by Maggie Fogarty | Nov 11, 2015 | Uncategorized |
As someone who has a birthday in early December, I’ve always linked this personal milestone with the build-up to Christmas.
Not any more though. Increasingly the run-up to Christmas starts in September and by November it’s in full throttle. That’s a whopping three month creep towards the big day and there’s something weird about seeing Christmas produce on shop shelves in early autumn.
Of course Christmas is a big deal for companies trying to maximise their profits, but there is a danger of over doing the product push. You’re just getting used to the transition from summer to autumn and then – bang. Christmas is on it’s way.
Mid November seems a more natural place to start. That way you have a month to ease into the festive spirit, with a chance to catch your breath before launching into the round of parties and present buying.
Hang on though. What about Halloween? That’s another event getting a push in early September. As for Bonfire Night – well that has now been eclipsed by the Americanised Halloween rituals. Trick or treat? Wham bam thank you mam.
Hey ho. The autumn Halloween/Bonfire/Festive frenzy gets the tills ringing but I still hanker for the days when a birthday meant Christmas was really on its way.
That isn’t going to happen though – not when tills rather than bells are competing for the sound track to Christmas. Those pesky cash machines win every time.
Now over to Bonnie, the very Cornish cockapoo, for her latest update…
“Hi ya folks,
I’m still pining for my play pal Tui. In case you don’t remember, he’s the well handsome Havanese I’ve had my eyes on for some time and he’s laid up at the moment.
Poor Tui is still confined to his pad while he recovers from a prolapsed disc. Ouch. Just saying that makes me wince.
The good news is that he is on the mend. Meanwhile I’ve got to be a patient girly and be content with staring at his photo on my rents’ computer screen.
Come on Tui. Get better soon so we can chase those rabbits together and see off the seagulls on the beach. (Sigh).
Talking of beaches, I’ve been taking to the sands at a new place called Praa Sands.
While my rents get a break from little ol’ me – although why they don’t want to be in my company 24/7 I’ll never know – I get to stay with the lovely Leda at her great home in Praa.
The local beach is to die for and Leda is my new part-time sitter. (Not that we do too much sitting!).
It’s always great to see my rents again but I’m enjoying my time at Leda’s place too.
A sandy beach and cosy Cornish stone cottage – what’s not to like for this lucky mutt?
Only thing missing is my lovely Tui. Just saying.
Woof and out….’
by Maggie Fogarty | Oct 17, 2015 | Uncategorized |
There’s been a bit of a gap since my last blog and to put it mildly, the last few weeks have been hectic.
A new university role, working on the book collaboration and trying to finish my follow-up to the novella ‘Dear Mr DJ’ – and that’s before fitting in the rest of everyday life!
Time management is the key but even I’m beginning to think ‘whoa’. There are only so many hours in a day and it’s important to have time out to catch your breath and take stock.
With that in mind – and having read Ruby Wax’s book ‘Sane New World’ – I’ve decided to be stricter about factoring in rest time. Ruby’s book deals with slowing down, pacing yourself and practising ‘mindfulness’, a fancy term for appreciating the moment.
After experiencing her own mental health problems, Ruby decided to study neuro-science and learn how the brain works. The message is simple: taking time out to rest the mind and focusing on the here and now actually improves brain functioning. Yes, sometimes less really can mean more.
Time then to factor in things that temporarily take you out of the world of work and multi tasking. Little things like walking, watching a great film or cooking something simple from scratch – all of these encourage you to be in the moment.
It explains the huge success if those adult colouring books that have taken the publishing world by storm. And who would have have thought they’d be so popular in our hi tech gadget laden world?
Now over to the ‘living in the moment’ expert, Bonnie the very Cornish cockapoo….
‘Hi ya folks,
I’m missing my boyfriend Tui, the handsome Havanese. The poor thing has been laid up with something called a ‘prolapsed disc’ whatever that is. Sounds horrible and apparently is it.
He’s had to go for a scan at a place hundreds of miles away and is now confined to his house. So no play dates for a while – boo hoo.
Get well soon Tui cos this gal’s keen to clap eyes on you again.
My rent Paul and me have been having fun chasing rabbits from our garden. They look cute but have no right to be on my patch, pooping everywhere and making holes. That’s my job – tee hee.
Then there are those TV programmes featuring poor mutts needing a home. They are my favourites along with Channel 4 news – I’m a brainy ‘part poodle’ afterall.
Woof and out….’
by Maggie Fogarty | Sep 20, 2015 | Uncategorized |
Blink and it’s gone. ‘Just like that’ as the late Tommy Cooper used to say.
This summer has passed in a blur – more mixed weather than last year and even more visitors to Cornwall.
The county has also become one big film set and surprise, surprise – another catch phrase – that’s the subject of a magazine feature I’ve just written. Make no bones about it, there’s a real buzz about the place which looks set to continue into the autumn and beyond.
Meantime, the book collaboration with another writer continues apace. We’re working on the main characters at the moment, fleshing them out and giving them their own distinctive voices. It’s a fascinating process and we’re both enjoying bringing the characters to life. The next stage will be the detailed plotting, with various twists and turns. Eek.
It’s also been a busy time in the run up to my new University lecturing role, working alongside the next generation of magazine journalists and editors. Looking forward to starting next week on an exciting new feature writing module.
Now over to Bonnie, the very Cornish cockapoo, for her latest take on things…
‘Hi ya folks,
Well at last it’s happened. Me and Tui – the gorgeous Havanese I’ve had my eye on – have just had our first play date.
I say ‘first’ because I hope it will be the start of many.
What a blast. Tui turned up with his very own red and white neck tie which matched mine to perfection. Lovely jubbly.
We had a great run around the garden and then went indoors for chicken snacks bought by Tui. (Well maybe it was his rent Russell who paid but who cares?).
Then we had races up and down the stairs to work off the calories. There was the odd play fight to keep things interesting – I won most of them of course but let Tui win from time to time just to be a nice gal.
Anyway, that important first date has made me realise that Tui is the one for me. So roll on the next date and by then I’ll have a new hair cut – my rents have started to call me ‘Hairy Mary’ again.
Hey ho, life is good. Woof and out...’
by Maggie Fogarty | Aug 30, 2015 | Uncategorized |
Two weeks ago we held a summer garden party for a group of our neighbours.
We did the same thing a couple of years ago, just after we moved into our house, and it was such a success that it just had to be repeated.
We held our breath and the sun came out right on cue. It was also a chance for some of our newer neighbours to get to know each other and for everyone else to have a good old catch up.
Of course, Bonnie the very Cornish cockapoo, was in her element and loved all the extra attention – and the odd mini sausage snacks.
Then this weekend we had the re-scheduled Marazion Carnival, cancelled at the end of July due to heavy rain. This time the rain stayed away and coiniciding with a Bank Holiday break, the atmosphere was amazing. So too was the live music which appealed to all ages.
It got me thinking about the importance of community get togethers and the feel good factor they create. After our garden party, every one agreed that we need to socialise more often.
Will we do it? Somehow I think so.
Regular blog readers will already know that I’ve started a book collaboration, (a crime novel), with another writer. We’ve now got to the point – after ‘loosely’ writing around the key characters and settings – where we need to do some serious plotting. We set out out without a map and now we’re after the book equivalant of a Sat Nav.
So we are making notes on the backgrounds of our main characters, their psychology and motivations for what they do. We’re also constructing a detailed plot with various twists and turns.
It might sound a bit mechanical but it is essential before we start the big write up in the New Year.
We have also identified a book agent who we’ll approach once we are happy with the first two chapters. We’re planning on the traditional publishing route for this one and meantime, I’m also nearing the completion of the second in the ‘Dilemma Novella’ series – the follow up to ‘Dear Mr DJ.’ Phew.
There could be some exciting news on the work front as well but I’ll save that for the next blog. Now over to Bonnie for her latest thoughts…
‘Hi ya folks,
Been loving all the people and pooch meetings over the past few weeks.
My first garden party was a blast and as for the local Carnival – well let’s just say it was ace. Loads of mutts out and about and the smell of grilled meat in the air. Doggy heaven.
I even bagged myself a new red spotty neck tie which I’ll wear for my play date with Tui, the handsome Havanese.
Ah Tui. He gets more gorgeous every time I clap eyes on him and – ah hem – we can’t keep our paws off each other.
Anyway, my rents have been talking about me and Tui having some play time in our garden. I can’t wait and I’m sure he’ll love the swanky neck wear – suits me don’t you think?
Woof and out….’
by Maggie Fogarty | Aug 14, 2015 | Uncategorized |
It’s a sure fire thing – if you want to boost tourism, get yourself on the television drama location map.
It’s our fourth summer living in Cornwall (the third in west Cornwall) and the place is busier than ever.
Yes, the so-called ‘Poldark Effect’ is certainly making its mark if the crowds of visitors are anything to go by.
Already we’ve met several families who’ve told us that they usually only go as far as Newquay but have been tempted further down west by the glorous scenery show cased on the ‘Poldark’ series.
Of course I’m assuming they mean the incredible landscape rather than actor Aidan Turner’s torso….or maybe a bit of both?
Shame though that this summer hasn’t lived up to last year. The weather down here has been mixed – one day basking in glorious sunshine and the next teeming with rain. We’re having a garden party on Sunday so fingers crossed that the weather will be kind. So far it’s looking good.
If you’ve read my previous blog, you’ll know that I’ve started a book collaboration with another fiction writer, each of us taking on different characters. We’re now up to Chapter 7 and it’s going brilliantly. All I can say is that my co-writer certainly has a vivid imagination for crime (should I be worried?) and it’s intriguing how our very different writing styles fit together.
I think we’re on to something special and it’s an exciting process.
Now over to Bonnie, our the very Cornish cockapoo, for her latest news…
‘Hi folks,
There are two things that I’m obsessed with at the moment.
One is my stash of non raw-hide chews made with chicken, peanut and sweet potato. My rent Paul says they smell a bit like a ‘Thai meal’ – whatever that is. To me they just smell and taste delicious and I think I’m addicted.
Then there is the gorgeous Tui, the black Havanese who I’ve been meeting on my walks.
Every time I clap eyes on him, my heart races and I’ve even been dreaming about running through the fields with him. Wind in our hair, the smell of rabbits in the air…well you get the picture.
Yes, Tui is the boy for me and my first big doggy crush. Anyway, here’s a picture of him and little ol’ me and don’t we make a lovely couple. All together now…’aah’.
Woof and out….’
by Maggie Fogarty | Jul 30, 2015 | Uncategorized |
The other day I got an unexpected but lovely email.
It was from a former student who I met a few years ago, when I was an occasional ‘Visiting Editor’ to Staffordshire University’s BA and MA degree journalism courses.
The message was to say thanks for some ‘inspirational’, (her word ), advice I gave at the time. It was along the lines of trying to build up her own specialist subject early on – something she could develop and go on to acquire some great contacts in her chosen field. She took that on board and it has worked well for her.
A kind gesture and it made my day – especially because I’m planning to do more work with undergraduate and post graduate journalism students.
It also got me thinking about how important it is to say ‘thank-you’ to people who have helped you along the way or have made an effort to do something nice, however small.
Too often we forget to pass on thanks, even if it is just for a card sent or for useful advice given.
There is a saying that you should always remember those people who helped you along the way. The ones who don’t just come out of the woodwork after you’ve reach your goals.
So here is a big thank you to all my supportive personal community who have been there with advice, assistance and encouragement. Trust me, it is appreciated.
Recently I’ve started an exciting collaboration with another talented and award winning fiction writer. His style differs from mine but somehow our writing works well together and we’re both enjoying the process.
We’re working on alternate chapters and it is a fast paced crime thriller. We don’t know how it will end – the story is unfolding as we write it – but we are off to a cracking start and aim to get a first rate literary agent on board. So watch this space for updates.
Now over to Bonnie, the very Cornish cockapoo, for her latest take on life….
‘Hi ya folks,
I’ve been on guarding duty this week.
On the look-out for those cheeky field rabbits who keep getting into my garden.
I mean this is MY territory and they are invading MY space.
When I catch sight of one I let out a loud ‘woof’ or two, (well perhaps more like three or four), and they scoot off.
Trouble is the rents don’t seem too pleased and keep dragging me in from my guarding post on the balcony.
Come on, I’m only doing my pack duty – it’s what we mutts are born to do.
When I’m banished from the balcony, I head down to the hallway and take up my new post by the front door.
Intruders beware. You can’t fight nature. (See piccy below).
Come to think of it I haven’t clapped eyes on my new beau, the gorgeous Havanese called Tui, for a few days.
Perhaps he’s off on holidays with his folks.
Everyone seems to be on holiday right now, with my own home town full of visitors chomping on ice-creams and pasties.
Still, more admiring comments and pats for me from complete strangers.
I’m liking all the extra attention but hopefully I’ll bump into the lovely Tui soon. I think this gal’s in lurve….
Woof and out.’
