SPLASH, SPLASH!

 

Splash, splash we are having fun in the bath. 

Bubbles are moving this way and that. 

The rubber duck is bobbing along. 

Mum sent him back, singing a song. 

Splash, splash, we are having fun in the bath.

Splash, splash, splash, splash. 

I hit the water too hard; mum is wet, too. 

Oh what a todo. Whoopee, whoopee do. 

Ducky has sailed past. I made a grab. 

He’s down under and back up with a splash. 

I send him back to the other end with a laugh. 

Mum starts singing our song again. 

Splash, splash, we are having fun in the bath.

Splash, splash, splash, splash. 

When bath time is over, I am wrapped in a towel, 

Given a good rub and a tickle.

When dry, I know the fun time is over. 

It ends with a kiss on the nose and a cuddle, up close. 

Dressed in pyjamas, we head wearily for bed,

With mum singing our song quietly now. 

Splash, splash, we have had fun in the bath.

Splash, splash, splash, splash. 

Goodnight, sleepy head; time now to rest. 

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

THE LIGHTEST OF TOUCHES

 

When lying on the grass under a shady tree, my eyelids drooped and soon I was asleep, to be awoken with the lightest of touches tickling my nose.

Gently, oh so gently, I opened my eyes to see a beautiful butterfly standing on four legs and staring into my eyes.

I am not sure who was the most surprised.

It opened its wings in case danger I might be, allowing me to see the underside of its wings up close.

I gazed at its tiny face and its eyes with its multiple sight sensors, as it rapidly uncurled its proboscis, gently touching my nose and quickly retracting.

I was obviously not the flavour it was seeking.

My nose started to feel a sneeze approaching. The need to suppress it became overpowering.

I did not want to propel my delicate visitor into orbit with an explosion.

Thankfully, it took off in time, allowing me to admire its beautiful flight.

How could something so beautiful come from something so ugly, yet so interesting, as a caterpillar?

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

AHEAD

 

Every act of thoughtful caring,

Every burst of laughter, 

Every hug and kiss,

Makes this old  world of ours, 

A more comfortable place to live.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

THE BEST DOG I EVER HAD

 

When travelling in a Taxi we were told a wonderful story.

A gentleman told us, he used to own a motor car business, in a part of London, that was in constant threat of robbery and vandalism.

A friend said, ‘What you need is a dog, a fierce dog.’

So I went to the local dog’s home and asked for a fierce dog.

A staff member said: ‘There is one in cage number 2, on the left, he’s really mean.’

I wandered along till I reached cage 2, a streak of fur hurled itself at the bars snarling, lip curled back showing a good set of teeth and snapping incessantly, barking in between.

I stood looking at him and thought,

‘I do not need the amount of grief, you look like you might bring me.’

I went back to the office and asked. ‘Is there another dog I might have.‘

‘Yes, he is a bit wet though, no one wants him. He is in cage 8.’

I strolled along to give him the once over.

At first, I thought it was an empty cage and looked up to check the number.

Suddenly I saw a slight movement in the corner, a tightly curled up bundle of fur.

I called out several times before, there was movement and a pair of sad eyes turned towards me.

I knelt to ground level put my fingers flat on the bars and spoke gently to him.

At first, nothing happened, slowly he unwound and crawled along the floor and stretched his neck out and stuck his tongue, between the bars and licked my hand.

That was the moment our hearts, made that amazing unbreakable connection.

We had a wonderful life together and he turned out to be the best dog I ever had.

2023 © by Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

I Am Here - WobblingPen

GRATITUDE

 

I wonder if we have expressed enough gratitude for all the amazing things people do for us every day. 

We turn on a tap: out pops clean water; or press a switch and we can see, or heat our food, without thinking that there might be someone to thank for that effort and amazing service. They are the unseen people who keep our lives moving in so many invisible ways. We should certainly thank them, and I do. Thank you.

This year has been horrendous, with international wars and natural disasters appearing haphazardly all around the world, causing the loss of many, many lives, and the destruction of homes, animals, crops, and water supplies. 

There is gratitude, too, as survivors thank God, the rescue services, medical workers and the strangers who help tirelessly as well. Sadly, they will be relying upon gratitude for quite some time to come; we have to remember them: Australia, Canada, China, Greece, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, Turkey, and Ukraine.

Today, I would like to extend our thank yous to everyone who presses a like button, makes a comment, or shares our work. Thank you; without you, we would not be advancing the way we are. Thank you again from all of us. 

Our WobblingPen Blogspot has tipped over the 20,000 mark, heading rapidly to 21,000, our next milestone is now almost in sight. 

Thank you for the beautiful pictures and stories you share with us, and the conversation some of you have with us regularly. We hope we help bring life, the wide open spaces, plus amusement, to loneliness, even if it is only to break the cycle.

Another big thank you must go to our wonderful Wobblers and permanent workers who gather everything together to make up the fun and informative place called WobblingPen. 

You all have the ethos of WobblingPen in your hearts, and come up with new ideas, which we banter about, to accept, reject, or trial, and are achieved with much seriousness and hilarity. 

Without each one of you, there would be no WobblingPen, just a pen.

To all those who work and think of others, you have our gratitude.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

SQUIRREL & CROW

 

Early one morning, a grey squirrel found something tasty to eat on the lawn.

A black crow flew down to a meal; He too had his beady eyes on.

As the squirrel ate, the crow made a quick grab with his beak for the squirrel’s tail. The squirrel turned quickly shrieked, frightening the crow.

The crow, hopped off, to wait and try again. He was determined not to fail.

The squirrel’s tail, curled upright into a nice shape to help keep his balance, while gripping and nibbling his tasty snack. However, every time the squirrel bent his head to eat the food on the lawn, his tail lay out flat behind him upon the lawn.

It was then the crow made sneaky attacks to grab the squirrel’s tail and failed every time he made a pass.

Round and round both would turn, neither willing to give in, for twenty minutes to and fro the battle lasted. Then the crow stalked off, as he knew the squirrel’s speed on the ground, he just could not master.

Once the crow was out of the way, the squirrel finished his meal and ran swiftly for safety up the nearest bushy tree.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

AROUND THE WORLD

 

There are wonderful people, doing some things in our World, for all the right reasons. 

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

LANZAROTE

 

We lunched in Lanzarote at a place called Arrieta in a small white restaurant called El Largo on a sun-drenched patio.

The Atlantic provided the music and umbrellas flared their skirts in the breeze and performed colourful dancing displays.

The waves marched in, in long sparkling columns, tops tumbling white arising from the azure and inky blue sea.

Their strength dying in pounding thunder on lumps of black lava, twisting and frothing, then reluctantly sucked and drawn away.

Swishing backwards, scooping up particles of lava and froth to scatter out into the bay.

I was sorry when the meal was over and I had to say my goodbyes.

I hope one day, I will find another El Largo to tastefully ease my hunger and please my heart and eye.

Leaving me with warm happy memories to pull out when I'm feeling down, on cold, wet, windy, depressing days.

NOTE: 

Part of a collection written while cruising on the Black Prince. 

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

HOT POTATO

 

CINDERELLA’ISH TALE 

While sitting in a booth in a supermarket café in Worthing, anticipating my husband’s return from the dentist after a tooth extraction, I began preparing myself for a quick departure. 

The thought occurred to me that I needed some cash, and I decided to use the cash machine on the way out. I removed my debit card from my handbag, along with a WobblingPen card to give to our waitress who had been very kind. 

My husband appeared suddenly and I started to slide along the seat, only to dislodge my debit card onto the floor against the window. I uttered a cry of despair, as I knew my arms would not be able to reach it. 

Plan B: 

I would take off my flip-flop and slide the card along the floor with my foot. My young man said, “What are you doing?” as he waited with my three-wheeled walking aid. I tried to explain, but he had only one hearing aid in, as the other had gone for repair. So, instead of a dignified and quiet, “I am trying to retrieve my debit card; it is on the floor,” I had to say it loud enough for the whole café to hear.

“Oh for goodness sake, let me get it,”

I replied, “You can’t get down there; there is not enough room.” 

However, I was already sprawled on the settee, waving my foot and slowly dragging the card towards where he could grab it. By this time, I was on my back like an upside-down turtle, with the card almost there; thank goodness I was wearing trousers. Then a Prince Charming appeared: a gentleman from the next table. He could have been a basketball player, he was so tall. “Do not worry I can get it for you.” 

With that, he was under the table, retrieved the lost card, picked up my flip flop and replaced it on my foot. Once I had regained the upright position and regained my dignity, I said, “Now Cinderella shall go to the ball; the shoe fits.” 

The whole café burst into laughter. My poor husband said, “Thank you,” to the gentleman, and “Come on; let’s get out of here,” to me. I turned to my Prince Charming, saying, “Thank you for rescuing me. I would like to give you this WobblingPen card in thanks. I am a Storyteller and you might find something on the site to amuse you and your friend during boring travelling time waits.” They were delighted; we shook hands and left, heading for the cash machine. 

I hate cash machines and normally use them only in the bank or Post Office, but need must. “Please do not gobble up my card, or flood me with too many things to press, and yes, I do want a receipt, thanks.” 

Talking to the machine: do you do that? I can’t be the only one! 

Thankfully, someone thought I had had enough for one day, and cash and receipt appeared on command. We then made our way, uneventfully, back home.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

TO SAY THANK YOU

 

What is it to be handy?

What is it to be good?

What is it to be funny and so very, very kind?

All who have benefited from your kindness, find it hard to express their thank´s to you.

For the enormity of your gift so united, we say a big thank you to you, for all the essential things you have done.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

ROMANTICA CRUISE

 

The first sight of the ship always brings excitement to me and there she was painted white, with yellow stacks. 

The ‘Romantica’ looked enormous as though she was built with more above the waterline than below. The wonders of aluminum I am told. She was going to be our home for two weeks touring the Caribbean, I wondered what adventures we would have together. 

As I stood appraising her, a fleeting thought crossed my mind ‘Will the weather be kind?’ I was drawn out of my pondering by the need to proceed on board. We were very charmingly factory-processed, with lots of shaking of hands and smiling, all the way onto the ship and to our cabin. 

The cabin was a very pleasant surprise. It was bigger than I had been in before and had a huge big round porthole and a spacious bathroom for a ship. (I had to remind myself that I last sailed on a vessel in the late sixties, things had improved since then, with a more discerning and demanding clientele.) 

There was a mural on the wall, plenty of cupboard space and a concertina pull-down blind, for privacy at night or in port.

Once we knew where we were going to live, we set off to explore the ship, as the luggage had not yet appeared. There seemed to be stairs and lifts everywhere, we kept meeting other explorers like ourselves, in and out of lounges, restaurants, bars, and shops. 

Finally, we felt peckish and popped into a self-service for some lunch. I had to negotiate the menu with my gluten-free problem. We were not very taken by our meal as it was not as hot as it might have been. 

However as we were still in port, some staff were being used as luggage porters. We felt they might have been shorthanded and made allowances.

Once fed it was down to the cabin to see if the cases were there so we could unpack. They were, outside the door, but oh dear my husband's ties were hanging out a rip in the case and the handle was a most peculiar shape. 

We took them inside the cabin for a better look. It was just as well that it was his case, as mine had many more small objects that might have fallen out during the damage. It looked as if it had fallen from a great height. "Oh well!"

My young man commented "It looks as though we will have to buy a new case when we return to Fort Lauderdale."

I laughed to myself, as so far we had a damaged handbag and a case I wondered what would be next.

That evening we went down to the main restaurant for our meal, we were placed on a table for four. We had asked to be placed on one of six or eight. We sat down and awaited our absent table companions. Alas on the whole cruise, we dined alone, though not without company.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

FRIENDS

 

Friends are better to hug than a cushion, 

They have a heartbeat.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

MOMENTS & MEMORIES

 

Doesn’t time fly?

Leaving amazing memories for you to relive.

Moments that pass at speed, 

Linger in your memory for a lifetime.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

ART

Art soothes us in troubled times, 

Releasing feelings,

We did not know were there.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

INTO THE SUN!

 

Into the sun what fun, what fun!

After rain and wind and peals of thunder run.

Wrapped in woollens over summer tops, watching, seas angry thrashing spray.

Boats tossed around awash, with sail stowed away, tugging impatiently to be anchored up and underway.

Into the sun what fun, what fun!

As clouds cling reluctant to release, the mountain tops were hidden waiting to delight and please.

As misty clouds roll up and down, preventing the sun from shining brightly all around.

Slowly light starts slipping through, without the hint of a sound.

Into the sun what fun, what fun!

Its beam heats and starts to expand, as windows open and people appear hand in hand.

Discarding wraps for colourful shorts, white legs and tops, warming up with smiles, sports, laughs and lots of amusing little jokes.

Into the sun what fun, what fun!

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

LOVE

 

The importance of love and cherishing of our children is entwined with the need to expand and educate their minds, to lead other generations to better times. 

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

HIGH AFTERNOON TEA

 

We were invited out to high afternoon tea, in a beautiful historic house near here.

We sat on a verandah with Wisteria winding up it’s posts looking out on a sun-drenched garden, at flowers showing off their beauty to impress.

Our table for six was draped in embroidered linen and napkins, laid with English China, covered in red roses.

The ceremony began!

When a menu appeared with teas from many countries to choose from, we never knew there were so many.

William Morris Teapots, with our individual choice of tea, appeared, for us to marvel at. 

We looked for the menus for the edible delights, after all that is afternoon tea without sandwiches and cake.

Our host advised us to please wait, "It is all in hand." 

We chatted and relaxed in the ambiance of the moment.

Suddenly a voice spoke! 

"Who is gluten-free please?" I replied "I am."

A three-tiered cake stand appeared by my side, with four delicate sandwiches with different fillings, three amazing small pastries, a raspberry mousse and crowning the top two small chocolate temptations and my very favourite a meringue. 

I was in heaven to have my own cake stand with gluten-free delights. I have never been so spoilt!

Normally I have to watch everyone else eating when invited to tea. Glancing around at the others I saw they had two three-tiered cake stands full of delectables to share. 

Delighted comments were passed to our host for such a thoughtful tea time and a romantic moment to treasure.

The six of us chatted our way through the whole wonderful afternoon and promised to return to partake of their equally delicious breakfast.

So here’s to the next time.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT, OF COURSE YOU WOULD

 

Another well-organised day that unravelled itself into chaos.

I arose early to sort out Lily the cat who wishes to be mine, and almost is, and have some playtime with her, before a hectic schedule of events.

First, my carer was late not her fault, they scheduled a client at an impossible travelling distance to one another, unless you used a helicopter. 8am became 9am. To almost 10am.

I asked my cleaners to come earlier as I was expecting old friends on a visit at 10.30. They kindly arranged to arrive at 9am. So with both events activated for 9am, everyone was using the bathrooms and water at the same time. My husband and I showered upstairs and down, cleaner nipping in where we had vacated.

Finally, everyone had completed what they had to and restored the house to order. The carer left first, and then we heard a great deal of big vehicle backing noises. On investigating saw a large lorry with hoisting equipment trying to manoeuvre in through the gates to deliver some hefty concrete slabs for the next-door's new kitchen build.

The only problem was they had not notified us of their intentions, and very successfully trapped my cleaning team, unable to proceed to their next client.

As the lorry backed out, it just grazed one of the gate pillars knocking the top and the electric light out of place.

Just as we absorbed that situation, a message arrived on my iPad. Our friends were frazzled after a night of hotel evacuation, due to fire alarms being triggered by a guest smoking in the bedroom. Three times they were alerted with one full evacuation in their bed attire.

So they asked if they could come a little later. 11.15am. Disaster the time gap was narrowing, as we had to leave at 12.45am for Worthing for a dental appointment for my young man at 2.15pm.

The little lad across the road brought him from school unwell to join the community and parking chaos.

Some a passable cold lunch was prepared and shared together before we had to separate and go our ways. 

Hugging our guests and waving them off, before racing to lock up the house and leave ourselves. However, a great big concrete mixer arrived blocking out the lane, where my young man had parked our car. Stalemate, the driver had to back into the main road to let us out. It was a tight squeeze but we made it.

At last, we were out in the open road heading for the dentist, for my young man and to see our adopted family on their return from their holiday in Rhodes. We listened as they related all their.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully, with a companionable, drive home in the dark. Until almost home when a warning light came on the dashboard to warn of a tyre problem. Thankfully we had just purred into our drive at this point and decided to let sleeping dogs lie till the morning.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

WOMAN

 

Women have much to do, to facilitate change with a focus on love and courage.

There is always hope, change and advancement when mixed with committed joint effort.

The more we share, the more we know, the more strength we gain.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

FIND TIME FOR YOURSELF

 

Time reserved for yourself has a return value.

Enjoy!

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

WRITING FEELINGS

 

Once I hated writing, 

And avoided it like the plague. 

Now I find great pleasure and enjoyment, 

As I cover page after page. 

Meeting new people every day.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

MY STORY

 

I am your WobblingPen and here is my story, my journey to your hand: It all started a long time ago.

Back when first learning to write independently, the first spelling mistakes took place.

Can you imagine a face struggling to grasp the correct letters of a word, and failing miserably, two cheeks blushing ashamed at the misspelt words.

This is why I directed my efforts into Storytelling, rather than Story Writing.

My powers of observation sharpened, coupled with excellent hearing and I saw people, animals, places, emotions and the highs and lows of life good and bad flying around me in different parts of the World. I had no need of a pen, I could tell Stories.

So I picked up a wide vocabulary of fun words and wrote them down misspelled on paper, for my eyes only, arranging the thoughts into words and phrases, pictured sounds and noises and listened to more words used in our world. Before relaying them as verbal stories and sharing them.

This started verbally at the age of four. Family and friends were amazed and listened to my early Wobbling thoughts. It was only much later that the word dyslexic was mentioned.

In 1993 when my first computer arrived, with the magic of a spell checker in place I began to write my stories down for others to read. However I am still a Storyteller first, Writer and Poet second.

Now I still wander around, wondering in our world, catching interesting glimpses of your lives and mine to capture as a Story.

Join me and let’s Wobble together...

© 2023 Penny Wobbly Storyteller of WobblingPen

WHAT A VIEW

 

After a meal with special friends, cooked and served by other hands.

A view spectacular of the Isle of Wight, stretching right and left to Southampton and Portsmouth where liners sail in and out.

With tourists thirsty for the knowledge of the history, of our ancient land. Where perhaps their ancestors once sprang from.

On entering our friend's new home, and mounting the stairs, a view to die for expanded there, with sunshine sparkling everywhere.

Boredom will not intrude as sights spectacular keep changing the views.

Even on a bitter winter's day, tucked up inside you can still watch the sea’s fantastic displays and passengers sailing to other exciting destinations.

We will retain the memories of the wonderful day we spent with you.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

JUST SAYING

 

How do we keep words in our heads?

Words that should never be said?

Keep them trapped till only the truth is revealed,

Before calmly saying what has to be said.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

I Am Here - WobblingPen

IN THE MIST

 

Awaking to a land of lingering mist,

Creeping up the valley trickling between the trees,

Hugging them giving a gentle kiss

Just the tallest stand proud and true

With branches peeping tantalising through.

The lower branches and bushes are hidden from view.

Till a wind tugs, the misty veil on it’s way,

Shredding and dispersing it over the sea,

To begin another sunny beautiful day.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

SCOTLAND

 

My heart skips a beat, 

My face starts to crease 

Into a beaming smile, 

When I cross into Scotland,

Mile by beautiful mile.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

THE RESULTS

 

Young Winston was very upset that his exam results had not reached him yet. He had worked so hard, harder than before, so he could achieve the marks needed to take him to the university of his choice. 

Everyone had theirs; yet his had still not come. It was not fair. If they didn’t come soon, the university of his choice would not have room for him. All his hard work would come to nought if he could not go there. He locked himself in his room, in utter despair. 

The school checked and checked and phones buzzed; still no results were found. Then the frantic ringing of a bicycle's bell, with the postman waving a letter in the air: “I have it here. It fell off one of the machines, was kicked along the floor and was half hidden by a cupboard door.” 

He handed it over and everyone anxiously waited for Winston to declare the results to all waiting there. His face burst into a big smile and he jumped into the air, shouting, “I have done it. Top marks in each subject taken. Please pass me the phone to see if there is still a space for me in my choice of university.” 

Once more, the silent anxious wait you could cut with a knife, until the magic words were heard: “You have a place!” 

Celebrations and congratulations all around, a happy sound, went on throughout the day. Dedication and hard work usually pay. 

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

SWING! SWING!

 

Swing, swing!

Can you hear the birds up in the trees?

Making me swing with their melodies.

My body moves with a rhythm all it’s own.

Swing, swing!

Come on, join in this joyful song.

Fingers click, feet flick, small jump in celebration.

The ducks in the pond quack along in delight.

Swing, swing! 

The horse in the meadow kicks up his heels.

Encouraging the cows to join in the dance and melody.

Moo, neigh! Neigh moo, another two will do.

Swing, swing! 

Keep it going Mr Owl has woken.

He has just added his wit to woo the best he can do.

Mr frog has croaked loudly three times in tune.

Swing, swing!

Sing to this wonderful chorus.

Those who hear us will always remember.

When they first heard a real dawn chorus.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

LAID BEFORE US

 

We reached the area and were transfixed in awe only glimpsed in weather forecasts before. 

Rarely viewed quite like today. As the sunshine caressed each fold of land into fabulous display. 

As it danced around the hill tops, leaving moving patches of light and shade. 

A ridge it followed till it ended in a dramatic way. On a drop down to the valley floor it went.

Leaving us staring uneasily into the abyss, before raising eyes to probe the horizon. 

Ancient and far too beautiful to miss. 

A land worked hard by humankind for generations. 

Honing a tough, practical group, quick to humour, no shirkers of hard work. 

Whose chains will never break, no matter where the population may roam. 

The pride of this land laid before us will always remain Yorkshire. 

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License