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.
If you listen carefully, you might hear them on the steps, their laughter echoing in the summer air. They climb ever higher, curiosity drawing them onwards. Look. There. Can you see them – twisting in the sunbeams? This post is for Cee’s Which Way Challenge. I’ve really missed this challenge – paths, staircases and signposts are some of my … More Cee’s Which Way: Stairways and Sunbeams
Sidelines Jenny hurried past the sports field with her head down, eyes fixed on the path before her. The hubbub of the players stirred memories she’d rather ignore. Plus, he was there. She could hear his voice, bellowing orders over the field. She could feel the weight of his knowing gaze. She’d spent so many hours standing on the sidelines, cheering … More FFfAW: Sidelines
wait soon it will emerge the beloved of the sea pathway to secrets released from watery slumber as the morning tide recedes * step carefully ahead footsteps on slick cobbles the journey to the truth is treacherous This post is for the Weekly Photo Challenge. This week’s theme is morning. The photos were taken at St Michael’s Mount … More WPC: Morning
The Children “For your disregard of our laws-” “Father, please,” Lia said, tears flowing. But no trace of her doting parent was visible. It was the High Councillor who faced her: stern and forbidding as he passed sentence. “-you are hereby banished.” Her hand tightened on the pony’s reins, and she avoided looking at the children on the … More FFfAW: The Children
sunburst bathed in rain dispelling night’s toxic fears newborn day washed clean This post is for the Macro Moments challenge run by Susan over at the blog Musin’ With Susan. This is the first time I’ve joined in with this challenge, but seeing as I take a lot of macro photographs I thought it was about time … More Macro Moments Week Seven: Sunburst
Last month I again spent many pleasant hours photographing the wildflower meadow, wooded area and stream for Cardinal Guzman’s Changing Seasons photography challenge. As you may know by now, this is my favourite place in the village, and where I like to go to write. In June the main feature of the meadow had been the daisies. During July these … More Changing Seasons 2016: July
She’d always dreamed of a fertile union. In her youth she’d painted her lips cherry-red, desperate to attract a partner to fulfill her desires, only to be left with a sour taste as their rot spread through her life. Now her season was waning – maybe it was time to reach for the promised fruit alone. This post is for Sonya’s … More TLT: Fruitful
droplets on long grass fairy lights joyfully strewn celebrating dawn
weary bloom withers past beauty soon forgotten life yet lies ahead crone’s wisdom cradled within next generation’s promise
Blame Maddie stomped and banged, making her displeasure as clear as she could as she wielded her broom, dust motes swarming around her. It wasn’t fair! None of it was her fault. Not really. She couldn’t have known what would happen. And besides, things probably wouldn’t have been any different even if the ladder hadn’t been there. All that damned girl had had to do was … More CFFC: Stairs, Steps, Ladders
The Birth of Ambition “This used to be one of the greatest gardens in the area.” The rough voice caught Finley’s attention as he stomped along the path. “Some day it could be great again.” Finley paused, juggling his armfuls of equipment as he peered at the old gardener who stood beside the path, leaning … More FFfAW: The Birth of Ambition
Proudly they stand, ancient stones steeped in mystery, weathered and windblown on the lonely roadside, sheltering stories of times long past. Name carved in stone, black feathers bathed in blood, warrior fallen in battle, legend unforgotten. Crawling on hands and knees, scrabbling and squeezing, hoping and praying that aches and pains are drawn away by weathered stone during undignified rebirth. … More Cee’s B&W: Older than 50 Years
Over Gilded landscape Beneath watchful Moon’s gaze Take to the sky with vibrant wing And soar This post is for the Weekly Photo Challenge. This week’s theme is Cherry on Top, and we’re asked to share a picture with a feature that makes a good shot even better. Last week I was out for a walk during the … More Soar
On ephemeral wings she flits, never settling for long: never long enough to catch her, never long enough to bind her back into the cocooned existence she’s fled.
warm rain tumbling free scattered gems on richest green wealth in abundance
Originally posted on An Enchanted Place:
For my first post to my blog I thought I’d share a poem I wrote. I hope you like it. A Wild Habitat Here… I live in a world of make believe, a world of light and music, a wild habitat for a fairy mind. Here my life is my…
It’s hard to feel love in a world filled with hatred. It’s hard to feel joy in a world filled with fear. It’s hard to feel forgiveness in a world filled with anger. But we must try.
On damp winds they’re blown in, the thunder of their blades as they slice through the air echoing over golden fields. Stalwart defenders of the nation, here they’re far from war torn lands: no bombs or bullets to lay them low, only nature’s unpredictable buffets to keep them humble. This afternoon I was down at the … More Echoes of my Neighbourhood: Chinooks
light breezes caress swaying to silent music may I have this dance? may I have this dance? a murmur of sweet nothings advantage taken
Gathering storm clouds Ominous shadows spreading Time to seek shelter This post is for the Daily Post’s Weekly Photo Challenge. This week’s theme is Look Up.
Breathe Deep Feeling nature’s embrace, I Breathe deep. Cascading perfumes entwine, senses take to the sky, Feeling nature’s embrace, I Hear the buzzing, the singing; let it fade to a sigh, Welcoming a serenity indigenous to sleep, Feeling nature’s embrace, I Breathe deep. This is my first ever attempt at a triolet, a poetry form that intrigued … More Breathe Deep
Awakening touch Virginal blossom caressed Before bees arise Today’s pictures were taken at the wildflower meadow on a beautiful June dawn. Yes, after months (possibly even years) of saying I was going to go out at dawn to photograph, I finally did it! And it was an enchanting experience. As I watched the sun slowly extend its … More Beautiful Dawn
The New Store Edith’s footsteps halted as she caught sight of the shop front with its jumbled array of items. How strange, she thought. She’d strolled down this road with her beau just last Sunday and was sure that no such establishment had been in existence then. Nor had she heard that a new shop was opening – … More Cee’s B&W Challenge: Store Front Signs
Waiting “Why are you here?” he asked, even though he knew the answer. “I’m waiting for you.” Her heels clunked against the cabinet in a familiar rhythm. “I’ll wait forever if I have to.” “I won’t be long now.” Ephemeral fingers traced his aged cheek before she faded from view. This post is for Sonya’s Three Line … More TLT: Waiting
Poppies bathed in rain Remembering the fallen Teardrops on spilled blood One hundred years ago today was the first day of the Battle of the Somme. The Somme Offensive ran from July 1st to November 18th 1916 and was one of the bloodiest battles in history, with over one million men wounded and killed. The first … More Remembering the Fallen
It’s time for June’s Changing Seasons post, a challenge that asks you to photograph the same place over the course of a year and to share a monthly gallery of pictures. Yet again I’m afraid I have a few more photos than the Cardinal asks us to share. Oops! You probably wouldn’t believe just how long it took … More Changing Season 2016: June
Air fills with movement Fleeting insects buzz, dart, dance A feast on the wing I had intended to share my monthly Changing Seasons post today but unfortunately I haven’t actually finished sorting through all of the photos I’ve taken. I’ve visited and photographed the meadow so many times over the past few weeks that I have … More On the Wing
This post is for Priceless Joy’s Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. This week’s prompt was provided by me. Imaginary Friends “It’s just your eyes playing tricks on you,” everyone always told her. “None of it’s real.” Even her grandmother – who told the most wonderful stories – had always waved a dismissive hand and said, “Your imagination is running away … More FFfAW: Imaginary Friends
This post is for The Sometimes Stellar Storyteller’s Six Word Story Challenge. This week’s prompt is: discontent. Irritation simmers, expanding: ready to explode.
This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales. The Runner He ran to escape the anger and fear that had dominated his life for so long, each stride distancing him from the demons of his past. He ran towards dreams of a bright future full of love and hope. He ran because he could – … More TLT: The Runner
This post is for Priceless Joy’s Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, a challenge that asks you to write a story of 100-175 words based on the photo prompt below. This week’s picture was provided by TJ Paris. Thank you TJ! Crisis Point The library had always been her sanctuary, her escape from life’s hubbub – until her world … More FFfAW: Crisis Point
Every Wednesday, all across the internet, bloggers post a picture with no words to explain it. Here is mine.
This post is for Sunday Photo Fiction, a challenge that asks you to write a story of around 200 words inspired by the photo prompt below. Wildfire of Hysteria Mira slid through the shadows, each movement calculated to remain unseen. The inn was silent in the pre-dawn light but early risers might already be watching. Unfortunately, she … More SPF: Wildfire of Hysteria
Protective arms reach Offering shelter from storms Open seas cry home This post is for the Daily Post’s Weekly Photo Challenge. This week’s theme is Curve. The pictures were taken in Newlyn, the fishing village in Cornwall that we stayed in during our recent holiday. Newlyn harbour has been in use since at least 1435, … More WPC: Curve
This post is for the Sometimes Stellar Storyteller’s Six Word Story challenge. This week’s prompt is tease. “Mum! Charlie keeps on poking me!” As soon as I saw this week’s prompt I knew I had to write a six word story about siblings teasing each other! Working with kids I tend to see a lot of that. 🙂 I chose … More Six Word Story: Tease
This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales. Grandma’s Wisdom Grandma always said that the thing to aim for was elegance, sweetly understated; that the magic lay in the simplicity. The ingredients might be plain but when blended they created a perfection no one could resist. She always got the feeling that Grandma wasn’t just talking about cakes. … More TLT: Grandma’s Wisdom
His post is for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, a flash fiction challenge run by Priceless Joy, that asks you to write a story of 100-175 words based on the photo prompt below. This week’s prompt was provided by Nonnaci. Thank you Nonnaci. The Window Raen stood in the doorway and considered the benefit of retreat. … More FFfAW: The Window
Every Wednesday, all across the internet, bloggers post a photograph with no words to explain it. Here is mine.
This post is for Cee’s Black and White Challenge. This week’s theme is: steps – inside or out. The steps stretch before you in a seemingly endless trail up the cliffside and you curse your decision to make the trip, your legs aching from the strain. The steep drop alongside the path is enough to make you grip the … More Cee’s B&W Challenge: Steps
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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 