Traditional Scottish Craftsmanship

 This post continues from one I made in October, when I decided to purchase an old, antique Baume pocket watch, one that I have incorporated into the book I am currently writing.

As I needed a chain for my new...err!... old watch and began searching on sites like eBay and Etsy, I noticed that many of the Albert chains featured small trinkets, some of which were quite interesting. There were various non-precious Jewels which could be spun in their mounts. I guess back in the day, this was the equivalent of a fidget toy. 

There were silver animals, I couldn't find a raven or a crow, my favourite birds, but anyway, it got me thinking how I could add to the watch and chain to make it mine, and I came up with the idea of adding a clan crest, Johnstone being my surname and one I am pretty proud of.   

Clan Crest Silver

So there I was, scouring the internet for a small clan, Johnstone, something or another, that would suit my ideas. This is when I came across Clan Crest Silver and Roddy Young. I got my eye on a pendant that came along with a chain. Obviously, I didn't need the chain, so I decided to fire off a message to Roddy.

Clan Johnstone Pendant

Roddy replied extremely quickly, and what a delightful and friendly response! He informed me that if I visited his website at Clan Crest Silver and explained exactly what I was looking for, he could advise and suggest what would be fitting.   

Just waiting for a lobster catch

Anyhoo, long story short, I entered into a few brief email conversations with Roddy. Eventually, I decided on going with a small 5/8" pendant that Roddy would fit a small ring to, so that I could then get it popped onto my Albert chain. I have yet to complete this task as I am awaiting the arrival of a fairly unique lobster catch. 

Sterling Silver Lobster Catch

You see, I intend to hook the chain to a belt loop, as I won't be wearing it with a waistcoat, like in the olden days. No, I will carry the watch in my pocket, as it's small enough not to be uncomfortable. Maybe it will replace my gratitude pebble and become a gratitude watch as I listen to it.

Very pretty engraving on the watch, which is 150 years old

Well, that's about it, folks. Though I would like to give a big thank you to Roddy, over at. Clan Crest Silver - Traditional Scottish Craftsmanship. Although I have not met Roddy in person, his messages were so warm and friendly. He didn't attempt to sell me something I didn't want. The Sterling Silver pendant is beautiful and came well wrapped in a small velvet box, arriving precisely on time. Roddy sent me a delivery date and tracking number so I knew when to expect the item.

Thanks again, Roddy. I love the wee pendant; it will look spot on once I get everything in place.

“The Story of a Book That Doesn’t Even Exist Yet… Kind Of”

“The Story of a Book That Doesn’t Exist… Kind Of”

Just playing around with ideas using Gemini AI designer, 

How can a story exist, other than in your mind, if it hasn't yet been written or in my case, exists entirely in my head? Yes, it's a bit of a screwed-up paradoxical question.   

I have an initial idea. Sure, it's been done before, but hey, what story hasn't been told these days? I mean, that is why there are so many reruns of old shows, and new films are just reinventions of previous ones. It's obvious we are all out of ideas. 

My story is going to be a fictional tale. Now wait for it, there is a lot to describe. It's going to be Dark, yet humorous.  The main protagonist is a Geordie, so he will speak as such, which might make the book difficult to read for some. There will be darkness, loss, growth, good versus evil, and many funny anecdotes and amusing stories, which I have somewhat in the back of my mind.     

Another AI-created idea

I am finding that as I write,  I am up to chapter 9 so far, with just over 20,000 words, that my creative juices flow as I am thinking and typing. As I mentioned earlier, I have no clear, solid story. I just get fleeting thoughts that pop into my head, mainly when I am struggling to sleep on a night.

And one more

It's weird, I wrote two different pieces for the book over the last couple of nights, thinking "Hey, you know what my main character, (who my dad, The Ern, says ", Aye, I can see he's based on you," ) decided he would write poetry and songs in the mental state he is currently in, which is a bit of turmoil, alongside melancholy, stress and sadness."

It's strange trying to imagine what someone is going through, even when it's a pretend character in a book, then trying to write how you think they may feel and. think.

Hopefully, I can make the story interesting and get another book on the shelves. At this point, it's not even about "Ooh, I wonder how many I can sell," it's more just about me enjoying the process and seeing where this takes me. I cannot imagine becoming a world-renowned author; this is more a bit of fun, keeps me occupied and helps me relax.

Obviously, if I ever finish it and receive some good feedback,  that would be a bonus.

Anyhoo, I don't want to give too much away. At the moment, you will just have to wait. I don't want anyone nicking my ideas LoL

I will leave you with a poem and a song that I intend to add to my book, so please note that the copyright belongs to Glenn Johnstone. They may not make complete sense, as obviously, you don't know the whole backstory of the characters involved. "Oh, and poetry doesn't have to rhyme."

Horology’s Parallel

From father to son, time passed on,
a friendly face, and a special place
within your hand, within your heart;
each memory held within a protective case,
that will one day cease—
as silence falls.

Each mark and scratch make you unique, perfect, imperfections.
As you carry on with the time you keep.
Until that day you’re wound no more, and your movement slows, and you stop.

Discovered truth — and now it all makes sense:
Why your cogs and wheels struggle with the time you keep.

That old voice you once knew begins to fade,
its whispers growing silent,
drifting beyond the shadows—far, far away.

Your movements are slowing —
your hands, fitful, like a heart struggling to beat.
You feel old and weary;
you just want to find sleep.

Memories of happier times slip away —
moments slowly lost, day by day;
you struggle to keep,
as the lid that once protected you is forever shut.

Where once you shone — polished, all shiny and bright —
now you are dulled, living beneath a dark cloud;
there is no light.

A thick fog of despair shrouds your view;
and those who care about you understand —
it’s too late: someone has decided this is your fate.

Your mind — those numbers — feel as if they’re slipping away,
tumbling and falling, unable to hold on.
You’re filled with confusion and sadness;
even time becomes disarrayed.

Where once there was rhythm in each gentle sound,
now you move slowly —
a denial of the inevitable —
knowing the end comes, and you are lost and bound.

You ask: Is there no one to help?
Can you not be wound and opened, fixed or repaired?

You just need someone to breathe new life into you,
and remind you of the life you once knew.

The song is in the style of an old Pitt village community, well, how I see it, or like a sea shanty rhythm, but obviously sad.    

A Geordie’s Heart (It’ll Never Die)

Well, a’ve been told that me time is up,
A divvn't have lang, an’ a’ve gotta gan.
A’m not quite ready, but what can a dee?
It’s nee good argyin’ wi’ yer destiny.

Me heed’s been sore noo for a while,
N’ an’knare, it’s not from the broon.
It’s not feelin’ like it’s even me awn,
A canna mek sense o’ what’s gannin’ on —

[Chorus]
An’ a won’t be standin’ on the banks o’ the Tyne,
’Cos the boatman’s waitin’ te tek us ower the Styx.
A’ll pay me way, an’ a’ll give ’im me coin,
Then he’ll push off, an’ we’ll sail away.

N’ a’m feelin’ lost… an’ a’m all a’lan.
Nee lass to kiss, nee hand to hold.
A thought a had all the time in the world,
But noo a’ve fond out me life’s unfurled.

So divvn't wait, ’cos a’m not comin’ yem,
A’m gone for good — a’ve served me time.
Mebbe it’s for the best, as me life’s been rough,
A tried me best — a hope it was enough.

An’ a’m thinkin’ te mesel’, was it all just a test?
When a lived me life, an’ a tried me best.
A’ve lost me love — it’s been stole away,
Nee mair chances, nee mair days.

[Final Verse]
So all a’ll ask yer te think on me,
As ye raise yer glass an’ sing oot loud.
For this bonny lad’s not gone te hell,
’Cos a Geordie’s heart — it’ll never die.

(Whispered Outro)
So a’ll be off on the River Styx…
Te meet the devil an’ avoid his tricks…
An’ noo, a’ve gotta gan, like

I have posted a few images, so perhaps they will give you a little room for thought.

Ok toodle pip for now...