Mancunian

Hey you and @Justin4Fun will do just fine, you're among friends and like-minded souls here.

It's all good just having a bit of trouble sleeping. It's 3 am here and I really should be in bed but I'm reading instead lol. How's things with you?

Hiya Page 😀

Welcome to GA, I'm looking forward to reading your stories so I hope you will be posting soon. I'm sure that many of us can understand the feelings you get when writing and have similar experiences. Enjoy reading some of the stories that have been posted already while you get ready to post your own.

I hope everything goes well and she is okay 🤞

Thank you Duglas, I wish both you and your Mother A Happy Easter, I hope you both enjoy your re-arranged Easter meal, I'm sure that you will still create happy memories.

Thank you Albert and a Happy Easter to you too. Daffodils always remind me that summer is just around the corner.

You mean that aroma isn't the smells of the countryside

There is so much love in this room, I can feel it, lol

It's a pleasant 16 degrees C and sunny here in Manchester UK, I'm enjoying it and have the balcony doors wide open.

Happy Birthday Drew Birthday wishes are meant everything else is in jest, I think 🤔 lol

The Dork and the Dark side can be defeated, here's the proof

You mean he really is on 'the dark side' 😮

Hiya Drew, I think I'm going to like here 😀

Thank you Gary, COTT looks like a nice friendly place to be.

Wow, you're probably better at English than I am and it's my first (and only) language, lol. 😂

Don't worry too much about it or it will only get worse, just have confidence in yourself knowing that you can do better and you will, believe in yourself like others do.

Aloha Albert, hope your having a good day 😀

Hi everyone hope you all have a good easter weekend. @Albert1434 sorry I didn't reply to you the other day, I've just been so engrossed in reading The Barnstable Chronicles I even nearly missed an appointment, I need to pay more attention, lol.

Welcome back @Treyvan and I hope that you will feel at home. Your feeling of being lost will soon go away the more you immerse yourself in this welcoming community. New stories are always eagerly awaited, so please share your writing and I hope that you will enjoy reading the stories already here.

Short, sweet and brilliantly well written. Yes it's a topic that has been covered by many authors, but I am sure that the author's talent in creating his characters and this story will draw you in as it did me. The MC's have a real feel to them which is a testament to the skills of @Headstall. Read it I'm sure you will get as much pleasure from it as I have.

Wow, this is why I love going back through the archives, I find some truly great stories some are multi chapter stories but then there are the much shorter real gems like this one. You have written something really special with this story and it's one that can, and sometimes does, happen in real life. I'd love to read more of Armie and Trent's story but there is a lot to be said for keeping the ending where it is, it allows the reader to keep the idea of a HEA in the way they would like it to be. Maybe another short story showing good foundations for the future could be a good idea, but that's only if you feel it would work. What ever you decide, thank you Gary for this wonderful story. I know of a project volunteer who had a similar experience. The relationship ended after about two years, luckily it ended on good terms and they remained good friends giving each other a lot of support. Both of them are now in different relationships and are still good friends.

This is one of my 'go to' recipe's when I fancy something spicy and warming, there are many variations but this is my favourite as it's quick and easy. It is recommended as a breakfast recipe, but I'll eat it any time of day accompanied by buttered fresh baked bread. I often add 1/4 teaspoon of chilli flakes and/or cumin at the same time as the tomatoes, the nice thing is you can vary the recipe to suit yourself so feel free to experiment. Shakshuka (pronounced;- shak-shoe-kah) Ingredients ½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil ¼ small red onion, chopped 1 medium red bell pepper, diced. When cutting the bell pepper, slice two rings before dicing the rest of the pepper. 1 clove garlic, minced ⅛ tsp salt 7 oz fire-roasted diced tomatoes (you can substitute with tinned chopped tomatoes) 1 tbsp tomato paste 2 large eggs 1 tbsp parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional) 1 tbsp feta cheese, crumbled (add after cooking, optional Instructions Heat extra-virgin olive oil on medium heat in a small skillet or pan. Add onions and cook for 2 minutes or until onions start to soften. Add peppers and garlic and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Add the fire-roasted diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and bell pepper rings and cook for 3 minutes or until the mixture starts to simmer. Turn the heat down to low. Place the eggs in the bell pepper rings, cover the pan, and simmer for 5-6 minutes (or until the eggs are at your desired consistency). Serve immediately.

What a beautiful tribute to Paul O'Grady and Lily Savage, his alter ego. He will be missed as both a performer and TV presenter, he will also be missed for for his defence of the LGBTQ+ community and helping to raise AIDS awareness and his compassion for those who had contracted HIV, even before the establishment did anything positive. But most of all he will be missed by his family and friends for being the genuine, compassionate, charitable and loyal man that he was in his personal life.