We have lovely weather to help celebrate Queen's Birthday weekend. Unfortunately I still have to work from home but I hope to get out and about and enjoy the late autumn sunshine. I am also waiting in hopeful anticipation that the person I nominated for an honour will receive one, my worst fear is that he has turned it down.
I am not sure if I will manage to finish the book Jesus the Zealot as much of it so far seems to be related to various bible passages which confirm the story we know. I no longer consider myself a Christian but am assuming that this introductory section will then be challenged as I continue to read.
I have many books on my kindle, about 210 I think, choosing which one to read next is often difficult. I have history, novels, memoirs and many other genres. I am so thankful we are able to read electronically otherwise my wonderful world of books would be almost lost to me. I do find it difficult to understand when fully sighted and capable people are stumped when it comes to downloading books onto a kindle or other device. I now download all my books, talking books included, I am finding it so much easier.
I have a large pile of cook books sitting on my sofa to go through and find nice recipes. I really should get organised as I have promised myself I will try one new recipe each week.
This is my reading for this weekend, hopefully I will find a delicious recipe I can enjoy cooking and hopefully I will be motivated to choose other recipes soon.
We have had a frost this morning! It is very early to be having such cold weather but at least it kills all the nasty bugs.
I learnt a couple of days ago that my lovely cousin Ruth's son Andrew has died of the disease which has plagued their family. Motor Neurone Disease has taken their father, uncle, sister and now another sister is ill and has a short time left. It is to be hoped that Sharon and Paul have escaped this scourge which has blighted the family. There must be few families to lose almost all the children to a gene inherited from their father's family.
I have finished Victoria Twead's book and have now started;
I have only read the prologue but the book seems to challenge everything we have ever been taught about Jesus. Links with my own thinking that perhaps he was just one of many and the writing of others has magnified his role will make this a very challenging read. The author seems unafraid to alter historical thinking and of a possible backlash from moderate and fundamental Christians but I think is more in step with those who have examined all the false edicts promoted by many people today. I will continue to post on this book as it adheres to my own version of the philosophical thinking of the 21st century.
The geological map of Britain is still proving interesting although at times seems to be too simplified, perhaps for the general reader who fails to understand the importance of mapping what is underneath us in the depths of the earth. I am also enjoying its soporific side, helps even when stressed.
I have several unread magazines still in their mailing covers, perhaps this is something I can explore when Cherie is here for the weekend. At present I subscribe to the Healthy Food Guide and New Zealand House and Garden but the print seems to be reducing in size, one assumes so they can fit more into each issue. This is difficult and I am now reduced to using my CCTV to read many of these monthly publications.
I remained fed up with my TV for ages so late last Saturday night I went online and ordered the basic Sky package. Failing to turn up on Tuesday when I had booked the installer he arrived on Wednesday and promptly attached a dish to the side of my house, connected a box and bingo! Only problem is I am still having pixilating, black screens and similar - so back to the books and music!
I have started a new book on my VRS, it is;
The story of modern geology, it is written and read by Simon Winchester. It could be a boring book but it is not, although I have to confess the narration makes me relax and go to sleep very easily. The description of what is under towns and cities I have visited in Britain makes it all the more interesting. I enjoyed my geology lessons at school, many years ago, so perhaps this book is an extension of a latent interest.
I have also started a new kindle book;
A member of my WLM group, this, the first of her books, details a move from a rainy England to a village high in the mountains of Spain. Buying a run-down house in Andalusia was not what Joe had dreamed of in retirement but he soon adapts to the sun, wine and chickens. A lovely, funny almost too humorous book, one is almost scared to ask if the stories are real or a little embellished. This is the second of Victoria's books I have read, others are waiting in my kindle. Health issues are now requiring that they sell their Spanish paradise, I am a little wary of their decision to move to Australia - do they not have more strenuous emigration laws than we do. A book to enjoy, the stories make one feel they are there on the mountain with Victoria and Joe.
The weather has turned nasty here again, rain, cold and darkness. I am so busy this winter I do not have time to become apathetic. Instead I wonder how to fit everything into my days and bemoan projects which are sitting waiting for my attention.
The first book I downloaded from Booklink completely bemused me. I could not make sense out of Fried Green Tomatoes so chose to delete it and download some books I would previously have ordered on CD. So I am now reading:
A fairly easy read, the story draws me in and I seldom go to sleep before the VRS turns off. The story of a man dying, his wife is killed in a car crash and not long after he regains his health. Family issues, work issues, the thread of family and love runs through every page of this book.
My kindle book, The Island Nurse, is very interesing, particularly as I understand the difficulties of travel on a Hebridean Island and the lifestyle these hardy people live. Written by a woman in her 80's, long after the actual events it is a lovely memoir to read on a dark and wet evening.
I am trying not to download any more kindle books, recommended or otherwise until I have read a few more of the books, over 200, I already have on my ipad. Life without books is unthinkable and modern technologies keep me in a world I love so much; books, words, writing, images of lives other than the one I live.
The dogs are getting fed up with the wet wintry weather already. I am reluctant to walk them in the wet and then deal with wet carpets and wet rugs so my resolution to take them out whatever the weather has already dissipated.
Another wet day, one for art journaling, study, writing and music.
I have moved with the times and have joined 'Booklink', a new service offered by the Blind Foundation. I can go online, choose books, download and unzip them then transfer them to my VRS. Once I have done it a few times I am sure it will seem really easy but I certainly struggled on how to unzip it the first time. I am still unsure if I press 'return' if the book still stays on my TB machine. Time will tell.
Last night I finished When the Dust Settles and started my first downloaded book, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café.
Having only listened to the beginning I cannot comment on the book yet but I understand it is about two women telling the lives of another two women, one of whom ran the Whistle Stop Café. I am sure I will enjoy this book which was on the New York Times bestsellers list for weeks.
The story of Rob Cook was one of determination and achievement. I so felt for him the times he fell out of his wheelchair but was filled with admiration for his tenacity. As the book stops at the end of his long ride to Alice Springs in his wheelchair the reader is left unsure about his eventual return to the family cattle station. I am sure he will live there permanently and take the risk that a medical emergency could overtake them.
Last Sunday I attended the Winter Concert at the Gallagher Centre at Waikato University. A chamber orchestra of absolute perfection, their music was divine and held me spellbound for two hours. The Haydn Cello Concerto and the Jupiter moved me very deeply. Having enjoyed this so much I am returning today to hear Quattro, 4 cellos who won a recent competition. I am sure Jay will be frustrated to return to the same venue.
I have to admit that I love watching Home and Away. Not really something an academic should be following, despite the fact my neighbour with a PhD watches both Home and Away and Shortland St. My reason for mentioning this is last night's episode which concluded with the dawn service in Summer Bay. As teenagers sang and remembered, the young of the bay honoured both Alf and other veterans in the Bay, the filming was superb. Outlines of horses, sand covered in hundreds of poppies and solemn actors who for once were not acting but truly remembering, it was extremely moving. I cried and cried.
I have finished Holy Fools and have started a new talking book:
It is the story of cattleman in Australia who led a very active life until he was paralysed in a helicopter crash. His dream of continuing to work the family cattle station came true. I am only up to the helicopter crash, it is a gripping story easily read, particularly as cattle stations come within our parameters of understanding.
I have also started a new Kate Mosse book on my kindle:
Set in Sussex in 1912, it is a mystery set around a young woman, a death, seeing the ghosts of those who will die, and a decaying taxidermy museum. Quite different from her other books I have read it appears to be another of gripping novel.
