Thoughts Opinions & Memories | But I Smile Anyway...

Chai And A Chat #120 #ChaiAndAChat #CoronaDiaries Week 44

01 Feb 2021 41 Comments

by Ritu in Chai and a Chat, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Catch Up, Chai and a Chat, Corona Diaries

Another week goes by in a blur… and that’s the first month of 2021, GONE!

Anyway, let’s get to it. Where’s your drink?

If we were having chai I’d start with a quick school update. So I was on in-school with KW Children duty this week, and the week went pleasantly enough. We were given our LFD test packs this week, so we now have to test twice a week, to locate any possible asymptomatic cases within staff. I did my first one on Saturday. I was so nervous, to be honest. Obviously, I don’t want to be positive. For everyone’s sake, and for more selfish reasons. We had a few things happening this weekend, as well as several appointments over the week which I really can’t afford to miss or reschedule… the pack honestly looks like a pregnancy test, except you don’t pee on a stick, you still do the throat and nose swabs, before putting your sample on the test. It was Negative, thank goodness!
If we were having chai I’d tell you that I was very happy to hear that my parents got their first vaccinations on Saturday. One step closer to being able to be together, I guess! And my in-laws got their letter through to book an appointment for theirs, too. Mum in law wanted an asymptomtaic test first though, to ensure they were both fine, so I booked those in for them, and they also came back negative. So at least our parents will be vaccinated with the first shots. Thank goodness.
If we were having chai I’d update you on house stuff. So, we decided to get new photos done of the house, by someone more professional than the estate agent who did the original ones. I teel you whata, going professional is tiring! I spent Saturday doing a huge disappearing act, taking clothing off our clothes rails, losing unnecessaray furniture, stripping the kitchen bathroom and living room, buying throws and cushions to look a little more fancy, and dismantling Hubby Dearest’s office on our dining table, so the room could look more like a dining room for the pics. I exhausted myself on Saturday, then before the photographer arrived on, at 11 am, I was shifting furniture, and doing a last minute clean. The photos took 2 hours, with a bout of me running up and down stairs moving things. She was a great photographer, too. Then, when she left, it was mission get back to normality, again. I didn’t even eat, all day, until 5.30pm! And I think my Fitbit told me that before, I sat down, I did 20.5K steps! But, at least the photos are done, and hopefully, they will help get some more viewings in… then we are another step closer to our dream home.
If we were having chai I’d tell you that I received my January treat to myself. It’s a Covid mug! Can you read it without singing?

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A post shared by Ritu Bhathal ✍🏽📚💜 (@ritubhathalwrites)

If we were having chai I’d finish by telling you that I completed my January journaling challenge! 31 days of prompts, and creativity in my journal. It has made me think about how I can use the skill regularly, now, too!

This week, I’ll be hoping for news on the house situation, taking Lil Princess for her HPV Vaccine, doing all the usual school stuff, as well as a few online trainings, and a Zoom meeting…

And while you’re here, did you sign up for my mailing list? I am in the middle of writing an exclusive Chickpea Curry Lit story for my subscribers, and there will be news, tips and even recipes! You know you want to join… go on! Click the pic below to sign up!

Special Collection Flash Fiction Challenge

28 Jan 2021 23 Comments

by Ritu in Thoughts Opinions & Memories

Charli Mills has a special Flash Fiction prompt, this week, that introduces a month of differences in February. A flash fiction challenge, honouring our very special blogging friend, Sue Vincent, in advance of a competition, which will be supporting Sue.

January 28, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about life as a river of consciousness. Think about the possibilities of the prompt. Go where the prompt leads!

 
The Life River 

 Life is a river 
 Of consciousness
 Each of us a drop
 Merging together
 To become one
  
 When we clash
 Life flows
 Unevenly
 Turbulent currents
 Water gushing
 Fiercely
 Banging and crashing 
 Against the banks
  
 When we live 
 Harmoniously
 Gentle ripples
 Dapple the surface
 Creating
 The illusion
 Of peace
  
 Together we flow
 Side by side
 Whether we like it
 Or not
  
 Life is a river
 Of consciousness
 Echoing the
 Ebbs and flows
 Of life
 River beds
 Dry up
 River banks
 Burst
  
 But, in the end
 The river
 Continues to flow
  
 Like life
  
 Ups and downs
 Ebbs and flows
 Life goes on 

Ritu 2021

Special Collection Flash Fiction Challenge

The Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic with The Carrot Ranch

27 Jan 2021 18 Comments

by Ritu in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Carrot Ranch, Sue Vincent

Sue Vincent is one of those special bloggers that inspires people all over the world. Readers have long been galvanized by her posts about mythology, about ancient ruins and medieval churches, and her daily #midnighthaiku. Even more have participated in and grown as a result of her #writephoto prompts. In addition to posting her prompts, Sue has tirelessly supported other bloggers by sharing others’ responses to her 19,000 and counting followers.

Recently, Sue has been faced with a new and difficult challenge: lung cancer. You can follow her blog to find out more directly from her. The Covid pandemic has served not only to pose a specific threat to a person with a severe respiratory illness, but it has caused loss of human connection through self-imposed quarantine.

Now it’s time for Sue to receive something back from the community she’s been a cornerstone of for a decade. Let’s bring the Rodeo into Sue’s house through her computer, and let’s come together with hearts full of joy. Join us for the Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic at the Carrot Ranch – a contest, parade, and celebration all in one!
There are many ways to participate. One is to visit the prompt image, “Hidden”, at the Carrot Ranch. The prompt image and entry form will go live on Monday, February 1st, 2021. Enter a flash or a poem by Friday, February 19th, 2021, and you could win either $100 or a copy of one of Sue’s books. The form will allow you to give a small donation for Sue and her family, and a link can be found on the contest page. The winning entries will be announced at the Carrot Ranch on March 22nd, 2021.

If you’re not ready to rodeo, there’s always the “Parade”. Reblog one of Sue’s posts from any of her sites (Daily Echo or France and Vincent) with a comment about why you found it special. Follow her blogs. Read one of her books, then leave reviews where you can. Several people are already gearing up for the parade – so feel free to check out other people’s blogs for suggestions.

Also, go ahead and reblog, tweet, Facebook, or somehow otherwise share the contest! 99 word literary art is a fantastic way to celebrate a blogging hero and very deserving person.

Saddle up, everyone! It’s time for a Carrot Ranch Rodeo like none ever held before. The Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic begins on Monday, February 1st, and it’ll be a TUFF prompt to fit within 99 words.
See you at the Ranch, buckaroos!

On a personal note, I have known Sue for most of my blogging life, around six years. We met a few years back, too, at the Annual Bloggers Bash.

What a lovely lady.

Sue has been a great support, and champion of my own blog and writing over that time, and a huge inspiration to me, too. I was devastated to hear of her diagnosis, but her positivity, and attitude towards the whole situation has been amazing.

Please, if you can, try and join in, in some way. Come on, Peeps, let’s pay it forward!

Returning #writephoto

21 Jan 2021 30 Comments

by Ritu in #WritePhoto, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #WritePhoto, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Flash Poetry, Photo Prompt, Return, Sue Vincent

Sue is back with her #Writephoto prompt after an enforced break. We are so happy to see you back with your prompt, Sue. Gently does it!

So the prompt is RETURN along with the photo:

The
return
of normality
That's all we seek.
The 
return
of affection
That's what we need
The 
return
of common sense
That Politicians lack
The 
return
of our lives
That's what we miss

Ritu 2021

Thursday photo prompt: Returning #writephoto

Teacher Life – #TestingTimes

14 Jan 2021 41 Comments

by Ritu in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Coronavirus, Teacher, Thoughts

Well, hello there, Peeps!

It’s me, back again, musing on a Thursday abot the strange world we’re living in, especially the world of schools.

As you know, I’m not a huge fan of remote learning, and honestly, there are very few teachers worth their salt, who would honestly say they prefer the systems in place now, as opposed to face to face teaching.

I won’t wax lyrical again about the same thing, though.

A quick update. Week one was much smoother than I had imagined, and I embarked upon the calls for week two, as well as having students in the classroom, it being my turn this week. Aside from two parents who asked about the possibility of Zoom, or live lessons, everyone else was pretty happy. A few needed a little urging, again, to make sure they were helping their child to access learning, but there were at least a few who made a point of saying how happy they were with everything we were setting.

I’ve received photos of work, and even some wonderful videos of children demonstrating their learning. It warmed my heart!

Right. Update done.

What I was going to discuss today was the testing regime that has been suddenly flung into the picture today by the DfE for teachers in Primary School.

‘Apparently’, all Primary schools are going to be sent sets of Lateral Flow tests for school staff to utilise every day, if someone was to test positive, who was a possible close contact, I think, or maybe it’s a set of tests we are all to do every day? Still no clear guidance… surprised? I’m not!

So as long as you are getting negative tests, you keep coming in to work.

Though, these LF tests are around 50% accurate, so we may still end up in school, actually positive, but with a result that said negative…