New Year

Happy New Year! I most certainly hope this year is better than the last. I plan on living a healthy lifestyle, remaining well and happy. I am looking forward to a productive 2015 with lots of writing, reading and fun.

I am thoroughly enjoying Caleb's Crossing with a back story of racial misunderstandings, acceptance of tragedy, the role of women in the 1660's and the deep desire for education. Geraldine Brooks seems to have an understanding of language and minute detail that escapes many other writers. Her descriptions of the mundane along with the horrific roll through the plot rising up at unexpected times.

My kindle is running red hot with Touching the World
as I follow Cathy and Bernard's story of riding a motorcycle around the world. Having reached Peru and coming to the realisation their adventure is almost at an end I am very keen to finish this book. The knowledge gleaned from Google that Cathy died just a few years after returning from this adventure made me very sad as I had intended to contact her. Vision impairment and blindness give many a connection. We undertake adventures which others would never contemplate and seek out ways to experience the world differently.

Paddington Bear is a wonderful movie! Cherie and I laughed our way through it enjoying the antics of Paddington as much as the little girl at the front who imitated the bear whenever she could. Jay was not impressed, he slept in the cool and never moved, probably a testament to wonderful air conditioning.

New Year

Christmas has been and gone, the New Year is only 3 days away, we all need to make some plans for a happy and healthy new year. I am dreaming of a year where visits to the Doctor are few and far between, work is interesting and useful and I can once again have dreams which can be fulfilled.

I finished reading Whitethorn Woods a few days ago, the book ended very suddenly with a suggestion to road would go around the woods and grotto, it was almost a book of description, people's lives and mistakes, I never really found any meaning to it.

I have now begun reading Calebs Crossing on my VRS, a little difficult to follow when listening just once a day but nevertheless looks to be as good as People of the Book.

I have only listened to a couple of hours so far so have not even managed to link the themes and story although I gather it is based in 1662 around a young pioneer girl who befriends a native American and follows him to Cambridge as he studies at Harvard. A crossing of cultures and the desire of women for an education are two themes which have already presented themselves. I wait in anticipation for the story to deepen and become full and rich.

I am still reading Touching the World on my kindle. Last night I looked up the author on google only to be disappointed and upset to discover that six weeks after the trip she was diagnosed with breast cancer and died within two years of this wonderful trip. Very sad.

Christmas Eve

Christmas is time when people are meant to be happy, enjoy being with family and receive presents given with love and care. A phone call and subsequent texts yesterday shattered all that for me. My son's wife rang very indignant that I had sent her son a Christmas card in which I said I had donated money to a charity in his name. Subsequent texts shattered my day, she was vicious!! Ce la vie - that is life.

I am still reading Whitethorn Woods on my VRS, I must be nearing the end yet it seems to be filled with introducing characters at every turn. I hope it does draw to a conclusion soon, I have listened to it for many hours in the middle of the night. An increase in my tablets has made me even sleepier, I hope I can tolerate them if this proves to be the dose needed to stop the migraines. Even though they knock me out I still seem to wake up and need the soothing voice of a book to put me back to sleep.

Several new books have been recommended to me lately, all kindle books. 
  
This book looks to be the sort of thing which will make me read and reflect on my own life. I like this kind of book which lets the reader into a very private part of someone's life and allows them to transplant it into their own thinking.

This book was recommended to me by Amazon.com and looks to be interesting as well as exploring a part of the world I would like to visit. Holiday time is when we grow and explore new genres of reading. I will enjoy this, plus the fact I do not really need to worry about work until the 30th of January, yippee!! 

Such sadness

As New Zealanders we mourn with our close neighbours, Australia, as they come to terms with the loss of two brave people who died in the siege. To know that a mother of 3 young children - 8, 6 and 3 died protecting her pregnant friend is more devastating than we can begin to understand. The young manager who tried to wrestle the gun from the man holding them will always be remembered as a hero, but what loss to his partner, family and friends.
More grief for Australia who have lost so many people to the prejudices of others this year. We all mourn with you.

Last night I began this book.
 
Although I only listened to the first chapter it is much better than I had anticipated. Not normally a reader of novels churned out by a woman in large numbers, this adventure based around a new highway, St Ann's well and a priest looks promising.

I have not progressed anything I am reading on my kindle due to ongoing eye and headache issues, hopefully I can return to it soon. At present TV has taken precedence. Anzac Girls which was on last night is an amazing drama based around nursing sisters at Gallipoli, a real eye opener. 

I am worried about my retired guide dog, Chocolat. She seems to have aged dramatically in the last few weeks, I hope she gets her zing and energy back soon. 

Holiday

Holidays have arrived! I now have over 6 weeks to enjoy the non-arrival of our summer, good books, music and my garden. I am still trying to unwind and the plethora of things I have had to do since Friday have made my life a little stressed. Lunch out again today, coffee tomorrow and then hopefully it should all be over.

I heard a radio interview last Saturday with the author of this book.

The author has explored the world where girls are unwanted, uneducated and lost. Many of these girls are being disguised as boys to ensure they receive some education and can live as normal a life as possible. While I have not started the book yet I think it will prove to be a very interesting read.

My memoir writers group has now expanded to include some other Facebook sites that they have recommended. These include Writers Write and For Reading Addicts. I will follow them for a while and see if they provide me with entertainment and knowledge.

Lunches

Suicide leaves an impact for life. It is 17 years since my son died and the 10th of December is always a difficult day for me. It was soothed yesterday by a long lunch with a friend who had no idea until she hugged me goodbye that it had been such a difficult time for me and how much her kindness had helped me. Admonitions to forget the day, the time, the pain do no good and usually come from people who have little idea of the anguish this act brings. So thank you Lyn for your kindness and love.

I have finally moved on with my reading.
  
This memoir by Lloyd Jones was sparked by the destruction in Christchurch, a city which came tumbling down, and as he began to investigate his own world it crumbled around him. He uses such evocative language that one can see what he is talking about from both the real to the imagined.

  
I began reading this on my kindle yesterday, the story of a blind woman and her partner who motorcycle around the world. A truly fascinating read and one which will hopefully put paid to the idea that the blind cannot travel or achieve adventures such as this.

Still the Same

This last week has been one of waiting and continued migraines. The MRI scan was clear so now the race is on to find a level of drug which will knock the migraines out and allow me to continue with a normal life. I am not giving in to them any more, I just carry on with whatever I am doing and hope I will be ok.

Reading has been put aside as I search for a cure. I have managed to finish a big book on my VRS, it was fascinating. 


I have seldom read such a big historical book but I found the twists and turns of the Medici family and descriptions of places I have visited in Florence have added to my knowledge of this lovely city. I had no idea the Medici were such scoundrels, murdered so many people and influenced history all over Europe. A really worthwhile read.

I have also managed to finish on my kindle


This book allowed me to stop and start as my headaches waned, I was able to pick it up where I had left off with little trouble. I am not sure it was a very exciting memoir but certainly gave its readers an insight into a very famous bookshop. Now I need to find another easy to read book on my kindle and pursue my great delight of reading again.

MRI

I am booked in to have an MRI scan of my head tomorrow. I see it as an opportunity to discover if there are other reasons for my continued migraine auras and headaches, or to recognise that if all clear another approach will be needed. I am tired of having to restrict my life, slow down, cannot read, find using screens difficult and the general attached lethargy.

I am still reading the talking book about the Medici, certainly an interesting view of the family which did so much to make Florence the centre of the renaissance. I had no idea how cruel some of them were, or the political nuances that seemed to divide Italy at a time when cohesion would have been to its advantage. A long book but certainly one worth reading, particularly when one reads of well known people whose role appears different from that we have always perceived.

Chocolat is getting really old. The vet commented that for a Labrador she is doing very well, her health seems to be holding but she is slowing down, sleeping more and seems quite lethargic at times.

  



I am unsure how long the scan will take but the machine sounds like a cowshed. I just hope mine comes out as normal.  

Possible Cure

I may have found at least part of the reason for my migraines. Having rung the Optometrist and heard that two children were experiencing migraines due to blue light emanating from screens I have now purchased a pair of 100% blue light protective sunglasses to wear when using any type of screen. I will try them for several days and hope that I have no more migraines.

Yesterday I finished People of the Book which I found so fascinating. I was unaware I had purchased it for my kindle so will read the print version one day also. I have now started a book about Renaissance Italy.
 
A book which explores the rise and fall of the Medici family as well as the tapestry of people and events which made up the Renaissance, this book appears to be well researched and is full of interesting links which are of huge interest to anyone like me who has visited Florence. Many memories of my trip there are already being evoked and filled with knowledge. Although a long book I am sure I will listen to every minute of the fascinating story of this family.

I am now hoping I can return to my kindle books, if blue light is the issue with my eyes and headaches I should be able to pursue all the books I have waiting for me to enter their pages and widen my world.

My dogs are both really bored. As I am unable to spend much time in the sun due to the antibiotics I am taking they are entrenched at home probably dreaming of free runs and walks in the park. I have several more days of tablets and all being well I will take them out then.   

What is Normal

While New Zealand is gripped by stories of tragic house fires, how a convicted paedophile and murderer can escape the country legally and the response to Putin at the G20 summit I seem to be finding a way through my headache issue. My GP is taking me seriously and realises how debilitating it has been for me. Although some of the drugs are harsh at least I seem to be feeling better and hopefully the migraines will stop and this whole problem will resolve.

I am finding it very frustrating being unable to read much, only talking books on my VRS. I would love to devour some of the exciting books which are waiting for me on my kindle, hopefully soon.

My retired guide dog Chocolat is really feeling the cold at present. Although it is meant to be spring, in fact almost summer, yesterday I was wearing my thick wool winter coat, a singlet, thick socks and a scarf. All very odd for November. She is trying to find warm places to sleep during the day and given her age, almost 13, is sleeping longer than she used to. Jay is becoming a little frustrated with her and I am noting subtle differences in their interactions. 

Everyone loved my Facebook post of the Highlands of Scotland, my second home, so I will put up a couple of photos here.
 

  

Fire

There has been a huge fire in an old villa here in Hamilton and at least 3 young people have died. I was stunned to discover that one of the people who had died was the granddaughter of a friend of mine who lives in the room opposite my mother in the rest-home.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11359293
A photo of her and the other two known victims has just appeared on The New Zealand Herald page. So sad, and so many people on the periphery impacted. It is to be hoped they do not find any more bodies as no one really knows how many people were in the house on Friday night.

I am loving People of the Book,  it is the only book I am reading at the moment due to my headaches and eye issues. As it meanders its way from Sarajevo to Vienna to Venice and now Boston I am enchanted by how such a large amount of factual information can be transported to make a wonderful novel.

Amazon keep asking me to review books, some which I have not had time to read yet. I cannot see the value in these reviews, particularly as they tend to show up on Google and if one does not want the whole world to know what they are reading, like me, they should keep their opinion to themselves. 

My old retired guide dog, Chocolat, is looking sad and miserable. I am not sure if it is just age, she is almost 13, arthritis, poor sight or the cold weather we are still experiencing here. I feel so sorry for her, I love her so much and hate to see her having such difficulty with her daily life. At times she seems really happy and playful but at others she just sleeps and ignores us all.  

Some Relief

After visiting my GP and finally having someone try to help me with my headaches I had two days of relief but again had a migraine aura this morning. I have another appointment with her on Monday, we need to get to the bottom of this urgently. It is obvious that the anti-inflammatory helped, but why? What is wrong that I am having all these migraines.

I am really enjoying People of the Book as it sweeps across the years, families, wars and countries. An epic novel full of information, trust, friendship and a very interesting link between Muslim and Jew. I am now keen to read other books Geraldine Brooks has written, though perhaps not quite yet, I may need to digest this wonderful book first.

I wish I could enjoy my work at St Paul's but it is soul destroying, boring, and too eye intensive in poor light. I feel side-lined by everyone there, particularly that rude Karen and Deborah who does little to make me feel welcome. Not a great environment for someone who needs to feel needed and positive.

Hats off to Interpol, the Brazilian police and whoever recognised and turned in the NZ criminal fugitive. I hope the person who recognised him is rewarded in some way and when he returns to NZ he is put into a high security prison and not ever allowed out.      

Books

I started reading a really good book about book conservation yesterday on my talking book machine.
 
It weaves through Spain, Vienna and Bosnia during the war with the conservator an Australian. I have only read just over an hour of what is a 14 hour book which seems to sway between non fiction and knowledge and a fiction story woven through the facts. I think this is a book I will read at every opportunity both to enjoy and to learn more about the field I work in.


I have just finished listening to several back issues of this on my VRS. I have been a reader of this magazine since it's first issue. I really enjoy being able to read it as a talking book but often wish they would read some other stories apart from the ones chosen by the narrator or staff at the RNZFB. Each issue has so much to offer but we miss so much of it.

I am off to my GP this morning to try and sort out what to do about my migraines. I am so sick of their rule over my life so hope we can come to a proper conclusion about medication, weight, and other options for curing them.   

Amazon

I have recently received several recommendations for interesting books from members of WLM only to find they are not available to purchase in New Zealand. In frustration at our inability to purchase the latest suggestion

 
one kind member of the group sent us a link saying the book had been published under a different title in the US. I have to wonder why Amazon makes it so difficult, surely they lose sales when not making these books available worldwide for kindle, perhaps it is the authors who do not want their book released internationally. There must be a reason but given the desire of so many of us to read kindle books surely it is appropriate to make them all available.

I also went online yesterday to purchase another recommended book:
 
but I soon discovered that I had purchased it last week! I guess in this case I should be grateful for Amazon's diligence in informing us we have already purchased a book. Without kindle books my reading would now be reduced to just talking books which at even the best of times can be quite frustrating.

Last week I gave my student volunteers in the archives at school a copy of my own book, The Dio Difference   as a gift for all their help this year. I hope they treasure and enjoy it as a reminder of their wonderful days at Dio.

Facebook is a wonderful place to meet people, but a group is trying to make me an administrator of their page and nothing is progressing. Neither I nor the present administrator can discover why so any opportunity to earn extra money from them is rapidly fading for the present.

Guy Fawkes

Fireworks exploded in the park next to my home and surrounding area until 1am this morning. This is very unfair to those of us who have to work today, mind children or just get on with our lives. If I was undecided about John Key's move to ban backyard fireworks before I will join with everyone supporting this decision. I am just lucky that my dogs are not scared of them, it certainly makes it easier.

Lying awake for so long meant I was able to finish One Night in Winter. I felt it ended rather hurriedly as if trying to round out the story in a limited number of pages, odd given I understand the print version has 480 pages. In the end it became an expose of Stalin, lost and forbidden love, unwitting betrayal and children who became pawns of the ambition of evil men. It was with great relief that I turned on the latest Readers Digest and heard the story of  a couple who saved 50 Jewish children and some of their families from extinction in Austria.

My visit to the Neurologist was expensive and to a degree productive. I now need to do some reading online about the drugs he has suggested and look at some changes I could make in my life. My eyes are still behaving strangely which makes reading, particularly on any type of electronic device very difficult. I plan on having an afternoon doing something practical rather than computer or ipad based.  

More Headaches

Reading has had to take a back seat again due to my cluster of headaches. I am off for a massage today, to the neurologist tomorrow and the osteopath. I need some answers as this is becoming a real concern for me. Just proofreading for half an hour yesterday set me off again, I hate it.

Now that I have read reviews of One Night in Winter
I have more understanding of what is behind this novel. I had no idea it was based on a true case and children were really locked up in Lubyanka Prison. The story is appalling and certainly shows the length and breadth of the reach of Stalin into the lives of his citizens, particularly those who served him in an official capacity. The children took known risks, perhaps their youth made them think they were invincible, but this control of every aspect of people's personal lives is something that now seems to be the forte of the islamists.

Again good books have been recommended by WLM  members which are unavailable to us here in NZ. For the second time in as many days I have had to put up a post saying that this gorgeous book they are suggesting we buy for a few dollars is not available here in the kindle edition. 

Rashes and Specialists

Migraines and rashes are plaguing my life this week. I developed a rash I feared was German Measles and having sat next to a pregnant teacher last week I was nervous. I cannot remember what the Doctor said but it is not infectious and is related to my issues with immunity. I guess more blood tests will be ordered now.

On Thursday night I developed another migraine and have been living in a bit of a haze ever since.  This time I took a tablet as soon as I realised what was happening and I am hoping it will prevent any more. Just feel headachy and out of sorts.

I have started reading a new book on my kindle:
  
The story of a sojourn living at Shakespeare and Co in Paris, Jeremy Mercer weaves a tale of books, characters and eccentricity in this most famous of bookshops. If only we had such places today, there was one in Christchurch which I visited twice, unfortunately it had to be abandoned, with all its old, rare and valuable books after the earthquakes.

Gail Sheehy has written a new book, Daring, which has just been published in the US. Unfortunately the woman who put the link to it on the WLM page would not believe me when I said it was not available to purchase here in NZ. I think Americans do not realise that Amazon is sectored and some of what they access we cannot, I wonder if they can purchase NZ books? I hope it is available soon, I would love to catch up with her points of view as the years have progressed.

I am still struggling through One Night in Winter. I am unsure of the writer's motivation or reasons for writing this, it is very odd. What nation could realistically lock up a group of school children, including a 6 year old in the most notorious of prisons and get away with it. I doubt the book is going to have a happy ending, it all seems too bizarre.    

Holiday Weekend

I did not realise I had not posted since Tuesday. I am slowly gaining back my health. On Wednesday I attended a Waikato University graduation for a student I have been mentoring and tutoring. There was nothing of note that makes it memorable, the guest speaker went on for too long, except perhaps for the sign outside which directed graduands in one direction and the pubilc in another. One is inclined to wonder about the level of education the graduates had received given the spelling mistake.

I have just finished the book on Katherine Mansfield, I am sure this provided the script for Bliss, yet I found it more interesting and of course was fascinated by the wonderful famous literary people she knew. 

Last night I began reading, on my VRS, One Night in Winter.
   
I know little about this book yet as I have only listened to a couple of hours and it has begun with a horrific shooting in Moscow and then a teenage student unable to believe his luck at being given a free place in a school attended by the elite of the communist party. While the review says it is about forbidden love I imagine I am going to be taken on a journey behind the Stalinist era and all the subterfuge this brought both to Moscow and the world. It should be an interesting read.



This is one of those places I have always dreamt of visiting but have never managed to, although I did come close in 2008. Obtaining a visa was difficult beyond belief. Perhaps one day I may manage to travel on the Trans Siberian Railway and arrive in Moscow in style.

I am continuing with my Kindle book about the man travelling around Tuscany on a bike and have recognised the names of a few places he has visited. It brings back memories not only of the beauty of Tuscany but loud people on bus tours, heat and pizza which did not live up to my expectations.

I now have to read a Communications Plan, a very long winded document which does little to engender confidence in my position in the role of ensuring this is explained to the public. Not a very good weekend read but perhaps better than being ill!