Kate Brumby's Blog

Monday means Elevenses - I host a small group in which we share poetry. Some write their own, some read gems found on the internet or in books.
This morning's theme was anything beginning with m.
Unsure about what to write, my hysband, Mike suggested the theme:
Pushed beneath the skirting it lay
Ready for me to take what I could
Not cheese like usual, oh not here
There was a very different food.
Sweet and hard in the spring tied
Harder for me to remove very fast
Alluring in smell and in taste
Getting it was an exciting task.
I tried several times day after day
Until melted and soft I succeeded
And of its deliciousness in delight
I told others but also pleaded.
‘Be careful, my friends, be wise
The chocolate is good no doubt
But if you are slow to grab it
Trapped you’ll not get out’
Sadly some did not heed me, no
They lingered too long they did
And though I live to tell my tale
By the device so many were rid.
I have come to love sugary treats
Definitely my preferred snacks
But I too fear I will succumb soon
To the velocity of a mouse trap
©Kate Brumby 2021
Yes, mice!

What a busy year it has been. As well as having poetry/reflections included in 2 magazine and 3 anthologies I have published all of these:

His Guiding Hand
©2020 Published by Daisa & Co Publishing
A memoir including over 120 poems available in paperback.

God of Detail
©2020 Published by Kindle Direct Publishing
The first 52 pages of His Guiding Hand available as e-book

Poetry of the Sole
©2020 Published by Kindle Direct Publishing
Reflections and poetry with photographs by Susan Williams
Available in paperback and e-book.

Hymns of Hope
©2020 Published by Kindle Direct Publishing
150 prayerful poems published as a series of 5 Kindle books alongside beautiful photographs by Susan Williams

On Eagle’s Wings
©2020 Published by Kindle Direct Publishing
150 prayerful poems previously published as Hymns of Hope made available as paperback (no photographs included)

Ancient and Modern
©2020 Published by Kindle Direct Publishing
Small poetry collection being sold to help raise funds for a church tower renovation in North Lincolnshire available as e-book and paperback

Touch of Remembrance
©2020 Published by Kindle Direct Publishing
Short story available as e-book

What the Eye Does Not See
©2020 Published by Kindle Direct Publishing
Short story available as e-book

My 7 journal notebooks available featuring poems from my collection In the Palm of His Hand. These are available via Amazon and also via my Etsy Shop Poetry247 https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Poetry247

Time is turning and as it does there will be more poetry and short stories crafted.

Hope you are having a blessed time.

I love Christmas services and have enjoyed several over the past few weeks. I will enjoy other services as we journey towards Epiphany.

As we near the end of the year I am catching up with my writing and publishing tasks.
During the next couple of days I will be uploading to Kindle Direct Publishing

On Eagle's Wings is a paperback version of all the poems previously included in Hymns of Hope Kindle Books 1-5.

Modern Day Battle is a paperback of poetry written about places in and around the town I live in.

Writing poetry helps me remain positive and hopeful, it is my prayer that those who read it will be helped too.

I have been introduced to another book this morning - it was mentioned at London Writers' Salon Writer's Hour which I am attending as I write (50 minutes of writing alongside others in a quiet space is really helpful to me).
Checking the book out on Goodreads this quote resonated with me:
“Own your disappointment, acknowledge it for what it is, and move on.”
― Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
On Sunday interactions left me feeling wounded and vulnerable. The rest of the day marred with a feeling of being disheartened and even betrayed. Yesterday during Writer's Hour I acknowledge my feelings in my writing and moved on. The contrast in my day was incredible.
Elizabeth Gilbert, who coincidently or God-incidentally wrote her memoir Eat, Pray, Love. She describes herself as "culturally rather than theologically a Christian". Regardless of her description, and any affiliation many of her words resonate and I look forward to reading Big Magic.
Owning my own disappointment and writing it down really helped yesterday. It was as though writing it placed it somewhere and then I could walk away, move on without it. I am reminded that this is what Christ asks me to do with all burdens. Not necessarily write them down, but leave them with Him - at the foot of the cross and move on.
In this day before me I ask dear Lord
That anything I hold on to not good
You would help me release to You now
And from it onward hereby move.
May my walking forward be lighter
No longer weighted down by a load
And may my being take comfort too
Knowing You with love all enfold.
Disappointment and troubles taken
I am free for the new day now ahead
Loved beyond measure assured am I
Ready to be into the future led.
Hope is the beacon before me set
Joy the feeling that fills my soul
Faith is what marks my footsteps on
As You my Lord I lovingly follow.
© Kate Brumby 10/11/2020Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

I have been busy writing some more short stories - hoping to publish these via Kindle Direct Publishing the first week of December.

Books 3, 4 and 5 in the Hymns of Hope series will be available soon too.

So many verses and stories
Flow from this mind of mine
Often like this one here
I write in spontaneous time.

Blessings
Kate

I have just uploaded the second of a series of five prayerful poetry collections. Hymns of Hope 42-72 includes this poem.

Dear Lord when my strength is spent
And I am tired and weary of mind
I pray You will still my soul gently
So I may refreshment within find.
Help me, Lord to not rush in action
Guide me to be patient and wait
And be open to Your message
That will console and placate.
May I learn from the challenges
Which come along my path here
And always be assured, O Lord
Of Your presence being ever near.

© Kate Brumby 2020

The book will be available in Kindle within 72 hours - likely to be tomorrow.

If you were to ask me if I like poetry, my honest answer is that it depends on the style of the Poet.

One of my books is FREE until 7.59am BST 18th October - if you have a Kindle it may be of interest, it may even give you a taste for more.

Kindle Books Available:

In the Palm of His Hand FREE until 7.59am BST 18th October

God of Detail 89p until 7.59 am BST 18th October

Poetry of the Sole £1.99 until 7.59 am BST 18th October

Hymns of Hope 1-41 77p until 7.59 am BST 18th October

No Ordinary King 99p until 7.59 am BST 18th October

Touch of Remembrance 77p until 7.59 am BST 18th October

Delighted to publish the first of five books of prayerful poetry on Kindle today.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

It is my hope that the poetry within will inspire and lift whoever reads it.

My friend Susan Williams did not wish to have her name on the front cover - her beautiful photographs enhance my words and encourage the resting of eyes upon them.

No Ordinary King

In 2018 I was asked to write some poems to be read in between songs from Graham Kendrick's The Gift. These were read by choir members during a 'performance'.
In 2019 I was asked to write a further poem which was added to the 'performance' on 2 occasions.
Sadly the choir will not be able to 'perform' this year but the poems are available on Amazon or direct - I am able to offer discounts via my Eysy shop @Poetry247
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Poetry24...

Ideal as a small gift, for reflection during Advent or during the whole year.

I was provided with a lovely photograph of a sunset as a poetry prompt...

There’s a time in the afternoon
When day turns into the night
Dusk comes gradually when
The sky dims its golden light.
Yet somehow rays burst
Like a firework display cast
Nature heralding the sun
As it welcomes darkness.
There will be stars soon
Shimmering above like gems
And the cycle of hours
Will begin anew once again.
© Kate Brumby 09/10/2020