THE CALL OF MUSIC

 

Walking along the street, I hear music calling, 

Louder, louder, louder!

My pace starts to change to match the beat, 

Faster, faster, faster!

One step forward, two back, three forward,

Stamp, stamp, stamp!

Step to the left then to centre again, and to the right and back again, 

Sway, sway, sway! 

Arms up, swing to the left and right, above head, wrists join the action, 

Clap, clap, clap!

My whole body moves to the wonderful sound, and I Sing, sing, sing!

Music has the power to move us as it grows louder, faster, encouraging, stamping, swaying, clapping, singing and quiet listening. 

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

GIVE ME A GIGGLE

Give me a giggle, give me a laugh!

Make my sides heave with a breathless gasp. 

Let’s chase all the gloom away.

Give me a funny face or a clean comical joke. 

To make me laugh and splutter when drinking my coke.

Do dance with lots of quick wriggly stuff. 

Making everyone laugh as they try to copy us.

Changing partners and dancing with the jokes and laughs gently flowing.

Till the last dance with you, when filing our way out calling cheery greetings as we make our home.

Let’s keep the laughter going till our front door, where we will tap tap the knocker.

Laugh and laugh and giggle our way through the open door.

2025  © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

CIRCUS WASH DAY

In the Circus, in South Africa, wash days are sometimes very exciting and at the same time very anxious times.

You can never be quite sure what might happen, as often there is only one water tap, for all the animals and the humans too.

The water runs into a long open tank. Can you just imagine that?

The humans have a timetable, which tells them when they can use the tap and tank.

However, wild animals can smell water from a long way off and do not know anything about working to timetables.

They just appear when they are thirsty or fancy having a bath.

It takes a long time for elephants to have a drink?

They don’t just have one or two cups or glasses of water like us.

They have gallons and gallons of water at a time.

During this, a lot of sucking, splashing, spraying and dribbling goes on.

The humans have hardly any warnings about these untimed visits.

They are sometimes unable to move their washing or dishes out of the way to safety, quickly enough.

No amount of shouting or waving stops the thirsty animals.

So cups, plates and spoons are often trampled underfoot, in the mud!

Skirts are occasionally worn on the elephant’s head, like big colourful fancy hats.

Trousers too are flapped around by the elephant’s trunks, to use as towels to dry their backs or chase clouds of very irritating flies away.

Once the drinking is over mud begins to fly, and the area around the tank and tap becomes muddy.

Elephants are very sensible and use mud-like suntan lotion to protect their skin from the very hot African sun.

The mud is sucked up their trunks and blown over their backs in a dark, muddy, brown spray and sometimes they roll in it, legs waving in the air.

Elephants, when they leave the water tap, have no respect for washing lines.

Often in triumph, they carry them off, as they go on their way, trailing all manner of clothes in the mud and dust behind them.

Leaving very angry humans, to collect their scattered clothing and start another big washing day.

What a wash day!

Glad we don’t have any of those, as it could be very irritating and expensive, but oh what fun!

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

LOVE OVERFLOWING

While the world in torment fly, you and I cling together with kindness and love overflowing.

Trying to shut out all that is sad, with endearments and caresses, and hopes that things will get better.

Reluctant to untangle and become one, to face the world to see what can be done.

Take care darling till we are again together.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen 

Photo: Pixabay License

 

FROM THE FIRST TIME

From the time we met and became forever entwined.

The shared glances, with no words, spoke volumes.

Moments of separation, are necessary sometimes.

The reunions with much to say, and even more to give.

Love tested, shared, and given so generously.

I give my love and devotion to you and only to you.

As it is hard to find words to express my true feelings.

You are everything to me: I hope these words and my arms, as I gather you up for a hug, say it all.

I wish you, my darling, a wonderful birthday!

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo by Swapnil Deshpandey on Unsplash

 

LOVE WANING NEVER!

Let me see your beauty, I need to gather you near, as my eyes do seek, yet cannot see till well up close.

Let me smell your scent kept especially for me.

Your hands once smooth yet have worked so hard for us.

Your heart beats in time with mine with the occasional skipped beat, an ageing sign.

I gather you close, for an embrace of remembrance of our youth, those sexually heady caresses.

Now, it is with heartfelt gratitude for the love we have shared all this time.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

OUT OF TUNE

What is love?

When I don’t sing the right song.

When everything I do does not meet, your new standards, it’s wrong!

As I try to placate, another challenge is made.

My hands start to shake, food dances on the plate.

Failure is now the norm, every request becomes a storm.

Thoughts are confused, I retreat into my own space.

Trying to contemplate, a future without you!

For the sake of others and myself, I have to regain confidence, and strength to step out, and find my single self again.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

LOVE DECLARED

Love is declared!

In every possible way!

In hope, for this message of love to ignite or blossom into an all-consuming flame.

In the loss of a love once shared, yet in anger thrown away.

In sorrow, as on the final journey, your love makes its solitary way.

In new life’s arrival, that you both made with love, a constant reminder.

Celebrates all these feelings, good or bad.

Take courage if you are faint-hearted, by a card or word let your loved one know.

You are tender-hearted and love them so.

By this act, you might start a lifetime's journey of caring and sharing love between you.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen 

Photo: Pixabay License

 

THE SMELL OF COMFORT

Tucked up in a cosy corner, with the smell of books.

Surrounded by shelves of honey-coloured, lavender-polished wood.

With blankets soft to the touch, to tuck around the shoulders 

And toes, keeping you snug.

As you gaze out on a winter’s scene, cold and crisply white.

Fading into the dark cloak of night.

Clasping a mug of steaming hot chocolate, awaiting its cooling ready to sip.

Listening to a night bird’s last night song. When complete, a hush descends.

Signifying another day's safe end.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen 

Photo: Pixabay License

 

THE FIRST PANORAMIC VIEW

The first panoramic view took my breath away.

I can hardly believe I am going to spend time here.

As I move towards the door, scanning left and right breathing deeply.

Emptying my lungs of city air and brain from tackling difficult conversations, requiring answers I still do not have.

Just being there allows me to start to feel alive.

I am almost scared of opening the door and having feelings dashed.

Taking another look around at the view, I turn the key and walk in.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

VISUALLY AMAZING

We turned a corner, a gasp I had to give!

There were large helium balloons with their dangling baskets at different stages of take-off.

All shapes and sizes floating by on mass, with blasts of hot air forcing them upwards assisting the lift.

A few more, blasts before silently you arose like giant dandelion seeds, dwindling in size.

Floating off in one’s, and two’s filling the brilliant sky.

The artistry of colour decorated the balloons as you floated by. Giving us a glimpse of entering an artist's attic.

It would be hard to choose the best, as they rose dipped and swayed.Till the competition had run its course.

Landings were not always neat, but laughter and help were there at hand.

To flatten and roll your balloon canopy into its basket, after a brilliant out this World experience.

We tucked the whole vision, into our memory chest to be pulled on a miserable day, as we drove our way home.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

MY GARDEN

Do you ever sit quietly looking over a garden or a field by yourself, it is amazing the things you might see.

This happened in my garden yesterday when I had time to look.

It was a beautiful day, blue sky, sunshine, a light breeze and no need to cover my arms.

As I settled comfortably into my chair looking around, a bee appeared and buzzed me before settling into a bunch of open flowers.

I could hear it working away, a pleasant sound.

Then to my amazement, a yawning fox appeared and settled in a patch of sunshine down by the wild pond.

He looked as if he had had a busy night and just needed to relax and warm up before going to bed.

He paid no attention to me, as I quietly watched.

Where is Lily I wondered, hoping she was not on her way over for a visit or she would get a fright?

A loud honking noise made me look up as a lone goose, flew by.

I wonder why he is on his own?

Perhaps he has lost his way, as geese are flying in for the summer, to fill up with good food, mate and have a family.

Just as well he did not decide to drop in here, or Mr fox might have been glad for a meal to have before bedtime

A couple of beautiful butterflies floated by and a pair of pigeons started their morning conversation.

After a while of real relaxation, I thought I ought to move.

On turning around, towards the house I saw the big next-door cat, sitting in our walled garden peering intently into the fish pond at our one remaining goldfish.

Thankfully she could look but not touch, as we had netted it, to protect our fish from cats, herons and birds.

This fish was the last survivor of twenty-four, the others had died over time of old age, as we had had them for years.

There is nothing quite like sitting with a cup of tea by a pond, watching fish swim past, or sleeping tucked under a lily pad, staying there with the odd switch of a tail.

I was thankful that Lily had still not appeared, as a cat-fight would have ended my quiet time, as Lily would have needed rescuing.

I wonder what you might see in your garden during a quiet time if you looked.

Take care, stay safe and have fun.

2025  © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

 

YAWN, YAWN, YAWN

Yawn, yawn, yawn!

Snore, snore, snore!

I am happily sleeping.

Someone is calling, “Time to get up. It's morning.”

I do not want to leave my bed just yet. So I am ignoring it, starting my pretend snoring.

Someone has opened the door, firmly calling,

“Up now. I know you’re not asleep. If you don’t, I will say I’ve made your breakfast,

when I have not!”

Come on now. Struggle up. It’s a beautiful day. I have made lots of plans for us to do and enjoy.

A walk in a meadow with lots of wildflowers. A carrot for a horse, or a donkey or two.

Into a café where you can choose what to eat. Chatting with friends who might already be there.

A play on a swing or a slide, giving you a laugh and giggle inside.

Then indoors for a storytelling sit and listen.

Is that you I hear, cleaning your teeth and having a good wash?

I will start a real breakfast, a favourite of yours. If you need help with dressing, give me a call.

When we are ready, we’ll set off to the Ferring Sense Centre.

Where we will join in the fun with everyone.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo by Kyle Nieber on Unsplash

 

CAPTURED VIEW

A winding road going somewhere, 

Wildflowers in full bloom, 

And hills spread out into the distance 

In a light haze will always gain my attention 

And take me with them, 

Even when painted and captured in a frame.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

Happy #WorldBeeDay! 🐝🌍 

BEES

Come and see the Buzzy Busy Bees.

Buzz, Buzz buzz buzz

Here and there everywhere

Buzz Buzz Buzz Buzz

Popping their heads into flowers to sip nectar;

Buzz buzz buzz buzz gathering pollen,

To hang like shopping bags from their back legs;

Buzz buzz buzz buzz

Weary they can carry no more, we are tired so tired.

Buzz buzz buzz buzz

Turning around and around till they sense the quickest way home.

Flowers

Oh Bees we love your tickling pollen and nectar-shaking visits

Buzz Buzz Buzz Buzz

It starts our seeds growing, popping and scattering everywhere.

Buzz Buzz Buzz Buzz

The wind picks them up in the air letting them down again with a plop.

Buzz buzz buzz buzz

Without your help, our flowers and fruit will not start growing.

Birds, Animals, and Humans as well.

Oh bees we love you too

Buzz buzz buzz buzz

Without you, the insects won’t thrive, and we will starve with grumbling insides

No buzz buzz buzz.

There will be no lovely flowers in fields or swaying on fruit trees,

They will be bare.

No more honey to spread on our bread to have for our tea.

No Buzz, Buzz Buzz

No flowers growing around us, well none we can find...

All we can do to help is scatter seeds around the old-fashioned way.

Buzz buzz buzz buzz

In every spare space, we can find.

Once blooming the scent and colour will bring bees buzzing back just in time.

Buzz Buzz Buzz

Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen 

Photo: Pixabay License

 

Happy #WorldBeeDay! 🐝🌍

BEES

Oh, we are bees, we are looking for a home.

We are under attack and need help to fight back.

A meadow would be fine, the flowers do not have to be in a line.

Our beehives could be tucked away at the meadow's edge amongst the fruit trees.

If you could please help us, we could keep busy pollinating, making sure you have fruit to eat with your cereal.

Collect wildflower seeds there are some we really love and scatter them where they can quietly grow.

We need your help!

We cannot manage without you!

Must be off I am really rather busy buzzzzzzzzzzz, tell everyone we need help to help you, we really do.

Buzz Buzz Buzz Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

IT NO LONGER SOUNDS THE SAME

I heard the music begin, and drew in a breath for a song, a favourite of mine from long ago.

Right on cue, I sang the words as I always do—the pitch seemed odd.

The words had lost their clarity and crispness. 

Where had my voice gone?

The notes I could soar to and easily reach, now I could barely meet.

A sorrow hit my soul as I tried a repeat; it was a defeat.

Singing is such a joy: when you sing solo, sliding up and down the scales.

Singing to change the mood, to help others feel good, is so sublime.

We forget, as age encroaches, that voices too alter with time.

That does not mean we cannot sing—try lowering the pitch.

Sing loudly by yourself, letting the music carry you through. It may not be perfect.

Just do not waste a precious gift. 

Keep on singing along. 

It is a great thing to do.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

A GLIMPSE

Driving through the countryside on a twisty ride.

A sideways glance caught a hint of blue.

Decorating the woodland floor as we sped along.

I gave a shout of joy!

It is bluebell time!

Grabbing my iPad, I held it aloft, clicking frantically away.

Madness, as with hope I sought to catch the view of bluebells.

Bluebells as they should be seen: in multitudes swaying above beds of green.

Scattering a heavenly scent, once captured never to be forgotten.

Beneath trees with branches of budding fresh leaves, the sight, so brief, disappeared as we sped along.

In trepidation, my finger tapped back to see what part of the view I had trapped.

The first few were disasters, as in haste I had covered the lens with my finger.

Not what was needed at all; two more gave only a hint of what I was after.

The next, not perfect, gave a glimpse of the bluebells, a delight I was trying to capture to show you.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

 

ANXIOUSLY WAITING 

A fox is sitting on the lawn, anxiously waiting gazing intently alert to every sound

Does she have some cubs I wonder? 

It is the right time of the year, it is true. Or are they still tucked up keeping cosy?

As spring warms up she will bring them out, to share our garden and have a play. 

It is then we will get to know them, while they learn their survival skills. When to hunt, stand their ground, or turn and run away. 

For the moment they need the curiosity to explore, safe in the garden with their siblings mock fighting and cuddling, sleeping their growing up young lives away. 

First of all, we have to wait and see, does she have any Cubs at all?

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen 

Photo: Pixabay License

 

CLUTTER

Clutter, clutter, I start to mutter, as years of clutter I have slowly managed to collect.

Clothes this year won’t fit, kept in hopes of a later shape change, becomes a mantra I cannot shift, no matter how hard I try.

Clutter, clutter holds a memory that is far too strong, to pass onto other unknowing, unfeeling, unsympathetic hands.

Others I hope will be useful one day; I cannot throw them away.

Clutter, clutter reduces my home ’til I am squashed into a tiny place.

Friends and family no longer call; I meet them outside.

I hate them reminding me of the elephant in the room.

The shame overwhelms me, yet I just can’t move the load, both physically and mentally, so I wallow in my hollow 

’Til someone comes with understanding to assist.

Releasing me into a world I hardly know exists.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo by Şahin Sezer Dinçer on Unsplash

 

A CALL

As I stepped out the back door to take a breath of fresh air,

A pair of geese flew past, calling a greeting loud and clear.

Another sign that spring is on its way, as geese arrive in their thousands for their summer holiday.

I think they are headed for the Thames and parks nearby.

Some will be tempted to stay; others have much further to fly.

This migration, flown in great numbers to and fro each year, is an event totally amazing to me.

Welcome all!

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

LOOKING INTO THE LONG GRASS

Have you really stopped to look into the wild long grass?

If you did, you might stop to linger and not hurry so quickly past.

A bird flutters over the grass, to and fro, looking for a stalk of a very particular kind to weave into its nest.

It sees one and pulls and pulls, and by chance brushes the pollen from a pretty white and pink wild rose and startles a bee causing it to fly hurriedly on its way.

Down in the roots ants scurry to and fro trying to wriggle and push interesting bundles through the stalks, as fast as they possibly can.

On their travels, they bump into hurrying clusters of grey, ribbed backed woodlice, with Peekaboo feet.

If you look up the stalks, the ants are still on the march up and down in long busy lines.

Passing without stopping a ladybird waiting patiently for green-fly to settle for her to eat, all gardeners love ladybirds.

A butterfly lightly descends to kiss the sweet nectar from a pretty wildflower.

While she is busy up comes a snail to eat a tender green leaf dangling temptingly within its reach.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

LISTEN TO ME 

Please listen to me. 

Will you let me have my say?

How I have kept silent all this time with resentment swirling and turning thoughts in my mind.

Playing with sentences round and round in my head.

Shall I say it this way? 

Or would this way be better?

Oh, why do I wrap it up? 

Why can’t I just say it? 

What is the matter with me? 

Why have I become such a wimp?

When first we wed, conversation flew, especially in bed. 

There was nothing we did not share; laughs there were aplenty.

What is going wrong? 

Can we put it right?

Perhaps I need to say to him, “It is your turn. I will now listen to you.”

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

 

LOCKED

Have you ever been locked out of your own house? 

Well, I was yesterday, on my return from being away for a week. The friend with me tried to open it, with no luck. I tried and failed. 

I thanked him and asked him to leave, as he had another appointment. He reluctantly left. 

Lily the next-door cat who wishes to be mine, came to keep me company, giving me a very warm noisy welcome. 

We chatted as you do with animal friends. She could not understand why I did not go in. 

Together we settled till some neighbour's arrived home, they took pity on me and invited me in for a warming cup of coffee. 

Lily slopped off, once she saw I was safe. She is my much loved furry friend and neighbour.

After a while, my husband returned and cleverly fixed the door. 

Together we entered our lovely warm hall, hugged and kissed one another, everything was back to normal.

© Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License 

 

ONE JUMP TOO HIGH

On pulling back the pool cover for the first time, on our return to New Zealand, a lone frog was visible in very low water.

Every so often he grabbed hold of a floating rope-like piece of a Norfolk pine tree, hooking his front leg over it, to have a rest.

I wondered how long he had been there.

At the slightest movement, he shot down to the bottom and hid in some dark leaf debris.

Occasionally he left strange footprints in the algae at the bottom of the pool, which was quite artistic and first drew my attention to his presence.

Other times he just bobbed about with minimum movement, head above water, observing all that was going on.

His problem was that he could not leap high enough to leave the pool.

So I decided to help and called out.

‘Please, Mr. Frog let me help you. I am not going to hurt you, but you won’t be able to jump out of the pool on your own, no matter how high you leap.’

First, a couple of wooden planks leaning down into the water were tried, but he had not heard of walking the plank.

‘Mr. Frog, will you please hop onto the plank, then I can lift you out.’

He just disappeared down to the bottom of the pond in terror.

Next, a big tree leaf was cast-off to act as a stepping stone but it failed to encourage him.

He just bobbed up, looked at it and moved further away.

More drastic action was needed with the use of the pool net, and leaf strainer to rescue him.

Thankfully he was scooped up to safety in one go and I was able to catch a glimpse of how handsome he was.

His skin was marked in green, orange, brown, and black.

We eyed each other respectfully for a moment or two.

Then slowly and carefully I removed him, away from the pool, to my neighbour’s fence, where there was a pond on the other side.

There I gently tipped him out.

He leaped high into the air, showing off his agile dancing skills, before disappearing into the bushes.

Who knows, perhaps we might meet again one day, but please, not in the pool, as there may not be anyone there to rescue him.

NOTE

This little story reminds all of us not to go to pools or rivers on our own.

Also, all of us need to learn to swim.

🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

 

THE SNEAK THIEF

I was sitting writing at my desk with Lily relaxed on her cushion. When she sat up abruptly startling me. 

I looked above my laptop lid to see what was happening.

I laughed as two young foxes were playing with an empty butter carton, fighting over it on top of each other. 

Throwing it up in the air, before scrapping again. It was amusing to watch.

All of a sudden they stopped and headed for the wild pond to have a drink. 

I continued to watch as one headed towards their den hidden between our neighbourhood gardens. 

The other came nearer to the house. I wondered what he was going to do. I almost burst out laughing, which would have scared him off. 

He was eating the loganberries growing on the lower branches of the bushes. I could not believe what he did next, he stretched up to his full height and pulled the branches laden with loganberries down towards him. 

He was having a wonderful feast. 

I did not know foxes ate berries, now I have to inform my young man what was happening to the Loganberrys, and why he only had a few for us.

Our garden is a hive of wildlife activity, which keeps Lily and me amused.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen 

Photo: Pixabay License

 

MR FROG’S AMBLE IN THE DARK

Mr Frog was out later than planned, and was hopping back to the pond when he heard a rustle and a call, “Help me, someone, help me!” 

With caution, he hopped nearer, pausing to listen. It certainly sounded like someone in trouble, but who? 

“Help, please help me! I am over here.” 

He hopped closer and saw a snail lying upside down on its shell. 

“Oh my, what happened to you?” 

“I was having a lovely munch on some fresh runner bean stalks, when I was plucked away by a big crow. I was terrified, as I could not see the ground. Another crow came and attacked the one carrying me, and he let go. I was falling, falling, then bounced on a small bush out into the open ground, upside down, defenceless. Can you help me?” 

“Yes, of course I can.” 

Mr Frog hopped around the snail, trying to see the best way to help. 

“I have got it. If I puff my chest forward, you can reach out and slide yourself upright again. Do not linger too long as I am ticklish, and your slime is difficult to wash off; no disrespect as I know you cannot help it. Let’s go; quick as you can, as those crows might be back to take both of us this time.” 

Mr Frog took a big breath to extend his chest, and the snail reached out and slowly slid upright again. 

“Oh, thank you, thank you.” 

“OK; enough of that. No time to waste; head for the pond. There is a big rock on the left, with a damp hiding place underneath, big enough for you to stay safe. I have checked you all over, and your shell is not broken, so you should be ok. I am jumping into the pond to wash this icky slime off. Take care; see you around.” 

With a couple of leaps, he disappeared beneath the lily leaves and, after a bit of thrashing around, settled under one, ready to capture for supper any stray insects which might be flying around. 

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Daniela Silvia Serban

Storytelling with Penny Wobbly

 

Happy Short Story Month! 

 

WHEN PATHS CROSS

Who decides when paths cross, in the strangest places?

It could be destined to be down the road or in far distant international spaces.

It could be an invitation casually passed, which ends in a momentous long standing friendship.

It could be the sharing of a book which makes such an impact,

Shakes you to the core, friendship fused to last forever more.

It could be a collision when on a mission, and care is shared to stop the blood flow.

Even by a death bed, compassion shared and stories told can last a lifetime.

In a crowd of hundreds, there are stories, igniting friendships and relationships, waiting to be told.

So, when paths cross, share your past and your future, good and bad.

In doing so, amazing things happen to more people than you can possibly know.

When wonderful heartwarming stories are told.

2025 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

 

AN AMAZING BOOK

Today is the day to look for that very special book.

Take a trip with lots of time to spare and search for the hidden gem.

Libraries are the best place to start as books there are usually free.

In your search, go to shelves unfamiliar, to genres new.

Search high and low places you do not usually go.

There are treasures there just waiting for you.

If you fail to find the story to take home, do not despair.

Grasping cash or card in hand, into a bookstore make your way.

There you will find the very latest published books, issued today.

I am staying in to put the final words into a book for the next year.

Have fun!

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo by Jaredd Craig on Unsplash

 

WHO?

Who is going to sit at my window?

Who is going to look out at the trees changing colour through the seasons?

Who is going to smile at the antics of birds flying in a stiff breeze?

Who is going to be amused by Lily?

Tail raised high as she makes her stately walk around the garden.

Checking to see who might have passed by in the night, leaving a calling card.

Who is going to be touched seeing the season's young foxes playing tag on the lawn?

Who is going to fill the lily pond in the dry seasons, so newts and frogs continue to call?

Who is going to prune and deadhead the beautiful sweet-smelling roses? 

So they will be able to thrive.

Who is going to mow the lawn and trim the hedges to a manageable size?

Most of all, who is going to sit in the two chairs, knowing now this beautiful place is their permanent home?

2025 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

 

ONE BUD

But one bud this plant struggled to produce,

Flower of beauty so delightful

Not on a tree high up for none to see.

Near to the ground, by insects found.

Slowly opening it’s stamens exposed 

Pollen bright yellow showing 

Enticing visitors in to start the pollinating going.

Next year it will with luck carry on growing

With many buds for passersby to hopefully see. 

Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

 

Children's Book Week!

Let there never be an empty room for learning, 

Where a plethora of books does not reside.

📕📗📘📙📒📕📗📘📙📒📕📗📘📙📒📕📗📘📙📒

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

Happy Short Story Month 

 

Happy Short Story Month! 

 

A DOG CALLED MURPHY

There was a clever dog called Murphy.

Who when new people moved into the property next to his family, made it his business to get acquainted.

He grew to like them.

Made up his mind to guard them, as he did his own family and the family that used to live in the property, who have now moved away.

One day when the door was open, he slipped in and took his regular spot lying, in front of their Aga.

When his master came to collect him he refused to move.

‘Why won't he move?’ The new neighbour asked.

‘You have not given him his three biscuits; it always does it for me! It is his wages for being such an excellent guard dog.’

🐕 🐩 🐕‍🦺 🐕 🐩 🐕‍🦺 🐕 🐩 🐕‍🦺 🐕 🐩 🐕‍🦺 🐕

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

CHERRY BLOSSOM TREE 

Cherry blossom buds protectively closed against winter’s killing touch.

Bursting free as the sun, with its dainty dances, flits warmly across the branches.

Bees pollinating as they fly urgently from tree to tree.

Hurrying to complete their task before the threat of late frost

Destroys the blossoms from which bright delicious cherries might grow.

Staining lips and fingers as the pickers take the fruit,

Rescued from the blight and damage of snow,

To make a fabulous cherry pie.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Nagy Arnold on Unsplash

 

AWAKENING

On rising to see a splendid dawn and catch sight of dew and mist slipping down, to bring life to the struggling roots of plants, so they can grow into sustaining crops, we have freely scattered on fertile ground.

Awakening to see the noonday hot sun, working to provide a harvest of green, red and golden, with rain showers passing from time to time invigorating all, as they sweep through, with a breeze to keep things cool.

The bounty as lunch appears, satisfying all.

Awakening to the afternoon and calming down. Resting after labours constant weary demands, to till, plant and water our most precious land.

As evening calls some family fun begins. 

Thankfulness for who we are here and now.

Awakening to another day and the knowledge we have much to be thankful for.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

MYSTERY SUGAR JAR 

I sat watching the television, having just had a curry, when my husband handed me my dessert: peaches in evaporated milk, a favourite of mine. 

Partaking of my first mouthful, I registered a difference in texture. Looking down, I saw some brown bits floating around in the milk. 

My tongue and taste buds were trying to detect what the floating bits might be; they required a bit of chewing. The conclusion was crushed nuts of some kind, and I carried on eating. 

Once completed, I asked my husband if he would like a cup of tea; he replied in the affirmative. Taking my tray into the kitchen and clearing it, and waiting for the kettle to boil, I saw a packet of brown sugar lying on the countertop, so I decided to fill the almost empty Kilner sugar jar. 

While pouring it in, I noted it was a different consistency to our normal golden brown sugar, and assumed my husband had been sent Demerara instead in our food delivery from the shop. 

I remembered we had some white granulated sugar left in the cupboard, so I added that to the jar to make it easier to use for tea. Once the kettle had boiled, I made the tea, adding one spoonful of sugar to mine. 

I carried them to my husband and relaxed to watch TV and drink my tea. As I took my first mouthful, realisation dawned. I had had this experience already, with my peaches and evaporated milk. What on earth is it? 

I turned to my husband and asked, “Did you open a packet of brown sugar earlier?” 

“Yes. Why?” 

“It is not sugar!” 

“Better look at the name on the packet,” he said.

Together we went to investigate. I grovelled in the kitchen bin, retrieving the offending packet which declared itself to be crushed goji berries, almonds and pine nuts. 

Mystery solved, but what to use this mixture for with its addition of golden and white sugar? We now had a jar full of it. 

The decision was taken and the topping from the jar could be scattered on ice cream and other fruit concoctions. We were lucky; it works quite well, just not in tea. 

We have had some other mishaps by helpful friends with the Kilner jars: salt is definitely not a good substitute for sugar. 

However, it was a very good causative element for great merriment and application of contents labels. 

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License