Articles written by Elsie Parker

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About me - Elsie Parker

My interest in literature started early when my parents refused to give in to requests to read another story and I had to learn to read them myself. When I ran out of available stories, I wrote my own.

My immediate family stimulated an interest in books in

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Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Halloween tales: 1 of 32
Just on the edge of town, far enough away from the suburbs to be in the country was an old farmhouse. It had once been at the centre of a busy farm but that had long since gone out of business. The surrounding fields had been sold to neighbouring farmers, but the old house still survived and stood looking harsh and gaunt and ... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Ghosts: 13 of 142
Edwina had a big problem. She had been born on 07.07.77, a significant date in some circles and throughout her early years had been plagued by an imaginary "friend" that Edwina really didn't want to play with. She always had a feeling that something was just behind her but being of a particularly sceptical and practical natur... More..
Home & Garden > Gardening (Other) True gardening stories: How it all went terribly wrong (humor): 18 of 141
September, supposedly time of mists and mellow fruitfulness, a time of abundance and harvests being safely gathered in. Not in this garden it isn't.We started the year with immense enthusiasm for growing our own vegetables. We usually grow a few tomatoes in a tacked together greenhouse and last year we grew a few aubergines w... More..
Relationships & Family > Ancestry & Genealogy Genealogy: The importance of writing down your grandparents' stories: 7 of 49
My grandparents were a big influence on my life throughout my formative years. This was mainly because they were great family storytellers. Who needed William Tell and Robin Hood when faced with the exploits of Uncle Jimmy in India or the rumours that staid, unmarried Great Auntie Vi had a feather boa stored in a chest, hinti... More..
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Workplace humor: 4 of 22
How to deal with an annoying new person at work. Scenario: a new person comes into the office to work in an already existing team of jaded people who, although immensely talented, have been worn down by the system in place and now cope with the job with no expectations of release (apart from winning the Lotto or having an as ... More..
Relationships & Family > Family (Other) When a family member leaves for military deployment: 7 of 20
My daughter's coming home on leave from her ship which is currently deployed in the Gulf. I didn't think this day would come. It is just a short respite in the months of anxiety we've had to go through which started when she flew out in the spring and which won't end until she's home again for good early next year, but at las... More..
Food & Drink > Cooking Fruits & Vegetables The best vegetarian cookbooks: 2 of 5
Absolutely, without doubt, the best vegetarian cookbook I own is Linda's Kitchen by Linda McCartney. From the first day I received the book as a gift it has become indispensable in my kitchen. The pictures alone would be enough to turn the most determined carnivore into a veggie, all in beautiful colour and the dishes arrange... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: Experiences with abandoned dogs: 12 of 25
My second dog was a rescue dog from the Dogs Trust kennels. My much loved border collie had died the year previously aged 17 and despite misgivings on my part the family wanted another dog. In a moment of weakness I said I had always wanted a little brown spaniel and so was taken to the kennels to find a dog. We walked past c... More..
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Suicide: 30 of 52
They say that sometimes the moonshine can make the earth as bright as day. Last night that happened. The frosted garden was harshly illuminated in a cold light that made the world look monochrome. Although bright enough to see everything in minute detail, even the just emerging crocuses, it was a spectral light that made the ... More..
Creative Writing > Essays Essays: Spring: 18 of 29
The spring equinox brings about the first milestone of the brand new year. Spring is a youthful season. New life arrives when animals and birds begin reproducing, taking advantage of the increase in the food supply after the privations of winter. Cold weather may manage to prevail, but its sting is lessened. Winter might be r... More..