Mancunian

I like it, a lot. well done and thank you for the story.

Thank you, I enjoyed writing it and I'm happy that you enjoyed it.

Thank you BB, this would never have come about without the help and support that I've had, you deserve credit for this story too.

John looked up at the night sky. “It’s going to be a cold one tonight,” he thought. He knew that there would be worse to come. After all, it was only the beginning of November. He made sure to pull up the zip on his parka, only pulling the hood up part way over his medium length dark hair so that it didn't obstruct his field of vision. He'd learned very quickly that out on the street you need to keep your wits about you and be able to see as much as possible. There were few working street lights

This fictional story shows how people from different backgrounds can try to support others in a time of desperation, few real tales of homelessness have a happy ending. It is written as a tribute to those who in the past and present have given and continue to give either time, money or other support to homeless shelters across the globe. Also in the hope that it will inspire others to do so in the future in whatever small way that they are able. Can you help?

How about trying a good traditional British recipe? Here's my dad's recipe for Steak & Kidney Pudding it's delicious. Steak and Kidney Pudding Serves 4 Ingredients Filling 1 lb stewing steak, diced. ½ lb kidney, diced (lambs is best but ox is still good). 1 medium onion, diced. (optional) 4oz flour 1 teaspoon ground pepper 1 teaspoon rock salt 3 beef stock cubes 2 table spoons Worcestershire sauce 1½ pints water ½ pint Guinness 1 tablespoon cooking oil. Knob of butter. Pastry case. 10oz self raising flour. 5 oz shredded suet (beef suet is best or veg' suet for a slightly healthier pastry). ¼ teaspoon table salt. Cold water. Method. Filling. Boil the water in a pan, add the stock cubes and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until stock cubes have dissolved then set aside keeping warm. Add the flour, salt and pepper to a plastic bag and shake to mix. Rinse and dry the steak and the kidney, keeping separate. Heat the oil in skillet on medium to high heat. Add steak to the flour mix in the bag and shake to coat. When coated add to the hot oil and fry to seal and brown. When browned add to the hot stock. Repeat with the kidney (add extra flour, salt and pepper if needed). Lightly fry the onion then add to the stock. Use a small amount of Guinness to deglaze the skillet then pour into the stock adding the remainder of the Guinness to the stock. Bring the stock pan to the boil then simmer for 1 to 1½ hours until steak is tender, stirring occasionally. Pastry. Add flour, suet and salt to a mixing bowl and rub in until it resembles breadcrumbs, it's best wash your hands in cold water first as cold hands make it easier. When you have the breadcrumb texture add just enough cold water to bind, if you add too much add a little extra flour to soak it up. Knead for a couple of minutes then wrap in cling film and keep in the fridge until needed. When the steak is tender remove from the heat. Use the knob of butter to lightly grease a 2½ pint pudding basin. Remove the pastry mix from the fridge and use a rolling pin to roll out the mix, once rolled cut out ¼ and separate. Use the remaining mix to line the pudding basin, the missing quarter should make it easier to do this, brush on water to help seal the join. Scoop the meat and onion from the stock pot and fill the lined basin. Ladle in gravy to approximately 2/3 full, no more or the pastry will be soggy. The remaining gravy can be reheated for use later. Roll the remainder of the pastry mix into ball and roll out to make a top, brush on water to seal. Make 4 slits in the top for steam to escape. Cover the basin with a muslin cloth, greaseproof paper or foil can be used but remember to fold a pleat into it, and secure with string. Place the pudding basin in a steamer and steam for 1 to 1½ hours. When cooked carefully remove from the steamer and remove the cover and using a knife around the edge loosen. Place a plate over the top and flip over and remove the basin. Serve with any accompaniment of your choosing and the reheated remaining gravy. ½ lb of mushrooms can be added if required or used to substitute the kidney, or use extra steak to substitute the kidney. Guinness can be substituted with red wine if preferred or extra water for a non alcoholic gravy. Most of the alcohol evaporates in the cooking process leaving only the flavour.

You are who you are and no explanation should necessary or required by others. As far as I'm concerned I only need to know one thing, are you a decent person? If you are then I have time for you and open to being friends, nothing else matters or comes into it. That's the way that I was brought up and that's the way I will remain. Anyone who makes you feel that you have to explain yourself isn't worth bothering about.

I'm not a particularly religious person but occasionally I do find a part of The Bible relevant to life and sometimes inspirational, so please don't take the following as me trying to force religion on anyone it is not intended in that way. "Ephesians 4:29-32 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Read more: https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-friendship-20-good-scripture-quotes/#ixzz5d8yvDLqs

Oh my god, what a wake up call, so much to take in from such a short story and the impact that it has. It made me feel emotional for those that live through this reality and guilty for having had the life that I've had, rarely if ever being in want or need. it's compelling reading.

I'm inclined to agree

Your fate will always accept you, so you may as well accept your fate, only then can you move forward.

I'm not sure but I'll take a stab in the dark, is it mikiesboy ?

Letting go of the past is the first step into the future.

“Do something today that your future self will thank you for.”– Anonymous

From someone who has had to go through this trauma and understands, I wish you peace and strength to see you through these times. My thoughts and prayers are with you, try to remember the good memories they will help and hopefully bring you a little comfort in the days to come.

Brotherly love at its best, nice story, thank you.

A nicely written lighthearted story of childhood, well worth the read to put a smile on your face.

Thank you, definitely something to to make us laugh, I loved it.

You are stronger than you give yourself credit for and you will come through this even stronger, take what time you need for yourself and come out fighting. There are a lot of people who believe in you.

This brings back memories of those magical childhood Christmas's, it makes you all warm and fuzzy.

As always this is good advice. For someone like me who is new to writing its invaluable and really helps with the learning curve. I'm trying to learn the art of good writing which means that the input, comments and views of other experienced writers can only be beneficial so I will be reading previous entries on this blog in an attempt to reap the benefits.