Poetry Corner: ‘Confessions Of A Serial Plant Killer’ written by Cynthia C. Naspinski

Oh, I wish that I had a green thumb.
All my houseplants are looking quite glum.
I never can tell
Why they’re looking unwell
Or why so many succumb.

Have I failed to give enough water?
Have I watered them more than I oughta?
Are they getting too hot?
Is this not the right spot?
It’s like sending poor lambs to the slaughter.

The hard, undeniable fact is
Many succulents, ferns and a cactus,
A begonia, a fig,
Many palms, small and big,
Have been victims of my malpractice.

I confess I’m a serial killer.
Many end up as mulch or land filler.
I kill far more plants
Than snails, thrips or ants.
Or an army of green caterpillar!

Though houseplants are deemed beneficial,
Should these perish, then it is official:
I’ll waste no more dough
Just to watch ’em die slow,
For my next plants will be artificial!

Source: https://www familyfriendpoems com/poem/confessions-of-a-serial-plant-killer

‘Online Cancer Awareness Session’ Monday 2nd Nov @ 11am

‘Online Cancer Awareness Session’ Monday 2nd Nov @ 11am
Caring Together will be hosting a Cancer Awareness session in partnership with the Leeds Cancer Awareness Project on Monday 2nd Nov 2020 @ 11am. This will be online and offers you a chance to chat about signs and symptoms of cancer.
They will also discuss self-checking and ways to reduce cancer risk. All very informative and open to all; members, family, friends, neighbours and volunteers. If you would like to join us then please email: lisa@caringtogether.org.uk or call: 07436 530073 – if you don’t have the technology yet would like to chat further about this subject then please call.
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Good Grief, a Virtual Festival of Love and Loss

Good Grief was originally due to take place as a week-long festival in May, helping people to talk, think and learn about grief. But then…Covid-19 hit and it became clear that a live event wouldn’t be possible for some time. Good Grief Festival will now be a free online event, taking place from 30 October to 1 November. With some amazing speakers, including; Robert Webb, Cariad Lloyd and Alice Roberts.

Details of all the events are  here, or you can download a  programme

Please note that all the events are free at the scheduled times, there is an option to purchase a ticket that will give you access to them later and some other benefits but you can access all the events without this.

The Shows Must Go On Wednesday Matinee

The Shows Must Go On present their first Wednesday matinee  – Wind in The Willows available to to watch free from 2pm Wednesday 28th October and for 48 hours afterwards

Ratty, Badger, Mole and the impulsive Toad embark on a series of riotous adventures spiralling from Toad’s insatiable need for speed!

Featuring eye-poppingly beautiful design, exuberant choreography and a gloriously British score, The Wind in the Willows is packed with comedy, heart and thrills.

Local History Talk: Dangerous Beauty and Wellbeing in Leeds Libraries’ Collections

Join Sally Hughes as she explores health, wellbeing, beauty and vanity in Leeds Libraries collections dating back to the 1600s.

Friday 30thOct 2020,

1:00PM – 2:00PM

This is an online event via Zoom, it is free but you do need to book a place and then you will receive an email the day before the talk with more details and a Zoom link to follow.

To book https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents/local-history-talk-dangerous-beauty-and-wellbeing-in-leeds-libraries-collections/e-drlzkv 

‘Monday Mind Workout’ – answers for Monday 26th October 2020

Dear all,
See below the answers for yesterday’s Monday Mind workout that was ‘loosely’ themed around Halloween, how did you do?
1.In which country did Halloween originate?
b) Ireland
2.What sweet treat is often made for Halloween using butter, molasses and sugar?
c) Bonfire toffee
3.From which words did ‘bonfire’ originate?
Bone Fire
4.Out of which vegetable were Jack O’Lanterns made from?
b) Turnip
5. From which region in the world do pumpkins originate?
c) Central America
6. Which actor played Frank n Furter in Rocky Horror Picture Show?
a) Tim Curry
7. Is a pumpkin a fruit or vegetable?
Fruit
8.Which film has as its main characters, Morticia and Gomez?
a) The Addams Family
8.What is Samhainophobia?
c) A fear of Halloween
9. How do pumpkins grow?
b) on vines
10. What do people bob for on Halloween?
a) apples
11.Which film from 1987 stars Jack Nicholson, and Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer as three single women who experiment with some powers?
b) The Witches of Eastwick
12.On which date does Halloween fall?
a) October 31st
13. Which song was a 1973 hit for Bobby “Boris” Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers? (Lyric clue: It was a graveyard smash.) “Monster Mash”
14.Shakespeare’s three witches from Macbeth were also known as . . . what?
c) The Weird Sisters
Listed below are five anagrams of words you might associate with Halloween:
15) pink ump (You might have carved one of these!) Pumpkin
16) tarot tricker (A common phrase) Trick or Treat
17) rural peanuts (an otherworldly experience!) Supernatural
18) agent verso (a burial monument) Gravestone
19) tepid fire (really scared!) Petrified
20) rosiest input (perhaps involving a Black Cat!) Superstition

A week of online events from British Library

Another set of online special events/talks from the British Library.  Click on the link for each event for more details and how to book, these are live online at the times shown and people who book will also be able to submit questions during the live event and to watch it again up to 48 hours later

All the events are FREE, except ‘Ships at a Distance’ which costs £5 unless you are a British Library member.

Elizabeth Anionwu

The Wonderful Lives of Mary Seacole and Elizabeth Anionwu

A conversation spanning centuries and continents.

Rachel Holmes

Sylvia Pankhurst: Natural Born Rebel

Rachel Holmes in conversation with Shami Chakrabarti.

Zora Neale Hurston

Ships at a Distance: A Celebration of Zora Neale Hurston

Hosted by Black Girls’ Book Club co-founders Natalie Carter and Melissa Cummings-Quarry, with Salena Godden and Jackie Kay

Book cover of "Black Spartacus" and Sudhir Hazareersingh

Black Spartacus: The Epic Life of Toussaint Louverture

The epic story of a great leader, military genius and revolutionary hero.

Angela Saini, Nikki Giovanni, Layla Saad, Priyamvada Gopal

White Supremacy: What You Need To Know

Award-winning science journalist Angela Saini and guests.

‘Monday Mind Workout’ – Monday 26th October 2020

Dear all,
Today’s ‘Monday Mind workout’ is ‘loosely’ themed around Halloween, good luck.
1.In which country did Halloween originate?
a) America   b) Ireland   d) England
2.What sweet treat is often made for Halloween using butter, molasses and sugar?
a) Cinder toffee  b) Chewy Toffee   c) Bonfire toffee
3.From which words did ‘bonfire’ originate?
Bone Fire or Bonnet
4.Out of which vegetable were Jack O’Lanterns originally made from?
a) Carrots   b) Turnip   c) Melon
5. From which region in the world do pumpkins originate?
a) Egypt   b) UK   c) Central America
6. Which actor played Frank n Furter in Rocky Horror Picture Show?
a) Tim Curry   b) Barry Bostwck   c) Richard O’Brien
7. Is a pumpkin a fruit or vegetable?
8.Which film has as its main characters, Morticia and Gomez?
a) The Addams Family   b) Halloween   c) Haunted House
8.What is Samhainophobia?
a) A fear of bonfires   b) A fear of going out   c) A fear of Halloween
9. How do pumpkins grow?
a) on trees   b) on vines   c) stalks
10. What do people bob for on Halloween?
a) apples   b) oranges   c) money
11.Which film from 1987 stars Jack Nicholson, and Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer as three single women who experiment with some powers?
a) The Shining   b) The Witches of Eastwick   c) Wolf
12.On which date does Halloween fall?
a) October 31st   b) October 26th    c) October 30th
13. Which song was a 1973 hit for Bobby “Boris” Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers? (Lyric clue: It was a graveyard smash.)
14.Shakespeare’s three witches from Macbeth were also known as . . . what?
a) The Wonderful three   b) The Scary Sisters   c) The Weird Sisters
Listed below are five anagrams of words you might associate with Halloween:
15) pink ump (You might have carved one of these!)
16) tarot tricker (A common phrase)
17) rural peanuts (an otherworldly experience!)
18) agent verso (a burial monument)
19) tepid fire (really scared!)
20) rosiest input (perhaps involving a Black Cat!)

Bright idea calls on residents to help light up Leeds this Christmas

Dear all,
 
This year’s Leeds Xmas Lights Switch-on will be held virtually on our YouTube channel on Sunday 15 Nov @4pm and will be free to watch and YOU can be a part of it! Submit videos & images of your tree, home or street lighting displays to be included in a special montage & help light up the city this xmas!
 

To submit your pic or video message please send by email by Sunday, November 8 to: lightupleeds@sonderstudios.co.uk

For more information click on the link below:

https://www.millsqleeds.com/news/details/bright-idea-calls-on-residents-to-help-light-up-leeds-this-christmas

Bright idea calls on residents to help light up Leeds this Christmas

Money Buddies: free debt advice

The Financial Conduct Authority is encouraging households in financial difficulty to access free debt advice on how to manage problem debts and urged banks and lenders to treat customers fairly.
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Money Buddies can be contacted for free on 0113 2350276 and advisers can support you remotely to look at options and deal with creditors on your behalf. See their website: https://moneybuddies.org.uk/
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This comes after their research shows 12 million people in the UK are likely to struggle with bills and loan repayments as nearly a third of adults have seen a decrease in income during the pandemic and well over a third of these already fear falling behind on payments of rent, mortgages, loans or credit cards.
Debt Management and Advice