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  #Spotted on Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand A man (80s?) with a prodigious bushy moustache takes a bite from a cream donut and SQUISH. Cream covering his moustache and squootling up his nostrils. His wife howling with laughter. A tiny human (2?) is crouched next to a culvert, peering inside and pointing. Asking Mum: "What's IN there?" Mum says: "Probably some bugs." Tiny Human Culvert Scientist looks offended at the lack of rigorous evidence to ba...

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  #Spotted at the Ngatimoti Festival in Aotearoa New Zealand A small human (5?) with curly red hair, wearing a pink gingham dress, glares with absolute outrage at bucket full of peonies. Pointing with UTMOST accusation, she roars: "LOOK AT THOSE SILLY FLOWERS!" She does not truck with floral frippery. A small human (3?) is crouched over a patch of grass, searching most intently. Holding a velvet marble pouch in one hand while saying with absolute gravity: "I&#3...

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  #Spotted at the Ngatimoti Festival in Aotearoa New Zealand: A burly parking attendant (30s?) is holding a small dog in the crook of his arm (terrier cross parking inspector?) while directing cars towards a grassy field. Small Dog is giving a gruff "woof" of approval to the cars that pass muster. Two young humans (7 & 8?) are having a fierce debate about the width, breadth and length of their dad's mullets. Youngest Human is arguing that his dad's is SO...

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  #Spotted in the Countryside in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (60s?) with long curly silver hair is cycling a sunny yellow bike through gently rolling countryside. A tiny dog sitting in the straw basket at the front. Doggy nose upturned to catch all the blissful smells as they pass. Friends on a grand adventure. A woman (40s?) wearing a sparkly pink cowboy hat is rolling her wheelchair past a small library. Whitney Houston playing from a speaker in her lap. Laughing and crooning: "I wi...

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  Honestly, if there was any day to release a book, the day Patrick Stewart passed away would not be it. We're having a bit of a tough one today so no #spotted post, lovely people. Huge thanks for your wonderful support and orders. You're so appreciated🌸🪻🌻 -- Both Tony and I absolutely looked up to Patrick Stewart as young humans, so we're devoting the evening to watching some old episodes of Next Gen and having a bit of the kind of dodgy comfort food that's se...

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  Hello lovely people, our second Tiny Moments book "More Tiny Moments of Joy: Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand" is officially out today. Perfect for all Christmas gifting and all those moments when you need a stop and a smile. https://www.swashbucklerpress.com/tiny-moments-of-joy The direct buy link is above* but you'll also find the big retail store ebook links there too. You can also buy the paperback on Amazon or your favourite indie bookstore. Als...

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  #Spotted on Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand Two young humans (10?) are industriously draping a fence with neon green fake cobwebs. Having MANY detailed discussions about the type of spider that would be living in their garden and how it could hypothetically eat any trick or treaters dropping by that evening. A VERY BIG dog (Mastiff cross bull elephant?) feels that his nose DEFINITELY must be buried against his very serious human's plums. Very Serious Human trying to have a very s...

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  #Spotted at the Ngatimoti Festival in Aotearoa New Zealand Two women (50s &60s?) are lounging on Adirondack chairs overlooking the festival. Plates piled high with bake sale treats. A jar of garden-picked flowers on their gingham-draped table. Big rolling hills and mountains in the distance. A small human (3?) is gesturing with a dictatorial pointing stick as he directs a large number of other small humans as they dig in a sand pit. Dictatorial Small Human cares not for this digging bu...

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  #Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A man wearing a full wetsuit, a bum bag*, a life vest and trainers, carrying a big bunch of parsley with a six pack of beer under his arm, is cheerfully striding down a sunny street. Chatting animatedly to a bubbly friend wearing a death metal T-shirt, an orange skirt and pink Crocs. A woman (80s?) is sitting on some steps in front of a veterinarian's. Hugging and softly singing to an elderly brindle staffy. This is love. Two young humans (7...

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  #Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: In an art gallery, a school group (8?) is engaged in gloriously controlled mayhem. Exploring the artwork while: laying on their backs, while doing handstands, while wrestling with each other... Teacher chill and answering ALL the questions. A tiny human (2?) wearing a bright orange bike helmet, a dinosaur T-shirt and riding a tricycle is zooming SO FAST through a park. Roaring with epic aplomb at the ducks who do not seem to be bothered by these...

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  #Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand A stern woman wearing a floral dress, pearls (80s?) is ordering a pot of tea in a cafe. But what is this?! A laugh? Ah. She's spotted the sprinkle cookies at the counter.* There's always room for a bit of fun. A barefoot man (50s?) wearing a singlet and work shorts is humming a cheerful tune to himself as he fills up a bird feeder. A big flowering magnolia overhead. Birdsong in the air. A tiny human (2?) and Dad are inspecting some digger...

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  #Spotted while roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A tiny human (1?) in a stripy red and white onesie is huffing, chuffing and puffing like a little steam train as she crawls in a straight line across a cafe floor towards a toy basket. On a MIGHTY MISSION. Mum cruising along behind, keeping pace. A small human (4?) in a Hulk jumper is hugging Mum with a monkey grip. Head on Mum's shoulder. Eyes half closed. Small Hulk might be very strong but he likes hugs too. Mum nuzzling the top of his hea...

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  Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand A small human (3?) and Dad are standing in the middle of a quiet road at the top of a very steep hill. Both armed with Matchbox cars. Both grinning as they set them on the ground, count: "ONE. TWO. THREE!" and let them go! Running after them laughing. Whose car will win?! Two teens (13?) are rocking out with some epic air guitar at a bus stop next to traffic lights. One's going for the on-the-knees solo. The other's going for all...

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  #Spotted in Country Aotearoa New Zealand. In a boho country town, a barefoot woman, wearing a floaty blue and white dress, is carrying a small brown puppy down the street. Calling out to friend: "First visit to the vet! She was a champ!" Champ Puppy accepts all congratulations pats as her due. Two teens (15?) are sitting cross legged in front of a picket fence. Talking as they wield paint brushes paint the fence dark grey. A fluffy white cat sitting nearby, supervising with half-cl...

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  #Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A couple (80s?) are sitting across from each other, sharing a big slice of chocolate cake. Sipping tea. Having an entire conversation through raised eyebrows, half smiles, widened eyes and head nods. Absolute comfort. Two tiny fluffy dogs (Scottish Terriers cross Chaos Beasts?) are pulling a small human (3?) all over an empty park. Small Human is roaring for them to "BEHAVE" while Chaos Dogs are weaving here... sniffing there... Gran...

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  #Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand A small human (5?) is studiously helping people fill up their water bottles at an old fashioned water fountain in a city square. Officiously asking people to line up politely so he can "be VERY QUICK." People complying while hiding smiles. Two dust and mud covered men (40s?) are rolling down off a mountain biking track and into the city. One calls to the other: "Beers after this?" The other replies: "No beers t'night m...

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  #Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A man (30s?) is snoozing on his back on some grass in a park. A fast asleep tiny human (1?) sprawled across his tummy. Both soaking up the spring sunshine as a tūī calls from a tree branch overhead. A man (60s?) has just ordered a serve of ginger crunch and another of caramel slice. His partner laughs, asking: "They BOTH for you?!" He shrugs and says: "Yeah. Life's short, couldn't decide."* A young human (7?) and a bo...

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  Hey lovely people. Tomorrow I'm going to be running an online Social Media for Creatives workshop that's focussed on keeping safe, sane and even having fun on social media. October 6, 9am NZT. Pay What You Can Video Available on demand for 2 weeks after. https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/social-media-for-creatives-tickets-1997303395221 #art #writing #music #film

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  #Spotted on a Rainy Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (5?) is holding an umbrella up as HIGH as he can to shelter Nan from a light rain shower. Expression solemn. This job is serious business. Nan crouching down a little to fit underneath, wearing a softly amused smile. A woman (60s?) is having a VERY serious conversation with her partner. Expression stern, voice sharp. But what is this? Her partner sneaking a piece of bacon of her plate while she's talking? And then anothe...

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  If anyone would like to attend an online workshop about micro journaling to find positive moments in your day, I'm doing one. October 3rd 9am NZT. Pay-What-You-Can/Koha Available for 2 weeks for all ticket holders if you can't make it on the day.😊🪻🌸 https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/finding-tiny-moments-of-joy-in-everyday-life-tickets-1997294084372 #writing #writingcommunity #mentalhealth

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  I'm going to be talking to the wonderful poet Teoti Jardine. This coming Friday 2nd October, 10am Pay-What-You-Can. Video On Demand for two weeks of you can't make the time. (There might be some explicit words/content but it will be amazing content.) https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/the-weight-we-carry-teoti-jardine-in-conversation-tickets-1993309351930 #poetry #newzealand

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  #Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A very small indignant dog (Chihuahua cross incident report?) is MOST offended that her human has had the TEMERITY to eat the last of a biscuit without sharing it with her. Shaking in moral outrage with a tail slightly wagging just in case a course correct is required and more biscuit is available. A teen (13?) and Nan are sharing a pottle of hot chips while waiting for the bus. Heads resting together. Solving the world's problems one bite at...

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  #Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: Two small humans (5 & 7?) are skipping either side of Dad down the street. Holding his hands. Their school bags bobbing up and down on their backs as they excitedly tell him about ALL the things they did at school today. A woman (20s?) wearing colourful clothes, is sitting on her pushbike waiting for the light to turn green. Smiling to herself as she does a little dance to the music in her earbuds. A small moment of happiness before she r...

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  #Spotted in a Cafe in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (50s?) is packing a bright red suitcase into the back of her car. She crouches down, patting a silky terrier on the head, saying: "Alright m'darling. Are you ready to come for a drive?" Silky terrier gives her a tail wag and is picked up for a smooch as he's put into the car. A red cloud kelpie puppy is sitting on his human's lap at an outdoor cafe table. Eyes sharply focussed on his human's pen as she does a cross...

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  Hello lovely people. I'm running an online 3 hr crash course in indie publishing in October that'll give you all the info you'll need to get a book out there. Pay-what-you-can. Oct 7th. Ticket holders can access the video for 2 weeks after if you can't make the time. This recently sold out here at Beautiful Words Festival. The pay-what-you-can is because we want it to be as accessible as possible🪻🌹 https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/a-crash-course-in-independent-publishing-ticke...

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  Hey lovely people. Every now and then you'll come across me mentioning a public piano in one of my #Spotted posts, often the one at my favourite fruit and vege shop. Well, here's that piano being played beautifully recently. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BK4RnHroF/ (I know it's a FB link but it's worth it.)

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  Hey lovely people. My beautiful friend Emma and I are running an online workshop about friendship and networking. It promises to be a wonderful time. The whole focus is building sustainable creative communities that see us through this rollercoaster thing called life. 4th October, 9am NZT, Pay-what-you-can. (Available for 2 weeks for people who can't attend on the day.) https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/friendship-networking-for-creatives-tickets-1997295430398 #creative #writing #writin...

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  #Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (5?) is MOST DISGRUNTLED with his pushbike. Hands on hips, glaring and stomping as he lectures its prone form. Pushbike appears completely unrepentant but Small Human is determined to keep lecturing until it gets the idea! A woman (80s?) with sequinned purple trousers, a tuxedo jacket and a black lacquered walking stick is striding down the street. Posture immaculate. Style personified. Later seen in a bar window, sipping a classic...

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  #Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: Two black swans are coasting along on an inlet as the tide comes in. Four little grey cygnets bobbing on ripples behind them. Fluffy blue clouds overhead in a vast blue sky. Snow on the mountains beyond. A woman (20s?) is holding the door of a cosy local cafe open for five women (70s-80s?) who are all wearing colourful clothes and jewellery. Thanking her before heading to their regular table. Chattering like a small flock of raucous birds of...

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  #Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A group of five women (late teens?) in jeans & t-shirts and sundresses are all standing on a footbridge over a meandering river. Laughter ringing over the water as they watch it flow to sea. The sweet smell of camelias in the air. A tiny new human has decided that she is MOST unhappy. Dad's trying with the back pats, the gentle bouncing, the rocking back and forward but NOPE. Bleating like a little lamb as Granny collects her for a snu...