Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “hat.” Use it literally or metaphorically. Have fun!
Hats are great things, aren’t they?
They cool you in the summer and can warm you in the winter.
They can be protective, or add a splash of glamour to your look.
Equally, they just add character to some people.
Now, when you have curly hair, hat-head can be even more of a thing for you, compared to your straighter haired compadres… Because curls do like to hold certain shapes, or they like to frizz up.
I also have the problem of when I sleep at night, I can end up with one side of flattened curls and one side still full of bounce, and I don’t wash every day because I don’t have the time to do the styling involved every morning!
This has led to some more research into products I could and should be using, and how to combat flat head, and one thing I read about was using a satin/silk sleep bonnet or pillowcase to reduce frizz overnight, and also satin or silk-lined beanies for the colder months, when you need a hat, but could do without the silly way your hair moulds to said hat, retaining its shape on your bonce, once you have removed it!
So I bought some satin sleep hats, or bonnets off Amazon (good old Amazon, you can say what you like, they have been a lifesaver for me!) and, though I look like I am about to go to bed with a shower cap on my head, they actually do retain the curl, and feel so comfortable to wear, too! I have been amazed, and even my colleagues at school have commented upon how much curlier my hair looks, on the middle days between washes!
And, the proof is in the pudding, so I am even baring my bonce, along with sleep bonnet, for you to see. This is a pic from this morning, without any extra curl spray, (and no make up or filters, sorry!) and I promise, I didn’t colour coordinate my pyjamas! It was just pure luck!
May thanks to Sheila for giving me a chance to read an advanced copy of her newest release, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire!
Warwickshire, often known as Shakespeare’s county, has a host of strange and mysterious tales ranging from ancient legends and stories of the supernatural to more modern documented cases. Curious beliefs and customs were once widespread in Warwickshire’s towns and villages, some of which still flourish today.
These strange and spooky stories include the quirky death of the Roundhead commander who owned Warwick Castle; the association of the great author J. R. R. Tolkien with the town; the story of the hand of glory obtained at Warwick hangings, and the threshold protection spell widely practised in former times. Stratford-upon-Avon’s historic buildings have witnessed many strange events over the centuries and more recently the Crackley Wood sprite has been sighted at Kenilworth. Other stories include the Wroth Silver at Knightlow Cross; the discovery of the holy grail in a box in Rugby; a violent 800-year-old ball game played annually at Atherstone on Shrove Tuesday; the sightings of a Beast at Barford; the annual wassailing ceremony at Brandon Marsh Nature Centre; and the unresolved mystery of the 1945 murder at Lower Quinton associated with witchcraft, along with other weird tales from the surrounding towns and villages.These strange and spooky stories are accompanied by the author’s photographs of places featured in the text, both present-day and historical, in this hugely entertaining book.
I have been lucky enough to give you a taster with an extract, which centres around authors associated with Warwickshire!
Famous Individuals Not Usually Associated with Warwickshire
Find what you seek, That fame may cry you loud.
All’s Well That Ends Well (Act 2, Scene 1)
J. R. R. Tolkien, Creator of Middle-earth: Inspired by Warwickshire and by the Town of Warwick The fully realised vision of the great fantasy writer J. R. R. Tolkien, which emerged in his most popular works The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, arose from a rich blend of his experiences, relationships, and inner life from earliest childhood through adolescence and into adulthood. For the most part, no single element of his creation, Middle-earth, can truly be said to have emerged solely from a single source. Nevertheless, he is known to have told his publisher ‘The Shire is more or less a Warwickshire village of about the period of the Diamond Jubilee.’
That refers to Queen Victoria’s sixtieth year on the throne, 1867. More commonly associated with Oxford and Birmingham, it is not widely known that Tolkien was inspired by the Warwickshire countryside and specifically by the town of Warwick itself.
Having spent his infancy in South Africa and his childhood in Birmingham, John Ronald Tolkien married his bride Edith in Warwick, at the Church of St Mary Immaculate in West Street, on 22 March 1916. While Tolkien and his
family called Sarehole, in Birmingham, their home, Edith lived in lodgings in Warwick for a while immediately prior to her marriage. Edith shared her home with her cousin Jennie and received instruction in the Catholic faith from Father Murphy, parish priest of Warwick.
The elements of Warwick so attractive to Tolkien can be detected echoing in his works throughout his life. Tolkien’s foremost biographer Humphrey Carpenter also notes that during the late sixties, Tolkien’s residency in the town was celebrated, and ‘students at Warwick University renamed the Ring Road around their campus “Tolkien Road”’.
The beauty of Warwick in former times was especially significant in relation to Tolkien’s scholarly interests as professor of Anglo-Saxon literature. Anglo-Saxon Warwick, on its rocky outcrop, commanded a crossing on the River Avon. We know that Tolkien admired the stone-built castle on its rock rising above the river, commanding a lofty position from which a wide panorama can be seen. This became a model for Middle-earth locations such as Minas Tirith. Tolkien’s early poem ‘Kortirion Among the Trees’ was written in Warwick during army leave in autumn 1915, when Tolkien’s peers were beginning to be cut down on the battlefields of Europe. In this poem he evokes a fading town overshadowed by towering elms, which was built by elves on a hill close to a river, and it contains what were to become some of his most characteristic themes. He suggested within his vision that it was no longer the dwelling place of elves as its ancient mythical beauty had waned. Nevertheless, Warwick’s remaining beauty and importance to his personal life was such that he dedicated his poem to the town and returned to its image again and again in his writing throughout his life.
The book is filled with wonderful illustrations to add depth to the words you read, too!
I thoroughly enjoyed S C Skillman’s last foray into Warwickshire history and was thrilled to have been given a chance to read and review this next book. Warwickshire will always be dear to my heart, and it was great to be able to read some historical tales and facts about the county, with all the fabulous photos to enhance the experience! Add in the extra tidbits about famous local authors (and bards!) that were included, and it made for a fascinating read!
SC Skillman lives in Warwickshire, and writes psychological, paranormal and mystery fiction and non-fiction. She is a member of the Society of Authors and the Association of Christian Writers.
Her two literary nonfiction books Paranormal Warwickshire and Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire are published by Amberley, and she is now writing a third book in the series called A-Z of Warwick.
Her novel, Director’s Cut , is out with publishers and she is currently working on Standing Ovation, the sequel.
She began her publishing career with the duology Mystical Circles and A Passionate Spirit which are both set in the same mysterious English manor house in the heart of England – the beautiful Cotswolds hills. There, gothic themes, paranormal events and ghostly tales are never far away. She has set the books in contemporary times, not far from her present home.
She has also written Perilous Path, A Writer’s Journey which is a self help book for those writing a novel, or who would like to write a novel. Packed full of tips and friendly reminders, it’s encouraging and motivational. It’s also for anyone who loves finding out about writers, their lives and works.
SC Skillman was born and brought up in Orpington, Kent, and has loved writing stories most of her life. She studied English Literature at Lancaster University, and her first permanent job was as a production secretary with the BBC. Later she lived for nearly five years in Australia before returning to the UK. She has now settled in Warwick with her husband and son, and her daughter currently lives and works in Australia.
Time to keep it calm and positive this week, eh Spidey! Especially after last week’s Asda fiasco!
Today I am using one of my children’s experiences to reflect on for the day.
Now, as most of you know, Lil Man is an avid cricketer, and all he has wanted to do, over the last few years is excel at what he loves the most. He spends time every day outside, practicing bowling, and batting where he can, taking on the tips of the coaches he encounters, to perfect his Leftie Spin bowling.
He was with one particular club for the first part of his cricketing career, and though he had matches and training, he never felt as if he was being pushed in the right way. Overlooked for games he should have been playing, and this was noticed by a good few of the other club members.
When he was selected to play for district cricket last year, he was over the moon, and it was suggested that a club change might be better for him, to a place where he gets pushed and is able to showcase his talents to the right people.
The house move meant that this was a viable option, which we took on, and this year the boy has been training with a club which is generally playing in Premier and First division games and boasts a good number of county players already.
He’s been really focussing on his training, and we have been supporting him in every way we can, even when he does something crazy like split his bat in half when he played a cracking shot in training a few weeks ago! (New bat was delivered, all knocked in, yesterday, phew!)
And the last couple of weeks, he has been playing some friendly games ahead of the season start. Initially, we were told he would probably be in the Sunday Development team, for the lads who are working well, but not quite at the main team levels, but he was selected for the third team this week, and for a moment was even considered for the seconds, too. (Well done, son!)
And guess who he was playing this week? His old team! He was a little worried about facing them, and the possibility of a bit of a backlash because he left them, but it was actually a joy to see how happy they were to see him!
Okay, so they lost, but with a very close score, and he bowled well, getting two wickets as well!
He sits and beats himself up, convinced that he’s the reason they lose, but cricket is a team sport, and he didn’t even get a chance to bat. And, no, he didn’t give away loads of runs, which is what he is convinced of.
But, what he doesn’t realise is that the club are already recognising his raw talents, considering they were ready to play him in the second team, today!
Working on making him realise that every day is a new beginning, every match is a new start, and that this new club will be amazing for him.
So, what advice would give a youngster who can’t see his own successes because he clouds over at the smallest of what he thinks are failures?
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “a phrase you grew up with.” Include in your post a phrase your mom/dad/grandparent/sibling used all the time when you were growing up, or just write whatever inspires you based on that phrase. Enjoy!
Coming from such a colourful background with where my family originates, culturally, as well as the locations they have lived, it means that there have been plenty of different phrases in a multitude of languages that have been used regularly. We have Punjabi phrases, English phrases, as well as Swahili ones since that is where my parents were born and brought up.
One of my favourites is most definitely Hakuna Matata, which is the Swahili phrase made famous by Disney with the release of The Lion King. It means no problem – a phrase used regularly in Kenya, where folk are so laid back they are practically horizontal!
A phrase bandied about a lot in my childhood as nothing was ever a problem. No matter what the issue, Hakuna Matata! It will get sorted out, don’t worry, just chill out! And I was even happier when the film came out and other friends of mine were suddnely aware of a language once foreign to them, and now a common phrase!
In Punjabi, Gadha, orGadhe da Putar was another funny one. Gadha means donkey or ass. So calling someone a donkey or son of an ass when they were being particularly stupid or stubborn was a common one, too.
A common English phrase used is probably Don’t beat about the bush, because, as you know I do like a chat, and can go round and round before I ever get to the point!
But I Smile Anyway... 