I decided to go wandering in the shires today, as I like to do on a Saturday. I needed to visit the tip, so I figured I’d pop into Narnia, have a coffee and a walk, so o like any good elf, I popped into Stacked. It’s a lovely local shop that sells pastry goods, coffee, ice creams, smoothies and the like. I went in to catch up with the lovely couple that own it, have a coffee and to try their amazing ice cream.

This is a place I found completely by chance sometime last year. I’d been for my council of elders meeting, which is coffee on the local market square with other middle-aged men, to grumble about the world in general. When I walked down the High Street to visit some charity shops, and maybe nip into a jumble sale at the church, as these places are a goldmine of strange things, not limited to, but including: a copy of On the Origin of Species, and The Voyage of the Beagle by Darwin, a rarely-seen bullet that had been made safe, and a rare copy of the film V for Vendetta…

You get the drift. So, after catching up with my friends, I decided to head to Vire island, which is just outside my mother-in-law’s window. I’ve looked out of her living room window at it many times, but I’ve rarely been on the island in the twelve years I’ve lived here.

In winter, when the trees are bare, you can see over the island to the other side of the river. It’s teeming with birds and very friendly squirrels, and there are great photo opportunities . It’s nice to also try my bird identification app. As I’m sure you’re aware, I love all animals; at work, I have a family of squirrels, and various birds, including a pheasant over the river, who shouts at me in the morning. So, I throw nuts into the wooded area behind my office, to help them out. Hopefully one day they’ll pull some Disney crap and help sweep up at work or something.

I’m sorry, I’m rambling again. Anyway, after a lovely walk, I decided to put the good vibes and sunshine to good use, and work on some scribbles while relaxing in the garden. Which, by the way, is coming on nicely, we’ve just replaced our garden table parasol after ten years, and the apple and pear trees we bought for the patio are all doing really well. We’ve had several bees on our Hebe plants too, which we love to watch. Enjoy your outside space if you can this weekend.

Stay Safe, B.W.C

“Barefoot”

“Walking on Vire Island, hand in hand,
Nature’s beauty, a mesmerizing blend.”

Words, and images (c)BobChristian

In the hush of anticipation, a whisper stirs,

A promise of something grand, the excitement blurs.

B.W.C

Words, and images (c)BobChristian.

Spell of Gratitude for Another Year

By the light of the moon so bright,
I honour this year with pure delight.
Blessings received, lessons learned,
Gratitude for each moment earned.

Elements four, hear my plea,
Earth, Air, Fire, and Sea.
Guide me through this year anew,
With love, light, and wisdom true.

SMIB

Words and images (c)BobChristian

Today marks my 49th trip around the sun, so with my fiftieth trip starting, I’d like to announce that I’m going to take this time and use it to create one last book.

I have been working on a lot of ideas for, or parts of, scribbles since iHuman came out. They’re apparently better than my last book, so I’m going to finish them off. Then Mrs Bob, who (unfortunately due to my dyslexia & ASD) happens to be my proofreader, will turn my ideas into something beautiful. 

So between us, we’re going to be working hard to make this book the very best it can be. I want to know that my last book is something to be proud of, and something that you’ll really enjoy reading. 

While you wait, please enjoy a complimentary scribble to while away the time. 

Laps

In a trip around the sun, a year unfolds,

A journey of time where stories are told.

365 days, a number so grand,

A mathematical marvel, you should understand.

Minutes in a year, let’s calculate:

60 minutes in an hour, we contemplate.

Multiply by 24, for each passing day

Equals 1,440, in this numerical array.

Now let’s dive deeper, into the math,

Leap years, a twist in the annual path.

Every four years, an extra day is gained

To keep the calendar synced and maintained.

But wait, there’s more, a leap second too!

To account for Earth’s rotation, it’s true.

Inserted sporadically to keep time in sync,

This intricate dance is a fascinating link.

A year, a journey, through seasons and tides,

From spring’s renewal to winter’s icy slides.

Birthdays celebrated, memories made,

A year’s worth of moments, in this time cascade.

So let us cherish each passing day

In this trip around the sun, come what may.

365 days, a mathematical feat,

A year’s worth of wonders for us to meet.

Anniversary

Ten years, a decade.

3,652 days, 520 weeks or

87,600 hours that 

We’ve shared together.

This is self explanatory really. I decided tonight to have a go at a self portrait l, never attempted one before. Just figured F around and find out eh!

Greetings and Salutations, to one and all.

As some of you may know, I’ve always loved taking photographs. The camera phone, for me, was the greatest advancement in this field. It meant I didn’t need to worry about missing a random photo session.

Until recently, I’d not really shown any of them off other than to my family and friends… or just myself. A few of them have said I’ve “got a good eye”, which is really kind and a bit surprising to me. So I decided to start looking at it more seriously, experimenting with lenses like a macro, fisheye and a 13x, tripods and all sorts of other goodies.

So, here are a few examples of my work…

Recently, I sat down and put a few words together to express how I was feeling about things that were going on in my personal life, I sent this scribble to Mrs Bob and a couple of close friends, whose opinions on my work I’ve always valued and appreciated. I was honestly not ready for their response later that evening, as they blew me away by saying this…

“We love it, We want it read out at our send offs when we peg out.”

I was totally shocked by this kind of response to what was in effect a quick rough idea, as a result I decided to share it with you. It’s called Ghost

Ghost

Wandering these lonely rooms

Forever, desperately chasing

One more fleeting, ghostly

Memory of happier times.

Searching for company,

Since the day I lost you.

My best friend, companion,

Lover, my whole multiverse.

A once warm and happy home,

Reduced to a house, now you’re gone.

Now no more than a cold, empty

Darkened mausoleum, without you.

Gradually, as sunset spreads

I see you once more. The waking

Nightmare is over for now.

At least, until I open my eyes again…

(C)BobChristian2023

This is a very touchy subject, it’s also one that people feel uncomfortable having, which can lead to self harm even suicide. I myself am a survivor & as such I wished I’d spoken out at the time. Silence Is what these creatures depend on, so while you may feel like you can’t tell anyone, you’ll thank yourself in the future. BC x

Hearts is racing, it’s beating,
Trying to escape My chest.
Fighting to breathe, trying

To catch my breath, it slips
Through sweat drenched
Palms. I can’t calm down

I’m terrified. Although you,
Maybe unable to see, it’s
Eating away at me, slowly

Clamps it’s hands over my
Lips. Forcing me to silence,
So I can never speak out.

About
The things you did