Just over year ago I felt inspired to start this blog and instagram account (@abrightblueballoon). I had just started illustrating the children’s book I wrote about a bright blue balloon (entitled A Wonderful Thing to Win).

I have always loved to write and its been a part of my journey for quite some time. Additionally I have always loved art and being creative, this unfortunately was put on the shelf for a while. It was something I ironically never had time for.

My children have provided me with a world of creativity and joy which has lead to a rediscovery. An opportunity to clear the dust and explore. This is a place to share and be creative. It’s not easy to allocate time to this space with little ones but I am grateful when I do manage to make time.

Brightblueballoon.com is place to share stories, poems, drawings, photos and books we love. So far I love seeing where the bright blue balloon will float to next, what will we discover and where will it be?

This is a poem inspired by the bright blue balloon journey and the pages we turn.

Hold on tight to the string

Tie a loop in the string,

hold on tight

To the blue balloon, so bright

Float up, up ,up

And begin…

Soar through journeys told,

And yet to be discovered,

Journeys far or just a step in the cupboard,

Journeys with an important date – not to be late,

Journeys to woods of enchantment or caves of wonders

Look below

Remember the things you know

Look up

Soar high

Roam the sky

Question why

Learn the reasons

Enter worlds of imagination

Epic wonders,

Unique creations

Hold on tight to

The loop on the string

Absorb everything

Take a moment,

Take many

Pause and reflect

Before you float down, down, down

Reach the last page,

With the looming full stop

Breath

It’s complete

You are still you but more

Different to before

The words stay with you

They are now a part of your existence

Let them inspire

Let them be free

Until the next journey begins,

With the turn of a page

And once more you float up, up ,up

.

.

.

Happy page turning x

©️ Lisa Moralee McLardy

I came across a penny

And I knew it crossed your palm.

How long before?

I cannot be sure

All I know is it will lead me to you.

I followed the clouds to the well-made-for-wishing

I heard many stories along the way,

Little tips on know-how

And to cherish life’s chimes

I told my own story so far,

All the while holding the penny-

The focus at hand

The well-made-for-wishing appeared suddenly

Just as quickly I made a wish let it part from my palm

As it journeyed into the well I closed my eyes and thought of you.

It was here my fairy tale turned its page.

As moments later you appeared,

Frantically searching for your penny,

(The one that fell from your pocket)

(The one you saved for a single wish

Of love pure and true)

I came across a penny

And I knew it crossed your palm.

How long before?

I cannot be sure

All I know has lead me to you

We bid farewell to the well-made-for-wishing

And follow the clouds palm to palm.

Turning the pages of our fairy tale

©️ Lisa Moralee McLardy