2015 Paris Attacks | a poem

14th November 2015

Three days ago the last post rang
Two silent minutes. We stood still and sure
That however long ago it was
We’d forget no one who died in the war

Poppies still grow in the fields where they fought
Where all those brave men died
We wear them on remembrance day
The veterans stand still then with pride

Then we take off our coats when the service is done
And the paper poppy pins
And as red-hands load up the guns once more
Our peace symbols fill up the bins

Then back to our own busy lives we go
So full we forget to remember
As we work and play and fill our time
In the cold, wet days of November

So how can we learn from these wars that were fought
When killing and violence holds sway?
And poppy-red bleeds down the shocked nation's streets
Of Paris. Yesterday

The events of last night cut fresh in our minds
La guerre n’est pas terminée
The shock and the grief and the great waste of life!
Remembering is here
Now
Today…

The Girl with the Glass Feet

I have recently been reading a book named "the Girl with the Glass Feet" by Ali Shaw, and since finishing, have decided that it is the warm-milk-by-the-fire of books, and to be added to my short list of very favourites. It is rare, for me, to find a book that is so perfectly suited to my taste, so when we were asked to write book reviews for school, I thought I would share mine with you, in an attempt to persuade some of you to pick it up and get the enjoyment I did (it's a great book). :)

The Girl with the Glass Feet is an enthralling story set on the magical and mysterious island, St Hauda’s Land, where pure white creatures conceal themselves in deep snow, curious winged cattle flutter amongst icy woods, and Ida McLaird is slowly turning to glass. 

Midas Crook is a young photographer, whose mind is haunted by his father’s suicide. He loves to look at the world, as if through a camera lens, but has forgotten about feeling and experiencing it. The idea of love seems to linger in his brain, but never truly come alive. That is until he meets Ida, and is immediately intrigued by her monochrome features and somehow sad spirit. Together, the two of them search the peculiar island for a cure, and as the glass steadily creeps up Ida’s legs, she slowly manages to soften some of the ice is Midas’s heart, and they begin to fall in love.

This book combines the genre of a modern-day fairytale with eerie horror. The wintery island that is drained of colour and tragic circumstances of the the characters create a gloomy atmosphere, but this only accentuates the glowing spark between Ida and Midas during their bitter-sweet love story. 

I would highly recommend this novel. It is vividly described, managing to transport you into the magical and surreal world that Shaw has created. On top of this, I thought it was beautifully executed and immaculately paced, and is destined to become the crumpled, coffee-stained comfort novel that is always laying on your bedside table. ★

Twenty Lovely Things about Autumn

Recently, we were discussing what marks the end of the wonderful summer, and everyone said things like "the first red blackberry darkening to black" and "the first tinge of golden brown on a leaf of the tree next door". Naturally, I said that for me it was the end of season sales, without thinking how completely shallow that made me seem.

I don't know whether it was the blackberry and apple crumble we had for pudding yesterday, or the recent switch from August to September, but I do feel like autumn is finally upon us, which I then marked by wearing the gingham skirt I haven't worn since winter.

I try to be positive about it, but as someone who loves ice cream and the seaside, I do see autumn as a rather pessimistic season. Very soon I will be back into the pattern of trudging through the rain to school in my padded winter jacket; worrying about homework and raincoats and treading in dog poo that's buried under layers of dead leaves. I spend my whole year longing for summer, and before I know it, it is far away again, and I have to watch the days grow shorter as my sleeves grow longer.

SO... in an attempt to start up the  autumn on an emotional high, and just to help get me into the mood (and to help you to do the same), I have decided to compose a list of the good bits about autumn that we have to look forward to:

1. Massive fluffy jumpers.

2. Carving the perfect pumpkin.
3. Hot chocolate by the fire.
4. The smell of tangerines and cinnamon and cloves.
5. The way everything manages to look golden brown.
6. Hiding behind a blanket watching horror films.
7. A fresh start!
8. Wooly socks.
9. Toffee apples.
10. Picking blackberries.
11. Conkers!
12. Thick knitted mittens and socks.
14. Toasting marshmallows and chestnuts.
15. Mum's apple crumble.
16. Fireworks, and the smell of them afterwards.
17. Spiced apple juice (or mulled wine) :)
18. Cold, fresh feeling air.
19. Indoor things like board games and 1000 piece jigsaws.
20. The Doctor Who 50th anniversary.

Ah, that has left me feeling positively warm and fuzzy inside, and I hope it had a similar effect on you :) The time now feels right to go and make myself a bitter hot chocolate and light a scented candle in preparation for the season to come. ★

Newlings to the World

This is one of the highlights of each year: the day when these new little creatures join our family :D

Much as I love dogs and cats, our family has settled for tortoises, and each year, some more arrive to join the world :) Today, seven eggs hatched, and I thought I might share it with you all because they are so small and cute!

They are actually folded up inside the egg, and then they come out and slowly unfold, which means for the first few days, their shell is all soft and squishy. 

I always find it amazing how one moment they are still and plain eggs, and the next they are living, breathing, eating creatures, with little heads and feet and personalities! 

Now's the best bit: we get to name them (yay), so post any suggestions below :)

Has anyone seen my style?...

I have spent the past few weeks excited about starting a new blog, and far too long freaking out that the theme is wrong or the writing will be bad. I have become so worked up over this silly little thing when, to put it painfully bluntly, I am likely to become bored of it within about a week, like I have done with the past zillion blogs.

The question of style is one that has been daunting me a little too much. The are so any different styles in which to write a blog: the "girly-pretty-got-all-the-goss", and the "english-expert-I-know-big-words", and the "artsy-india-hipster-herearesomepicturesofmeinpain". The problem is, I am pretty sure there is no "me" style, and by that I mean I really and honestly have no clue which one I would be. You may say that how I am writing now is pretty me-ish, but seriously, just you watch me after I read a book. I will become a complete clone of the main character.

I have no idea why this is, but with any character from any book, or any film, or even real people, I always seem to have a short term feeling of "OMG, they are the actual coolest being in the milkyway". This will last about a week until I find another innocent victim to "become".

It's a bit of a problem, which makes it increasingly difficult to actually find my style. I spend hours sitting and questioning the existence of "Ella's style". I am hoping that if I manage to actually keep this blog for more than a month, that it will help me to locate it.

Well, that's all I have to say on the topic, meaning I am nearing the end of my first blog post! I admit I haven't done much to introduce myself, or help myself to come across as even the slightest bit appealing to anyone, but it is now tomorrow (12:04pm) so I should really be off.

There will be better writing and photos on here I promise!

NOTE TO SELF: don't make promises you can't keep.

SELF TO NOTE: shut up