Monthly Archives: March 2014

Yippee! Yahoo! Yay! Y?

Posted on March 31, 2014 by colonialist

We have done it! This afternoon 5-yr-old granddaughter R and I sploshed our way to a total of 800 metres in one go. The longest swim ever for both of us, although I have lived a great many more years … Continue reading →

Posted in Grandchildren, Personal Journal | Tagged Colonialist, distance swimming, grandaugher 800m swim, very junior swimming. | 27 Comments

Gravatar contrast comparisons

Posted on March 28, 2014 by colonialist

, In response to the previous post, Grannymar invited me to play with her Gravatar. In my opinion, the picture is fine. Perhaps the contrast could be improved, though. Until one thinks about it, one can easily overlook how much of an … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging tip | Tagged Colonialist, Gravatar adjustments, Gravatar contrast comparison, Gravatar importance, ideal Gravatar contrasts, Tweaking a Gravatar | 37 Comments

The Ideal Gravatar

Posted on March 27, 2014 by colonialist

I have been noticing experiments with new gravatars lately, and it has given food for thought. What attributes should a good gravatar have? 1) It should be distinctive. 2) It should reflect something about the blog or blogger, or the … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging tip | Tagged best gravatars, blog identity, blogger in the picture, blogging tips, Colonialist, dos and don’ts for gravatars, Gravatars or avatars, what makes a good avatar | 59 Comments

Bilingual Six Word Short Story

Posted on March 26, 2014 by colonialist

This is for the challenge appearing in DOLDRIEST and Figments of a DuTchess for a six-word short story on the topic of Friends/Vrienden. Pictures are from Immy (drawn by Footsy2). Colonialist March 2014 (WordPress)

Posted in Challenge, Fantasy, Flash Fiction, Flying, Writing | Tagged Challenge met Bilingually., Colonialist, Flash Fiction, Friends, Six-Words Story Challenge, Vrienden | 14 Comments

Really Awfully Saturated

Posted on March 26, 2014 by colonialist

There is water on my brain, While my vision’s gone all foggy, I have muscles under strain, And each part of me is soggy. In these training little swims For young R, at not quite six yet, My enthusiasm dims … Continue reading →

Posted in Colonialist, verse, writing, music composition, fantasy, Africa, journal., Grandchildren, Humour, Personal Journal, Photography, Poems, Really Awful Rhyme, Wordplay, Writing | Tagged 800 m distance badge, Colonialist, humorous rhyme, in the swim, Really Awful Rhyme | 25 Comments

Engagement with a dragon?

Posted on March 24, 2014 by colonialist

Some may remember Immy, granddaughter R’s cousin (daughter of her Mom’s sister) in UK, whom R caused to meet a dragon when we were taking turns to tell a story about her. The dragon announced his intention to eat Immy … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Fiction, Grandchildren, Personal Journal, Writing | Tagged Colonialist, Immy and the Dragon, Immy gets Engaged, Immy surprise engagement, little girls grow up | 10 Comments

The Furies of Wreyges

Posted on March 23, 2014 by colonialist

I thought I’d brag a little by showing that the writing of Darx Circle had to go beyond the straightforward stuff of inventing new lands and characters and monsters. Here is a sample from a later stage of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Novel extract, Personal Journal, Writing, Young Adult Fiction | Tagged Colonialist, Darx Circle, Elves, fantasy writing, human extermination, Saga, Wreyges | 9 Comments

Novel experiences done; dusted still in the air

Posted on March 22, 2014 by colonialist

Yes, at just before midnight last night I typed in those two little words a novelist takes so long to get to. Phew! Darx Circle has at last been converted from an unfinished manuscript to another completed fantasy. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Beach, Books, Children's Fiction, Fantasy, Flying, Grandchildren, Personal Journal, Writing | Tagged aerobatics while swimming, Colonialist, Darx Circle completed, Gripen overhead, writing novel climax | 33 Comments

Blog Not Abandoned

Posted on March 18, 2014 by colonialist

I am writing with increased compulsion as I reach the climax of Darx Circle, which is currently at 118523 words, including a recent addition of a 220-word rhymed section from a ‘Minstrel’s Saga’. The only things done in between … Continue reading →