- In: Doors | Travel
- 51 Comments
I had to catch a train the next morning, so I got up early, had breakfast and took a quick walk around the town before I left. Of course, I found some interesting doors on my walk.
The doors of the Swan Theatre, the first Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, originally built in 1875 on land donated by a local brewer. It opened in 1879 with a performance of Much Ado About Nothing. It was rebuilt in the same Victorian-Gothic style after it burnt down in 1926.
The back door of the Swan Theatre
Part of the Swan Theatre
A Victorian-era house
I love a green door
Row houses in Stratford-Upon-Avon
Falstaff House. I love the reference to Shakespeare’s plays.
This green door with a delightful fox doorknocker caught my eye.
The Doll’s House. Cute name.
An alehouse
The door to a Christmas shop in a heritage building.
Thursday Doors is a weekly challenge created by Dan Antion for people who love doors and architecture to come together to admire and share their favourite door photos, drawings, or other images or stories from around the world. If you’d like to join us, simply create your own Thursday Doors post each (or any) week and then share a link to your post in the comments on Dan’s blog post. Check out all the other amazing door posts. https://nofacilities.com/2026/04/02/random-doors-and-tdwc-announcement/
Copyright ©2026 darlenefoster.wordpress.com – All rights reserved
York in Springtime
Posted on: March 27, 2026
- In: friends | Travel
- 121 Comments
I’ve mentioned before that York is my favourite city in England. And my favourite time to visit is in early spring, when the daffodils and other spring flowers are in bloom. So when a good friend from Canada suggested we meet up in York, I jumped at the chance to show her and her husband around. This was her first visit, and she fell in love with this city just as I did when I first visited 49 years ago. Here are a few of the things we saw.
Micklegate Bar, built in the 12th century, was the traditional ceremonial gate for monarchs entering the city.
Spring flowers outside the York Minster
A busker in front of the York Minster and a man with an old English sheepdog.
A scary gargoyle in the making at the York Minster Stoneyard. The team of about sixteen stonemasons are dedicated to the upkeep of the stonework of the York Minster.
Guess who we found in the York Minster gardens having lunch!
The Holy Trinity Stocks for those who misbehave. There have been stocks on this property since the 16th century, and until the 19th century, they were used to punish those who committed minor crimes.
I thought this was appropriate for current times as well.
The ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey, the largest and richest Benedictine establishment in northern England, were destroyed during the Reformation and dissolution of the monasteries by King Henry VIII
A crypt on the site.
St. William’s College, a Mediaeval building originally built to provide accommodation for priests attached to the Minster
One of many interesting signs
We walked the Roman walls surrounding the old city.
Until we got to Clifford’s Tower, resplendent in a sea of daffodils.
BFFs by the tower
We found a friendly bear at the Teddy Bear Shop.
After all that walking, we stopped to enjoy a cup of tea at the famous Betty’s Tea Rooms. One can’t visit York without enjoying a cuppa at Betty’s!
A marvellous day in my favourite city with good friends.
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.– William Wordsworth
Book Blog Tour for Story Chat Digest Where Stories Meet: An Anthology of Short Stories & Poems
Posted on: March 18, 2026
- In: Blog Launch Tour | Books | short stories | Writing
- 122 Comments
I am excited to introduce the international literary anthology Story Chat Digest: Where Stories Meet, edited and compiled by Marsha Ingrao.
Now in its third volume, Story Chat Digest continues its tradition of bringing together international voices in short fiction and poetry. What began as an interactive online literary challenge has grown into an established anthology series and ongoing writing-and-reading community built around thoughtful conversation, continuing a tradition of collaborative storytelling.
In this volume, writers from around the world contributed short fiction and contemporary poetry inspired by the Story Chat community at AlwaysWrite.blog. I am delighted to have two stories included in this volume.
Each piece stands alone, yet together they form a tapestry of voices exploring memories, mysteries, resilience, humour, faith, family, and the quiet complexities of ordinary life — with a few science fiction pieces woven in for imaginative contrast. This anthology captures not just the stories themselves, but a sampling of connections that inspired them.
This is what differentiates the Story Chat anthology from a typical collection. Story Chat began as a blog-based literary program in which writers submitted original fiction and poetry, and readers responded thoughtfully in the comments. Those conversations became part of the creative process. Readers engaged like live beta readers. Writers refined their work. Sometimes a reader’s insight sparked a second or even third story. The anthology grew organically from that global interaction — preserving both the writing and the spirit of conversation that shaped it.
You can find out more about Story Chat Digest as well as how to submit your stories and/or poems here: https://alwayswrite.blog/join-story-chat-digest-2026-an-online-writing-community-for-all-authors/.
Reader Testimonials
- “This is what I like about Story Chat, Marsha — the perspective of different people. It would be very dull if we all thought the same thing.”
- “You have given me an idea on how to make my character more three-dimensional… It is amazing how little additions like that might enhance the experience for readers.”
- “I enjoyed being here. Thank you so much, Marsha. It was a memorable experience — a great confidence booster.”
I enjoyed being part of this project. It was fun to write a couple of short stories for the collection, but even more fun to read the comments from fellow writers and readers. The experience motivated me to write in genres new to me. Thank you, Marsha Ingrao, for creating this fabulous opportunity to showcase our work and obtain valuable feedback.
My 5-star review for Story Chat Volume II
Many brilliant writers in this volume provide great examples of various writing skills and styles. This is the second volume of Story Chat, and I love this idea. Not only does the reader get introduced to several authors, but following most of the short stories are critique notes that make you think about the story more. For example, the brilliant author, Diana Peach, writes The Grand Adventure, an engaging tale about best friends with a fabulous twist at the end. This is what critiquer Balroop says: “Diana is a master crafter; whatever she writes, she never disappoints. I love her style of saying a lot, without going into any unnecessary details, and that shows how much she respects the intellect of her readers.”
The stories include humour, juvenile, coming-of-age, family drama and sci-fi. The book is bookended with writing tips on How to Write Fantastic Stories that Will Impact Readers by Hugh Roberts, and comprehensive Tips on Point of View by Diana Peach. Not only is this an entertaining read, it’s a writer’s manual as well. Well done, Marsha, for putting this informative and entertaining volume together.
Story Chat Digest: Where Stories Meet, Volume III
Purchase Links:
About the Editor
Marsha Ingrao is the founder and online host of the Story Chat community and the compilation editor of the Story Chat series. A lifelong educator, she continues to foster global literary conversation through blogging, collaborative anthologies, and virtual gatherings.
After retiring from public education, she expanded her work into writing, photography, and publishing. She believes strongly in lifelong learning and the power of shared storytelling to build connections across cultures.
Blog:www.alwayswrite.blog
A Walk Around Stratford-Upon-Avon
Posted on: March 17, 2026
- In: History | Travel
- 108 Comments
It has been my wish to visit this market town, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, for a long time. A few weeks ago, I made it happen. I shared some doors last Thursday. Here are some other pictures from around the charming town and inside the Bard’s house.
The town’s most famous citizen is at the head of the main street. Some well-known quotes, like the one above, surround the statue.
A statue of Young Will by Lawrence Holofcener. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, home of the Royal Shakespeare Company, stands behind it.
The Swan Theatre, the first Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.
Both theatres face the River Avon
A swan graciously posed for me.
A stone bridge crosses the river Avon
The back of Shakespeare’s birthplace has lovely gardens that feature many of the 175 plants mentioned in his plays.
Inside the home, a cosy parlour, furnished as it would have been 450 years ago.
The hall where the family ate their meals
The pantry or larder.
The children’s bedchambers and most likely the birthing room.
A replica of the wallpaper. A piece of the original is in the British Museum.
An evening stroll took us to the Avon Canal, which often has canal boats travelling down it and through a set of locks.
From the stone bridge, we spied a cosy-looking pub called The Pen & Parchment
So we decided to check it out.
I enjoyed a delicious mushroom-and-Gorgonzola pie with fried mashed potatoes and pesto sauce. It was excellent and in the perfect setting. A fitting end to a day in Stratford-upon-Avon.
- In: Doors | Travel
- 116 Comments
I like this place, and willingly could waste my time in it. – As You Like It, William Shakespeare
While in England, I took a trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon to visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare. I am a huge fan of the Bard and have seen more than half of his plays, some of them more than once. So you can imagine how excited I was to see the house in which this literary genius was born. It was larger than I thought it would be, and there were many doors.
Shakespeare was born in this house in April 1564, and lived in it with his brothers and sisters. He also lived in a part of it with his wife and young family for a time.
The Bard would have walked through these doors
Now I have also passed through the doors of his house.
This door separates the two parts of the house. The floors are the original stones. I walked on the same floors as William Shakespeare!!
The door to the pantry.
His father, John Shakespeare, was a glove maker. They sold gloves from this window facing the street.
A back door.
I walked around the entire building and found this interesting ground-level window.
I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I loved the book, Hamnet. Maggie O’Farrell said she was inspired to write the book after visiting this house. I can see why.
Thursday Doors is a weekly challenge created by Dan Antion for people who love doors and architecture to come together to admire and share their favourite door photos, drawings, or other images or stories from around the world. If you’d like to join us, simply create your own Thursday Doors post each (or any) week and then share a link to your post in the comments on Dan’s blog post. Check out all the other amazing door posts. https://nofacilities.com/2026/03/12/irish-room-happy-st-patricks-day/
Copyright ©2026 darlenefoster.wordpress.com – All rights reserved
The Influencers
Posted on: March 12, 2026
- In: Dreams | guest posts | Memories | People
- 56 Comments
Sally Cronin at Smorgasbord Blog Magazine is running a wonderful series about people who have influenced our lives. She has invited us to describe someone who has made an impact and helped make us the person we are. Several people came to mind, family members, employers and special friends. But the person who made the most difference at an early age was my Grade Three teacher, Miss Roll. For those who have not read Sally’s post (and I know many of you have), please check it out. There may be someone special you would like to share.
Darlene & Miss Roll
Who has influenced you and your life?
A Birthday Surprise
Posted on: March 9, 2026
- In: Amanda Travels | Books | reviews | Writing
- 93 Comments
I’ve been away for a few wonderful days in England. I came home in time for my birthday and for some lovely birthday surprises like this super review on Toni Pike’s blog.
But wait, there’s more. It seems that Joy Kidney has been bingeing on the Amanda Travels series and reviewed five of the books on her blog.
It doesn’t get better than that!
Toni Pike and Joy Kidney are both excellent writers with a great variety of books to their name.
You can find Toni Pike’s books here https://www.amazon.com/stores/Toni-Pike/author/B009I70E8Y
You can find Joy Kidney’s books here https://www.amazon.com/stores/Joy-Neal-Kidney/author/B081Y5CKW6
Thank you for making my birthday extra special!!
More about the trip to England soon, but I did meet some special folks, like this fellow by the York Minster.
Thursday Doors: Valencia, Spain
Posted on: February 19, 2026
- In: Doors | Spain | Travel
- 119 Comments
Another favourite Spanish city of mine is Valencia. It is the third-largest city in Spain, located about 2.5 hours south of Barcelona on the Mediterranean coast. It has a rich history and amazing architecture. It is also very modern and combines the new and the old very well. There is so much to do and see in this city. I have chosen some of my favourite buildings, windows and doors. But I have barely scratched the surface. Some of these pictures were taken from a bus, so may not be of great quality.
The Bank of Valencia beside a modern office building
The law courts building
I love the artwork by the windows in this building
The old market building by the seafront
One entrance to the Valencia Cathedral
The gates to the main cathedral
Traditional Valencian dancers in front of the cathedral. My favourite picture!
I realized I had too many pictures for one post, so I’ll share more at a later date.
I hope you enjoyed this glimpse of a fabulous city.
Thursday Doors is a weekly challenge created by Dan Antion for people who love doors and architecture to come together to admire and share their favourite door photos, drawings, or other images or stories from around the world. If you’d like to join us, simply create your own Thursday Doors post each (or any) week and then share a link to your post in the comments on Dan’s blog post. Check out all the other amazing door posts.
Copyright ©2026 darlenefoster.wordpress.com – All rights reserved
My Entry for Story Chat Digest
Posted on: February 13, 2026
- In: short stories | Writing
- 81 Comments
I am delighted that my short story was accepted for Marsha Ingrao’s Story Chat Digest. Hop on over and check it out. Don’t forget to read the chat in the comments. Story Chat Digest is an opportunity to feature your short story and have it critiqued by readers.
- In: Amanda Travels | Books | reviews
- 45 Comments
Sally Cronin, book marketer and indie supporter extraordinaire, invites us to share an excerpt of one of our books on her blog. Here is mine, along with a fabulous review of Amanda in Ireland: The Body in the Bog.
Darlene Foster's Blog 