A "Squirrel" Otherkin Trilogy ?!! *chuckles* The article makes it sound like I'm the sole author of Ruins Terra , Ruins Metropolis and Barren Worlds , rather than being merely a contributor to each. Oh dear.... Not my doing. So, yes, yesterday saw me back at Golborne High School by invitation of Sylvia Taylor , gelertandbess, actor, playwright and filmmaker, who also works to promote and develop the arts within the school. We’ve known each other since we were aged eleven, and used to sit next to each other in English and Computer classes at Golborne High – or Golborne Comprehensive School, as it was then named. Certainly it was interesting to see my old school again. Some things haven’t changed at all, while some are entirely new to me – such as the digital photography suite and the banks of computers in the school library. Back in our day, there was one computer for the entire school! And even that wasn’t a PC as we think of them now, but a monitor and keyboard w...

While in Chester we called into St Werburg's Cathedral, where there was an exhibition of tapestry made by Quakers. Each work showed an aspect of the Quakers' history and their role in social change. The work which had gone into the needlework was admirable. Having done a fair bit of embroidery myself, I can appreciate how much time and effort had been given over to this project. St Werburg's is a favourite of mine. The Gothic architecture is fabulous, and the atmosphere in this ancient and historic place is truly precious.

My dogs are thoroughly enjoying our warm spring days. They have spent the last two hours sunbathing on the patio. This gives the local bird population chance to snatch a peck or two of the seed and fat balls which we’ve hung in our cherry tree. All week, the dogs have been valiantly guarding the garden against any bird brave enough to endure an onslaught of woofing any time they dare try for a beak-full. The lack of rain also means that my dogs have – so far – avoided having to try out their new raincoats in public. The picture shows Ygraine modelling hers, which comes complete with little hood.

I am pleased to anounce the publication of Quiet Lives , ASIN B0013CX3HQ, available only from Amazon.com. Direct link:- http://www.amazon.com/Quiet-Lives/dp/B0013CX3HQ/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1202834377&sr=1-12 Four tales of seemingly quiet lives:- Dear Harry - Armajeet writes a parting letter to Harry. He is lovely but she's tired of too much compromise - and her friends would rip him to shreds. Mirror - Having violated Melissa's hospitality, a salesman learns that not all witches comply with New Age stereotypes. The Four Seasons -  When Granny visits, teenager Megan and her mother face a yawning generation gap. Beautiful - Dawn is as tall as a man and twice as broad, yet her determined quest for love, passion and beauty will strike a chord with everyone who has ever felt disheartened by their own reflection.

You can read an interview with me here:- http://www.gabriellefaust.com/archives/category/interviews You will need to scroll down until you see the date 07.01.2008.

The algid sky is doing its utmost to remind me that January is still winter. The weekend, however, saw us enjoying a long walk over Caldy Hill. The dogs love it up there; there’s so much for them to sniff at! It’s a wonder their little noses aren’t worn out… A whole world is available to them which we’re oblivious to. Riverside Writers met last night, and a lively evening it was too, with three new members joining us. January’s writing project had been set on the theme of ‘the diamond wristwatch’, and as always everyone had produced completely different work, including a smattering of poems – unusual for our group, as poets are thin on the ground. Over the weekend, Richard managed to plant most of the climbing roses, which we’ll train up the new trellis fence. There is room enough for more roses yet. I do like roses, particularly the perfumed varieties. Plus they’re tough plants which can withstand Wirral’s microclimate, which ranges from baking heat in summer to tearing oceanic ga...

Do we want a huge hotel complex built on the West Kirby waterfront? One of the things I like best about living in West Kirby is its tranquil village atmosphere. Chester, Birkenhead and Liverpool and close enough should broader shopping or theatres or similar be required. But here we have a precious haven from that faster pace of life. That’s how locals like it. That’s why people come to live here. Some teenagers might grumble that there’s nothing much for them to do, and certainly the traffic can be surprisingly heavy for a small place. But the beaches, woodlands and parks easily balance this out, and our low crime rate is another attraction for many residents, who often heave a sigh of relief when the main tourist season is over and we can have “our” village and beach back again. Local shops no doubt benefit from the influx of summer visitors, but this hotel is to have a shopping complex built on its ground floor. This will bring more competition to the already struggling local ...