Click here to read the first week of this feature, and follow the links at the end of each post.
***
London – September 7th, 1988
Yesterday, it seems that there was quite a bit of upset between Anthony and Mr & Mrs Summer. Marcus revealed to Marty and me that a large rift has developed between both parties over the death of our landlord, Shaun.
It’s a great shame, but it seems that Anthony has led us all, here at Grassmere Road, up the garden path as to when Shaun’s parents intend selling the house. It’s now almost certain that we will all have to be out by November 1st!
I hate being up against a deadline, so I immediately contacted Simon and Rod and told them to get searching for a place that will accommodate three people. Simon seemed really chuffed that I’ve decided to move in with Rod and him. In fact, I think I almost detected an evil laugh from him when I told him.
Now all that remains is for me to tell Nigel that I won’t be moving in with him. Goodness knows how he’s going to take the news, but we’re both grown men, so it shouldn’t really matter. Sometimes, we seem to act like schoolboys in a playground.
I’m glad that I didn’t rush my decision. I have my reasons for not moving in with Nigel and will discuss these with him when I see him at work tomorrow.
***
Welcome to this new feature for 2018 on Hugh’s Views and News. In this feature, I’ll be sharing snippets from my diary of 1988. We’ll also take a trip in Hugh’s Music Time machine to hear some songs from the 1980s which have been chosen by some specially invited guests.
This week my guest is the writer and blogger, Sherri Matthews. A writer of memoir and occasional poetry, Sherri also discovered, much to her amazement, a love for writing flash fiction.
While she chases the finish line to the publication of her memoir, Stranger In A White Dress, Sherri is published in four anthologies. Most recently, The Congress of Rough Writers: Flash Fiction Anthology Vol. 1, proud recipient of a 5-star review from Readers’ Favorite and the Literary Titan Silver Book Award, which features several of her 99-word flash fictions and her essay: ‘From Memoir to Flash Fiction and Back Again.’
Click here to buy The Congress Of Rough Writers on Amazon UK
Click here to buy The Congress Of Rough Writers on Amazon USA.
Sherri has several articles published in national magazines, including her short story runner-up entry, ‘A Walk in the Woods’, in Prima. Two of her short memoir entries are longlisted with FISH Publications.
Sherri raised her children in California for twenty years before returning to her home in England, where she lives today with her husband.
According to her children, Sherri has an annoying habit of taking photos wherever she goes. The better ones she loves to share on her on her blog, along with stories of her (mis)adventures then and now, and the highs and lows and the unexpected remedies in the life of an adult child with Asperger’s Syndrome.
I’ve met Sherrie several times through the Bloggers Bash, and we have since become very good friends. Last year, she kindly invited me to be a judge in one of the Flash Fiction competitions held at the Carrot Ranch. It seems I did an excellent job because she’s invited me to be a judge in one of the contests in this year’s competition, too.
Sherrie’s theme for this year’s competition is Travel With A Twist. Click here for full details, including when the competition opens.
Connect with Sherrie.
Sherrie’s song choice is Power Of Love by Huey Lewis And The News.
Released in 1985, Power Of Love featured in the 1985 blockbuster movie Back To The Future. Huey Lewis also featured in the movie where he plays one of the judges in a music competition Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) enters. The song can also be heard briefly in the sequel Back To The Future 2.
It gave the band their first number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in the U.S.A and was a worldwide hit elsewhere.
In September 1988, it seems the power of my mind finally kicked in when I finally made a decision of who my new housemates were to be. Do you have a favourite song connected to power? Share a link to it in the comments.
Next week, are things finally on the up on our quest to find a new home, or is somebody else about to throw everything into chaos? Click here to find out.
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I need to come back and read more, Hugh. I have gaps in your 1980s life! So good to see Sherri here with the Power of Love. We are so happy to have you back as a judge. And who knows? Perhaps as another winner!
I can’t believe there are only another few weeks to go in this series, Charli. I’ve enjoyed sharing it, though. They may be a book in the making once it finishes.
I’m looking forward to being a judge again. And I’ll certainly be entering a few of the contest over at The Carrot Ranch.
Hmmm, an evil laugh from Simon, sounds like foreshadowing to me, Hugh 🙂 I have to agree with Liesbet…OK we’ll wait… Love that Huey Lewis song Power of Love, it does have such a positive message. Nice meeting Sherri!
Yes, it’s an evil laugh that has now come back to haunt me, Terri. I remembered it so well when I read this diary extract from September 1988.
Thanks, Terri, great to see you too! 🙂
Hi Hugh. I seem to have missed this one… But I’m happy to see it now. Nice to see Sherri too. Thanks for the upbeat song. Have a wonderful Wednesday. Hugs!
You’re welcome, Teagan. Have a great Thursday.
Hugs
Thanks, Teagan, great to see you too, it’s a great song, isn’t it? 🙂 Hugs to you!
How nice to see Sherri featured here, Hugh. I enjoyed the Congress of Rough Writers anthology and Sherri’s contributions to the book.
Wonderful, I’m glad you enjoyed the book, Robbie. Sherrie’s flash fiction is always amazing.
Aww…thank you so much, Hugh…high praise, my friend…xxx
Hi Robbie, lovely to see you here too, and thank you so much for your lovely words about the anthology 🙂
Wow, that was a lot of cliff hanging info you left us in a few short paragraphs Hugh. Holy smokes, how did Shaun die? Where did you end up living? I must say the way you’ve carried on this series leaves us very curious to have the gaps filled in. Have you considered turning this series into a book too, telling us the complete story of your time in London?
And what a treat to see my dear friend Sherri here today. I’m so glad she has that ‘bad habit’ of taking so many photos. Sherri brings us right to location when she posts about her travel adventures with her words and photos.
Hugs to you both my friends. And love the song choice. Yes! The Power of Love! ❤ ❤ xx
From what I remember, Shaun died from a heart attack, Debby. Probably caused by being the landlord of four out of control gay guys. I remember the funeral being a very sad day, but only since reading the dairy. I also have a photo, somewhere, of the four housemates on the day of the funeral. I’ll have to have a hunt for it.
As for turning this series into a book, yes, it’s crossed my mind. However, I’m going to make a decision once the series finishes in December. Before then, I have the sequel to Glimpses planned, although publication date now won’t be until early January 2019. ’49 Days in 1988′ could be my next WIP. 😀
Thanks so much for the hugs. I’m sure Sherrie will love them, too. I hope Sherrie and I get the chance to meet up with you in person one day soon. Fingers crossed. 🤞
Hugs to you.
xx
Feeling is mutual Hugh! And yes, it would be fun to see some photos of some your friends back in the day! You have the right approach Hugh, don’t stress yourself out – One day at a time is my motto! I promised myself last year that I was not going to put out another book this year because I needed to take a breather and work on some other things without the pressure. Of course, we are always working and when inspiration strikes you must run with it. So I have come up with a few chapters for my next book and will probably get more discipline in the new year too. And I am reallyyyyyyyyy hoping to get to the UK next year. If it weren’t for hubby issues I’d have probably been there at least twice by now in the last 2 years. My goal is to meet up with you, Sherri, Stevie Turner, Deborah Jay and Sally of course when I do get there! And I will!!!! ❤
Lovely. I know there’ll be a lot of people who’ll want to meet up with you, Debby. However, the family must always come first, but I know you already know that.
Good luck with the next book. Good to hear it’s on a low simmer at the moment. Next week I’ll be beginning all the edits to the follow up to Glimpses (and there are lots to do – including rewriting a few of the stories). That’s why I’ve delayed publication until 2019.
xx
Good for you Hugh. That’s usually the part that can take as long as writing the book, lol. Edits, revisions, edits, proof reading, beta reading, publishing. Oye, I’m tired just thinking about it, lol. Let us not forget to breathe! 🙂 ❤ xx
One day at a time is right, Deb! It’s great you’ve already written those chapters on your next book, but as you say, it’s important to listen to that voice calling us away to other projects when we need to ease the pressure. I keep telling myself that, anyway lol, so I don’t get endlessly frustrated with life’s distractions, as you well know! And when you are able to make it to the UK Deb, we’ll be ready and waiting to give you the biggest welcome and hugs ever! 🙂 ❤ ❤ ❤
I look soooooooo forward to crossing the pond and hugging the both of you!!!! It’s gonna happen! 🙂 ❤ ❤ xx
It will…so excited just thinking about it, Deb!!!!! 😀 ❤ 😀 xoxo
❤ ❤
All the best with your edits and rewrites, Hugh 🙂 xxx
Sounds like a very emotional time for you and your friends, Hugh. What a horrible shock about Shaun. Interesting that didn’t remember it being a sad day until you read your diary. Those words you wrote then make for an emotional response today. Would love to see that photo too! Glad to know you’re considering Debbie’s suggestion about the book 🙂 And I do indeed love those hugs and have already sent a ton back to you both, lol. How great would that day be for us all to meet? I’m so excited at just the very thought of it! xxx
I agree Debbie, Hugh should turn this series into a book, his story captures the times, attitudes, era so poignantly. Haha…yes, we joke about my ‘bad habit’ but I know they’re secretly glad, lol. Aww…I love your travel posts too, Deb! Thank you so much for your sweet words, I’m listening to the Power of Love as I type this…and sending huge hugs to you and Hugh, my dear friends! 🙂 >3 ❤ 🙂 xxx
I can hear the song with you my friend! So glad to see you back circulating around blogland! ❤ ❤ xxx
Me too, Deb! Aww…thanks so much, my friend. I hope to be doing a better job of circulating soon! I’ll catch up with you next week for sure…have a lovely weekend in the meantime! 🙂 ❤ 🙂 xoxo
Thanks my Lovely. Enjoy yours too! ❤ xox
Deb, my lovely friend…oh my gosh, finishing my memoir has taken over my life, lost in a writing time warp but I’m getting the job done…ploughing through the remaining rewrites and edits. But I think we’ve had 2 weekends since your sweet message lol! Thanks so much for hanging with me in my present manic state. Order restored soon! 🙂 ❤ 🙂 xoxo
Take your time Sher. You can’t put a timeline on genius! 🙂 😉 ❤ ❤ xxx
Haha…you crack me up, Deb! I’m going to write that out and repeat it frequently when I can’t stand my writing a minute longer!!!!! 😀 ❤ ❤ ❤
Lol, have no fear when I am here. 🙂 ❤ xxxx
That’s a great feeling, Deb…you’re an absolute star 🙂 ❤ 🙂 xxxxxxxx
Aw shucks Sher!!!! 🙂 😉 ❤ xxxx
😀 ❤ 🙂 xxxxxx
Sherri makes a wonderful guest on your blog, Hugh. I haven’t met her in person but also consider her a good friend. I love her choice of song. I didn’t know it’s history. Hub loves those Back to the Future movies. I have watched and enjoyed them but don’t know the ins and outs.
This accommodation issue seems to be reaching a conclusion. Will it be one you’re happy with?
Thank you, Norah. I hope you’ll get to meet Sherri one day. She’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. We seem to also have a similar sense of humour.
We’ll find out the outcome of my accommodation problems next week. Will it be the end, or maybe a new beginning?
Yes, one day I hope, Hugh. I was fairly new to blogging when I last visited London (the only time) but I was brave enough to reach out to and meet up with three of my blogging friends of the time. It was wonderful to do so. It was pre-Bloggers Bash era.
I look forward to finding out what happens with your accommodation. 🙂
Was that the time you met up with our own Geoff Le Pard?
It was indeed. A wonderful occasion. 🙂
I so wish I had known you then, Norah! I think I had only just arrived at Carrot Ranch and met Charli and the only one I knew was Irene and then Geoff. You set the trend with your own mini Bloggers Bash, and in London, too! How amazing it would be to meet you…come back!!!! 🙂 ❤
It would be fun to do so. One day …
One day, Norah… 🙂
Aww…Hugh, likewise I would say just the same about you…what a lovely thing to say ❤ And we definitely do share the same sense of humour…not at all dark and twisted, lol 😀 😀 😀
Aww…thanks so much, Norah! You are a dear friend to me and your amazing support! I have such wonderful memories of watching the Back to the Future movies with my children and this song has been one of my all time favourites since then 🙂 ❤
It is nice to share those special times which we can relive through memories.
Definitely!
Hi Hugh, you made the right decision not to move in with Nigel. I might have read it. Good to see you here, Sherri. Lovely pick of the song!
We’ll find out next week if my decision was right, Miriam. It was a tough call for me, even if it meant I had to upset somebody by not moving in with them.
Hi Miriam, glad you enjoyed the song, good to see you here too! 🙂 ❤
Glad to see you there too, Sherri. I stopped by a few times to check out the song picks. ❤ ❤
🙂 ❤ 🙂
❤ xox
❤
HI, Hugh – Your diary snippets always have a great way of keeping us in suspense. I am already looking forward to next week so that I can read more!
Hi, Sherri – I enjoyed reading more about you here. ‘Power of Love’ is a great song choice. It was one of my favourite songs!
Thanks, Donna. I’m glad you’re enjoying them. I can’t believe that the finishing line for this feature is now in sight.
Hi, Donna, thank you so much! It’s a great song, isn’t it?! 🙂
Glad you made a decision and wonder how Nigel takes the news. Thank you for introducing Sherrie, (great song choice by the way) I may just take a look at that writing competition 🙂
Please do take a look at the details of the flash fiction competition, Sam. After all, you did do very well in this year’s Bloggers Bash blog post competition.
Hi Sam, lovely to meet you too! Please do take a look at the flash fiction competition…we would love to read your entry 😉
Brilliant song choice from Sherri. As for your reasons for not sharing with Nigel – I hope we get to know them!
We’ll get to find out them out in next weeks snippet, Mary. 😀
Thanks Mary, glad you love the song too! Hope all is well with you…I’m bashing away on the last of my memoir rewrites. The finish line is in sight, can hardly believe it. Treading water blog wise until over to the editor early November…wrecked in the meantime, ha! Catch up with you soon, take care 🙂 xxx
Thank you so much, Hugh for the lovely write up and all the links, the shout out for our flash fiction contest and for letting me play inside your Time Machine today…I’ve enjoyed every minute of it…or is that a nano second, I’ve lost track? 😉 Good to see you’re still in the midst of plenty of drama, since you know how much I love plenty of that 😉 It’s great reading the background on the songs we pick, and although at first I was disappointed about Sweet Child of MIne, I remembered how much I love the Power of Love, not to mention the wonderful Back to the Future films. They really knew how to make great family films and music in the 80’s, didn’t they? Looking forward to the contest…honoured to judge with you and Mike xxx
You’re so very welcome, Sherri.
I just had to mention your flash fiction challenge competition coming up over at the Carrot Ranch in October. I’m looking forward to going through all those entries with Mike and you. You know how much I love a twisted tale.
As for the music of the ’80s – simply the best era in my opinion. 😀
Thank you so much for being my guest this week, and for also sharing the post over on your blog.
Hugs from me.
xx
Aww…thanks so much, Hugh. I’m thrilled to be here 🙂 And yes, can’t wait to read those entries with you both too. Bring on those twisted tales!!! I love the 80’s music too…and Californian 90’s rock and grunge…you know I’m a rock chick at heart, Hugh 😀 I had a great time hanging out with you in your time machine. Here’s to the Power of Love always! Big hugs to you! xxx
Reblogged this on A View From My Summerhouse and commented:
Today I’m travelling with Hugh Roberts and Huey Lewis and the News back to the future. Since January, Hugh has invited a guest to choose their favourite 80’s song and feature in his ’49 Days in 1988′ series. To great music, Hugh shares snippets from his diary of 1988 music, today it’s all about the Power of Love. Thank you, Hugh!
Hi Hugh,
Well, the princess has my head swimming. Why would she pick being the third wheel when she could go after the luscious Nigel? OH MY! Is it love or lust? I can’t wait to see how this plays out.
Hi Chuck, we’ll find out onboard the music time machine next week. Looking forward to having you as my guest.
Now we know who passed away. You did promise it would come up. I do hope your decision is the right one. A great song choice, Sherrie. Love Huey Lewis and the News.
You’re the first one to mention the funeral that was in my diary entry from early August. Yes, it was Shaun (our landlord) who passed away. That now lets everyone know why I’d been looking for a new home since then.
Glad you enjoyed it too, thank you Darlene, lovely to meet you! 🙂
Tell us your reasons for not moving in with Nigel! I guess I better be patient and wait until next week. 🙂 Your series really works like a soap opera, Hugh.
I’m curious about Sherrie’s memoir and like the latest title for the flash fiction competition. If only that were a non-fiction contest. 🙂 Well done, Hugh, making dear friends through blogging and becoming a judge for the second time. I don’t think you will ever get bored.
Yes, all will be revealed next week, Liesbet. Likely, there is not a big gap before the next chosen date.
Bored, me? You’re right. never. 😀
Hi Leisbet and thank you so much for your encouragement of my memoir and the flash fiction competition over at Carrot Ranch. If you are interested, you could always enter with a non-fiction flash as a BOTS (based on a true story). I’ve done that more than a few times 😉 I’m honoured to have met Hugh tghrough blogging, he is indeed a dear friend 🙂
Hope it goes well with Nigel. I’m thinking it will not.
I’m thinking you’ve read my dairy, John. Have you? 😀
Nope. You have described the personalities up to now very well.
Glad you made a decision but what happened next I wonder. Lovely to meet you Sherrie. I like your song choice. 🌼
We’ll find out next week, Brigid. 😀
Hi Brigid, lovely to meet you here at Hugh’s wonderful blog too. Glad you like my song choice. When Hugh first asked me, I picked Sweet Child of MIne by Guns N Roses, but it was already taken. Then I remembered this one and was so happy it was still available…it’s a great song and I love how Hugh gives us such great background on all the songs we’ve picked 🙂
Guns and Roses was an awesome choice Sherrie. I am a rock chick too. 😉
Yeah…rock chicks rule, Brigid! 😀 x
Whoah Hugh! Glad you didn’t make a wrong decision!!!
Great song Sherrie!!!
Arr, but did I make the right decision, Ritu? Find out next week.
I’ll be tuning in!!!
Thanks, Ritu…love it! 🙂
Ah decisions made and it seems likely Nigel didn’t murder you as you’re still with us…
True! But did he have anything else in mind when I told him? Find out next week.
Oooo cool