Lindagail Hall: Sorry I haven't been on site, been very sick and I'm trying to save my leg from amputation. Being on insulin my biggest concerns as with others is protecting our feet, I got a new pair of trainers got a whopping blister, I was very good and didn't pop it, but I did then pull the loose skin off, stupid thing to do and I'm kicking myself every single day, it got infected, my family Dr put me onto antibiotics which did seem to clear it up.

I'm a great believer in old time natural medicine when I need it, so I soak my feet maybe two three times a week in hot water olive oil and vinegar I have very dry skin olive oil keeps my feet soft.

Well the infections came back but was more angry started making my ankle red inflammation I thought so used witch hazel. Ice packs all the time I couldn't get any shoes on or put my left foot on my floor properly kept the heel off of the ground I rang my family Dr she put me on an antibiotic cream use three times a day, told her it didn't weep or smell.

Spoke too soon it started to weep was very sore got an urge to scratch it but didn't, the redness and swelling got worse, it is still weeping and I think it has a slight smell no pus or anything, my biggest fear is amputation I've been through enough operations due to my war injuries and it was through this I got diabetes through being on steroids had I been told there's a risk with premisalone I would have refused it.

So I've been a little down just feeling blue I suppose, it's not like me to whine I just get on with everyday living. I have to say this has me scared.

If anyone knows of any natural herbal or whatever remedies I'd be eversomuch grateful .

I've missed you all and did do a few reviews I honestly feel my reviews at this moment in time would not benefit any writer I know on this site. I am always honest in my reviews so please bare with me until I am able to concentrate on my reviews.

To my American cousins my prayers are with you all from TX and now CA it's dreadful the damage done to these areas I just heard that it's due to hit Tampa please keep safe don't take any risks I know you also have many gas pumps empty try and keep your chins up.

I'll let you have an update this week end.
    mrsmajor: I have a niece that lives in Tampa, she called me again this morning, and told me the roof on her house had some shingles blown away, and a large tree fell on her house, but she didn't hesitate to say
    how thankful she was that it wasn't worse...I have to tell you this story, I have a very good friend who has diabetes and also has rather large sore that developed on here leg...it has been there for a good while, and there is a nurse that visits her weekly that cleans it and applies medication...I'm so sorry to hear of your problems, and I can imagine it must be distressing...but I've seen my friend deal with this for more than a year. I have C-dif...witch is an infection in the intestines, have had it active for more than 6 months, I've been prescribed 3 different medication, on cost ing 350$ and yet it is still there...a friend of mine told me to try taking a good laxative and maybe that would help...I did, and I am feeling better now..no diarrhea is present anymore, although tests show its still there...my doctor says, he can't say that the laxative did me any good, but it didn't do any harm either...sometimes these old time remedies work, perhaps not perfectly, but all we can do is keep our Faith strong, and Pray foe some relief...I wish you God's Blessings, and hope you get better soon...
    In the meantime, I send you a Big Hug, you're not along, you have a new friend, that will keep you in my Prayers...Take Care! -


Lindagail Hall: I'm getting really frustrated with these 5/7/5 2/4/2 contest I do a review then go to send then I'm being told the review isn't long enough. What fool made this ruling is beyond me.
I did a review of four lines commenting on the word choice and the picture there's not a lot to review on these writes . I'm certainly not going to make things up.

That's my grumble for this monday
    damommy: Join the club. I see some people write very short reviews and they are sent, but mine are always kicked back to say more. How much can you say about a short poem???? -
    nor84: that isn't about to change. You can comment, adding enough words to get by the message.

    You can say, "I want to wish you the best of luck in the contest." You can even complain that the reviewing rules mean that you have to write enough words, so you are doing so. Anything that adds additional words, meaningless or not, will do the trick. Comment on the weather where you are. If you know the writer enjoy little chitchat. -
    DR DIP: I find this with the haiku there is only so much you can say so 5-7-5 and 2-4-2 poems are the same I'm afraid

    dip -
    Dean Kuch: There's a lot of things you can address with respect to the shorter forms of poetic expression, Linda, with all due respect to those who have already commented.

    First and foremost, you can tell the author how the poem made you feel--what emotions the poem invoked within you.

    For haiku, you can talk about the kigo (seasonal reference), the use of onji (Japanese sounds rather than English syllables), and the satori--the last line of enlightenment--that 'Ah-Ha!' moment haiku is so well known for.

    Do some research. You'd be surprised...
    Why No 5-7-5?
    photo JC.ORIENTAL20FRAME20-202Ytsh-10n20-20normal_zpsao5dxyqb.jpg -


Lindagail Hall: Yet another terrorist attack in Finsbuy Park this morning eight injured one dead this attack was at the Muslim Mosque . One man arrested held by people from the mosque . Two are critical . Yet again murder comes to London. I detest these incidents, this one towards Muslims .when will this be treated seriously by the government Londoners have had enough, mark my words I can see riots on our streets pray for those injured and for the father's family he won't be coming home ever again.


Lindagail Hall: Last night 1am we had a very large fire in a tower block which is close by to where I live hundreds are homeless 74 injured 24 critical six dad but more deaths are more then likely.
There was an explosion but we aren't being told what some say a fridge police, fire chiefs are not saying that. More deaths are expected as the fire is still burning that's over 14 hours now many are missing.

London has had a rough time recently two terror attacks within last three weeks a mess of our Parliment being an hung results I feel my beloved city the place of my birth can't take another disaster.
We have been pushed far too much we have our backs against the wall.

What is clear is big questions need to be answered truthfully, the tower block had just been refurbished costing 10 million quid that's about 15/6million dollars on today's rate. Apparently the outside of the 24 floors were covered in some type of cavities insulation it made the fire run out of control I know a few friends of mine live in these same type towers and it only has one flight of stairs to escape by. No fire alarms sounded no fire doors closed which should have happened. One young youth interviewed said " we knew this was going to happen the borough wanted to pull these towers down for luxury flats for the rich, which I can believe as my borough has done the same what makes this hard to understand how did the whole tower go u in less then an hour why were the residents told to stay put. Someone somewhere has made cut backs that's clear to see. I feel so sad and angry that once again the rich have been put first then the everyday working man. Please pray for those badly burnt those dead and for the survivors to get rehomed ASAP. Thank you.
    FxstsLisa : Prayers for London, last night's fire tragedy with the injured, deceased, survivors and prayers for you. It's so scary when it happens so close to home. On a smaller scale, I live in Portland, Oregon, United States where two men were stabbed and killed and one injured for sticking up for two Muslim girls on our light-rail train. The injured man lives down the street from me and the other two men killed lived within miles. Praying... -
    trimple: Hi there, Linda.

    It would seem that the whole building was a fire hazard waiting to happen.

    I live near St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London.

    My heart goes out to all those that have lost their loved ones at this tragic time.

    tracey

    -
    Lindagail Hall: Update to tower fire Grenville

    Teresa May coward that she is visited the site didn't make a statement nor speak to residents wonder if that because it was her government has refused to start a new policy for these high rise flats has been shelved for three years. She didn't even speak to one resident. Jeremy Corbyn visited later and promised nothing will be hidden in tall grass and the truth will come out. I'm inclined to believe him then her!

    17 people are critical in induce comas one a 12 year old girl.
    What has shone out from this terrible incident is that the people of London and surrounding areas have done a awesome job of donating clothes blankets water juices toys and food. I spent three hours yesterday doing a little part in this coming together.

    Many questions have to be addressed like why the fire lights failed as did the doors and fire alarm one must understand that this happened in the richest place in the whole of the U.K. Where everyday working class are constantly having their noses rubbed into the ground as the rich have more rights shame on you that made cuts on the upgrade I pray that the truth does come out I pray for those who have yet to be found , dead more then likely . I pray for all those that have lost their homes everything and I pray that the fire fighters that risked their life's to try and save some 65 people , even their cheif said she's never seen anything like this fire taking hold and spreading so quickly.
    In today's world one doesn't expect anything like this happening. My prayers go out to all involved. -
    trimple: Even in light of this 'man-made' human disaster, Teresa May continues to dig herself a slippery slope by continuing to detach herself from the people of this country.

    She is an absolute disgrace. -


FanStory wrote to Lindagail Hall: Mist finished third in the contest "Etheree Poem"


Lindagail Hall: While I thank you for your input this contest I was charged five dollars, it was voted on by cec panal who ever they are. To not get any feed back is wrong how is one supposed to learn if the ones judging the anon contest don't even let you know.
I Lund out I got no votes when the winners were given out saw a click here to see results in blue so clicked it.Jan if what you say is right re scrolling through the poets listings why in Gods name call it a blind vote. Not having a go at you I just want answers.jan so you've been here longer does that imply your right? Can't see how that comes into the picture at all. Well sour grapes makes the best vinegar didn't you know!
    F. Wehr3: Hi Linda, it looks as though you entered a contest voted on by the members, not the CEC. You received nine reviews from other Fanstory members just the same as you. During the contest and until voting is completed, your name is withheld, but the poem is marked as a contest entry.

    Wishing another member good luck in a contest and verifying that the poet has followed the rules is common. Hopefully, you received some good feedback out of the nine reviews you received. I hope this clarifies any issue. Take care. -
    Jannypan (Jan) : Jannypan (Jan) : 1. Anyone can go to your profile page & scroll through it to 'find' work listed--even blind contests.
    2. How do you know the committee did not vote for you? No one really knows who 'they' are.
    3. If it is a site sponsored contest, no feedback is given to anyone--you never know why your entry did not place, what may have been wrong etc.
    4. No one forces members to promote--I know you get reviews more than if you don't but there are many who never promote their work.
    5. You have been with FS since April 2016-I year. I have been here since 2013 & still am learning new things.
    6. These are just observations from my experience--never did I say I was right. Sorry if that is the impression you got.
    7. A Blind contest isn't blind. Site sponsored contests are free to enter, promote as you wish, ornot, & names are shown. Once you release work, it goes for reviews, whether it is to be voted on today or 5 months from now. In blind contests, the names are withheld until after the voting, but reviews may be written at any time. I do not wish to start a 'he said/she said' about this, so I will sign off now. Contact Tom if you want more details--that would be my suggestion. -
    Irish Rain: If you paid $5...it was a 'writing prompt' or 'member created' contest. The CEC does not offer feedback. Their job is only to make sure all people in contest followed the contest rules. They notify you they are doing this, the contest will start when they're finished. It is not their job to offer you feedback. You get that through reviews...through promoting your work. If you want more feedback...you promote your poem higher. When the voting starts...you are notified through your messages. By clicking on that....you are taken to all the entries in the voting booth for that contest. You can vote on one, you can vote on your own. 'Blind' means that when you enter it...no one else in the contest knows it's yours. When you promote it...no one knows it's yours. Unless someone goes to your profile page and sees it. So..when you vote...you know yours, but no one else's. That's 'blind.' That way people can't vote for a 'favorite' writer. Anyone can go to the contest booth and vote, not just the entrants. So you could get lots of votes, or none. Jan didn't imply she was 'right'...but like me, here since 2013...we are both still discovering new things we didn't know. If you do reviews...you'll notice some poems, stories say'contest entry'...you don't see the name. They are in a 'blind' contest. If you don't promote your writing...you will get two free complimentary reviews. That is all, unless it's not blind, then all your fans are notified and you could get more. That's how you get feedback...not from the contest committee. Hope this helps.
    -


Lindagail Hall: I entered a contest which was supposed be a blind read, IE the judges didn't know who the poet was, well this is a joke as I was given a review before judging starting saying good luck and I noticed you followed the rules. Now I didn't get any votes from the panel , which is ok. I just spent money to line whose ever pocket. It would have been nice had the judges contacted all entries and tell us why or what we need to do to improve our writes . I won't be renewing my account next year nor will I be spending 100 dollars to promote my own writes this is not right at all. I'd like to hear from poets to hear what you think about the supposed anon writes in contests. Not being a sore loser I just want to know what I did wrong.! Surely we are not asking for too much.
    Jannypan (Jan) : 1. Anyone can go to your profile page & scroll through it to 'find' work listed--even blind contests.
    2. How do you know the committee did not vote for you? No one really knows who 'they' are.
    3. If it is a site sponsored contest, no feedback is given to anyone--you never know why your entry did not place, what may have been wrong etc.
    4. No one forces members to promote--I know you get reviews more than if you don't but there are many who never promote their work.
    5. You have been with FS since April 2016-I year. I have been here longer 2013 & still am learning new things.
    6. This does sound like sour grapes.

    -
    Jesse James Doty: Right on, Lindagail! Calling them as you see them should be encouraged but it is not. Sour grapes or not, you have made a valid point, and I respect that.
    -
    nor84: Only SITE contests that pay $100 to the winner are "judged" by a committee. The rest are released to a "public" voting booth and voted on by the Fanstory membership. So, unless you entered a SITE contest (for which you would have paid no entry fee) then your entry was judged by whichever members of Fanstory chose to vote in that particular voting booth. -
    michaelcahill: Anonymous means they don't know who YOU are, it doesn't mean they don't know the piece is in a contest. It's good they know it's in a contest so pieces can be checked to see if there's any rules violations and give a heads up. -


Lindagail Hall: Why do we bother to add stars and need fifteen reviews before its recognised, what's to stop fans voting for fans each time, why can't each write be anon . Just asking as I was pulled up the other day re stars I'd given!
    DR DIP: I have to agree with you Linda to a point As you are aware I know your exact situation And I apologise for my reaction. You have every right to give as many stars as you wish whether they be one or six as long as there is a reason for it that is justified. I think the star system is a bit of a joke because the rating system virtually only involves 5 or 6 stars. Everyone is virtually paranoid to go lower it is seen as an insult. Its sort of pissing in each other's pockets. Maybe anonymous reviewers would promote more honest appraisals without being cast as unfair?

    respectfully dip -
    Jannypan (Jan) : I believe if every post is recognized, then that defeats the
    purpose of exemplary work. While everyone wishes for that sixth star, it isn't always possible--same thing for 5 stars. Our society has become a me, me, me-- Think about all the young kids in particular who receive a ribbon for 'participation' when they may
    not have participated. They get an inflated sense of themselves to the point that they EXPECT something for nothing.

    Anonymous reviews would open the door for hateful, spiteful reviews. It's easy to sit behind a screen & trash someone's work.

    I know my reply will not be popular, but it is true IMHO. -
    Lindagail Hall: DrDip this wasn't aimed at our conversation I just wanted to find out why some good writes always seem to be gained by their favs, and other poets struggle to get even fifteen reviews without spending money to re activate the certificate. I feel this isn't fair certainly not just. -
    Jesse James Doty: I agree, Linda, it isn't fair. Those of us without money get lost in the shuffle. -


Lindagail Hall: Is a thought a feeling
Or is a feeling a thought.

This is not a trick question for myself they each stand apart yet mean the same either way I'd love to hear your comments
    mrsmajor: hhhmmmm, that's an interesting question, and I had to take a moment to think about it...I do believe they are not literally the same...unless one is talking about feeling as in physical touching...a thought is an idea, a concept, like when one meditates about something...I think feeling might be considered how we react to that thought...like being sad, angry, so I don't know how one can have a thought without feeling something...but then what do I know lol -
    damommy: Interesting. I can think about a feeling, but it's still a thought. I can feel emotion from a thought, but it's still a feeling. I think they two separate things. -
    DR DIP: there's a poem in this!

    IS A THOUGHT A FEELING

    Is a thought a feeling?
    Or is a feeling a thought
    depends on what you're concealing
    for that thought could add up to naught

    Is a feeling a thought
    Or is a thought a feeling
    Its not something you are taught
    But it's something you're revealing

    Thoughts and feelings are like strawberries and cream
    They belong together
    For without one the other may seem
    to be left out in the weather

    dip lol -
    strandregs: Dr rip took a dip
    and came out with a hip
    hip
    hip
    replacement.
    ha ha. -