Welcome to WobblingPen!: June 2023

Jun 30, 2023

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

As humans, we have, through the pressures of this messed-up world of ours, lost the immense value of time. Time for ourselves, our families, our friends, our neighbours and our communities.

OURSELVES

If we selfishly start with ourselves: if you are a working single person, you may not yet have responsibility for others, just lots for yourself. The need to fly the nest to make your own way in the world, if achieved, is with thoughts of freedom to row your own boat.

However, it comes with a cargo of responsibility. Time begins to make demands on you, subtly at first, as you enjoy your new freedom.

The largest might be rent, or mortgage payments, with all the bills attached, and the amount of energy needed to keep the smallest home going.

You have all your communication gadgets: your responsibility, otherwise you will lose contact with work, family and friends.

Friends around at first; you entertain them merrily, then off out to the pub or a gig. Food does not miraculously appear on the table; a quick takeaway might fill the gap.

All is well and good till the budget is attacked. Then horror of horrors! There is more going out than finding its way back in.

The first to stop is active physical friendship, because of the high costs attached. The price is even higher than that, as loneliness, humans’ worst hidden disease, bites right back.

Your gadgets take over, at a cost, to absorb you: films, sports, pop culture and friends (perhaps not so often, as you are no longer one of the gang, out and about having fun).

POSITIVE IDEAS

There are ways to maintain physical contact, freely or very cheaply. Join a group: your local library has a host of information about them and links to find them. Some are run from the libraries themselves and have cafés attached. Local religious centres and councils have interesting links to activities in their areas.

Do some voluntary work for a charity of your choice; some amazing people are doing the same and it gives you a sense of purpose.

Ask each of your friends to bring a plate of food when you meet next, which you can all share, weather permitting, outdoors. There is much fun to be had in such activity, and friendships are strengthened.

RESTRICTIONS

The next to restrict is heating, lighting, insurance and water bills; at the moment, they keep on rising, as does the mortgage.

POSITIVE IDEAS

Waste not, want not comes to mind here. If we think hard about it, we can reduce the amount we use of each of these.

As humans in this modern world, we are seriously wasteful. Shop around; there is something you can do about that. Beware: read the small print on a contract as, if not understood, it can return later to bite back.

Join a walking group or any group where, for a very small cost, or even free from some councils, you can make friends and pick up friendly, workable tips to handle tasks attached to living a solitary lifestyle. Try it; it is fun.

No one needs to be lonely unless they want to be; they just need the information and encouragement to make the first move.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jun 29, 2023

FEEGLE PONDERS PORTUGAL

Feegle ponders Portugal

Home of the Writers friend

More than a social media one

As seems the common trend

Anna Almeida was her name

An important part of WobblingPen

Yet also someone who seemed to be

A carer in past when

Lived and worked in Writer's land

England was the name it said

Somehow familiar in Feegles head

Had heard of it as once Britain's Grand

Feegle was fast gaining names

Of possible friends if felt the same

Anna probably to Penny spoke

Wondering if this was some joke

Feegle never jokes about such

When another feeling can touch

Feegle was just content

To meet new names and see where went

Feegle and the Humans

This writer and foreign friends

Something in common has

How many bridges mend?

Feegle ponders Portugal

It seemed so interesting

With the wealth of History

What to his knowledge could it bring?

That’s a future question

For Feegle to explore

Maybe he would venture

From known Home shore

Until then Feegle would follow Writers

Writers and the friends

Of the one who makes self Biographer

And Feegle stuff then sends

Ian Wilcox

Photo by Anna Almeida

Jun 28, 2023

SATU AND LILY

The quality of calm communication

Based on the writing of Penny Wobbly

Satu and Lily sat in the sunshine

Idle talk between them

About a Human with dyslexia

How that matters and what affects them

Dog and Cat had made a pact

The individual and not what be

Judging by common perceptions

Borders on obscenity

Satu spoke and Lily listened

Replying with wise words

Different languages are true but like me and you

The message still was heard

Just laying in the rays

Soaking up the Sun

C and D in unity

Relaxing having fun

Often did if truth be known

For no judgment but their own

Open to possibility

Open to what might be

Ian Wilcox

Photo by Pixabay

Jun 27, 2023

IT STARTED WITH A CRASH A BLOW

I awoke with nothing to show,

Except I could not move from my chest to my big toe.

Words spoken directly to me said this is how you will always be.

The fury, the pain, this has to be a game, it cannot be happening to me.

As I puzzled and daily struggled, hope died.

Let me slip away, fluids I refused to take to speed the process on.

I hated all around me, even though their accidents were mistakes.

I swore, refused to speak or think ahead to the future I had to meet.

One day a visitor challenged me to think again.

They had been damaged too, the only place left was the brain.

It is your sanctuary no one can access it without your permission.

They explained, how they decided to use theirs to study and do revision.

To help others, with all the time they had unexpectedly been given.

The biggest tool you have is knowledge learned to help others,

And yourself too, being a helper gives you hope and purpose.

Challenge yourself to live well and be useful again.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jun 25, 2023

FAIRY NIGHT

The fairies wait, for the sun to fade.

As night darkness makes it’s way through

The branches diminishing light.

The night creatures creep out calling,

‘Is it alright? Is it alright?’

The fairies reply as they flit from tree to tree,

‘It is safe for you and me!’

The moon when allowed freedom from the clouds.

Enhances fairy dances in the glade.

The crickets keep the rhythm going.

As magical music and dancing is displayed.

Soon new dawn arrives and everyone disappears inside.

To await another beautiful night

When the fairies once again enjoy a frolic of delight.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jun 24, 2023

SMALL FACE

I am a small face looking out from the small place

Where I was born.

I search the wide horizons, wondering what is beyond.

I want to be out there on an adventure,

Feeling my way to a better place.

Will I make it?

Will I like it?

Will they like me?

Will I feel like a small fish swimming in an uncomfortable sea?

Will I remain lonely as I try, perhaps too hard, to fit in?

How long should I keep trying to blend in to be accepted?

How I feel this confusion, this dissolution, my misplacement.

How do I stop the pull on my heart strings, calling me home?

This small face is now turning, with yearning,

To the small place I come from.

The question is: will I now be allowed to fit back in?

Bringing new ideas to the small place I was born.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jun 22, 2023

NEVER ALONE

I am never alone,

As long as I have,

A pen in my hand!

With words spinning down

Onto the page

From thoughts in my head.

New friends appear as characters,

And companionship is exchanged.

Photo by Pixabay

I AM NOT HERE

I am not here,

Yet I have never left you.

You sense I am here,

But I have long since gone.

Each thought you have,

I am there with you.

When pain strikes,

I gently kiss you.

With a kiss,

We used to share.

I await,

Our grand reunion.

Only then,

Will we once again become.

What we always were,

A truly loving pair.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jun 20, 2023

WATCH AND BEWARE

We have a pair of pigeons nesting in a bush in the garden.

Constantly being viewed, when passing through, by three foxes, always on the lookout for an opportunity for a quick meal.

I love listening in on their conversations and wish I understood pigeon talk.

Lily the cat has to be a spectator to all the goings-on outside in the garden, as she has to be wary of the growing size of the foxes. If they are hungry enough, she too could be added to the menu.

The pigeons have all the mod cons: drinking and bathing facilities, including dust mite cleaning service, as well as insects galore, and just planted runner beans, the crop we love growing the most for fresh tasty greens.

We have to keep going out to move the birds away from the bean patch. I just hope we have saved enough for plates full of runner beans later. We shall just have to wait a while.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jun 19, 2023

HOT POTATO

Hello Wobblers

I hope you have been managing to dodge the pesky bugs, high pollen counts, and poor air quality ratings that have been attacking parts of the world at the moment. They tend to disrupt our ability to enjoy some really beautiful summer days.

However, we are glancing upwards, looking for the life-reviving showers of rain to break the drought. The other half of the world is trying hard to keep warm and dry, some places receiving more than their fair share of that essential commodity, rain, impacting the harvests necessary for next year.

The wars still grind on and humans seem to destroy more than they build. I’m not sure that is true; it just seems that way, disrupting peaceful living, and dispersing families, sometimes forever.

However, amongst this devastation, in the most unlikely places, hope finds a way through. The human spirit has the most amazing capacity to seize the moment and thrive.

Some see the need to be politically aware and to hold politicians to account on promises they make which require large sums of money. These promises are impossible to attain, with the funds unaccountably vanishing. If you pay, it is reasonable to have a say on how your contributions are spent and accounted for. The only way is to attend your local council and government meetings to make sure your votes count and see that the person you vote for has your and your nation’s best interests at heart.

Yet there are some fantastic friendships being made at sports events around the world, enjoyed by all ages and races, breaking down the invisible barriers, the unspoken taboos. Some run or play out of their comfort zones, in memory of a loved one, raising much needed research and community funds.

Huge musical events, so uplifting, encourage thousands to join together to dance and sing, with hidden benefits of friendship and sharing of ideas to take home to benefit their communities and themselves. There is love, too, swirling about, as first encounters progress through time to more meaningful relationships.

My two good news stories this month revolve around a need being fulfilled.

The first is about a blood test which has the potential to single out fifty different types of cancer, allowing them to be specifically targeted without invasive, painful and unnecessary testing, and is now being trialled in different countries to see if it lives up to expectations. If it worked in only half that number of cases, it would be wonderful. If it reaches what is hoped for, it will seem like a miracle to many.

My second is matching a need at both ends of our life cycle: loneliness, housing support and comfort. There are the young who need to leave home for whatever reason, who cannot afford or are denied a place in the diminishing supply of accommodation, putting them at risk of exploitation and fear.

Then there are the elderly who, through a multitude of circumstances, sometimes find themselves alone, in a home too big for them, in need of company and some support. There is an umbrella organisation called Home Share, which has links to 25 similar organisations, who carefully match an elderly person with a young adult. They compare and match lifestyles and needs as much as possible and keep, as I understand it, a watching brief; there is a fee. I first saw this in an interview on the BBC and thought it was a great idea; the participants thought so, too.

What good news stories can you share with us? Have a think and let's increase the amount of good news being shared by us on the internet.

Thank you all, old and new friends, for following us, and supporting, reading and sharing stories and poems here with us. Thank you to the WobblingPen team for the hours spent putting together our pages for everyone to enjoy. Thank you also for the friendship, fun, joy and laughter we share while doing it.

Our world needs more and more unrecorded TRUE good news stories, to balance up the bad; to be sent out onto the internet, to increase the knowledge and incentive of the TRUE goodness and value of humans to themselves and to others, taking the premise that it is the little things that count.

AI is here: let’s give it good things to think about. Let’s promote the best things of being living, caring, human beings; no computer can TRUTHFULLY replicate that.

Become living storytellers wherever you are.

Take care, stay safe and share things when you can, the best being to pass a smile along.

Photo: Pixabay License

THE GIFT

The gift I would give to you would not just be material.

The gift would have many parts.

The ability to listen well.

The easing of sorrow from a weary heart.

The sharing of whatever little you have.

The hands are yours, trained to heal terrible pain.

The bodily love is shared and nurtured, lasting time.

The example you can share with the young is their growing.

These are gifts you can pass on and share the lingering kind.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jun 18, 2023

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

THOUGHTS

We hear,

We see,

We read.

But we imagine,

Very differently!

Photo: Pixabay License

Jun 16, 2023

TELL ME

Tell me what makes you happy.

Tell me what makes you sad.

Tell me what brought the greatest pleasure.

When at the time the least you had.

Tell me how it felt when an opportunity came within your grasp.

When poverty and doing without slipped into the past.

Tell me, did it change you? Tell me, did it make you a little mad?

Tell me, did you share it with those who helped you in the past?

When did you think ahead?

As this may not last.

When did you start to tuck away a nest egg,

A buffer for what might lie ahead?

Tell me how you have decided on the amount

That will be enough for you and yours.

Tell me, did you remember that charity begins at home,

Leaving some to share with others in need?

Photo: Pixabay License

Jun 15, 2023

DELIGHT

I purred with delight when a friend gave me a call.

We had not spoken for 30 years or more.

Somehow, communications between us had mysteriously died.

We could not deliver our questions fast enough; they were so hastily applied.

We tried to bridge the missing years with friends we once knew.

Laughter burst out in the telling, as our connections grew.

Remembering other friends from such a long way back.

Memories of friends of whom we thought we had long lost track.

One thought led to another, as we arranged an urgent meeting.

So our friendship could be sealed by a hug with real warmth and feeling.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jun 14, 2023

IF ONLY

The rock did sit and contemplate

The situation of the current state

Glanced upon the shoot new

Envious of how it grew

‘If only I could be your form

That visual state is regarded as the norm

If only the ability to evolve

Then my quandary would then solve

The Lion viewed the fit Gazelle

Glanced then thought ‘Oh what the hell'

Chase, I will with no chance of capture

Stuff goes on and full of rapture

The Eagle soars - don't know why

Guess it just loves to fly

Up above in a thing called the sky

What the heck do I imply

The thought did think

‘Let's put in ink' Reason? Don't know why

The thought did grow so now shows

The result when it does try

Upon the page did word for age

Sit to have a look

Just on screen? What do you mean?

It's babble for a Book!

And then did come to an Angel

An Angel in human form

Made practice of the saving

Guess had done since was born

Penny a name that she took

Later chose a voice

In what does do have no clue

Yet in practical rejoice

That Angel found compadre

Guess we all need one

One in life and one in work

When a new one has begun

All would benefit from a Penny

Plus an Anna too

An M and a B

Have you found the clue?

If only I could find the way

To of them all say

What amazing people

Inspire? You are a Steeple!!

The gift of giving for the living

Yet too shy to show

So one will say it to them

For each of them do know

Photo by Pixabay

Jun 13, 2023

SORRY

Sorry...

Is such a little word.

Yet it is a real worry and struggle,

When we choose to use it.

Sorry...

Is big enough,

To stand on its own.

Just say it!

Photo: Pixabay License

WORRY

I have watched it slowly grow

It’s there I know,

The lump I don't want to find.

But now and then

I feel its curve as it nudges me,

With pain, that probes and sears my mind.

I could not ignore it,

I had to let the doctor explore it.

He has just found out

It is not the worrying kind.

Now fear has stopped controlling,

I am worry-free this time.

If you are worried about something like this

Take courage, see your doctor,

Then perhaps you too can stop worrying.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jun 12, 2023

ONE PERSON

It only takes one determined person, to show the way to help thousands.

Photo: Pixabay License

BULLY & BULLYING

The first experience I had of bullying was when my young sister with special needs was bullied at our school. She came to me heart broken, sobbing that anyone could be so unkind to her.

I set off to challenge her tormentor’s, my advantage was my height, and my command and sting of the English language. She was not bullied again thankfully.

Nearer to home now, I know of three children who have been bullied.

One the bully moved schools before action could be taken.

The second was more serious and involved school, police, social workers, with the eventual decision being taken for the child to change schools.

“Why can’t I be left to learn, all I want to do is to learn. I do not want to smoke or do drugs, or talk about sex, I love church, why do they want to hurt me?”

With the other child I believe the bullying was handled within the school.

Why does anyone want to bully someone?

Envy, Racism, Sex, to look tough in a group, to create fear and submission. No country is sadly exempt from bullying.

No one of any age or race deserves to be bullied. They must speak up, keeping quiet only causes the bully to continue to torment them and others.

Schools and work places are now quite rightly starting to increase zero tolerance on bullying.

If you see someone vulnerable to bullying, please try to befriend them, just doing that could deter some bullies.

You might even to be able to report what you have seen, to whoever is in charge of the school or workplace.

Then action could be taken to protect and support them.

Parents need to be vigilant of their children and any change in behaviour or sleep patterns. It might be the first indication you have that your child is being bullied.

Complaints of stomachache, headache, bed wetting, or refusal to go to school. There are other subtle clues, as children struggle to understand what has and is happening to them.

As parents, family, friends, and workmates we need to listen to any one telling their stories about bullying or being made to feel uncomfortable at school or at work.

Everyone needs to know that we as human beings do not tolerate bullying in any form.

Please look out for the vulnerable, offer your friendship and support to break the bullying cycle.

The sad thing is, some bullies as adults are really ashamed of their behaviour of the people they bullied when they were young.

If minds can be changed earlier perhaps bullying can be reduced.

Talks by ex-bullies might be worth doing to explain how they changed.

Take care, be kind, share a smile or a story when you can.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jun 11, 2023

HAPPY DAY

Air to breathe,

Beautiful sights to see,

Sounds of water and birds in flight and song.

When in harmony relaxation naturally follows.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jun 9, 2023

ALL REVEALING

Yet the picture captures my eye. Rolling meadows, flower-decked, as far as the eye can see.

Till hitting the towering, majestic mountain’s frozen skirt, pristine white with slashes of dark earth, as the sunrise reveals all. And eagles soar, making their early morning call.

Circling higher and higher, hunting their breakfast on the run, deadly but necessary to find food for their young.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jun 8, 2023

OH ROSE!

At last, your sweet unfurling,

Bringing respite to my aching winter heart.

Your petals are free from blemish.

Vigorous with more bursting buds to bloom.

Bringing a chorus of bees and insects,

Encouraging more roses to burst free.

Each year, I pick one or two

To share with friends I hold most dear.

Allowing them the magic of wonder

Brought by sweet-scented, beautiful roses

And memories from their past.

You are the first bloom and certainly not the last.

Till seasons change,

Flowers drop and leaves take off in the blast.

So let us rest together and enjoy the time we have,

Making new memories to last.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jun 7, 2023

KEEP WRITING

You never know,

From what raw material

Great creativity will grow,

So keep writing.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jun 6, 2023

I WANT TO BE FREE

I want to be free, free of these perishing bugs that keep finding me. They have the amazing habit of dragging you down low. Changing your voice to a lower chord or two is unrecognisable to a friend. Making your nose run like the proverbial tap.

Where does this stuff come from?

Its manufacture and distribution come out of nowhere and it chooses when to end. I wish I had the sense years ago to buy shares in the tissue market. Then, every time I see someone blowing their nose, or fighting a cold, I would hear the sound of money trickling into my bank account.

I just want to be free of these bugs, as they are absolutely no use to me. You would think by now we would have the magic pill to kick them into touch, to stop them bowling us over, in twos, or while we are enjoying a friendly group for lunch.

It has no respect for status or if you eat the best or worst of food. The only barrier that helps, but does not cure, is around colds to wear a mask and keep washing your hands.

Carry handbags and pockets full of clean tissues; when used, dispose of them as quickly as you can.I told you, if I had been sensible, I would be wealthy now, too. Instead, I keep getting bowled over by these wretched bugs. I just want to be free to plan my life without any interference from them.

NOTE:

This is how I have been feeling the past nine days, coming out the other side slowly now. So I thought I would record my feelings while they are fresh.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jun 5, 2023

WALK INTO A LIBRARY

Walk into a library and you can go anywhere!

Be anyone, imagine freely, research and learn, anything you might wish to.

Through the voices written by amazing writers, over the years.

Photo: Pixabay License

PEACEFUL LIFE

Peace and good will grows, allowing more to experience the bliss of a peaceful life.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jun 2, 2023

READ & SHARE KNOWLEDGE

Reading and sharing knowledge, has the ability to make our world a better place.

Photo: Pixabay License

POETS & WRITERS

Good morning to all writers and poets struggling to produce enlightened, comments, stories and poems.

To others who are challenging our intellectual capacity and understanding.

Spring is here, bar a few hiccoughs, so time for clearance ready for amazing new work, to interest new readers back again and again to a book or a screen to tantalise their imagination to use other genres never read before.

Oh, the joy of finding a new book and further delight if, in the end, you find they have written other books, wonderful.

Do read your stories to others, even complete strangers if it suits the occasion.

NOTE:

I read the first chapter of my big story to my granddaughter at the weekend.

Once I stopped, there was a long silence, followed by, “It was OK.”

Another silence, then a cheeky grin, followed by. “It was not just OK, I loved it. I really loved it.”

We have arranged for me to read the next chapter to her, on my next visit.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jun 1, 2023

PAGES OF LIFE

As the pages of life keep turning, we continue to keep learning!

Photo: Pixabay License

OH CALAMITY, CALAMITY!

It started as a good deed, kindly meant, ending in disaster.

My husband was not feeling well, so I sent him up to bed, as wives do.

After a goodly interval, I thought I would take up a tray with a bowl of tomato soup and a slice of buttered bread.

I set off, carefully, till I was one step from the last tread when my shoulder jerked and the bowl flew into the air and disappeared down the stairs, followed by the tray and slice of bread.

I clung on with desperation to the bannister rails, the rest of me dangling free.

Hoping my arthritis would allow me to hang on long enough to gain purchase before I followed the rest of the debris down into the hall: not nice at all.

My cries of anguish brought my husband from his bed to organise a rescue and try to get me to rest on the bed.

How could I?

With tomato soup dripping where it ought not to, on carpets up and down, as well as on the stair walls.

It even found its way with artistic bent through the spindles, to drip down the cupboard door in rivulets into the hall.

Before making a last gasp spread with dramatic effect to paint the open kitchen door with bright red tomato soup and upset the normal very plain kitchen floor.

Looking at the complete disaster, I wailed at my good deed gone wrong.

What to do, what to do?

My young man came to the rescue. “Call Nick, our window cleaner man.”

I phoned and he said he would come around to see what he could do. “How bad is it?” he asked.

“Just awful!” was my reply.

On his arrival, he looked in and said, “It does not look too bad,” thinking I was a panicking female, till I said, “Come right in.” Only then was the extent of the disaster really seen.

“Oh my, you have made a really cracking job of it.” On every tread on the way down, spots and splashes of tomato soup could clearly be seen.

The grand finale was the soup bowl upside down, leaving a spectacular tomato soup ring when retrieved from another part of the carpet in the middle of the hall.

It took hours of scrubbing and cleaning and, the next day, they came back with their big carpet-cleaning machine.

Finally, the evidence of the catastrophe was erased from the scene.

However, my arms and torso are still complaining at being left dangling over the abyss in the hall.

Photo by Pixabay