Who’s at the #ThursdayDoor? (3)

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene
Arbeia Roman Fort (image credit to today’s guest)

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Welcome, everyone.  Who’s at the Door today?  Throughout my blogging career, I’ve been lucky to know people who are generous, talented, and generally wonderful.  Several of my blog friendships go all the way back to the first novel I published, Atonement, Tennessee. One of those people is at the door now.

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Who’s at the door?

This cabinet door is open and out of view, but how could I resist the adorable Winnie?  She belongs to today’s guest.

Please welcome Fraggle.  She “rocks a camera across the universe” but she took time to visit here today.  Fraggle has always been generous in sharing her photos with me.  When I asked her for a few door photos, she provided a huge collection from which I could choose.  There was no way that I could pick just a few.  So put your feet up and join us for a conversation and armchair tour across the universe.

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John’s Café, in Beamish Fraggle 2023

Maybe it’s because I always try to bring the senses, including hearing, into my stories, but I’m fascinated by her day-job.  Please join us as Fraggle and I discuss a few things.

Interview

Teagan:  Most of my readers know you as a terrific photographer.  Although (and I guess it seems ordinary to you), I’m fascinated by what you do for a living.  You work in the audiology field.

Fraggle:  Yes, but I haven’t always been a wax remover.  I started my working life as a nurse, and got to be a Sister in the Operating Theatres, (ORs) which I absolutely loved.  When I moved up North to be with the current Mr. Fraggle, there were no jobs for me in the hospitals here, and I ended up retraining as an audiologist in the private sector, selling hearing aids as a Field Dispenser, i.e. out on the road all day seeing potential and previous clients. 

I didn’t like it much and ended up quite unhappy so jacked it in.  Then an audiologist I knew said come and work for me doing wax removal instead of hearing aids, and sent me off on the training courses.  I’ve been doing it for six years now, and I’ve been very happy, but I’m going to retire in August this year and have some me time being creative!

I couldn’t leave out Fraggle’s other cat, Lord Vincent. Photo credit Fraggle

Teagan:  You describe your job in such entertaining ways, like this (below) from one of your blog posts.

“I think most of you know that I make my living clearing earwax out of the good (and dubious) people of the North East here in Ol’Blighty, and mostly I do, but now and again someone walks in with something stuck in their ear and asks for help. I’ve become quite adept at removing hearing aid domes or filters, earrings, cotton wool tips & earplugs.”

That post went on to describe a traumatic experience for a patient. (See Fraggle’s post here.)  He was lucky to find you.  However, can you tell us about a funnier episode for this post? 

Fraggle:  A funny experience…  I once had a young chap come in and when I examined his ears, I saw he had a rip roaring ear infection so I couldn’t do him. I asked him what had been going on and he told me he had got so desperate to clear his ears, he and a friend duct taped a drinking straw to a Dyson hoover, (vacuum cleaner) and he stuck the straw in his ear whilst his friend started up the hoover!  I had to refer him to his doctor of course, and haven’t seen him since.  It probably isn’t funny but we had a giggle after he left!  Bonkers!

Colliery engine shed in Beamish. Photo credit Fraggle

Teagan:  Ha! Okay… it will take me a minute to stop laughing about that one! 

The photos you post are done in a variety of styles and effects.  Do you have a favorite?  In what kind of setting did you use that effect?

Fraggle:  I’ve been photographing for a good few years, and tried my hand at most techniques and styles.  I’ve used the iPhone and apps that (are supposed to) enhance your photos, and use photoshop for doing arty-farty kind of work which I enjoy but don’t do that much of.  Over the past couple of years I’ve mostly been shooting film, back to the olden days 😊, and that’s now my favourite thing to be doing.

Alnmouth Gun Battery, Fraggle 2022

I love shooting the coast near where I live, and shooting ancient ruins, and historical places, castles, and Stately homes. I like to write about the history too and have the photos to accompany the words. I have several cameras, only two digital, a stalwart Fuji-XT2 and a Fuji X100F that gets little use I’m afraid, and the rest are all old film cameras, plus a few Instant cameras. My favourite is my Contax Aria which is a lovely piece of kit. 

Teagan:  Since this post is for Thursday Doors, could you share a few photos that include favorite doors?

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Doors

Now I hand things over to Fraggle.  She’ll be your guide through the rest of the photos.

My first one is from way back in 1997 before I ‘did’ photography, and had a mad girly week away with my friend Nicki. I saw the little doggy keeping cool in the shade of this green door in El Cotillo when we were looking for somewhere to lunch.

El Cotillo, Fraggle 1997

In Sunderland, a town near me there is a large artwork called The Red House. It depicts the bottom floor of a house that has been ruined and left to the mercy of the elements. It’s carved in red sandstone, and this is the door as you enter.

The Red House, Sunderland. Fraggle 2012

In 2013 Mr. Fraggle and I went to Italy, and visited the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.   It was completed in 1434 and is the most important landmark in Florence, as well as being the fourth largest church in the world.

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence. Fraggle 2013

It had some amazingly ornate doors with spectacular surrounds, but I had a liking for this little unassuming door set into the marble.

Fraggle 2013

South Shields is one of my go-to places for photography.  The River Tyne runs by it, and the Romans built a fort there back in ye olden days, which guarded the main sea route to Hadrian’s Wall. It was a key garrison and military supply base to other forts along the Wall. It is also an UNESCO World Heritage site with the finest full-scale Roman reconstructions in the country showcasing some of the most significant finds from that time. (Also see the photo at the top of this post.)

South Shields, Arbeia Roman Fort. Fraggle 2016

In Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, another go-to place for photos, is the Betty Surtees House. Built in the 16th century it is known as the scene of the elopement of Bessie Surtees (Elizabeth Scott Countess of Eldon, and John Scott, who later became Lord Chancellor. This is the rather wonky door.

Betty Surtees House in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Fraggle 2017

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Teagan:  Thanks, Fraggle, for a wonderful visit.  I can’t resist including one more door photo.  We’ll let Winnie see us out.

Winnie. Photo credit Fraggle

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Thanks for opening this door.  I hope you’ll visit Fraggle’s blog, where she “rocks across the universe.” You’ll learn more about her and see her fabulous photographs.  Hugs!

I should add:  All photographs in this post are the property of Fraggle.  Do not use them without express permission directly from her.

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Obligatory shameless self-promotion

Hullaba Lulu cover by Teagan R. Geneviene

Universal Purchase Links

Kindle:  relinks.me/B08JKP1RS4

Paperback:  relinks.me/B08JDYXPZM

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Thursday Doors is a weekly feature allowing door lovers to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos from around the world. It’s hosted by Dan Antion.  Feel free to join in on the fun by creating your own Thursday Doors post each week and then sharing your link in the comments below, anytime between 12:01 am Thursday morning and Saturday noon (North American eastern time).

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This is a work of fiction.  Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons,

This is a work of fiction.  Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2024 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

All rights reserved.

78 thoughts on “Who’s at the #ThursdayDoor? (3)”

  3. Serendipity, hey! I often visit Fraggle because she lives ‘just up the road’ from my old home on the north east coast. I love the Red House and regularly walked that stretch of coast (it’s in my blog somewhere, and the Roman fort at Arbeia too). Her photos are great and I like her humour, but I didn’t know she was in Audiology. So is my son. Small world! Thanks for featuring her, Teagan.

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  5. Hello Teagan and Fraggle,

    That was a fun interview, ear wax’n’all.

    Fraggle, your doors are terrific.

    Teagan, thank you for having this lovely guest over for a visit!

    PS – Warning! When you put a pic of a cat in a post, they win!!

    hugs to both

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    1. 😸 Naturally they win, Resa. Cats are the keepers of doors both physical and mental. That’s why mine flop down across the doorway every time I try to go from one room to the next! LOL.

      I’m delighted you enjoyed this. Thanks for opening this door. Hugs winging back to you.

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      1. Yes… the doorway. Jeep likes to vomit in the doorway to the bathroom, so when I get up in the middle of the night to go, I step in it.
        After 15 years, you’d think I’d catch on!
        Hugs!

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  8. Teagan and Fraggle – this is a brilliant interview and photography is brilliant. You opened the “doors” to an wonderful collection of doors which invite me to enter. Teagan – excellent questions that deepened the conversation. Fraggle – thank you for what you do for people’s hearings. Looking forward to visiting your space.

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        1. Thank you. :) I’ve always supported indie authors with my posts. However, I decided to feature non-authors as much as possible with this series. That pushes me to get to know my readers on a different level. I’d love to do a duo post with you and Don about the production part of your podcasts, if you’re willing. Just 2 or 3 questions.

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    1. The idea of ears doesn’t bother me, but other bodily things… bleh! Fraggle really has some wonderful photo-adventures, including her “curated” archive posts. They’re actually very informative too. Thanks for opening this door. Hugs.

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  14. Thursdays are such fun because we get to see all the doors! I look forward to this every week. Yours are great, and I especially loved The Red House door. Bravo, Teagan, on another wonderful Thursday Door post!

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  15. Thanks for the introduction to Fraggle, Teagan. You must be in seventh heaven with all the door photos! I especially like the red sandstone one, very evocative. And of course, the cats!

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  16. Thank you for introducing us to Fraggle, Teagan (those of us who didn’t know). This post was fantastic. Great doors, stories, cats and so many things to think about. I popped over to one of the links, but I think I’ll head back over after I get through the doors. The attempt at self-ear cleaning was scary. Now I know why they said (when we were growing up) to never put anything in your ear smaller than your elbow 😉

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    1. That old saying always left me befuddled as a kid, Dan. I remember classmates doggedly trying to figure out how to get their elbows to their ears. LOL. Maybe some of them went on to try the vacuum cleaner! I recommend the “Curated” link at the top of Fraggle’s webpage, for slideshow tours of historical places she’s been. Thanks for opening this door. Hugs.

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    1. Hmmm… Tim you have just given me an idea for a variation on that: famous people with their cats. I did some Facebook posts on that a few year ago, and should still have the photos. Although the actual doors are an obstacle.

      Thanks for opening this door. Hugs.

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  20. Lots of amazing doors! And ones that are made better by cats and a dog 🙂 Neat to read the interview with Fraggle. I had to roll my eyes at the part about her client who attempted to remove ear wax with a vacuum cleaner and a straw. Yikes!

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  23. It was fascinating to read about Fraggle’s life. I’d seen her pictures but didn’t know anything about her. Scary anecdote, but so true! People can do the most amazing things to themselves and others, with the best of intentions. Love the pics. I have visited (in passing) some of her favourite areas, and now I wish I had spent more time there, but, who knows? Thanks, Teagan, for a great Thursdays door+ experience, and thanks to your guest!

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  25. Lovely door pictures. It was nice to read something different for Thursday Doors post. The Dyson hoover incident was kind of scary but I understand that people do all sorts of experiments using their limited intellect. I once decided to play catch-the-ball with my friend, only instead of a ball, it was a huge red brick. He threw it up in the air, I looked up, the sun was right up the zenith so I squinted, and from beyond that white brightness came a huge brick hurling down my head, and wham. It hit my left temple. The next thing I knew my school uniform was red and river of blood flowing down my left cheek. I saw my friend running towards me in shock and then I collapsed. I woke up in my school medical room. First aid was done. My mother came and I went home with her. I was scared of stitches so I never did it. It took 4 months to recover and I still have the scar. The next time you’re looking at my pictures you will notice it. 🙂 now that you know.

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    1. Hi, Sharukh. Horsefeathers! That’s a scary thought. Although, when we’re kids we do things that make sense to us — at least they do at the time. 🙂 I haven’t seen your scar, but my vision really is not good. Thanks for opening this door. Hugs!

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  26. So much to comment on here, Teagan. Great post but I can’t stop thinking about this..

    😂🥹😂

    “he and a friend duct taped a drinking straw to a Dyson hoover, (vacuum cleaner) and he stuck the straw in his ear whilst his friend started up the hoover! “

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