I never belonged to the buttons and bows fraternity, sitting pretty and spilling with frills.

Climbing trees, scraping knees
walking on walls despite the falls.
I had no fear and played dare devil games
with not a grumble, gripe or whane.
Helped build go-carts, bonfires and boats
bonding with the boys, I was part of the gang.

These days I am part of another gang of guys and one of them sent me an email this morning. It told a painful story of a man, a lawnmower and an electric fence…..

Suddenly the years peeled back…..

I don’t think I ever told you guys about the time a seven year old me tried to switch on a bedside table lamp with a wonky switch. From an early age I was keen to use my initiative. On that day initiative was a screwdriver. A loud thud brought the adults running and I believe they found me on the floor at the other side of the room. Now you know why I turned out like I am today!

Over the following days my list of nicknames grew ever longer:

Sparky
Flying spark
Curly tops
Freckle face
Mags
Nag
Drip dry
Skinny malinks melodeon legs.
Irish Girl
Grannymar

Goodness knows what I was called behind my back….

Mammy often intoned the nursery rhyme:

Sticks and stones
Will break my bones
But names will never hurt me.

Now I wonder what they call Pauliewallie?  Ahem! I mean Paul at Blackwatertown, he is the person responsible for our topic today: Nicknames. Once you have caught up with him, take a wander through the following list and see what hidden titles the other LBC members answer to: Anu, Delirious, Maxi, Maria/Gaelikaa, Maria SilverFox, OCD writer, Padmum, Paul, Ramana, Shackman speaks, The Old Fossil, Will Knott..