Siona's Story Corner

Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon

noreply@blogger.com (Siona) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 18:56:00 +0000

Last Sunday I went for a lovely picnic with my husband and my in-laws. We went to Ringshall Woods in Hertfordshire and enjoyed a lovely afternoon in the sunshine. Yummy food, good conversation, beautiful countryside...what more could you want?

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Boxes,boxes everywhere!

noreply@blogger.com (Siona) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:56:00 +0000

We decided that with only 20 days to go, we had better start packing. We are moving to Belfast and transporting all of our belongings in one transit van, so we need to carefully consider what we want to keep. This means the packing process is taking much longer than would normally be expected because you can't just put things in boxes. You need to sort through and think and discuss. However, I am really enjoying it. Last night we started packing our books and I found things I had forgotten I had, which was fun! I find it really refreshing to clear out and know that what you have left is what you really, really want. I am very excited about our move now, as I can see that we are going. There is evidence of leaving this house and going somewhere new. It isn't just discussion anymore. So bring on the boxes!

Photo by: the_amanda

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England's Petunia

noreply@blogger.com (Siona) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:38:00 +0000

I don't know how common it is for stripey Petunia flowers to grow but it certainly surprised me when, among all the plain pink and white flowers, this appeared. I think it is really quirky and fun!

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Why does life revolve around paying bills?

noreply@blogger.com (Siona) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 05:41:00 +0000

Click here to download:

Why does life revolve around paying bills? (134 KB)

I am finding it increasingly frustrating that my life (and I think it is fair to say the majority of everyone else's too) revolves around paying the bills. In our plans for moving to Belfast, I thought I could explore a new vocation, try out something different, have a little fun. However that was until the applications started being rejected and interviews being unsuccessful and with three weeks to go I realize that I won't be able to pay the bills if I don't get a job soon (any job). It is terrifying. But why?

Why do our lives have to be decided by the council tax, water, broadband, electric and gas companies? Why are so many aspects of our lives tied up in raising money to pay for these amenities? Why do we let such things rule what jobs we have, where we live, what money we have, if we can afford to go out etc etc?

It all seems ridiculous. The stress of keeping a job to pay the bills; what happened to having a job to in order to contribute to society, for enjoyment, for sharing skills? For me, my job is not the most important element in my life, and yet the way society works means my life will revolve around it, the money I earn and those bills.

Is the idea of life revolving around love, friendship, beauty and enjoyment such a terrible one or are the sight of all those bills so much more appealing?

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Peas

noreply@blogger.com (Siona) — Sat, 09 May 2009 19:08:00 +0000

I was so excited to find that my small container of pea plants is already producing 7 pea pods. This might not sound alot to you, but I am very pleased with the result and am excited at the prospect of getting a taste of my own home-grown vegetables. I have only got a small garden and as we rent the property we can't really do much to it. So the vegetables I am growing this year are mainly in pots and considering my lack of experience I think I have done pretty well so far. They are all organically grown and with as little expenditure as possible, I have improvised on containers by recycling milk bottles, ice-cream tubs and yoghurt pots for example. I hope my runner beans, lettuce, onions, carrots, courgette, sweetcorn and cauliflower will be as successful!

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Peas

noreply@blogger.com (Siona) — Sat, 09 May 2009 19:07:00 +0000

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Apologies

noreply@blogger.com (Siona) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:01:00 +0000

Dear Readers,

Apologies for my lack of blogs over the last 2 months. I could give you a list of excuses but instead I will make you a promise. I am back blogging and I guarantee there will be something new for you to read every week if not every couple of days. I have had lots to inspire me over the summer and lots to think about, so hopefully some interesting blogs will be coming your way.

While you are waiting for an exciting new story from me, I recommend you read one by Michael Morpurgo. I attended a talk by him at the Greenbelt festival and it was brilliant. One of my highlights from the weekend! He has written loads of books, aimed for children but suitable for any age in my opinion. Happy reading!

A Colourful Personality

noreply@blogger.com (Siona) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:09:00 +0000

Fade away, originally uploaded by aussiegall.

I found this picture on flickr a while ago and ever since I have been trying to think up a really good story to go with it. I had thought about writing a story about a daisy who couldn't choose what colour to be but after reading David's blog today I was inspired to think about my own personality and the colours in it.

These are my conclusions:
Red: I feel red when I feel loved; when I feel special and cared for. Red is when I am giving someone a cuddle or a compliment even. I feel most secure if I am "red".

Orange: When I feel orange, I feel on edge. I think I am a bit like a flame. I could flare up and be angry or I could die down and nothing will happen. I can be fiery and hurt people without realizing it, I can't always control the flame.

Yellow: This is my fun colour. It is when I want to dance, run around, play games and be cheeky. It is my feeling alive and wanting to do things colour.

Green: This is my thoughtful colour. When I am contemplating life or a problem or even just daydreaming, I am "green".

Blue: This is my calm side. I can completely relax when I am "blue"; not worry about the world and be at peace with everyone and everything.

Purple: My mysterious side; the secrets and the surprises that only the people who delve deep into my soul will find.

Grey: This is my depressed colour. It isn't really a colour and when I feel depressed I don't really feel like me. I want to merge into the background and not be noticed.

I love every colour in its own way, even if it does remind me of a part of me that isn't so attractive, like my anger. However put together I am like a RAINBOW and I think they are beautiful.

What colours do you associate with your personality?
Do you see yourself as a colour when you feel a particular emotion?

What A Windy Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Siona) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:03:00 +0000

Holding Out, originally uploaded by vortistic.

It was very windy today in Manchester. I had an adventure carrying cardboard boxes from my house to my fiance's (only about 10mins away). This journey was made a little more tricky than normal, although amusing, when the wind decided to pick up and carry the boxes out of my hands and across the road. Luckily no cars were coming but I did get some funny looks from passers by! I couldn't make up my mind whether the amusing expressions were for the flying boxes or for my flying hair. Having long hair is a major hazard when it is a windy day. And if you don't end up eating it, then well done!
I have learnt two important things from the wind today:
1. Don't try to carry cardboard boxes (or anything light) when it is that windy.
2. Always tie up long hair when it is windy unless you like eating your own hair!

Possessions & Treasures

noreply@blogger.com (Siona) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:07:00 +0000

What is your most prized possession?
A teddy bear, a piece of jewelry, a photograph perhaps?

Recently I have been thinking alot about my possessions. Do I really need all the things I have? Are there items I could get rid of and give to someone who needs them more? If I could only have a few possessions what would they be? What are my most precious items and why?

While beginning to sort my belongings out, I am moving house in a few weeks, I have found it useful to really think about the things I own and whether I use them or if they are sentimental to me. I have been quite surprised at the number of things I own that I never use or wear, and how easy I found it to get rid of them. I found it refreshing to clear items out and as I have given most things to a charity shop, I feel that they will go to someone who will make better use of them. The process was worth it. Obviously many things I have are precious to me; certain books, photos, my Grandmother's bureau, jewelry etc. and I would never want to give them away, but by really thinking about possessions and what is important to me I felt I made a difference.

As I was thinking about what possession was most precious to me, I realised that really none were. The thing I treasure most is my fiance and our relationship. Then I began to think about how I think of our relationship. I realised that when it is most strained or fragile, I have treated it, and to an extent probably my fiance also, as a possession. This is wrong. I have never intended to treat anyone or my relationship in that way, but I think it is my intention to keep it safe and secure that manifests itself into a possessive nature. It isn't possible to wrap up a relationship in bubble wrap to put in a box to keep safe, to avoid it breaking. You have to let it be free, alive and to let it develop and change. Love can suffocate if it is held too tightly.

I hope my fiance forgives me for sharing my revelation with you but realising the foundation to my misunderstanding and our arguements is a huge breakthrough for me.

My fiance and our relationship is still what I treasure the most, but I hope that I will never ever treat it or him as a possession ever again.

What are your most treasured possessions and why?

“Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain”

noreply@blogger.com (Siona) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 09:23:00 +0000

When do the rainbows get here?, originally uploaded by Todd Baker << technowannabe.

Rain usually has connotations of sadness and crying. It can bring devastation; ruining crops and flooding homes and villages. It can also just simply spoil an outdoor adventure; camping trip, picnic or barbeque.

Yet I have come to really love the rain. The sound, the feel, the life it brings. It is so simple yet so beautiful at the same time. And it can bring so much fun! Splashing in puddles and dancing with your umbrella. Ok so I am still a big kid!

My favourite things about the rain are:
1. The feel of it, getting soaked through by really heavy rain (or "Singing In The Rain" rain as I like to call it). It is even better, when you know you can get a nice hot shower and warm dry clothes at the end of it though!
2. The sound of it. I love lying in bed listening to it thrash against the window and pavement or even sitting in a car and hear it drumming on the roof.
3. Watching it. Sitting at a window seeing everything outside get wet and admiring the drips making patterns down the pane.
4. The smell in summer just after it has rained heavily. It is so distinctive and lovely.
5. The taste. When you are running for cover and raindrops fall on your lips. The fresh, pure water is amazing!

Don't get me wrong I do moan about the weather, just like everyone else, but I think we should learn to appreciate all weather and have fun no matter what is going on outside!

What do you like about rain? How do you have fun in it?

Good Graffiti

noreply@blogger.com (Siona) — Wed, 21 May 2008 17:35:00 +0000

I generally don't like seeing graffiti. It is usually saying something offensive or rude, and often ruins a perfectly nice building or post box or statue. I am quite often saddened by the sight of it and wish that people had more respect. However when I was on a 43 bus in Manchester today I saw some graffiti that I thought was as near good as I will accept graffiti to be. I didn't have my camera with me so I have tried to recreate what it looked like in my picture. It was scrawled underneath a window on the bus and I couldn't help hoping that it would stay there a while so that lots of people would see it. I found it thought-provoking and a good reminder for what is important in life. I also couldn't help thinking about the person who wrote it, what inspired them to do so. If only all graffiti was that inspiring. "Love over hate, people over profit".

Slow Down Timothy!

noreply@blogger.com (Siona) — Sun, 18 May 2008 14:31:00 +0000

Timothy was a mouse. He was a very quick mouse. He was the fastest mouse in the village. He ran so quick that if you were to blink, you would miss him! Timothy was very helpful. Because he was so fast the other mice would ask him to run errands for them, he would be much quicker than anyone else at doing them. Timothy didn't mind. He liked helping people and he liked running.

However one day Timothy was running so fast that he didn't see the stone that had rolled down the hill onto the path and he bumped right into it. Poor Timothy! He wasn't badly hurt but his right front foot was a little bruised and when he walked it hurt. Timothy tried very hard to run, he had a message to take to Mrs Dormouse, but his foot was too sore. He was very sad and sobbed to himself. He liked helping people and he liked running fast. What would he do now? He would get bored if he had to do errands slowly.

Just then Stanley, the oldest mouse in the village, stumbled by. He noticed poor Timothy sobbing and holding his foot. Stanley guessed what had happened and felt sorry for the little mouse. Stanley knew what it was like not to be able to run, he hadn't been able to for years, and he used to win all the running competitions in his youth. However he had some advice for Timothy.
'Don't rush through life Timothy, always on the run, take time to go slowly and appreciate what's around you'.

Timothy thought about what Stanley had said as he wandered home, and he began to realise that there was lots of things around him. Along the path there were bushes with pretty flowers, birds were making beautiful songs in the trees, pretty ripple patterns in the puddles when a drip fell in...............He was amazed at how much there was to see and hear and how beautiful it all was. 'Going slow might not be so boring after all' Timothy thought.

Have A Picnic!

noreply@blogger.com (Siona) — Tue, 13 May 2008 18:06:00 +0000

Greater spotted woodpecker, originally uploaded by Neil Phillips.

I had the most lovely picnic on Sunday. The weather was glorious, as was the company and it made me feel so relaxed and happy. I recommend everyone to go on one! We went to our local park in the heart of Manchester and even though we could still see the traffic through the trees, the atmosphere was fun and peaceful. My expectations of seeing wildlife in Manchester is not very high, I have to admit, but I was very excited to see a Greater Spotted Woodpecker in the trees surrounding our picnic spot. Not only was I excited to see this bird in Manchester but I had never seen one in the flesh before so it was wonderful as a bird lover to watch it. Other more common animals kept me amused; a cheeky grey squirrel, a magpie and lots of butterflies. I also had great fun putting cherry blossom in my hair and making a daisy chain, as well as more grown up things like reading the paper! Food is very important on a picnic and we had chosen some very yummy treats, tortillas and salsa are always good! So wherever you are go and explore your local park, bring some delicious goodies, be a kid and have a fabulous picnic!

Captain Drake and the Lake (Part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Siona) — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:34:00 +0000

Ok, what's the deal?, originally uploaded by Yodel Anecdotal.

So the ducks got ready. They all got things that told their story and of how the rubbish on the lake had effected their lives. Captain Drake wore his red pirate hat, like he always does when he takes the sightseers out on his boat. "Postie" wore his postman hat and brought his bag with the days letters in. The children brought their buckets and spades to show how they couldn't play with them on the lake anymore and Grandfather Eider wore his warm hat and stripey scarf. He wanted to show that he liked going on walks and he also brought with him the most important things of all, photographs of all the rubbish. Captain Drake knew there was a Countryside Council meeting that day and he thought that the only way the ducks' lake would be saved from all the rubbish was if they went on a protest to the meeting.

So Captain Drake rallied up the ducks and started the protest! The Countryside Council met in an old hut in the woods and it was a long way from the lake. But the ducks were determined and not even the children complained of how far they had to walk. Along the way many animals joined in the march of protest; badgers, rabbits, frogs, squirrels, owls. Almost every creature in the countryside around the lake agreed with the ducks and as they approached the meeting place they all began to chant: "Save our lake, save our lake".

The council members were astonished at how many animals had joined in the campaign and although they agreed with the ducks too, they didn't know how to save the lake. They had no power over the humans and they couldn't go round picking up all the rubbish. Luckily as the marchers were making so much noise shouting "save our lake, save our lake", there were two other people who heard their plea. They were the local rangers, people who help look after the countryside and wildlife. They were humans and they could do something to save the lake!

They rushed over to the meeting and spoke to Captain Drake (as he was the duck nominated to speak on behalf of all the other animals). They listened very carefully as Captain Drake told them all about the rubbish and how it was ruining their lives. He told them about the children not getting out to play, about "Postie" who struggled to deliver his letters and about Grandfather Eider and his photographs. The rangers looked at Grandfather Eider's photographs of the rubbish and agreed that they would help. They said to go back to the lake and the next day things would be better. The ducks (and all the other animals) thanked the rangers very much and marched all the way home, singing merry songs.

The next day was beautiful, not only because of the bright sunny weather but because of the glorious view. The lake was clean. The rangers had worked all night to get rid of all the rubbish and dirt left by the humans and the lake was back to its pretty self again. What was even better was that they had made the lake a special nature area so that if humans wanted to visit it they would have to follow the rules:
1. Don't drop litter, put it in the bins provided.
2. Keep quiet, the wildlife doesn't like noise.
3. Respect the wildlife, they will get angry if you don't!

Captain Drake and the Lake (Part 1)

noreply@blogger.com (Siona) — Sat, 10 May 2008 14:41:00 +0000

Row, row, to the other side., originally uploaded by visulogik.

In the heart of England there lies a lake, and living around that lake are a family of ducks. The lake was once very beautiful; it had clean water, pretty flowers along its banks and lots of wildlife sought it as their home. It was very popular and wildlife who were not so fortunate to find a home there would come and visit and take boats trips. The family of ducks had lived there for years and years and had loved their home, it was so idyllic and fitted everyones needs. Grandfather Eider wanted a quiet place to live in his retirement and somewhere pretty to go for walks and take photographs. The lake was the perfect place as it was peaceful and perfect for wonderful shots of the countryside or other wildlife. Captain Drake had a family to look after and as the lake was so popular with sightseers he was able to make a living with his beautiful green and red boat. He spent his days offering boat tours around the lake. His brother was a postman and he too found work at the lake. With so many animals living there, it was very important to have "postie" living among the residents. Their children were also very happy living on the lake, they loved being free to play in the water and play with the pebbles on the shore.

However now there was a problem. Humans! The lake had become so popular with the wildlife that humans were now coming to see them all. That would have been ok if they had respected the lake but every time they came, they left behind rubbish. Empty drinks cans, plastic bags, half-eaten sandwiches, plastic containers, metal tins, cigarette ends. The list went on and on and the wildlife were not happy. The duck family were not happy. Their lives were being ruined by these humans and it wasn't fair. The children weren't allowed to go out and play in the lake or on the shore as it was too dangerous, they might get caught or stuck in the rubbish. Grandfather Eider didn't have his quiet retreat or have a beautiful place to photograph, it was covered in rubbish. Poor "postie" found it hard to find everyones home as they were constantly being covered in old newspapers and paper bags, and he had to walk very carefully to avoid cutting himself on the sharp metal tins and cans. Not only that but Captain Drakes boat was being ruined with cans scrapping the sides and the old food clinging to the boat making it all dirty and horrible. The ducks were not happy and they were going to do something about it. Captain Drake said "We are going to protest!"..........

Don't Waste Daisies!

noreply@blogger.com (Siona) — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:58:00 +0000

Daisy (Bellis Perennis), originally uploaded by ricardo.martins.

With all this gorgeous weather, at last, the summer flowers are popping out all over. In parks, gardens and school playgrounds bluebells, poppies and all kinds of other flowers are making an appearance. I love flowers and so the sight of them blossoming out this week has really lifted my mood. But this week, the flower that has really made me smile has been the daisy. It may be very common and grow in most grassy areas, however this little flower can give so much delight. It can make just a plain grassy field look beautiful and inviting for example. However I have found, and am guilty of it myself at times, that children (and adults) like to pick daisies. Children like to give them as a gift to friends, teachers and parents and while it is a lovely gesture, many receivers don't appreciate the gift and just let the daisy wilt and die. But my advice is don't waste them! If you are given any, why not wear them in your hair, it makes you feel fun and pretty and makes other people smile too. I know, I've tried it! If you are really lucky and get lots why not make a daisy chain. It is a fun and relaxing activity for children and adults! Or if that's not your thing, why not fill an egg cup or small glass with water and keep the daisy for a few days. Children will love to see their flower continuing to survive and I am sure it will make you smile too. So if you are going to pick daisies, don't waste them!

The Flower Fairy (Part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Siona) — Sat, 03 May 2008 11:18:00 +0000

Magic Garden, originally uploaded by Randy Son Of Robert.

Just then her friend Miss Mouse popped out of her hole, gasping for breath, as she had been running very fast. She had come with an important message for the flower fairy and was anxious to tell her straight away. "Flower fairy, flower fairy" she squeeked. "The kind elf that you dream of has been here, he came to see you but you were not in. He came with a rose and his love and left it here at your door." The flower fairy was so excited that she jumped for joy and held her petals so dear. She knew that he must love her and that she must go and see him. But what would she take for him, she thought. He brought her the most wonderful gift and so she must return the kindness, but what would an elf like. She didn't know and knew that the only way she would find out was by asking the magic maple tree by the river. It had mystical powers and such wisdom that anyone who needed help would find it there. So the flower fairy put her petals in a silk purse and placed them gently in her treasure box and went to see the maple tree.

The wise maple tree was very knowledgeable about elves and was happy to tell the flower fairy that what they like best was toadstools. As fairies like flowers, elves like toadstools and so the flower fairy had a brilliant idea. She would search for the most unusual yet wonderful toadstool and send it with the message that she loved the elf. She searched all over fairy land and even into the forests of the gnomes, until she found a most wonderful toadstool. His name was Henry and he looked amazing. He was bright red but unlike most toadstools who have white spots all over, he was covered in little white flowers. The flower fairy knew he was the right one to deliver her message as the elf would be sure to know that it was sent by her.

So the flower fairy sent Henry off to elf land to find the red hat, red shoes, blue coat elf from her dreams with the message "The flower fairy sends her love and hopes that the elf would meet her on the wooden bridge over the river in fairy land tomorrow at sunrise." Henry went quickly as he knew that his job was important and kept repeating the message to himself over and over so that he would not forget it. When he got to elf land and found the kind elf he was so excited that he blurted out "The flower fairy sends her love and hopes that the elf would meet her on the stone bridge over the river in fairy land tomorrow at sunrise." Poor Henry did not realise that he had made a mistake in his message as he had got confused on the way and he did pass a stone bridge too! The elf listened to Henry's message and was so happy that he danced around and sang with joy. He couldn't wait until tomorrow and set about making himself look his best.

The next day as the sun was just beginning to rise the flower fairy waited on the wooden bridge. She was so excited and happy that she was ready to burst, but the elf did not come. She waited and waited and wondered why the elf did not come. She knew he loved her and so she worried that something terrible had happened to him. Just then Henry appeared. He looked dreadful and was almost crying. "I got it wrong" said Henry, "I got the message wrong". The flower fairy held his hand as he told her his confusion. He had been having nightmares all night and had seen what would happen this morning. He couldn't work out why the elf and the flower fairy weren't together and then he realised what he had said. He was so upset but the flower fairy knew he had tried his best and told him not to worry. She would fly as fast she could to the stone bridge and see if the elf was still there (as now the sun was fully in the sky).

The flower fairy had never flapped her wings so quickly, she was so determined to get there in time. She loved the elf so much. As she approached the stone bridge she could just make out a red hat but she was not sure that it was him as she couldn't see his coat. The closer she got the harder she looked, until finally she was close enough to make out a blue coat and red shoes and an elf holding a beautiful bunch of roses. The elf had waited and waited and was not giving up on his flower fairy. He knew that she would come and she did and they lived happily ever after.

The Flower Fairy (Part 1)

noreply@blogger.com (Siona) — Fri, 02 May 2008 06:53:00 +0000

feerie - petite fee, originally uploaded by ginieland.

Once upon a time, in a land far away, there lived a fairy. She was known to everyone as the flower fairy as she was the fairy who looked after all the flowers in the land. She loved all flowers, but her very favourites were the roses and she could always been seen with one somewhere about her, sometimes in her hair, sometimes pinned on her dress and sometimes in a little bouquet that she carried around. The roses were her treasures and she delighted in making people smile by giving them a bunch or by planting some in her neighbours gardens. She was a very happy fairy.

In a land nearby, there lived an elf. He had a red pointy hat, red pointy shoes and a bright blue coat and trousers. He was a very kind elf and would look after all the elves in the land. However he longed to look after someone from another land, from the fairy land, the flower fairy! He thought she was the most beauitful and lovely fairy of all and he set out to win her heart. Unknown to him, the flower fairy had been dreaming of the elf.

So one day, the elf decided to visit the flower fairy and give her a gift as a sign of how much he loved her. He had found out from his friend the hummingbird that her favourite flowers were roses and he knew that they would lead the way to her heart. So he searched high and low all over the elf land until he found a very special rose, one that he knew the flower fairy would not have, as it only grew in elf land. The elf thought this would be the perfect gift to take with him and he set off with a song in his heart. When he got to the flower fairies house however, she was not there. He waited and waited but she didn't come back and so as a surprise he left the precious rose on her doorstep with a note:

Dear Flower Fairy
I came to visit you today, to give you this rose and my love.
Red hat, red shoes, blue coat elf.

Unbeknown to the elf, a fairy was watching him when he left the rose, not the flower fairy, but her next door neighbour, the naughty fairy. Everyone in fairy land knew she was trouble and she was forever playing tricks on the other fairies. When she saw what a pretty rose the elf had left for the flower fairy, the naughty fairy decided to take it and the elf's note. She thought that the flower fairy had so many roses that it wouldn't matter to her if she didn't get this one. So the naughty fairy grabbed the rose and quickly ran to her house and hid it.

When the flower fairy returned to her house she noticed some rose petals on her doorstep. At first she was sad as she didn't like it when her roses lost their flowers, but then she noticed that these petals were very special and different from any roses she had. They came from a rose she had never seen before and they were the most beautiful petals she had ever seen. She thought it was strange that they were lying there on her doorstep and wondered who had dropped them. Then she noticed that there was a trail of petals down her garden and out onto the path and so she followed it, picking up the petals as she went. They led her straight to the naughty fairies house and the flower fairy guessed that she had stolen the gorgeous rose that had been left at the door. The flower fairy knew that the naughty fairy wouldn't give her the rose back and she knew she wouldn't tell her who had left it, so she went home with a tear in her eye......................

A Snail Made Me Smile

noreply@blogger.com (Siona) — Thu, 01 May 2008 06:11:00 +0000

Snail weather, originally uploaded by jpockele.

I have been inspired to look for the beauty in simple things. Nature to me is always very beautiful, no matter what the weather or country but as I don't live in the countryside, I have to make a little bit of an effort to see nature. It is always there, but sometimes we are so focussed on other things we forget about it. So on my walk to work I make a conscious effort to look out for it. Sometimes I am lucky and see a beautiful blue sky with whispy clouds (although living in Manchester that doesn't often happen). Other times I see wildlife, a squirrel hunting for nuts or blackbirds eating the crumbs in the playground. However yesterday I took delight in seeing a garden snail. It was just slowly making its way across the path that I take to work and it made me smile. May everyone find delight in such small things.

If you would like to know more about taking delight in everyday things go to:
http://beplayful.org/aspects-of-playfulness-deliberate-delight/

The Little Red Shoes

noreply@blogger.com (Siona) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:59:00 +0000

Running ahead of oneself, originally uploaded by orangeacid.

Once upon a time there lived a pair of shoes. These were no ordinary shoes, but bright red shoes with white polka dots on them. They belonged to a little girl called Sophie and they lived in a place that people call a town. The little red shoes liked the town, they could keep themselves clean as there was no mud and they didn't have to walk too far as Sophie's nursery was just round the corner from her house. However the little red shoes, just like everyone else, would sometimes get tired. The pavement was hard on their soles and they didn't like the smell of the car and bus fumes. Also these red, spotty shoes were Sophie's favourites and she wore them all the time, so they didn't get much time to sleep. Most of the time the little, red shoes liked this because Sophie was nice to them. She wouldn't kick balls with them (because she didn't like football) and she was tidy and would carefully put them to bed in her cupboard at night. However sometimes the red shoes wished for freedom. They wished that for one day Sophie's toes wouldn't be wiggling inside them and making them all hot and sweaty! They longed to be in fresh air, on soft ground and left in peace to rest.

One day Sophie didn't go to nursery school and the red shoes found themselves, once again, with Sophie's feet inside them. Instead of working their way through the town though, they were in the car. This was already a good start to the day as Sophie couldn't reach the floor from her seat and so the red shoes were free to dangle in the air, swinging backwards and forwards. But the best was yet to come. When the car stopped, Sophie jumped out and to the red shoes amazement she took them off. The little red shoes didn't understand as Sophie bounced around without them, they were outside and she would get sore feet without them. But then the little red shoes realised, they were sitting on some very comfy, springy green grass and the air all around them was fresh and smelled of Summer flowers. They weren't in the town anymore, they were in the countryside! It was wild and green and beautiful and the shoes were free! They didn't have hot feet in them, they didn't have to smell the car fumes or walk on hard concrete. Instead they could sit in the sun, on soft grass, listening to the birds sing and Sophie playing. This made the shoes very happy!

The shoes were free all of that day and had a glorious time. They sat in the sun and smiled. Sometimes they feel asleep as they were very tired and sometimes they just admired the view. The birds in the trees sang songs and one even flew down and gave the shoes their very own concert! A ladybird said hello and commented on how nice it was to see such beautiful red shoes, they matched her shell perfectly and she wished they were small enough to fit her feet. The little, red shoes had such a wonderful day.

They were only disturbed once to go to the icecream van at the end of the lane. The shoes were a little worried at this, they thought Sophie might not lick fast enough and drops of icecream would fall onto them but Sophie was very careful.

As the day ended the little red shoes thought about how much they had enjoyed their freedom and the countryside. They had enjoyed the smell of the summer flowers and the sound of the songbirds high up in the trees. They had liked talking to the ladybird and sitting on the soft grass. But most of all they had enjoyed their days rest because even shoes get tired too you know!