Roberta Writes – Thursday Doors, Sunday Stills & Tanka Tuesday: My attempts at humour #doors #wildlife #poetry

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During the first week of October, Terence and I took a three day break at Madikwe Hills lodge in the Madikwe Game Reserve. It was hot, hot, hot and very dry, but we got some terrific sightings. The lodge is wonderful, the room was large and had every thing you could imagine. You can join in Thursday Doors here: https://nofacilities.com/2023/10/26/barns-of-somers/

The reception going out. You can see the game drive vehicle in the driveway and the doors to the gift shop on the right. The admin offices are on the left.
Terence standing in the door to our room. You can see the sliding doors to the private patio and swimming pool in the background.

Sunday Stills

Terri’s challenge this week is funny pictures from real life. You can join in here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2023/10/22/sunday-stills-real-life-from-the-funny-pages/

“What you doing, Zuri?”

“I’m stretching my legs and licking salt.”

“It looks interesting. I think I’ll try.”

“Eeek! I think I’ve put my back out. This isn’t as much fun as I thought it would be.”

“Thank goodness, I managed to get up.”

“What do you think, Amahle? Time to call the men with the straight jackets?”

Michael and I have a new children’s education book coming out in November. It includes my photographs and drawings as well as links to our YouTube videos. AND, it’s about giraffes – my favourite creature!

Tanka Tuesday

Colleen’s challenge is to write syllabic poems about the season using kigo words. I’m not great at kigo words, probably because I am not good at listening to instructions, but I keep trying. PS Colleen edited Neema the Misfit Giraffe. A huge thank you, Colleen.

These two are for fun, part of my animal joking around in this post.

Fat birds

Mangled fruit

Product of guzzling

Plump loeries

Eat and eat

I’ll have to build a runway

Fattest birds in town

The story of the desperate salesman

Desperately he flies

Between the branches

Calling for a female to give him a chance

“Please come and look” he chirps

“You’ve nothing to lose.”

***

He’s been building for days

King of construction

Improving his intricate weaving techniques

Working from dawn to dusk

Then comes marketing

***

So far, he’s unlucky

Each nest rejected

Dismantling them, to make room for new efforts

Single minded in his

Determination

This one is the kigo words poem.

Spring mornings

Cool mornings

Necessitate coat

Cloudy sky

Chilly breeze

Burning off before midday

Sweltering afternoons

You can join in Tanka Tuesday here: https://tankatuesday.com/2023/10/24/24-seasons-syllabic-poetry-challenge-no-5-10-24-23/

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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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92 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – Thursday Doors, Sunday Stills & Tanka Tuesday: My attempts at humour #doors #wildlife #poetry”

  1. I’m glad you and Terence and a getaway doing some sightseeing. Send us some hot weather, Robbie. We need it. Lovely poems and Sunday funnies. How wonderful! You and Michael are having a new educational book about giraffes in November. It’s a good way to combine all the challenges. I still have to figure out what to do with the challenges I like to take part in. I may have to combine them like what you do.

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    1. Hi Miriam, this was a fun post to put together. Writing about the animals and birds makes me smile. I combine challenges when they can go together. Generally I prefer to only post once a day on weekdays. Usually 2 posts on Robbie’s Inspiration and three posts on this blog. My mad Halloween book festival has been an exception to my rule but I’ve enjoyed doing it.

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          3. I think that’s the point, Robbie! It’s something we have in common that generates the conversation. Our other friends are close in proximity but may not be close in mind and heart. 😍💕

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  7. I love this post Robbie your break looked amazing. The Giraffes had me in stitches and your poems about the nest building bird ( he’s so beautiful). I love your Kigo poem too. Oh! Yes good luck with the new book. I think it’s lovely that you and Michael work together on these books. Have a great weekend 💜💜💜

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  16. A lot to like in this post, Robbie. Great poetry, lovely new book to check out, a picture of Terrence that looks oddly like my brother, a lodge I’d like to design my home to look like. Well done post.

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  19. Thanks for this lovely chatty post, Robbie. Wonderful photos and poetry — and humor. How cool that you and Michael already have another book almost ready. And who could resist a misfit giraffe? ❤ I'm looking forward to seeing your artwork in it. Big hugs.

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  22. Congrats on the new book–I also love giraffes, Robbie! Such stately animals. But your adorable snaps show their ungainliness as they splay their legs to reach the water. Hilarious captions to along with their drinking 🙂 Of course, your poetry is on point for the challenge too.

    I also wanted to tell you that I recently read your chapter in Yvette’s new book “This is How We Grow.” I was very touched by your writing and the seemingly endless ordeals you and your family experienced with the various health issues of your boys. I was very happy to read they recovered. It was a personal look into your life that you so graciously share with your readers. As if you aren’t busy enough, to have to worry and go through it all. Always great to see your participation in the various challenges.

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    1. HI Terri, I am delighted you enjoyed my ‘funnies’ pictures. At first I thought I didn’t have anything and then I thought a bit more about it. I actually have a lot of pictures of animals doing funny things. Thank you for your kind comment about my piece in This is how we grow. It was difficult for me to write that piece, but it was also good for me. I hope it helps others facing challenges.

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  23. Robbie, I love your books! Neema is sure to be another hit! Giraffes are such gently and graceful creatures. The loerie birds are spectacular! Your kigo words are excellent. Chilly breezes and sweltering afternoons are perfect for your location! Great photos too! 🧡

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  24. I enjoyed the giraffe series, although I was fearful they wouldn’t be able to get up from the splayed posture. It looks painful! They are beautiful animals. I think Mr. Weaver needs to hire a new real estate agent.

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    1. HI Liz, all giraffes go down like that as they can’t reach the ground, and often water, otherwise. It is a compromising position for them as they can’t get up and run quickly. It was rather cute to watch this scene playing out. We actually have three weavers in our garden, one has eggs, two are still trying very hard to win a mate.

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  28. Robbie,
    Continued success to Michael and yourself! I enjoyed all your verses and photos!

    I new one congregation that at one point used the giraffe as a charitable symbol – for all to ‘stick their necks out’ – I think it would be a good symble for learning too – to reach new heights 🙂

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      1. 🦒 I think the first time (besides books) that I saw a giraffe it must have been at a zoo. There is a wonderful children’s book called ‘Giraffes Can’t Dance’ by Giles Andreae. My grands enjoy it!

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  31. A fun post, Robbie. You had a great place while away, and the giraffes doing splits cracked me up. Congrats on the new book (I love the cover). And thanks for the wonderful poems. That little bird has to work hard to attract a female. I hope he’s successful. 🙂

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    1. Hi Diana, weavers have to learn their trade of nest building. Until they improve and get it right, the nests are rejected by the females. We have three in our garden. One had early success so he must be a more experienced and older bird. The other two are young learners. They’ll have it right before the end of the breeding season.

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  32. It is lovely you and Terence had a break. Your poems and photos always brilliant. Your new book looks great. You continue to inspire , even in tough times you still handle life so beautifully, and you have the same energy levels.

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  35. Bloggers have a lot in common because people like you put a lot of time into communicating. You giraffes are so cute – I love their dialogue. I’m glad you had a break to get away. Have a great rest of your week. 🙂

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      1. I didn’t realize that you post every day. I have been ignoring FB recently out of necessity! That’s how I found your post.

        The Story Chat book finally came out. It has my name, but not Contributing Editor after my name. It took 5 tries to get them to remove the comma between my first and last name. I tried to edit it after the fact, with no success, so I hope no one minds. 🙂 So now the concentration goes to marketing it! I wish I had your experience! 🙂

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        1. HI Marsha, I will get the book and review it over the next few weeks. As always I have a few committed reads but I’ll slot it in asap. I don’t usually post every day, I just decided [in a moment of extreme madness] to do a daily Halloween book festival to promote good darker books I’ve read. I put in as many of my blogging friends as I could.

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          1. Now it is time for a break from the dark side and from daily posts. Whew! I’ve done a few daily challenges, and afterwards I am spent!

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  37. this is so much fun starting with the entry of the great doors. Wow, how do you keep up writing more books. This looks so great. Love the script you wrote. Too funny. Not sure how I got soooo far behind. Digging out my friend and almost caught up I hope.. xo 💕

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