Monday 22 December 2014

2014 reviewed and appreciated





Continued with the weekly challenge at  http://www.write1sub1.com, which motivated me to write and submit at least 52 pieces with more than 18  acceptances including Tweet stories and, unusually for me, a poem. Wrote and presented a piece at Headingley Lit Fest.  Completed courses Introduction to Journalism and Start Writing Fiction online with FutureLearn.  Helped to produce a monthly programme on local radio including live reading of the credits, my pieces and sketches written by others with a studio audience on occasions.  Also learnt how to record in the new state of the art studio. 
 
Judged Yorkshire in Bloom entries; a real privilege.   Entered Rainbow Allotment, a plot for adults with physical and mental difficulties and for which I am a volunteer and post a blog, for YiB It’s Your Neighbourhood category.   It was the first time we entered and were delighted to be awarded Level 3 http://rainbowallotmentblogger.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/presentation-and-party.html .  I was awarded 3rd prize in our gardening club’s Mini Spring Show for my daffodil.  Visited some beautiful gardens and went birdwatching in the newly built hide at Wassand Hall on Hornsea Mere courtesy of Yorkshire Wildlife.

Enjoyed entertaining and walking at our caravan at the coast and our wonderful annual trip to Northumberland in the autumn.  The Tour de France came to Yorkshire and we experienced a wonderful build up to it as well as the actual event.

Celebrated at many gatherings with family and friends including two weddings and a Golden Wedding.  However, I attended my fair share of funerals of friends and relatives too.


I was honoured to be nominated as one of the three top female volunteers in my local community and I am part of team who has set up Yorkshire MORE, a social enterprise for adults with mental health problems to produce and sell jams and chutneys.  I have had great pleasure in teaching primary school children about nature and gardening as well as how to bake bread; my arts and crafts sessions however were quite disastrous!

 the grandkids' attempts (honest!)
On the projects side, I painted rocks and made some signs, but my deep box frames are still pending along with baking bagels and making my own ice cream.
 my attempts


 
I greatly appreciate the opportunities that have been given to me and everyone who has shared them.


Prisons and prisoners

  Fortunately I’ve never been in prison and furthermore hope I never will. However, I have recently seen and read about this topic and it h...