Tuesday, 29 May 2012

Tina has curated an Etsy treasury: 'Hoops, loops and swirls'

Tina/parltradet has curated a new Etsy treasury, 'Hoops, loops and swirls':
Best wishes,
Anna










First Commenter: 
xxx
Posted by at 12:26 0 comments

Monday, 28 May 2012

Tina's necklace is included in a new Etsy treasury


Tina/parltradet's stretch-necklace, 'Many Hearts', is included in Michal Shabtai's Etsy treasury, T Time:



And here is a ring from Michal's shop: 

 

Best wishes, 
Anna 



First Commenter: 
Tanya Walton

 

of 

Allotments 4 you


 
Posted by at 06:42 2 comments

Sunday, 27 May 2012

Tina/parltradet has curated two new Etsy treasuries - 'Circles' and 'Woodland shadow'








Tina/parltradet has curated two new Etsy treasuries, Circles and Woodland Shadow!

Best wishes, 
Anna











First Commenter:


 of 
Posted by at 11:43 2 comments

Thursday, 24 May 2012

Just visiting, in the world of the deaf




When you think of famous deaf people who do you think of? Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), of course, because he became deaf and still continued to compose. In 7 May 1824, at the end of the premiere of his Ninth Symphony, he had to be turned around to see the tumultuous applause of the audience. He could hear nothing and wept. How did he do it? He was a well-trained musician from a very early age. He must have had an incredible hearing memory of music. (Click on Beethoven's name to read more.)

Those who have been reading my personal messages on my 'sticky-post', know that I have been having hearing problems after my bout with an ear infection and influenza. Everything points to that my hearing will return, when the water behind my ear drum drains away.

 But until it does, I am not hearing normally. If someone standing to my left says something to me, I perceive the sounds to be coming from my right, because my right ear still hears normally. I have discovered the reason why we have two ears! To be able to discern the direction from which sound comes. Animals that have movable ears, like cats, dogs and horses, are much better at this than we are. But we still can tell approximately where a sound is coming from. 

I am lucky to be living in a time and place where there are good doctors, nurses and antibiotics. I only need to think back to my grandfather, and his problems with ear infections. He lived in a cold and windy town in a drafty old wood house before the discovery of antibiotics. His ear infections ended with one of his inner ears having to be surgically removed. I try to imagine how he must have suffered and what he had to go through with that kind of an operation in the beginning of the last century. I remember the deep scar he had behind his right ear. I would creep up to his one functional ear, his left ear, and whisper 'Jag älskar dig!' (='I love you!') And he would smile and hug me.

My mother, who has had many ear infections, seems to think that my hearing will return, I can be calm and grateful that this is only a visit to the world of the deaf. It is good to remember and appreciate what you have. My heart goes out to those who have hearing problems. I will return to the world of the normal-hearing soon. Not everyone gets to do that.

Best wishes,


Anna


First Commenter:
Lisa 
of

Posted by at 10:27 4 comments

Sunday, 20 May 2012

Picture Prompt - Storm Clouds Ahead! - Mrs. Jenny Matlock's Saturday Centus


Jenny Matlock 
 












Welcome  to week 107 of Saturday Centus, Mrs. Jenny Matlock's writing challenge in which participants are asked to write a text to a prompt using 100 words or less. This week the prompt is a picture.
Here is my text:
------
Larry and Suzanne went hiking with David and Carol.

'Let's stop here', suggested Suzanne, pointing to the circle of stones used for campfires.

'Let's make a fire', said Carol.

'Here, we can sit on this blanket', said David.

Carol sharpened sticks for the sausages, while David and Larry built a fire. Suzanne served thermos coffee.

Storm clouds rolled over the mountains, as Suzanne passed the plastic mustard bottle around. It started to rain, and as there was no other shelter, they ate their hot dogs and watched the play of light, huddled under David's blanket, instead of sitting on it.
------
Word count according to WordCalc: 100
[Text Copyright 2012 Christina Wigren All Rights Reserved]

------
Best wishes,
Anna









P.S.
After reading Judie's comment and blog post, I understand that I have misunderstood this image completely. I thought I was seeing rain clouds. What this photograph shows is smoke from a terrible, terrible wild fire that destroyed 350 homes and businesses in the town of Summerhaven, Arizona on June 17th, 2003. 

It is sometimes said that 'a picture is worth a thousand words'; in this case I could have used a few words of explanantion before I embarked upon writing my silly Sunday-outing-story. My deepest apologies to all who were touched by this fire.

Thank you for setting me straight, Judie.

First Commenter:

------
Here are Mrs. Matlock's instructions:
 
Welcome to week ONE HUNDRED and seven of Saturday Centus.

I am caught up reading to week 105! Go me! Just letting you know that soon I'll be current!

















The prompt this week is the above picture.
Number of words: 100
Style of writing: Any
Pictures: No additional


The regular restrictions apply: PG, no splitting of the prompt, play nicely and visit the other entries, any style or genre of writing you prefer. Please display my link button or just a hyper-link back to Saturday Centus. Be careful to link your SC URL to the Linky and not just link to your main blog.
E-mail me directly with ???'s or ask your question in a comment and I will do my best to get back to you as soon as possible.
Feel free to link up anytime between now and next Saturday.
Posted by at 11:56 9 comments

Thursday, 17 May 2012

Romantic Friday Writers Appreciating the Zealotry Challenge No 36




Here are two posts for the A to Z Challenge that I would like to repost here. The letter  X-post to remind me to write more for children. And the letter Y because it is simply an expression of joy for the colour yellow.



The Letter X

Today is Friday, 27th April 2012, and the letter is 'X'. Yes, I took the easy way out, and chose 'X marks the spot' as my Etsy treasury theme. It's about pirates and treasure maps!




If you have children, especially boys, you cannot avoid at some point, being forced to 'walk the plank' or help dress Captain Jack Sparrow for a birthday party. Here is Erik as Jack Sparrow:

Photo and Copyright 2009-2012 Christina Wigren

And this is Elisabet's treasure-map:


Photo and Copyright 2009-2012 Christina Wigren
Children's literature is filled with pirates, from Captain Hook in Peter Pan, to Johnny Depp's unsinkable cinema character. (I know, many of you will raise a warning finger and tell me that those movies are not suitable for children. I know, I know. But, at least, I sit with them, watch, translate and explain that, 'No, no, you can't do that at home. Johnny Depp is not hanging there. It's a specially trained stuntman, and besides there is this enormous tvelve-layer, princess-and-the-pea-mattress for him to land on!)

I'll stop here because we are supposed to keep these A to Z-posts short. But I have reason to return to the fantasy-world of sea-going cut-throats at a later date. Ah, it's the pirate's life for me!
------

The letter 'Y'

Today is Saturday 28th April 2012 and the letter is 'Y'. 'Y is for Yellow', one of my favourite colours!




April is drawing to a close and so is 'Blogging from A to Z'. Lets hope that there are spring flowers where you are, and even some yellow daffodils blooming, here in the north!


[Text & Photographs 2009-2012 Christina Wigren All Rights Reserved]

Best wishes,
Anna



First Commenter:
Lin 
of
Duck and Wheel With String



Well it's time for APPRECIATING THE ZEALOTRY. The purpose of this challenge is to re-post a favourite post you wrote in April that perhaps many people did not get to read due to the craziness of the month. It doesn't have to necessarily be a romantic post - just go with your favourite, whatever that was - a story, a post about writing, a guest post... 

Read full details here...

How to do it? Re-post your post (s) onto your blog, then link up wherever you see the linky list...After you link, visit others on the list and have a great time reading and commenting on everyone's favourite post for April.

Open to all, so link up below...linky open until Sunday 20th.

Have fun!

Denise & Donna 

hosts of RomanticFridayWriters

1. A Few Words  9. Li @ Flash Fiction (A to Z Index of my stories)  17. Rek  
2. Hilary Melton-Butcher  10. Arlee Bird's Tossing It Out  18. Donna Hole  
3. L'Aussie Denise  11. Wagging Tales  19. Jessica Topper's I'll Blog When I'm Dead  
4. Views From the Bald Patch  12. Andy  20. Laura @ Bookish Nerd  
5. Bex  13. Linda Katmarian  21. Laura @ Spotts in the Valley of the Sun  
6. Anna of Annas Adornments  14. Denise Covey  22. Raelene Purtill  
7. Sally  15. A Faraway View  23. English Speaking Zone reflections post  
8. Francine Howarth  16. Elizabeth @ Transitional-Woman  

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)
Posted by at 11:27 10 comments

Here is where I am leaving the A to Z Challenge

For Blogging From A to Z in April I showed Etsy treasuries that I had curated myself. For those who are not familiar with the Etsy site, this is where you can find anything handmade, vintage or craft supplies sold by independent sellers from all over the world. An Etsy 'treasury' is simply a promotional list of items from different Etsy shops; free advertising for other shops that I admire. A gift to my fellow artisans.






If you want to visit other blogs that participated in the challenge, find them here:
327.
505.
585.
788.
808.
1004.
1010.
1025.
1050.
1061.
1063.
1103.
1123.
1144.
1145.
1251.
1260.
1269.
1279.
1357.
1371.
1374.
1397.
1425.
1465.
1504.
1616.
1625.
1697.
1710.
Posted by at 10:54 0 comments

Wednesday, 16 May 2012

Baking with Esmarelda & Jenny - Mrs. Jenny Matlock's Saturday Centus Week 106



Jenny Matlock











Welcome to Saturday Centus, Mrs. Jenny Matlock's weekly writing challenge that requests participants to write their own text to a given prompt, using only 100 words or less plus the five words of the prompt. 
Cream together butter and sugar...
------

Here is my text:
------
Esmarelda and Jenny were thumbing through the latest edition of Sju sorters kakor (Swedish Cakes and Cookies), when Jenny squeeled, 'I know, we could bake our way through these recipes, and blog about it!'

'Been done', replied Esmarelda, 'Remember the movie, Julie & Julia? And Sju sorters kakor is even translated as Swedish Cakes and Cookies, so we can't even do that.'

'Oh well', sighed Jenny, 'it says here "Cream together butter and sugar..." Let's just bake this this and forget about the publishing business...'

'Yeah, I'm with you!'
------
Word Count: 92 +5 = 97
------




 


 Best wishes,
 Anna









First Commenter:
Judee 
of
write tuit





------
Here are Mrs. Jenny Matlock's instructions:
------
Welcome to week ONE HUNDRED and six of Saturday Centus.

We're home!   I'm recovering!   I'm behind!   I'm dieting!   I want cake!  or cookies!  Thus, this weeks prompt! 

















The prompt this week is: "Cream together butter and sugar..."
Number of words: 100 PLUS the five words of the prompt for a maximum word count of 105
Style of writing: Any
Pictures: As many as you like
The regular restrictions apply: PG, no splitting of the prompt, play nicely and visit the other entries, any style or genre of writing you prefer. Please display my link button or just a hyper-link back to Saturday Centus. Be careful to link your SC URL to the Linky and not just link to your main blog.

E-mail me directly with ???'s or ask your question in a comment and I will do my best to get back to you as soon as possible.

Feel free to link up anytime between now and next Saturday.

Posted by at 18:55 4 comments

Saturday, 12 May 2012

Tina/parltradet is featured in an Etsy treasury




Tina/parltradet's yellow necklace set has been included in an Etsy treasury by Irmi of Freely Expressed:



And here is one of Irmi's paintings: 

 

















Best wishes,
 Anna 









First commenter:
Posted by at 14:27 6 comments

Friday, 11 May 2012

'It is our pleasure...' - Mrs. Jenny Matlock's Saturday Centus Week 105


Jenny Matlock

Welcome to Saturday Centus, Mrs. Jenny Matlock' writing challenge where participants write their own text to a given prompt using 100 or less words, plus the prompt, which is 'it is our pleasure...'
------
Here is my text:

In 1941, Veronica Lake portrays a beautiful but unsuccessful Hollywood wannabe starlet in Preston Sturges film, Sullivan's Travels.



Lake's character meets, in a trailer-café, a hobo, played by Joel McCrea, who cannot order anything more than coffee and a doughnut.












Veronica takes pity on this stranger and buys him ham and eggs. But the tramp is not really penniless, but in fact, the very rich motion picture director, John L. Sullivan, who is merely in disguise as he collects information about  being poor and homeless, in order to make his next film, Oh, Brother Were Art Thou?
 










After making many many successful comedy films, Sullivan wants to make a serious film that really means something to the common man. Veronica's alter ego offers to join him.











A lot of silly and funny things happen in this wonderful film. Sullivan and his 'boy' companion, Veronnica Lake, are finished researching the poor, and Sully goes out one last time without Veronica's character. Sully gets amnesia from a blow to the head and winds up in a prison-gang somewhere in the swamps, without any means of reaching the studio people. They think he is dead.


The one bright spot in the lives of these prisoners, is the picture-show on Sundays:

'Ladies and gentlemen, it is our pleasure to show this motion picture.'

























Everyone laughs hysterically, and John L. Sullivan finally learns the meaning and importance of making others laugh.








 
 







------
Word count according to WordCalc: 233+ the prompt's 4 words.
 
I'm sorry, I usually can cut it down to size, but I really would like to share this post, as it is.
------

Best wishes,
Anna









First Commenter:









 
Jenny Matlock 








------

Mrs. Matlock's instructions:

Welcome to week ONE HUNDRED and five of Saturday Centus.


Mr. Jenny and I are still in San Antonio seeing some of our loved ones and enjoying (not really) the super high humidity. 


I was so tired of a day of running around and looking at cool stuff the only prompt I could come up with came off the card instructing me to how to link to the in room internet.  It is our pleasure, they begin...on the brochure, and, hey...that's good enough for me!


So...


The prompt this week is: "It is our pleasure..."
Number of words: 100 PLUS the four words of the prompt for a maximum word count of 104
Style of writing: Any
Pictures: As many as you like

The regular restrictions apply: PG, no splitting of the prompt, play nicely and visit the other entries, any style or genre of writing you prefer. Please display my link button or just a hyper-link back to Saturday Centus. Be careful to link your SC URL to the Linky and not just link to your main blog.
E-mail me directly with ???'s or ask your question in a comment and I will do my best to get back to you as soon as possible.

Posted by at 17:24 5 comments
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