Jungle Blues

By Janet Baldey

Peril stalks the jungle, but not on four legs.  

It comes walking in upright as sharp-eyed natives hack their way through tangled lianas. With stealthy grace they raise venom-tipped blowpipes and marmosets, tamarinds and spider moneys fall prey to the pet trade. 

It comes in Land Rovers with frozen hearted poachers at the wheel. Forging tracks where there were none before, they seek larger game. A second of gentle pressure on the trigger and another tiger, rhino or shy jungle elephant, is blown into a bloody heap; crucified on the altar to the Oriental penis.

 It comes rumbling in by logging truck.  Huge forest harvesters, shaking the ground and polluting the air, bringing lumberjacks with chainsaws  that cut deep into the trunks of soaring teaks, sending them crashing to the ground, leaving only jagged stumps festering in acres of mire.

It comes insidiously with villages nibbling away at its margins as the human population explodes as does their hunger for land.

A tide of destruction surges through the forest and death follows in its wake.   It is momentous, it is unstoppable and sooner or later, everything that pads, slithers or wings its way through the jungle will face extinction as barren swamps replace majestic forests.

         The Universal Eye peers through the emerald canopy and sees all. Small, limp bodies tumble from trees, their luminous eyes shuttered by closed lids.   Gaudy, orange and black pelts are tossed into open trucks and lie limp and tattered like wind-starved flags while deep craters, full of nothing but mud and slime surround acres of logging camps.

 The sounds of the forest are muted as the jungle mourns and The Eye brims, shedding teardrops that do nothing but add to the swamp and flood the river causing the natives to wail. “Never before have the rains come so early in the season. It is an omen”.

         Driven by disaster, the Eye sends and coiled deep underneath the earth’s crust, the Great Serpent receives.  Angry at being disturbed, the tip of its tail twitches.   Seas boil and great fountains of blue-green water erupt only to collapse again, causing surges that swallow many small islands.

         ‘Aieeee!’   The voice of the people rends the air.

         Now fully awake, the Serpent sees through the Eye and fury replaces anger.  It rears and volcanoes burst into life sending gouts of scarlet fire thousands of feet into the coral sky. Underneath the sea, the earth quivers and breaks, and tsunamis race towards serene palm fringed shores.

         ‘Aieee’, the people scream.

         At last, the Serpent puts aside its wrath and speaks.    

         ‘Bring me my brothers.’  

         Immediately, the elements obey the order.  A light zephyr shuffles the grasses and the message is passed from stem to stem.   Coral snakes, fer de lance, cobra, black mamba, vipers, python, all heed the call and slither, glide and squirm towards the crest of a certain rise.   The site of the first spawn.  Their ancestral home.   The birthplace of the Great Serpent.    It is night before all arrive and driven by instinct, they form a circle and dance, their bodies swaying and their tongues flickering.

          At last, the phantasm of a huge and sinuous shape appears weaving and undulating, outlined in pitch against the moon washed sky.

         ‘Brothers, sisters….a great calamity is upon us….’   Its voice reverberates inside their skulls and mesmerised, the reptiles cease all movement and listen

‘The greed of man surpasses itself.   Now, the most secret places of the earth are violated.   Even our jungle fortress is breached and unless we act quickly, we are doomed.’

The Serpent’s massive head swivels as its gaze encompasses the reptilian multitude now coiled and still, only the glitter of their eyes betraying their presence.  It speaks again.         

         ‘The self proclaimed kings of the jungle - the tiger, the leopard, the rhino, and the elephant - all are useless.’  There is a white flash of fang as the Serpent betrays its contempt.  

‘Too large and cumbersome they have no protection against the sticks that spurt fire and Man laughs at their plight.    The human pestilence thinks it is invincible but it is mistaken.   Their heads too high in the clouds, they fail to see what is at their feet.   And this, my brothers, is our strength.  Small and insignificant, we can hide inside crevices and strike when least expected; swarm out of the blue when the enemy’s back is turned’. 

Interrupted by a sudden clatter, its head swings towards a group of rattlesnakes starting to preen; its jaws open with an explosive hiss and the snakes freeze.

 ‘But even we cannot do it alone’.   With one last stern look at the rattlers, the Serpent again turns to face its audience.   

‘We must call upon all that is most loathsome to Man: scorpions, the arachnids, hornets, and the fearsome giant centipede – scolopendra gigantea.   Every ant, bug and biting insect that makes its home in the undergrowth must join us.   Together, we will drive out the beast that walks on two legs.  Now, go my brothers and spread my word.’

         Only the Eye sees the first murders.   Seduced by the chattering of langurs, a group of natives worm their way through thick vines.   Blinded by sweat streaming down their faces, they blunder into a thick mesh of silk thread woven between the trees.  Busily brushing off the sticky filaments, they fail to see the spiders, each with a glossy black abdomen marked with a scarlet hourglass.   At the time, their bites are hardly felt and it is only later that the first native dies, gripped by convulsions that distort his body and throw him, twitching, to the ground.   The toxin in a Black Widow’s bite storms through the body’s nervous system and although a single bite is rarely fatal, these spiders were on the warpath and many had set that trap.

         Other assassinations follow:  a group of loggers are set upon by thousands of giant hornets, each as big as a small bird.  The rising crescendo of the insects’ furious hum drowns their agonised screams as each thrust of a swollen abdomen drives home a red hot nail.  Each sting produces pheromones, acting like magnets and attracting ever more hornets, until their victims lay still, buried deep inside a living cocoon of yellow and black.

         Mosquitoes descend in their millions, a thrumming, pulsating umbrella they blot out the sun and each one is ravenous for human blood.   Their faces red and swollen, their hands clawing away countless winged vermin, maddened by the incessant high pitched whine that drills deep into the meat of their brain, the poachers leap from their vehicle and run to the nearest waterhole.  It is only after they have thrown themselves in that they discover it is foaming with hundreds of deadly Taipan.   For everywhere, there are snakes; they form a living carpet on the ground and the rivers heave with them.

         In the jungle, no one hears you scream and it takes a while for people to realise something is wrong.  Eventually, the rumours start.   It seems that no-one who enters the jungle is ever seen again.    At first, a few foolish people, mainly white skinned, scoff and disregard the talk.  Money calls, a siren they can’t resist, but once inside the forest, they vanish like a dream greeting the morning.   Search parties are mounted but even one step inside the jungle causes its floor to blacken and ripple with swarms of huge ants whose bites cause excruciating pain; for they are called bullet ants for a reason. 

The rumours are compounded.

‘Black magic,’ the people moan.   They keep their distance and soon the jungle becomes a forbidden place ringed by an invisible barrier of fear.    

         Slowly, life in the forest returns to normal.   Spiders, naturally solitary beasts, scuttle back to their burrows.  The snake hordes disperse and once more, mosquitoes infest only certain swampy areas.   The giant hornets spread their wings and return to the cities where food is abundant.   Leopards and tigers start to prowl the leafy glades again and, once more, the antelope grows wary.    All becomes as it ever was, every species linked together in an interdependent chain which is broken at the planet’s peril.

         At last, The Great Serpent again opens its jaws but this time in a yawn.  It is satisfied and as befits its age, resumes its slumber beneath the earth’s crust where it lies coiled in a mountainous heap, warmed by the molten rock.    

Only the jungle’s guardian, the Universal Eye, does not sleep.   Instead, it keeps watch, by day and by night as, ever vigilant, it waits.

        

Copyright Janet Baldey

        

 

        

        

 

 

        

 

 

 THE SMILE

By Jane Scoggins

It had been a long night on the maternity ward. Not only were the new Mums tired, but the midwives and doctors too. Eleven babies had been born. All were sleeping in their clear perspex cots beside their mother's beds. All except one. Baby Brown. Male. Full term.53.34cm. 3.47kilos it read on the little wristband. He was fast asleep and wrapped in a blue blanket in his tiny cot, but in the nursery, not beside his Mum. The labour had been quite long, but not difficult. Sally had not needed anything stronger than gas and air for pain, and her husband had been beside her all the way encouraging, and soothing her. A healthy baby boy with all his fingers and toes. But there were problems and it was the midwife and the doctor that had to tell the parents what they were. Baby Brown had been born with a cleft lip and palate, and when placed in the outstretched arms of his mother, she had screamed out in fear and panic. Despite all efforts from the maternity staff, Sally was inconsolable, and had handed him back to the nurse and turned her face into the pillow. Jeff, the baby's father had no idea what to say or do, so he said and did nothing for the first couple of hours. He sat by Sally's bed and stroked her hair and although outwardly calm, was crying inside.

        On day two following the birth, when Sally was up and about on the ward, the nurses tried again to encourage her to hold the baby, and give him a name. But although Sally peeped briefly into the cot to see the sleeping infant muffled to the ears in a blanket, she could not bring herself to touch him or pick him up.

        On day three she agreed to see the ward doctor with her husband so he could explain the condition to them. They sat holding hands as the young doctor explained that the cleft palate and lip could be operated on in a few months time. Several operations would be necessary over the next few years. He quoted the high success rate and showed them before and after pictures. Sally and Jeff tried to take it all in but struggled to assimilate the information. All they knew was that their precious first child had a huge gaping hole in his face where his mouth and part of his nose should be.

        On day four Sally sat beside her sleeping baby and after a while reached in and touched his curled up fingers and stroked his downy head. She then went back to her room and cried herself to sleep.

        A plastic surgeon visited the ward and examined the child. After a discussion with the ward doctor and nurses, he sat down with the parents in the doctor's office and explained in great detail what he could do for their son to make him better. Sally and Jeff could hardly believe what he explained about the procedure he had in mind. It seemed like some sort of miracle. They both wept when the surgeon asked if they had any questions as they felt hopelessly inadequate as parents and had no idea what questions to ask. They were numb. The hot sweet tea that the nurse had brought was untouched and went cold in the cups.

        Although Jeff went to see his unnamed son in the nursery every day, Sally found it difficult to bring herself to do more than glance at him and had withdrawn from touching him. The nurses did all they could to encourage her to watch, as they bathed and fed him. Watching the nurses spoon tiny amounts of Sally's expressed milk into the pink gaping cavern unnerved Sally. However skilful the nurses were there was no escaping the fact that some of the milk ran down his chin and even worse, out of his nose. It was a time consuming laborious task feeding baby Brown six times a day. Sometimes he became distressed by the sheer difficulty of feeding and when Sally saw this happen she would walk away.

        At the request of the ward staff, the ward Social Worker was asked to see the parents and consider what she could do to help support them through their distress, and so far, lack of attachment.

 Christine, one of the hospital Social Workers who was experienced in childcare, bonding and attachment issues met with the parents in a comfortable private room with easy chairs, away from the ward. She engaged them in conversation about their preparations for this first baby and the expectations they had. She listened to them as they told her of the hopes and dreams that had been shattered by having a baby with such a deformed face. She did not flinch when their initial tearfulness turned to anger at why this had happened to them. She did not waver when Sally admitted that she didn’t think she could love him. After this revelation, and a short silence.  Sally almost whispered ''I expect you will want to put him into Care if I can't love him. I won't be a very good mother if I can't even face picking him up. I’m not sure I feel anything for him, He is not what I wanted.''

       ''What about you Mr Brown?'' asked the Social Worker. ''How do you feel?''

       ''I don’t know. I feel numb, I can't bear to see his little face like that, it is horrible, but to take him into Care! That would be shirking our responsibilities. We created him, we must somehow cope. But how? I don't know how.''

      ''I have only just become a mother and I am already a terrible one'' sobbed Sally.

       ''Not at all, you have had a shock and you are understandably distressed and completely unnerved. You are not a bad mother, I assure you.''

      ''But how can I love him when I feel like this?''

      ''Little steps at a time '' answered Christine gently, handing them the box of tissues.

       ''We are a team here in this hospital, and we will help you. What you feel is not unusual. There are lots of mother's who do not initially bond with their newborn baby, lots of mother's who do not feel that initial surge of love that everyone expects will happen automatically. It is not always because there is something physically wrong with the child. You have told me about the love you had for your unborn child and how you had so much looked forward to his birth. I know you are very upset but don’t be alarmed at what you feel right now. Give yourself time and let us support you in getting to know your baby, there is so much to learn about him. His physical appearance will change dramatically after his first operation and the surgeons here are very experienced in this procedure. How about you meet me in the nursery after lunch?''

      ''Have you seen his face?'' asked Sally.

      ''I have'' replied Christine.

      ''Have you seen anything like it before?''

       ''I have.''

       ''And what do you think?''

       ''I think he is a lovely contented baby, a good weight, with perfect little fingers and toes, soft downy blond hair, and when he is awake, a pair of the most beautiful eyes.''

        ''But his mouth and nose!''

        ''With an operation, he will be transformed, I have seen it several times since I have worked in this hospital.''

        When Sally and Jeff arrived at the baby nursery after lunch, they could see Christine sitting in an easy chair holding a baby in a blanket. She smiled when she saw them and when they walked over to her they could see from the top of the baby's downy blond head that it was their baby.

 ''I hope you don’t mind. He was a bit grumpy waiting for his feed so I asked the nurse if I could hold him whilst I waited for you.''

   ''No not at all'' answered Sally.

    ''He is quiet now so I will put him back, but he is clinging to my finger so I may need some help'' laughed Christine. Jeff reached down to gently uncurl the tiny fingers, As he did, baby Brown opened his eyes and looked quizzically at his father.

    ''Look Sal, he is looking straight at me, look at those blue blue eyes!''

 Sally peeped cautiously at the baby, and her movement caused the baby to turn his head in her direction and transfer his gaze to his mother. Whilst he gazed, and she gazed back, he gave an enormous hiccup that surprised him into giving a little wail. This surprised not only the baby but Sally and Jeff, causing them to laugh, and automatically reach out to touch him. Sally touched his hand and Jeff stroked a tiny foot that had suddenly stuck out from under the blanket.

       ''Would you like to hold him, if I sit with you for a while?'' asked Christine to both parents.

        ''OK'' replied Sally hesitantly. She sat down in the easy chair next to Christine and slowly held out her arms. Jeff gently reached down and picked up the blanketed baby and slowly and carefully transferred him into Sally's arms. He then sat on the arm of her chair and put his arm around her.

They didn’t stay for long, but it was a start. The following day they arrived after the baby's morning feed and held him again. Little by little their distress lessened and their confidence grew. The nurses and Christine spent time with them putting them at their ease and answered questions about his care, his feeding and the operation to come. Within a week they were helping the nurses to bath and feed the baby and had announced that they had named him James. They continued to be upset about his appearance and were worried that he had very little facial expression to encourage them in developing their feelings of love and attachment.

        And then came a turning point when a nurse overheard Sally exclaim to her husband.

    ''Look Jeff he is smiling!''

     And for Jeff to say ''How is that possible then?''

     ''Look Jeff, look at his eyes...he is smiling with his eyes.''

     ''Oh yes, so he is, he is smiling at me too now Sal. Our little boy is smiling. I think he knows who we are. Just look at his beautiful big blue eyes and long eyelashes.''

Copyright Jane Scoggins

 A welcomed guest

By Carol Blackburn

When staring at daybreak it did emerge,

A welcomed guest, I did observe,

to come, and stay briefly, for tea.

I glimpsed him, in my hour of need.

 

The backdrop of daffodils adorned.

That fluttered as to greet him, as well as me.

I knew he would agree, to stay

and meet me for a cup of tea.

My confused mind, I pondered still,

please linger for a cup of tea,

until a closer peek.

Should I dare to step outside,

a chance, filled with fragrant air?

His brothers and sisters are here, too.

For my eyes to swell, to view.

 

He sits proud, prancing, galloping like a horse,

with carefree kinsfolk, on course.

For my eyes to be seized, with his blinding steed.

To count his entourage, too many, indeed.

Who rapidly, mingle in the dawn breeze?

Should I chance, happiness, at last, for me?

 

A stab of danger, his fragrance from his damaging prance.

The overpowering feeling to embrace,

but will I still be alone, if I decide, in haste?

The temptation is high, my resistance is low.

I try to discern; my eyes start to fill and glow.

The predicament of this blinding felon,

If I venture out and join him and his family, will not be heaven.

 

I resist his abundance of kindness, this my unwelcomed guest.

As I sit in the dawn light, behind my windowpane, never to be sad, at all.

They gaze back at me, as it’s my blessed, hay fever.

That came to visit me!

 

 Copyright Carole Blackburn          2020

 

 

 

Personal Well-being: 07

 

Personal Well-being: 07 Body Types

By Barefoot Medic

It pains me that so many people are obsessed with how they look.  Yes, you can improve your physique within the limits of your body type.

Body types do not in any way relate to good/bad health or personal well-being.

Understand, there are three distinct body types:

Ectomorph  (Slim).

Endomorph (Bodybuilder).

Mesomorph (Rotund).

I'm a mesomorph, as are the other members of my family to a greater or lesser extent.  One thing I know is that we will never be able to display a six-pack; that's a fact of life but bears no reference to our fitness level.

In my lifestyle, I believe we should do everything in moderation.  Excessive eating, drinking or exercise, are not conducive to good health. 

Put simply, common sense and moderation will always work in your favour.

Neither the ectomorph nor mesomorph will ever achieve the physique of an endomorph, so stop trying and be yourself.  

Just enjoy life in all its variety!

 

 

Drifters Chapter 2c

This is the third answer to Richard Banks’s challenge (see 04/03/21) there will be others posting their chapter 2 to his chapter 1.  You must decide the best by voting…

By Bob French

She grabs my arm and with a smile, gently leads me down the street which is in near darkness now.  The hissing sound of the gas lamps causes me to look up. Suddenly I feel a tug on the lead and the dog starts to bark and tug on its lead.  I look towards an alleyway and see a cat, its back hunched up, hissing at the dog. I try to hold the dog back, but it’s too late.  It sprints off towards the cat. I curse and start after it but Cassie tries to hold me back.

“it’s alright George, he’ll find his way home.” Her voice sounding convincing, so I stop and wait until she joins me. As we turn a corner, I note a dime light above a tobacco shop selling the new 20 pack of Woodbine Cigarettes and John Player Navy Cut tobacco, something my Granddad use to smoke in his pipe. My senses drag me back to the comfort of my Grandad’s lap; the distinctive smell of his pipe as he puffed clouds above my head.  I pause about to ask her something, but my eyes are drawn to a noisy veteran car rattling out of the darkness and vanishing behind us.  I slow, determined to get some idea of what is happening. I need some answers.

“Cassie, do you know where you are going and what date is it?  Everything is so, so 1920s.”  But she laughs and pulls me further into the darkness.

The man in the silver jumpsuit had drifted into the darkness and quietly makes a telephone call from the phone box on the corner of the street to warn Aunty Lucy that the woman had returned.

Detective Constable Fred Smith was annoyed.  He had planned to watch the Hammers play The Arsenal this evening, but his Chief wanted a report on the bank robbery that had taken place on his patch.  As he pondered on how to word the report, his assistant, WPC Mandy Williams came in and grunted, ‘evening Fred,’ then dropped a file into his already full in-tray.

“Chief wants you to look at this asap.”

“Jesus, doesn’t he know were short staffed?”

He pushed the robbery report to one side and quickly read the new file, then thought it a complete waste of time and decided it could wait. As he picked up the robbery file, the words of Frank, his Sergeant crept into his mind as he addressed the station staff.

‘Lastly, there have been a number of strange instances happening lately.  People who have lived on our patch for years have started to vanish without a trace.  Now, I’m not saying we may have a serial killer on the loose in the manor, but keep your eyes and ears open, got it.’

He reluctantly picks up the new file and began to go over it again.

It was near midnight when the door to the office opened and Frank sauntered in with a huge grin on his face.

“Still here Fred?” then casually nodded to Mandy.

“No, it’s a figment of your imagination Sarg.”

“It must be important for you to miss a Hammers game. What’s keeping you?”

“It’s this latest file Sarg from the Chief.  A Miss Broadbent made a report last week about some strange goings on in a phone box opposite the café she uses on Broad Street.

The Sergeant recalled the file.  Probably young kids messing about he thought at the time.

“what have you done so far?”

“Nothing yet.”

Frank turned to Mandy.  First thing in the morning, pop over to where she lives and have a chat with her; find out all you can about the incident. Speak to her friends and neighbours, then fill Frank in.  Can you also ask the girls in archives if they can give you all the files of missing persons during the last four months.   Frank. I want you to put the phone box under surveillance……. I know, we don’t have enough boots on the ground, but see what you can find out about the area. I’ll square it with Jim in Comms to get you some camera equipment.”   As he reached the door, he turned and with a grin on his face called back. “Oh, by the way, Hammers beat The Arsenal 3, 1.”

They had agreed to meet in the café opposite the phone box on Broad Street where Ms Broadbent claimed that something fishy had taken place, at midday.  As Mandy pushed the café door open, Fred caught her eye.

“I spent most of the morning speaking to the old ladies friends,” but Fred could see that she had a puzzled look on her face as she flipped open her notebook. 

“She’s an 82-year-old woman with no living relatives; is well known around the estate. Draws her pension every Friday and plays Bingo every Saturday night, until Saturday the 15^th, when she didn’t turn up for Bingo.  According to everyone I spoke to, the old girl.” She glanced down at her black notebook, “a Fanny Broadbent, would never miss her Bingo, even if it meant climbing out of her death bed. Her neighbours organized a thorough search of the estate, then reported it to the Nick.  I gained access to her flat; nothing seemed out of order, in fact, it looks like she just got up and walked out of her flat and vanished.”

“Vanished?”  Fred shook his head, then glanced across the road as a tall man in a dark overcoat entered the box, made a phone call, then left. He jotted down the time and a brief description of the man.   His thoughts were interrupted as Mavis, a stout, cheerful looking woman who suddenly started to clear the dirty plates left by the previous customer.

“Want anything to eat luv?”

Mandy shook her head, stood and said that she was heading back to the office.

As she left, Fred flashed his warrant card at Mavis and briefly explained his presence before asking for a nice mug of tea.

It was the third day, around five o’clock in the evening. He had read the Daily Mail three times and when he looked up into the fading light of the day, he noticed that it had started to snow.  He seemed to stare out into the street as the neon lights of the shops up and down Broad Street started to come on.  Suddenly he was brought back to reality with a bump as Mavis, the waitress nudge him with her wide motherly hips, then nodded towards the phone box.

He watched as a young woman matching the description of the missing Miss Goodyear, appear to be enticing a gentleman into the phone box. He nods his thanks, gulps down what was left of his cold tea and makes a dash for the door.  As he races towards the phone box it seems to shake violently. It stops just as he was a couple of yards away.  He skids around the other side of the box and rips open the door and freezes.  There is no one inside! 

He quickly searched around the outside of the box, then remembered that the boys from Comms had put a camera in the phone, box to assist him to catch the vandals who had annoyed Miss Broadbent.

That night as he sat in his office going over his report for the tenth time, thinking no one was going to believe him, Jim from the Comms Section came in.

“Hi, Fred.  Got the pictures of the phone box you wanted?”

Fred took the memory stick and slipped it into his laptop then settled back to study the short film of the mysterious disappearance of Miss Goodyear and the gentleman. When the phone box started to vibrate, the picture became distorted.  When it stopped, the two people had vanished?   Smith felt that gut feeling again that made him a good detective. He plays it several times again, but nothing jumps out at him.  He plays the start of the film slowly and jots down the twenty-three digit telephone number Miss Goodyear had dialled.

On the way home that night, Fred thought that the only way he is going to get to the bottom of this mystery was to try the telephone box himself.  He glanced at his watch as he parked the car a few hundred yards from the phone box, then walked down the deserted Broad Street to the phone box. 

The box smelt of stale cigarette smoke as he pulls open the door to the phone box. He dials the number.  Nothing happens.  He tries again.  Still nothing.  In frustration, he curses and leaves the box to walk back to his car. It was just past midnight; the night sky was full of stars and the street was deserted, yet he felt uncomfortable. Someone was following him.  He turns several times, hoping to catch someone, but there’s no one there.  As he continues, the feelings grew stronger as though someone is about to mug him.

 Copyright Bob French

Personal Well-being: 06

 

 Personal Well-being: 06 Exercise for the Overweight, Infirm & Aged.

  By Barefoot Medic

"If only I had paid more attention to my diet and watched my weight in earlier years, but now it's too late..." an obese lady in her 60's confided.

But, is it too late? Surely there are exercises we can do that would help? Pilates, yoga, Tai Chi, Dynamic tension?

Pilates:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI66J8X63TE

Yoga:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phuS5VLQy8c

Tai Chi:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCnCSOWgIUU&t=342s

Dynamic tension:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkJEWMCw0T8

They are always demonstrated by fit healthy youngsters, but if we select what we can and cannot do comfortably from each regimen we can all improve our lives.

That, together with a balanced diet, eating less and daily deep breathing exercises to fully oxygenate our blood would result in rapid improvements physically and mentally.  A lot can be accomplished in bed and will help you sleep…

I recall a motivational mantra but not its origin which doesn't affect its relevance:

Never lay when you can sit.
Never sit when you can stand.
Never stand when you can walk.
Never walk when you can run.

No such thing as can't only won't!

Any activity is better than none. You don't need to spend on an expensive Gym membership, Walking, swimming, and gardening cost nothing. Initially exercise in moderation, and you'll be surprised how much better you will feel.

 

  The Secret

By Janet Baldey

‘A thick blanket of snow covered the ground….’

Alisia stilled.  She tried to frown, then remembered she still had her skin protector on.   With an irritated sigh, she ripped it off.  Although she knew it was necessary, she hated wearing it.  Masking all expression - they made even the most intelligent look bovine.   She spent a few luxurious seconds working the muscles of her face before turning to the screen again.

‘turning the fields into a winter wonderland.’

The teacher’s creeping sense of unease deepened.   She’d asked her class of 7/8-year-olds to write about their weekend.   True, she’d said they could describe something that really happened, or something ‘made up’ but she’d not expected this.  After all, she was three times this child’s age and she’d never seen snow and neither had her parents.  Her lips tightened, that was not the point.   Mentioning snow was tantamount to discussing the ‘old days’ and that was strictly forbidden by the Regime.   People had been disposed of for less.   It sounded severe but the Regime was right;  after all, she had to admit that the boy’s sentence had even awakened a vague longing inside her and could easily promote discontent in others more unruly.  Discontent was dangerous, which had been drummed into her during her indoctrination.  Discontent had led to the downfall of other regimes, with disastrous effects.   She glanced out of the window.  As usual, the never-changing expanse of bright blue sky was total, unbroken by even the smallest wisp of cloud.   At ground level, the dust stretching towards the horizon had its own beauty, she supposed.   At dusk, it reflected the setting sun and glowed blood red, but even so, it would be nice if….  She snapped her mind closed, she was entering dangerous territory.   It was time to deal with the more immediate problem.

  She looked at the name at the top of the monitor, Alex Kapplin one of the brightest in her class.   Even so, his essay was surely about something that had been blocked for years before he’d been born.   He must have heard of it from someone; probably from his father who’d always made her feel uneasy.  His far-seeing deep blue eyes seemed to know things she didn’t, which was strange as being a teacher, she knew more than most.   However, she was aware that although it was the law that all over the age of six should have their memories wiped at regular intervals, it wasn’t unknown that in certain individuals, breakthroughs occurred.  Alex’s father must be one such.   Retrodegenerates, they were called and if discovered, the Regime disposed of them without mercy.

Alisia’s fingers fluttered over the boy’s name and then pressed down decisively.  The screen rippled and the boy’s face appeared.   He had a smear of jam at the corner of his mouth and he looked surprised and, she thought, apprehensive.

‘It’s about your essay, Alex.   Tell me, what made you write it?’

‘Don’t know Miss.’

‘But where did you get the idea from?’  Did you hear about it from someone else?’

‘No, Miss.  I just remembered it in the morning.’

 As he answered her questions she stared into his eyes.   They did not flicker, it was obvious he was telling the truth.

She switched off the screen and sat swivelling in her chair.  Clearly, the boy must have had a dream.   She sat quite still, recalling the boy’s face, his eyes in particular - they had so much light and fire.    Her shoulders drooped, those eyes would be dimmed forever if the Regime were informed, but it was her duty.   When she first became a Teacher she had taken an oath to do all she could to protect the Regime.   After all, it was the Regime that provided for her and for all those who lived under the Dome.   All were protected.  All were gainfully employed.   All had plentiful food, gyms for exercising slack muscles, swimming pools, athletic tracks, football pitches, even a virtual adventure room where one could slay mythical creatures.   And if the Regime appeared harsh on occasions, deep down everyone knew it was for their own good.  For instance, old people were an encumbrance, they were unproductive and took up valuable breathing space.   A switch inside Alisia’s head turned itself off.   Her thinking time had elapsed.

Her chair stopped swivelling as she sat upright.   After all, it wasn’t as if the child would be eradicated – just changed, that was all.   She turned to an array of instruments in front of her and began to key in a number and it was then that it happened.   Images began to flash before her eyes so quickly she could barely breathe.   Bursting like firecrackers before her were ragged clouds, seas of liquid gold, salmon pink sunsets, bolts of jagged lightning, curtains of rain, hailstones as big as marbles, trees swaying gently in the breeze.   All so strange, but so familiar somehow and so, so beautiful….. her fingers slackened and dropped from the keyboard as she sat staring into nothing.

She knew she should turn herself in, together with the child, but she wouldn’t.  The visions were too precious to lose. They would be the secret she and the boy shared.  

Copyright Janet Baldey