lines-guest-comedian-d-g-kaye-and-another-a-joke-from-my-archives/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/17/smorgasbord-laughter-lines-guest-comedian-d-g-kaye-and-jokes-from-the-archives-2/

Thanks for dropping by and hope to see you again next week… Sally.

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Weekly Round Up – Who is referring others to your blog? Guests, music and laughter

Welcome to the weekly round up of posts you might have missed.

This week I got back into the swing of things and began the 2019 book promotions and the first of the Sunday Interviews. It was a terrific break but very happy being back to normal.

As always a huge thank you to my regular contributors and guests as well as the support on social media. Whilst managing the various platforms is time consuming and sometimes distracting, it was interesting to see, when I looked at the year’s analytic data, where the most referrals were generated from.

At the top end of the list and accounting for approximately 50% of the referrals out of 221,000 views:

1. WordPress Reader.
2. Facebook
3. Twitter
4. Yahoo.com
5. Other search engines.

The other 50% were referrals from individual bloggers.

This confirms a few things to me:

1. That WordPress Reader is a very powerful promotional tool for promoting not just our own posts but also when we reblog and ‘press’ posts we enjoy by other bloggers. Since people browse the Reader looking for posts that are interesting, it is well worth making sure you titles and the short summary at the top of your post catch their eye.
2. That my time spent on Twitter and Facebook is not wasted!
3. That using key words and tags on blog posts gets results from search engines. (but need to do better)
4. That connecting and becoming part of a supportive community is essential to the success of a blog.

A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to share the posts this year directly to their own blogs which resulted in referrals and to all of you who took the time to like, share on social media and comment.

This week William Price King shared the life and music of the legendary Duke Ellington.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/08/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-the-music-column-with-william-price-king-jazz-duke-ellington/

This week Carol Taylor shares her favourite recipes of 2018… and they look delicious.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/09/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-the-food-column-with-carol-taylor-favourite-dishes-of-2018/

D. G. Kaye – Debby Gies shares a recap of her 2018 travel column with a reminder of the places you might like to visit on vacation.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/07/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-the-travel-column-recap-take-a-look-before-you-book-your-summer-holiday-with-d-g-kaye/

Welcome to the first of a new season of Getting to Know You and my first guest for 2019 is Australian author Frank Prem who has recently released a collection of poems and short stories about his childhood – Small Town Kid.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/13/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-sunday-interview-getting-to-know-you-with-author-frank-prem/

I was delighted to review Fairies, Myths & Magic: A Summer Celebration by Colleen M. Chesebro.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/12/smorgasbord-book-reviews-fairies-myths-and-magic-a-summer-celebration-by-colleen-m-chesebro/

I wrote the original Size Matters in 1998 about my 150lb weight loss… I did update when the book went digital but that was several years ago. After working as a nutritional therapist for the last 20 years, and having continued to research and study food and its role in our health, I decided that it was time to write the sequel. 

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/11/smorgasbord-health-size-matters-the-sequel-after-20-years-by-sally-cronin-introduction/

It is 1996 and it is a year of change with a move to Brussels and Anthony Robbins Life Mastery.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/10/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-the-music-column-1996-a-year-of-change-and-celine-dion/

I am had fun with Colleen’s Tuesday Poetry Challenge 118 with the synonyms this week of ‘Begin’ and ‘Fresh’

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/09/smorgasbord-poetry-colleen-chesebro-tuesday-poetry-challenge-week-118-etheree-initiate-and-crisp/

It is now 1986 and both David and my father have their birthdays back to back. We are also making plans for a day trip and a much longer road trip over to New Mexico.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/12/smorgasbord-letters-from-america-houston-1986-birthdays-and-plans/

New on the shelves this week.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/10/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-new-book-on-the-shelves-sciencefiction-fantasty-voyage-of-the-lanternfish-by-c-s-boyack/

Author update with recent reviews

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/07/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-author-update-reviews-don-massenzio-marcia-meara-and-teri-polen/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/11/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-author-update-reviews-bette-a-stevens-jane-risdon-and-christina-jones-sally-cronin/

The Gentle Detox

As part of a gentle detox it is useful to employ the power of nature as a cleanser for your liver and kidneys. Dandelion is powerful and has many health benefits.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/07/smorgasbord-health-column-the-gentle-detox-tool-box-water-retention-dandelion-by-sally-cronin/

It is a good idea to complete a gentle detox to find out what food triggers or environmental contaminants might be causing you to suffer from allergies or health issues.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/08/smorgasbord-health-column-the-gentle-detox-food-intolerances-nightshade-family-and-environmental-toxins-by-sally-cronin/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/08/smorgasbord-laughter-lines-guest-comedian-d-g-kaye-and-a-joke-from-my-archives-2/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/01/10/smorgasbord-laughter-lines-snitching-cheating-failing-and-a-change-of-career/

Thank you very much for dropping in today and for your continued support. It keeps me motivated to keep writing.. thanks Sally.