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! 

 

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

 

A SAD BUT BEAUTIFUL ENDING

A vase upon the window ledge.

Has held a gift of Tulips colourfully displayed.

Each day on opening my eyes a touch of pleasure surged.

Seeing each flower upright straight and tall.

As petals opened showing their perfection.

For days I enjoyed their presence.

Then a slow drying and aging of the petals tips.

Warned of their decline.

Yet still they retained a certain beauty in their changed shape.

Not one petal has the bunch yet let slip.

With my camera I captured the vision that has held me captured.

On opening the curtains tomorrow the petals might be detached on the shelf.

A gift that has given me pleasure while living.

I hope you too from this tale enjoy the flowers I was given.

2025 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

 

I LOVE TO WRITE

It is hard to believe I have dared to write on this page because, for half of my life, I lived in terror of the written word. With the use of technology, that has all changed. 

Unbelievably, I now love writing; I really do. Hardly a day goes by without my pen being on the move. 

It takes me into all kinds of situations and emotions, triggered by a conversation, a picture, music, the news, and animal and bird interactions. Not to mention the weather, a trigger and beginning for conversations with strangers.

Now it is a strange day if I have no time to write. I love writing and my hope is it will encourage others to write, too.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

PEN TO PAPER

Thoughts about putting pen to paper and it’s long-term effects.

Thinking about it, I was reminded of my terror of writing for half my life. Yet I did write, not knowing how important what I wrote would be.

Each year I have a diary, some filled with lots of excitement, and others have big empty patches. I look at wondering what happened there, trying hard to remember.

If you are anything like me you put little notes in as well, they make very interesting reading, producing quite several laughs.

If this has stirred your interest in looking at the past and writing new stories, from your old books it will have been worth my putting my pen to paper.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

I AM NOT A BUG!

Hello, what a lovely bug you are.

🐞 I am not a bug! I am a bird!

No you're not; you’re a bug like me.

🐞 I am not a bug, I tell you.

You look like me, though in much brighter colours and I am a ladybug.

🐞 Well I am not! I am a ladybird!

Where did you come from to be so misinformed? I bet it was from that place called America.

Yes, I am. How did you know that?

🐞 Because some of your ancestors left here and over there changed some of our words. How they decided to change my name to bug I will never understand! Most bugs are called ugly here. I am not. I am a beautiful ladybird. You must be hungry coming all that way?

I hitched my way on a few ships, rested on some islands, never knew where I was going till I hopped off here. It looks a mighty fine place.

🐞 Why don’t you join me? I see something tasty over there. Just remember I am a ladybird and we will get on just fine. Don’t try to change any more of our words.

🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

TIGA

The day arrived when my sister was going to see her new dog. She wanted a Jack Russell.

A neighbour told us of a kennel near her friend which had Jack Russell and Patter-dale cross puppies, ready now for a new home.

We agreed to go and see them, Margaret was so excited.

When we arrived at the kennels we were taken to the puppies

There were five all black and white, at once one rushed towards us and would not leave my sister alone. 

It was a female dog and kept rolling onto her back for a tummy rub.

She was almost laughing releasing little whimpers of delight.

My sister was wrapped up with the little one. I want this puppy, she said hugging the dog in her arms, she loves me.

There was no doubt about it, they were made for each other and were keen to start their lives together.

So the process of buying a dog and all the things it would need to establish it’s placed in our household began.

The name was no problem it would Tiga Malay for three, as she was the third dog in the litter.

Tiga very quickly wriggled her way into our lives for good.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

A RIVER

A river like shimmering glass, as it silently flows, cluttered by boats that provide pleasure, and relaxation brings.

With birds passing overhead to land, in the trees so green and sing.

This is a day we dream of and hope summer will bring. 

Cuddled by a sky so blue, with white clouds passing by.

Clutching a good book, a glass with the content of choice, knowing all is well in your world.

2025  © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo by Elmer Cañas on Unsplash

 

Happy #ArborDay 🌳

TREES

The trees having lost all their summer floral dressing, stand shivering in winter's cold and violent shaking.

Standing exposed for birds and squirrels to chase and dive through.

To curl protected in cosy hollows deep in their warm wooden insides.

Bark peels and splits to show new and sweet-smelling wood.

Trees as they cast off their leaves, show autumn dressing becoming objects of wonder to behold.

We owe them our admiration and vigilant protection; 

So that they may continue to grow and multiply, for other generations to admire!

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen 

Photo: Anna Almeida 

 

BIRDS PARTY

We bought a metal owl-shaped bird feeder on a spindly, twisted, slippery pole.

We were assured it was completely squirrel resistant, and expecting a triumph we carried it home.

On it, we hung three types of birdseed containers, dangling, to meet most seed bird's needs. It took a while for them to feel safe enough to drop in for a feed;

Cautiously flying down to inspect it before trying a single seed.

Early one morning as I opened up my curtains, I saw to my shock and dismay.

A squirrel dangling from a container, holding on by only one toe, upside down and swaying, at the seeds, he was having a good go.

He pulled out the seeds with his teeth and passed them to his eagerly waiting hands.

As he quickly chewed the nuts, his cheeks began to expand.

Time and time again he tirelessly repeated this movement, as fast as he possibly could.

One by one the birds started to arrive, inspecting the ground for bits of seeds that might have survived. It started with sparrows, greenfinches too,

Pigeon’s strutting in quietly for a free nibble without a coo.

Now we are quite pleased the feeder failed, as we have early morning squirrel and bird parties.

Come to think of it!

Early evening rave-ups are quite commonplace too.

Though we do not partake in the menu, laughter and stifled giggles we have more than a few.

As we watched, hidden by the curtain, from the furry and feathered party revelers cautious view.

🦋 🐞 🦅 🐦 🦆 🐝 🦋 🐞 🦅 🐦 🦆 🐝

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

PINKS

Beneath the blue sky arms entwined swaying in long borders hundreds side by side. 

Blooms of pink on stalks, some upright as soldiers others leaning weakly on the path heads blown in all directions by the wind.

Pinks in stiff, flared, ragged skirts, dancing, scattering their hypnotic scent to be picked up and whipped away by the breeze with faces open all revealing and inviting a visit from the busy buzzing bees.

Hundreds of buds, peeping out at angles, waiting their turn to burst into action, to keep the show going for months and months.

As I travelled the world at unexpected moments the scent trapped in my subconscious would pop out drawing with it a memory. 

Taking me, back, to my first sight of pinks in action, long ago on a beautiful Scottish highland day.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

THERE ARE CREATURES IN MY GARDEN

There are creatures in my garden, yet rarely are they seen at all.

Hidden in the walls are spiders, the odd lizard, leather jackets, ants in battalions patrol, as magic cleaning up insect and debris machines.

Weeds scatter seeds for their plants to keep on growing, for snails to slimily keep on their contented munching and gnawing. Sadly your cherished plants are on their menu, as they have a hankering for them too.

Tiny frogs seek shelter in the dampened cracks, hiding from aerial birds and ground, fox, cat and dog attacks.

A mole surfaces to leave a hill in the middle of the lawn, blindly, burying, furiously underneath, hunting juicy worms from dusk to dawn, leaving the molehills for you to pat down.

Butterflies and ladybirds, gavotting about giving amazing colourful displays.

The foxes lay against the wall, enjoying the warmth of the sun and dappled shade after a night on the essential food hunting run.

Squirrels, furiously battling in the trees, as nuts rain down to be lost in the ground. To start new tree growth in this fascinatingly active garden of mine.

Where all I have to do is sit, quietly, relax, whiling away some precious me time.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

SISTERS

Sisters, three are we, sitting here near the sea.

Laughing, having so much fun, we barely make it home for tea.

Memories running wild from times lived as a child.

Dresses that did not quite fit the next one in the line.

As for shoes: look at your feet compared to mine; preferred bare ones at times.

Wild flowers in our hair, bouquets to give with love.

Pets: we were country girls who had many; hated it when they had to go.

Part of life they say, as we all have to go that way, a lesson early learnt.

Now grown up, time together is rarer to negotiate.

Doctor visits and hospital runs keep us fully occupied at times.

Flights of mercy to and fro; one of us has to go, while we anxiously wait for her spectacular letters.

On return, babies have been born, grown and gone; she has lots to catch up on.

When sorrow comes along, they unite and are there for one another.

Not all secrets are shared; quiet might be all that is needed.

Knowing one or other is there, with a shoulder to lean on.

Providing that so important human touch.

Years have flown; adjustments made.

Cooking rivalry in the kitchen, with new recipes shared, delicious cakes made.

Time to sit again and celebrate another day of memories gathered, while we are still together.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

 

Happy World Book Day

A whole Day to look at, talk about, share and enjoy books; 

By yourself, with your parents, with a friend or in school.

How wonderful!

I wonder if you will find a fantastic new author with an amazing new story. 

Or will you find on the bottom shelf of the library, an old book you will be delighted to read and never forget?

Perhaps you will write a story yourself, with words filling page after page, ready to be printed into a book.

How wonderful might that be?

Do not waste this week; read as much as you can.

Share your favourite new-found books with your friends.

Have fun! I am going to!

📕📗📘📙📒📕📗📘📙📒📕📗📘📙📒📕📗📘📙📒

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photos: Pixabay 

 

DAPPLED WALK

In the dappled shade, a cricket sings, to entice a lady to come wandering.

Ants, moving in lines as though under orders to gather insects, to move them out of sight to their underground houses.

Waiting to provide food when work stops for the day.

A snail starts its leisurely walk, munching greenery on the way.

Spiders paragliding in a frantic effort to repair their webs, ready to capture unwary insects during the new day.

As humans, some of us see what is going on.

Others gaze towards the sky, admiring birds and tree branches high, which produce music all day long.

I draw breath and start to sing in praise of peaceful feelings, a dappled walk can bring.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photos: Pixabay License

 

EASTER GREETINGS

We wish all who celebrate today, a very Happy Peaceful Easter, and that the feelings raised continue on into the year ahead.

Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

 

 EASTER TIME

A promise made so long ago in a land of palms and sand. Passed down from generation to generation into far distant lands. The message is not always the same amongst different people.

Yet, at the core of this special time, all religions teach kindness, love and peace, and to share what you have to eat, in God’s name.

Children delight in eggs, coloured real or chocolate, made and filled, awaiting the dawn of this special celebration.

My heartfelt wish is for peace and love to reign supreme and spread around the world at this Easter time.

A happy Easter to everyone from the WobblingPen Team.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

EASTER ROLL UP

Walking along, nosing pebbles out the way to find bugs for breakfast at the start of the day.

The sun is heating me as my spines are in the way.

Someone is coming I must tuck myself out of sight under this bush will do.

Something big is making a loud munching noise, above me, and heavy breathing too.

A voice spoke just above my head, “I know you are in there, come out for a chat. I am a donkey and hedgehogs are not part of my diet. This is a special day Easter Sunday, last week many many years ago my ancestor played a big part. He carried a man called Jesus on his back, to the temple but he never brought him back.”

“Why not,” I asked quite puzzled.

“The story has been told year after year that he died upon a cross, to save all creatures great and small. We are all going to meet up in a place called heaven. I am looking forward to that as my body is ageing and creaking with the onset of pain. It is going to be great as there are some lovely people I would love to see again.”

“Thank you mister Donkey, that is quite a relief to me, as as a hedgehog I am not always treated kindly down here. It is nice to know that it will all come right one day.”

The donkey ended by saying “A Happy Easter Day to you and your family.”

I returned the greeting to him, as I rushed downhill in a ball, to spread the good news to one and all.

🐰 🐥 🐰 🐥 🐰 🐥 🐰 🐥 🐰 🐥 🐰 🐥 🐰 🐥 🐰

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photos by Pixabay

 

RUN RABBIT

What’s that? A rabbit in the back garden?

We have never seen one there before, it looks quite young.

The Rabbit stiffens and sits upright, fully alert, nose twitching, sensing me watching.

Where has the Rabbit come from? Where is its burrow?

Our garden has been home to litters of foxes for years.

He will be in danger. Oh, run Rabbit, please run!

Mr. Fox is due home at any moment!

He will not allow you to play in his garden, or to sit and enjoy the sun.

Run home to your Mum and Dad as quickly as you can!

The rabbit suddenly saw me and quickly shot off through a hole in the fence.

I waited a while to make sure he didn't return fortunately he stayed away.

No one would know he had ever been there, except for the two holes in the lawn!

Run Rabbit, please run, as this is not a safe place for you to come and have fun.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

HOPITY HIGH, HOPITY HO!

It is the Easter Day parade,

I will let you know.

It is when bunnies like me,

Are held in high regard.

We are in the shop windows peering out.

Either as cuddly toys covered in fur, 

Or as chocolate bunnies covered in silver or gold 

With ribbons tied around the neck bright and bold.

Others are painted on mugs, 

To hold small coloured Easter eggs, 

Tightly contained and covered securely in cellophane.

To stop the curious mice from having a nibble,

When passing through on a hunt.

Some of us are dressed up in ridiculous clothes, 

I find that hard to explain, 

Just accept it as part of a human game.

Everywhere you look there is an image of one of us.

As a family of real rabbits, 

We live on the hill, 

Watching unconcerned.

Knowing this odd behaviour,

Will soon fade away, 

Until the approach of the next Easter Parade day.

So Hopity High, Hopity Ho!

It is time now for us to go into our burrows,

And puzzle what all the goings-on had been about.

🐰 🐥 🐰 🐥 🐰 🐥 🐰 🐥 🐰 🐥 🐰 🐥 🐰 🐥 🐰

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay 

 

EASTER EGG SURPRISE

Easter Egg where are you?

I am told you are hiding, I have to search for you.

In the house behind a chair under the table.

Are you quietly there?

Or out in the garden, rolled up under a bush.

Easter Egg where are you?

If I am out there, you had better be quick, or I will melt away and you won’t see, how beautiful I was.

As I will become a sticky mess for your fingers and lips, to taste and enjoy. Covering your best clothes in sticky brown.

🐰 🐥 🐰 🐥 🐰 🐥 🐰 🐥 🐰 🐥 🐰 🐥 🐰 🐥 🐰

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

EASTER HOLIDAYS

Another holiday time is here, with spring struggling through.

Whether you are here or abroad, the fun can be had by one and all.

The strident sound of seagulls, was my wake-up call, as I am staying three streets away from the beach retaining wall.

Opening reluctant eyelids to look skywards, to be rewarded with blue sky.

Stretching to move to start the new day looking downwards at, beautiful flowers bursting out to bask in the sunshine.

It is the Easter Holiday time and it looks sublime.

I am ready to enjoy this special family holiday time.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo by Pixabay 

 

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.

🦋 🐞 🦅 🐦 🦆 🐝 🦋 🐞 🦅 🐦 🦆 🐝

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

 

School Librarian Day and National Library Week 📚

LIBRARIES A JEWEL VITAL TO PROTECT

The quote, ‘Use it or lose it,’ not mine, should be taken seriously by every one of us. 

Libraries are a precious asset!

They are the places we can go to immerse ourselves in the world of imagination and serious facts. 

Amazing stories take us through a wide range of emotions, research, education, community information and support. 

A place to meet like-minded people in arranged topics of interest to them. 

It is a place to research false news for yourself rather than being fed one version.

It is a place we can safely take children, for their first experience of the marvels of the written word and choice of books and sometimes listening to real-life storytelling. 

It is a level playing field free to all.

Such a jewel needs us to use it well, to unhook ourselves from the isolation of our computers, or give those trapped in loneliness somewhere to go.

Through the use of libraries, the possibility of new friendships can be extended into our communities.

Please use your libraries, do not let us lose any more. They are vital to our community well-being.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen 

Photo: Pixabay License