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Do Cats Show Compassion?
Cats are often thought of as aloof, independent or at worst selfish. I beg to differ and this week we experienced something that showed just the opposite. Cats can be compassionate.
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A Tale of Two Kitties - Carving Cats from Logs
I came to sculpture quite late in life and have decided to specialise in cats for now. I started with stone carving as my grandfather was a stone mason, but when we discovered some fallen trees I also carved wooden cats. The techniques and tools are different but here is how I carve my log cats.
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Not on My TERF, a Cautionary Tale About Discrimination
Not on My TERF is a short read about a contentious contemporary issue; who has a right to be called a woman and how do we treat them? In this tale an elderly housewife is misgendered and abused by a domestic abuse victim and three teens because she does not look feminine enough to "pass".
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Grandma's Apple Pie Mealiepap: African-English Fusion Recipe
This delicious recipe is an African/English fusion that is easy to make, healthy and tastes just like Grandma's apple pie, minus the wheat of course. Works well for breakfast, dessert or an evening snack.
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Yes, Type 2 Diabetes Is a No-Fault Illness
For many years, I struggled with health issues that were a consequence of genetics, not diet. I now struggle with the notion that type 2 diabetes was somehow my own fault. I want to share a few home truths that will help some sufferers and hopefully re-educate others to stop blaming and shaming.
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Wheat Free Irish Soda Bread Recipes for Everyday and Festive Occasions
These two wheat free soda breads are lower in carbohydrates, higher in protein and suitable for diabetics. They are also gluten free, suitable for those who are lactose intolerant and can be made totally grain free if required.
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A Twenty First Century Gothic Vengeance Novel
Angelica's Revenge is a horror novel written in true Gothic tradition with strong historical element from Renaissance Florence. It features vampires from both Egyptian and Romany legends and a cameo appearance from the great Renaissance sculptor and painter Michelangelo.
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How to Make Linseed, Fenugreek, Pumpkin Seed Keto Crackers
This tasty cracker recipe is not only gluten-free, it's also grain-free and suitable for paleo or ketogenic diets. It requires only a few simple ingredients and some basic kitchen skills.
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The Shocking Truth About Wheat and Weight
My review of Wheat Belly by William Davis MD, find out what causes those immovable love handles and the dangerous illnesses that can follow. Lose wheat to lose weight and feel years younger. I did.
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The Wings To Fly - a Story of a Female Pilot in World War Two
The Wings to Fly is the story of Midge, a female aviator in World War Two, her life and experiences as a ferry pilot in the USA and in Britain and how she discovers herself and finds love at last.
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Clean the Oven without Chemicals
Can you clean the oven without chemicals? No! Can you clean an oven without dangerous chemicals? Absolutely! I am going to share my experience of cleaning my oven without dangerous chemicals here.
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Does My Cat Have IBS
A variety of disorders cause diarrhoea and rectal bleeding in cats including IBS, and IBD. IBS can actually lead to cancer and lymphoma if untreated. My cat was diagnosed with IBS. This is what I did.
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Learn to Improvise on the Guitar - the Lydian Mode
The Lydian is perhaps my favourite mode to listen to. It is beautiful and uplifting, sometimes heartbreaking in its brightness. This page relates it to pentatonics to make it easier for you to use.
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How to Improvise on the Guitar With Mixolydian Mode
The Mixolydian mode is commonly used in blues. It differs from the blues scale in that it is basically major and sounds really bright. The two can be easily interchanged.
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Introduction to Movable Scale and Chord Shapes for Guitar
Learning moveable scale and chord shapes take you to the next level as a guitarist and understanding them makes it possible to play in keys that are better for wind players. Great for jazz and blues!
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How to Improvise on Guitar with The Dorian Mode
The Dorian mode is built on the second note of the major scale, it is common in folk tunes and is used extensively by rock guitarists. This page will get you improvising easily with the Dorian mode.
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How to Improvise on the Guitar - Extending Pentatonics out of the Box
The pentatonic scale is a gift to musicians learning to improvise and the pentatonic box is one of the first things guitarists learn but getting out of the pentatonic box makes solos more interesting.
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What is Hormonal Hair and how can I get rid of it?
There is vellus hair, there is terminal hair, there is hair removal and there is hormonal hair - a very real problem for many women. My page explains hormonal hair and suggests a simple treatment.
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How to Buy a Guitar from a Music Store
Buying a guitar from a music store has advantages and disadvantages. How do you make the best purchase you can? This page tells you how to go about it with confidence and avoid buying a pig in a poke.
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Good Behaviour on Goodreads
New authors are often advised to go to Goodreads to publicise their books but then get in trouble for promoting to excess. How should you use the site and what is good etiquette for Goodreads Authors?
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The Tenderness of Mountains
The Tenderness of Mountains is my latest poetry book and one I had to think very long about. I wanted everything to be just right. This is a book that deals with loss and grieving but in a positive way. The longer we live, the more likely it is...
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Searching for Amber
Searching for Amber is a beautifully crafted literary novel by David Smith. I was lucky enough to win a copy in a Goodreads giveaway. Here is my review.
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Their Last Secret by Carl Hansen
Their Last Secret is a thriller by Carl Hansen. It is written in three parts but parts two and three are available in one book. I have book ebooks on my kindle and enjoyed Their Last Secret very much.
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I Need a New Champagne Stopper
A champagne stopper may be the very last thing you consider essential, but in our house we do. I love champagne, but I don't like it to go flat and when we enjoy our takeaway chinese and champagne nights once a week with mum it certainly gets used....
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Gothic Romance The Cougar
The Cougar is about a shapeshifter who dates from the Italian Renaissance and lives in the lovely setting of Golden Ears. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it has been quite well received.
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Flying with the Dalai Lama's Cat
The Dalai Lama's Cat is an adorable book to read as an introduction to practical Buddhism. Live and learn with the little Snowlion and I am sure you will love this book by David Michie.
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Cat Dreams - The Purrfect Christmas Present for Cats
Cats rule don't they? But what if your cat likes watching TV? Are there special programmes for him to watch? The answer is yes, there are special DVDs for cats and Cat Dreams is only one of them.
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An Interview with the Vampire
An Interview with the Vampire was one of my favourite books back in the 1980s and equally well one of my favourite films.
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Coming Out Late - Overcoming a Lifetime of Denial
Coming Out Late is a new book about a pretty amazing subject. We are all used to the idea of teenagers coming out as gay to their parents, aren't we? Equally well, film stars and entertainers announcing they are lesbian or gay is commonplace too,...
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Great Classical Music
Classical music - we all think we know what that means? This page is written to explain what classical music really is. I hope you enjoy the music of the classical era and classical composers.
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Diabetics and Juicing - A Personal Adventure
Juicing is the latest food and diet fad but I wondered if it was safe for diabetics? This page is about safe juicing for diabetics, the benefits and what you need to watch out for.
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Making an Ancient Ice Cream for Cleopatra
Could the ancient Egyptians make ice cream? Well just suppose they had the technology.
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Why I Love My Kindle Fire
I am probably the last person anyone would expect to own a Kindle. My house is full of big, beautiful books with that delicious old book smell. I have hundreds of my own, hundreds of Colin's, hundreds in the loft from a University friend of my...
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Where to find a Vintage Goebel Bird Figurine For Mother's Day
Vintage Goebel birds are something my mother loved dearly. Figurines from the 1960s and 1970s are still available.
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How To Be Top Cat
Cats just love to be top cats, they love to rule the roost and my four persian cats are no exception. Here they share a few tips with kittens on how to be top cat!
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A Ship Therein
The sea is my home, my love and my inspiration. This page celebrates that and includes some sea poetry along the way.
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Potato Free Potato Recipes? Aloo Methi
As I am allergic to potatoes I am always looking for ways to adapt my favourite potato recipes to a safer version. Here is a recipe I would love to try with real potatoes but my substitute is tasty.
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Elizabethan Music - the Music of Shakespeare's Time
Elizabethan music has lasting appeal. Like pop music, forms are simple, short and sweet, its rhythms catchy and its melodies are tunes you can whistle. Learn more about music from Shakespeare's time.
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Why My Cats Love Their Extra Tall Cat Tree
An extra tall cat tree is perfect exercise for indoor cats and in a multi-cat household it is a refuge too. My four persians love their extra tall cat tree.
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Spicy Parsnip Soup with Edumame Beans
This is a favourite vegetarian recipe of mine. It is filling, tasty and very nutritious.
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Fiery Dragon's Blood with Night Crawler Mornay
Fiery Dragon's Blood is a hot version of Borscht, Night Crawler Mornay is basically home made cheese mac but for Halloween this is a scary and delicious supper.
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Rescuing Persian Cats
I rescue persian cats. I do not own a rescue, but somehow they find me and when they don't I adopt from a persian rescue in Cheshire. This page deals with some of my experiences with persian cats.
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Broccoli and Walnut Soup
Broccoli, and walnut soup is a winter warmer in our house. I can't eat stilton due to allergies, so I make my version with feta but it is very satistying and also healthy whichever cheese you choose.
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Bass Guitar Fretless or Fretted
Should you learn fretted or fretless bass? What are the advantages and disadvantages of fretless bass? What is a good bass to start with...
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My Comfort Food Soup for Potato Allergy Sufferers
You are about to discover Sweet Potato and Leek soup! I often experiment with substituting sweet potatoes, or yams if you prefer, for normal potatoes in recipes. This is because I have a serious problem with allergy to potatoes. My body can't handle...
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Daisy Rock Guitars - are they just for Girls?
Daisy Rock guitars are marketed as guitars for girls but they suit anyone with smaller hands - and a taste for pink! Here are a few nice examples.
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Dr Who Memories and Memorabilia
Dr Who is a part of childhood I will never forget. The original scary behind the sofa Dr Who, not the quirky children's entertainer types of latter years and those Daleks of course.
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Handblown Glass Birds by Oiva Toikka
Oiva Toikka birds are unique modern collectibles that focus on the recognisable features of birds and infuse handblown art glass with those characteristics - almost like a caricature of the bird.
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Brahms Classical Guitar Sheet Music and Brahms Guitar TABs
Brahms wrote for conventional instruments and orchestra but his music fits the guitar too. Here is a selection of Brahms guitar TABs and Brahms sheet music for classical guitar.
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The Life of J.S.Bach and Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring
Bach's life is fascinating and one of his favourite pieces is Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring there are many arrangements of this, including this one for orchestra.
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How to Fix Impossible Neck Breaks on Guitar
The guitar was standing in a corner and someone knocked it over. Now it is broken in two. How do you fix this? This is a solution I have used several times in emergencies.
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Cheap Guitar Strings And The Best Strings You Can Buy
What are the best guitar strings you can buy and which cheap guitar strings give best value.
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Galileo Thermometer
The Galileo Thermometer is an interesting instrument and is quite beautiful to watch as the spheres rise and fall; a challenge at first to work out how the Galileo thermometer operates but it is fun.
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How To Play Eye of the Tiger
The Eye of the Tiger is one of those iconic tunes of the 80s and its association with the Rocky films means kids still hear it and love it. Here's how to play the Eye of the Tiger riff on the guitar.
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Three Chord Guitar - can you really get by with three chords and a prayer?
The three chord trick - how to make great music but keep it simple.
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Diamond Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Making that Diamond Wedding Day really special with Diamond Wedding favors, champagne fountain and gold tipped roses with love to a very special couple.
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Play Mandolin Irish Style
Irish style mandolin is an easy step for violinists and guitarists to make. Mandolin is also a very beginner friendly instrument. I hope this page will help get you started on celtic style mandolin.
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How to play Guitar Modes and understand them.
Guitar modes are the key to mastering interesting improvisation but understanding and using them correctly involves both mastery of modes and the links between them and other easier scales.
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The Cat, the Bat and the Burglar
The art of illuminated manuscript is brought up to date with The Cat, the Bat and the Burglar, Colin Mason has written a lavishly illustrated narrative poem for kids aged 7-107.
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Learn to play Grenade by Bruno Mars
Grenade by Bruno Mars is a romantic pop song full of angst and is quite easy to play. Here are some basic guitar chords you can use to play Grenade and serenade your girl.
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Bass Guitar 101
How to play bass guitar, a free first lesson on bass guitar to get you started plus a few tips about instruments and bass stuff!
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Beginner Bass Guitar Packages
Bass guitar is the power behind any rock band and playing the bass is a wonderful feeling but how do you get started on bass guitar and what bass guitar package is best for a beginner?
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Joy To The World Sheet Music And Lesson
Joy to the World is a popular traditional carol that sounds as joyful as its title. Although attributed to Handel the origins of the melody are uncertain. This page shows how to play Joy to the World.
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Electric Guitar Kits For Kids
Recommended electric guitar kits for kids, to help you decide what to do when pester power kicks in.
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The Amazing Salamander
Salamander in Lincoln is an ethnic clothing store which also sells small gifts and jewelry. As a frequent customer I wrote this page to share a favourite haunt with you.
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Microscopes for Science Enthusiasts
Microscopes made modern medicine possible. I was very excited to be given a microscope as a child and this page show some of the top rated microscopes for young scientists.
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What are Power Chords and how do you use them?
Do you play power chords? They are what define the rhythm guitar sound. They involve sliding patterns rather than changing shapes and sound better with distortion. Learn more about power chords here.
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Favorite Christmas Music by Classical Composers
A selection of classical music I love to hear at Christmas. I hope you will enjoy it too.
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Potato Allergy - the Cinderella Food Intolerance
Some food allergies ring alarm bells. Peanuts and shellfish are well known for being life threatening, but what of potatoes? Potatoes are used in gluten free foods, but can be deadly and dangerous.
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Gothic T-Shirts for Halloween Fun
Gothic Tshirts are great for casual wear at Halloween and at other times too. Here is a selection of our designs.
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Learn to Play The Holly and the Ivy
Learn to play the Holly and the Ivy with free sheet music you can save and print here. I hope you also enjoy the singing of the choirs!
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Born To Be Wild Chords and Lyrics
Born to be Wild is one of those iconic rock songs everybody seems to know. Here you can learn how to play Born to be Wild and enjoy those rock star moments.
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How to Improvise in the Pentatonic Box
What is the pentatonic box and how do you use it? The pentatonic box is an almost foolproof way to improvise lead guitar. This page shows how to improvise in the pentatonic box on guitar.
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How to play Satisfaction by the Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones were the bad boys of rock when I was a kid whereas the Beatles were clean cut and sweet, they were wild and angry. Satisfaction was typical of them. Learn to play Satisfaction here.
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Owl Posters for Owl Lovers
Owl posters are great for owl lovers to collect and also have relevance so close to Halloween. Here are a few images of owl posters for owl lovers to enjoy.
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Learn to Improvise on the Guitar
How to improvise on the guitar. Easy to improvise once you know how. Here is a first lesson in guitar improvisation and lead guitar.
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Recommended Classical Guitars For Beginners
Half a lifetime teaching guitar and a love for the classical guitar in particular led me to put this review page together to help beginners.
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Robert Burns - My Love Is Like A Red Red Rose
My Love is like a Red Red Rose by Robbie Burns is a simple but beautiful lyric with a stunning melody. This page is a celebration of that song.
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Acoustic Guitars For Beginners
Buying an acoustic guitar for a beginner can be a little bit of a minefield. Here are a few suggestions and ideas to help.
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Beginner Guitars For Kids Age 6 and Above
This is a page for parents to look for Beginner Guitars for very young children. Choosing the right instrument is particularly important for this age group.
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Have You Heard Or Seen Vancouver Sunset?
Vancouver Sunset is the title of a country song I wrote and recorded following my first trip to BC. Here you can see the lyrics to my song and sample the music. I hope you enjoy Vancouver Sunset.
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The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam Images and Gifts
The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam is a favourite poem and here I wanted to also showcase an illustration by Oliver Tadpole.
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Apres Un Reve And Pavane By Faure
Faure is one of my favourite composers because his music is so melodic and dreamy. The best examples are Apres un Reve, Pavane and his Dolly Suite and the Requiem has tunes worth dying for.
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Easy Johnny B. Goode Tabs and Chords
If you want to know how to play Johnny B. Goode, this page will show you how. Chuck Berry's classic rock and roll song is often requested. This is a simple version of the song for guitar.
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B.C. Rich Warlock Guitars
B.C.Rich Warlock guitars really look the part! If you want to be a rock guitar god they have the sound and playability as well. This page reviews the B.C.Rich Warlock guitar.
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"House of the Rising Sun" Chords and Guitar Tab
"House of the Rising Sun" is a folk classic, and its most famous version was released by the Animals. There are so many ways to play this song in different styles, but this way works nicely.
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Learn To Play Stairway To Heaven
Stairway to Heaven - the song everyone wants to play and music stores get fed up with hearing! Learn the basics chords and how to play Stairway to Heaven here in this easy lesson.
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William Shakespeare Images and Free Scripts
A celebration of Shakespeare images, scripts and facts. These flyers are all featured in my Zazzle store and a selection of Shakespeare gifts based on them can be reached form the link below.
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My Life In Music
This page is about my life in music. I am a trained musician and I have made my living as a guitar teacher for many years. I am also a singer, composer and arranger. I recorded my own CD last year. Actually I used very simple software too. I hope to...
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Learn to Play Guitar Fast - How to use a guitar pick correctly
Which is the best way to hold a guitar pick? How do you use a plectrum properly? These are questions beginners often ask. Here are a few tips on picking guitar techniques.
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How to Play One by Metallica
Metallica songs are great, the guitar playing is superb and to hear a metal band that plays tunes and a singer who does more than raspy shouting is a bonus. Here is a lesson in how you play One.
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What connects Dracula and Whitby
Bram Stoker wroye Dracula at Whitby and was inspired by its rocky coastline and atmospheric fishing harbour. Tourists visit Whitby just to get the Dracula experience especially during Goth Weekend.
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Awesome Troll Posters by John Bauer and Troll Gifts
Awesome trolls by John Bauer? Who doesn't love the story of the Billy Goats Gruff and the Troll under the Bridge. Trolls are alive and kicking all over the internet too here are some awesome trolls.
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Edvard Grieg Anitras Dance
Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg wrote the Peer Gynt Suite and Anitra's Dance is one of the most popular tunes. This page is about Anitra's Dance.
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Harley Davidson Guitar Gear
Harley Davidson gear is so rock and roll! Bikes, axes, belts and leathers - git yer motor runnin' and all the rest of it. This page showcases Harley Davidson guitar gear - hope you like it Man!
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Franz Liszt Dreams Of Love Liebestraume
Liebestraum is a beautiful melody by Hungarian composer Franz Liszt. Here you can find free printable sheet music for Liebestraum and also some commercial arrangements for various instrumental groups.
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How To Celebrate Burns Night
Burns Night is a traditional celebrated by Scots worldwide. This page gives some ideas of how to celebrate Burns Night and honour the memory of the poet himself, the great Robbie Burns.
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Have You Seen A Camel Dance?
The camel dance is very real - I don't just mean the one that bellydancers do. Yes camels can and do dance - we have video proof here. Camels are as funny as they are useful -welcome to my camel page,
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Where to Buy Faerie Glen Faerie Cats
We collect Faerie Glen Faerie Cats. They are fun and inexpensive collectibles for kids and cat lovers alike.
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Beautiful Faerie Gifts - Faerie Glen Ebony Series
Faerie Glen make beautiful fairy figurines and between us we have a collection of several in the Ebony series.
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Pictures of snow in Lincolnshire
We have had a couple of very cold winters in Lincolnshire in recent years. This enabled me to take some lovely photos.
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Play and Sing In the Bleak Midwinter
In the Bleak Midwinter has the distinction of being a favourite Christmas Carol with two equally well loved melodies. Here I teach you how to play In the Bleak Midwinter with my favourite tune!
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Learn to Play O Holy Night
O Holy Night is one of the most well loved carols and probably one of the most recorded. It is not an easy melody as the range is wide, but O Holy Night is beautiful. Learn how to play it here.
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Bizarre Tshirts and Funny T-shirts On Sale
Bizarre t-shirts that focus on visual humour and bright colourful designs. I hope you enjoy looking at these.
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Cute Cartoon Pigs
Cute cartoon pigs are a regular bestseller on Persimew Designs, the Zazzle store that features artist Colin Mason. Here are a few examples of his work and some cute pig illustrations.
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Learn Guitar Chords For Perfect Day by Lou Reed
Perfect Day by Lou Reed is an absolutely beautiful song. Here are the guitar chords you can use to play it.
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How to Play Away In A Manger
Away in a Manger is such a well known tune there is hardly a Nativity Play anywhere that doesn't include it. This page will show you how to play Away in a Manger.
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How to Play Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly
Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly is a lovely traditional tune full of life. I hope you will enjoy playing and singing it!
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Learn to Play Silent Night
Silent Night - what is its history? How do you play Silent Night. Are there any simple chords for Silent Night? This page aims to help you play and sing this beautiful carol.
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Cute Swarovski Crystal Hedgehogs
Swarovski crystal hedgehogs are my latest fling. I love the angular design which suits little spiky hedgehogs well, besides hedgehogs are the cutest critters.
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Monkey Greetings Cards and Gifts
I used images from my childhood to make a range of monkey greeting cards and gifts in my Zazzle store. Monkeys are cute and kids love them so monkey gifts are a winner with kids right from the start.
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Best Children's Christmas Party Songs
What are the best children's Christmas party songs? How can we do more to bring he run up to Christmas alive and as magical as it seemed to be when we were little? We can start with Christmas songs.
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Best Country Christmas Songs
Country Christmas music brings the spirit of Christmas into our homes with voices and singers who understand the joys and the pangs of everyday living. Here is a selection of country classics I love.
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Best Childrens Christmas Carols
Christmas carols are not just party songs, they carry a message I think we need to remember. The true message of Christmas.
- 5
Learn to Play Marc Bolan T-Rex 20th Century Boy
Marc Bolan was a real glam rock idol to my generation and T-Rex was the music we loved. 20th Century Boy is not hard to play. Learn to play 20th Century Boy here and enjoy the Marc Bolan videos.
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How To Record Your Own CD - Flying To Meet The Sunrise
Recording your own CD is now a reality with computers and the software now available. I recorded and mixed Flying to Meet the Sunrise all by myself, here is how I did it. How to record your own CD.
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Cute Cartoon Hedgehog Gifts Cards and Calendars
Cute cartoon hedgehog cards and gifts are great for the young at heart. Tadpole designed a calendar around them and you know how I enjoy showcasing his art. So, cute hedgehog art coming up!
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Insect Photography and Digital Cameras
Insect photography is fun and with the new generation of digital cameras it has become quite easy to do. Lightweight digital cameras with high zoom ratios and high resolution are the answer.
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Hiking at Golden Ears Provincial Park Lower Falls Trail
One of my favourite places to visit ids Golden Ears Provincial Park. I love to walk there and immerse myself in all the scenery - especially the Lower Falls.
- 13
The Best Guitar Songs For Beginners To Learn
A collection of resources and and place to start to play well known rock riffs and chords, or the best guitar songs for beginners.
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Learn To Play Jimi Hendrix Hey Joe
Jimi Hendrix was perhaps the ultimate guitar god in his day and Hey Joe is one of my favourite Hendrix songs. You can learn to play it here.
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20 Reasons To Love Opera
Opera has some amazing melodies as well as exciting stories and action. Here are a selection of my favourites.
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Learn to play Highway to Hell by AC/DC
Learn the chords and the main riff for Highway to Hell with this simple visual page.
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How to play Smoke On The Water
Smoke in the Water is probably the best known rock riff in the world. This page was written to help you play it.
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Crystal Cats
I collect crystal cats and here I wanted to talk about my collection and showcase a few.
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How to Remove Leeches From Your Pond Without Chemicals
You see a fish swim past, and it has a leech attached. What can you do to rid your pond of leeches without destroying other wildlife? Here's our trick for safely destroying these pests with a chemical-free trap.
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How to Play Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah": Guitar Chords, Lyrics and Sheet Music
"Hallelujah" is an iconic song with a hauntingly repetitive melody. Leonard Cohen fans and Shrek fans will know it well although it has been a chart-topper for many.
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Horncastle's Great Expectations - Antiques Collectibles Contemporary
Horncastle is an historic Lincolnshire town and has its fair share of antique shops as you might expect. Great Expectations is my personal favourite.
- 25
Steam Cleaners are fun and work brilliantly
Steam vacuum cleaners are the way forward for allergy suffers. They deliver a clean home environment without the need for harsh chemicals and remove allergens safely.
- 66
A Song For St Francis
St Francis Prayer is a beautiful text I set to music for my parents. I hope you enjoy my version of this tune.
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How to mix vocals successfully
A simple way to mix vocals with inexpensive software - all you need is a good vocal and a good ear! I hope this helps.
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How Melodyne Is Used In Music Production
Melodyne software and autotune are music industry standard these days. The era of raw music and singing off key is fast disappearing. Good or bad? Depends how you do it!
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The World's Fastest Guitar Player
Just who is the world's fastest guitar player and does speed really matter anyway?
- 11
Yarnbombing and other Urban Oddities
Yarnbombing or Knitta is an odd activity in which gangs skilled in knitting cover trees, lamp posts, phone boxes and other street furniture in brightly coloured wool.
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The Ultimate Marmite Sandwich
Marmite - love it or hate it, you can't ignore it. I love it and this is my shot at a gourmet marmite sandwich!
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Radio Airplay, or Jango Airplay
Radio Airplay is a way of getting your songs out to a targeted audience. You can communicate about gigs and build a following on line.
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Jingle Maria
Jingle maria started life as a flash of inspiration over lunch. I wanted to write a happy Christmas song that would delight some and infuriate others. Jingle Maria celebrates both sacred and secular.
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Living with Cats - Keep a Cat Happy and Healthy
Living with Cats started as a lensography of my favourite cat resources on Squidoo. Those links are long since scampered away but we can rebuild it! So here is a new page for cats and cat lovers.
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Music Note Mugs - A Novelty Christmas Present
Why music note mugs? Musicians I know love musical presents, pencils in the shape of treble clefs, badges with pictures of instruments and funny comments and best of all anything with music notes on.
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Children's Christmas Books
Children's Christmas Book that celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.
- 18
Russian Composers You Hear In Pop Songs
Have the best tunes all been taken? you would think so by how many pop songs borrow from the classics - especially the Russians!
- 18
Persuasive Writing - Learn To Write Effectively
Learn the art of persuasive writing, how to write effectively and be heard.
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Funny Online Art by Oliver Tadpole
Funny online art is something we all enjoy - I hope these funny images from Persimew on Zazzle, courtesy of Oliver Tadploe, artist, poet and tragedian, will amuse and entertain many.
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How to Make Your Own Cat Tower or Cat Tree
Cats love to climb and exercise their claws by scratching a cat tower or tree. This article shows a simple design for a DIY cat tree, along with instructions on how to make it. Our homemade cat towers were cheaper and lasted longer than store-bought ones.
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Making A Green Man Mask
Whether for Halloween or fancy dress, this Green Man mask is simple to make.
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Almost Heaven? Hiking in Golden Ears and Alouette Lake
Golden Ears and Alouette Lake - wonderful places I love to see!
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What is the best guitar for beginners?
Here is my take on the best guitar for beginners. I have over 30 years experience teaching guitar in school and at home and in that time I have seen parents make expensive mistakes. I hope to help.
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Preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - The Musician's Nightmare
Carpal tunnel syndrome is often responsible for ending musical careers. When practice becomes too painful and performance is hindered it is often too late. So how do you avoid carpal tunnel syndrome?
- 8
A Visit to Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral is one of the finest Gothic cathedrals in Europe and I have the pleasure of living nearby. I hope you enjoy my account of Lincoln Cathedral and maybe even visit one day.
- 8
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
How did Mary Shelley come to write Frankenstein? What is Frankenstein really about?
- 5
Novelty Mugs For Sale
Novelty mugs from Oliver Tadpole and Persimew Designs here. There are many more amazing novelty mugs on Zazzle but I am not able to link to them so I cannot showcase more than one here. That is hard.
- 12
How To Spot And Avoid Bad Music Tutors
Teaching music effectively means more than being able to play well and put a book on a stand. Bad music tutors use bad methods and destroy children's confidence when they need it most.
- 14
Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, Home of the Bathing Beauties
Mabelthorpe is a relatively quiet seaside town in Lincolnshire and yet it is internationally known and loved. I visited often as a child. Here I share my images of Mabelthorpe.
- 15
Why I Love Celtic Music and its Influences
Celtic music is a big influence on the music I perform and compose. I feel an affinity for Irish and Scottish music and find it creeps into my own compositions fairly often.
- 46
Christmas Music Old And New
As a composer and arranger I get very involved making my own versions of Christmas carols. Here are a few I am quite proud of.
- 17
Cat Care Tips - How To Keep Your Cat Happy
What would a cat say if she were to give you instructions? How to keep your cat happy is written by a cat to tell you just what you need to do most for feline felicity.
- 5
New Music For Choirs and Singing Groups
Choral music I have composed and published through Score Exchange and print on demand with Lulu.
- 11
How To Change Guitar Strings with Persian Cats
Cats are curious animals and music is an acivity that fascinates them. Whether I change strings or pluck them there is always a Persian cat playing guitar!
- 44
The Butchart Gardens
The Butchart Gardens is a major attraction on Vancouver Island. I have visited several times when staying in Victoria. Here is my account of the Butchart Gardens.
- 15
Kate Bush - First Lady of Rock
I am a fan of Kate Bush. Her music for me, as a contemporary, was adventurous, melodic and highly original and the topics of her songs were very different. Kate Bush is the First Lady of Rock Music.
- 6
New Guitar Music For Beginners
As a composer and arranger with a background in teaching guitar I am proud to showcase these guitar books for beginners.
- 13
Things To Do In Cleethorpes
Cleethorpes. back of beyond or a lovely place to stay? I used to live there and I err on the side of lovely place. So here are a few images of Cleethorpes you might enjoy.
- 19
Gratitude the Key - A Secret Everyone Should Know
Gratitude is the key to happiness. It is a secret everyone needs to know. Being thankful for the good things around us stops us dwelling on the bad and makes us happier and healthier.
- 15
How to get even more followers on Twitter
At its best Twitter is a great way to communicate and to get word out I enjoy Twitter and prefer it to Facebook but how do you get followers on Twitter? Here are some tips to get a Twitter audience.
- 15
Make Your Garden Safe For Hedgehogs
How do you make your garden safe for hedgehogs? Here in Britain our hedgehogs tend to be wild, not pets, but we love them just as much. There are many dangers threatening hedgehogs in gardens though.
- 8
What to do with an Orphan Hedgehog
A true story of an orphan hedgehog, a journey from wild to pet to wild again and a few mishaps on the way, but a happy hedgehog ending!
- 6
A Whisper Of The Romantic In The Eye Of God
A Whisper of the Romantic in the Eye of God is a volume of personal poetry which is rich in spiritual and emotional growth. It is poetry of positivity written from a heart full of gratitude for life.
- 8
How to make a Movie with Windows Moviemaker - Frogs In The Pond Movie - Froglodite
The story of an ordinary garden frog in a pond!
- 9
A Frog Story, a Pond, a Frog and a Humming Human
Froglodite in Dryworld is the story of the adventure of a pretty little frog on dry land. This became a short movie which was fun to make.
- 11
How To Find A Good Music Tutor for Young Children
How do you make the choice of music tutor for your child? Proficiency in playing may not be enough, a child centred approach to learning music is often much more important for happiness and progress.
- 6
In a White Room
In a white room a white cat hides, snowdrops bloom unnoticed, whitewash starts off pink and the eyes are bathed in forgetfulness. Listen to Eric Clapton play In A White Room in a white room to see.
- 8
Persimew Designs - Fine Art On Zazzle
This page showcases a few of Oliver Tadpole's lovely illustrations which feature in Persimew Designs on Zazzle. Please enjoy the images and feel free to click the link and see more in our store .
- 25
Cats not using the litterbox?
She doesn't mean to be a bad kitty, she is just confused or upset. How can you get your nervous cat to use the box?
- 15
Live Life to the Max
Built as an assignment on the way to becoming Giant Squid. Possibly no longer relevant except to friends from Squidoo, but shouldn't we all live life to the max?
- 0
Tennyson - Lincolnshire's Poet Laureate
Tennyson is Lincolnshire's very own Poet Laureate and his poems are still as popular today as they were in Victorian times. I hope you enjoy my photos of Tennyson Country and the poems here.
- 18
Persian Cats and Cat Poetry About Persian Cats
I adore my persian cats who all came from rescue situations. I also write poetry, including cat poetry. Why not write a page about my persian cats and poetry for persian cats?
- 26
Grey Owl - The Indian from Hastings
Archie Grey Owl was possibly the first Canadian conservationist. He was also a fraud of sorts. He lived the First Nations life, but came from Hastings in England. This is Grey Owl's story.
- 8
Robin Hoods Bay Home of Fossils and Fishermen
Robin Hoods Bay near Whitby on the North Yorkshire Coast is a great place for those who like their seaside holidays in smaller seaside towns. There is a rich history of fishing and fossils to be found
- 2
School Stories by Jack Sheffield - Teacher Teacher
I love those village school memoirs and Jack Sheffield knows how to tell them. I enjoyed Teacher Teacher so much I wanted to share it here.
- 10
Things to do in Whitby
Whitby in North Yorkshire is a lovely place. Apart from being the birthplace of Bram Stoker's Dracula it has rich history, rugged coastline, sandy beaches and clean air. I visit Whitby when I can.
- 52
The Music of Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin was an all round genius, music hall comic, silent movie star, director and also a composer who in his later years orchestrated the music from his own silent movies.
- 4
The Tale of Archy and Mehitabel by Don Marquis
Archy and Mehitabel are two loveable characters created by Don marquis many years ago. The cockroach archy types poetry by jumping onto the keys but everything is lowercase. Mehitabel is a lovely cat.
- 19
Just Crazy About Chopin Piano Music For Guitar
Chopin piano music is always special, but what about arrangements for other instruments? This page is about arrangements of Chopin piano music, some beautiful, some crazy - some both!
- 9
The Secret Life of Eyebrows
A comic look at eyebrows, eyelashes and the lengths people will go to to be fashionable!
- 11
Learn how to play Summer of 69
A short lesson on the classic song Summer of 69. Here you will find guitar chords, a little TAB, advice on how to play and a few links to the song. I hope you enjoy it!
- 9
Diabetes - Myths and Prevention
Late treatment of diabetes is a matter of course in Britain. "Lifestyle change" is best practice, but what if your lifestyle never needed changing? It took me 6 years to get treatment and get well...
- 11
Liquorice Park's Secret Garden - Recycling In Urban Art
Recycling in urban art has been trendy for years, Liquorice Park's secret garden is a demonstration of how materials can be adapted to produce an interesting organic space in the middle of a city.
- 16
Analysis of Vaughan Williams Songs
On Wenlock Edge is a song cycle by Ralph Vaughan Williams. It was an experimental work and very beautiful. This page is about an analysis of On Wenlock Edge.
- 0
How To Compose Music with Sibelius Software
The development of Sibelius software certainly freed up my creativity as a composer and provided me not only with a resource for printing professional sheet music but also my own orchestra.