Sally Carter: I a very sorry to everyone I have ignored over the past few weeks, and particularly those old friends whose work I have not been reviewing. Fact is I have to take a break from here. Not at all for any bad reasons, as life is full and fun. However, I can't concentrate on writing and I would rather not be here at all than feel bad every time I visit, seeing all the things I am not responding to. I shall retire at the end of April, so maybe then I shall have more time at my disposal and re-discover the writing bug. If anyone wants to stay in touch in my absence, I am on FaceBook or would be happy to exchange email addresses through a private pm.

Catch you soon, Sal
    Aaron James: Take care Sally and have fun in whatever you do. Hope to see you back in April. x -
    janalma: You'll be missed. Hurry back, when you can. -
    rama devi: You'll be missed, dear Sally. (And hope to see you back in April, or whenever). Please do send an email...though perhaps we already exchanged those? Best wishes to you! Love, rd -
    michaelcahill: so glad you are okay. don't feel bad. stop by and say hello anyway. hopefully we shall see you in April. Take care till then. mikey
    -
    Patti R.: Dear Sally, take good care and I sincerely hope to "see" you again on FS! I will miss you. -
    Hollyhock: Only just picked up your message. Hope to see you back in April (I don't do facebook). I am struggling to find time to write but don't want to give in just yet. Take care and enjoy the moment, Love, Andrea -
    Xylok: you're a one of a kind no matter where you are! -

    Sally Carter: On my screen the music and image are a bit out of sync, but what a voice! -
    Xylok: awesome! never heard it before. thanks for sharing it! -


Sally Carter: Yesterday I bought two bird feeders for our new(ish) home. Today, less than 24 hours later, we saw a woodpecker on one, right outside our bedroom window! So exciting. Never seen one before.
    adewpearl: I grew up in a neighborhood where woodpeckers were a staple - I just love the way they look as they peck peck peck - and the sound is great :-) -
    Sally Carter: No, they are something special for us. I saw what must have been a green one zooming down the road the day before yesterday, but the one this morning was a lesser spotted. I want more feeders! This could become an obsession. (Another obsession). -
    Joy Graham: We have one in our neighborhood that pecks on the metal street light. -
    shelley kaye: won't be as exciting at 2:00 in the morning....

    ;)
    -


Sally Carter:

I have to thank Warren/Rodger for introducing me to this song in a list of recommendations he sent me. I have listened to it so many times now and it still brings a lump to my throat.


Sally Carter:

I love these guys!

    Debra White: Again Sally, thanks for sharing these guys.... my son is in awe!! (me too!) -
    Sally Carter: So glad you like them, Debra. I just found a great video on YouTube, showing how they made this particular video. Superb! -
    Sally Carter: Woohoo, I am pleased I gave them some promo. I really like some of their original stuff as well. -


Sally Carter:

Walk off the Earth with a great cover of Gotye's Somebody I Used to Know. Watch how they do it!
    Debra White: WOW! That was awesome Sally, thank you for sharing...I love this song anyway and this version is something else - the vocals sound uncannily like the original I thought! Definitely one to show the kids in the morning. :) -
    trimple: Original!

    Nice to see some refreshing artists about Sally :) -
    Sally Carter: And a couple of them are quite hot! Next time I'll post their version of Royals by Lorde. They are wonderful. -
    Patti R.: Wow! My girl sings this song - we are both blown away by this band! Thanks, Sal -


Sally Carter: A shameless bit of self promotion.
I host a show on our small community radio station, Radio St Austell Bay. It's on every Friday from 1-4 UK time, which I believe is 9-12 FS time. If anyone cares to find me on their computer, just google Radio St Austell Bay, or RSAB, and you can listen. If you would like to send a request or message to studio@rsab.org it would be so exciting to know someone from FS is picking it up!


Sally Carter:


Strangely reminiscent of my husband singing when he has headphones on.
    Donya Quijote: Ok, i checked this out, looking for a laugh. The dog started to sing and my cats got up and left the room. -
    Sally Carter: Hahaaaa... I love the way the dog looks round before he starts, as if to ensure he has an audience. -
    Erika Martin: Okay, this is sooooo funny, I can't think of anything that might top it. Andreas Bocelli, you met your match.
    -


FanStory wrote to Sally Carter: Congratulations! The winner of the Reviewing Competition.
    rama devi: Congratulations! Much deserved! :-))) -
    Warren Rodgers: Congrats, Sally and thank you for all of your helpful reviews! - Rodger -
    Sally Carter: Aw, thank you Rodger. Sorry I've been out of touch so long. Comes of all that time spent reviewing! lol. -
    Patti R.: Woohoo! So deserving of this award, thanks for all your reviews this month, Sally. -
    Sally Carter: Thank you all so much. I plan to buy lots of music! -
    Lovinia: Congratulations Sally. Well done. So much work and a just reward. Hugs - Lovinia xoxoxo -
    w.j.debi: I am so excited that you won the Reviewing Contest. You deserve it! -
    Sally Carter: Again, my thanks for the kind words. It really encourages me to keep trying. -
    Isaac Kavik: Hey, Sally! You deserve this recognition! -
    Sally Carter: How kind you all are. Thank you very much indeed. -
    nancyjam: Congratulations Sally on this well deserved award. I love your helpful reviews. Nancy -
    Dean Kuch: Congratulations on your reviewing contest win, Sally. Very well deserved, I'm sure... -


Sally Carter:

life is a garden,
not a road

we enter and exit
through the same gate

wandering,
where we go matters less
than what we notice

~ Bokonon ~


I don't know who this poet is, so hope I am not infringing any copyright or whatever. I need to go googling...
    Sally Carter: Yikes, just seen he's a fictitious character speaking of a fictitious religion. Don't know if I just made an idiot of myself, but I like the poem even so. -
    noland: The founder of the fictitious religion Bokononism, Bokonon's sayings appear throughout Kurt Vonnegut's novel 'Cat's Cradle,' so technically, the poet is Vonnegut. One of my favorite writers. -
    Sally Carter: Sorry Steve, only just saw this. Yes I remember you like this author. I must try the book. I'll ask the library to reserve me a copy. -
    Sally Carter: Thank you so much! There appears to have been a slight mix up, but I definitely got a message saying I had the prize, so I shall claim it quick! -
    Bayberry: I'm so happy for you, Sally. Way to go! :> -


Sally Carter:

Track 1 off Madeleine Peyroux's album "Careless Love".
    Adri7enne: I love it! First time I've heard anyone else but Leonard do this song justice. She's wonderful. Sounds like Billie Holliday. Thanks for sharing. -


Sally Carter:

No one could sit still to this, could they?


Sally Carter:


No resemblance *at all* to my husband...
    Scarbrems: I had the pleasure of working with her, once. A lovely lady. -
    Patti R.: This was so funny! She is marvelous!
    -
    Kiki12: Thanks Sally- that was so good! She IS marvelous- as patti said-and so funny! What an entertaining clip :) Loved it
    -
    Janet Foor: This was really funny Sally. Thanks for sharing. I loved it but I had to wonder if somehow her husband is related to mine? -


Sally Carter:


This is just wonderful - and I'm not even a specially doggy person.
    DIS-illusioned: And...it must also be pointed out that God created the male dog first--before he made the bitch (uh, a female dog).
    Just saying .... -
    Sally Carter: But did you enjoy the video, you silly old dog, you?? -
    Adri7enne: Wow! That was wonderful! I was so wishing I could write something so true. I've always had a dog. Couldn't live without one. They're so darn easy to love. Thanks for sharing, Sally. -
    Phyllis Stewart: Wonderful! Thanks for sharing! My doggies are piled on my bed behind me, keeping it warm till I toss them off and climb in... and then one by one they'll sneak back in. :) -


Sally Carter: Let me recommend a novel I just finished on my Kindle. Tollesbury Time Forever (FRUGALITY - Book 1) by Stuart Ayris. I believe Stuart is or was a member here. A truly remarkable read, broadly about a man suffering mental illness, but rich in language, I would say prose poetry in places, insights, revelations. Challenging in places, but well worth sticking with it. I bought mine through Amazon, but if you enter Stuart Ayris on your search engine you will find other ways to buy.