Turlough
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I have 150 stories published in
7 collections on the site.
My stories have been read 276603 times
and 198 of my stories have been cherry picked.
654 of my 2,367 comments have been voted Great Feedback with a total of 684 votes
Terence Mullan
During the hot Balkan afternoons it’s grand to lie on the settee with jugs of glacial tea and a summer soundtrack. Joni Mitchell, Joseph Canteloube, Bob Marley and Mississippi John Hurt on scratchy vinyl all sooth as Pavlovian mosquitos snarl from their sides of insect screens.
Those afternoons will be back soon, I hope. I don't care for this having to wear socks nonsense.
My collections
My stories
Eleven Thousand Silent Playmates
When an old song revives a memory that uncovers an astonishing secret. You might call this a sequel, or even a prequel, to Making Do with Dusty Springfield.
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- 23 comments
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- 922 reads
Making Do with Dusty Springfield
Remembering Patricia, a young Middlesbrough girl with great dreams. I hope her best ones came true.
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- 19 comments
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- 1077 reads
All the Chai in China
The last half of the last twelfth of 2024, described at a rate of one hundred words per day.
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- 17 comments
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- 986 reads
Mad Dogs and Donkeys
The first half of the last twelfth of 2024, described at a rate of one hundred words per day.
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- 24 comments
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- 1260 reads
The Day of the Drone - Luton to the Rescue
Christmas Chaos Part Two - The tale of a complicated and frustrating journey across Europe from east to west to enjoy the festive period with my family. Roy Wood and all the members of his band, Wizzard, said it’s a good job it’s not Christmas every day.
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- 836 reads
Fireflies and frogs
Posted on Sat, 21 Sep 2024
A couple of times in our garden, after a summer evening rainshower, I've seen small frogs that have swallowed fireflies. I only know this because I've seen the dull flashing from inside their throats.
This is a lovely poem Jenny. I really...
Read full commentPosted in Enchanted insects
Bernard Manning
Posted on Tue, 09 Jul 2024
The former existence of Bernard Manning pours doubt on the possibility that there has ever been a supreme being that's made us in their image.
Read full commentPosted in Imperfect Beauty
Kind words, Di. Thank you.
Posted on Fri, 21 Jul 2023
Kind words, Di. Thank you.
If it helps you keep the giggling under control I'll read something about my involvement with the bubonic plague on 12 August.
Read full commentPosted in Our Man in Golubac
Those women
Posted on Sat, 21 Dec 2024
I really like your line... Their songs like wire in no man's land
Some of the roughest times in history were passed down the years in song. Always thought provoking and haunting, as your poem is. Good on those women!
Read full commentPosted in The Border Ballads
Leeches
Posted on Wed, 18 Dec 2024
The effects of war, pollution, drought, disease and starvation inflict much more harm on the world and its population than potentially life-saving vaccines do, but many governments and the people who vote for them seem to be able to overlook that...
Read full commentPosted in Why I'm a consistent and unabashed 'anti-vaxxer'
Righto Di...
Posted on Mon, 16 Dec 2024
Righto Di, thank you.
It was the memory of Julia that brought me to ABC but that memory is the most difficult thing I have ever attempted to write about, especially when taking into consideration the awful circumstances of her unnecessary...
Read full commentPosted in Velvet Goldmine
The Balkans
Posted on Wed, 13 Nov 2024
There are several sides to this story CM. In the past I've spoken to Croats and Bosnians about those wars but this was the first time I'd had a conversation with a Serb. None of them have ever had anything to say on the subject that wasn't...
Read full commentPosted in Boško’s Clouds
Wooooooo!!!!
Posted on Mon, 30 Sep 2024
Do creatures of the night perceive apparitions?
What a wonderfully thought provoking question. Is it only humans that have a fear of the dark? Could it be that ghosts are scared of humans and that is why we rarely see them?...
Read full commentPosted in Visions Carried On The Wind
Can Can
Posted on Thu, 15 Aug 2024
Having cans lifted from you carry out is no joke. I feel for you CM. I feel it in my fingers. I feel it in my toes.
Read full commentPosted in Benches & Hedges
Migration
Posted on Mon, 05 Aug 2024
I particularly like your
“Send a gunboat”
to repel rubber-gum-boats,
When did the rules change so that people were expected to remain for the whole of their lives in the country in which they were born? I expect it...
Read full commentPosted in Boats
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