Medical Mutterings - May 2022 Edition

This is going to be short.  I have a few things to catch you up on, but just focussing on the most important thing today.

 

A filling came out of one of my teeth, and the delay in seeing a dentist meant the tooth broke.  But I couldn't get a sooner appointment with my dentist, and was eventually forced to call 111 (the non-life-threatening emergencies phone number) to get an emergency dentist appointment with someone else., because the pain was incredibly bad, and the stress of dealing with it was triggering anxiety-related asthma issues.

 

But that was only how the whole thing started.

 

What should have been a simple - though unpleasant, thanks to my body refusing to react properly to the numbing attempts - tooth extraction has ended up with me fighting a fever and nasty infection. All because the dentist wouldn’t listen when I said I should have antibiotics due to being prone to infections.

 

I ended up calling 111 again a few days later, and spending the night at the hospital while they tried to do something to help.  However, other than verifying my breathing issues were just anxiety-related, and giving me an x-ray to make sure no piece of tooth was left behind causing issues, all they could do was give me a load of antibiotics to take, because I can’t take Paracetamol or painkillers of any kind for various reasons, so all I could do was put up with feeling crappy and being in agony until the antibiotics did their job. The stress of which was still causing anxiety-related asthma issues.

I'm doing a lot better now, but it has not been a fun couple of weeks, let me tell you.

#NewRelease - Stand Together: An eclectic collection of poetry and short prose for Ukraine

 

An eclectic collection of poetry and short prose for Ukraine. Poetry about war, warriors, hope, and sunflowers; multi-genre stories

 

Donations from this book will go to Ukraine charities.

 

 

 

Part 1 Poetry

 

The War That Was Not a War – A.L. Butcher

Maybe Then – Roman Nyle (Marta Moran Bishop) 

Hope – Charles Yallowitz

Sunflowers – Vickie Johnstone

The Science of Communication – Andrew P. Weston

Courage Personified – A.L. Butcher. 

The Sunflowers Will Rise Again – Rebecca Miller

Wounds in Ukraine – Michael H. Hanson

Civilized Humanity – Charles Yallowitz

Shadows On Faces – Victoria Zigler

Where is the Line? – A.L. Butcher

War Dance – Joe Bonadonna

Those Who Divide – Charles Yallowitz

Sorge* – Richard Groller

Ruins Hall – Rhavensfyre

Lodestone – Andrew P. Weston

The Vikings – Joe Bonadonna

Rape in Ukraine – Vickie Johnstone

Pray for Ukraine – Rebecca Miller

Haiku – Joe Bonadonna

Four Horseman – Rebecca Miller

 

Part 2 Short Stories 

 

The Tree of Fate and Wishes – Anthea Sharp

The Secret of Blossom Rise - A.L. Butcher

War and Beyond – Marta Moran Bishop

The Eleventh – Colene Allen

The Day After Twilight - J.C. Fields

Outside the Walls - A.L. Butcher & Diana. L. Wicker

Dark Lies - Inge - Lise Goss

The Letter - Sean Poage

The Book of Ruth – Rebecca Lacy

The Moon on the Water - A.L. Butcher

Postcard to the Bomb Shelter Babies – Colene Allen

Always Read the Fine Print - Joe Bonadonna

 

 

 

https://books2read.com/StandTogetherUkraine

 

 

Print

Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B14N27TW

Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B14N27TW

Amazon CAhttps://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0B14N27TW

 

Hardcover

Amazon.com https://amzn.to/3NeNLvt

Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B14HKZWB

Amazon Ca https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0B14HKZWB

 

The Writers' Grapevine & Catching You Up On Recent #Crafting Creations

The March-April edition of the Writers’ Grapevine magazine was released a couple of weeks ago, and I’m featured in it.

 

It's an online magazine, so to give it a read, go here: https://pattysworlds.com/the-writers-grapevine-falling-into-spring-march-april-edition-04-23-2022/

 

*~*~*

 

 

I have a few things I could tell you about, which I'd planned to catch you up on today.  However, I'm cutting it a bit close to the wire on putting this post together this week, so have decided to save those things for another day.  Instead, I'm just going to catch you up on some of my recent crafty creations.  most of which I made during some of the recent classes with either the ACB Crafters or Future In Sight.

The exception to that is this loom knitted dog collar with a crochet flower on it, which I made for Mam's dog, Izabel.  I'd made her one before, but made her a purple one too, so she had one in more girly colours.  Anyway, here's a photo:

The thing I made in the Future In Sight class was this rainbow pony bead fish:

There were other sea creatures to make during the class, but I only made the fish.

As for things I made during the ACB Crafters classes...

I had my first attempt at making a loom knitted basket.  It's not the best basket in the world, but it was my first attempt at making one.  Looks more like a little white knitted bucket to me.  Here it is anyhow:

I made a couple of things with crochet too.  One was this white flower:

The other crochet things are the purple raindrop, butterfly, and flower keyring in this next photo:

Plus, I was learning to do some mosaic knitting, and made this decorative wristband thing in the process:

At some point in the future I do plan on using the mosaic patterns to make squares for a blanket.  But for now I just did those test pieces and turned them in to a knitted wrist band thing.

I also made an abacus bracelet.  Which, of course, I had to make purple.  So here's that too:

I have a couple of other projects I've either completed but don't have photos of ready to show you (in one case I've got a photo, but haven't grabbed it off the camera yet, and don't have time to fuss with that right now) or am in the middle of, which I'll share with you another day.

 

I hope you enjoyed seeing these completed craft projects.

Lilie The #Westie After Her April 2022 Grooming Session

 Hi everyone.

This is Lilie the Westie.

I went to the groomer place a couple of weeks ago, so here are some photos of me freshly groomed.  You can even see Logan in one of them, wishing he was the same side of the gate I was.  Apparently he missed me loads when I was gone.  My brother really loves me.  But then, why wouldn't he?

Anyway, here are the photos.

Lots of licks,

Lilie

"Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships" #WordCrafters Book Blog Tour - Includes A #Giveaway + My #Review

It's time for my stop on the Word Crafters blog tour for "Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships" and I have a post from one of the contributing authors, M.J. Mallon, to share with you today.  I'll also be sharing my review of the book, and telling you how you can enter a giveaway for a free copy.   So, be sure and read all the way to the end to find out about that.  In the meantime, take it away, M.J!

I’m pleased to announce I am a contributing author to WordCrafter Poetry Treasures Book 2: Relationships compiled and edited by Robbie Cheadle and Kaye Lynn Booth.

 

This is a fabulous collection of poetry from many authors known to me as well as some new poets to discover. I’ve read all the contributions and even if I do say so myself this is a fantastic collection! So, do give it a go.

 

Robbie asked me to contribute to Poetry Treasures #2 whilst I was up in Edinburgh visiting family – the topic of relationships had me stumped somewhat – until I thought about writing a jokey poem about the relationship that authors have with their editors… This was inspired by my publisher, (unintentionally,) sending me urgent deadlines when I was visiting relatives, on holiday! 

An authors life is never their own!

 

 

So, do get a copy of the book to read the poem and the other amazing contributions.

 

After writing the first poem, a couple of other ideas came to me… one was a throwback to pregnancy – again a bit surprising as this was a long time ago – my two daughters are now 26, and 22.

 

Below I share a couple of excerpts for your reading pleasure…

 

Excerpt - Fat belly joy!

 

I‘ve been feeling nostalgic for those days… a long time ago when I was young and new life was beginning.

 

Love is…this

Gentle sighs

Honey fluid kicks

Sunshine moments

Sweet slumber snores

Heart beating, stirring

Warm womb like sand’s softness

Caressing my sun-kissed toes

My beautiful round belly swelling

Tiny, iridescent seashells shine

Their light glows in my cupped hand

Nature unfurling ripening

Dewy flowers moistening

Curves so full of love

Music playing

Our melody

New life

 

© M J Mallon

 

It seems that a touch of nostalgia crept up on me, along with fond memories of those times. Perhaps this was also due to my being back in my family home where I grew up. I lived in Edinburgh throughout my early teen years until I was married  and I visit often. It is my home-from-home and I love it so.

 

The final poem is for my dear mum and dad who still find time for romance and ballroom dancing. It amazes me how light-footed my dad (now 93,) is on his feet and how my mum and dad abandon their walking sticks to dance with each other and on occasion with me in their living room! Sadly, due to covid, they haven’t been able to go dancing on cruises like they would normally do. So, this is the next best thing and keeps them moving and in each others’ arms which is such a wonderful sight to see.

 

Excerpt - Let's dance

 

This is for my dear parents who like to dance in their living room - or on cruise ships when they can!

 

A living room space,

Enough for a waltz or two,

Sticks aside! Let's dance,

Forget I am 92,

We are young again, my love.

 

© M J Mallon

 

This lovely collection of poetry on relationships has something for everyone. I am sure you will enjoy! It is such a great way to discover the writing talents of many authors and poets in our fantastic community.

 

 

Author Bio

 

M J Mallon was born in Lion city Singapore, a passionate Scorpio with the Chinese Zodiac sign of a lucky rabbit. She spent her early childhood in Hong Kong. During her teen years, she returned to her father’s childhood home, Edinburgh where she spent many happy years, entertained and enthralled by her parents’ vivid stories of living and working abroad. Perhaps it was during these formative years that her love of storytelling began bolstered by these vivid raconteurs. She counts herself lucky to have travelled to many far-flung destinations and this early early wanderlust has fuelled her present desire to emigrate abroad.  Until that wondrous moment, it’s rumoured that she lives in the UK, in the Venice of Cambridge  with her six-foot hunk of a rock god husband. Her two enchanting daughters have flown the nest but often return with a cheery smile.

 

MJ writes YA fantasy, paranormal, horror/supernatural short stories, flash fiction and short form poetry.

 

MJ’s motto is to Do what Your Heart Desires.

And her favourite genre/poetry to write is fantasy/magical realism because life should be sprinkled with a liberal dash of extraordinarily imaginative magic!

Awarded finalist in N. N. Light’s award for Best International Author of The Year 2021

Awarded finalist in N. N. Light’s book awards finalist 2021 in category Fantasy for my book Bloodstone.

Please note: All of my publications include poetry except for some of my short stories.

Publications:

Next Chapter Publishing:

Bloodstone Book 1 Curse of Time (YA Fantasy series.) -

available in many formats including audiobook with wide distribution available  via this link  https://books2read.com/u/bOyrgW

Golden Healer Book 2 Curse of Time (YA Fantasy series.) -

available in many formats (audiobook will be in process soon,) with wide distribution via this link.  https://books2read.com/u/mgjY67

 

Kyrosmagica Publishing:

Mr Sagitarrius Poetry and Prose

This Is Lockdown (an anthology of the pandemic)

Lockdown Innit Poems About Absurdity

Author Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L/

I’ve been blogging for many moons at my blog home Kyrosmagica, which means Crystal Magic. From time to time I write articles celebrating the spiritual realm, inspiration and my love of travel, nature, crystals and all things magical, mystical, and mysterious.

My eclectic blog shares my three loves: reading,  writing, and creativity. I adore reading and have written over 150 reviews on my blog: https://mjmallon.com/2015/09/28/a-z-of-my-book-reviews/

 

Social Media Links:

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Next Chapter Publishing Author Page: https://www.nextchapter.pub/authors/mj-mallon
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon https://twitter.com/Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC - Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mjmallonauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Spiritual Sisters: https://www.facebook.com/5SpiritualSisters

 

 

 

 

~~~

           

              

Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships by Kaye Lynne Booth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Poetry collections like this are always tough to review, because the different writing styles of the various authors mean some poems will always appeal to the reader more than others. This one was no exception, and was one of the hardest to review. There were a few poems that - while wonderfully written - weren't my cup of tea, so to speak. And there were a whole lot of poems I loved. But, whether they would have made it on to my list of favourites from this collection (if I'd created one) or not, all of the poems in this collection were, without a doubt, excellent examples of poetry. I only hesitate to give it the full five stars because of the fact the writing styles of some of the authors featured in this collection weren't to my taste, and would like to point out that this is not a reflection on them or the quality of their poems, but my own personal preferences.

*NOTE: I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This fact has in no way influenced my opinion of the book or the contents of this review, and all opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

View all my reviews

 

 ~~~

 

 

 Blurb
Relationships are golden and each of the poems of Arthur Rosch, Elizabeth Merry, D.Avery, Robbie Cheadle, Harmony Kent, Lauren Scott, JulesPaige, Leon
Stevens, Collen M. Chesebro, Miriam Hurdle, M.J. Mallon, and Lynda McKinney Lambert pay poetic tribute to their most intense personal moments.

Universal purchase link

 ~~~

 

 ***Follow the tour via Writing To Be Read, and leave a comment at each stop to be entered in a random drawing for a chance to win a free digital copy of Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships***