Welcome to the round up of posts on Smorgasbord you might have missed this I week.

I hope you have had an enjoyable week. It has flown by here as I am juggling various projects on and offline and thankfully in the first round of editing on my next book due out in a couple of months. It is another book based on the Irish Garden but a couple of centuries in the future but still a long way off from our modern world.. The storyteller who is guardian whose age is counted in 100s of year, is still in residence but the world is changing and the need for a sanctuary becoming more and more important… you will meet people and creatures who are seeking the garden’s safety and discover their back stories and hopes for the future.

I am sure that those of you who are aware my life is under the direction of a fur dictator will not be surprised that there is a feline involved in the shenanigans… but dog lovers have not been forgotten either.

On the subject of ‘he who must be obeyed’ his language lessons are progressing very nicely. He now has an understanding of several words and body language which makes life a little less stressful.

For example: 

• His meals are served on a mat by the larder in the utility room and when he comes to me demanding an audience I say to him ‘Show Me‘.
• He will either go to the mat and sit on it and await the service of salmon, beef, chicken or duck in jelly. If the door to the utility room is ajar I ask him to ‘push it’ and he stands on his back legs and opens it.
• or he will go to the back door to the garden and reach for the handle which means he wants to go out. He doesn’t have a litter box and always asks to go out it he needs the bathroom.
• He may go to the kichen door to the front hall and reach for its handle which means he would like a game of ‘whack a finger’ through the banisters or he wants to go upstairs where he has a nest in a suitcase…for wet weather days.
• He will get on the cushion on the table in our office where he likes to watch television and roll over on his back for tummy rubs, and first thing in the morning he likes a sing song and a cuddle. His favourites being Amazing Grace and Frere Jacques which results in some very loud purring
• He sleeps outside in one of two insulated boxes out of the weather both with heated mats. In the morning I open the door and sing ‘How much is that pussy in the window, the one with the waggily tail’ and he climbs down and rushes across.
• We have new neighbours and I think due to this last activity they are keeping their distance lol!

We have both come a long way in the last three years from that skinny, starving feral young cat, and whilst it might appear I am totally under the paw, and yes I can hear you laughing!… we have a very much easier working relationship.  He gives back daily with wonderful cuddles and healing frequency purrs.

My thanks as always to the amazing contributors for their posts and support.

William Price King joined me for a Big Band era and on Friday another in the Chart Toppers and Blockbuster series and great to hear you are enjoying them both  You can catch up with William on his own Blog– IMPROVISATION– William Price King on Tumblr

Debby Gies Debby is back at home after her winter break which as you know was highly eventful in the first week and and we can expect a post from her sharing the events… she is due back with us on April 6th but there is plenty to enjoy over at D.G. Kaye

Carol Taylor was here on Wednesday taking us on a culinary tour of Malawi..this Wednesday for the Food Column she is sharing her recipe for Hot Cross Buns… head over to enjoy all the recipes and posts in her archives. CarolCook 

Malcolm Allen was here yesterday with some new funnies which will have you leaving with a smile on your face.

And thank you for your support during the week it is much appreciated. 

Magazine – Music Column Retro – The Big Band Era with William Price King and Sally Cronin – 1940s – Kate Smith, Glenn Miller with Ray Eberle, Carolina Shag dancing

Chart Toppers and Blockbusters 1970s with William Price King – “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” and Patton

A-Z World Cuisines with Carol Taylor – Discovering the Cuisine of Malawi…the warm heart of Africa…

Comedy with Malcolm Allen 2026 – Toothpicks and Favourite Students

Milestones Along the Way – #Ireland #Waterford 1950s – The Sea Angler’s Club by Geoff Cronin

The essential vitamin we all need to be resilient Vitamin D Part Two- Project 101 Resilience by Sally Cronin

Versatile Lavender – Skin care, headaches, insomnia, first aid and fleas by Sally Cronin

New Book Spotlight – #Shortstories #Poetry – Fringes, Heartstrings and Lyrics by Jan K. Sikes, Rick Sikes and Sydney Klein.

#Crime #Mystery #ContemporaryFiction – Fatal by Laura Lyndhurst

Smorgasbord Book Reviews Retro – March and April 2025 – Valerie Poore, Liza Perrat, Pat Spencer, Thorne Moore, Apple Gidley, Sally Jane Smith, T.W. Dittmer, Sandra Cox, Alice Hoffman, Catherine Steadman, Kay Castaneda

Warren D. Neal, the World War II veteran, farmer, and Dad I could always count on by Joy Neal Kidney

Share an Excerpt – Boost one of your books – #Crime #Contemporary Mental Pause by Anne Louise O’Connell

#Contemporary #YA #Shortstory – Comings and Goings – The Art of Being Seen : A Jim Garraty Story (The Reunion Duology) by Alex Diaz-Granados

So many amazing blogs and posts that is difficult to select just a handful but I hope you will head over to enjoy in full.

Cheryl Oreglia and her husband have been on their tandem again in Florida and takes us along for the ride with some terrific photos. Before the group left there was some partying to take care off and sightseeing. Plus as always with Cheryl some astute insights into certain aspects of life.

Head over and saddle up for the tour: Cheryl Oreglia in Florida…

Darlene Foster takes us on a tour of Shakespeare’s home in Stratford-Upon-Avon.. a fascinating step back into the past with wonderful photographs and descriptions.

Take a step back in time: Darlene Foster tours Shakespeare’s home

Thomas Wikman delves into the science of evolution and explores the documented research across several areas involved in the creation of man today… A fascinating post which will certainly give you food for thought.

Head over to add your thoughts: There is strong evidence of macroevolution

Judith Barrow takes us on a guided tour in Perthshire Scotland with some wonderful photographs. You can find other posts on Judith’s blog sharing wonderful walks in Wales and around their home turf of Pembrokeshire.

Get your hiking boots on: Loch Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland

Linda of Wandering Canadians share a guided tour of Quebec with great narrative and photographs… there are other posts showcasing other cities in Canada and also the US, Asia, Europe and Caribbean.

Head over to discover more: The Wandering Canadians explore Quebeck City

Allegedly from the Lonely Hearts column in ‘Ireland’s Own’ magazine of some years ago!!!

Grossly overweight Louth turfcutter, 42 years old, Gemini, seeks nimble sexpot, preferably South American, for tango sessions, candlelit dinners and humid nights of screaming passion. Must have own car and be willing to travel.
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Following a sad recent loss, teetotal Tipperary man, 53, seeks replacement mammy. Must like biscuits and answer to the name Minnie. Thurles area.
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Heavy drinker, 35, Cork area, seeks gorgeous sex addict interested in pints, fags, Glasgow Celtic football club and starting scraps on Patrick Street at three in the morning.
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Bitter, disillusioned Kerryman lately rejected by long-time fiancé seeks decent, honest, reliable woman, if such a thing still exists in this cruel world of hatchet-faced b******ches.
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Ginger-haired Galwegian trouble-maker, gets slit-eyed and shirty after a few scoops, seeks attractive, wealthy lady for bail purposes, maybe more.
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Artistic Clare woman, 53, petite, loves rainy walks on the beach, writing poetry, unusual sea-shells and interesting brown rice dishes, seeks mystic dreamer for companionship, back rubs and more as we bounce along like little tumbling clouds on life’s beautiful crazy journey. Strong stomach essential.
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Chartered accountant, 42, seeks female for marriage. Duties will include cooking, light cleaning and accompanying me to office social functions. References required. No timewasters.
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Bad-tempered, foul-mouthed old bastard living in a damp cottage in the arse end of Roscommon seeks attractive 21 year old blonde lady with big chest.
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Devil-worshiper, Offaly area, seeks like minded lady for wining and dining, good conversation, dancing, romantic walks and slaughtering cats in cemeteries at midnight under the flinty light of a pale moon.
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Attractive brunette, Macroom area, winner of Miss Wrangler competition at Jolenes Nightclub, Macroom, in September 1978, seeks nostalgic man who’s not afraid to cry for long nights spent comfort drinking and listening to old Abba records. Please, Please!
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Limerick man, 27, medium build, brown hair, blue eyes, seeks alibi for the night of February 27 between 8pm and 11.30pm.
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Optimistic Mayo man 35, seeks blonde 20 year old double-jointed supermodel who owns her own brewery and has an open-minded twin sister.

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will join us again next week.