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WRITING 101 ~ 2nd October 2015 ~ THE FUTURE

4/10/2015

Image from the Net

Writing 101 ~ Day 20 Assignment: The Future

THE FUTURE
by John Yeo

The Writing 101 challenge has run its course,
I started the journey and persevered.
Following the prompts with interest.
Creating and learning, to reinforce
My blogging skills and improve my writing.
Each section a challenge in itself.

Twenty posts, each one unique,
A different aspect to the Blogging process.
Yes I did enjoy the journey.
I will come away with a method of working.
My thanks to the designers who set the prompts
To stretch my skill and my imagination.

I have enjoyed reading people's work
There are some very talented writers out there
I liked the comments and feedback.
Some I enjoyed reading with gratitude
Enough to respond with admiration.
I have made a few friendships on the way.

Some I am sure will persevere strongly
Communicating and collaborating
Likeminded people who scribble each day
Blogging their thoughts to the world.
Valuing the feedback and inspiration
Becoming skilful writers along the way.

The here and now has sown the seeds
That will grow and flourish in the future.
For the many people around the world
Who struggle to find the words to inspire
The many children who need just a spark
To set their imagination on fire.

Yes I did enjoy completing the journey,
Meeting and responding and taking part.
Writing 101 has opened the doors
To the imagination of would be writers.
People who struggle with determination.
Sharing their thought around the world.

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

WRITING 101 ~ 1ST OCTOBER 2015 ~COLLABORATION

3/10/2015

750 WORDS ~ 1ST OCTOBER 2015 ~ WRITING 101 ~

WRITING 101 Day 19: Feature a guest

As mentioned on Day 11, today is the day to publish your collaboration post! Ideally, you reached out to a candidate and gathered what you needed. Today, publish this post, and don’t forget to link back to your collaborator’s site.

COLLABORATION
between
KATHIE GREGORY ~ http://ataleoftwohorses.com/about/

and
JOHN YEO ~ https://johnly1607may05.wordpress.com/about/

Image © Copyright ~ John and Margaret

COMING HOME

by KATHIE GREGORY and JOHN YEO

  He wakes. It's another beautiful day, judging by the sun streaming through the window. The world is waiting for him, and he is ready to take it on. Live life to the full and seize every opportunity. That's his motto, and one he intends to fulfil. Today will bring change, a new path to walk. He can feel it. Getting out of bed, he dresses and wanders into the kitchen for breakfast.

  Walking into the building, he can barely contain his excitement. This is the life he was meant for, his purpose. But he's not there yet. He has to convince them that he is the one for the job. He has the strength, courage and determination to reach this almost unattainable goal. Will they agree? He will convince them. He has time to prove himself, as long as they give him a chance. This is why he sits here today, in front of them, for this chance to make something of himself. His whole life is in front of him, and he is ready to take it on. As he exits the room, he breathes a sigh of relief, closely followed by the biggest grin he has ever given. The receptionist smiles back at him. What a handsome young man, she thinks to herself. I wonder what he will make of his life.

I am sure I made the right impression and said the right things. If I had wings I would fly, that receptionist is very pretty, I am sure I made a good impression there. I know I am the person who will turn this business round, I wonder will they accept my new ideas? I have a unique way of looking at a problem or a situation from all angles and I am not going to allow myself to be defeated, as an ex-soldier that is alien to my thinking. When I have made the improvements I have in mind, this organisation will expand out of this sector to rule the electronics industry. I could be a wealthy man in a few years time.

  I think coffee is called for now. Is that Willie Harris over there? I will avoid him and not make any eye-contact, I hope he never saw me sitting in the corner here! Wow! What am I going to do with all the money I will be making? I have always dreamed of travelling the world, perhaps on a cruise ship. No! I think I would like to just see the other side of life, new horizons, new cultures to enjoy and experience in a new way.

I think I will have to have the courage to come to grips with the situation at home, I am sad to say that the mess we are in was due to my military travelling, and I am sure I came across as a different person when I returned. Never mind when I break the news of my new employment dimension, and the new standard of living we will enjoy, all should be well.

   'I'm home', I shout. Alice rushes up to me. 'You've been gone so long Daddy', she says. 'You're right sweetheart, but what does Daddy always say?' 'That you'll always come back', Alice replies. 'I'm glad you're home, how was your day?' says my wife Kim, looking a little apprehensive. Try as I might, I can't keep the smile off my face, or the news to myself a moment longer. 'They went for it', I say, whooping for joy, as I pick Alice up and twirl her around. She giggles. 'You got the job', Kim exclaims. 'Yes, they loved my ideas', I reply, putting Alice down and embracing my wife. 'I start next week.'

   Finally, we can put the past behind us, forget the difficult times we've been through and look forward to a happy, secure future. Kim has gone through a lot. God knows, it's not been easy for me, either. The conflict between my wife and the demands of the job. Plans changing at the last minute as an urgent mission gets under-way. The danger. The excitement. I love this life, it's more than a job, but I can't do it forever. I'm not getting any younger, and it's taken it's toll on our marriage. Life outside the Army will be different. Is different. Already I'm not so tightly wound, ready to respond. Life has a new rhythm, one I'm starting to enjoy.

My mind is racing with plans and ideas. Getting this company out of trouble and turning it into the most successful electronic company the world has ever seen is going to be such a challenge. But, they were all behind me, on board. The receptionist, Emma, I think, said it was time for change, new ideas, a different perspective. I think I'm going to like it there.

    'Shall we take this one out to celebrate?' I ask, looking fondly at my daughter. 'Yes', says Kim, 'Alice, do you want to go out for pizza, we're celebrating Daddy's new job.' 'Yesss please' shouts Alice joyously. The sensations of pure joyful love for my family flood throughout my being. Kim and little Alice are so very happy at my successful new job appointment, all the family strains of the past have vanished.

   'This Pizza house is just a short walk from my new office. I suspect I will be too busy to even think of coming here again.'
Kim shakes her head as I say this, I am sure she is about to make a wise retort. I quickly change the swing of the conversation. 'What are you having Alice? You really can have what you like now. Order something special.'
   'Ooh, Daddy can I have Pepperoni with extra cheese and mushrooms, please?' I give Alice a huge hug after our meal.

   Kim laughingly asks, 'Won't you miss your friends and the excitement of being involved in the military now you will be confined to a desk job in an office?' I hesitate before I respond as the blank black cloud that is obscuring the last days before I arrived home, descends again.
     'Kim darling, I can never remember feeling so relaxed and happily contented since the early days of our marriage. I feel as if a cloud has been lifted from my consciousness and all the stresses and strains of my past adrenalin filled existence have been relegated to obscurity. I am sure the challenge of my new job will fill the gaps.'
     Kim nods and replies, 'I will always be with you in all you do and your presence will be a continual strength to Alice and me always.'

'I am ready to face the new depth in the dimension of another challenge, Kim. Nothing can stand in the way now.' The sunlight has faded, the room is bathed in shadows and silence.

Copyright © Written by Kathy Gregory and John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

Image © Copyright ~ John and Margaret

WRITING 101 ~ 30TH SEPTEMBER 2015 ~ A MAP AS YOUR MUSE

2/10/2015

Day 18 Assignment: A Map As Your Muse

Today, let a map be your muse. Select an area anywhere in the world on Google Maps (or your preferred online map tool), or a section on a paper map, and use this as inspiration for your post. Some ideas:

Image from Google Maps

DREAMTIME MAP

by John Yeo

My dream trip someday is to enjoy a return visit our daughter and her family who have lived in Eastern Australia for a number of years. Whenever we see the map of this wonderful land, the points of interest jump straight off the map into the minds eye, allowing the muse to wander.
We have visited Sydney and explored the city. We have enjoyed the Art gallery and museum, the famous Chinese garden and Paddies Market. I am a great bird and wildlife fan and a trip to a Koala wildlife centre was a very memorable experience. We fell in love with Darling Harbour and Sydney Harbour with the famous bridge and the iconic Opera House.
We have visited Brisbane city and taken a boat ride on the Brisbane river and we have strolled through the Botanical gardens, then crossed the river and taken a swim in the outdoor natural pools under the Brisbane wheel.
We have also paddled in the high rolling surf on the beautiful Sunshine Coast.

We have never visited Western Australia. Perth would be a good start, this is the capital of Western Australia and it would be interesting to just soak up the history here.

Alice Springs in Central Australia another famous destination would be a fascinating experience, reputedly the gateway to the desert and a centre for aboriginal culture, the legends surrounding Alice Springs are definitely worth exploring.

Then of course the famous Ayers Rock, or Uluru as it is now known, the sacred site revered by generations of Aboriginal people. A huge impressive landmark that must be extraordinarily interesting to see.

A magnetic destination for us would be the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland and to perhaps view the colourful marine life existing and thriving around these beautiful living coral islands.

Finally another new undiscovered destination down-under for us would be Melbourne in the South of the continent, in the state of Victoria. A thriving dynamic city that is a reflection of the new Australia, yet combining the new with the historic to present an interesting multicultural society.

The dreams although firmly in the regions of the muse at present.
Who knows?

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

I thoroughly enjoyed putting the above Australia post together as it brought back so many memories of our previous visits to this wonderful land. I am in awe of the diversity and curiosity of the marsupials and the incredible colourful and beautiful variety of birdlife. I can hardly wait to make a return visit.

WRITING 101 ~ 29th SEPTEMBER 2015 ~DAY SevenTEEN~Mine your own Material

1/10/2015

Image fro Ermilia's Blog

WRITING 101
Day 17 Assignment: Mine Your Own Material

Imagine a shopper searching for vintage items at a flea market, or an artist using recycled materials to build a sculpture. Can you dig through your online treasures and build upon old stories and existing writing? Here are more ideas:

Take a peek in the drafts section of your dashboard. Can you use unpublished copy in a new way?

~~~~~~~

I found this piece of work in my drafts section dated 02/02 /2015, I had written in response to a homework assignment for a creative writers group Margaret and I attended for a while. I am sure a version of it was presented and read to the group. I am surprised to find this draft copy still swirling around.

"Imagine Part Of Your Body Has A Voice

1) Decide on a particular part of your body and imagine it has a voice - what do you think it would have to say for itself - humorous or sensible - your foot, your mouth, your ear, your head, etc.

Your piece of writing might include detailed description, facts, names and technical details. Or just Imagine it can tell us about itself and what it feels like to be it. "

HEADLINES

by John Yeo

The nose addressed the eyes,
I will balance the glasses
You read the words.
I will sniff out the story,
Pass the result on to the brain.
The brain will interpret
The meaning of the words.

The magic of the poetry
Will be expressed by the mouth.
The ears will balance the glasses
Listen carefully to the response,
And adjust the result accordingly.

The eyes looked down on the nose
We have no need of your sniffing
We are reputedly
The windows of the soul.
The light of truth
Shining directly to the brain
A shining light reflecting
The light of creativity.

Then in unison the ears chorused
Without your glasses you are blind
We can hear the music of the words.
The mouth joined in the conversation
A very wise mouth indeed!
You must leave room for interpretation,
Each mind is unique!

Together we make up the individual
Striving for unique expression,
Guidance is just another opinion
Generated with respect.

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

I have to admit that very little revision or updating was required and I submit the draft copy as the completed work.

WRITING 101 ~ 28 SEPTEMBER 2015 ~DAY SIXTEEN~STATS

30/9/2015

WRITING 101 ~ DAY 16: SEARCH YOUR STATS FOR A POST IDEA

If you don’t glean anything from your stats page, consider one of these prompts instead:

(1) If you were forced to make your blog private, would that affect your writing?

(2) Overnight, you discover you’ve gained 50,000 blog subscribers. What would you write for your next post?

(3) One day, you notice a strange stat. Write a short piece of fiction or poem that describes what you see, and/or what happens.

I clicked on the stats button and I was amazed at the incredible way the information and figures are broken down and displayed and I can see some fruitful future posts emanating from these figures.
As the writer and the author of the posts that are broken down in this
very thorough way, I have to thank you for the information that I am obviously too busy writing to amass myself, and with little time to take them in.
This site has not been operating long enough to generate the sort of statistics that are required to fully respond to the first part of your assignment so I will attempt to make a response to one of the three suggested alternatives.

I will plump for No.3

I have just got into the habit of checking the stats page of my WordPress blog. Today I discovered when I clicked on "Countries," that I have been honoured to have had one viewer from Macedonia.

I address this to you ...

Macedonian Flag ~ Image from the net

MACEDONIAN MAGIC

My friend, I would like to thank you
For visiting my blog this year.
I would love to visit your beautiful land
To travel to Skopje, try to understand.

I have Macedonian friends who share
Photographs on Social media here,
Sharing your magic over the Internet,
Beautiful scenery, mountains and lakes.

My friend I would enjoy the mystery
The ancient Ottoman influences
Try to unravel the proud history
Explore Skopje's famous bazaar.

Thanks once again for tasting my blog
My friend I have no idea who you are
I will study the stats and nod my head.
You are welcome to return again.

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

WRITING 101 ~DAY 15 ~ 25th SEPTEMBER 2015

28/9/2015

Day 15 Assignment: Take a Cue From Your Readers

“Without music, life would be a mistake.”

— Friedrich Nietzsche

Tell us about a time when a piece of music moved you.
Do you have an all-time favourite song? Why is it significant?
Compile a playlist of 10 tracks that represent you.

MUSICAL DRIFT
by John Yeo

"Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast.”
William Congreve.

"If music be the food of love, play on."
William Shakespeare .

Image from the Net

(1) THE LARK ASCENDING

The piece of music that still gives rise to goosebumps whenever I hear it is the wonderful sound of, "The Lark Ascending," a violin solo, composed by Ralph Vaughan-Williams. It was played at the time of death of someone who was very close to me.

It was a very sad time for me, when I first heard this beautiful sound that resonated through my mind and reached deeply into my being. I sat listening entranced, as the violin brought pictures with a flood of memories to my consciousness.

The music was inspired by a poem of the same name by the English poet George Meredith and is based on a skylark's song, as the little bird flies higher and higher, the violin plays softer and softer until the sound eventually fades away.

I think of the way a life starts out very strong and then as death approaches the soul rises higher and higher into the heavens and finally disappears into the immensity of timeless space above.

That magical sound moved me tremendously, and I am sure it will every single time I hear it played, bringing back the magic of a little bird ascending on a Summers morning over a cornfield.

Image from the Net

(2) ~ My all-time favourite song could be one of many, I would have difficulty choosing a single song, but a near close favourite would be, "My Way," sung and interpreted brilliantly by Frank Sinatra. I will plump for that as an all-time favourite for the benefit of this blog post.

Why is it significant for me? I love the words, they always seem to inspire me to raise my aspirations as high as I possibly can, to achieve what I would like to achieve using my own initiative.

There is a huge mass of so-called feedback out there that I can totally ignore and carry on mundane-like in, "My Way".

(3) ~ OK NOW FOR TEN TRACKS THAT REPRESENT ME!

In no particular order ~~~

The Lark Ascending, - Violin and Orchestra.
Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No2, Second movement -
Casa Diva - Sung by Maria Callas -
Time to Say Goodbye - Sung by Andrea Bocelli and Sara Brightman.
My Way - Sung by Frank Sinatra
Que Sera Sera Sera - Sung by Doris Day
Bridge Over Troubled Water - Sung by Simon and Garfunkel
Desiderata by Les Crane
The Protecting Veil by John Tavener
Gregorio Allegri: Miserere

This selection is the first ten tracks of many that come to mind, I would not say they represent me in any concrete fashion. They all mean something to me and they individually, bring a significant memory to mind.

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

WRITING 101 ~ DAY 14 ~ 24th SEPTEMBER 2015

26/9/2015

Image © Copyright John and Margaret

Day 14 Recreate a single day

You might sense by now that setting limits on your writing can be both liberating and productive. You’ve already experimented with word count and timed free-writes in previous assignments, so today let’s try something new: write a post that takes place during one single day.

It might seem hard, at first, to tell a compelling story with such a limited temporal horizon: you have no recourse to flashbacks, backstory, or foreshadowing (unless it’s in reference to something about to take place that same day). But the narrow confines of one single day will encourage you to zoom in on the telling detail, the meaningful exchange, and the tight, cascading succession of actions that each depends on the one that precedes it.

A DAY OF HARD RECREATION
by John Yeo

Morning arrives slowly, as I lie in a half awake reverie. A sort of interlude while I am lying, mulling over the events of yesterday and more importantly focusing on what Margaret and I are going to do today.
I check the time, it is around 4am. 'Better get up I think.'

I shower, shave and switch my computer on. This takes a short while to warm up and I clamber into my clothes and take my seat to virtually travel the world. I check my e-mails first, then my comment flow from WordPress where I spend some time responding to those who have taken the time to read my work and comment. Next I visit Facebook and Twitter and look in on my family and friends pages and I tick the like button many times on their various posts. I spend some time reading the posts of my fellow writers who have tagged me with their work, I check out my writing from the previous day, and post the results on the net.

I glance at the clock and I notice it is now 7am and I have been awake for 3 hours already. I make a morning cup of tea for Margaret and leave the house and drive to the local garage where I buy a newspaper.
I then head off to the allotment where I spend time growing vegetables and soft fruit, I have a mental list of what needs doing and I spend a couple of glorious hours gardening. My mind, as always, is mulling over my writing projects while I work. I happily soak up the sounds and sights of the birds and wildlife, and of course the occasional fellow enthusiast arrives to feed their chickens or to water the greenhouse. This morning my friend Darren, arrives early to see to his chickens, and takes the time to congratulate me on my prolific soft fruit bushes.
"I never seem to get that many on mine," he remarks.
I promise to give him a couple of cuttings next year, he is happy about that as he leaves to go to work.

9.30am and I have done a couple of hours work, so I decide to head home for breakfast. I load the car with harvested fruit and vegetables before I leave.
After a leisurely breakfast Margaret and I head off on a 6 mile journey, to a nearby town to shop for groceries. The traffic is quite light as the infamous school run is over at this time.

I glance at the dashboard and notice the time is now 11.25am.
We wander around our favourite store stocking up with groceries, when there is a sudden. "Hi! You two,"
"Hello how are you? Haven't seen you for ages!"
"I'm fine, my Mum is with me too!"
The four of us are excitedly chatting and blocking the aisle and eventually Margaret and I continue our shopping.
"That was pleasant," I remark to Margaret.
"Yes, doesn't she look well, and her Mum, looking that good at 90years old!"

We arrive home at about 3pm, after visiting another store.
We enjoy a lunch together and relax and unwind.
"Margaret, I will plant that tray of plants we have just bought and stain our garden furniture this afternoon. That second store we visited is a very useful place to shop."
"I will deal with the shopping and then prepare a special meal for tonight,"
Margaret replies.
"Then I will get on with some writing."

7.00pm and my mind is now totally absorbed in another world on another plane of being as I play with ideas, fashion words into a logical sequence to attract and hold a readers interest.
Margaret is creating a meal and we will soon eat together. I interrupt her,
"Margaret can you spare a moment please."
"Yes!" she replies, and I begin to read my latest piece of writing to her for her approval.
Just one or two minor suggestions and adjustments and I finish the work.

It is now 7.30pm and we are enjoying a really nice meal together in front of the television. There is a cookery contest programme in full swing. I laugh and remark to Margaret,
"You would leave those contestants standing if you entered that competition! This food is absolutely brilliant, tasty, well prepared and well presented."
" Don't be silly you are biased!" Is her modest reply.

We watch television until around 9pm, when tiredness creeps up on me and I leave Margaret watching television and retire to bed.

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

WRITING 101 ~ 23RD SEPTEMBER 2015 ~DAY THIRTEEN ~VIGNETTES

25/9/2015

Day 13: Compose a series of vignettes

Today, tell a story through a series of vignettes (short, episodic scenes or anecdotes) that together read as variations on the same theme. They can each be as short or long as you see fit — they don’t have to be the same length — but they need a common feature to tie them together, whether it’s a repeated phrase, a similar setting, or the appearance of the same perso

Image © John and Margaret

A HEALING MIRACLE
by John Yeo

The Doctor was puzzled at the symptoms, Mary was covered in an itchy rash that she scratched and scratched, sometimes she even drew blood.
He wrote a prescription for creams and pills and sent her on her way.

The itching continued to be troublesome to Mary, in spite of the pills and cream. Doctor Jason became alarmed as there was no sign of any improvement.
“I saw you a whole month ago, have you followed my instructions, taken the tablets and applied the cream?”
“Yes,” Mary replied.
“You have been fiercely scratching and there are some deep marks, and there has been no improvement! Perhaps I will change the tablets, add a lotion and send you to hospital for a blood test.”

Mary was itching for another two weeks, then she saw the Doctor again.
“Oh dear!” The Doctor exclaimed. ” Ah yes, I see you have had your blood test, which seems to be normal, with very good results. I wonder if you have any known allergies? “
“ No Doctor, not that I know of. My Mum thought it may be something like that, but no-one in our family has any allergies. My cousin, Little Joe has Asthma, but he doesn’t get spots.”
“Hmm!” Pondered Doctor Jason. “I think we will send you off to hospital to see a Consultant. Meanwhile I will not change the cream as you appear to be better in some places, and worse in others. I can see where you have been scratching and I will increase the ointment and change the lotion.”
“Doctor, my Auntie says the special herbal creams are best, and the natural remedies always work!”
“Oh!” “Exclaimed the Doctor! “Yes, sometimes they can have certain effects. Bring any creams that Auntie has recommended or used on you and bring your Mother with you tomorrow please! I will get the creams analysed.””
“Even the special homemade body cream Doctor?”
“Especially the body cream!”
“Yes, Doctor, Goodbye!”
“Goodbye Mary, I will see you tomorrow.”

Mary and her Mother were early for the appointment the next day but the Doctor saw them immediately.
“Have you brought the creams with you?” The Doctor asked straight away.
“Yes,”! Here they are.” Said Mary’s Mum.
“Good! Tell me Mrs Manners, do you have any spots?”
“No, I am fine Doctor.”
“Hmm! I would like you both to stop using this body cream at once, and I would like you both to see a consultant at the hospital together. I have managed to get an appointment for 9am on Monday, and I want to see Mary again on Tuesday.”

The next Tuesday Mary was considerably better when she saw the Doctor.
“Doctor,” Mary said. “My Mum thinks your cream has worked a miracle, and my spots are nearly all gone!”
“That’s fine Mary! Please ask your Mother to come to see me tomorrow , and keep applying my cream.”
“Yes, Doctor!”

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

WRITING 101 ~ DAY TWELVE ~ 22ND SEPTEMBER 2015 ~ WORD COUNT

24/9/2015

Writing 101
Experimenting with word count?

In today’s post, pay attention to the total length of your post: if you usually write posts under 500 words, aim for longer. If you tend to write a lot, be succinct.

Image from the net

Today I aimed for a post exactly 750 Words long, not including the title and credits

AFTER SHOCK
by John Yeo

The waves of nausea were flooding through every pore of his skin. Every pain-filled nerve was screaming with shock as he came round. Uppermost in his memory was the horror of the approaching car on the wrong side of the road.

A deafening explosion of sound resounded as the two vehicles collided, then nothing, until now, as he became aware of this excruciating pain.
Yet he knew there had been something, as the aftershock cut into his consciousness, he had been aware of a presence, somehow not a physical entity in the accepted or known sense. Just a calm reassuring presence that seemed to envelop his whole being from every point of his awareness.

He wanted to scream out loud but his voice failed him as the only sound was a silent scream of intense magnitude. A scream of helpless terror inaudible to all but the higher sensory perception of animals that hunted for food in the dead of night. He could feel a wet fluid dripping from somewhere on the side of his head, somehow he was aware of his life-blood seeping away Desperately he tried to move as the pain ripped through him at a very intense level, then nothing, as unconsciousness flooded through him again.

The feeling of another presence returned, but this time a female voice
whispered, "lie still."
He tried desperately to voice a response through the waves of pain, overwhelming pain, viscously tearing him apart.
'Am I alive or dead?' He wondered to himself.
"Lie still please, we will take you on a journey!"
Then everything was black again, as he seemed to be transported through several layers of intense blackness that disguised the fact that the intense pain had disappeared, he was now pain-free.

He opened his eyes and blinked as the intense bright lights dazzled him, then he became aware of a strong antiseptic smell and with a deep feeling of fright, unaware of everything. Then there was a warm friendly voice calling. "Hallo! You have come back welcome to the world again!"
"Hallo," he murmured as an intense tiredness overcame him once again.
Waves of sleep overcame him and the very deep blackness seemed to enclose him like a velvet glove. Next he felt a jolt of pain as he was wrenched into consciousness, he became aware of the bright lights and many voices with machines bleeping and uniformed hospital personnel surrounding his bed.
The variety of sensations that he experienced were frightening to his inner feelings as he felt tubes and drips in many places on his body. The bleeping of the life preserving machines, with the sound of telephones ringing in the background were beyond his experience.

"Hallo! What is your name? Where are you from? How do you feel? What do you remember? "
The questions came thick and fast, and however much he tried to answer just a mirror reply to the greeting came to the surface.
"Hello!" He mimicked the tone and timbre of the voice, that greeted him.
He heard the words without any understanding as an authoritative voice, interjected softly with the words, "brain damage."

He kept slipping in and out of consciousness over the next twenty-four hours as he was subjected to a battery of tests, X-rays, blood tests and finally a brain scan.

This brain scan revealed extensive damage to the right hemisphere of his brain. Although he struggled hard he had no recollection whatsoever of who he was prior to the accident or any recognition of his friends or family who he rejected on sight. A very famous neurologist was handling his case aided by a highly respected psychologist.
It was not long before the stunned medical team drew some astonishing conclusions, although he was still physically very weak, his brain power became incredibly strong and he was soon operating at a very high intellectual level. The damaged area of his brain was actually restoring itself and the results were soon apparent in his far superior brain functions.

Some time later he was judged fit and competent to take care of himself and he was discharged into the community, with the given name of Michael Palmer.
Michael after a few months of treatment had become fluent in English and seven languages and revealed himself to be a genius in mathematics and science. The medical establishment were astounded! How had he accumulated such a wealth of knowledge in such a short period of time?

Michael's high intelligence became famous throughout the scientific world.

( POST ~ 750 WORDS)

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

WRITING 101~ DAY ELEVEN ~ 21ST SEPTEMBER 2015 ~ Writing Breaks

23/9/2015

WRITING 101 DAY ELEVEN ~ 21ST SEPTEMBER 2015

As much as we love to write, it’s important to take breaks — to live your life and have new experiences, and to reflect and recharge so you can come back to your desk, ready to hit the keyboard again. Not writing allows you to gain the distance from your words, and thus perspective, which are both needed when it’s time to edit.

"Being active every day makes it easier to hear that inner voice"

— Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

"Write every day, but don’t put your life on hold . . ."

— Vincent Mars, “Writing as a Way of Life“

What do you do when you’re not writing? How do you reset and return to this dashboard, refreshed? What do you need in your day-to-day life to maintain balance: Running? Yoga? Gardening? Painting? Cooking?

Today, publish your post in any form you wish, as long as you focus on one or all of these questions.

You have an additional task for the day. Reach out to someone for an interview or collaboration. This person can be a Blogging 101 participant,
~~~~~~~
THE HAPPY GARDENER
by John Yeo

My third most important passion in life is Gardening. The second of course is Writing, both of these come far behind the first and most important passion, that will always be my wife Margaret.

My day begins very early in the morning usually about 4am with my first session on the computer. I respond to messages and start writing for a couple of hours every day. I have to repeat this is just the first session and I always finish my writing in the evenings.

Then around 7am I usually head off to work growing vegetables on my allotment. I find this is much the best time of day to work it is always very quiet and I can get my work done almost totally undisturbed.
There is always a profusion of bird life keeping me company, from the cockerel that is always loudly crowing to the raucous cries of the rooks and the chattering of magpies.
I always enjoy working on the allotment where I get fresh-air, exercise and the satisfaction of nurturing my plants. Watching them grow from a tiny seed to proudly presenting the fruit and vegetables to Margaret, who then creates some tasty dishes in the kitchen.

Usually several times a week I can be found gardening in our small garden at home mowing the lawn or tending the flowers in the borders. We also grow tomatoes and blueberries in tubs.

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

For the second part of this assignment, I need a volunteer who would be willing to be interviewed or to indulge in some writing collaboration. Please leave a message in the comments section of this post. Thanks. 😋