​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

BUBBLING ALONG

The sound of running water bubbling over rocks.

Creating small waterfalls where leaves spiral about and overtake one another.

Together, they go on to a long, spiralling drop.

To be forced to the surface and propelled out to the quieter edges.

Where they take advantage of a bit of a rest.

Before being caught and rushed along at speed, battered and bruised, shedding bits to drop to the river bed.

Where tiny fish nudge the debris along in a little game.

Before finally gobbling them up as food, at the end of a fun-filled day.

2026 © Penny’s Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo by flicker

​HEAT WAVE

When the cold of winter is reluctant to retire, we long for summer sun! 

Not a heat wave!

Tender skins soon flare in painful redness, blisters rising.

Without protection of shade or cream, animals’ paws fry on sizzling roads and pavements.

Water becomes essential to carry with you and frequently sip.

Watch out for the old and the young wilting and fainting, needing support.

Wild animals and birds seek water, too, to drink and keep feathers clean to fly free.

Seek shade when possible, keep activities restricted, and cope sensibly with this burst of sun.

2026 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo by Luis Graterol on Unsplash

​PERFECT VISION

When the sun is bright and sky blue,

With the sea sighing gently,  breaking on the sand.

Seagulls soaring  on thermals high.

Calling to one another with their plaintive cry’s.

The unmissable warning to sailors returning to port land is near.

As the gulls seek a share of the fisherman’s catch.

Before sweeping the beach for stolen, snacks as holiday  makers play and relax.

All taking advantage of a perfect day.

© 2026 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

SOOTHING SOUNDS

 

Oh, to be at the beach today, very early when no one is about.

To walk along the water's edge with feet being chilled and caressed by saltwater drenching and movement of sand.

Releasing trapped problems to be in the moment to privately be in touch with your inner self.

With a breeze strong enough to caress thought changes, seagulls' challenging voices encourage you on.

Oh, there is nothing quite like a sea-edge stroll, to make you feel invigorated and to strengthen the soul.

2025 © 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 flat 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.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

AIRY LAUGH

A mother and her little boy went for a walk to see some horses with their foals.

After watching for a while, the little boy bent down, pulled up a tuft of grass, offered it to the horses calling

‘Horsey, darling, come and eat, din, din!’

One of the older horses looked up, snorted and ambled over for the grass offered. The mother, held the child firmly, just out of reach of the horses full neck stretch as he offered his gift.

The horse gently searched for the grass with its warm velvety lips, puffed out tickly breath as it grasped the grass and began chewing.

The child brushed his hands together, raising his shoulders in delight, glancing up at his mother in triumph.

All of a sudden the horse let rip a blast of wind from its rear end. There was a stunned silence.

The child shouted ‘The horse farted Mummy, he farted, he farted, pooh!’

He began laughing till he cried. He continued laughing all the way home and raced in to tell his father:

‘The horse farted, Daddy he farted.’

The merriment continued as other family members arrived for a visit and the tale was retold.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

SEASHORE

 

Walking along the seashore, dodging the waves that rush in.

Snatching a piece of seaweed, I have been told it tastes divine.

Peering into pools of entrapment, looking to see who is waiting for the next tide, to rescue them with a swish and a splash.

Pebbles when wet, can be revealed as real beauties, till they are exposed and dried by the air.

They need frequent sea washing to keep, the colours that won’t cloud or fade.

When throwing stones to skim the water, the angle you use has to be just right.

If you have an eye for decoration, driftwood and shells are there.

Providing a temptation to make something colourful and bright, to cheer up a dark, cold, stormy night.

Walking the seashore is a delight!

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

THE SKY

Searching eyes raised to the clear night sky. 

Following the flow of the Milky Way. 

Where stars are cuddled in clouds of dust, 

There in uncountable time they are born and fade away. 

We acknowledge we are too small to matter, 

In this immense and distant universal scatter.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo by Vincent Guth on Unsplash

PICTURE IT

Picture the bluest of skies.

Parched almost barren land, toppling down into deep gorges.

Rugged and dangerous when straying from paths not planned.

On the way down, coolness encapsulates and sooths the hot skin.

Greenness calms away the harsh golden glare of the higher barren land.

A glimpse of paradise at the bottom, water clear, clean and cool beckons.

Just a ripple records the whole picture from above and below.

As waterfalls splash for ever downwards, oxygenating as they go.

The temptation to slip in is hard to resist, though some do.

An enchanting place, which you will return to time and again in your minds eye.

An Australian gem.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen 

Photo by Robyn from New Zealand

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

SILENCE OF SOLITUDE

In the silence of solitude, you hear things you never knew you had missed.

Leaves trembling audible shivers, at the wind's gentle caress.

Strange birds, frantic calling, flitting from tree to tree.

A bustling bee, dancing on flower heads, shaking their pollen-free.

Hanging on to its gathered treasure on its back legs, flying home to the hive.

The tantalizing whiff of roses, carried along on the breeze, spreading good cheer.

Dogs setting up a barking chorus, at strangers passing by.

A language, not ours floats from neighbours next door, exchanging pleasantries over the garden wall.

We are here to take it all in!

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

AN AUTUMNAL WALK

 

A time of beauty, as leaves change colour, and finally leave the trees, twirling their final flight from their lofty perch in the sky.

Each breeze easing them down to the ground. 

Blowing them about for a final rustle, and flurry before they crumble into the earth.

Giving nourishment for new trees, plants, insects and fungus to grow in the circle of life.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Anna Almeida

CHANGING SEASONS

 

Cooler weather is on its way. 

Warmer clothing was brought into play. Summer favourites are to be folded and put away.

Warmer, heavier shoes brought out to wear, tucking away my comfortable flip-flops.

Raincoats rainproofed, with hoods: mine slips over my eyes; not good. 

I might walk into something hard while blinkered, a challenge I must tackle if I do not want to sustain an unexpected injury.

Hot soups, prepared and frozen, ready for a quick snack before or after a winter stroll.

Brooms and green bags for swept-up leaves, dead flowers and bush pruning. 

Bird feeder and drink preparation for the delightful birds who provide much-needed winter entertainment.

Time now to tuck into my cosy dressing gown and sip a warming, pleasurable cup of tea, while mulling over the summer's passing.

We are wishing everyone a safe, happy, and friendly time ahead. 

Remember to spread a little kindness and watch it grow.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo by alex geerts on Unsplash

THE WITHERING

 

The withering and dropping have started, and as the season steadily increases, so have the changes.

The bright colours of the flowers silently fade before the eventual downward plop.

The Earth awaits to embrace and absorb them once more.

A process of renewal carried out year after year since it began its mysterious wake-up time.

This year has been very stressful for all the inhabitants and soil of this precious land.

Let’s hope next year, when these beauties start to appear, we have a better, shared, and safer future planned.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo by Enes Gundogdu on Unsplash

DANCING CATUS

 

He stood like a scarecrow. Yet, it was alive, with bits that spoke of pure elegance, of dance.

With little fluid movement balanced, with one leg rooted to the ground.

Arms outstretched in gestures, seen in a professional dancer's routine.

Yet it is nature, that has provided the cactus with it's name, "The Dancing Cactus."

Where winds have blown bits off and rejoined, trailing scarf-like attachment trails and sways almost to the ground.

Once attached there, all movement might cease, and the dancing will have ended.

I was privileged to see and record, perhaps it's last performance of all time.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

THE SKY

 

Searching eyes raised to the clear night sky. 

Following the flow of the Milky Way. 

Where stars are cuddled in clouds of dust, 

There in uncountable time they are born and fade away. 

We acknowledge we are too small to matter, 

In this immense and distant universal scatter.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo by Vincent Guth on Unsplash

PLANKTON LIGHT

 

Plankton tiny though you be, slipping and sliding in mass in the sea.

Difficult to see in daylight but at night what a beautiful sight.

As collectively you mass-produce a silver light.

Hugging the coastline right up neat, showing a place of sparkling light entertaining from the shore.

As you swarm up from the deep for your romantic meet.

Your foes gather there for sure, yet you appear year on year producing evermore.

Next year we will be there to marvel at the sight of freely given natural plankton light.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

SEASON CHANGE

 

Yes, the signs are on the move of season change. 

So lap up the last rays of sun before rain dancers come out to play in earnest.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

4 SEASONS

 

Autumn’s advance is rather like a foxtrot this year, forward and back. One minute we drop from 29 degrees to 14, with the arrival of gales and heavy downpours of a month's worth of rain. Just as you change your summer clothes to winter. Up soars the temp to a week of 28 degrees or more.

It is easy for us, but what about the poor plants, wild animals and insects, they must be very confused. 

The farmers are having a rough time with their crops Worldwide this year. What to plant? When to plant? When to reap and safely gather in, the wheat, corn and rice we all rely on?

On the plus side, the dropping of leaves, seeds, and fruit gives us reasons to make fun things. 

Jams to pop on our toast, fruit to bottle for winter. Nuts must not be given or used in the presence of anyone with a nut allergy. Nuts and seeds to eat whole or crush for oil or to spread on our bread. Adding them to flour gives extra nutrition especially if you add raisins and sultanas. Delicious!

Mushrooms can be collected with care by someone who knows which can be safely eaten. If you pick too many do not worry, freeze them for another day.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License