Pudding Pantry Mother’s Day
Afternoon tea with dainty teacups.
Sun shines while I write.
Daffodils at Felley Priory,
Birmingham’s Notorious choir.
Thank you to The Pudding Pantry, Beeston for an amazing afternoon tea. https://www.thepuddingpantry.co.uk
Notorious Choir Birmingham https://notoriouschoir.org/
Please share a sum-up of your week in 25 words or less.
With my first children’s book due for publication on 28th April 2026, my first Flaunt it Friday is about The Clocker. I have wanted to write a book for children since the age of 11. As I’m now 67, it’s taken a while!
The Clocker tells the story of Nev and his favourite hen, The Clocker. Blurb:
Nev’s life stinks. His mother left, and he lives with his Dad, who is a bit weird. The school bully, Kez, is making his life a misery.
The best things in Nev’s life are his five hens, especially his favourite, The Clocker. He can talk to her, and she understands.
After struggling to find something to write for a poetry competition, Nev decides on a poem about The Clocker. He is chosen to represent his school and read his poem at the Regional Schools’ Poetry Festival.
On the downside, the poem ramps up the bullying. Will Nev ever gain the confidence to stand up to Kez?
The book is for ‘middle grade’ readers (age 8-12) and can be pre-ordered at:
https://troubador.co.uk/author/liz-mackenzie
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Clocker-Liz-Mackenzie/dp/1806341719
https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-clocker/liz-mackenzie/9781806341719
https://www.tgjonesonline.co.uk/Product/Liz-Mackenzie/The-Clocker/15907156
Last Wordy Wednesday, I recalled my Dad using the word ‘bunkum’. This got me thinking about other words from my childhood and I remembered using the word ‘ninny’. “You ninny,” “What a ninny” – it seems such a tame word now. There’s an innocence to it, somehow, which is interesting because it means silly or foolish and probably originated from ‘an innocent’. It has been in use since the 16th century.
Do you have a word you remember from childhood? Please share it.
Finally I meet you –
Northumberlandia.
Humbled by your calm presence
I rest body and mind by your side,
Drive home lighter.
If you’d like to sum up your week in 25 words or less, I’d love to hear from you.
The week has whizzed by and it’s Wednesday again. What is your word of the day today? I’d love to hear from you.
As I was thinking about my word for this week, I recalled a word I often heard my dad say. Bunkum – what a great word that can be said with feeling. It’s a 19th century word and its origin is Buncombe, a county in North Carolina USA. Apparently Felix Walker, Buncombe’s Congressional Representative, made a particularly inane speech around 1820 and so bunkum was born. When said, it means you think something is untrue or very stupid/ inane.
I wonder, as I write this, where my dad first heard the word and why he liked it so much.
How has your week been and can you sum it up in 25 words or less? I’d love to hear from you.
This has been my week:
Tête-a-tête burst with yellow joy
A host of donations at the charity shop
Amid meets, greets and appointments
I hold onto Spring
It’s Wordy Wednesday again and today’s word might give you the jitters.
Collywobbles can mean an upset stomach, or an intense sense of unease/ nervousness as in, “it gives me the collywobbles”.
In terms of British English usage, the word is thought to date back to the 19th century. Its origin is likely from the disease cholera.
I’d love to know if you have any favourite, intriguing or unusual words. Please post them in comments below.
In January, I set myself the task of summing up my week every Sunday in 25 words or less. I’d love to hear your sum ups too. Here’s mine for this week.
The sun arrives and fades, returns
Winks, splutters, twists and turns
As I volunteer, write
Gaze in wonder at the Iron Giant.
I came across Craven in my Dictionary of English Place Names (Oxford University Press 1991). Craven, a district of North Yorkshire, is thought to be an old Celtic name meaning garlic place. This led me to ponder the meaning of craven as a word, which is very cowardly; not at all brave. It is thought to be an adaptation of the Old French cravent meaning defeated or beaten.
Language never fails to fascinate me. If you want to share a word, I’d be delighted to hear from you.
It’s half term
And the little girl in the charity shop
Says we have the best toys.
Reassuring rheumatologist
And snowdrops at Calke.
mywordshare 