Challenges | But I Smile Anyway...

#TJ’s Household Haiku – Walking Stick

09 Apr 2016 45 Comments

by Ritu in Challenges, Poems Tags: #TJ's Household Haiku Challenge, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Haiku Challenge, Plantar Fastiitis, Walking Stick

I’ve seen a few of my blogily enter TJ’s Household Haiku Challenge in the past, and it seems like time is never on my side, usually, but this time I thought “No, I am going to MAKE time!

So, here it is, based on TJ’s prompt for the week – Walking Stick.

If you saw only posts last week, I was suffering with my feet, and the doctor diagnosed that I have Plantars Fastiitis in my heels. This causes excruciating pain when you put weight on your heel. It started with one poor foot, then the other has started playing up too!

So, we went to Bluewater for a wander, and a bit of shopping on Friday. I have never felt older in my life! After an hour of walking, I needed to sit down every 100 yards or so, as my feet were killing.

I tell you, I could have done with a walking stick then, and in Boots, the kids thought it would be thoughtful/funny to show me the folding ones that you get. There was a rather fancy one, with poppies all over it, but no, I didn’t resort to that!

( However, I have invested in new special heel insoles, a roller for my feet, and 3 new pairs of memory foam sole shoes for work!)

But today, after a particularly rigorous cleaning the house session, my feet were screaming for mercy, and I needed to find something to help…

(Cue the Haiku and photo!)

2016-04-09-19.57.06.jpg.jpeg

Placebo

Makeshift walking stick

Emergency support for

My aching feet!

Ritu 2016

SoCS April 9/16 – Ha

09 Apr 2016 15 Comments

by Ritu in Challenges, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Ha, Socs

In response to Linda’s SoCS Prompt this week, check it out here.

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “ha.” Use it as a word, or find a word that starts with those two letters. Enjoy

Ha.

I read this and rather than think of a word starting with ‘ha’ I automatically thought of laughter.

Ha ha! Giggles, titters, guffaws, sniggers. Laughter, see!

And then what laughter means to me – Happiness.

There. A word that begins with ‘ha’!

I love to hear laughter, the giggles of a child, the titters of your friends, trying to hide their amusement from others, the loud guffaws when something tickles you so much that you can’t contain yourself, sniggers when you are finding something amusing that you shouldn’t.

And here are a few quotes I found on Google, about laughter and it’s importance.

And my favourite…

So go on, LAUGH and be HAPPY!!

And have a wonderful Saturday!

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!!!!!!

It’s All In The Title – #Writespiration 86

08 Apr 2016 31 Comments

by Ritu in Challenges, Fiction Tags: #Writespiration, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Comedy, Ghoset, Sacha Black

Sacha is back with another game to challenge us!

Check it out here.

In the Title

In the post I’ve listed all the titles you gave me.
Pick one (not your own) and write a story in less than 200 words, and tell me which title you picked.
Titles:

Under Stone
Venus on Earth
The Case of the Prejudiced Ghost
My Part in the EDSA Revolution 1986
Drawn Towards The Sun
All aboard!
To Have and to Harm
End of the Line
The Haunted Tide
Oath Breaker
Buster and Moo
The Life and Times of Scott Hughes
Paulonious Punk and the Search for an Adventure
The House That Wasn’t There
Return to Echoing Waters
Revelation
The Years After Mojo’s
Oathbreakers

So, here’s my take…

The Case of the Prejudiced Ghost

“I’m sorry mother, but no, I refuse!”

Mrs Darcy sighed, as well as any paranormal apparition could sigh.

Edgar had become increasingly picky lately about his work, and when he would and wouldn’t go out on duty.

She fondly remembered the days of the past, when they would go off to work together, and any living soul sighted, human or animal, was cause for great excitement! He loved the reactions he got, when he was seen. This gory, ghostly apparition, walking towards them, with his head held in his hand, blood dripping from the severed skull as he approached them.

The screams, oh the screams! A sound of pure ecstasy for them!

Their job was done.

More and more ‘ghost hunters’ and thrill seekers started to visit their house, hoping to view the infamous Edgar Darcy, walking the corridors of the old mansion.

This was around the time it happened.

Edgar got big headed (as much as a headless ghost could!) and started to refuse to perform on demand.

He would peer out of the window and sometimes it took just one look at the people coming.

“Absolutely not mother! They’re wearing…Burberry Tracksuits!”

Hope you enjoyed!

Tree #writephoto

08 Apr 2016 37 Comments

by Ritu in Challenges, Poems, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #WritePhoto, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Daily Echo, Submission, Tree

Sue Vincent over at Daily Echo has given us this photo as our prompt…

tree

I must admit my mind went a bit more ‘adult’ when looking at this photo…

Submissive

Trussed up and wanting

Unclothed and in submission

Pure debauchery

Ritu 2016

Erm, could it be to do with the genre of book I am reading at present…?

Anyway, the photo also reminded me of a picture I took last year, of a local tree that was, in comparison to the above one, rather modest! See for yourself!

These trees, eh!

Hugh’s Weekly Photo Challenge: Week 20 – “Solitude”

05 Apr 2016 28 Comments

by Ritu in Challenges, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Challenge, Hugh's Photo Challenge, Photography, Solitude

Tuesday heralds Hugh’s Weekly Photo Challenge. Check it out here.

1. Take or choose a photo that you’ve taken which, for you, shows Solitude.
2. Create a new post on your blog entitled “Hugh’s Weekly Photo Challenge: Week 20 – “Solitude”
3. Add the photo(s) you have taken to the post and tell us a little about what you are showing.
4. Create a pingback to this post or leave a link to your post in the comments section below so that other participants can view the post.

Solitude

In a place of calm

Refreshes

Ritu 2016

Haiku in traditional 3/5/3 format

This is where I truly find solitude, in a good way, back home at my parents. This is the view from my bedroom when I go home. I can look out there, and feel alone, in a good way, knowing the kids are being looked after, and usually Hubby Dearest hasn’t come with us, so this room, that view, is my haven, my place of r & r…

And these are the times that solitude truly refreshes the soul!

Of course, I don’t get much time alone, I spend most of it with my parents, but when I do get that time, I cherish it!