Sarah's extensive poetry and short story publications and competition successes.

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This short piece should help people find their way round the various categories of my blog so they can get the most of the many posts on offer.

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I'm not a big fan of 'trick or treating' but am not one to say 'no' to the chance to dress up in silly costumes. So, to get me and everyone else in the mood, here's a few spooky jokes, a creepy piece of flash fiction and some Halloween pix. Not for the faint-hearted...

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This "choose your own adventure" poem was published in raw edge magazine (new writing in the West Midlands) number 24 [spring>summer 2007].

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I never cease to be amazed at how the genes from two people mixed with environmental factors create a completely unique being!

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This poem was entirely inspired by a photo of my nephew (who I've not yet seen in the flesh), though partly informed also by memories of my own boys as babies.

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If only we could protect them for ever!

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This was written after I saw my two-day-old nephew for the first time on webcam - and cried. He was so beautiful.

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My nephew Jack was born in San Francisco on June 15, 2007. This is very much a collection in progress. I will be publishing the first four poems every other day and then adding to them as and when I write new poems for him.

I've had another thought re subscribing to blogs. This is really only relevant to anyone who is concerned about keeping their email address private.

I don't know if everyone is aware that the email addresses of people who have subscribed to their blog appear after they publish a post. (The screen that goes on about pinging people etc.)

Now this doesn't tell you who's email address is whose but if you have a fairly obvious email address eg my name@yahoo.com, then it will clearly be obvious whose email address that is.

Hopefully, most people won't be bothered about this but if anyone is they may want to get a new email address with a fairly obscure/vague address.

This is just a thought and I don't know how practical it is for most bloggers. However...

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When it comes to clothes sizes I really don't get it. I mean, what is the point in a size 10 by one manufacturer coming up closer to a size 12 in another brand? How on earth is one supposed to work it out!

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I'm not the first person in the world to dislike things getting in my way and I have been particularly hacked off recently by people blocking pavements.

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Why subscribe to my blog? Because it's the best, most brilliant, most interesting...this goes without saying. But exactly what benefits does subscribing to my blog (or anyone else's) bring?

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What is it about sales people? You're rushing through town with your friend's screaming youngsters in tow and a look of desperation on your face because you're already running late and they still stop you to ask if you're interested in buying double glazing, a new conservatory or a thousand other inane items.

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What is it about women with full-on fake tans? I'm not talking about those with a lightly sunkissed skin, I'm not adverse to a slight tan myself. But what I can't understand is the ones who turn their skin a completely different colour.

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Out of the mouth of babes, as they say.

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Yes, I'm fed up to the back teeth (or would be if I still had any!) with my aching mouth and being banned from exercise. It's not that I'm impatient but...

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What is it about supermarkets in Britain that they seem to try their hardest to make sure shopping is an unpleasant experience?

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Question: How long does it take to see an eye specialist at the weekend if you live in Worcestershire?
Answer: Nearly a whole working day and x miles of travelling, in my case at least!

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Sometimes I just don't get recycling!I don't mean the principle itself. I'm a big fan of doing one's bit to try and combat climate change and the save the planet. But I don't understand why different areas seem to have such different ways of tackling the issue.

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Happy National Poetry Day! And, as the theme this year is dreams, Sweet Dreams to those who don't normally dabble in stanzas and verse. Actually, the theme this year is rather apt for me for several reasons...

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I'm the first to tut when I see rubbish thrown down in the street, but stories of the 'litter police' pouncing on people for not throwing away other people's rubbish seem to me to be taking it a step too far!

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I've just changed my blog skin as people seemed to find parts of my text missing on the old skin. I'd be grateful for any as to whether the situation is any better with this new skin? Cheers.

So the ban on smoking in indoor public places came into force across England at the end of the summer. Hurrah! But while we're at it, why not go a little further and ban other forms of antisocial behaviour - like chewing gum in public or those irritatingly tasteless mobile phone ringtones!

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