Pillow Pillar Portals

 

Dear Listener,

Welcome to episode 60! This story takes a playful turn as we meet the new kid at school who, at first, seems a bit odd—but things are about to get a whole lot stranger. As you drift off tonight, I hope this tale whisks you away to another world. And who knows, perhaps by morning, you'll feel an irresistible urge to build a den under your desk.

This episode is accompanied by a beautiful soundtrack from Jay Kishor’s album Stories from my Grandfather’s Village, which you can find on Magnatune.

As always, you can download the episode directly here. Don't forget, Borders of Sleep is available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, though sadly, not on YouTube or Spotify.

This episode grew from a mix of playful word games and musings on childhood memories. After a scrappy summer filled with fatigue, jobbing contract work, and the weight of the world’s events, it’s been a relief to rediscover some creative momentum. In all of this, a wise inner voice has been reminding me that the way forward has a lot to do with one simple thing: playfulness.

If you'd like (and are able) to give me a hand up with a donation, please take a peek at my Support and Donations page. 

I hope you enjoy the story and that it brings a little lightness to your world.

Until next time, thank you for listening, and wishing you sweet dreams,  

Seymour

The Cicada Laundrette

 

 Dear Listener,

Night time is the time to visit the Cicada Laundrette and meet all kinds of critter characters. Are you ready to enter the twilight world of washing machines and soap suds under the watchful eye of Mr. Aardvark.

I hope that you enjoy this not-very-serious episode. I hope it proves to you that even someplace as commonplace as a laundrette can be rather magical and exciting. I dedicate it to all who are overwhelmed with washing, to all the tireless employees who keep their places open, and all the night owls who haunt their local washery when it's the only time they can do their laundry.

Full disclosure: if you are wondering where I got a picture of an aardvark in a launderette from, I got some help from DALL-E on this occasion.

You may download the MP3 directly here. Don't forget to swing by the Facebook page for a chat or drop me a line if you feel like getting in touch.

Thank you for listening!

Sweet dreams,

Seymour

The Copse

Dear listener,

I'm back at last with Episode 56, The Copse, after another long wait. It's been a sideways kind of year for me but I have kept writing when I could. 

This story is for you if you have ever taken a rock home from a walk or a pinecone or a feather, or gathered a collection of keepsakes from the wilderness. It's also for you if your body limits you from doing the things you imagine. Take flight with the girl, Rowena, and her little friend, the blackcap. I hope you will find this a soothing tale.

Here's a direct download link but remember you can subscribe to Borders of Sleep with your favourite podcast app and even find it on Audible.

The soundtrack on this episode is from Laura Inserra: Musical Incense - volume one, available from Magnatune.

I hope to bring you a special festive December tale later this month too, so stay tuned.

Sweet dreams,

Seymour

The Cadillac in the Pond

 

Dear Listener,

I'm delighted to bring you Episode 55 - at last and thank goodness! With my apologies for another enormous gap since the last episode.

This one began as a short piece of whimsy but soon took on a life of its own, as they often do. I hope you find it entertaining and, most of all, soothing.

Part of the lateness of this episode has been due to me making some life changes recently so that I can give more regular dedicated time to writing and creating these stories for you. There were quite a few ducks to get lined up, and not a few challenges on the way. Nevertheless, I hope it means that I will be able to drop fresh material with greater frequency in the coming years and grow the creative projects surrounding the podcast in a more sustainable way.

Here is a direct download link for those who prefer that approach.

The soundtrack in this episode is by Juan Sanchez, available from Magnatune.

If you are enjoying the podcast and have not already done so, please consider joining my email list or following Borders of Sleep on Facebook. You can find out how to support me to keep writing on my Support and Donations page.

Thanks for coming along on this audio journey, and I hope we can travel together again at the borders of sleep soon.

Until then, sweet dreams!

Seymour

The Boat Going Home

Dear Listener, 

I've been having vivid dreams again this year, and here's another story that came from a dream. In it you will meet a special friend that I was privileged to have for a while, as well as accompanying me on a strange and wonderful journey along with another friend, somewhat mysterious. 

I hope this is a comforting tale to fall asleep to; the dream was certainly comforting for me.

As always, I am flushed with gratitude to all the wonderful listeners who keep an ear out for me and who have kept encouraging me too. All your comments and reviews are so appreciated and I have made some good friends around the world from those who have got in touch with me. 

Here's a direct link to the MP3, and of course you'll be able to get the podcast on your favourite podcatcher as well as on Audible and Apple.

The soundtrack is by Cari Live, from the album Rising Above.

I hope it will not be long before we take another trip together. Until then ... sweet dreams!

Seymour

The Guestbook

Dear Listener,

My hope is that that this story affords you a little breathing space on a troubled planet, and perhaps a pleasant pathway into sleep. The inspiration for it has come from the inexorable emergence of springtime here in the Northern Hemisphere put alongside a real place I visited in Devonshire many years ago and first saw the forlornly neglected guestbook

I want to thank Soledad Fernandez-Whitechurch for her lovely illustration for this episode. Look out for more of her work here in the coming months. Thank you also if you have written to me or left encouraging reviews or comments since the last episode. Life does not always afford me the bandwidth to create new stories but I am so grateful for the many loyal and patient listeners.

So, if you'd like a direct link to download the mp3, here it is. The soundtrack to this episode is from The Bright Knowledge by Diana Rowan.

Until next time, have a wonderful spring and sweet dreams,

Seymour

The Spudfellow

Dear Listeners,

If you have never known the simple delights of harvesting potatoes, then I thoroughly commend it to you. Who knows ... you might find some treasure, or even a Spudfellow, and it could change your life!

This may be the longest Episode yet, at 45 minutes, but I hope you enjoy it. Here is your direct download link.

AND, look! We have wonderful new artwork created by a brilliant artist and devoted listener based in Austin, Texas: Soledad Fernandez-Whitechurch. Please take a look at her Instagram or check out her website: Soledad Fernandez-Whitechurch Murals and Fine Art.

The soundtrack in this episode is by Healing Muses, from their album Reflections on Magnatune.

Until next time, sweet dreams,

Seymour

Monday Mechanical Club

Dear Listeners,

Here is Episode 49 for your listening pleasure: a story about a stenography machine. I had a lot of fun writing it, and the characters have since become good imaginary friends. I hope you like them too.

It's been a long wait, for which I apologise. The story flowed very easily at the composing stage but there seems to have been a mountain to climb to record it.

Here's your download link if you want the direct MP3. 

The background music is from Chad Lawson's Song of Prayer album on magnatune.com

May your sleeping be sweet and your waking be fresh,

Seymour

To Catch a Skerrid

 

Dear Listeners, 

Here's Episode 48 for you: a little light mood for the springtime of the year! 

Magic runs in the family, so when cousin Rupert comes to spend the summer with Damson and her mother, there are magic tricks, a little transdimensional tomfoolery, and, of course, poetic justice. 

I hope you enjoy listening. Here's a link to directly download the MP3. Don't forget you can use any podcatcher app too. 

If you'd like to listen more closely to the soundtrack underneath, it's well worth it: listen to Undefended Heart by Hans Christian on Magnatune. Have a wonderful April! 

Seymour

The Frog and Banjo

 

 Dear Listeners, 

I'm delighted to bring you the tale of The Frog and Banjo, inspired by an imaginary pub sign and with almost no basis whatsoever in the waking world although some of the characters may be as courageous and others as unkind as some people you have met. 

Here's your direct download link, and if you like the sound of that music in the background it's by Jami Sieber on Magnatune. 

If you're enjoying the podcast, feel free to jump in and say hi over on facebook, drop me an email or leave a comment here. Listeners have asked about how they can give to support me in this endeavour and the best way to do that is to buy me a coffee until I get something else sorted out ... 

But most important of all, enjoy the story and take care of your dreaming selves! 

With much love and gratitude,

Seymour

Sketching and Painting

Dear Listeners,

I hope you enjoy Episode 46. I hope it makes you want to go wild and create art.

I've been so uplifted to hear from so many listeners who are enjoying the stories in spite of my fragmented publishing schedule. I am trying to get more of a flow going with new material and make good on my promise to keep the stories coming. Thank you all for listening and thank you to all those who got in touch and have supported me with kind words, encouragement, coffees, comments.

Here's your direct link if that's how you like to get the show, and you'll find us on all the podcast platforms although I am not always able to reply to comments on some of them. Come and say 'Hi' on Facebook too.

The soundtrack for this episode is by Hans Christian from his album Undefended Heart on magnatune.com

Thank you for listening and may your dreams be sweet!

Seymour

Chippie and Angus

Dear listeners,

Episode 43 for your listening ...

And here's the direct link to the audio file.

I don't want to give too much away. It's a story about a quiet girl, who nobody thinks a great deal of, apart from one chap who finds an excuse to spend as much time with her as he can.

My heartfelt thanks for all the support and encouragement I keep getting to make this podcast. With so many of us facing frightening times and unexpected levels of isolation at the moment, I think it's a particular privilege to be able to keep going and to be part of an invisible community that is so positive.

If you'd like to come and lurk or join the conversation on the Facebook page, it would be lovely to see you there. Likewise, drop me a message or email me and I will always reply (eventually).

The soundtrack for this episode is by Dmitri Krasnoukhov, available from Magnatune, here.

Stay safe and dream sweetly,

Seymour