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Inspirations, the Stories Space Coffee House: If you're reading this it just might mean I'm back, sorta. If you're not reading this, well, congratulations.

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Hi everyone, I hope all is well. I've not been around much, but have been watching for the next competition.

Are we ready for one?

It's been like six or eight months. I donated my winnings to go toward the next competition. I'd like a chance to do that again.

***

Just made my famous mac 'n cheese, with Roma tomatoes and broccoli. I'd love an true Irish coffee please. Extra Irish is ya gots it.

Just thought of this...

It is Northern Irish coffee, or the Republic of Irish coffee?

I don't fully understand why their wonderful island is divided, probably something Trump will have Jared tend to and fix. But I've heard that Brexit will dramatically affect the currently non-provoking border between the two lovely jurisdictions. Sheesh. There is so much we don't know or understand.

But I do know, if I had ever competed in a beauty pageant, I too would wish for world peace.

Now get me my damn coffee!!!
Unknown User
Quote by gillianleeza
Can't sleep, but what else is new.

I'll take a ginger ale and I'll curl up in a comfy chair to look up the history of Ireland. Thanks, Ping.

Cheers!


This Irish Times article might be helpful in trying to grasp the gist of the tragic history of Ireland.

The History of the Irish Border From Plantation to Brexit

Ping is correct, Brexit will very likely affect the border and risks disrupting the peace that has prevailed along the border since the Good Friday Agreement ended the blood bath euphemistically known as "the troubles".

This is just one of the many things that worry many of us here in the EU.
henrietta_fielding
Active Ink Slinger
Quote by Ping
Hi everyone, I hope all is well. I've not been around much, but have been watching for the next competition.

Are we ready for one?

It's been like six or eight months. I donated my winnings to go toward the next competition. I'd like a chance to do that again.

***

Just made my famous mac 'n cheese, with Roma tomatoes and broccoli. I'd love an true Irish coffee please. Extra Irish is ya gots it.

Just thought of this...

It is Northern Irish coffee, or the Republic of Irish coffee?

I don't fully understand why their wonderful island is divided, probably something Trump will have Jared tend to and fix. But I've heard that Brexit will dramatically affect the currently non-provoking border between the two lovely jurisdictions. Sheesh. There is so much we don't know or understand.

But I do know, if I had ever competed in a beauty pageant, I too would wish for world peace.

Now get me my damn coffee!!!



Depends if the coffee is made with Jameson's or Bushmills!

Yes, these are very scary and uncertain times here. The thought of a hard border is terrifying, in terms of the still fragile peace process...
Mendalla
Crazy old ape
Good morning, all. Having a bit of a rough time. Pain in my joints and no diagnosis as of yet. Initially, my doc and physiotherapist put it down to RSI since it seemed to only affect my hands but I've had pain in shoulders, elbows, and even a knee. Back to doc to review some blood work and x-rays.

Anyone else for tea? I'm making a pot of Earl Grey.

Halloween looms and my annual story is here. Is it a trick? Or a treat? Let me know.

Grace of Bigelow Street | Stories Space
gillianleeza
Story Moderator
Quote by gypsy
Quote by gillianleeza
Can't sleep, but what else is new.

I'll take a ginger ale and I'll curl up in a comfy chair to look up the history of Ireland. Thanks, Ping.

Cheers!


This Irish Times article might be helpful in trying to grasp the gist of the tragic history of Ireland.

The History of the Irish Border From Plantation to Brexit

Ping is correct, Brexit will very likely affect the border and risks disrupting the peace that has prevailed along the border since the Good Friday Agreement ended the blood bath euphemistically known as "the troubles".

This is just one of the many things that worry many of us here in the EU.



Thank you, I'll give it a read. I am familiar with some Irish history but not nearly enough. I have learned more about the UK and Ireland since Brexit. It gets coverage even on American television. At least it does when they can stop talking about our dysfunctional government.

I'm trying to find a book in my house that I haven't read yet. It is going to be a nice Saturday and I need something to read while we are out on our boat.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Cheers!
Mendalla
Crazy old ape
Quote by gillianleeza
At least it does when they can stop talking about our dysfunctional government.


Isn't it nice to know your government isn't the only dysfunctional one? We have a couple scandals and an election brewing up here but nothing that could top what the US and UK seem to be facing daily.

Be careful with that reading in the boat thing. I've dropped a book or two into the lake where our cottage is located. Not good for them.

* pours a tea and settles in for a bit *

Halloween looms and my annual story is here. Is it a trick? Or a treat? Let me know.

Grace of Bigelow Street | Stories Space
henrietta_fielding
Active Ink Slinger
It's a bright, spring-like Monday morning here, for a change! Maybe the seasons are actually changing, rather than giving us a hint and then heading back to winter, sharpish!

A coffee would do very nicely, thank.you. ☕
elizabethblack
Active Ink Slinger
We have had beautiful days, with sudden very warm weather that is forcing buds and bloom everywhere. Truly lovely and worth trying to ignore the political world for as long as possible. I am house/dog sitting this week and it is a lovely vacation. Two sweet dogs to pet and a lovely house that I don't have any piles of my papers to attend to. I read lovely fiction and relax.

I have so much trouble with my computer I do wish I wasn't quite so clueless. Be nice to read my emails rather than getting so frustrated that I just go do something else. Hours spent hitting refresh every time I try to open
, reply, delete, file. It keeps saying it can't open, can't send, etc. So I hit refresh and I just keep hitting refresh making each email a major time consuming chore.

After noon, so perhaps a glass of iced tea please.
Survivor
Primus Omnium
It's just after noon here. Toodk the pup for a short walk. Lovely spring weather. I will doing more gardening today as the lawn serevice is mowing for the first time this season.

Tomorrow is my tri-weekly infusion. I got a CT scan report today. I am doing quite well with my immunotherapy.

Gotta go, after I have my last cuppa java for today.

Cheers all
henrietta_fielding
Active Ink Slinger
Quote by Survivor


It's just after noon here. Toodk the pup for a short walk. Lovely spring weather. I will doing more gardening today as the lawn serevice is mowing for the first time this season.

Tomorrow is my tri-weekly infusion. I got a CT scan report today. I am doing quite well with my immunotherapy.

Gotta go, after I have my last cuppa java for today.

Cheers all


Sounds like good news, Larry. Hugs to you!

I'll join you with a coffee. smile
Survivor
Primus Omnium
Quote by henrietta_fielding
Quote by Survivor


It's just after noon here. Toodk the pup for a short walk. Lovely spring weather. I will doing more gardening today as the lawn serevice is mowing for the first time this season.

Tomorrow is my tri-weekly infusion. I got a CT scan report today. I am doing quite well with my immunotherapy.

Gotta go, after I have my last cuppa java for today.

Cheers all


Sounds like good news, Larry. Hugs to you!

I'll join you with a coffee. smile


The day is beginning with my first cuppa java.

The pup and I are resting after a tiring night of sleep.
AnnaMayZing
Chasing Dragons
Yesterday, in Beaumaris, on the Island of Anglesey, North Wales, I found an amazing butchers/Deli shop.

In their heated pie cabinet they had the most gorgeous looking pies and sausage rolls I have ever seen.
Minted Welsh Lamb, Steak and ale, etc, etc.
Sadly, due to my health, I had to walk away but they looked so good I could not have stopped at just one...

I will drown my sorrows with a double espresso please.



"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana
Survivor
Primus Omnium
Quote by AnnaMayZing
Yesterday, in Beaumaris, on the Island of Anglesey, North wales, I found an amazing butchers/Deli shop.

In their heated pie cabinet they had the most gorgeous looking pies and sausage rolls I have ever seen.
Minted Welsh Lamb, Steak and ale, etc, etc.
Sadly, due to my health, I had to walk away but they looked so good I could not have stopped at just one...

I will drown my sorrows with a double espresso please.


Tell you what, Anna, next time I will joyfully try those pies and have some java with you.

Time for my last cuppa for the day.

Cheers, all.
fuzzy1954
Forum Facilitator
Quote by AnnaMayZing
Yesterday, in Beaumaris, on the Island of Anglesey, North Wales, I found an amazing butchers/Deli shop.

In their heated pie cabinet they had the most gorgeous looking pies and sausage rolls I have ever seen.
Minted Welsh Lamb, Steak and ale, etc, etc.
Sadly, due to my health, I had to walk away but they looked so good I could not have stopped at just one...

I will drown my sorrows with a double espresso please.



Anna, reading this made me a little sad. First that you had to walk away and second because I was not there to try the lamb, and have you catch me stuffing a couple of sausage rolls in my backpack

Hot mug of coffee with a fine friend is definitely in order on this cold April afternoon





Please read my latest poem to honour all who have served

Bitch Called Nam

https://www.storiesspace.com/stories/poetry/bitch-called-nam
henrietta_fielding
Active Ink Slinger
Quote by AnnaMayZing
Yesterday, in Beaumaris, on the Island of Anglesey, North Wales, I found an amazing butchers/Deli shop.

In their heated pie cabinet they had the most gorgeous looking pies and sausage rolls I have ever seen.
Minted Welsh Lamb, Steak and ale, etc, etc.
Sadly, due to my health, I had to walk away but they looked so good I could not have stopped at just one...

I will drown my sorrows with a double espresso please.


That is a shame you had to walk away from such delicious treats, Anna! Hope you are having a wonderful time on Ynys Mon (Welsh for Anglesey) and got a look around Beaumaris Castle!

Coffee for me, please. ☕
AnnaMayZing
Chasing Dragons
Quote by henrietta_fielding


That is a shame you had to walk away from such delicious treats, Anna! Hope you are having a wonderful time on Ynys Mon (Welsh for Anglesey) and got a look around Beaumaris Castle!

Coffee for me, please. ☕


I have had to back away from such delicious treats as I have high cholesterol, high(ish) blood pressure, and a family history of heart problems due to clogged arteries so I have to be careful.
That said however, next time... and there will be a next time...

P.S. I didn't go in the castle but I did take a trip on the Welsh Highland Railway from Caernarfon to Porthmadog two days before. That is a fantastic way to spend a day. (I have dotted some pics around the forum. See if you can find them! )



"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana
Unknown User
Devastated to hear about the fire at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris.

So far at least no human casualties are known, and my heart and thoughts go to the fire fighters and emergency workers of Paris.

Those men and women are the valiant and courageous first line in all disasters. As catastrophic as the damage to or total loss of a monument is, loss of human life or injury is far worse.



Que les conséquences soit moindres par rapport aux risques.

That the consequences are minimised in proprtion to the danger.
AnnaMayZing
Chasing Dragons
I too am devastated to see the magnificent cathedral of Notre Dame so severely ablaze.
I desperately hope that something can be salvaged of this beautiful ancient monument.



"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana
elizabethblack
Active Ink Slinger
My heart is broken. To have this massive destruction to an icon of human endeavor is hard to absorb. And I agree with "hooray" to our first responders and the brave fire fighters that work in such dangerous conditions and so selflessly. I can only imagine the shock and pain to so many people around the world, and especially of course, those from France.
hayley
Active Ink Slinger
Quote by elizabethblack
My heart is broken. To have this massive destruction to an icon of human endeavor is hard to absorb. And I agree with "hooray" to our first responders and the brave fire fighters that work in such dangerous conditions and so selflessly. I can only imagine the shock and pain to so many people around the world, and especially of course, those from France.


Don't be heartbroken... all is not lost. The main facade is intact (made of solid stone) and that includes the two big bell towers. The bells too appear safe; they would have been irreplaceable. The side walls, also stone, seem intact. They date back to before 1250.

The iconic spire is gone but that was never part of the original cathedral having been added in 1844 or thereabouts. It was mostly timber and lead so no wonder it went up like a bonfire blazing. It will be restored and, hopefully, in more robust materials.

The restoration that was going on seems to have saved the bronzes, the statues having been removed along with some of the art work so as to not be in the way. Sadly, probably all of the remaining art will have been lost. Most of those pictures are too big for any firefighter to carry out alone.

For me the greatest loss will be the stained glass, especially the windows. But there are artisans today who can copy stained glass windows from pics with utterly amazing accuracy. Of course it will not be the same but for most it will suffice.

Watch Notre Dame rise from the ashes. France needs a pick me up, Paris especially, soooo ... 'from the ashes of disaster grow the roses of success'.

God moves in mysterious ways... and this restoration could just be what Paris needs to distract itself from the men and women with automatic weapons that lurk in doorways and, nonchalantly, roam the streets because it is deemed Paris is not safe and, sadly, not what it used to be.

Thoughts and prayers for the firefighter reported as seriously injured.
Dark_Apollo
Active Ink Slinger
My most recent photographs of Notre Dame de Paris, taken in July 2018, fifty five years since I first went to Paris and as a star struck fifteen year old fell permanently in love with the city and its many treasures. Notre Dame will rise again from the ashes,I just hope it is in my lifetime.
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12
aussie_kitty77
Kind-hearted Aussie Angel
I am too am feeling heartbroken about the devastating damage to Notre dame de Paris but am glad that their were no human casualties and some of the historical relics were saved.

During the news broad they mentioned that they are calling for funds to restore this monument and two billionaires have already donated quite a large sum however much more will be needed.
AnnaMayZing
Chasing Dragons
Quote by hayley

For me the greatest loss will be the stained glass, especially the windows. But there are artisans today who can copy stained glass windows from pics with utterly amazing accuracy. Of course it will not be the same but for most it will suffice.


It appears that the three rose windows have survived intact but, even so, the glass in them is not original anyway. However, that said, it is a great sign that the Cathedral will rise again in splendour.

" The Rose windows are a trio of immense round stained-glass windows over the cathedral's three main portals that date back to the 13th century. All three appear to have been saved. Culture Minister Franck Riester said that the three windows do not appear to have suffered catastrophic damage."

"The original Great Organ, one of the world's most famous musical instruments, dates back to medieval times. Over the years, organ makers renovated the instrument and added onto it, but it still contained pipes from the Middle Ages before Monday's fire. The position of titular organist, or head organist, carries great prestige in France and around the world. The Archbishop of Paris confirmed the organ is safe, CNN affiliate BFM TV reported."

"The Paris Fire Brigade tweeted that the cathedral's stone construction has been "saved," as have the "main works of art." As more information emerges, what has been rescued from Notre Dame is becoming apparent."

(Via CNN)



"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana
elizabethblack
Active Ink Slinger
Quote by Kavyansh
My most recent photographs of Notre Dame de Paris, taken in July 2018, fifty five years since I first went to Paris and as a star struck fifteen year old fell permanently in love with the city and its many treasures. Notre Dame will rise again from the ashes,I just hope it is in my lifetime.









What wonderful pictures you take Keith. And certainly you have done an excellent job of capturing the beauty and Majesty to this beautiful place. Thank you for posting them.
Dark_Apollo
Active Ink Slinger
In a world full of intolerance, hatred and violence I begin to wonder whether there is any point in writing poems of love and hope anymore. I wrote this piece last year and it seems even more pertinent today as we pause to reflect on the terrorist atrocities in Sri Lanka or the blindness of humanity in the face of global warming and potential extinction.

What is the point?
https://www.storiesspace.com/stories/musings/what-is-the-point.aspx
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12
Survivor
Primus Omnium
Good morning, all.

We are off to the Tall Grass Prairie National Preserve today. We're going to see some buffalo. And some gorgeous vistas.

I'll have a cuppa java before we leave.
AnnaMayZing
Chasing Dragons
Today I am feeling a little sorry for myself. Whilst trimming a hedge with a petrol powered trimmer, the handle slipped in my hand and the blades hit my knee.
Fortunately, the safety brake operated but I now have three perfect impressions of the teeth carved into the flesh just above my left knee cap.
It isn't deep or serious but it did bleed quite a bit and it stings. Oh, and I was wearing jeans which were, amazingly, not damaged!

I think I need caffeine so a strong double espresso, please.



"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana
Survivor
Primus Omnium
Power tools can be so incredibly dangerous. I'm so happy it was not worse, Anna.

Ending the day having returned from our excursion into the prairie. I'm having one last cuppa java for todayl

Cheers, all.