Is it really June already? Wow! I know I sound like a broken record, but I cannot keep up with the speed at which these months are flying by.
Perhaps I am so totally wrapped up in my family right now that I fail to see life buzzing all around me. I know we need a holiday. So far I have lost out on two planned excursions for reasons beyond my control, but I know there is something big and exciting hurtling towards me. And about time too!
Paranormal Author Catherine Green
And Now We Slip Into Summertime
What have you guys been doing with your year? Working, loving, living? I find myself having all sorts of philosophical discussions with myself; what I think about my life and where it is going. I can’t say that life didn’t turn out how I expected. I never really planned my life too far in advance. I prefer to embrace spontaneity and take each day as it comes. That said, I am beginning to understand the need to plan when you have young children to consider. You can’t just pack up and go with a baby and toddler!
I am really only dropping in to keep my blog active while I work away on my other projects. I have all sorts of writerly things in progress, but because of my domestic responsibilities, I have been somewhat distracted during the past few months. Things will fall into place eventually I know, but for now, what you see is what you get. Have a lovely week my friends!
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
Here is a poem I wrote for my father-in-law, Steven Green, who remains in hospital following a serious cycling accident in March:
#WitchyWednesday Cloudy Sky and a Meadow with a Copse of Trees
Wake up Grandad
Wake up Dad We’ve a game to watch, There’s beer to spare I kid you not!
Wake up Grandad We miss you lots, The family is here And you are not.
Wake up Grandad It’s a beautiful day, The sun is shining What do you say?
Wake up Steven The house seems bare, The cat won’t settle She needs you there.
END
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
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Today is Beltane, the beginning of May and a celebration of the glorious fertility and vitality of Mother Earth.
I have been admiring the beautiful bright pink flowers blooming in my garden, and I would have taken a photograph to share, but in true English fashion today is wet and dark!
Beltane Maypole Spring Celebration (Image credit unknown)
Beltane Celebrations and the #MidLitFest
April was a turbulent month for me in terms of emotional health and wellbeing. My father-in-law remains in hospital recovering from a serious head injury, and we sort of celebrated his 60th birthday at the weekend. This week should have been a family holiday away, but we will get there in the end. Instead I have been supporting my family, keeping life as normal as possible for the children, and sorting myself out.
May promises to be a month of fun and business development for me. We celebrate our very first Middlewich Literary Festival on 23rd and 24th May, and if you are in the local area please come along and see us. I will be there showing off my novels and sharing my knowledge and guidance in the literary world. Our town mayor, Bernice Walmsley, will be there. She is also an author and will be attending both as a town official and a literary professional.
Short story competition
Our local school children have been submitting short stories for competitions which we will enjoy judging soon, and the winning entries will be displayed at the Middlewich Literary Festival. Aside from our resident local authors there will be representatives from local schools, the library and other businesses at the event, and there will be a book stall where you can indulge in some literary retail therapy.
See you at the festival, and have a fabulous month!
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
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We have reached the end. It is the last day of April, and the last day of the #AtoZChallenge 2014. Phew! Today, as promised, I present something that is a little bit fun and frivolous, and something very close to my heart.
I allocate the letter Z to zoo. More specifically, I will refer to Chester Zoo, my favourite local tourist attraction in the North West of England.
Catherine Green wedding at Chester Zoo
#AtoZChallenge: Getting Married at the Zoo
I always enjoy a visit to the zoo. In the past they have been scrutinised for the way they treat their animals, but looking at the positives, they go a long way towards long-term conservation and protection of endangered species. I love seeing the unusual and beautiful animals at Chester Zoo, and I admire the well-kept gardens and open spaces as well. It is a treat to spend the day there, and my husband likes Chester Zoo for its recycling ethic when it comes to the cafes and restaurants on-site.
I got married at the zoo. How cool is that? Yes, when my husband and I decided to set a date, I decided I wanted to get married in an unusual venue. He wasn’t keen on doing a pagan hand fasting ceremony, and to be honest it might have been difficult explaining to my family, so I looked around for some other options. And I found a gorgeous venue at Chester Zoo.
Wonderful wedding day at the zoo
We had a wonderful wedding day at the zoo. In fact, we even became one of the exhibits as we walked around having photographs taken. It was a bizarre and hilarious experience walking around the zoo wearing a big, fancy wedding gown. The other visitors walked past staring at us, smiling and pointing, and we now have a wedding album that includes exotic animals and plants. Fantastic! I look forward to our special anniversary visit in June, and this time we will have our second daughter in tow so it will be an extra special day.
Thank you for stopping by, now why not check out my fellow writers on the #AtoZChallenge? See you tomorrow, oh wait, this is the end of the challenge! Thank you for accompanying me on this journey my friends, and I look forward to seeing you around as we continue our travels in the future.
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
I may have borrowed this phrase from a previous political speech, but let’s not worry about that right now. On this, the penultimate day of the #AtoZChallenge, I allocate the letter Y to yes.
I want to end the challenge on a positive note, with some warm, cheerful, uplifting energy to boost us all on our daily journeys.
Affirmation from Louise Hay for motivation and wellbeing
#AtoZChallenge: Yes You Can!
I admit that I have struggled with this challenge. Yes it was hard to motivate myself to write the daily posts and plan ahead, but yes, I am proud to say I succeeded. The human spirit is a curious thing. We experience so many emotions and feelings every single day, and we carry on, we grow, we develop, we learn as we go along.
I have a lot of personal challenges in my life right now, and yes, they almost defeated me. But I refuse to back down. I have taken time to consider my options, I have considered my position on the situation and how I would like to see it resolved. There is another player in my game, and the ball is in their court, so to speak. I have simply decided not to be weighed down by negative emotion over the whole situation.
I reached the end of the #AtoZChallenge
I reach the end of the #AtoZChallenge and say that yes, I feel a heck of a lot better now than I did at the beginning of April. It has been a long, difficult and exhausting month, but there is an end in sight, even a vague one. Not a lot has changed in real terms. But I have changed my outlook and my response. I decided to be happy and positive, and now I feel better for it. We meet our challenges, we work through them, and we succeed in our tasks. Thank you for travelling with me during this trying time my friends. I love you all.
Thank you for stopping by, now why not check out my fellow writers on the #AtoZChallenge? See you tomorrow!
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
We are reaching the end of our #AtoZChallenge, and what a busy month it has been! I have tried to think of an actual word for the letter X that would be appropriate to my lifestyle theme, but it just was not possible.
Instead I am allocating a word with the X sound in it… today’s word is extra.
Mermaid Oracle card reading by Catherine Green
#AtoZChallenge: A Little eXtra Insight Today
I felt compelled to draw out some oracle cards today so that I could do a reading. It offers a little extra insight into events and situations in my life at the moment. If you find help, guidance or support from the reading then so much the better. Feel free to interpret the reading for your own purposes if it fits. The deck I used is the Mermaids and Dolphins oracle card set by Doreen Virtue.
I am a great believer that we are drawn to do things by extraordinary forces. There are spiritual beings in our world that we cannot even begin to label with human words. I have felt these energies, and I know that everybody else does too. We simply don’t take time to acknowledge or understand what they are.
Watch your thoughts
The cards I drew for our extra insight today are as follows: Watch Your Thoughts – “It’s important to only think about what you desire, not what you fear.” Yes, I know exactly what that card is talking about! Worthiness – “Know that you deserve to receive good in all ways.” I know that’s true! Make a Wish – “This is a magical moment. Make a wish, and enjoy its manifestation.” Alright I will! Have a great day my friends.
Thank you for stopping by, now why not check out my fellow writers on the #AtoZChallenge? See you tomorrow!
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
Oh no, I hear you groan, she’s on that one again! Today on the #AtoZChallenge I allocate the letter W to wife, simply because I need some recognition! That’s the beauty of being a writer with a blog. I have complete freedom to write what I want on here, and I answer to nobody.
Catherine Breastfeeding in the Park SpookyMrsGreen Housewife
The Work of the Wife
Being a wife is bloody hard work! I am sure there are lots of you who can relate to this, both women and men. I am not about to launch into a tirade against men. I don’t want to use my blog to complain about my husband. It’s just that I have been feeling the strain lately, and it seemed appropriate to choose this word for today’s letter on the #AtoZChallenge.
I never really considered the implications of being a wife when I got married. My husband and I met when we were teenagers and were together for almost ten years anyway, so to us it was simply an excuse for a big party. And there was a small, traditional part of me that wanted to be married before we had our children. I don’t know why, but that’s what I wanted.
I love my husband. I am proud to be his wife. But I am also very frustrated with him at the same time, as I am sure he is with me. We all do it. We spend our lives juggling a million and one responsibilities, and we often forget or neglect the simple things that are so important. Right now our focus is children and work. I care for the children and the house, and he goes out to work for financial income. But the balance is all wrong, and I am trying to address that. It’s a long and tricky process… how do you handle being a wife? If you are male, how do you feel you treat your wife, and vice versa?
Thank you for stopping by, now why not check out my fellow writers on the #AtoZChallenge? See you tomorrow!
April A-Z Blogging Challenge 2014
Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
It is Friday, hooray! Today on the #AtoZChallenge I allocate the letter V to vice. By that I mean the kind of vice that is your treat, your personal allowance, your method of release from the stresses and strains of daily life.
Back in the old days (pre-children) I would have used Friday night as a chance to kick back and relax. I would have perhaps arranged to meet with friends in the local pub, or go out for a meal. Being social was my vice.
April A-Z Blogging Challenge 2014
What’s Your Vice?
Nowadays my vice tends to be something far more simple. I rarely drink alcohol anymore, although I do enjoy a glass of wine on occasion. I limit my intake because I am breastfeeding my baby, and I am conscious that I cannot be a responsible parent if I have a hangover. But I used to binge drink. As a student I would be out all night Friday and Saturday, and usually Mondays and Thursdays too (student nights in the clubs). I would drink anything from alcopops to lager, shots to mixers. And I do enjoy a cocktail or two.
So I wouldn’t call alcohol my vice any more. No, my vice is now chocolate. And maybe coffee. And sweets. And crisps. OK, perhaps my vice should be classed as junk food! And yes, I know, that is not healthy for breastfeeding my baby either. The good news is that my breast milk will only ever contain the nutrients my baby requires. The bad news is that my body receives the rest. Therefore I have to eat consciously, and eat healthily if I am to be an effective parent.
I will not give up chocolate
But you know what? I will not give up my remaining vice. Chocolate is my daily treat. I don’t always eat it in ridiculously large quantities. I can exercise self-control when I need to. And sometimes my body simply refuses to take in any more junk food, and I find myself indulging in fruits and healthy snacks instead. Besides, some chocolate is actually good for you, right?
What is your vice? What gets you through the working week?
Thank you for stopping by, now why not check out my fellow writers on the #AtoZChallenge? See you tomorrow!
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
We are almost at the end of our #AtoZChallenge, and what a wild month it has been, at least for me.
Today I allocate the letter U to unfinished, and I couple it with the word business, because that is my situation right now. I have lots of unfinished business to attend to.
April A-Z Blogging Challenge 2014
#AtoZChallenge: Unfinished Business
There is a nagging voice in the back of my mind that is growing louder. My biggest unfinished business at the moment is my writing. I have a novel gathering virtual dust on my hard drive as it waits to be edited and submitted for publishing. I have two novels in progress that are feeling cold and unloved. And I have freelance projects for clients that are still waiting completion.
My professional work is not the only unfinished business causing me discomfort at the moment. As a mother of two with a workaholic husband, I have sole responsibility for the cleaning of our house. My husband will vaguely help out on occasion, but he still prefers to do the traditional ‘man’ jobs. I wonder if he thinks I actually enjoy scrubbing the bathroom and dusting the furniture? He is mistaken! Anyway, the chores need to be done, the editing needs to be done, the writing needs to be done, and then there is my stack of books to be read…Phew!
I am sure I am not the only person with unfinished business at this time. Please tell me about your own challenges and tasks. Sometimes I think it helps to share, even if the problem or challenge remains unresolved.
Thank you for stopping by, now why not check out my fellow writers on the #AtoZChallenge? See you tomorrow!
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
On the #AtoZChallenge today I decided to allocate the letter T to Tarot.
Several years ago I randomly decided one day that I simply had to learn to read tarot cards, and so I did. It had never appealed to me before; indeed I had never really considered tarot as anything of interest. But now I am hooked, and I have even started collecting decks of tarot cards. I love the assortment of artwork and imagery available, and the cards are so beautiful to touch and view that they give me pleasure every time I pick them up.
Gilded Tarot cards owned by professional Tarot reader Catherine Green
#AtoZChallenge: A Tarot Reading
I picked out three tarot cards today with the intention of offering a reading to anyone who comes across my blog at this time. You might be a regular visitor. You might be a new visitor, perhaps perusing my offerings on the #AtoZChallenge. Welcome everybody! I asked Spirit to send me a message through the cards that would offer clarity and enlightenment to those in need. If you are currently feeling disheartened about events in your life, perhaps this reading will offer a little help…
The Ace of Cups. This tarot card is a very encouraging one to show up at the beginning of a tarot reading. It represents new beginnings. Perhaps you have started a new project; maybe you changed your mind about something and decided to give it another go. You have the knowledge for this endeavour, so please continue and remain strong in your assertion that it will all come together very soon.
Death. This tarot card often fills people with dread, simply because of its name and imagery. I think it is an especially beautiful card, especially in this deck, the Gilded Tarot. Death is not a harbinger of doom as so often popularised in film and television. This card means new beginnings. As it follows the Ace of Cups it is reassuring you to continue on your quest. Allow what has passed to leave you; say goodbye to the old ways of thinking and behaving. Open yourself up to new adventures and ideas.
Page of Swords. In this tarot card we see a youth standing proud and holding onto his enormous sword. I have to smile, because for some strange reason it is giving me rather naughty ideas and images! Anyway, on a serious note, this card follows very nicely behind the other two in our reading. The Page of Swords represents our youthful inner self, full of optimism and bravado. Keep hold of your bravado and your adventurous instinct. Take it with you on your new tasks as you move forward into a happier and more fulfilling phase of your life.
I enjoy Tarot reading
I have offered professional tarot readings for people in the past, but at the moment I prefer to do them more broadly on my blogs, or on a sporadic basis. If you are seeking a more personal reading, I recommend that you seek out Priestess Tarot. She is a lady of great insight, and she is a fully accredited professional Tarot reader. I always find guidance and support from her blog posts. Have a lovely day my friends!
Thank you for stopping by, now why not check out my fellow writers on the #AtoZChallenge? See you tomorrow!
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
