It’s 11.09 now and I sat at the computer at 07.04 this morning. That’s half a day, and what I have achieved? Well, I’ve eaten breakfast, washed up and made coffee. And I’ve checked emails, answered comments, including reading articles on atomic testing and reforestation. I’m afraid reading will have to wait for later.  We also had a visit from the conservatory man. He is ill and is having heart exams at Addenbrooke’s and Papworth. They are both 40 miles away, Papworth having relocated to the same science campus as Addenbrooke’s, and he has to be there for 8.00. They won’t change his appointment or the distance he has to travel. It makes my quibble about travelling to Stamford (15 miles) or being at the City Hospital for 7.40 (2 miles away) seem trivial.

Apple Blossom

I’m not approaching “work” as I cakll it, with any degree of enthusiasm today. I sent off eight submissions in the last three days – a total of 32 poems. As three of the submissions are competitions or new magazines I’m predicting a rather gloomy three or four successes. Fortunately, this month comprises a number of old favourites, so I should do better, although with all the added journals my percentage acceptance will still be lower than I am used to. It’s probably a good thing, as becoming comfortable is not a good thing for creativity.

I just re-read that last sentence. Am I sounding like “a poet”. I’ve always tried to avoid that. That seems like a good place to stop as this last sentence will take me over the 250 word mark.

I w

Blossom at Wilford

ill prepare the worksheet to show the submissions this month (and the numbers of each thing I need) and a progress chart. I need about 55 poems for this month in 14 groups, and it’s easy to make a mistake, as I think I’ve described before.