Author: lazaruscarpenterauthor

Lazarus Carpenter I have lived in Wales for over twenty five years. Born in North Yorkshire, I am now an author, actor, musician and song writer, previously being a therapist, trainer and researcher, specialising in mental health. He was educated in Middlesbrough, Sheffield and Cambridge. With a fascination for Welsh History, I create worlds within worlds; magical, haunting, spirituality permeating sound moral codes of life. I live quietly with Debbie Eve (also my illustrator and our dog, Noodle in a small cottage surrounded by the beauty of the Brecon Beacons in the Valleys of South Wales.

The Absinthe Ball – A Ghostly Love Story

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Once upon a time, in a mystical ghostly land, there was a kingdom ruled by a wise and benevolent king. The kingdom was known for its enchanting beauty and vibrant culture. One of the most anticipated events of the year was the annual Absinthe Ball, a grand celebration where everyone would gather to dance, sing, and revel in the magic of the night. In this kingdom, there lived a young frog princess named Seraphina. Seraphina was not like other frogs. She possessed a unique beauty and a mesmerizing voice that captivated anyone who heard her sing. However, she was cursed by a wicked sorcerer and transformed into a frog. Despite her predicament, Seraphina remained hopeful that one day, a true love’s kiss would break the curse and restore her to her human form.

Meanwhile, in a smoky jazz club on the outskirts of the kingdom, there lived a talented frog blues singer named Felix. With his soulful voice and his skilful guitar playing, Felix could make the whole room sway with emotion. He had a reputation for singing songs that touched the depths of people’s hearts, and his music carried a hint of melancholy, reflecting the struggles he faced as a frog in a human-dominated world. As fate would have it, Seraphina and Felix’s paths crossed one moonlit night at the Absinthe Ball.

Seraphina, disguised as a common frog, hopped into the ballroom, drawn by the melodies that filled the air. She watched as Felix took the stage, his voice echoing through the hall, casting a spell over the entire audience. Captivated by Felix’s performance, Seraphina couldn’t resist joining in with her own melodious croak. The crowd was astonished by the harmony of their voices blending together, creating a magical duet that seemed to transcend the boundaries of their frog forms. The enchantment in the air was palpable as their voices intertwined, filling the ballroom with a sense of longing and hope. As the song came to an end, the room erupted in applause. Seraphina and Felix locked eyes, and at that moment, they knew that they had found something special. They spent the rest of the night talking and laughing, completely unaware of the world around them. It felt as if time stood still, and they were the only two beings in existence.

Days turned into weeks and weeks into months. Seraphina and Felix’s bond grew stronger with each passing day. Together, they faced the challenges of being frogs in a human world, supporting and encouraging one another through their struggles. They never lost hope that one day, they would find a way to break their curses and live a life of freedom and love. Their dedication and unwavering belief in each other’s talents caught the attention of the kingdom’s wise king. Intrigued by their story, he summoned Seraphina and Felix to the royal palace. The king, moved by their love and talent, used his powers to break the curses that held them captive.

As the curses lifted, Seraphina and Felix were transformed into their true selves. Seraphina stood before the king as a beautiful princess, and Felix regained his human form, his blues singer persona shining through. The king blessed their union and declared a grand celebration in their honour. And so, the Absinthe Ball took on a whole new meaning. It became a symbol of love, hope, and the power of music to transcend boundaries. Seraphina and Felix, now free from their curses, stood hand in hand at the centre of the ballroom, surrounded by joyful revellers. The room was adorned with twinkling lights, and the air was filled with laughter and music. Seraphina’s voice soared through the hall, and Felix’s guitar strummed with passion, their music intertwining in perfect harmony.

As the night unfolded, their love story became an inspiration to all who witnessed it. The kingdom celebrated their union, and their tale of overcoming adversity spread far and wide, touching the hearts of people from distant lands. Seraphina and Felix continued to perform together, their music echoing through the kingdom, bringing joy and healing to all who listened. But amidst their newfound happiness, Seraphina and Felix never forgot the lessons they had learned. They remained humble and kind, using their talents to uplift others and spread love wherever they went. Their love story became a legend, whispered by storytellers and passed down through generations, reminding people of the transformative power of love and the magic that lies within us all. And so, the Absinthe Ball became an annual celebration of love, music, and the triumph of the human spirit. Each year, the kingdom would come alive with the enchanting melodies of Seraphina and Felix, their voices echoing through the night, reminding everyone that true love knows no boundaries and that dreams have the power to come true. And so, the frog princess and the frog blues singer lived happily ever after, their love story forever etched in the hearts and minds of the kingdom’s people. Their legacy was one of love, music, and the belief in the extraordinary things that can happen when two souls, against all odds, find each other in a world full of enchantment and ghostly possibility.

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Frederick Douglass

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Frederick Douglass was a prominent African American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. Born into slavery in February 1818 in Talbot County, Maryland, he escaped to freedom in 1838. Douglass became a leading figure in the fight against slavery and civil rights, using his powerful speaking and writing skills to advocate for social justice.

He published several autobiographies, with “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave” (1845) being the most famous. In these works, he detailed his experiences as a slave and his journey to freedom, highlighting the brutality of slavery and the importance of education.

Douglass also strongly advocated for women’s rights, participating in the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848. Throughout his life, he worked tirelessly for the abolition of slavery, and after the Civil War, he continued to fight for the rights of African Americans during the Reconstruction era. He held various public positions, including U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia and U.S. Minister Resident and Consul General to Haiti. Douglass passed away on February 20, 1895, leaving a legacy of courage and the pursuit of equality. His impact on American society and the ongoing struggle for civil rights is still felt today.

Alan Bennett

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Alan Bennett is a renowned English playwright, screenwriter, actor, and author, born on May 9, 1934, in Leeds, England. He is best known for his work in theater, particularly for plays like “The History Boys,” which won multiple awards and was adapted into a successful film. Bennett’s writing often explores themes of class, identity, and the complexities of human relationships, characterized by his sharp wit and keen observation.

He began his career in the 1960s, initially as part of the “Beyond the Fringe” comedy troupe, which gained popularity for its satirical take on British society and politics. Bennett’s distinctive voice is evident in his numerous plays, television scripts, and memoirs. His ability to blend humor with poignant social commentary has made him a significant figure in contemporary British literature and drama. Throughout his career, Bennett has received numerous accolades, including BAFTA awards, Olivier Awards, and a Tony Award. He has also been recognized for his contributions to literature and the arts with honours, such as being made a Companion of Honour in 1997 and receiving a knighthood in 2005.

In addition to his theatrical work, Bennett has penned several autobiographical works and essays, providing insight into his life, upbringing, and the influences that shaped his writing. He remains an influential voice in British culture, known for his candid reflections on society and the human experience. 

‘New Year’s Food for Thought’

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As the past year disappears into the mists of time, we must all move on to pastures new and, as yet, unknown. When viewed from space, the Earth appears to be beautiful, and in essence, it is. But humankind, in reality, has changed very little for thousands of years. We are still controlled by the ‘powers that will be,’ all in the name of law and order and monetary wealth. As a species, we suffer from inherent deafness and blindness to the reality of life and dumbness to speak out and make ourselves truly heard. Yet, all over this beautiful planet, other species become extinct every day; millions are poverty-stricken, homeless, rootless and starving; wars are fought for little reason, and genocide seems to be acceptable. Big Pharma is concerned more with monetary gain than curing disease, and children suffer needlessly. Mother Earth is in turmoil, and global change is a forgone conclusion. Yet, still, war machines are created to kill and maim whilst lining the pockets of countries that should know better and be leading the world to peace rather than perpetuating mindless violence.

“Crumbs, this is depressing,” I hear you say. “Have a drink and chill; it’s New Year’s Eve!” But friends, this is the problem, global blindness, deafness and dumbness to the reality of life on this planet. Ne’er mind, they say, let us carry on flying all over the world polluting the air, ripping the guts from Mother Earth to build electric cars, poisoning the oceans with microplastics, whilst the rich look for ways to move to other planets. Not content with screwing Mother Earth, they wish to do the same elsewhere in the cosmos.

Many agree with my thoughts, but sadly, many more do not and will carry on selfishly ignoring reality. I have purposefully avoided mentioning religion as, for thousands of years, it has formed the roots of disharmony and fuelled wars and genocide and is still doing so today. I leave these philosophical arguments to those who wish to continue to promote invisible fantasy. Faith is personal, all else being the ingredients for delusion and psychoses.

And so, I sincerely wish peace to every sentient being on Mother Earth and prosperity for 2025. Let this be the prosperity of growth in responsibility for protecting each other and Mother Earth. Let peace be an end to the needless wars and genocide. Let kindness be our currency, and remember the Web of Life. What we do affects each and every one of us, Mother Earth and the more expansive universe. Happy New Year!

Salman Rushdie

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Salman Rushdie is a British-Indian author and essayist best known for his novel blending magical realism with historical and political themes. He was born on June 19, 1947, in Mumbai, India. Rushdie’s most famous work, “Midnight’s Children,” won the Booker Prize in 1981 and is celebrated for its narrative style and exploration of post-colonial themes. His 1988 novel, “The Satanic Verses,” sparked significant controversy and led to a fatwa issued by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini, calling for Rushdie’s assassination. This event forced him into hiding for several years, significantly impacting his life and work.

Rushdie has continued to write and publish notable works, including “The Ground Beneath Her Feet,” “Shalimar the Clown,” and “The Golden House.” He has received numerous awards and honours throughout his career and is an outspoken advocate for freedom of expression. In recent years, Rushdie survived a brutal stabbing attack in 2022 during a public lecture in New York, which brought renewed attention to issues of censorship and the threats faced by authors. Despite his challenges, he remains a prominent figure in literature and a powerful voice against intolerance.