Treachery at the Tailor’s Guild. Waylon was a changeling. Sold by the Church. Now a journeyman tailor. He journeys the world for three years and a day. Sleeping in ditches. Hedgrows are the best. But ditches can slay as well as shield. A twisted tale of trust and betrayal. “Waylon’s Way” by Alexandria Blaelock, is […]
Monk’s Evening Routine
Having been intrigued by the Venerable Nick Keomahavong’s morning routine, it’s only a small step to wondering what’s the deal with a Buddhinst Monk’s evening routine. Similar to morning routine, most evening routines are focused on increasing productivity the next day. But the Monk’s purpose is to bring the mind back home to stillness and […]
Monk’s Morning Routine
Not sure what I was searching for on YouTube when I came across a new to me take on the morning routine – the Buddhist Monk’s routine as demonstrated by the Venerable Nick Keomahavong. I found it interesting because morning routines are usually focused on productivity; squeezing as much into the day as you can. […]
Embracing Fate: An Unavoidable Fate short story
For better or worse. When Susan Grant died, Agatha was there; right next to the bed. Susan was stuck in the air-conditioned hospice room, slipping in and out of consciousness. In a world where even the Fates sometimes question their place. One orphan clings to the destiny her mother birthed her into. Because that’s just […]
I’m Launching My eBookshop!
I just did something interesting and amazing, and today I’m launching my eBookshop! It’s a one-stop shop for all my books and short stories, and you can find it in the middle of my header menu. You’ll still find them at your usual eRetailer, and in print, but now you can buy from me as […]
Toy Soldiers: A Short Story
In the long dark night of the soul… Mikke squinted, but his eyes refused to focus. He blinked a couple of times, but they didn’t clear, so he rubbed them with the knuckles of his index fingers. Mikke can’t remember a time before The War. Can’t imagine a time after. Can he find hope and […]
Princess Jellyfish
I recently watched a Japanese show called Princess Jellyfish, based on the teenage girl manga of the same name. Tsukimi Kurashita, has been obsessed with jellyfish since her mother took her to an aquarium shortly before she died. Her life takes a new turn when she gets into a fight with a petstore assistant about […]
The Day Seems Bleak
We’ve had FIVE covid related lockdowns. Full of long, bleak days. So many that even I, an introvert who works from home, has about had enough. I find myself staring slack jawed out of the window, idly watching the turtledoves scramble around the deck looking for any seed the parrots might have missed. Now and […]
Walking the Tightrope
It’s the time of year when I usually start to get a bit snaky. Walking the tightrope between the usual thing and the need for a break. For almost my entire adult life, this is the time of year I’d usually be putting the finishing touches on my holiday plans. When I was younger, driving […]
The Pseudonym’s Bride: A Short Mystery
Happily ever after… Or not Celeste Celeste Baillieu’s husband seems a perfectly normal person, but he has a secret. And it’s not that he’s rubbish at renovation. When she starts taking the cottage apart, she finds a body. And that’s just the start of it. Because it looks like she might be next. “The Pseudonym’s […]
5 Tips for Updating Your Home Without Updating It
In April, I mentioned we had started a list of renovations for updating our home. I had even gone as far as short listing some builders to do the work. And then in May, I mentioned the shortage of building and therefore the hight cost of building supplies, and my intention to focus on home […]
Tell your fear “Silenzio Bruno!”
I recently watched Luca, a Disney movie about two young sea monsters meeting humans in search of a Vespa. Among other things, Alberto (one of the monsters) tells Luca (the other monster) that the voice of his fear belongs to someone called Bruno. His role is to stop him doing anything interesting. That when he’s […]