Mentally recharging the batteries
Emotionally clearing the clouds
And releasing all the pain
No set destination or direction
Drawn by the lure of the shore
Enchanted by the energy of the river
Rhythmic waves soothing the soul
Isolated from the wider world
Nothing and no one to disturb the daydreams
Grateful to have made it through another day.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged #acrosticpoem, #CoralMcCallum, #escape, #meandering, #metime, #photography, #poetryblog, #wellbeing
Sunday…the perfect day to sit back and relax with a good book. Pour that coffee, curl up and meet Jake Power…. I think you’ll like him.
Amazon.com links –
Stronger Within – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VXDSC1M
Impossible Depths – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C0GS30K
Bonded Souls – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XSQHG71
Shattered Hearts – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZY8ZSDM
Long Shadows – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RR1FGLG
Amazon.co.uk links –
Stronger Within – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00VXDSC1M
Impossible Depths – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01C0GS30K
Bonded Souls – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XSQHG71
Shattered Hearts – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07ZY8ZSDM
Long Shadows – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08RR1FGLG
(Coffee cup and book image sourced via Google – credits to the owner)
It’s been a long while since I took “Cherry” out of the wardrobe… 572 days to be precise.
I’ve written about “Cherry” before back in 2016 ( My Secret Chaperone….meet Cherry | Coral McCallum (wordpress.com) ) This bag and Cherry monkey still comes to every gig with me but, thanks to Covid, she’s been in enforced hibernation since 23 February 2020.
As I prepared to attend my first gig since the Covid pandemic shut the world, there was an additional item to be packed – a mask. (I always carried hand sanitiser anyway, so it was already snuggled into its pocket)
In the pre-Covid world I never thought twice about packing my gig bag before leaving to catch the train or to drive to the venue. It’s a fairly standard list of essentials – ticket, camera, phone, hand sanitiser, purse and rock n roll polo mints. (Ok these turned out to be well out of date! Thanks to Mr A for supplying me with a new packet)
However, last Friday night, I found myself more than a little anxious about going out to my first post-pandemic show. Is this one of the many legacies of Covid?
I was heading to Glasgow’s Barrowlands Ballroom with Mr A to see Black Stone Cherry – familiar location, familiar journey, familiar company and familiar band of choice (I’ve seen these boys from Kentucky at least ten times now)- so there was no natural reason to feel anxious… or is there nowadays?
Heading out to a show now takes a little more preparation than just packing your handbag. Preparations start 48-24 hours in advance. The venue recommendation and, in some instances the band’s request, is that you do a Covid lateral flow test before attending. That was it – I lost my lateral flow virginity to see these boys from Kentucky! Having successfully reported a negative test and received my email and text confirmation of this, I spent the rest of Thursday morning twitching my nose like Samantha from Bewitched! A minor inconvenience to get some safety reassurance about being in a crowd, don’t you think?
Another new skill had to be swiftly mastered upon arrival at Barrowlands – juggling! As the doors opened there was a whole new routine required – mask on, track and trace done via the QR code on the walls and the green tick confirmation kept visible on your phone (contingency bit of paper with contact details was in my jeans pocket just in case of QR code issues), ticket in hand plus bag open for the obligatory bag check. You need about three pairs of hands (and your reading glasses if you’re anything like me as I squinted trying to register the track and trace info LOL) to get in the door! I smiled as I realised it was the audience who were being scanned rather than the tickets – temperature check!
Masks need to be worn indoors at events in Scotland by law in certain situations, so the mask had to remain in place as we climbed the stairs and headed to the merch stall. Cue another first world post-pandemic issue – making yourself heard and understood by the merch guy behind the counter while wearing said mask. Mission accomplished though – two t-shirts and a BSC deck of cards duly purchased and stowed away inside Cherry.
The came the big dilemma for me for the evening – mask on or off while the band is on stage? Law says you don’t need to wear it while dancing in a nightclub or venue but does standing watching and intermittently dancing and headbanging count? Decisions …decisions…
As I stood in the audience waiting for the support band to come onstage, I glanced round the growing crowd. It was probably 50/50 for masks being on before the Kris Barras band took to the stage. By three songs in, with the heat rising, I was struggling to breathe. Mask was duly removed for the remainder of the evening. I tried…
Several hours later, as the houselights came up, it was probably 90/10 for no masks. Trying to keep a mask on at a gig was a feat too far for me, I’m afraid.
The show itself was awesome. You can read my review of it on my sister blog- Black Stone Cherry at Barrowlands Ballroom, Glasgow 17 September 2021 | the525toglasgow (wordpress.com)
There’s also a new post-gig routine to be learned. Happy to report the post-gig Covid lateral flow test was also negative.
If stuffing a cotton bud up your nose and swirling it round in a plastic test tube before dropping X drops of the snottery liquid onto the test sample slide is all that’s needed to ensure gigs are a thing again then I’m all for it.
Cherry is delighted to be free once more too!
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged #cherry #kiplingbag, #concert, #CoralMcCallum, #gig, #Kiplingmonkey, #rockconcert
There’s a certain stillness to the evenings now that summer is ebbing away. The air is cooler. The beach is quieter.
I use my daily meandering as time to think, time to reflect, time to daydream. It’s my “me time”.
Occasionally I’ll set myself a photo challenge as I’m wandering along, partly to give myself something to “focus” on.
Recently the challenge was “berries”
How many sleeps til summer returns?…….
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged #Autumn, #autumnberries, #CoralMcCallum, #photoblog, #photochallenge, #photography
Jake watched her from the distant vantage point of the boardwalk. He had headed for the beach after the end of his shift at the pizza parlour. It had been a rough day and he had decided to walk off his black mood before heading to meet the guys. The last thing they needed was him turning up in a foul mood, stinking of tomato sauce and cheese. He had walked to the south end of the promenade and had just turned back when he saw the girl walking down on the sand. It was the sun catching the golden highlights in her hair that had attracted his attention. He never noticed her crutches at first. Watching from a distance, he had kept pace with her, then stopped to watch as she turned towards the boardwalk. When he saw her stumble, he regretted not following his instincts and going down to walk on the sand with her.
“Shit,” he muttered. “Shit.”
There were no breaks in the fence nearby, so he jumped over the wooden palings into the dune grass and ran towards her, sand immediately filling his shoes. By the time he was close enough to call out to her, she was sitting up and looked to be unhurt. He almost turned away but decided against it and continued to walk down the beach.
“Hi,” he called out. “Are you ok?”
If you want to read more then check out the Silver Lake series today
Amazon.com links –
Stronger Within – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VXDSC1M
Impossible Depths – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C0GS30K
Bonded Souls – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XSQHG71
Shattered Hearts – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZY8ZSDM
Long Shadows – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RR1FGLG
Amazon.co.uk links –
Stronger Within – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00VXDSC1M
Impossible Depths – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01C0GS30K
Bonded Souls – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XSQHG71
Shattered Hearts – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07ZY8ZSDM
Long Shadows – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08RR1FGLG
With the sun beating down on her, she knew in her heart that she had made the right decision to come to the beach. Thoughts of walking along the sand, of playing in the waves, of watching the seabirds dance in the shallows and the sights and sounds and aromas of the boardwalk had been beacons of hope during her darkest of days.
Now, as the sun rose on a beautifully clear June morning, the boardwalk ran behind her, the ocean sparkled and shimmered before her, and miles and miles of soft sand stretched into the distance on either side of her. It was still early, barely breakfast time, but around her the world was slowly coming to life. There were a few fishermen scattered along the shoreline, their rods dug deep into the sand. A few photographers were at work, capturing the beauty of the new day to share on social media. Those sunrise livestreams had brightened many a dark day.
Everything around her was just as she had hoped it would be and more.
As she gazed down the beach, she watched an early morning fitness junkie approach, pounding out the miles on the hard packed sand.
She felt as though she had stepped into the pages of one of her own novels; she felt as though she’d come home.
A relaxed smile playing on her lips, she began to meander down the beach, allowing her daydreams to play out as reality around her. Dreams do come true……
credits to the owner of the sunrise photo – Kevin Lynam Photography (photo is tagged)
You can find more of Kevin’s work on his website https://www.kevinlynamphotography.com
Want to spend Labor Day at a Silver Lake BBQ for free…
Less than an hour later, the burgers were sizzling on the grill, Maddy and Lori were bringing salads and relishes out from the kitchen, Becky was contentedly watching TV and the four band members were all catching up with each other, as they sprawled across the sun deck. Rich had taken charge of the BBQ, ordering Jake to stay clear of the smoke. Happy to relinquish the cooking duties, Jake had gone back to the sun lounger without a word of complaint. Once all the food was out, Lori came and sat beside him. He draped a protective arm around her shoulders, kissed the top of her head and whispered, “Love you, li’l lady.”
“Love you too, rock star,” she purred, resting her head against his bare chest.
Within a few minutes, Rich was dishing up burgers and they were all scrabbling round the table for rolls, salad and relish. No one was standing on ceremony and the relaxed atmosphere gave it the feel of a family meal.
Stronger Within, book one in the Silver Lake series is free to download today. Check it out using the links below:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VXDSC1M
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00VXDSC1M
Happy reading 🙂
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged #bookstagram, #CoralMcCallum, #ebook, #freebie, #freeebook, #Kindle, #LaborDay, #SilverLakeseries, #StrongerWithin
Somehow, we’ve reached the end of August – no idea how we got here! My head’s still back in June somewhere! – and the last rays of summer are sinking on the horizon earlier and earlier each evening.
I’ve come to wonder of late if I’m really solar powered at heart. Every opportunity I’ve had all summer, I’ve been outdoors either meandering or simply sitting in the sun lost in a book.
Now though, as the evenings are growing cooler and darker, it’s time to move back indoors and turn my creative attention back to Book Baby7.
Don’t panic- it’s not been entirely neglected over the summer months. I have made progress both with writing the first draft and typing it up, but the pace has been leisurely. Maybe it’s been a summer case of writer’s block rather than sun block, but I’m not convinced. Personally, I think I just needed a break to recharge these (solar powered) batteries.
Like many people, the day job still involves working from home. My home working space during the day is in the living room and when I finish up each day, the work stuff gets cleared away and my creative space is restored for the evening… unless the sun’s shining and its warm and I’ve been lured outside once more to sit on my nice new bench with my kindle until the sun sinks below the rooftops. I do think that part of the issue is that I am thoroughly sick of the sight of my living room!
Now though, its time to refocus and show Book Baby 7 some love and give it the attention that its craving.
So, for those among you who are impatiently waiting for it, where am I with it?
Good question!
I’ve roughly 30% of the first draft handwritten.
I’ve about 25% of the first draft typed. (I’ve paused typing to focus on adding to the handwritten word count).
I have the storyline pretty much worked out in my head.
It has a title but no, I’m not sharing that with you just yet.
I have a release date in mind too but that one needs to remain under wraps for now.
It’s still entirely naked as I’ve not yet given much thought to the cover.
So, all I would ask for now, is that you bear with me and trust that it’s coming in 2022 at some point (hopefully!).
And, if you’re patient, I promise to share a little excerpt soon.
When I posted the most recent part of my Silently Watching story, WordPress sent me a notification.
It was my 500th blog post!
WOW! How did that happen?
It feels like a lifetime ago when I sat down and wrote then posted my first blog back at the end of 2013. Missed it – here’s the link December | 2013 | Coral McCallum (wordpress.com)
My New Year’s Resolution for 2014 was to post at least once a week to my new blog page and I’ve somehow managed to stick to it for over seven years.
The creative journey has wound its way steadily through the pages and although it took me until 15 April 2015 to finally publish my debut novel, Stronger Within, I am now six books in and working on the seventh. Stronger Within’s “birth” will always hold a special place in my heart. Stronger Within —-the dream’s come true! | Coral McCallum (wordpress.com)
My confidence has grown since those early blog posts (although I still get anxious about posting some articles) and over the years I have self-disclosed on a few topics. I’ve shared my innermost thoughts with you. I’ve shared poetry and fiction. I’ve introduced you to several fellow indie authors. I’ve tested the creative waters and introduced you to my characters to gauge the reaction. I’ve shared some hopefully interesting facts. I’ve shared my photography with you too.
And you know what? I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.
Writing for me, weaving that story, is my escape from this crazy real world we all live in. It’s become like oxygen to me, and I need to write to keep going.
So that said, I’ve a book to write and hopefully many more blog posts to share with you.
None of this would be possible without you though.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting the first 500 blogs!
Love n hugs
Coral xx
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged #500blogposts, #blogging, #blogiversary, #IndieAuthor, #MondayBlogs, #personalachievement
Gale force winds and rain lashed the beach hut, the waves from the high tide reaching the outside edge of the high courtyard wall. Thick dark storm clouds blanketed the area and had done for three days.
They had been three long tense days as the occupants of the beach hut had watched and waited, taking it in turns to sit with the dark angel day and night. Those seemingly endless hours keeping their vigil had given then time to talk and time to formulate a plan.
During the first long night, Meryn had sat with her son watching him almost as closely as she watched the angel. Gradually, she began to tell him about her past, told tales of her youth spent in both Spain and in a small village at the southern most tip of England. He listened closely as she told him about her parents, both true blooded vampires. With tears in her eyes, Meryn spoke about her Spanish mother, her adoration for her evident from the emotion catching in her voice. Her father had been Italian, from one of the oldest vampire families and been one of the founding members of the Court of the Elders. When she spoke of her late husband, her tears flowed freely. He had been her true soulmate and, despite her family’s misgivings, had happily sacrificed her wings to enjoy a “mortal” marriage. Reaching out to touch her son’s knee, she said, “You are my greatest love. You always will be. Despite what this creature has done to you, I am so proud of the man you are. Never forget that.”
The next night, she sat with Trine. For hours they sat in silence before the younger woman began to reveal the depth of her feelings for the runner, voiced her fears for their future and, after some gentle motherly encouragement, spoke of her hopes for that future too. Recognising the signs from the younger woman’s words and from the look in her eyes, Meryn saw that she’d found her soulmate in Jem.
Huddled together in the living room, listening to the raging storm on the third night, they all sat in silence.
“Time to bathe that wound,” Meryn announced shortly before midnight. “I want to try something different. Let’s heat the solution and see if that helps to drive out the last of the poison. Make it hot.”
Without argument, Trine poured some of the infusion into a pot and set it on the stove. The initial hot poultice had drawn most of the poison from the wound; the twice daily washes of the alcohol-based infusion seemed to be drawing even more from it, but the swabs had not come away clean yet.
When the liquid began to bubble, Trine lifted the small pot from the burner and carried it through to the runner’s bedroom. Meryn had already removed the soiled dressings from the dark angel’s back and was gently running her fingers over the open wound, muttering under her breath. Taking care not to burn herself or to touch the liquid, Meryn took the pot from Trine and soaked two square cotton swabs. She applied them to the wound, added a dry dressing on top then pressed down hard.
“Her eyelids flickered,” whispered Trine.
“I’m surprised she didn’t scream,” commented Meryn. “We’ll repeat this in an hour. I added an incantation to draw strength from the storm to add to the cleansing forces at play here. If we need to, we’ll repeat it a third and final time an hour after that.”
An hour later, as Meryn pressed down on the wound again, the dark angel’s eyelids flickered again. The fingers of her right hand clawed at the bedcovers.
“A promising sign,” said Meryn calmly.
Another hour later, Meryn showed Trine how to apply the hot infusion, taught her the healing incantation and where to press down on the wound. As the ice maiden applied the force as directed, the dark angel let out a hoarse cry of pain. Looking down on her, Trine saw that her eyes were open and filled with agony and hatred with a hint of fear there too.
“Welcome back, Anna,” said Meryn coldly as she moved into the dark angel’s line of vision.
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