...Perhaps that is the key to never being lonely – helping others, getting outside ourselves, as Christ taught us, to help those worse off than ourselves...
John Waddington-Feather brings a reminder of the perfect antidote to fend off loneliness.
Ah but why had he been invited into the house?
Richard Mallinson tells a tale that will leave you guessing.
If Rachmaninov had been a footballer his manager would undoubtedly have called him a natural declares Paul Serotsky while introducing the composer’s bewitchingly blended and matchless rhapsody.
Continue reading "Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini" »
A brother is not always pleased to see his sister, as Owen Clement's tale reveals.
Eric Biddulph describes his visit to one of the world's leading tourist attractions.
Eric’s book The First Seventy Years can be obtained for £10 by contacting http://mary@bike2.wanadoo.co.uk or telephoning 01484-658175.
All the cash raised by the book goes to a water aid project in Malawi.
...Early on, we promised James we would take him, and some of his friends, on a special holiday anywhere he wanted to go, when he was well enough. This was by way of giving him a dream, something to look forward to and focus on. The consultant knows about this and suggests we consider going on the trip sooner rather than later, implying there might not be a later. But James is adamant that he is now clear of the cancer. He is determined that we will go on the holiday in the summer, when he and his friends have finished their big exams and high school...
Kimm Walker continues her inspirational story of her teenage son James's battle to overcome the most dreaded of all diseases.
To purchase a copy A Life Less Lost click on http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=A+Life+Less+Lost
And do visit Kimm's Web site http://kbwalker-lifelesslost.blogspot.com/
Raymon Benedyk traces his family roots back to the 'shtetl' of Topola near the city of Lodz in Poland.
...Robin approached the Western Australian Department of Health for permission to carry out a vaccination program in the North and North West of the state. Permission granted, she borrowed money and bought a Cessna 182. On 22 May 1967 she boarded her plane and headed out alone to the remote areas of the state to hand out her sugar cubes...
Paula Wilson tells the astonishing and inspirational story of flying nurse Robin Wilson.
Message by Keith Roelofse from East London
William Burkholder’s poem celebrates the saving grace of dreams.
Val Yule says that much human progress has relied on the efficiency of co-operation, even more than the spur of competition.
…Film adaptations can sometimes disappoint, when they change a story, move the setting, leave out characters, and change the plot. The makers of this film do not seem to have understood the novel or realised that it is an allegory…
Brian Barratt thinks that Howard Hook's 1990 film of “Lord Of The Flies’’ failed to understand the meaning of William Golding’s novel upon which it was supposed to be based.
This is the seventh in a series of eight articles about one of the most significant novels of modern times. To read the previous six, and many more articles by Brian, please click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/the_scrivener/
And do visit his Web site The Brian Rummager www.alphalink.com.au/~umbidas/
If you are one of the millions who have shopped at an IKEA story you will associate with every word in Ronnie Bray's brilliantly funny article.
Enid Blackburn looks back to yesteryear and the days of Whit Walks.
Never mind what he did, When did he do it?
Ron Pataky has more fun with words.
Do visit Ron's chuckle-filled Web site http://worlds-premiere-ransom-note-factory.us/
Robert Owen tells of the biggest change in the history of the giant Tyneside manufacturing firm, Reyrolle.
These two characters watch the new folk move into Number Two. But who are these observers? Barrie Mansell tells a surprising tale.
...My son was secretly quite proud of the family patriarch but felt the need to hover at the base of each slide, like an anxious parent and physically pull his spluttering, tumbling grandad from the churning backwash. Grandad is not an overly proficient swimmer although he is currently having lessons. It’s never too late, even at seventy-eight...
The exhilirating Sandy James tells us of the wet and wild side of Aussie life.
Susan Siddeley spares a trepidatious thought for the tiny underdogs of football in the forthcoming World Cuo in South Africa.
...All the food was delicious. We, and actually more probably me, ate more than I should have because by the time the seventh bowl had appeared I was full to the brim. It was so embarrassing for us because the chef appeared. “You don’t like?” he asked...
Gayle Woodward concludes her entertaining account of a whistle stop tour of Europe.
...In the morning it was noodles in the street and then many hours in a small bus over the mountains to the rice terraces. The roads were a miracle of engineering, with long snaking hairpin bends taking us to terrifying heights with thousand foot drops and no guard rails. Meanwhile the overloaded bus, its roof piled high with luggage, bumped and swerved and brought us close to the brink...
Andrew Hicks and his wife Cat venture deeply and steeply into rural China.
...John regarded the man with contempt. He was small and podgy and hid behind heavy-framed glasses. They accentuated his empty, deadpan face and made his pale eyes paler. When he opened the door and saw him standing there, John was reminded at once of Harry Clemence. The likeness was uncanny. Though he used some cheap deodorant, he still reeked of body odour...
John faces a string of questions from a Gestapo officer.
John Waddington-Feather continues his gripping tale.
Continue reading "Chance Child - Part One: 80 - Questioned By The Gestapo" »
Peter Wintersgill gives brief details on the life of Eugenia Tadolini who appeared in the premieres of two Donizetti operas.
...My first home in America was close to Philadelphia, probably one of the most historic cities in the Country, and I lived there through the Bicentennial celebrations in 1976. It was difficult for me to share in the wonder many citizens expressed when touring historic parts of the city at that time; 200 years was surely only yesterday in historic terms...
John Merchant, an Englishman born, had to readjust from measuring time in millenia when he settled in the USA.
...Penguins, as everyone knows, are flightless birds, who waddle in a very upright position when on land. When swimming, they use their flippers as if they were wings, and seem to ‘fly’ through the water. Their black and white feathers are in a pattern that looks rather like a business suit, and when walking, look rather like businessmen strutting around, their flippers held straight down at their sides...
Isabel Bradley shares the pleasure of a holiday visit to the Cape Town area.
For more if Isabel's delight-filled columns please click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/here_comes_treble/
Eve-Marie Wilson presents a deliciously inviting guide to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand.
Continue reading "Wellington, New Zealand - A Happening City" »
Val Yule offers practical help to those who are having difficulties in learning to read.
John Ayling's poem hails the most welcomed of all the seasons.
...Eventually, we reached the summit and, boy, was it worthwhile having taken the high route. The views were tremendous, with the lakes of Buttermere, Crummock Water and Loweswater all visible below. Paul allowed me to linger for at least thirty seconds or so, before we resumed our journey...
Alan Nolan continues his achingly exhilirating trek on the Coast to Coast path.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...Princess Caraboo was born plain Mary Wilcox, a poor cobbler’s daughter, in 1791, but she convinced thousands of Britons that she was a lost princess from an unknown land...
Greg Hill emphasises the need to check your sources of information.
...'If we go on like this,' I said, 'we're going to end up playing the meths-drinkers' game.'
'What's that?' she asked.
'One of us leaves the room and the other one has to guess who it is that's gone out.'...
Jim Hussy is manoeuvred into a corner by the beautiful Miss Finch.
Colin Dunne continues his gripping tale.
Peggy Mitchell tells of the Thailand of 40 years ago.
Ronnie Bray tells of an "inventive excuse'' which happened to be true.
...When younger, the boys were manageable. Now, as grown men, they occupy our home like ever-growing cuckoo chicks, beaks agape, squeezing their desperate parents from the nest...
Richard Donkin tells of the questionable delights of bringing up sons.
"Don’t let any old black magic put you in its spell,'' advises Gloria MacKay. "Be selective.''
And Gloria's particular "magic'' involves bat and ball.
…Various ladies pursued Hank at Parkwood but for one reason or another he avoided their embrace. There was a controlling Dutch divorcee, Grace, whom he used to refer to as Attila the Hen,..
Richard Harris pays tribute to a good neighbor and friend.
Arnold Kellett's poem indicates the historical justifcation for using the word Xmas as a short form for Christmas.
...As we walked in the white front door, a broad staircase ran up to the right of us. Before us was a large stone floored entrance hall, painted soft yellow and white. The floor was mosaic tiles and at the far end of the room, a large mirror stood about six feet high, decorated all around with oak leaves and acorns in a gilt frame. A large eagle sprawled on top...
Gladys Schofield falls in love with a house.
To read earlier episodes of Gladys's autobiography please click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/the_day_before_yesterday/
Angela Black's poem tells of a writer's satisfaction.
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