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Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Round-Up – June 2022

Published on June 30, 2022June 30, 2022 by Hugh W. Roberts

These 13 blog posts got people talking. Were you one of them? If not, join the conversations and share your thoughts.

Happy Jubilee.

Jubilee #WordlessWednesday #Photography

June is Pride Month. Happy Pride. Is ‘coming out of the closet’ and telling family and friends that you are gay still as difficult as it was 40 years ago?

Throwback Thursday – True Stories: Gay Memories – Coming Out Of The Closet #LGBTQI #LGBT#PrideMonth

Who or what is to blame for almost destroying the world?

Flash Fiction Friday – Who Is To Blame?

Are you stressed out by dealing with too many spam comments on your blog? How to deal with spam comments and eliminate the stress without disappointing your readers.

How To Deal With Spam Without Closing Comments On Your Blog Posts

Where do you keep your marmalade sandwich?

Perhaps you’d like a Ma’amalade sandwich, Your Majesty? Tea With Paddington Bear

How many numbers can you see?

How Many? #WordlessWednesday #Photography

What secret do the stacking stones hold?

Flash Fiction Friday – Secret Of The Stones

When did you first meet a gay person?

True Stories: Gay Memories – Meeting Another Gay Person For The First Time #LGBTQI #LGBT

What are the signs of the beginning of summer for you?

Waiting For Summer #WordlessWednesday #Photography

What danger and dilemma lurk on the other side of the door?

Flash Fiction Friday – Dilemma

Can you see the mountain range in the sky?

Mountains In The Sky #WordlessWednesday #Photography

Freedom comes in many forms. Are you thankful for your freedom?

Flash Fiction Friday – The Two Faces Of Freedom

Which way would you go? Right, left, up or down?

Where To Now? #WordlessWednesday #Photography

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Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Round-Up – May 2022

Published on May 31, 2022May 31, 2022 by Hugh W. Roberts

These 11 blog posts got people talking. Were you one of them? If not, join the conversations and share your thoughts.

Have you heard of the Wordless Wednesday photography challenge? How participating can help your blog and photography website gain new followers.

How To Participate In The Wordless Wednesday Photography Challenge And Gain New Followers

They were about to be evicted. Would anyone come to their help?

Flash Fiction Friday – Evicted

Could you live without social media for 31 days?

Reblog Of The Month: Have You Ever Been Tempted To Switch Off Your Social Media?

What strange objects have you found in water?

Strange Objects Found In Water #WordlessWednesday #Photography

How many old and outdated blog posts do you have live on your blog? They could be damaging your blog.

Throwback Thursday – Are Your Old Blog Posts Damaging Your Blog? How To Stop It Happening

A mother will do anything to save her children, won’t she?

Flash Fiction Friday – A Matter Of Life

Be careful. You’re always being watched, even when having breakfast.

Did You Know That Something Is Watching You? #WordlessWednesday #Photography

Have you heard of Throwback Thursday? It’s the day you can bring old blog posts back to life. Read on for more details on how to participate.

How To Participate In Throwback Thursday And Help Your Old Blog Posts Get Noticed

What is the secret behind the name Buttercup?

Flash Fiction Friday – Buttercup

Look closer. You may see more than you think you see.

What Can You See In The Spring Meadow? #WordlessWednesday #Photography

Tanya has a secret weapon to help her group. But what do they need help with?

Flash Fiction Friday – Now It’s Your Turn

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Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Round-Up – April 2022

Published on April 30, 2022April 30, 2022 by Hugh W. Roberts

These 9 blog posts got people talking. Were you one of them? If not, join the conversations and share your thoughts.

Time is running out for Adam. Was he killed or murdered? Can you solve the mystery?

Flash Fiction Friday – The Last Of Adam

Sometimes, photos do not come out as expected.

Strange Photos #WordlessWednesday #Photography

Help me raise £250 for the British Red Cross Ukrainian Crisis Appeal by writing and publishing a challenging blog post.

Are You Up For the Unfollow A Blog Challenge? Help Me Raise £250 For The British Red Cross Ukrainian Crisis Appeal.

What do you see in the green shadows?

Shadows Of Green #WordlessWednesday #Photography #WordPrompt

Do the eyes of the waterfall see the truth? Miranda is about to find out.

Flash Fiction Friday – Eyes Of The Waterfall

Can you spot the missing hippo?

Have You Ever Seen A Hippopotamus In Your Coffee? #WordlessWednesday #Photography

Is there a reason why Bill never published his book? His wife is about to find out the shocking truth.

Flash Fiction Friday – The Death And Life Of Bill

Are blogging communities a good or bad thing? Read my experiences about the advantages and disadvantages of the blogging community.

What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Being A Member Of A Blogging Community?

Karl is trapped. Can anyone help him escape his prison cell?

Flash Fiction Friday – The Prison Cell

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Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Round-Up – October 2021

Published on November 1, 2021November 1, 2021 by Hugh W. Roberts

These 7 free methods of promoting your blog will get people reading your posts and leaving you comments.

Are You Struggling To Get People To Your Blog? These 7 Free Methods Will Help

This year’s trip to Brighton beach would very different for Adrian. But were the answers to the rest of his life without Richard in front of him?

A Matter Of Life And Death

Does a game of Sardines hold secrets Richard doesn’t want his husband to know anything about?

Sardines

Wanted: Detectives and readers to help solve a mystery many have already tried to solve. Read the post for more details.

Can You Solve The Mystery Of A Blackmailed Missing Husband And Father?

This is the reason why you should think twice before responding to calls for help coming from behind certain doors.

Thursday Doors – The October Door

Are you following too many blogs? 7 common mistakes to look out for before following a blog.

7 Common Mistakes To Avoid When Deciding Whether To Follow A Blog

Now there’s an easy way to add PDF files to your blog posts on WordPress. Blogging expert Natalie Ducey shows us how.

Reblog: How To Upload A PDF File In WordPress For Viewing And Easy Downloading

What’s buried in the thick mud?

Buried

Are you making use of pinned tweets to help drive traffic to your blog?

Pinned Tweets: Why Every Blogger Should Have OneTo Help Drive Traffic To Their Blog

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Thursday Doors – The October Door

Published on October 14, 2021October 14, 2021 by Hugh W. Roberts52 Comments

Warning: It’s not a good idea to respond to calls for help coming from behind doors that were made specially for the Halloween season.

Why? Well, when you read what happened to me recently upon responding to calls for help coming from behind the rather scruffy door in the image below, you’ll believe me.

Photo of a scruffy door in need of a lot of repairs. — The October Door

“HELP! GET ME OUT OF HERE. HELP!”

Those were the words I could hear coming from the other side of the October door.

With its light blue paint having almost peeled away and signs of having been kicked from the scuff marks along its bottom, the door looked unloved and old. People passed me and the door by without taking any notice. Was I the only one who could hear the calls for help?

I watched as the flap of the letterbox lifted and two eyes appeared. They looked shocked when they saw me.

“I’m trapped. Please, you need to get me out. Just turn the knob to the left, then to the right, and once more to the left, and the door will open. I’ll be truly grateful for your help. It’s jammed. I’ve been stuck in here for over forty years.”

As the flap closed, I questioned what I had just heard. Forty years? That should have told me not to open the door, but the writer inside me said this would make a great story.

“Hold on. I’m coming in. Step away from the door,” I announced, as I approached it.

“Left, right, and left again,” I muttered under my breath, as I tried the door knob. The door opened without any problems, but I hesitated before stepping into the black void that now faced me.

“Hello,” I called out, as I took my first step inside.

Nothing but silence met my ears. Even the world behind me seemed to go to sleep. I hesitated and wondered if I should take a step back; to maybe get some help?

“In here,” came a voice, “please help me.”

On my fifth step in, the door slammed behind me.

Turning, I ran towards it, but it wouldn’t open. I told myself not to panic and to feel for the door knob, but there wasn’t one. Then, I heard a terrifying sound from something behind me. I banged on the door hard with both hands, hoping that somebody on the other side would hear me.

“HELP! GET ME OUT OF HERE. HELP!”

As the sound behind me got nearer, I had a strange feeling that somebody on the other side of the door had heard me. Then I remembered that the door had a letterbox. I bent down and pulled open the flap. My eyes opened wide with shock.

I hadn’t expected to see myself staring back.

***

This week’s door is located in Llandeilo, South Wales, in the United Kingdom.

Have you ever come across a door that isn’t all it seems?

Linking to the weekly photography challenge ‘Thursday Doors,’ hosted by Dan Antion who blogs at No Facilities. Click here to join hundreds of other participants with your Thursday Doors.

If you’re enjoying the pieces of flash fiction I’m including with my Thursday Doors posts then you may like Glimpses, my first book of flash fiction and short stories.

The above piece of flash fiction features in Glimpses.

Glimpses

28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

Join Hugh on social media. Click on the links below.

Check out some of other Thursday Doors Posts

Thursday Doors – Open, Sesame!

What do you think is on the other-side of the ‘Open, Sesame!’ door?

by Hugh W. Roberts August 26, 2021August 26, 2021

Thursday Doors – Door To Another Time, Another Place

Would you accept an invitation to another time and another place?

by Hugh W. Roberts September 9, 2021September 9, 2021

Thursday Doors – Going Back

Have you ever found yourself going back to somewhere you never visited?

by Hugh W. Roberts September 16, 2021September 16, 2021

Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Round-Up – September 2021

Published on September 30, 2021October 30, 2021 by Hugh W. Roberts

Are you a blogger? If so, join me in answering a few questions I have for you about your blog.

Questions About Blogging: How Many Is Too Many Or Too Few Blog Posts?

Would you accept an invitation to another time and another place?

Thursday Doors: Door To Another Time, Another Place

If you’re an author of a published book, this is how creating a reusable block for your book will put it in front of hundreds of new visitors to your blog.

How To Create And Use A Reusable Block For Your Book On WordPress

Have you ever found yourself going back to somewhere you never visited?

Thursday Doors – Going Back

How this little known about block will help get visitors to the parts of your blog that are craving visits.

Are You Using This Little Known About Block That Helps P romote Your Blog?

Why does Richard’s memory of a big, black horse take him in the wrong direction?

Blizzards Of The Mind

What’s your favourite season or favourite time of the year?

Autumn Equinox #WordlessWednesday #photography

Will Adrian’s birthday gift to Richard spark new ideas or give reasons to be concerned?

Seat Of Horror

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Thursday Doors – Going Back

Published on September 16, 2021September 16, 2021 by Hugh W. Roberts27 Comments

Have you ever been through a door that wasn’t there when you were going back to exit it?

It happened to me. It was back in 2017 when I first published a Thursday Doors post that included these doors.

Photo of a black opened door that shows a painting of two slightly jarred opened glass-panelled, white doors that look out on a white cat sat on a balcony that looks towards the sea

When I pressed the publish button, I was transported through the doors and could not get back.

The white cat was very friendly, but everything else wasn’t as it seemed.

Somebody mentioned who or whatever passed by me into my world when places got traded carried on with writing and publishing posts on my blog.

You may have thought it was me who left you a comment or two but was it?

Thankfully, when Terri Webster Schrandt posted ‘Going Back‘ as the theme for this week’s Sunday Stills prompt, who or whatever was here took up the challenge and got transported back through the doors.

I’m happy to say that I instantly found myself going back to where I should have been for the last four years.

My fingers are crossed that I won’t be going back through those doors when I push the publish button.

Did/Will you miss me?

This week’s doors are located in Hove, East Sussex, in the United Kingdom.

Have you ever come across doors that have transported you back to another time and another place?

Linking to the weekly photography challenge ‘Thursday Doors,’ hosted by Dan Antion who blogs at No Facilities. Click here to join hundreds of other participants with your Thursday Doors.

If you’re enjoying the pieces of flash fiction I’m including with my Thursday Doors posts then you may like Glimpses, my first book of flash fiction and short stories.

Glimpses

28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

Join Hugh on social media. Click on the links below.

Check out some of other Thursday Doors Posts

Thursday Doors – The Tower Of The Ecliptic

Would you enter The Tower Of The Ecliptic?

by Hugh W. Roberts August 19, 2021August 19, 2021

Thursday Doors – Open, Sesame!

What do you think is on the other-side of the ‘Open, Sesame!’ door?

by Hugh W. Roberts August 26, 2021August 26, 2021

Thursday Doors – Door To Another Time, Another Place

Would you accept an invitation to another time and another place?

by Hugh W. Roberts September 9, 2021September 9, 2021

Thursday Doors – Door To Another Time, Another Place

Published on September 9, 2021September 9, 2021 by Hugh W. Roberts33 Comments

When I first noticed the street art on the wall in the photo below, it was the door next to the painting that caught my attention a lot more.

Photo of a light blue door that is open with a painting on the wall to the left of it that shows a scene of Venice — Another Time, Another Place

Blue! I love blue. But this shade of blue spoke to me. It was as if the door was inviting me to walk through into a different world – another time, another place.

The tiled floor that the door opened onto, almost matched the colours on the street art. And I wondered if the blue panel above the door is a sheet of glass that was painted the same colour as the door.

The two figures in the street art called out my name several times, but I declined their invitation to join them by walking through the door. I decided that the time and place I was currently in is right for me. I’m not ready to move on yet.

If you saw the last two doors I published for ‘Thursday Doors’, the ‘Open, Sesame!‘ door and the door to ‘The Tower Of The Ecliptic‘, the ‘Another Time, Another Place’ door is only a ten minute walk from them.

All the doors in my last three ‘Thursday Doors’ posts are located in Swansea, South Wales, in the United Kingdom. You can check them out further down on this post.

Would you have accepted the invitation from the figures in the street art to walk through the blue door to another time and another place?

Linking to the weekly photography challenge ‘Thursday Doors,’ hosted by Dan Antion who blogs at No Facilities. Click here to join hundreds of other participants with your Thursday Doors.

Join Hugh on social media. Click on the links below.

Check out some of my other Thursday Doors posts

Thursday Doors – The Tower Of The Ecliptic

Would you enter The Tower Of The Ecliptic?

by Hugh W. Roberts August 19, 2021August 19, 2021

Thursday Doors – Open, Sesame!

What do you think is on the other-side of the ‘Open, Sesame!’ door?

by Hugh W. Roberts August 26, 2021August 26, 2021

Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Round-Up – August 2021

Published on August 31, 2021August 31, 2021 by Hugh W. Roberts1 Comment

The residents’ of Annabelle’s hometown were not as safe as they thought they were.

When Death Comes Quickly #flashfiction

When was the last time you took a closer look at what’s in your garden?

It’s A Small World #WordlessWednesday

This new feature on WordPress is something you may have missed and will want to use.

New: WordPress Screen Options Button – Where, Why And How To Use It

What if what was on the other side of the open door wasn’t what he was expecting?

What If? #flashfiction

This is how I dismissed those that told me (and still do) that I can’t read or write because I’m dyslexic.

New At The Carrot Ranch: What To Do When You’re Told That Reading And Writing Are Not Your Friends

Would you enter The Tower Of The Ecliptic?

Thursday Doors: The Tower Of The Ecliptic

Have you ever considered turning off comments on your blog? Join the conversation with hundreds of other bloggers who have already had their say.

Flashback Friday: Why Are Some Bloggers Killing Off Comments Being Left On Their Blogs?

This block is something every blogger should insert on every blog post they publish. Why? Read on for more details.

Is This New WordPress Block The Best Way To Help Promote Your Blog For Free?

The Collector has an important message for the people of the planet Earth. Will they listen?

The Collector

What do you think is on the other-side of the ‘Open, Sesame!’ door?

Thursday Doors – Open, Sesame!

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Thursday Doors – Open, Sesame!

Published on August 26, 2021August 26, 2021 by Hugh W. Roberts26 Comments

“Open, Sesame!” is a word I’ve wanted to use since I first heard the magical phrase being spoken in the story of ‘Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves’ in Antoine Galland’s version of One Thousand and One Nights.

Ali Baba is a poor woodcutter who secretly watches as 40 thieves hide their treasure in a cave, the door to which can be only opened by the verbal command of “Open, Sesame!” He later uses this magic phrase, steals riches from the cave, and lives a prosperous life.

I’ve never spotted a door I thought ‘Open, Sesame!’ would work on. However, when I happened to stumble upon this door that begged the words ‘Open, Sesame!’ to be shouted at it, I wasn’t pleased when my vocal efforts failed. Why had those words worked for Ali Baba and not me?

Photo of a blue door decorated with some mystical symbols — Open Sesame

Nothing would open this door. I pulled it, I pushed it, but it wouldn’t open. Maybe it was locked? I couldn’t even spot a keyhole, but I loved the handles.

I never found out what was behind the door, but given the look and style of it, I imagined it led to a mystical world that could only be reached by a ride on a magic carpet. Would anyone like to join me? That is, if we can open the door.

If you saw the door I published for ‘Thursday Doors’ last week, the ‘Open, Sesame!’ door is only a short walk from ‘The Tower Of The Ecliptic‘ in Swansea, South Wales.

Let me know if you manage to open it.

What do you think is on the other-side of the ‘Open Sesame’ door?

Linking to the weekly photography challenge ‘Thursday Doors,’ hosted by Dan Antion who blogs at No Facilities. Click here to join hundreds of other participants with your Thursday Doors.

Join Hugh on social media. Click on the links below.

Thursday Doors – The Tower Of The Ecliptic

Published on August 19, 2021August 19, 2021 by Hugh W. Roberts29 Comments

Although we’ve lived in Swansea in South Wales for the last five years, it always amazes me when we take a walk off the beaten track and come across something you had no idea was there.

This is the door to ‘The Tower Of The Ecliptic’.

Photo of a green door that has paint peeling off it and which has a porthole in it. — Door to The Tower Of The Ecliptic

And it’s on this building that you’ll find the door. Can you spot it and any other doors?

Photo of The Tower Of The Ecliptic in Swansea — The Tower Of The Ecliptic – Swansea

If you think of me standing in front of that door taking the photo, you’ll get an idea of how big this building is. How on earth have I managed to miss a big building like this in the city where I live?

What is The Tower Of The Ecliptic?

It’s an observatory that houses the largest telescope in Wales. Designed by architect Robin Campbell in 1989, the building opened in 1993 for the local astronomical society.

Sadly, in 2010, the building was closed to the public due to a disagreement with the Swansea City Council regarding the building’s rental terms. The Swansea Astronomical Society now holds regular observing sessions at the University College of Swansea. I’ve no idea if they took the telescope with them. Do you think they did?

For more information about The Tower Of Ecliptic, click here.

Linking to the weekly photography challenge ‘Thursday Doors,’ hosted by Dan Antion who blogs at No Facilities. Click here to join hundreds of other participants with your Thursday Doors.