March 11, 2026
Pink, floral teacup resting on a saucer with a gold-colored spoon on the saucer. TEXT: Tea Review - When You Need a Wakeup: Taylors of Harrogate Scottish Breakfast Tea review - Rita Mock-Pike
Published by Rita Mock-Pike at March 11, 2026
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When You Need a Wakeup: Taylors of Harrogate Scottish Breakfast Tea Review

Taylors of Harrogate Scottish Breakfast tea is a solid, plain roast black tea with loads of caffeine to get the engines firing. No need for fruity tones or other flavor hints. This tea is meant to wake you up and give you a solid base for your day — and the tea does exactly that.
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February 25, 2026
A black-and-white photograph shows a large domed government building with ornate stone architecture dominating the background. In the foreground, a city bus passes across the frame, slightly blurred to convey motion and everyday urban life. The contrast between the historic structure and modern traffic creates a sense of movement through time. Calcutta TEXT: Kipling Said to Stay Away – But Can I; Literary Travel Series; Melanie Corbett
Published by Melanie Corbett at February 25, 2026
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Kipling Said to Stay Away — But Can I?

As I look forward to this trip, I caution myself that Kolkata may be in many ways similar to Delhi, with the same grime, dirt, and chaos of any large, old city. But, I also hope that it will be more relaxed…
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January 11, 2026
Steaming coffee in a warm, inviting brown mug resting on a colorful red, brown, black, and cream tablerunner on a dark wood table. A creamer pitcher of the same warm brown glaze is in the background, along with a blurry window with greenery present. TEXT: Coffee Ritual - Blog Series: Positivity Corner - Poetry - Rachel Turney
Published by The MockingOwls and Rachel Turney at January 11, 2026
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Coffee Ritual 

Always the same large cups, mine from Fretboard and his from Trailhead. Always the same dance of the mugs, clinking the ceramic, the scalding first sip. The coffee is a ritual of purpose, of togetherness. Of starting a day, and taking on a responsibility for myself and another person. Something I chose and continue to choose.
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January 10, 2026
A square image featuring a dynamic, action-oriented, and winter sports vibe, dominated by shades of blue and white. The background is a graphic design with light blue snow-covered mountain peaks and diagonal lines. Three separate vertical photographs of skiers are overlaid on the background: one in a blue jacket skiing left, one in a red jacket skiing down the center, and one in blue and red skiing to the right. The overall mood is energetic and adventurous. A large, dark blue owl logo is in the lower right corner. ski Text: Ready Set Ski, Writing Memories, Penny Nolte
Published by Penny Nolte at January 10, 2026
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Ready, Set, Ski!

Well before dawn on Sunday, there was a call coming up the stairs, growing closer and louder, “Who’s a skier?” Then a not too gentle knock on the door — BAM BAM BAM. And another call, retreating down the stairs, “The car is leaving in 15 minutes…”
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December 11, 2025
A warm, nostalgic, and festive image, suggesting a holiday or Christmastime theme. The main subject is a thick slice of a classic fruitcake, or perhaps a Stollen, resting on a light wooden cutting board. The cake is dusted heavily with powdered sugar, and its cross-section reveals dried fruits, nuts, and a light-colored dough. The background is softly blurred with warm, glowing lights and a dark red, star-shaped ornament, emphasizing the holiday setting. To the right, there is a circular, black-and-white portrait of an older woman, presumably Sara Etgen-Baker, smiling in a kitchen setting. The MockingOwl Roost logo is also present next to the portrait. The text is white and dark brown. fruitcake -Text: It's Fruitcake Weather / Sara Etgen-Baker
Published by Sara Etgen-Baker at December 11, 2025
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It’s Fruitcake Weather

Holiday traditions create feelings of nostalgia in all of us, young and old. Twinkling lights on a Christmas tree, the smell of baked goods floating through the air, and freshly-fallen powdery snow — all evoke the warm feeling of tradition, family, and love during the holiday season.
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November 18, 2025
running shoes and race medal in the grass - race you to the finish, virtual races
Published by Dana Reeves at November 18, 2025
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Race You to the Finish: A Look at Virtual Races

And then, just when everything seemed to be going right in my running world, the bottom somehow imploded on itself. Hello, 2020. Suddenly races and plans and vacations already mapped out came to a screeching halt, along with the part of my life that brought me so much joy. 
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October 2, 2025
Yellow and red tea pot on yellow background with clear tea cup and tin of Bos rooibos tea
Published by Rita Mock-Pike at October 2, 2025
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Bos Rooibos Tea Review: Like Going Home – Or An Ode to South Africa

When I lifted the lid from the tin, my nostrils instinctively went to the edge and breathed in a sweet, earthy waft. The sachets are sealed into foil packs, but the lingering aroma from their packaging is still there and my heart sang. This is Rooibos, I thought, a smile parting my lips.
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September 30, 2025
Desk against a plain white wall. A lovely green leafy plant rests beside a laptop. TEXT: Fitness for Creatives - Boost Your Fitness: The Creatives' Guide to Effective Desk Exercises - Nereesha Patel
Published by Nereesha Patel at September 30, 2025
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Boost Your Fitness: The Creatives’ Guide to Effective Desk Exercises

As a creative, you’re probably quite familiar with these ailments. Fortunately, there are exercises you can try to relieve tension, boost your fitness levels, and keep you revitalised — all from the comfort of your desk!
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September 15, 2025
Chopped image of a home at the end of a cul-de-sac - TEXT: Cul-de-Sac Summer Camp, Writing Memories: Creative Nonfiction - Andrea Vasile
Published by Andrea Vasile at September 15, 2025
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Cul-de-Sac Summer Camp

Our camp was boy heavy. The leader was Tony. We would follow him anywhere. He knew all the cool things to do, like leaning on trees with one foot and tossing rocks at fences. There was Luc, a tiny, quirky guy who would engineer all our imaginings into reality.
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