MISERY IS NOT ALWAYS VISIBLE ON THE FACE

Misery is not easy to see, as many comedians will attest, when seeking help.

Others hide the pain till it is too late to complain, and lock themselves away to end it all, leaving shock and horror at the ending of a talent so rare and much loved, one bringing fun and laughter to many and increasing their listeners’ well-being.

Questions hang in the air: why did we not notice?

Was there anyone close enough to listen? They must have been very lonely and desperate.

If you have miserable feelings and self-loathing, talk to someone you trust or ring MIND. TALKING COSTS NOTHING, yet could be pricelessly waiting to help you.

The charity,  Mind Support Line is 0300 102 1234 (England and Wales only)

© 2026 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

​I WALKED

I walked my way to happiness.

It was painful, it is true.

Each step brought back a tender memory of you.

I have to confess, I had let things go; I was not at my best.

Keeping myself to myself, staying in bed longer each day.

Dragging myself up for a drink, to watch the TV display.

Till one day, an invitation to take a walk in a beautiful nearby place burst from the screen.

It was a favourite of ours; you would remember it well.

Somehow I found the strength, I know not from where.

To wash, dress, and activate myself, to join the walk.

I hovered at the edge of a small group, till beckoned in.

We each walked at a slow, steady pace, in dribs and drabs.

Quiet murmurs exchanged when comfortable; an hour was spent walking, taking in the view.

Exercising muscles, shaky at best, a halt was called for, a hot brew and a crunchy biscuit. 

Exchanging information and invitations of other walks to join if I wanted too. 

I remembered times you walked with me, talking, loving, trying to put the world to rights.

We were called to order to walk our way back.

I took a deep breath, a last look around, at the sky and the ground, before following the group.

I felt tired but different, hard to explain, determined to go at least once again.

Now I am a new man, qualified to take groups of adults and children at weekends and holiday times, on happiness walks.

Walks saved me, and new ones top up my happiness feelings from time to time.

©️2026 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo by StockCake

​AN ACT OF KINDNESS

On approaching the bus stop yesterday, in brilliant sunshine, there was a lovely young lady already sitting there. I said, “Hello, has the bus gone yet?”

“Not yet,” she replied smiling, “but I am not waiting for a bus. I am just waiting to go to a care home for an interview. I used to be a midwife in my own country. I cannot afford to update here to receive an English qualification; it is so expensive. So I thought I would work as a carer, before training as a general nurse.”

I felt quite sad as we are so short of midwives, as I am sure her country is as well.

Suddenly she asked if I had a tissue. I said, “Yes.”

Then she said, “Not for me, but you have some lipstick on your tooth.”

I thanked her for kindly pointing it out. What a lovely young woman, I wished her well as she made her way to her appointment.

It started me thinking of some other instances of possible embarrassment in public.

Walking around with a shop label still attached to new clothes.

Ladies, skirts caught up in underwear when leaving a public toilet.

Gentlemen not buttoning up after using a toilet facility.

Missed-matched socks or shoes put on in the dark.

Going out without false teeth or eye in situ.

At a lovely wedding, the groom while kneeling declared to all the price of his shoes stuck on his soles. It caused a bit of merriment for a while after.

I am sure you could add many more to this list.

I hope that more of us would have the courage to quietly inform the victim of such an incident. 

I was glad my young lady told me. I wonder if her interview was successful.  I do hope it was.

©️2026 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo by Vecteezy

​BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

Sitting in a taxi, idly glancing as we slip past door after door and streets broad and narrow.

Past road works and traffic jams hindering our carefully timed arrival.

A thought gathered pace: nearby town houses are arranged in tightly spaced terraces with concreted front gardens for cars. Or towering in high-rise homes, hoping the lifts will keep functioning.

Each door has an individual invitation, stamped and decorated with the owner’s taste. 

Unless they are rented from an estate, then no choice is allowed as they march uniformly in the obligatory regimented line.

Gathering speed, we slip to the edge of town, the houses larger and further apart, with gardens colourfully manicured, stand proud. Till finally the countryside comes into view, revealing farms, wide open spaces, with tucked-away small hamlets and villages, appearing to stretch the view and senses.

On our way back, I wondered, who lived behind the closed doors?

Just because a house looked grand, even elegant with a dark green, shiny painted door, with a brilliantly polished brass door knocker and letter box. With curtains beautifully draped, all inviting a second look. 

It may hide a family in terror of abuse, or awaiting financial ruin and unseen unhappiness.

Yet to the outside observer, it is to be envied. “Wish I could live in a house like that, lucky people.”

Other houses looking tired, even neglected, can contain an older couple, waiting to say goodbye to all they hold dear.

Or a family living in amazing happiness, on limited means, yet sharing what they have with others in the neighbourhood. 

It is hard to know what goes on behind closed doors.

©️2026 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo by LPD Carolina

SLIPPING BY

The sun shone relentlessly day by day,

Shrivelling up to a crisp all around it.

Humans and animals surveyed the sky for respite.

A shower, however brief, would bring relief.

The sky slowly darkened and spread horizon to horizon.

The wind started to blow, fracturing dried, wizened vegetation.

Cascades of brittle plants, leaves, and dust created movement along the ground.

Gathering in heaps in obstructive corners.

Hope rose, rain blessed rain, let it fall, please let it fall.

The sky slowly lightened, and the sun appeared again as strong as before.

Hope vanished, even seagulls screeched in disappointment.

The drought is not over; another heat wave is on its way.

We each need to seriously, very seriously, think about how we use our water daily.

Community hose pipe bans are now in place.

Flush only poo, ration our showers, use wet wipes, or flannels and a wash basin of water to refresh ourselves too.

Don’t let the taps run free, wasting water you have paid for, running back to the rivers.

To be recycled to the dwindling supplies in the reservoirs.

With fish dying as the rivers and streams in patches start to dry and stop their flow. 

The time to act is now; there is no time to waste.

The whole world needs to rearrange its water supply, as nature and man are making big changes.

New reservoirs are needed to store water when it is abundant. 

Science is exploring better ways to manage and recycle water more efficiently, in many instances.

We need to do our best to assist, as without clean water, no creature in this world can exist.

©️2026 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Image by ourrossmoor

CLEANING SILVER

A labour of love for some, yet many a maid or manservant’s task of weekly dread. 

My great-aunt devoted Thursday nights to upstairs bed changing and cleaning. Then Friday evenings were devoted to cleaning downstairs and all her many pieces of silver.

Saturday was for shopping, banking, and buying a beautiful bunch of seasonal flowers, to brighten up the sitting room, arranged in a big heavy crystal vase. (Which I still have brightening up mine.)

I was extremely grateful it was a small terraced house when I stayed from time to time. Though the conversations and laughter we shared were delightful and treasured by me.

©️ 2026 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Image by The Spruce

​WILD FIRES

Wild fires are testing fire fighters in many parts of the World at the moment. Lack of rain for months in some places, is making it very difficult. Whole populations and their animals are on the move, to escape the smoke and fire.

Always report smoke, do not wait to see flames or which way the smoke is going. Fires can create their own weather systems, and change directions in a flash.

The prayer is for rain and our grateful thanks to the firemen.

Stay safe, possessions are replaceable in time, human life is lost forever. Take care and help one another.

©️2023 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Image by Rosie.org

​I ONLY EVER DREAMT OF ONE LOVE

I only ever dreamt of one love.

Someone who would love only me.

Who, on our first date, would make my heart race

And breath hesitate a moment in my chest.

That’s when I knew you were the one for me.

You knew it, too, as our eyes met and our hands touched for that brief introductory moment.

A flicker of a thrill and excitement passed between us; we knew this was the start of our special time.

’Til the day you asked, “My darling, will you always be mine?”

Our troth was pledged; we never strayed to love another.

The children arrived, seasons passed, and still we remain together, love growing all the time.

We now know the love we found will last ’til the end of our days.

© 2026 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Image by istock