Penny Blake
Story topics: Natural Living, Equality, Diversity, Geek Culture.
I write and review non-fiction and fiction that explores science,
culture, identity and power.
I Kiss Him Goodbye
I kiss him goodbye Still groggy, gummed-up and hauling my head out of sleep I shuffle up and rustle up A smile for the day
Penny BlakePublished 4 months ago in Poets
The Merry Prankster
Be the light If you will I will be the darkness The place where things may rest and grow slow, soft, eye-clo
Penny BlakePublished 4 months ago in Poets
Dead Poet
Romanticise my poverty Make me your project Your Virtue Flag Your Drum Bang me Loud For the crowd Or in your own echo chamber
Penny BlakePublished about a year ago in Poets
Five Family Traditions
Christmas is certainly a time when family traditions are important and most of us have our own set ways of celebrating which were passed down to us from our parents and grandparents. But sometimes these old ways of doing things can begin to seem dated, irrelevant and stale; particularly in the climate of anti-commercialism and eco-culture.
Penny BlakePublished about a year ago in Families
Save Energy This Winter
Whether it's saving money on bills, or trying to reduce our impact on the environment, there are lots of good reasons to resist turning on our central heating until we absolutely have to. Here are ten simple, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly ways to stay warm this winter without cranking up the dial on our thermostat.
Penny BlakePublished about a year ago in Lifehack
Nine Seasonal Craft Projects
Pine Cone Bird Feeders Collect pine cones on an autumn walk in the woods, then cosy up round the stove to make these tasty treats for the birds in your garden. Bird tables and garden feeders can be a vital source of sustenance for birds throughout the winter, and this high-fat snack is fun to make with your little ones who will love learning about the different birds who come to feast! Melt a little lard in a saucepan, and remove from the heat before stirring in some wild bird seed mix. Attach some sturdy cotton to an open pine cone, and carefully dip into the cone into the pan, taking care as the mixture will be very hot, and lay them to rest on a baking sheet or waxed paper. When the cones are dry and hardened, hang them in a tree or from your bird table then get your binoculars ready to spot who comes to have a snack!
Penny BlakePublished about a year ago in Lifehack
Eat Wild
Foraging for wild food can have many benefits. Besides being an enjoyable hobby and a good excuse to get out and enjoy a productive walk in the fresh air, it can save you money on your grocery bill, and give your health a boost, because wild foods often contain more nutrients than those grown in intensive farming conditions.
Penny BlakePublished about a year ago in Feast
Faceless
For your convenience then, I'll change my name and forget the story that brought it to rest in my breast like a wind blown leaf finding the niche inside the blood dark hole within the trunk of this old tree where a vital limb had been torn away.
Penny BlakePublished about a year ago in Poets
