Saturday 19 October 2019

Write ... Edit ... Publish ... Bloghop: Horrible Harvest ...




I had all kinds of ideas for Hilary’s Horrribile Harrrvesting Horrorrr … but haplessness held her in hostile hubris of being pickled …



… life intervened – too much going on, needed to make time for meetings … and then the dreaded happened – my network went down … there’s now’t to be done … but be patient: I was.



Potato Blight

Horrible Harvest went west … I gave up worrying and here I am with a brief update … I’ll be around to read all the WEP entries – this one is out of bounds!


The Emigrants Farewell  - from an
engraving by Henry Doyle (1827 - 1893)



I have a good #WATWB post for Friday … and then a fun one for Halloween … I’ll be taking November off – I have to sort life out here … but will make appearances, no posts though … and then #WATWB for November will kick-start my postings.





Harvest is usually the most wonderful time of year … especially with the generosity our marvellous plants offer us … which we too need to share ... 




Come, ye thankful people, come,
Raise the song of harvest home!
All is safely gathered in,
‘Ere the winter storms begin;




See you all soon …

Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

45 comments:

Damyanti Biswas said...

Hope you are able to catch on the stuff you are planning to in November. Take Care Hilary.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

What! A whole November with no Hilary! How will we survive? From what new source will we derive our bons mots? Who will challenge us? I think I have to lie down for a while to recover from this news!

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
hehehehe, cackling at David's distress! Your absence, I am sure, will make the return after November all the sweeter!!! Life does need attention every now and then, eh? Take care. YAM xx

nothoughtsnoprayersnonothing said...

I had to search for WATWB. Still not quite sure what it is.

Maybe I will learn
When you return


Chatty Crone said...

Girl I truly understand your problem. Take the month and get what you need done. Just come back. sandie

Elephant's Child said...

We will miss you (and did miss you in the WEP posting).
Have a wonderful, productive November and know that we are keeping the light on for you.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

I think I followed most of that. Hope everything works out well. Life can be a full-time occupation sometimes.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Damyanti - you've way more on than me ... I just seem to have hit the top of the haystack and it's all come a-tumbling down in a right mixxy mess! Really grateful for your thoughtful comment here ...

@ David - crumbs ... you'll miss me that much? uh?!! I'll be round to see your birds ... so I'll be commenting - just not posting; while also trying desperately to catch my tail here.

I sincerely hope you've come to by now - I'm completely taken aback ... but truly grateful for the fun comment ...

@ Yam - yes I have to say I cackled in disbelief at David's comment, but am so grateful for all the support. Yup - I definitely need to get on with tidying up my life ...

@ Mae - thanks for coming by ... I'll put a note on your blog tomorrow re #WAWTB ...

@ Sandie - I'll be around ... but taking a bit of a back seat, if I can!

@ EC - I know I couldn't believe the network went down for 3 days ... but I gave up worrying - and managed to do a few other things. I sincerely hope the next two weeks and during November life will become calmer ... thanks for your support ...

@ John - my paths aren't as pretty or as straight as your journeys around your homeland - they make me want to relocate!

Thanks so much to you all - I'll be around ... just keeping quiet in the background ... and getting myself prepared for returning here ... take care all of you and cheers - Hilary

Anabel Marsh said...

Just those few lines of that hymn takes me back to childhood and preparing the harvest baskets for Sunday school. Enjoy your break, hope life’s kinks get straightened out.

lostinimaginaryworlds.blogspot.com said...

Good luck with the sorting, Hilary. See you soon 🌹

Hels said...

Harvest IS usually the most wonderful time of year! Look at those fabulous colours in the fruits and vegetables, and smell the fresh smells *sighs happily*.

Liz A. said...

Life does get in the way sometimes, doesn't it?

Nilanjana Bose said...

Hi Hilary, sorry that you had issues getting online. Hope whatever you need to sort next month will get sorted to your entire satisfaction. Have a great Halloween and a restful/productive November.

Denise Covey said...

Hi Hilary, hope things get sorted for you soon. If you need a hand, just yell. I added you to the WEP list anyway.

Jo said...

I particularly remember, as a kid at boarding school, being part of the choir during Harvest Festival. Boy, that was a long time ago. Surprised it hasn't been turned into Thanksgiving along with the North Americas.

Hope life, and stuff, get sorted Hilary. Best wishes.

retirementreflections said...

Yikes - I hate it when the network goes down. Still, you created a very fun post. I also look forward to the upcoming posts that you have mentioned.

Mike@Bit About Britain said...

I hope all is well, Hilary. Network and IT stuff - I wrestle with it often. I've learned not to ask technical support more than one question at a time - they can't cope with that. Lovely to see:
'Come, ye thankful people, come,
Raise the song of harvest home!
All is safely gathered in,
‘Ere the winter storms begin'
I could hear it as I read the words. Took me right back - not sure where to, though.

Pat Hatt said...

When the network goes down, sucks indeed, as all we can do is hurry up and wait. Hopefully things get sorted for you.

Jemi Fraser said...

Cheers to a productive November - hope you network keeps on keeping on!

Computer Tutor said...

I do hope the break is merely mental health or catchup, nothing more serious. I'll assume it is! Have a wonderful November. I'll be off a week myself during the month, and then 2 weeks in December.

L.G. Keltner said...

Life goes awry sometimes. Best of luck with everything!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Anabel - it's funny how hymns always seem to come back to me when I write about something that triggers the idea. Life's kinks will sort themselves out - just way too much going on and I need to stop and curate ...

@ Carole - yes things will pan out fairly soon ... sorting is happening already ...

@ Hels - I know Harvest is a gorgeous time of year ... particularly with blue skies over the fields of corn, and green hedges. I love the scrunch of grass, the feel of prickles in the hedgerows and those earthy scents - let alone a basketful of apples ... oh just divine!

@ Liz - just way too much going on ... but better that than nothing ... but I need to clear the decks a little ...

@ Nila - thanks ... it was a global issue - and things are back on line now - just didn't know what to do with myself - started reading a book: shock!!

Still sorting things out from Canada - leaving to go there, and then now I'm back ... but things are slotting into place - it'll be fine ... just need to be able to see out!

@ Denise - thanks so much ... if you want to pop over from Paris and help you're very welcome!! It's coming along ...

@ Jo - I can't sing for toffee ... but the tunes and words seem to stick around - like you, school was the influence - and yes boy: it was a long time ago. Interesting about your Thanksgiving note - according to Wikipedia it is used as a Thanksgiving hymn ... Life is getting sorted ...

@ Donna - thankfully it was global - and we had a mini crisis in a group I belong to - so suddenly I got phone calls - no emails being available and from that I learnt about the global 'outage' - still three days was a little frustrating ... but I walked to town to the shop - and then again wait patiently ... still all things in the end worked. I even had to become clever and so some things myself! Thanks.

@ Mike - it was a global blip thankfully ... still messed up life for a while. One thing I've learnt (years ago) never go to technical support - waste of time!

The hymn is a very appropriate one for this time of year - just came to me ... so popped it in to the post - glad you appreciated it. I know we get taken back ... and yes where to - I guess in my case the school church we used to go to on Sundays. We didn't have a chapel as part of the college.

@ Pat - things sorted out now ... just need this place to get into some semblance of living space ... rather full of suitcases and packing crates at the moment.

@ Jemi - yes I think November will be productive - and the network is usually fine ... so I shall rest easily as I clear the decks.

@ Jacqui - sorry I haven't been around much ... not mental health - not one of my challenges, thankfully. Just life - it is absolutely nothing serious ... just way too many things happening ...

Oh enjoy your week off and the 2 weeks in December - I'll be over to check in shortly ...

@ Laura - thanks ... things are working out

Cheers to you all and thanks for your thoughts for me - life is improving already!! Then I'll be happy Hilary again ...

Toi Thomas said...

Sorry for your woes, but glad to hear you're taking some time to sort things out. Wish you the best. See you next time.

Vallypee said...

We'll miss your cheerful presence and fascinating posts, Hilary, but what on earth does #WATWB mean? I am at a loss. I'm so sorry your horrible harvest post went west anyway. Take care and hope to see you on the circuit if not at home!

Lynda Dietz said...

Enjoy your time off! Usually I aim to go lightly in December, due to my work schedule and life in general.

Happy autumn!

D.G. Kaye said...

Enjoy your time out Hilary. Everyone needs one. See you back around for the holidays <3

Botanist said...

Hope you get Life under control again soon and show it who's boss! It does have a habit of intervening when you least expect it, and sometimes you just need to step back for a bit.

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

I hope November is all you hope for and stuff gets sorted.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

May November be fun and productive for you, Hilary. Thank you for visiting my blog and my Horrible Harvest entry. :-)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Toi - thanks ... just need this time without worrying about posts ...

@ Val - thanks ... two to come - and the one on Friday will be an #WATWB post ... re posting about something positive that we perhaps need to think about, or know about ... I'll email you ...

@ Lynda - not enjoyable, but very necessary - to have a cleaner slate will certainly help! December makes sense for most of us ... lots always going on over that time ... Happy Autumn indeed - bucketing rain!

@ Debby - a necessity: to take time out just to feel I can cope and clear the morass ... it's started, thankfully. I'll be around commenting ...

@ Ian - life will get back to normal I hope - well as normal as an adult's life can be! Exactly: I need to show life who's boss = me!! Life's been a bit of a curved ball in the last few years ... so time to find a gentle path forward ...

@ Jo-Anne - October is giving it a head start ... and having that space in November will be 'perfect' ...

@ Roland - I think November will mostly be clearing paper and duplication of items I don't need - giving me head space at the same time ... pleasure to pop over to your Harvest blog post ...

Thanks everyone - lovely to see you ... things are progressing and so I'm already feeling easier - just could do without the bucketing rain to 'go west' too!! Congratulations on all the WEP Horrible Harvest posts ... cheers Hilary

Pat Garcia said...

Hi Hilary,

I first learned the hymn, Come Ye Thankful People Come, by Henry Alford, when I was eight years old. Needless to say, years later, when it gets near harvest time, that hymn rises up within me. I never quite understood the meaning at the age of eight, but I noticed that something in my heart would soften when I sang this particular song. I have noticed over the years that that hymn has a special meaning to me and expresses the kind of person I want to be.

I am so sorry to hear about your computer problems. I believe we all can sing a song about computers, but oh how nice it is to have them and not have to write every word by hand or to use tip-ex or some kind of white out on a typewriter.

Here to wishing you much energy and creativity for the things that you have to get settled before your next blog post.

Happy November!
shalom aleichem,
Pat G

Joanne said...

Alas, when the network goes down, I do think it's almost a sign. It says "stop with the computer and go live." So, obviously you need to heed the warning, don't be hapless, clean up any hopeless, and sort out life. Plus take a walk on a lovely day. I look forward to your Halloween post and will be waiting for any bonus postings. (unless my network goes down). Take care my friend and good luck.

bazza said...

I don't know what our parents did without the Internet! I asked my 13 brothers and sisters but they had no idea...
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s hopelessly habit-forming Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

Debbie D. said...

I hope things get sorted out for you, HIlary. What a pain to have the network go down! May your time off in November be helpful. All the best!

Sally said...

Good luck with all you have to do. I'm sure you'll get on top of it quicker than you anticipate.

Fil said...

It's good to take some time out Hilary ... I admire you being so organised. I hope all is well xx

Dan said...

"Come, ye thankful people, come" is one of my very favorite songs. It's so appropriate for the harvest season. I hope your month off is productive. I'm glad you're still including WATWB and that you will restart with it in November.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Pat – I don’t remember when I learnt any hymns … but they always come into my mind at ‘appropriate’ times and so I can use them in posts.

Your thought about something in your heart when you hear the tune or that recognition comes into your mind is certainly something I feel – strange how these things come back to us … giving us a gentle glow to bask in.

The description is as we should be … as you say: ‘the kind of person I want to be’ – I totally agree with you there … perhaps I needed to read the words as I adjust to life around me …

The computer challenge was a global thing – just frustrating while it’s not there for me/us to use!! I so agree … it is lovely not to have to write this by hand! Thanks re my energy … a busy two days and then perhaps I can get on, once again … but I’d rather be busy.

@ Joanne – well I was on the verge of taking time out anyway … but could have done without the 3 days away without a machine! Still … life goes on and things are slowly happening. Thanks for your thoughts … I’m fine – just needed this little space.

@ Bazza – well I’m sure glad I’m not your mother with all those children! The internet is a boon if used properly … and we bloggers seem to be able to do that … and thank goodness for living today when families can be smaller and more manageable!

@ Debbie – oh the networking going down at that moment was ‘the pits’ …but one gets on – I’m just not used to getting lots of phone calls! November will be great … and I’ll definitely be easier … can see the end of the tunnel!

@ Sally – I suspect/I know there’s a lot to do … when I left for Canada I rushed over in a hurry … now to sort the remains left. I will feel better though for deciding to get on with it …

@ Fil – thanks … I’m not that organised – but needs must to give my life a chance, rather than be in a complete muddle.

@ Dan – the hymn suddenly came to me – not sure why … but I’m glad it has … and as you say – so appropriate for Harvest time. I enjoy the #WATWB posts … they identify things so many of us forget about …

I’m looking forward to having the time to clear the paper and get a little more organised … there’s always more I’d like to do – so I do look forward to clearer decks.

Thanks so much to you all … I will definitely feel more organised as November goes on … just rushing off to Canada left a morass – which (now I’m back) really needs to be cleared out and brought up to date. Take care and thank goodness we have a sunny day! Cheers Hilary

Olga Godim said...

Yes, life has a way to interfere in our plans, sometimes for the good, other times, not so much, alas. I hope you will deal with your stuff successfully , Hillary, and get back to the blogosphere full tilt by November.

Mason Canyon said...

Hope you have a wonderful and safe November. Looking forward to your return.

Anonymous said...

Your alliteration is off the charts, Hilary! I hope all of your things get sorted out and you're able to enjoy your November. Know that your posts will be missed.

Elsie

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Olga - life has certainly a mind of its own! Anyway - let's hope I'm back and able to get on ...

@ Mason - thanks - after another blip - perhaps I can move along!

@ Elsie - well the 'Hs' and the terrrrrible 'Rs' ... seemed to fit - thank you for picking up on them. Well I hope November treats me somewhat better than all of the niggles in October - which kept stopping me in my track.

Thanks to you all ... I'll be around, but lying as low as I can so I can get on with a few other things. Cheers Hilary

Bernadette said...

Have a great November :)

Hope it's without any more network outages.

Roland Clarke said...

As an alliteration addict I grinned at your opening. That alone made this a worth contribution - and then the verse at the end evoking harvest festivals past.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Bernadette - outages happen occasionally don't they ... all well now - but the computer then went down, but that's back up and running! Good to see you here ...

@ Roland - thanks - it was fun and easy to write ... just a quick update on the craziness of life - let alone harvests that the poor farmers have to work through. The hymn just came ... life is funny - how things pop into the mind ...... just grateful readers appreciate my postings!

Cheers to you both - and yes have good Novembers ... Hilary