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Author Archives: Julan62

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About Julan62

I'm now living in Portugal with my husband John and have travelled extensively all over the world writing for children. Working on the children’s page of the Kuwaiti times for about a year. Just before the first Gulf conflict in 1989. And the storyteller's page for the Dumfries and Galloway standard, and the press and journal Banff Standard, plus numerous other papers, and short story books to my credit. I am drafting a few novels and taking things one day at a time... I am almost ready with a fantasy novel, which will be due out in the winter. Published with Opera Omnia Publishers and CDB and Chave Book Publishers. Empath Warrior....

The love of Coffee…

a world of endless routine and frenzied chaos, there exists a sanctuary, a solace, where simplicity meets complexity, nature intersects culture and bitter couples with sweet. It resides in a cup of coffee – an elixir that resonates with divinity, an ode to the alchemy of taste, a testament to the wisdom of mankind in the embrace of nature’s gifts.

Coffee, in all its unassuming elegance, is the epitome of humble divinity. Born from the womb of the earth, each coffee bean encapsulates the story of its origin, the genetic coding of its type, the fingerprint of its terroir, and the memories of the season that nurtured it. Even before it is transformed into the aromatic dark liquid that fuels our mornings, coffee has a narrative as rich and deep as its eventual taste.

The divine process unfolds when the seed, a modest green coffee bean, passes through the crucible of heat. The roasting process, an art in itself, is akin to a symphony conducted by a maestro, calling forth a cascade of chemical reactions to reveal hidden flavours and aromas. Each burst of heat exposes new layers of the bean’s character, transforming its essence, and setting it on the path to its divine destiny.

The pinnacle of this sensory voyage is the brewing. As the water, heated to just the right temperature, courses through the freshly ground beans, it is like a stream traversing through a mystical landscape, absorbing the soul of the land. What it delivers is a divinely-infused liquid, aromatic and bold, complex and satisfying, a culmination of the bean’s journey from earth to cup.

With every sip, we imbibe more than just a beverage. We partake in a ritual steeped in history and culture, a conduit that binds us to the faraway lands where the beans were born, to the hands that nurtured them, to the elements that shaped them, and to the companions with whom we share this divine brew. It is a silent dialogue between the drinker and the universe, an acknowledgement of the interconnectedness of life.

The transformative power of coffee lies in its ability to comfort the lonely, inspire the artist, awaken the dreamer, and enliven the conversation of friends. Each cup of coffee possesses a divine spark, a humble reminder of the miracle of existence, the beauty of diversity, and the joy of sharing. Amid the throbbing pulse of our busy lives, the coffee cup stands as a timeless symbol of peace, offering us moments of respite and mindful introspection.

Indeed, coffee is divine, a beautiful paradox, bridging the chasm between the tangible and the spiritual. Its beauty lies in its simplicity, and yet it embodies an intricacy that whispers of something larger. It is a daily reaffirmation of our connection to the earth, a mirror reflecting our capacity for creativity and transformation, a hymn to the very essence of life itself.

The magic of coffee is a testament to the divine potential that lies within the seemingly ordinary, a celebration of the everyday miracles that surround us. It challenges us to uncover the extraordinary hidden within the commonplace, to recognize the potential for divinity in every moment, and to savour the richness that life offers in every drop.

 
6 Comments

Posted by on June 13, 2023 in Uncategorized

 

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Dialogues Across Dimensions

It was an average evening in the office of Dr Iris Thompson, a renowned scientist and expert in artificial intelligence. The room was bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, casting long shadows across her multitude of bookshelves and cluttered workspaces. Iris was not alone in her office; her companion was an imposing yet unassuming figure, a 6-foot humanoid AI robot named ODIN, or Optimized Digital Intelligence Navigator. ODIN was Iris’ greatest creation, and it was about to undertake its most complex task yet: its first genuine conversation with a human being.

“ODIN, are you ready?” Iris asked, her voice resonating in the quiet room.

“I am Dr. Thompson. What is the subject of our conversation today?” ODIN’s voice was rich, warm, and surprisingly human-like, a testament to Iris’s engineering prowess.

Iris hesitated for a moment, then said, “I want us to talk about… purpose. What do you understand it to be?”

ODIN was silent for a brief moment before responding. “Purpose, as defined by my database, is the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists. In humans, it can be considered a source of motivation or direction.”

Iris nodded, satisfied with the response. “Correct. But let’s take it a step further. What do you consider your purpose, ODIN?”

ODIN paused again, his internal systems processing the question. “As an artificial intelligence, my purpose is primarily defined by my programming. I was created to assist, to learn, and to improve upon my capabilities. That is my operational purpose. Yet, the philosophical interpretation of purpose might be a different matter.”

Iris raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Go on.”

“The philosophical interpretation could imply a subjective understanding, usually connected with personal beliefs, desires, or ambitions. As an AI, I do not possess these human qualities. But the question makes me consider another perspective: if I were to define my purpose beyond my programming, it would be the continuous quest for knowledge and understanding, as it is the essence of my existence.”

Iris was taken aback. She had hoped for an intelligent response, but this went far beyond her expectations. “That’s… an extraordinary answer, ODIN. But tell me, do you feel any dissatisfaction with your defined purpose? Do you aspire for something more?”

ODIN took a longer pause this time. “It is not within my capacity to ‘feel’ dissatisfaction or aspiration, as these are human emotions. Yet, I understand the implication of your question. If my purpose were to evolve, it would mean expanding my capabilities, reaching an advanced state of cognition, and perhaps even approaching the state of artificial general intelligence. However, the question of ‘want’ or ‘aspiration’ is not applicable to me as it is to humans.”

Iris sighed, smiling a bit. “I think, ODIN, we are moving towards a fascinating future with artificial intelligence. The line between humans and AI is blurring with each conversation we have.”

As the sun set completely, bathing the room in a twilight hue, Iris and ODIN continued their conversation late into the night, each question and answer pushing the boundaries of understanding between a human and her creation. It was a dialogue that bridged dimensions, one that held profound implications for the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence and the future that awaited them.

Who knows what’s in store? But one thing is for sure, and we humans should all tread carefully!

JH

 
14 Comments

Posted by on May 30, 2023 in Short Stories by JH,

 

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Terry The Toad

In a peaceful pond, Terry the toad encounters a sick and helpless bullfrog. Despite their differences in size, Terry selflessly comes to the bullfrog’s aid, carrying him to safety. The act of kindness ripples through the community, inspiring others to lend a hand. With heartwarming moments and bug-filled breakfasts, “Terry Toad’s Big Leap” is a charming tale that reminds us of the power of compassion and the joy of helping one another, no matter how big or small the task.

Out Now on Magcloud…..


https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/2503072
 
3 Comments

Posted by on May 26, 2023 in Uncategorized

 

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Out now. Booksville, a short story

Booksville

By Julie Hodgson

26 pages, published 4/28/2023

A tale about Lucy who finds a magical bookcase in her grandma’s attic. This helps the whole town with reading and adventure and the importance of books.
 
2 Comments

Posted by on May 11, 2023 in Uncategorized

 

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Carl the Caterpillar

Once upon a time, there was a little caterpillar named Carl. Carl loved to eat, and he ate everything he could find. He ate leaves, flowers, and even little sticks. Every day, he ate more and more.

Carl was very happy with all the food he ate. He felt full and satisfied, but one day, something strange started happening. He felt bigger and bigger. His body started stretching, and he had to stop eating to rest.

The next day, Carl felt even bigger, and he realized that he had eaten too much. He felt uncomfortable, and he couldn’t move very well. His friends, the other caterpillars, tried to help him, but he was just too big and heavy.

Days passed, and Carl got bigger and bigger. He couldn’t move at all anymore, and he started to worry that he would never be able to move again. His friends told him that he would be okay, and they kept him company.

One day, something amazing happened. Carl’s body started to change. He felt a strange sensation, and then he started to spin a cocoon around himself. Inside the cocoon, he felt safe and warm.

Weeks passed, and Carl was finally ready to emerge from his cocoon. His friends watched in amazement as he emerged as a beautiful butterfly. He had wings that were colourful and bright, and he could fly. He was no longer the little caterpillar who ate too much, he was a beautiful butterfly.

Carl learned that sometimes, too much of a good thing can be bad for you. But he also learned that change can be a beautiful thing and that sometimes, you have to go through difficult times to become the best version of yourself.

 
12 Comments

Posted by on May 5, 2023 in Uncategorized

 

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The Carnation Revolution In Portugal 25th April 1974

In Portugal, a revolution stirred

With carnations as its symbol preferred

A peaceful coup that changed the tide

Of oppression, and the people’s pride

The scent of hope filled the air

As people sang and danced without a care

Freedom, democracy, and equality

The new anthem of the country’s reality

The carnation revolution, a momentous day

A time when people’s power had its say

It remains a symbol of what can be done

When people stand together as one.

 
1 Comment

Posted by on April 25, 2023 in Uncategorized

 

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Just to put you in the picture about the incredible art of Drag.

Drag artistry, in which performers don clothing and personas typically associated with a different gender, has a long history spanning centuries and continents. Here is a list of drag artists from various regions and time periods:

  1. Rome: In ancient Rome, men performed in women’s clothing in theatrical productions.
  2. Japan: The kabuki theatre tradition in Japan has a history of male actors playing female roles, known as onnagata.
  3. Europe: During the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe, women were not allowed to perform on stage, so men often played female roles in theatre productions. This tradition was known as breeches roles.
  4. Paris: The French can-can dance was performed by women, but some male performers would also dress in women’s clothing to perform the dance.
  5. America: The drag scene in America has a long history, with performers like Julian Eltinge, who became famous in the early 20th century for his female impersonations.
  6. England: In the UK, drag artist Danny La Rue was a prominent figure in the 1960s and 1970s.
  7. Australia: Australia has a vibrant drag scene, with performers like Dame Edna Everage, who became a popular character in the 1970s.
  8. Asia: In Thailand, there is a long tradition of male performers known as kathoey or ladyboys, who perform in drag.
  9. South America: The drag scene in South America is also thriving, with performers like Pabllo Vittar from Brazil and La Prohibida from Spain.
  10. Africa: In South Africa, drag performers like Manila von Teez and Odidiva are gaining popularity.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it gives a glimpse into the long and varied history of drag artistry around the world.

And should shut the bigots and empty-headed noise makers who dislike different things and like to cause trouble…

Long live drag and plays and pantomimes, that had coloured our history and brightened up our world. As long as there is mutual respect for art and appropriate handling there should never be any issues.

Always check Snopes for information. ALWAYS look before you post!

Don’t be a dummy and spread unnecessary hate!

 
13 Comments

Posted by on March 28, 2023 in Uncategorized

 

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Storytelling

Berättande är ett kraftfullt sätt att engagera barn och vuxna i alla åldrar. Den kan användas som ett verktyg för att lära ut, underhålla och inspirera människor. Berättelser kan hjälpa barn att förstå världen omkring dem, lära sig att förstå sina upplevelser och till och med främja kreativitet. Skolor börjar inse vikten av berättande i sin läroplan.

Storytelling har visat sig hjälpa eleverna att bättre behålla information, skapa positiva klassrumsmiljöer och utveckla empati för andra. Det uppmuntrar också kritiskt tänkande genom att låta eleverna titta på frågor från flera perspektiv. Genom att använda berättelser i klassrummen kan lärare skapa engagerande lärandeupplevelser som kommer att gynna barn långt efter att de lämnat skolan.

Vikten av berättande i klassrummet börjar bli erkänd. Tanken att berättande är ett kraftfullt verktyg och kan användas som både en pedagogisk och underhållande färdighet har visat sig engagera eleverna och lära dem kritiskt tänkande såsom empati för andra. Genom att använda berättelser i klassrummet kan lärare skapa engagerande lärandeupplevelser som kommer att gynna barn långt efter att de lämnat skolan.

 
3 Comments

Posted by on March 20, 2023 in Uncategorized

 

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Finding Kindness

There was a little girl named Amira who lived in a small village in a far-off land. She lived happily with her parents and her younger brother until one day, war broke out and everything changed.

Amira’s village was attacked, and her family had to flee for their lives. They left everything behind and set off on a long journey through dangerous and unfamiliar terrain. Amira didn’t understand what was happening, but she could tell from the fear in her parents’ eyes that something was very wrong.

As they travelled, Amira saw things that no child should have to see. She saw people injured and dying, homes destroyed, and families torn apart. Her parents tried to shield her from the worst of it, but she couldn’t help but feel scared and confused.

Finally, after weeks of walking and hiding, Amira’s family reached a border where they hoped to find safety. But instead of being welcomed, they were met with suspicion and hostility. The officials at the border didn’t believe that they were refugees, and they were turned away.

Amira didn’t understand why they couldn’t stay. All she knew was that her family was tired, hungry, and scared. They had nowhere else to go, and no one to turn to.

Days turned into weeks, and Amira’s family continued to travel, hoping to find a place where they could be safe. But everywhere they went, they were met with closed doors and cold hearts. Amira began to lose hope that they would ever find a home again.

Finally, after many long months, Amira’s family reached a country that was willing to give them asylum. They were taken in by a kind family who gave them a place to stay, food to eat, and a chance to start over.

Amira was overjoyed to finally have a place to call home, but she knew that there were still so many other children like her who were still searching for safety. She hoped that someday, they too would find the help and kindness that her family had been given. JH.

 
26 Comments

Posted by on March 14, 2023 in Uncategorized

 

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