Suzy’s currently doing UBC,

And covering topics A to Z…

So far we’ve only got as far as day four,

And I’m anxious to discover what’s in store.

Angels and Bracelets and Civic Square,

D is for dreams and so she shares,

I confess I’m greedy to discover

What other subjects she is going to cover.

A to Zee or A to Zed,

I will be following – take it as read.

[http://suzysomedaysomewhere.blogspot.co.uk/]

Loving Little Jazz Baby, does not mean
That jazz is your reason for living.
It’s a shrine to the jazz age and points in between,
And this blog just keeps giving and giving.
Read about Jolson or the song ‘Mein Herr’,
About Jazz Hot or Stairway to Paradise,
Is F. Scott Fitzgerald someone about whom you care?
Conrad Veidt’s unintentionally funny – no lies.
Read about Keaton or Gloria Swanson,
Of a gall bladder operation,
Why Stan Laurel’s Angie’s favourite British son,
You’ll see why this blog’s a sensation!
The blog doesn’t cover the usual stuff,
It is more eclectic and interesting than that,
So Valentino’s not Angie’s bit of rough,
She’s a one-off – but keep it under your hat!

[http://www.thelittlejazzbaby.com/]

He was six when he had the urge to make,
A sculpture from metal as a small keepsake,
As a gift for his beloved mother,
A beautiful necklace like no other.
As he matured, his fascination grew,
And he knew full well what he wanted to do,
He longed to work with metal for the rest of his days,
In the most unusual and bespoke of ways,
As Lorimer to a wealthy squire,
Making pieces of harness as he required,
He forged beautiful stirrups and handmade bits,
With every ounce of his skill and wits,
His fame travelled far and quite rightly so,
For he could kit out a horseman from head to toe.

I do enjoy the kitchen ink,

It’s a blog that makes you think,

Makes you thoughtful, makes you smile,

Makes you giggle for a while.

Read of nieces, deja vu,

Consider that this could well be you,

Read how printers give the finger,

Go check this blog, I swear you’ll linger…

It’s ‘a murder of poems, a smattering of jokes’,

Beat a path to her door, you’ll enjoy it folks!

[http://thekitchenink.com/

I love Froufrouu,

It’s a wonderful mix,

Of style, observation,

And sensational pix!

[http://www.froufrouu.com]

Amy Young Miller asked me to write the back story to my poem Srimshaw, so here it is…

A young boy when he went to sea,

He learned his craft whilst being afloat,

His loves, to sail and cookery,

He started as scivvy on his first boat.

He learned to cook as he learned to fish,

To weigh the anchor, to set the sail,

He considered what to cook as his next dish,

As he went about his work each day.

In a whirlwind he met and married his wife,

The barmaid at The Field Gun,

But he left her for his ship, his life,

Yet always provided for her and his son.

As the years went by his fame just grew,

For his culinary skills, his artistry,

His comrades were glad to be in his crew,

Yet he returned each year to his family.

He travelled the world in the Anna Marie,

From Port of Spain to Zanzibar,

He sent mementoes to his son, Davy,

From destinations near and far.

As an old sea dog, his time was done,

His death approached and it was swift,

But he carved some scrimshaw for his son,

It was his last, loving, parting gift.

These towers were built with skill, with love,

Symbols of something great above,

Celebrating spirit, faith and duty,

Built with great regard for beauty.

From these towers the great bells peal,

To call  you in, to pray, to kneel,

To bow your head with great respect,

To cross yourself, to genuflect.

In the midst of a busy metropolis,

Stands St. John’s, Indianapolis,

This church has seen people come and go,

Congregations dwindle, city grow, 

Yet if I return to this place next year,

This edifice will still be here.

[http://sethsnap.com/]

Milly runs Finns on Chelsea Green,

Begun in ’85 by Julia, her aunt,

It’s the greatest place if you love the foodie scene,

And each recipe has a personal slant.

She shudders at the latest shock,

That your ham may contain 50 strands of DNA,

That the supermarkets have been selling us shlock,

And that this is definitely not OK.

Mackerel is one of her favourite fish,

She likes a good Burgundy and snacks galore,

Be seduced, as dish after dish,

You return each Friday wanting more.

Try her sweet potato dauphinoise,

A favourite with both large and small,

Try fishing and Pimms or vichyssoise,

Down slow-cooked shoulder of lamb with no trouble at all!

She provides her clients with gravy and the odd mince pie,

And letters to Santa on Christmas Eve,

I suggest you give her receipts a try,

And if you do, you won’t want to leave.

[ http://millybag.wordpress.com ]

If you cast a glance at a beach cottage dot com,

It is fun to try to guess where Sarah’s from,

Her home’s in Australia, nestled close to the sea,

With a battered deck and an ancient fig tree.

Study her lighting and beach decor,

Check out the bathroom, with her dog asleep on the floor.

Chase for thrifty finds but avoid Super Snark,

Discover what to paint on Thursdays, after dark.

How organic food has a different taste,

What to reclaim, what not to waste.

She’s out in the garden planting comfrey and rue,

Or picking some flowers for a garden ‘do’.

Go visit her home, it’s a true delight,

But reader beware, you have to like white!

[ http://www.abeachcottage.com/ ]