The Detectives

Detective James Davis sat in his seat on the train, his eyes scanning the other passengers. He was on his way to meet a potential client who had contacted him about a suspicious incident at their business. James had a hunch that there was more to the story than what had been told to him over the phone.

As the train picked up speed, James noticed a woman in a sleek black dress sitting a few rows ahead of him. She seemed to be staring intently at him, but quickly looked away when James made eye contact. He made a mental note to keep an eye on her and left to go to his room.

He’d only been in the room 2 minutes, when James heard the rustle of paper under the door. The note appeared to be blank but his years of training knew the signs that this was written in invisible ink. With a little trickery, that can’t be shared with the untrained, the words revealed instructions for him to meet the sender in the last carriage of the train.

Curiosity getting the better of him, James made his way to the last carriage and found himself face to face with a spy. The spy handed James a dossier and quickly disappeared.

James was looking intently at the dossier and failed to see the mystery person slip outside into the now empty corridor. Closing the door carefully before peering inside the bulky dossier, James found evidence of a larger conspiracy at play. It seemed that the suspicious incident at the business was just the tip of the iceberg.

As James was flipping through the pages, the woman in the black dress appeared again, this time standing in the doorway of the carriage, the door having swung open at that last steep curve in the tracks.

“I’m Agent Carter, I’ve been tailing that spy. I think we’re after the same thing,” she said, her eyes glinting with determination.

Together, they poured over the evidence and pieced together the conspiracy. They had to act fast if they were going to stop it.

Just as they were about to come up with a plan, the train jolted violently and screeched to a halt. The lights flickered and went out, plunging the carriage into darkness.

When the lights flickered back on, the invisible ink on the dossier had disappeared. They had lost all the evidence they had gathered.

But James and Agent Carter were not deterred. They worked quickly, using their skills to piece together what they could remember.

The train finally arrived at its destination and they jumped out, determined to put a stop to the conspiracy. They rushed to the business in question and confronted the culprits. After a tense standoff, some clever thinking and the proof of the dossier in their hands, they were able to bring the conspirators to justice.

As they walked away, James turned to Agent Carter and said, “It looks like we make a pretty good team.”

The next day Agent Carter called James, telling him that she had found a clue to a case they had been working on for weeks. She instructed him to meet her on a fast train leaving from the city’s central station in one hour.

James rushed to the station and boarded the train just in time, finding Agent Carter waiting for him in one of the carriages. She handed him a secret note with instructions to follow, written in invisible ink.

As James followed the instructions, he noticed that the train was going much faster than usual. He had a nagging feeling that something was not quite right. Suddenly, there was a loud explosion and the train shook violently.

James and Agent Carter quickly realized that the train had been hijacked by a group of dangerous criminals. They knew they had to act fast if they were going to save the passengers and stop the hijackers.

Using their skills and expertise, James and Agent Carter worked together to outwit the criminals and save the passengers. They managed to foil the hijackers’ plan and brought them to justice.

As they stepped off the train, James turned to Agent Carter and said, “I don’t know how we keep getting into these situations, but I’m glad you’re always there to help me.”

She smiled at him and replied, “Likewise, James. It’s always an adventure with you.”

Just at that moment they received a call from the police department about a murder at a local art museum. When they arrived at the scene, they found the victim lying on the floor, surrounded by a group of terrified onlookers.

James and Agent Carter immediately set to work, collecting evidence, questioning witnesses, and analyzing the crime scene. As they worked, they uncovered a series of clues that pointed to a well-organized art theft ring.

The two detectives knew they had to move quickly to catch the culprits before they could strike again. They followed a lead to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city, where they discovered a hidden art gallery filled with stolen masterpieces.

As they were searching the gallery, James received a phone call from an anonymous tipster, telling him that the ring’s leader was about to board a private jet at the city’s airport.

James and Agent Carter raced to the airport, arriving just in time to see the suspect boarding the plane. They knew they had to act fast if they were going to catch him.

Using their quick thinking and physical prowess, they managed to board the plane just as it was taking off. A fierce fight ensued, but in the end, James and Agent Carter emerged victorious, the art thief in handcuffs.

As they returned to the city, James turned to Agent Carter and said, “I couldn’t have done it without you. We make a great team.”

She smiled at him and replied, “I feel the same way, James. Together, we can solve anything.”

James and Agent Carter continued to work together, taking on some of the most complex and challenging cases in the city. And while they faced many obstacles and challenges along the way, they knew that they could always count on each other to get the job done.

Endless Escape

The sound of a bird chirping outside my window wakes me up. I groggily turn to my phone on my bedside table and see that it’s already 10 AM. I curse under my breath, knowing that I’ve wasted yet another morning sleeping in. I roll out of bed and head to the kitchen to make some breakfast.

As I’m making my way to the fridge, I see my phone light up with a notification. It’s from my friend, Jake. He’s sent me a link to a new endless runner game that’s just been released. I’m not really into games, but Jake is always trying to get me to play with him. I decide to check it out, just to see what all the fuss is about.

The game is called Endless Escape, and the premise is simple: you play as a character who is constantly running away from something. The longer you run, the higher your score. There are obstacles in your path that you need to avoid, and power-ups that you can collect to help you along the way.

I start playing, and at first it seems like any other endless runner game. But as I keep playing, I realize that there’s something different about this one. The graphics are incredible, and the soundtrack is so immersive that I feel like I’m actually in the game. I start to get really into it, trying to beat my high score and reach new levels.

Days turn into weeks, and before I know it, I’m completely obsessed with Endless Escape. I spend hours playing it every day, trying to beat my own high score and climb the leaderboards. I’ve even started to neglect my other responsibilities, like work and chores.

One day, Jake calls me up and asks me to come over to his place. He sounds urgent, so I agree to go. When I get there, he’s sitting on the couch with a worried look on his face.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“I’ve been playing Endless Escape too much,” he says, “and I think it’s starting to affect me.”

I laugh at first, thinking he’s joking, but when I see the look on his face, I realize he’s serious.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“I can’t stop playing,” he says. “It’s like the game has taken over my life. I can’t focus on anything else. I’ve even started dreaming about it.”

I start to feel a little uneasy. I’ve been feeling the same way, but I didn’t want to admit it. I brush it off, though, and tell Jake that he’s just overreacting.

Weeks turn into months, and my obsession with Endless Escape only grows stronger. I’ve become one of the top players in the world, and I’ve even started making money by streaming my game play on Twitch. But the more I play, the more I realize that something isn’t right.

I’ve started having nightmares about the game. In my dreams, I’m trapped inside the game, running endlessly through an endless landscape of obstacles and challenges. I can’t escape, no matter how hard I try. When I wake up, I feel like I’m still in the game. I can hear the sound effects and see the graphics in my mind.

One day, I’m playing the game as usual when I notice something strange. There’s a glitch in the game that allows me to break through the boundaries of the level and explore beyond the game’s limits. I feel a rush of excitement as I explore this new world, but then I realize that I can’t get back.

I’m trapped in the game, and I can’t get out. I try everything I can think of to exit the game, but nothing works. I’m stuck, and I start to panic. I start to feel like I’m losing my mind.

As time goes on, I start to notice that things in the game are changing. The obstacles are becoming more difficult, and the power-ups are no longer effective. It’s like the game is adapting to my abilities and becoming more challenging. I start to wonder if there’s something or someone controlling the game.

One day, I stumble upon a hidden level within the game. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. The graphics are more vivid, the obstacles more complex, and the music more intense. I feel a surge of adrenaline as I begin to play, but then I realize that this level is impossible to beat. No matter how hard I try, I can’t make it to the end.

That’s when I hear a voice. It’s faint at first, but then it grows louder. It’s a woman’s voice, and she’s speaking to me from within the game.

“Welcome to the end,” she says. “You’ve come farther than anyone ever has. But now, it’s time to face your fate.”

I’m paralyzed with fear. I don’t know what to do. The voice continues to speak.

“You’ve been chosen to play this game, to see if you have what it takes to escape. But now, it’s time to reveal the truth. The game is not just a game. It’s a test. A test of your strength, your resilience, and your ability to overcome any obstacle.”

I start to feel a sense of anger. How could they do this to me? How could they toy with my life like this?

“Who are you?” I shout into the void.

“I am the creator of this game,” the voice replies. “And you are my greatest creation. You’ve proven yourself to be a worthy opponent, but now it’s time to face the ultimate challenge. Can you escape the game?”

I take a deep breath and gather my courage.

“I will escape this game,” I say. “I will prove to you that I am more than just a player. I am a survivor.”

The final level is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. It’s a maze of obstacles and challenges, and it seems impossible to navigate. But I’m determined to succeed. I dodge obstacles and collect power-ups, my heart pounding in my chest. I can hear the voice of the creator urging me on, telling me that I’m almost there.

Finally, I reach the end. The screen goes black, and then a message appears.

“Congratulations, you’ve escaped the game. You are now free to live your life as you choose.”

I let out a sigh of relief. I’ve finally done it. I’ve escaped the game.

I try to return to my normal life. But something has changed in me. I’m no longer content with just going through the motions. I want to live life to the fullest, to take on new challenges and overcome any obstacle.

I start to train for a marathon, something I never thought I could do before. I push myself to the limit, running for miles and miles, feeling the wind in my face and the sun on my back. And as I run, I feel like I’m escaping once again, breaking through the boundaries of my old life and becoming something more.

The Eccentric Inventor

In a small village, there lived a crazy, eccentric inventor named Dr. Victor. He was a tall and lanky man with wild hair and a twinkle in his eye. Dr. Victor was known for his wild ideas, but he was also known for his intelligence and his knack for inventing clever and helpful gadgets.

Dr. Victor’s workshop was a sight to behold. It was cluttered with all sorts of strange contraptions, and the air was always thick with the smell of burning wires and melting metal. The walls were covered in sketches and diagrams of his latest inventions, and there was always a loud hum coming from some machine or another.

The people in the village thought Dr. Victor was crazy, but they couldn’t deny his intelligence. He was always thinking outside the box and coming up with ideas that no one else had thought of before. And even though most of his inventions seemed strange and impractical at first, they usually turned out to be incredibly helpful and useful.

One of Dr. Victor’s most famous inventions was a machine that could clean and repair old, damaged books. The villagers had a large collection of ancient books, but many of them were too delicate to handle. Dr. Victor’s machine was able to gently clean the pages and repair any tears or rips, making the books look brand new again.

Another one of Dr. Victor’s inventions was a device that could quickly and easily peel apples. The villagers were amazed at how quickly they could make apple pies and cider now that they didn’t have to spend hours peeling and coring the fruit by hand.

Dr. Victor’s most impressive invention, however, was his flying machine. It was a contraption made of gears, propellers, and springs, and it looked like a cross between a bird and a helicopter. The villagers laughed at the idea of a flying machine, but Dr. Victor was determined to prove them wrong. And after months of tinkering and testing, he finally did.

The day of the maiden flight was a spectacle to behold. The villagers gathered in the town square, watching as Dr. Victor climbed into the cockpit of his flying machine. He turned a few knobs, pulled a lever, and suddenly the machine began to whir and spin. And then, with a sudden jolt, it lifted off the ground and soared into the sky.

The villagers gasped in amazement as Dr. Victor’s flying machine circled the village, doing loop-de-loops and barrel rolls. And as it landed back on the ground, the villagers cheered and applauded. They may have thought Dr. Victor was crazy, but they couldn’t deny his intelligence and his incredible inventions.

From that day forward, Dr. Victor’s workshop was always bustling with activity. He continued to come up with new and clever ideas, and the villagers were always eager to see what he would come up with next. And even though he was still considered eccentric and a bit crazy, Dr. Victor had won the hearts of the villagers with his clever, helpful, and useful inventions.

Dr. Victor’s fame soon spread beyond the small village, and people from neighboring towns and cities began to hear about his amazing inventions. He was invited to attend scientific conferences and exhibitions, where he would showcase his latest creations and share his ideas with other inventors.

One of Dr. Victor’s inventions that gained widespread recognition was a device that could purify water. It was a simple, yet effective contraption that could filter out impurities and contaminants, making dirty water safe to drink. This invention was particularly useful in developing countries where access to clean drinking water was limited.

Another one of Dr. Victor’s inventions was a machine that could turn waste into energy. It used a special process that converted organic waste into a form of renewable energy that could be used to power homes and buildings. This invention was hailed as a breakthrough in sustainable energy technology, and it earned Dr. Victor numerous awards and accolades.

Despite his many successes, Dr. Victor remained humble and dedicated to his work. He continued to spend long hours in his workshop, tinkering and experimenting with new ideas. He was always eager to learn and collaborate with other inventors, and he never stopped pushing the boundaries of what was possible.

As Dr. Victor grew older, he began to think about his legacy. He wanted to leave behind a lasting impact on the world and inspire future generations of inventors. And so, he decided to start a school for young inventors.

The school was a place where young people could come to learn about science, engineering, and invention. Dr. Victor taught classes and workshops, sharing his knowledge and expertise with his students. He encouraged them to think creatively and to never give up on their ideas, no matter how crazy they might seem.

Years passed, and Dr. Victor’s school became known as a hub of innovation and creativity. Many of his students went on to become successful inventors in their own right, and they always credited Dr. Victor for inspiring them and helping them to realize their dreams.

And so, Dr. Victor’s legacy lived on, not just through his own inventions, but through the many young inventors he had mentored and inspired over the years. His name became synonymous with innovation and creativity, and he was remembered as a true genius, a crazy, eccentric inventor who had changed the world with his clever, helpful, and useful inventions.

The Secret of Ravenwood Manor

The old manor stood tall and proud, surrounded by a dense forest. It had been abandoned for years, but it was said to be cursed. No one dared to go near it, except for the occasional thrill-seeking teenagers who dared each other to enter the property.

But one day, a young woman named Sarah received a letter from a lawyer, informing her that she had inherited the Ravenwood Manor from a distant relative. She was surprised but intrigued, as she had never met this relative and had no idea why they would leave her the property.

Sarah decided to visit the manor to see it for herself. As she approached the property, she felt a chill run down her spine. The gate was rusted and creaked as she pushed it open. The path leading to the manor was overgrown with weeds, and the windows were boarded up.

As she stepped inside, she noticed that the furniture was covered in dust, and cobwebs hung from the ceiling. The air was musty, and the silence was deafening. But Sarah felt drawn to the manor and decided to stay for a while to explore.

As Sarah settled into the manor, she began to notice strange things happening. Doors that she had closed were open, and items moved around the house. She brushed it off, thinking it was just her imagination, but the feeling of being watched never left her.

One day, Sarah discovered a hidden room behind a bookshelf in the library. The room was small and dark, but she could make out a desk and some papers on it. As she approached the desk, she saw a journal lying on it. The journal belonged to her distant relative, and she began to read it.

In the journal, her relative had written about strange occurrences in the manor. Doors opening and closing on their own, objects moving, and whispers in the night. They had tried to investigate the source of the disturbances but had found nothing.

Sarah was intrigued and decided to investigate further. She started to explore the manor at night, hoping to catch a glimpse of whatever was causing the disturbances. As she walked through the halls, she heard whispers and footsteps, but no one was there.

One night, Sarah heard a loud crash coming from the library. She rushed to investigate and found that the bookshelf had been pushed over, revealing a hidden door. She pushed the door open and found a staircase leading down to a dark basement.

Sarah hesitated but decided to explore the basement. She found an old laboratory, filled with strange equipment and books on alchemy and dark magic. As she looked around, she noticed a figure moving in the shadows. She called out, but there was no response.

Suddenly, the figure lunged at her, but she managed to dodge it and run up the stairs. She locked the hidden door behind her and caught her breath.

As she sat on the floor, she realized that the figure was someone living in the manor, and they did not want her there. She decided to leave the manor the next day but couldn’t shake the feeling of unease.

The next morning, Sarah woke up to find the manor in disarray. Furniture was overturned, and the paintings on the walls were slashed. She realized that someone had broken in during the night and had ransacked the place.

As she went to the library to call the police, she noticed that the hidden door was open again. She cautiously approached it and saw a figure in the shadows. This time, she recognized the figure as the lawyer who had informed her of her inheritance.

The lawyer revealed that he had been trying to find a valuable artifact hidden in the manor

Sarah was shocked to learn that the lawyer had been using her to gain access to the valuable artifact. He had hired someone to break into the manor and had been causing the disturbances to scare her away. But he had not expected Sarah to be so persistent in her investigation.

Sarah confronted the lawyer, demanding to know what the artifact was and why it was so valuable. The lawyer hesitated, but then he revealed that the artifact was a powerful talisman that could grant eternal life. He had been searching for it for years and had finally traced it to Ravenwood Manor.

Sarah was skeptical, but she could see the greed in the lawyer’s eyes. She knew that he would stop at nothing to get the talisman, even if it meant hurting her.

Sarah decided to take matters into her own hands. She knew that the talisman was hidden somewhere in the manor and that the lawyer would stop at nothing to find it. She needed to find it first.

Sarah spent days searching the manor, looking for any clues that could lead her to the talisman. She searched every room and every nook and cranny, but she found nothing.

Then, one day, she remembered the journal she had found in the hidden room. She went back to the library and found the journal. As she read through it again, she noticed a strange symbol that kept reappearing. She realized that it was a clue and set out to find what it meant.

After hours of searching, Sarah found a hidden room behind a portrait in the hallway. Inside the room, she found an ancient chest with the symbol on it. She opened the chest and found the talisman inside.

Sarah knew that she had to keep the talisman out of the lawyer’s hands. She decided to leave the manor and take the talisman with her, but she was stopped by the lawyer and his henchmen.

They demanded that she hand over the talisman, but Sarah refused. She knew that the talisman was too powerful to be in the wrong hands. She tried to reason with the lawyer, but he was beyond reason.

A fight broke out, and Sarah found herself outnumbered. But then, something strange happened. The talisman started to glow, and a powerful force emanated from it. The henchmen were knocked back, and the lawyer was thrown across the room.

Sarah knew that she had to get out of there fast. She grabbed the talisman and ran out of the manor, leaving the lawyer and his henchmen behind.

Sarah left the manor and went into hiding. She knew that the lawyer would not give up until he had the talisman, and she needed to protect it. She decided to research the talisman and find out more about its powers.

As she delved deeper into her research, she discovered that the talisman was indeed powerful. It had the ability to grant eternal life, but at a cost. The person who used it would be cursed to live forever, unable to die or find peace.

Sarah knew that she had made the right decision in keeping the talisman away from the lawyer. She could not let anyone else suffer the curse of eternal life. She decided to keep the talisman safe and hidden, away from the world.

The mystery of Ravenwood Manor had been solved, but Sarah knew that the curse of the talisman would haunt her forever. She could never forget the power that she had held in her hands and the responsibility that came with it.

The Case of the Mischievous Monkeys

In a dense jungle forest, there lived a group of mischievous monkeys. They were known for their naughty antics and their tendency to cause havoc wherever they went. The other animals in the forest were always wary of them and would steer clear of them whenever possible.

One day, the monkeys were particularly bored and looking for some excitement. They spotted a group of elephants nearby, peacefully grazing on some leaves. The mischievous monkeys decided to have some fun and started pelting the elephants with ripe mangoes that they had stolen from a nearby village.

The elephants were taken aback and tried to run away, but the monkeys were too quick for them. The monkeys continued their mischief, jumping from tree to tree and throwing mangoes at the helpless elephants. The elephants were getting frustrated and angry, and it was clear that the monkeys were not going to stop anytime soon.

The other animals in the forest were not happy with the monkeys’ behavior and decided to teach them a lesson. They held a meeting and came up with a plan. They would create a fake mango tree that would be rigged with a trap.

The mischievous monkeys fell for the trap, and when they climbed the tree to steal mangoes, they were surprised to find themselves trapped in a net. The other animals gathered around and scolded them for their naughty behavior.

The monkeys were ashamed and realized the error of their ways. They apologized to the other animals and promised to behave better in the future.

From that day on, the monkeys lived peacefully with the other animals in the forest, but the monkeys always seemed to have a cheeky glint in their eye, so they never quite completely trusted they wouldn’t meddle in something or come up with new pranks to keep the kingdom on their toes.

Mystery of the Missing Parrot

Once upon a time, in a dense forest nestled between mountains, lived a wise and intelligent Owl named Athena. Athena had lived for centuries and had seen many wonders of the world. She had always been fascinated by the mysteries of the universe and spent her days studying ancient texts and observing the world around her.

One day, Athena heard some commotion in the forest. She flew over to investigate and found a group of shimmering emerald green exotic but noisy parrots. The parrots were causing a ruckus, screeching and squawking loudly, and disturbing the peace of the forest.

Athena, being wise and patient, decided to approach the parrots calmly. She introduced herself and asked them why they were making so much noise. The parrots explained that they were trying to solve a mystery that had been puzzling them for days.

The mystery was about the disappearance of their leader, an older and wiser parrot named Fernando. Fernando had gone missing without a trace, and the parrots were afraid that he had met with some kind of danger.

Athena was intrigued by the mystery and decided to help the parrots solve it. She asked the parrots to tell her everything they knew about Fernando’s disappearance. Together, they began to investigate the forest, looking for clues.

As they searched, Athena and the parrots encountered many challenges. They had to navigate through dense thickets, climb steep hills, and cross raging rivers. But despite the obstacles, they persevered, using their unique strengths and abilities to overcome each challenge.

Finally, after many days of searching, they stumbled upon a hidden cave. Inside the cave, they found Fernando, who had been trapped by a group of mischievous monkeys. The monkeys had been playing a prank on Fernando, but it had gone too far, and Fernando had been stuck in the cave for days.

Athena and the parrots were overjoyed to find Fernando safe and sound. They worked together to free him from the cave and return him to his flock. The parrots were grateful to Athena for her help, and they invited her to join their flock.

Athena was touched by their invitation but declined. She explained that she had her own responsibilities and that her mission was to continue studying the mysteries of the universe. However, she promised to visit the parrots from time to time and share her knowledge with them.

And so, Athena bid farewell to the parrots and flew off into the forest, her mind full of wonder and her heart full of gratitude. She knew that her encounter with the parrots had been a special one, and that together, they had solved a great mystery together.

The Blue Owl Adventures

Once upon a time, in a deep forest, lived a Blue Owl. This owl was not like any other bird in the forest. It was known to be the wisest of them all. Its feathers shimmered in the sunlight, and its eyes sparkled with intelligence. The other birds often sought its advice whenever they were in trouble.

The Blue Owl loved to explore and go on adventures. It believed that knowledge and wisdom could be found in every corner of the world. And so, the Blue Owl set out on its first adventure in search of clues to a mystery.

The mystery was about a lost city that was said to be hidden deep in the jungle. The Blue Owl had heard rumors about the city and was determined to find it. It flew over mountains and valleys, crossed rivers, and finally reached the dense jungle.

The Blue Owl searched for days and nights until it finally stumbled upon a clue. It was a map that led to the lost city. The owl followed the map, dodging dangerous animals and navigating through treacherous terrain.

Finally, after days of travel, the Blue Owl reached the lost city. It was a magnificent sight, with towering buildings and intricate architecture. The owl explored every nook and corner of the city, gathering knowledge and wisdom about the people who lived there.

The Blue Owl continued on its journey, traveling across different countries, and encountering various mysteries along the way. It solved each one of them, always relying on its intelligence and wisdom. It was said that the Blue Owl had traveled to every corner of the world, seeking knowledge and adventure.

Years passed, and the Blue Owl grew old. Its feathers lost their luster, and its eyesight began to fade. But the owl was content. It had seen and learned so much during its adventures. It had solved mysteries, made friends, and explored the world. And so, the Blue Owl retired to its forest, where it spent the rest of its days, sharing its wisdom with the younger birds and animals.

The Blue Owl had become a legend, a symbol of wisdom and knowledge, inspiring generations to come. And though it had long departed from the world, its legacy lived on, inspiring others to go on their own adventures and seek knowledge in every corner of the world.

Fresh Mint

Back in April I bought a fresh mint plant from the supermarket. The normal pattern with these store bought plants then follows:-

  • Water the plant
  • Pick the leaves to use in different ways
  • Water the plant
  • Pick more leaves
  • Water the plant
  • Unless you have a garden…
  • Plant has barely any leaves left, doesn’t really recover and gets thrown away

Not this time. I was fed up of buying plants to use but then not having them last longer than a month tops.

Living in an apartment is limited when you want to keep your plants healthy, alive and a long time but having good weather most of the year certainly helps them stay around a little longer if not more work to keep them happily watered. If I’m hot then the plant certainly isn’t going to feel any cooler.

In the past I’ve had mint in the garden. It takes over patches year after year, gets stronger no matter how much you cut it back and always returns with a vengeance. It can quickly get out of control but smells amazing so you put up with it anyway.

I decided to tackle looking after this potted mint plant a different way. He’d already survived being grown, popped into a plant pot, travelling to the store and then coming home with me. It had even survived me plucking its minty leaves so I could at least help him survive a bit longer!

If you’d like to save a mint plant and give it longer life than just a few weeks here and there why not check out how I managed to get from wispy to wonderful Strong Minty Plant and still have it around 6 months after buying it.

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Crochet

I’ve known how to knit for quite a while but have always been fascinated with the amazing things you can make with Crochet. There are the classic and well known Granny Squares turned into amazing blankets and afghans, intricate lace, the wonderful world of Amigurumi and everything else in-between.

Ergonomic Handles are more comfortable to hold
Ergonomic Handles are more comfortable to hold

You can’t start to learn something without the right tools. Recently, I ordered some crochet hooks and a pouch to store them in. There are many different types of crochet hook you can buy, but after some research I decided to buy the Clover Ergonomic Hooks as they looked sturdy with lots of reviews about how great they are compared to their thinner counterparts.

This set features a soft easy grip that is warm to the touch and gives the user the most comfortable finger placement as well as tireless functionality.

The polished Aluminum hook is the perfect shape for smooth crocheting.

Each of the 10 sizes features a different bright and fun colored handle. The sizes are B-2.25mm, C-2.75mm, D-3.25mm, E-3.50mm, F-3.75mm, G-4.00mm, 7-4.50mm, H-5.00mm, I-5.50mm, and J-6.00mm.

Holds 8 crochet hooks safely and securely
Holds 8 crochet hooks safely and securely

Interestingly, the case matched the one I have to store my Knitting Needles (you can find out more about them here), so I was really pleased about that. Obviously a much smaller version to accommodate the size of the hooks and perfect to throw in your bag for crochet-on-the-go.

It’s called the Clover Getaway Case for Soft Touch Crochet Hooks

Lots of room and well made
Lots of room and well made

There is only space for 8 hooks but I have managed to pop the other two on top and fold down the inside flap. Once the pouch is rolled up it holds them all securely, so I haven’t found this to be a problem.

Considering you’ll most likely have a couple of projects on the go anyway, will help solve the storage problem.

The timing of my order was perfect as my Mother-in-Law was visiting and set me up and running on the basics – starting chain and practicing the single crochet stitch (sc) back and forth. I even managed to change color.

However, she couldn’t stay forever so I had to practice on my own and also find some more help. Thank goodness for the wonderful world wide web. You can pretty much find anything you want especially videos to help you learn many things – crochet, luckily for me, being one of them.

I’m part of a knitting/crochet community on Ravelry and someone suggested the best beginner crochet tutorials she had found with really clear instructions were with help from the Crochet Geek. She really explains the stitches well, has slow motion segments in her videos, so you can really following along, and before you know it I’d made my first crochet hat. Considering I’d only been doing crochet three weeks up to that point, I astounded myself. Give it a try…if I can do it you can too!

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