Odes and Other Forms

28 entries in this archive

Twist and Shout

Our newset grandson, Isaac Rory Bonthron, is to be known to be know as Zac.

In October we visited Abingdon (near Oxford) to enjoy his company.

Here is an account, and a first glimpse at Zac’s personality.

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Lady in Red (904 words, 5 minute read)

This little tale has been written in a what I call a ‘synoptic prose’ style.

It was written for a Writers’ Circus challenge on the topic ‘growing darker’, set in October for our November meeting.

The clocks had changed.

Dark by late afternoon.

Dank and dismal.

Think ‘melancholy’.

Grab a hot drink.

Huddle near your log-burning stove.

Give it a try.

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The Stork Came Today!

This is a tiny ode to welcome our first grandson, Matthew.

It was written a year after the great event, as an exercise for a Creative Writing Class.

For me it is a reminder of what happens when a new life enters your world, changing everything..

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The Fabulous Ruby Murdoch

This little ode records an encounter with the eponymous Ruby of this piece.

We were on our way to Arran, to “Laggwood Cottage” to visit our son and daughter-in-law.

As we slowly filed off the CalMac Ferry at Brodick we met Ruby.

Unforgettable in her chosen outfit, complemented by her self-assurance.

This young lady will be famous!

Her Mum explained that three-year old Ruby had her very own, very individual fashion sense and could NEVER be persuaded into any clothes that she did not want to wear on any particular day.

I just wish I had a picture to add here.

But perhaps not, it would make this wee ditty redundant!

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Thanks and Farewell to Edward Casswell

This is linked to “Dreich Mondays No More” and I will try not to repeat myself.

Edward Casswell is a highly gifted peripatetic singing teacher. At 6’ 8” he is an imposing chap!

He now lives in Cromarty, on the Black Isle, way up there beyond Inverness.

Edward works all over the World, mainly in the West of Scotland at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Remarkably Edward does not drive!

“The Health and Well-being through Song” classes which he piloted in 2010/2011 still flourish today and led to the creation of the “Morning Choir” referred to in “Dreich Mondays No More!”

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Alan T, Our Man of Song!

This is a complement to “Dreich Mondays No More!” and I re-direct you to that tag.

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Dreich Mondays No More!

Since my first retirement in 2001 I have been a student at Strathclyde University’s “Centre for Learning in Later Life (CLLL)”.

This is a wonderful place, I recommend it to you.

I have tried my hand at many things offered by the CLLL including a pilot course called “Health and Wellbeing through Song” led by the amazing Edward Casswell.

Here is his ode: “Thanks and Farewell to Edward Casswell”.

This led to me joining the “Kelvin Choir”, the Monday Morning Choir (at CLLL) and the “Scottish Plainsong Choir”.  (No, I’m not in this clip!)

Did you guess? Yes I love singing! I love the camaraderie of it and the emotion that it generates.

Alan Tavener is the leader of “Capella Nova” and many, many choirs, including our Monday Morning Choir and the Scottish Plainsong Choir.

It is a complete understatement to say merely that he is a talented and inspiring man.

Alan Tavener is a genius! Perhaps as near to an Angel as we might ever meet on this side of the divide.

This Ode celebrates his recent award of becoming an Honorary Associate of the Royal School of Church Music.

It complements a previous piece called “Alan T, Our Man of Song”.

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Monika the Mosquito (3 minutes)

This is an Ode to the mosquito who terrorised us in Munich!

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A Welcome to Gethin

This is an Ode to welcome the arrival of our friends Keith and Fiona’s second grandchild.

Keith is from Wales and as you may know, Gethin is a Welsh name.

Gethin’s Dad, Stuart, was in our Scout Cub football team many years ago, our Captain that year. Stuart was even then, a Big Lad, who went on to play Rugby at a high level.

Gethin now is a BIG LAD too! I think we have another Rugby player in the making!

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Fanfare to Harry James

As some readers may know “Harry James” was a Jazz Trumpeter of great renown.

‘Our’ Harry James is just as famous!

This is the Ode to mark his arrival.

If you would like a flavour of how ‘Our Harry’ is progressing, read also “Rosemarkie Remembrances

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