Louise is a writer, poet and photographer who feels most at home when out and about, watching, photographing, and writing about the flora and fauna to be found along the lanes and in the meadows of her local area. She can happily spend hours lost in a field full of wildflowers.
Tread carefully as you walk the woodland paths, as you seek the peculiar life emerging from the earth’s fertile darkness. See them stand proud and defiant in the new day’s light, each embracing their opportunity to shine. Toadstools are definitely one of my favourite things to photograph, and this August has been great for them. They … More Peculiar Life
The Name on the Stone Kaeri murmured a prayer and dropped the stone into the urn, calmly meeting the gaze of the priest on the temple steps. He watched her with narrowed eyes, his attention unwavering until she moved out of sight. She’d performed the ritual every day for years. Each stone had borne the … More The Name on the Stone
weaving gossamer threads amidst a landscape gilded with possibility the youthful dreamer endeavours on suspended in a fragile web of hope
Lessons Learned Hunger gnawed, growing increasingly harsh and insistent as hours dragged by. The dish of food remained frustratingly out of reach. Finn scowled, trying again to rise. This was ridiculous. He didn’t know what she’d done to him, but the old woman was clearly deranged. “If you wish to eat,” she’d said, “use the … More Lessons Learned
Yesterday I posted a piece of flash fiction for last week’s FFfAW challenge. As I mentioned there, I’d previously written another version that had to be abandoned as it was far too long for the 175 word limit. Well, I’ve decided to share it with you anyway. Technically, it’s still a piece of flash fiction, … More The Burden of Truth
The Truth in the Tale Jonin enjoyed telling stories. He couldn’t deny it. As a knight of many years’ service he had numerous exploits to share. But there was one thing everyone wanted to know – what really happened after the Battle of Ebden Moor? There were only a few known facts. He and Mikael had … More The Truth in the Tale
He’d tried many different jobs over the years – so many, he’d lost track – but nothing had ever inspired him to such passion. Not like this. Standing in the arena, surrounding by screaming fans: he couldn’t imagine a more perfect life. This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales. This week’s prompt is by … More Perfect Life
Promises Broken The day had promised so much. Bright skies and a clear forecast meant their shift at the lifeguard station should have been pleasant – with only the usual idiots and accidents to worry them. The crystalline sea had lapped at the beach as if no dangers lurked in its depths. It was a … More Promises Broken
seek shelter beneath broad leaves find renewal I’ve loved the tree house tree from the moment we moved into our new house. At first, though, we had no idea what sort of tree it actually was. Generally, I’d simply admire the way the evening light lit the leaves. During July, however, we were given a few … More The Indian Bean Tree
they tell you that you’re nothing a nobody * merely a pale imitation of the bright celebrities and less dangerous than those high fliers with stings in their tails * but still you carry on with no praise or appreciation you get the job done * after all what else can you do…? * except … More In Appreciation of Hoverflies
aglow with simple elegance she glides serenely onwards * untouched by worldly concerns * divorced from fear and anger * enriched by nature’s beneficence she scatters diamonds of purest sunlight in her wake
sit amidst the long grass and watch the rising sun lovingly caress the meadow * golden rays revealing the innocence of daisies as they sway to a light morning breeze * breathe deep the blissful quietude and embrace the awakening of your soul These pictures were all taken at the meadow in my old village last month. I might not live there … More Watch the Rising Sun
you could simply watch through weary eyes as an ever-changing world ebbs and flows * or you could keep on stretching fearlessly higher refusing to accept defeat When my sister and I moved in to our new house, there was a pagoda in the garden that was barely standing beneath the weight of dead wisteria … More As the Wisteria Grows
Artistic Representations “Will you hold still!” Pikey scowled. “You try standing still this long and see how well you manage it.” He rolled his shoulders. “How much longer?” “I’ll be done a lot sooner if you’d just hold still.” “Fine. Just hurry up, ‘fore I freeze like this forever.” Squiffle gave him a jaunty grin over … More Artistic Representations
Memories “We’d spend hours down here, remember?” she said, gazing across at the familiar view, her memories dancing as ethereal spectres upon the sports field. They’d been such joy filled hours, packed with fun and games: skipping and jumping and turning cartwheels; running until breathless, before tumbling in a heap on the grass; vibrant … More Memories
Waiting for the Light Tamrir huddled in the darkness, willing the minutes to slow their passage as he awaited the coming dawn. His sister’s weight pressed reassuringly against his side, and he hugged her close. The night had been long. Ridiculously so. “Is it time yet?” He started, not having realised Ameyi was awake. “Nearly,” he … More Waiting for the Light
arise to greet the dawning sun * gathering armfuls of pure golden light to crown the summer king * the Lord of the Hunt proud and virile mighty sunbeams amidst oak leaves * watch as he takes his place beside the queen * the Lady of the Meadows bedecked in flowers her belly swelling with … More Midsummer Gold
freewheeling through childhood unsullied by adult cares journeying into a bright future This post is for Cee’s Which Way Challenge.
Homecoming Something was wrong. Majif frowned. He’d spent too long evaluating his enemies’ weaknesses to overlook the lack of guards on the gate. He freed his blades, fearing the worst… Reality outdid expectation. Within the walls guards and servants alike sprawled in macabre display: blood drenched and staring; throats slashed open. The attack had occurred … More Homecoming
think of the stories that could be told if the voices of the long gone could be heard within those aged walls but their tales have been forgotten as our own too shall someday be This post is for Cee’s Black and White Photo Challenge. This week’s theme is buildings.
The Search “They were around here somewhere. I swear!” Tynen scrambled recklessly over the rocks ahead, peering into each nook and cranny with almost feverish intensity. Velana followed at a slower pace, choosing each footstep carefully as she climbed the craggy slope. “No one’s found any in years, Ty. Admit it – you imagined ’em.” Her … More The Search
sitting in blissful peace enraptured by sunlight awaiting the birds’ descent There’s a cherry tree in our new garden that we’ve nicknamed ‘the feeding tree’ because the birds seem to love it. I’ve already spent many pleasant hours sitting in the sun on the patio, with my camera pointing towards the tree. It’s given me … More The Feeding Tree
listen ∗ can you hear them? echoing ∗ fleeting peals of laughter the joyful reflections of childhood games of long forgotten adventures ∗ held in the space’s fabric memories existing in gossamer insubstantiality absorbed by the earth food for the ∗ soul The garden of our new house has a couple of features that immediately … More Echoes of Long Ago Games
Waiting for the Returning Tide “Suzy would’ve loved it here,” Janet said, her gaze fixed on the panoply of vessels bobbing idly in their moorings. “She was always fascinated by boats. Do you remember? They filled the bathtub!” “I remember.” “She was such a happy child. And that smile was so infectious. But she was … More Waiting for the Returning Tide
long fur tangles beneath fingertips as a warm weight sprawls ∗ hedonistically over your legs whilst a deep purr reverberates and ∗ guileless eyes stare deep into your soul binding you tight Meet Geoffrey. Technically, he’s my sister’s cat, but as my sister and I now live together, I suppose he’s my cat now, too. … More Geoffrey
Winter’s Child He had to wait for winter to arrive. Or so they told him. The summer, they said, belonged to others. He had to wait for the air to turn chilly and the wind biting; for the frost to form on the trees. Only then would it be his time. But the summer seemed … More Winter’s Child
Greeting the Four The seats had been placed with utmost precision: north, south, east and west, each one carefully aligned. Veraen nodded in satisfaction. “Anything else, Sir?” his assistant – Jaeden? Jened? – said, and he gestured in dismissal, shooing the man out of the sacred space. He’d spent too long in preparation to let … More Greeting the Four
The place where you can find out what Lillie thinks
Looking at life through blue eyes
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Looking into why we do the things we do (and some crochet) each Monday
Amanda Tuke - nature writer and urban nature champion
A photographic journey.
Here and now, with all of it.
An Enchanted Place 