Bonfire and Vanity Part 2

Olivia takes a deep breath and walks out of the wardrobe then into the corridor and back down the stairs turning right to a grand living room with a small grand piano, 2 cream sofas and a large wooden coffee table her husband is standing at a very big Hidden bar. 

The doors push back into it so it can be hidden.

 He grabs a glass and pulls the ice bucket close to him. He takes the lid off to put ice in his glass grabbing hold of a large bottle of brandy and  pours it into the glass to where it's just beneath half a glass. Olivia stands there with her hands in her pockets staring at him  "hard day?” Jake to Olivia “you could say that!” 

Olivia's husband turns around and stares at her. Where have you been all day? ok someone's in a crabby mood! Olivia ignores him and just carries on doing what she is doing. She walks over and grabs her magazines and sits down on one of the sofas moving some of the pillows.

Her husband yells at her. I asked you a question: Where have you been all day?  Olivia looks up at him staring at him  “what is your problem?”   

Olivia's husband Jake looks back at her “well for starters, I thought you were coming up to see me today?  Olivia looked at him again with a blank stare

“I told you if my meeting ran over I won't be able to make it! Jake looks furious  “what?!”  Olivia doesn't understand.So we'll just play this game shall we?  Olivia starts looking angry "for Christ's sake Jake, grow up! Jake walks towards her “what did you say?" Olivia looks at him not backing down “you heard me!” Jake backs off and Olivia knows he'looking for a fight “What's for dinner?”   Olivia is confused about what just happened. Olivia stands up “So you bark at me because I didn't come up to see you today and now

all you ask me is what's for dinner? “What do you want for dinner, Jake?”

Olivia has become angry at the fact that her husband hasn't even asked her how her day was. Olivia sits back down, as she sits she knows there's always about Jake never about Olivia. Olivia looks at Jake "we are having chicken!" "Is chicken alright for you Jake?" She is now being facetious in her manner and tone of her voice.  Jake swung around and looked at her “I've had a hard day! Olivia gives him a dirty look “well I think I knew that as you walked through the door?”  "I think everyday when you come through the door you've had a bad day!" Olivia had enough "Why don't you take a couple of days off?" He walks back up to the drinks cabinet and pours himself another large drink. “So you gonna tell me how much I'm drinking?” Olivia looks at Jake with a grin “I don't give a shit, what you do! If you want to get drunk, so be it! you're going to be the one, who will have to go to

work with a headache and hangover. Olivia looks

back at Jake again. Is there anything you would like to talk to me about? Maybe I can help? Jake replied sarcastically "No!, not really!" "Olivia rolls her eyes at him “Ok I'll go check on dinner!"”  Olivia is fuming, she's sick and tired of Jake coming home like this. Never “Hello, how was your day?” He never kisses her anymore? Olivia walks through the door and goes back to ask Jake a question but he is no longer in the room.  Olivia turns back to go towards the kitchen. The kitchen is in disarray at the moment one end of the kitchen has plastic all around it.  As she walks

into the kitchen one of the servants can hear her walk in “Ms Anderson “The roast chicken is almost done”  I've done some vegetables and mashed potatoes, “what would you like any dessert?” “ Is there any lemon meringue still in the fridge?” “ Yes ma’am” Olivia turns to walk back to the living room. “She stops “Maybe I'll have some of that”. “Do you know if Mr Anderson

is going to be eating in the dining room?” “I don’t know?” Olivia stops and turns around to speak to martha” I think I will have mine in the living room and I'll put some TV on and then I have a nice hot bath. After dinner, you can  have yourself an early night! Thank you Ms olivia! Martha is excited to go home early.

Olivia turns around and walks out of the kitchen back into the living room, she grabs hold of the remote to the TV to try and find something to watch. As she does most nights. She decides to go back upstairs to change so she takes off her shoes and then carries them up the stairs with her. She walks back into her bedroom of the big bed there is a huge big chest of drawers she opens one of the drawers and finds a pair of jogging bottoms and v -neck top, she grabbed her slippers on the side of the bed as she goes to walk out of the room she opens a cupboard door pressing it to reveal dressing gowns behind it  As she puts her hand in she grabs hold her favorite cardigan. Olivia looks at it. She really must get a new one but she has had it for years. It's just long enough to snuggle up in and watch TV when it's a little bit cold. She closes her bedroom door and puts all the things on her bed as she sits there she starts to cry.  Olivia wiped her tears and stood up, finished getting undressed. She puts her slippers on, she grabs her book from the side of the bed, she opens the door and starts walking back down. She can hear Jake in his office screaming down his phone as normal. She ignores him and carries on back to her living room as she walks in, Martha is just walking in with a tray for the food. "Thank you Martha!"  "Would you like me to take Mr Anderson dinner to him?” "Yes! please Martha!" Martha smiles at Olivia, "of course Ms Anderson I will let him know." Martha grabs hold of the blanket and puts it across Ms Olivia's legs. "Thank you, Martha!" "Will that'll be all for tonight?" “Yes Martha, you get home” Martha returns to the kitchen. Martha walks towards or the plastic sheeting of the other side of the kitchen down a corridor towards a large room at the front of the house and marks on the glass pane of the door where new glass has been put in. Martha Knocks on the door "come in" Martha opens the door "good evening Mr Anderson "I was wondering if you would like your dinner now."  "I just have to finish this call and then I'll sort it out!" “very well Mr Anderson, I've left it in the oven for you sir!”  “Mrs ANDERSON said I could go early, is there anything else you would like before I leave?” “That will be all, thank you Martha!” Jake doesn't even look at Martha. Martha turns around and walks towards the doors, she turns around and closes them as she faces the doors. She looks at Jake staring out of the window. She walks back towards the kitchen disappearing around the corner.

she smiles at the TV, when the character trips and falls over and giggles to herself. As she sits and eats watching TV she hears the front door open and shut. She looks up and sees Jake’s headlights turn on and he drives off. An email comes through on her phone making her jump. She picks up her phone 

Priority To Olivia  

From Frank Robinson

Need to see you asap!!

Let know when you can make it

Thanks Frank

Olivia looks at the message she has had a long day. She will sort it out tomorrow. She finishes eating her meal and watching TV. Olivia sits on the sofa for an hour. She looks at her tray and gets up, takes her tray into the kitchen, puts the leftovers in the bin.  She grabs a fork out of the draw. She grabs the pie and reheats it in the microwave. As she waits she puts the dishes in the dishwasher, she turns the kettle on to make a pot of tea to take to bed. 

She puts everything on a tray and takes it to the dumbwaiter, pushing the button to turn the lights off. She walks towards the stairs grabbing her phone and her book from the living room, she stops and grabs her work bags. She starts climbing the stairs. She's so tired she feels heavy and drained from the long day.  She takes her things to her bedroom and turns on the TV to the news. She walks out of her room, turns right where the dumb waiter and pushes the button waiting for the food and her tea. As she stands there she still goes over tonight with Jake. He is becoming a lot more distant lately, she puts it down to work as they are both very busy at the moment. Olivia walks back to her room, closing her door.

Bonfire And Vanity

 

I got the idea for this story set in New York from a mini series called The Bonfire of Destiny on netflix.

Bonfire And Vanity 

In a nice area of the city the sun is shining, a row of homes is shown in the distance, The lawns manicured and trimmed to perfection. As Olivia drives down the road, she looks down at each of the houses, she is dressed in a white blouse, expensive sunglasses. She has an expensive watch on her left arm with 2 gold bracelets on each side of her watch. As she holds onto the steering wheel,she turns and pulls up to a gated home. Olivia drives up putting a code into the machine and the gates start swinging open. She drives down the long drive towards a white mansion, It’s one the biggest homes on the street. As she drives up to the house she parks the car in front of 2 very big doors to the front of the house.She turns the car off,takes a long look at the house, holds her head and just stares. She takes her seatbelt off and grabs her keys pushing the button to open the trunk. She grabs her designer handbag. She steps out of the car wearing brown wide leg trousers and brown boots. She walks to the back of the car taking some bags from the trunk with designer names on them. She pushes a button and walks up the steps to the front door. The trunk in the distance is slowly closing.  

Her housekeeper sees her on the camera, walks to the door and opens it for her to go through. Thank you Martha, could you get some tea sent to my room please! Yes Mrs Anderson! She walks the other way. Olivia walks up the White and black stairs, she holds on to the wrought iron banister as gets to the top of stairs she turns left down a long cream corridor there is a room with a very large wooden bed with matching furniture, ornate rug with oriental design, the plain carpet to make the rug stand out even more. The two double doors leading out to a terrace turn left to a very large bathroom turning left again into a walk-in wardrobe. All her handbags and clothes are neatly hung up in color order. Olivia puts her bags on a long gray marble vanity with a large gold antique mirror, all her makeup lined up on decorative mirrored storage with her perfume bottles arranged on it. It gives a 1920's feel. A large silver hand mirror laying on a wooden tray with a 3 glass section tray with rings and earrings in it. 

Olivia walks to the back of the walk-in wardrobe. She pushes the bookcase, it opens as a door and she turns the light on. Behind the door there is another section of her wardrobe, long items, winter coats and evening dresses. She moves to the back of the room. Where there are quite a few pieces of designer luggage on the back shelving unit lined up in size order.  Olivia grabs hold of the largest luggage case she has on the floor and as she walks back into the main wardrobe she opens it. she starts going through her clothes taking out jackets, trousers, blouses and hanging them on a rail that is next to her. She starts looking at all her clothes individually. She grabs piece by piece looking at them hanging them then back on the rail of the wardrobe after she has finished organizing them.  She moves down pulling the rail with her and starts again. she moves further down going through all her coats she can't decide between the two that she has so she hangs them both on the hanging rail. She starts grabbing hold of some of the clothes that are on the hanging rail and starts packing them in the suitcase as soon as she sees that she has enough space to put some more clothes on. She carries on going through the rest of her clothes. She comes across a couple of dresses that she doesn't want and throws them over an armchair in the walk-in wardrobe. She carries on all the way to the back to where the door is still open. She walks back into that room and grabs the next available piece of luggage she sets it on the floor and goes and grabs some of the coats from the back and hangs them on the empty Rail.  Olivia stares at all the clothes that she has. She has her hands on her hips not understanding why one person would need so many clothes. She starts packing the other suitcase and turns and goes and grabs another one as she goes to walk by she sees an old coat that she no longer wants, as she walks to the front of the window when a car door is heard slamming.  She looks out of the window to see her husband walking up to the front door. Olivia stands there for a moment looking to grab hold of the suitcases and put some back into the other side of the walk-in wardrobe and closes the door.

Olivia looks in the mirror at herself. She grabs a tissue and wipes off the lipstick that she has on. She grabs one of her lip balms and reapplies it. She moves her lips together, puts her hand through her hair and then grabs the brush to brush it. She stares for a moment in the mirror at herself. She's thinking to herself that she is older and could have something done with the Wrinkles but she likes the way she looks. 

The Tme Is Now

I found this in a magazine years ago

 

Wanting to be a writer takes time but the one thing I have learnt over the course of many years is to have a voice and not be afraid to share it. Many times I have gone to write something but then deleted it. Especially in times like this where, we as women have to stand up and share our experiences and thoughts. What we have gone through and come out the other side. Because someone else might be going through exactly the same thing. 

You have stories to tell, tell them! Women for centuries have never been more fortunate than in history today. But people want to stop women having rights to their own needs and choices. We as women have fought for our rights and we should not lose them because of certain other peoples views. 

Let's never forget the women who have survived during war, single mothers keeping going, working and being at our full potential. And let's not forget that whatever should arise there is another day and we will sort it out. Because we are strong and confident.

Let us stand together no matter our background, age or choice we make to be ourselves proud of who we are and never give up.

Sara

We have A Dream

Today we observed not victory but a dream, a celebration of freedom symbolizing an end as well as a beginning of signifying renewal as well as change.

The world is very different now for man holds in his mortal hands the power and yet the same revolutionary beliefs for what our forebears fought are still in our hearts of service men and women around the globe. The belief that their job has not gone unnoticed.

We today are the bearers of what is a bold New World Without Fear and let the word go forth from this time and place, to any friend and foe alike that the torch has been passed to a new generation of people, born in this century, that this has been founded by us and willing to witness these nations have always been committed. 

We are committed today at home and around the world that every nation know, whether it wishes as well or ill that we shall pay any price bear any burden meet any hardship support any friends, suppose any foe in order to ensure the survival and the success of liberty and freedom this is much we pledge to this endeavor and more.

To those who have cultural and spiritual origins, We Share and we pledge loyalty of faithful friends, United there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures.

There is little we can strive harder stronger than ever and the willingness to strive forward anything can be achieved

To the world assembly of Sovereign States, we as United Nations are now the best hope in an age with the instruments that beat off War have outpaced the instruments of Peace. Can we now pledge our prevention from it and become merely a distant memory to strengthen its shield.

But neither powerful group of nations take comfort from our present course by that uncertain balance of terror that stays in the hands of Mankind's final war. 

So lets begin anew, remembering both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, sincerity is always a subject to proof, never negotiate out of fear but let us never fear to negotiate that all sides create a new endeavor. Not a new balance of power but a new world of Peace and acceptance. 

To protect the weak, ensure that peace will be preserved, but let us begin to answer the call to the service around the globe. We can forge against these enemies around the global alliance North, South, East, and West that we can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind. Will you join in this historic effort?

I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other or any other generation.

The energy, the faith, the devotion which brings this inevitable light to each of us.  Let's light our countries and all who serve it and grow from that so that we can truly light the world. My fellow citizens of the World ask not what you can do for your country but we can do together?

What can we do for the freedom of mankind?

Finally citizens of the world ask us of this same high standards of strength sacrifice which we ask of you with good conscience. It's our only Sure reward with history the final judge of our deeds. That is to go forward to lead the world we love as in his blessing and his help but knowing that here on earth in all faiths work must truly be our own in pride by standing together United.

Martin Luther king Jr, President John F. Kennedy, Ms Sara Kelsall

Parts of this blog post were taken from Martin Luther King Jr speech I Have A Dream, President JFK speech to Congress on May 25 1961 and his Inaugural address on January 20th 1961 and my own words added.

Phot taken by me

Sara

 

The Nine Sisters

Sorry I haven't been posting in a while but have been sorting out my writing. I promised myself this year in 2026 I would stop worrying and start believing that I can do this!

I have a lot of editing to do and writing up what is on paper. A tip for writers is to use the Google docs voice typing and using a tab feature to put everything in one place for easy access. I have 8 projects but need to choose what I am going to work on. I think I have decided. My story about witches called The Nine sisters. 

I had things in different locations and files. This has been the most time consuming but it's going to be worth it in the end. I have a lever arch binder for each project. Now it's time to set out a timeline of the story and make some vision boards of how I see the characters arcs.

I use a 20 tab dividers in my binder for 

Treatment of the story

Character bios

Setting inside and out

Timeline for story

Words look up list: this is good if you get stuck and need some inspiration. I use different ones for what type of story I'm writing.

At the back I have research for my story

A place for the script as I would like to sell it for TV but also books, so writing 2 different formats.

I use planners that are easy to replace paper like Filofax, Happy Planner or binders. I buy A5 paper already cut so I don't waste paper and all you have to do is punch. You can buy different types of paper for your own preference of your writing pen. I also use stamps for my planner pages.

I am not someone that likes using a planner that is already dated. I make my own as not everyone plans the same or if the planner is used for a different purpose like my writing. I always put my to do list at the front so I can see what needs to be done. 

I have been following Sarra Cannon for a while now. She is a self publishing author. I like putting on her videos while I'm writing, editing or sorting out my planners.

She has some really good information for writers, She gives a great tutorial on how to use the Google Docs tab section. She also has novel workbooks that you can download by signing up to her emails on her blog. 

Heart Breathings on Youtube

https://youtu.be/C5sZUWdxbko?si=iBNoZJzgrvnAqDXa

This is my Instagram account if anyone would to follow me there

The Nine Sisters is about a group of witches, a forbidden love that will never die. All while protecting the realm. But shadows and secrets await.

 

The General Ledger

 

The reason it is called the General Ledger is because it's all my thoughts. Good, bad and everything in-between. I'm off this week. I'm going to be writing some blog posts about saving money on home, Christmas, personal things like makeup and beauty.

Especially at the moment when everything costs so much and with Christmas coming up we all want to save now and in the new year.

Maybe think about a no buy at the end of January beginning of February after the sales have finished. This will give you time to save some money instead of using credit cards.

I also want to write about some journalling I'm doing as I want to really make a go of this and due to health problems turn it into a business. I love planners and stationery so looking into making some printables to sell.

I'm sorry if you see spelling mistakes or anything that seems wrong. Again health problems, it's that sometimes life gives us what we don't expect but you still have to push forward.

Let's make 2026 better than ever by helping each other and navigate through a New Year celebrating each little thing we do. Sometimes we only look at the big things? But getting up, going to work or if you're a stay at home mum. We are all doing our bit. 

I stayed home with my children but now with the internet anything is possible no matter your age. I'm 57 years old but feeling better in myself as I know what I want. As you get older you change your perspective in what you want to do to make yourself happy. But I took a job that helps me pay my bills and there is nothing wrong with that, remember if you have a job you hate your working.

But after a while it starts to get boring, mine is that I'm not doing more as a creative outlet. Nothing is set in stone we change but it's having the money to do so. Sometimes you have to be a frog and jump from lily pad to lily pad and that's ok. It's just we get frustrated we are not where we should be. But things take time.

I think that’s why I started really paying attention to what I need to do. I like writing my own blog posts. I know there are only so many hours in a day and people need help creating a home online. But for me it's about being authentic and unique. We see so much of the same thing or people copying each other because it's popular?

But then you're missing the point because something you might do might be something someone or everyone is looking for. 

I just wanted to explain my thinking and how being different is good!

Thanks for reading!

Sara

Me, Myself And My Writing

Chapter One 

I'm getting ready to post something I've been writing about witches. It's called the Nine Sisters. I don't know why I didn't do it before? Being a writer is scary. It's something that you have worked hard on! But we all have to start somewhere because it's  getting the word out is everything when you are a writer. I want to make it into a TV show but then I was thinking why not a book as well.

In history witches where all seen as evil but in really honest witches believed in many thing's, one being the most important and is that our Earth is something to be protected and honoured. It gives life. It provides us with food, medicine and the air we breathe.

There is a sacred tree the Tree of Life. It's one of the oldest trees. If anything should happen to this tree then our are world, our earth will no longer exist. 

This why we are protecting it and you. Even if you don’t accept us or believe in us, we believe in you to do the right thing. 

We are the Nine Sisters and we are Earth, Wind, Fire and Water all the elements of the earth. We have magic but we sure I one thing we cannot do is make someone love someone. As love is the most powerful magical spell of all.

I'm am the Head Witch of the Coven

I wish you blessings and joy 

Alana

Writers As Philosophers

Writers as Philosophers

I think writers are philosophers.

“A writer is someone who uses written words to communicate ideas, stories, or information. A philosopher is someone who studies fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language, often engaging in critical thinking and systematic analysis. While distinct, these roles can overlap, with some writers deeply engaging in philosophical inquiry and some philosophers utilizing writing as a primary mode of expression.”

From the internet

While some become doctors and lawyers, others become something different: creative individuals.

But with innovation and science, perhaps we need to understand our world before we can finally accept what we have to protect. We are a species forever learning what we can and can't do.

“Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds."

J. Robert Oppenheimer

“In ancient Pompeii, scribes were professional writers who handled various tasks, including recording official communications, legal documents, and even electoral propaganda. They were responsible for the writing on walls, scrolls, and other surfaces, similar to how we use paper or social media today.

Scribes wrote official records of buying and selling slaves, and of public decisions.

They also wrote propaganda messages on walls to support specific candidates.

Pompeii's walls were covered with graffiti.

The existence of scribes and the prevalence of graffiti suggest a degree of literacy in Pompeii, though not everyone was literate.

Scribes used a variety of materials, including wax tablets, styluses, and possibly different types of ink, to create their writings.”

From the internet

Just as newspapers today publish articles to spread propaganda, communication has always been about spreading information about certain subjects, especially in government and elections.

Is it a way to tell people how to think?

I say the sky is blue, where someone else might say, "Well, actually, it's different colors of blue, not just blue."

It's how everyone imagines their ideal world and how it is created or perceived.

This is what we writers must do: understand both sides of the story. We have to be sympathetic to other people's feelings and how issues affect them.

Being a writer is a lonely pursuit, but when someone tells you that something you wrote helped them overcome something or changed their life in a way that made sense to them, that is what every writer wants to hear.

You can't reach everyone! But writing isn't about how you live; it's the understanding of how we think and feel about certain subjects and how everyone reacts to them, and in the process, helping someone understand they're not alone.

Sara

A Song I Like From Sleep Token

I was shown this song by my son. He's into Bring me the horizon etc. I have always liked Linkin Park.

It reminds me of how life changes and show we let others treat us because of it. 

How things stay with us and how hard it is to let things go.

This is the part of the song I like

TAKE ME BACK TO EDEN 

BY SLEEP TOKEN

My, my, those eyes like fire I'm a winged insect, you're a funeral pyre come now, bite through these wires I'm a waking hell and the gods grow tired reset my patient violence along both lines of a pathway higher 

Grow back your sharpest teeth, you know my desire I guess it goes to show, does it not? That we've no idea what we've got until we lose it and no amount of love will keep it around if we don't choose it and I don't know what's got its teeth in me but I'm about to bite back in anger no amount of self-sought fury will bring back the glory of innocence

I feel it's about having love for ourselves and not letting others use and hurt us.

Sara

This time it's all about me!

I went to bed last night sad and woke up this morning pissed off. Why do people think they can pull one over on me? That's why I want to write for TV and film. I wanted to be a police officer here in the UK. I would have liked to work for Major crimes or homicide they call it in the US.

I use these skills to the fullest and can't understand why people get taken for granted due to money? My confession is they are not going to win that way. 

Why do people believe they can get away with things? But with the Internet it has been made very easy to make people believe you're someone you're not.

And that's the question? Why lie? Why not say who you are? It's this fake facade that people build up about their lifestyle, yet I don't understand why people do things because they're not happy?

At 57 years old I'm working but not what I would like to do, which is write for a living. Writing for TV, even maybe books. I wouldn't mind writing a film script but I think I want to write for TV because it's like chapters in a book.

What I don't understand is why? It's been my favorite question since I was a kid. I'm writing from my own pain and trying to believe that I wasn't just put on this earth to be treated badly. 

I'm divorced, I've never been in trouble, did jury service (most of my family have), I like to stay home and can't stand other people's drama. I don't have any friends, only my kids, (my 2 sons and my daughter in law). Go to work and come home. Working for what? My UK government doesn't understand that to make people want to work you need to give them an incentive. A better chance to build wealth. 

But people think some people are lazy and not worth anything because we have health issues that we didn't ask for. I'm sick of the mundane and the way the world is at the moment. Conflict, wars and the way the US is at the moment. 

What happened to truth and honesty? 

It's when people blame where they live, on what is happening in their life? But it's not the town or city's fault, it's people. 

Why do people worry so much about what other people are doing? I guess that's the difference with me? I want to understand why people need to strip down the feelings of others and treat people the way they do? Is it jealousy or just pure and simple hate? 

This is what keeps me up at night? Questions? 

Questions about life and understanding, it doesn't matter what others think. It's about making yourself happy and living the way you want to. If I can pass on any advice, don't let people stop you!

I think that was my problem, I let people tell me I was worth nothing by my family, ex husband and friends over the years. And I believed them? 

It doesn't matter how much money you have or education because I think people can see that at the moment due to someone in the White House. 

Don't let people dull your enthusiasm for life and all it can bring!

I'm doing this so I can move to a bigger home but the way it is set up for a divorced woman is to tell me I need someone to help me pay my bills. I want someone in my life to share things, love, laugh and be my best friend. Not just help financially. That's not a relationship!

It's time for me to stop worrying about what other people think and believe in me.

I worry because my brain doesn't work properly due to my hypothyroidism in concentration, brain fog and exhausted when I get home from work. Now it's time for me to stop worrying and start believing that I am intelligent about different topics because I read and research.

I am trying to build a better chance for me, I almost have my debt paid off for when I retire in 10 years. This time it's all about me!

Sara 

The Pigment Of Prejudice

 The Pigment of Prejudice

We are all different and being all the same would be very boring. But in today's society and standards people like having the same thing as everyone else. This is also true with how people look.

I cannot understand the fascination of us looking the same as someone else? We are unique, one of a kind. 

This is especially true with women and a contributing factor is due to cosmetic treatments like Botox. Because they have the same injections in certain areas of the face.

But it's like these women want to be in a photo shoot. Amazing lighting, airbrushed and their faces stretched and no wrinkles or a pimple in sight. 

If people want to do that, I'm fine with that. What I'm uncomfortable with is that people complain about AI yet want the same thing as editing software but done to their faces in real life. It goes to show that we are controlled by what fashion and beauty have been denying for years. 

That beauty standards are manufactured to sell things. 

I hated the Maybelline advert! 

“Maybe she was born with it, maybe it's Maybelline?”

So you are only beautiful if you wear makeup?

It is a fake facade but in the end makeup helps us with our confidence but aren't we then just covering up something instead of helping ourselves to feel better on the outside?

It's because we associate our ideals with, if we look better, we feel better, we all are the same and we fit in. 

But under this, is something that is staring us in the face. 

Trump's orange face. 

I don't think it's because of tanning beds as you can see the very bad application of foundation and the line where the makeup artist hasn't blended it very well around the sides of his face. But there is something more sinister to see.

Recently Trump made a comment on his truth social about a jeans ad of a white actress and she was Republican. The jeans would sell very well because she is beautiful! And she is but it's the name of the company he likes, American Eagle. 

He is very simple like that. American and the patriotic bird of America.

Now let's look at a company that makes cars and how Trump didn't like the ad. Why do you ask? Because the new CEO is Indian and the old CEO who retired was white. Accept Jaguar is an Indian owned company Tata Motors LTD.

The problem I have is how people think he is not racist yet complains about people who don't have the same skin colour as him. But, the hypocrisy of wearing a foundation that is 4 shades too dark for his skin tone. 

It begs me to ask a question: why does he wear that colour foundation? To cover something up he doesn't want people to see? Maybe because he's getting old and it was announced Trump was not very well. 

But what is the issue? So ok for him to wear that shade of foundation but people who are different he doesn't like. 

Practice what you preach sir! His racism is showing and his ideals of diversity, equality and inclusion are not in line with what many people feel today.

It's even more to understand why he is wearing makeup yet doesn't like people in the LGBTQ++ community that do.

It's not our sexual preferences or our skin colour that makes you different. It's how we think and feel about each other. We need to stop people like him from thinking he's a better person because he's rich and powerful.

We all have power and riches. But we, the people, already know we already are. Because we know the difference.

Sara 

Set Truth To Power

 

Trigger Warning

Please be advised that this blog post contains content discussing sensitive topics such as sexual assault, rape, and other forms of sexual violence.

Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know has been affected by these issues, please consider seeking support from a professional or a dedicated organization.

We are in a new world where women are taking their power back from sexual harressment, sexual assault and rape. Which started in the #metoo movement. 

It came from an investigation by the New York Times in 2017 that a wealthy A film producer was alleged of sexual harassment of actresses. He invited actress Ashley Judd to his hotel room and asked for a massage. 

Sound familiar? It didn't stop there. He also said that if she accepted his sexual advances he would help her further her career. It came to light that this was an ongoing occurrence many people speaking up about what happened to them but with Ashley having the courage to be named as a victim in the story helped more victims coming forward.

After a long court case he was charged and sent to prison. But he is due back in court (2025) for a retrial of a 2020 conviction as the jury could not come to a verdict on one of his charges.

Women have had to fight for rights at home and in the work force. Back when the suffragettes fought for the right for women to vote.

Women through the ages have been seen as property but not as an equal in society. But this can also be said about how men and how different genders are now speaking up about these crimes. 

They reason I say this is because a woman was helping a man, sexual assault young teenage girls and getting other teenagers to get more victims for him.

The Epstein Files

Back in 2022 Ghislaine Maxwell was found guilty of sex trafficking and was sentenced to 20 years in prison with her accomplice Jeffery Epstein. He was later found dead in his cell. The conspiracy theories have swelled. But in my opinion I feel he did not want to go to jail for the rest of his life.

Now fast-forward to July 2025 and Trump's election pledge to release the Epstein Files. The DOJ giving a statement saying

Thursday, February 27, 2025

“This Department of Justice is following through on President Trump’s commitment to transparency and lifting the veil on the disgusting actions of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi 

Read statement here:

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-pamela-bondi-releases-first-phase-declassified-epstein-files

Also the FBI Director Kash Patel

Quote

“The FBI is entering a new era—one that will be defined by integrity, accountability, and the unwavering pursuit of justice,” 

“There will be no cover-ups, no missing documents, and no stone left unturned — and anyone from the prior or current Bureau who undermines this will be swiftly pursued. If there are gaps, we will find them. If records have been hidden, we will uncover them. And we will bring everything we find to the DOJ to be fully assessed and transparently disseminated to the American people as it should be. The oath we take is to the Constitution, and under my leadership, that promise will be upheld without compromise.”

said FBI Director Kash Patel. 

Then the DOJ AG and FBI Director's claim that no further investigation is needed and nothing else would be released?

I am sure that both Bondi and Patel would have to agree on the statement to be released.

This of course started due to AG Bondi saying it was on her desk for review? People thought the client list, what she should have said was that the Epstein file was on her desk when she gave an interview on Fox News.

But thinking about it? This also could help the onslaught of more complex conspiracy theories for the rumor mill and Trump supporters.

Except it didn't go to plan and Trump's election promise was not being met by releasing the Epstein Files. Trump supporters themselves were now growing concerned about the release of the files.

Let's take a step Back In Time

In February of 2024 Governor Ron Destanis signed a bill to release the Grand jury testimony from the 2006 Epstein case. 

In the grand jury case files it states that Epstein sexually assaulted teenage girls and made a plea deal with South Florida federal prosecutors allowing him to escape from more severe charges and prison time. 

It was when victims became aware that they had not been notified of the plea deal or allowed to give victim impact statements to the court.

I then remembered about the FBI raid on Epstein's New York home in 2019 and many hard drives were found including phones, laptops, CD's, etc.

I remember watching the documentary of Jeffery Epstein on Netflix UK. I seem to remember one of the victims, saying that Jeffery video taped people coming in and out of the residence including knowing where the young women were at all times.

I did find the July 2025 FBI memo stating that a mountain of evidence was collected during the raid. This includes hard drives, videos and images of the victims.

In the memo it states no client list! But if law enforcement and the FBI reviewed all the videos on the hard drives, a list could be made if it showed any evidence of sexual crime. What if Epstein had concealed video equipment in the rooms, as plastic boxes for hard drives were found at his New York home but this information was never released.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/jeffrey-epstein-ghislaine-maxwell-new-york-fbi-b1971344.html

Then a news report in July 2025 was released that AG Bondi told President Trump he was in the Epstein Files back in May. 

For victims of sexual crimes to come forward, more needs to be done for safety and trained police officers to help victims and to be believed. For a country wide database for law enforcement and federal law enforcement to use in these types of cases. But it takes time to test these rapes kits. Which doesn't give the victims any hope of catching the person who did this to them. I also have to speak for men as this could stop any falsely reported cases.

But moreover the people who committed these crimes need to be held accountable for their actions and prosecuted for longer sentences as the victims of these crimes have everlasting severe mental health problems because of what happened to them. We know this, as one of Epstein's victims died from suicide in April. Her name was Virginia Giuffre and spoke out about the wealthy and high powered people who took advantage of her. It really does say about the quote “set truth to power”.

 

So Yesterday Wasn't A Good Day!

I wasn't feeling all that great due to health problems. I was trying to write but decided to lay down and take a nap. I'm waiting for my operation and my osteoarthritis was playing up. I twisted my ankle just by stepping back.

Then noise! So I said something to the people who were making it. Got told nobody liked me and get my teeth fixed.

I would if I could afford it as I'm working but still have to pay around £500 which is a lot of money.

I don't have credit cards, covid put that to an end.  This why why doing this! To do something I love doing and make a living!

It's this idea that everyone can afford the same thing as everyone else can.

But I take it, do you know why?

Because sometimes that's what happens! Life is not set in a way that everything is your way. But people nowadays get everything at the push of a button.

Being yelled at is nothing I wanted to be a cop here in the UK. But now I think everything has a purpose. I read too many Nancy Drew books as a kid.

I think everything was pushing me to be a writer! I have always liked reading and writing, ever since I was a teenager. Writing stories, playing with my stationery and creating things that have a meaning.

People will say things about you but you know the truth. 

Look at the fact that many copy other people's writing. Many books and scripts are the same arc but different. Changed to suit the never ending trend. Why? Because people want to make money, not create something that is their vision.

Being a writer is about being authentic. I like peace and tranquility. I have had a lot of drama in my life. I didn’t like it. So I decided to write about using my own thoughts and feelings.

Change is good, the truth shall set you free. Why? 

Because my writing is about my endless journey of self discovery and using it as a journal to understand why we think the way we do and the emotional minefield of our lives.

We are not the same as everyone, some are looking for more. 

The Understanding Of What Life Is Like Being A Writer? 

It's about showing others that it's ok! You're not the only ones who have gone through bad times.

It's about explaining to everyone, things will get better but sometimes change has to happen and sometimes you have to stand your ground and say something.

That's who I am!

No matter what people say about me and want to believe gossip. That's fine, I have the receipts. I check my facts and research them. 

You have to, as a writer!

Sara

Trump's Name Was Redacted

I have been interested for a while about Trump and his affairs as I am writing a political drama.

Bloomberg said it was from a black book but the picture shown is a contact  list.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-08-01/epstein-files-trump-s-name-was-redacted-by-the-fbi

You can see it here Trump on flight logs:

By law passengers have to be added to the manifest even on private  planes.

Read the documents for yourself here:

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-pamela-bondi-releases-first-phase-declassified-epstein-files

The Age Of The Times and Technology

Many many years ago you could get away with a lot. Crime was at a peak in England during the Victorian era due to the fact of wealth. The great division of people, rich and poor. But many were stealing to feed themselves or keep a roof over their heads and the basic necessities.

Still doesn't give people the right to take things that are not theirs.

But today society isn't that forgiving, but what is the issue?

Now it's technology and the use of it. It's what people do and use it to call people out on it. 

Recently a man was caught at a concert with his arms around another woman, not his wife! What many are saying that, if they just acted differently it wouldn't have mattered? The irony of the statement in itself is that people think they know how other people react to things.

What I can't get my head around is everyone is in this joyous understanding of someone being taken down as they are rich and it's about privilege.

But these people forgot about one thing. While all these people are celebrating the facts of a man and woman getting found out for cheating.

But you are also celebrating the fact a woman has just found out she has been cheated on. The fact that I can talk from experience.

Finding out you are not their person anymore is heartbreaking, soul crushing. It's like someone got your heart that is made from glass and shattered it. 

The only problem is you can't find the pieces to put it back together. It's not like the pieces are in one room but all over the world and not able to find them. It can take several months or years to make it whole again. Sometimes never!

Then some people are scared to try to have another relationship because of someone hurting them all over again!

Hear On Evil, Speak No Evil, See No Evil.

The problem I have as a Writer, I watch, I listen, and learn from the things you say, the way you speak and act.

It's like that show called Lie To Me, a show about how to use applied psychology on how people use micro expressions to detect if they're lying.

But this wasn't about an affair, it's about getting caught!

 

So yes, celebrate the things of people doing bad things. So does this mean we can celebrate the bad things you do or your family.

The Double Edged Sword

People use the Internet and social media to be the first to spread gossip and misinformation to get likes and to make money on other people's misery easily and quickly.

This isn’t about people this is about using people for being human and sometimes doing appalling things.

But always remember there is another side to the story. A story of love, loss and deception. A family turned into turmoil because it wasn't just them finding out but the whole world. Then ask yourself what if that was me?

The Start Of Fall

As the leaves change colour and start to cover ground like a blanket. The feeling of cooler and shorter days.

This is the earth telling us it's time to stay indoors and bring changes our lifes. 

Moving the furniture, rearranging your nik naks around your home bringng the outside in. Let the rain come while you are safe and cosy inside.

It's time for baking and homemaking. Fixing things you put off, making crafts and writing new ideas and dreams.

Life is anything but boring! You just have to find the magic.

Open windows when you can, light a candle and make a wish. Ask blessings in all you do. 

Now your place is set, all you have to do is cuddle up and make a brew. Now sit down and remiss of the time that you will miss.

Being A Writer Is Like?

Being a writer is like using all the tools in a tool box. You are in the CIA research and analysis, in the FBI read their body language and weird behaviour. A homicide detective: You need to read the room and pay close attention to small details.

Oh and just one more thing! Please read the quote and understand you have the right to be silent as actions can and will be used against you! I eat, sleep and dream about this shit! So try me, wise guy!

Admit defeat And Move On

Sometimes you have to do things for yourself and sometimes admit defeat and move on. I was on substack but it takes a while to get people to follow and I like people being able to read my content for free. After doing some research, I found that if you don't have a paid subscription on substack your posts don't get noticed as much. So Here I am back where I started and should have been. My content varies as I want to write about different things. A blog post about my writing, decorating and money.

I think it's because when I write on my blog I'm writing for my own enjoyment, instead of worrying about whether the content I'm writing is suitable for certain platforms. I deactivated my Bluesky. I just don't get the same enjoyment as I did on twitter. Don't know what it is but change is good.

Been writing a new police drama and I think this one is what I need to keep myself on track.

It's an easier story to write. My other ones are complex and have many different characters. I have to world build 2 of them.

Can't believe it's July! Got to start Christmas shopping and doing some stuff around the house as I might have my operation soon. I want to post what I'm doing like decorating and sorting out my planners.

So when you feel down and something isn't sitting right. Change it! Change is good for the soul. It will push our limits and make us walk a different path and that's ok.

Keep going but sometimes things just need to be dusted off and moved around for a whole new perspective.

Sara

Christmas Shouldn’’t Be A Hassle!

Yes I'm afraid it's time to tell you that Christmas will soon be upon us. So I am starting early.

The days I used to sit as a child, thinking about all the beautiful things at Christmas. Now as an adult and parent sometimes I cannot wait for it to be over! I didn't realise the planning and preparation you have to do.

I love the evening of Christmas day, when everything is done and I can sit down; watch Christmas movies, eat leftovers and relax. What could be better than that? 

Well if I really started planning early then I wouldn't be so fed up and feel like Christmas is just a hassle instead of just enjoying the holidays.

I came up with an idea that would help me, so I decided to share the wealth of being happier at Christmas.

I'm in the process of creating a checklist for the whole year as many of us I'm sure would like to spread the cost of Christmas throughout the year and not spend so much on credit cards etc.

1.Plan

It doesn't matter how you plan for Christmas as long as some ideas are written down for later reference. Make a planner for shopping and paper can be moved out easily.

Craft Tip - use old Christmas cards as dividers and laminate them. I found a red Filofax with cherries I have had for ages that I use.

2. Organization

Organisation is key at Christmas but do not leave everything until the last minute.

CHRISTMAS  IN JULY 

I was watching YouTube and saw many videos about doing your Christmas  shopping earlier in the year due to the sales in the summer.

Spread out buying Christmas presents over the year. Friends, co-workers and family in summer or fall sales. Stocking stuffers are also good to start buying early. Set a schedule to buy small gifts in the sales,  closer to chrismas medium gifts, large gifts in the summer or wait until sales start before Christmas, anything that someone might want to return buy closer to Christmas. Do not forget to buy Christmas items for the next Christmas in the sales. I buy plain paper I can use all year round and buy different ribbon and tags for each person.

If you have more than one child, you can colour code which child is who's.

Keep a planner though the year update when you hear someone say something they would like.

DECLUTTER 

Declutter in Septempter/October and see if they need anything for everyday. Socks, underwear, shoes, winter items. 

Home Tip 

If you have small children do this when their at school no tears over toys.

FOOD

I have started buying items I need in my store cupboard. When I was woth my ex we didn't  get paid until Christmas eve. Iwent to buy cloves one year and they had sold out. I did not have time to go somewhere else, so why not buy early before the rush.

Tinned items can be stored, make a Christmas Hamper for special items you want. Buy drinks, mixers in summer sales, buy wine and champagne in summer sales and store in a dark place, always handy for a hostess gift.

DECORATIONS 

I have really cut down Christmas decorations as my children are grown up. I use home decor items for a winter. I have been using a winter wonderland theme, as it ticks all the things I like about fall, winter and Christmas. 

I love hanging lights around the ceiling and use tree trunk tealight holders, use dark shades of foliage and use artificial flowers to make year round vase displays. 

Use ideas you see in magazines, Pinterest or the internet instead of buying items for Christmas. All it takes is some imagination and some know how! So let's get crafty this Christmas!

I bought small to medium stuff animals from a charity  shop of a fox, donkey, reindeer and many more, I arrange them around the tree. I start decorating in October for Halloween and use my Christmas tree as a witchy tree. I decorate with witch boots, victorian items and love the lights on the tree. Also I'm saving money on electricity I use a reading lamp so I can read. It gives a dark academia vibe to my room.

Cozy blankets, pillows that could be mixed with browns, oranges, purple, green and red. 

I like a vintage decor design with wood and gold frames. Reminds me of Charles Dickens and A Christmas Carol. I buy all these things from charity shops over the years.

PLAN AHEAD

Make a Christmas binder. So everything is in one place and you don’t lose those all-important lists. This will last you for years to come. Hopefully take some of the headache out and stress that comes with Christmas. Pack it with useful hints, tips and decorating ideas. keep a copy of your favorite printable’s in your organizer. I tried using a notebook but I couldn’t take out paper if I needed to update it. I have my handbag planner for on the go while I'm shopping this has all my do lists and things to buy while I'm out. Take a couple of pens just in case.

 

The idea for your main Christmas organizer is that it can done on the computer or written out by hand. you can keep a record of everything you spend, keep track of gifts you have bought over the year, things you will need. Then when it comes to next Christmas, you have a list of things you could buy in the January sales and it's all done.

Have a checklist of the things you have bought, check them off your list (I have a column with the heading Done, You can use any program or just paper if you want to. This is your organizer and can customize it however you wish to. 

Now what to have in your planner

A Monthly calendar would be useful in it, you can keep up with what needs to be done, a notes section and to do list is also convenient. First sort out the countdown to Christmas, how long do you have until Christmas. Next, the cost of Christmas, how much do you what to spend? Because we all do overspend at this time. Sort out what bills you have for the coming months; this is an expensive month, so everything to the penny! The food shopping this is where I overspend I buy so much “but it’s Christmas” I tell myself but I don’t need half the things I buy. The menu,” I know turkey on Christmas” but sometimes we want to have something different. What about if you have a party or family over? 

TABLE & DINING 

Do you have everything you want? Do you have enough tables, chairs, plates etc. Mix and mat h your dinner set. Maybe red & cream plates. You could buy 2 inexpensive dinner sets for Christmas. So you have enough for everyone and if something gets broken it not your favorite or family heirloom dinner set.

The present list, most of us have computers and smart phones, so we can use them to make many of our lists on our phones all in one place. But I'm a paper pen kind of girl. I only have a certain amount of information in my Filofax as I don’t need all the information I have an A4 lever arch binder. I keep everything I need to make my Christmas special.

 

I make templates for everything on the computer. I make out my lists on the computer and print out. Don't forget! To check your Christmas lights. I do every year and make sure lights are working properly. See if they are something new I want you might want to have a different theme than last year. 

GARDEN 

I want to include the garden in the decorating. We may not want to go to the length of some others but some decorations in the garden do look great. I like all one colour lights. I think I like  cream lights as it reminds me of candles.  The warm orange glow of people's homes look like fires in a fireplaces. I like traditional items like pots with red ribbon tied in a bow against the green foliage. Pots with winter plants.

GET CRAFTY

Is there anything you could make as crafts? Home made cards popular to make for people, Decorations to give to people , that the kids make. One year I didn’t have a lot of money so I made Hand prints of the kids, to give to the family and got them to make one for me. It’s something you can look back on with their little.

 

This is my countdown for Christmas to make things a bit easier and spread Christmas thru the year. When to look for bargains in the coming months, as we all know prices do rise at around Christmas tine. 

Hope you enjoyed my pist let me know your money saving ideas to share!

Sara

Making Movies In America

President Trump made a surprising announcement to put 100% tariffs on foreign films. Wanting studios to make films and TV shows, production in America. But this will not help the writers? This would stop writers having the ability to tell their story their way. If wanting to tell a story over different times or in different places. This would essentially stop creative freedom and the main reason why people write. If using different locations this would push movie making out of America.

For example using Pinewood studios here in the UK as it is an easy location for Europe and traveling.

If your story is set in Victorian England you would want that genuine background not built on a set, only for internal shots. 

Writing is about different voices and the stories they want to tell, not have someone tell writers how to write them.

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/jon-voight-trump-hollywood-tariffs-b2745467.html