Spring

We are having the most beautiful spring days. I am almost tempted to get my summer clothes out to wear on days when it is warm. I love the longer days when I can write, walk, work in the garden and sit outside to read.

I have just finished reading:

A uniquely personal insight into the Middle East from one of Canada’s most respected foreign correspondents

In 1976, Nahlah Ayed’s family gave up their comfortable life in Winnipeg for the squalor of a Palestinian refugee camp in Amman, Jordan. The transition was jarring, but it was from this uncomfortable situation that Ayed first observed the people whose heritage she shared. The family returned to Canada when she was thirteen, and Ayed ignored the Middle East for many years. But the First Gulf War and the events of 9/11 reignited her interest. Soon she was reporting from the region full-time, trying to make sense of the wars and upheavals that have affected its people and sent so many of them seeking a better life elsewhere.

In A Thousand Farewells, Ayed describes with sympathy and insight the myriad ways in which the Arab people have fought against oppression and loss as seen from her own early days witnessing protests in Amman, and the wars, crackdowns, and uprisings she has reported on in countries across the region.

This is the heartfelt and personal chronicle of a journalist who has devoted much of her career to covering one of the world’s most vexing regions.

I really enjoyed this book, I kept listening during the night when awake and followed the insightful thinking about modern Middle Eastern politics. This is a book well worth reading to learn more about what is causing so many issues in this part of the world.

 

On my Kindle I am reading:

  

 

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Too Long

I cannot believe it has been so long since I wrote in this blog. Apart from being very busy with work I am also dealing with a work colleague who has committed fraud of unimaginable proportions. While her assets have been frozen by the court I am in a very difficult position as she owns a house next door to me which her aunt occupies. Privy to details over and above what many of the staff are I am having to keep a very tight lid on what I know. This has been very stressful for me. I hope it is resolved soon but given the snail's pace of the court system who knows when it will be resolved.

I have done a lot of reading while under duress. At present I am reading:


So how did it all begin? What happened before Victoria met Joe and they embarked on their crazy life in Spain? 

This light, airy and charming story is the delightful prequel to Victoria Twead’s Old Fools’ series. Her childhood memories are vividly portrayed, leaving the reader chuckling and enjoying a warm sense of comfortable nostalgia. Photographs and recipes complement page after page of tales that burst with the rich vitality we have come to expect from Victoria Twead. 

Written in the same style as her previous books, Victoria's story of her childhood is light and airy with humour and lightness. An easy to read book it does not grip me like other more serious memoirs but is again a window into the life of someone I know. Victoria has recently emigrated to Australia to be near her daughter. Her husband has cancer and is at present in England having treatment. The next story she writes may be one of joy or sadness.

Earlier this week I finished:



Laura Morelli holds a Ph.D. in art history from Yale University, where she was a Bass Writing Fellow and Mellon Doctoral Fellow. She authored a column for National Geographic Traveler called The Genuine Article and contributes pieces about authentic travel to national magazines and newspapers. Laura has been featured on CNN Radio, Travel Today with Peter Greenberg, The Frommers Travel Show, and in USA TODAY, Departures, House & Garden Magazine, Traditional Home, the Denver Post, Miami Herald, The Chicago Tribune, and other media. Recently her art history lesson, What s the difference between art and craft? was produced and distributed by TED-Ed. Laura has taught college-level art history at Trinity College in Rome, as well as at Northeastern University, Merrimack College, St. Joseph College, and the College of Coastal Georgia. Laura has lived in five countries, including four years in Italy. Laura Morelli is the author of the guidebook series that includes Made in Italy, Made in France, and Made in the Southwest, all published by Rizzoli / Universe. The Gondola Maker, a historical coming-of-age story about the heir to a gondola boatyard in 16th-century Venice, is her first work of fiction. 

I loved this book, just as I loved visiting Venice. I was continually recharging my ipad as I could not put the book down and wanted to see what happened. I learnt so much about the structure of gondolas, also the history of Venice in the middle ages. It was as if I was there and I became almost a part of the story. A highly recommended book.

On my talking book machine I have just finished reading:

 

In October 2008, Mellissa Fung, a reporter for CBC’s The National, was leaving a refugee camp outside of Kabul when she was kidnapped by armed men. She was forced to hike for several hours through the mountains until they reached a village; there, the kidnappers pushed her towards a hole in the ground. “No,” she said. “I am not going down there.”

For more than a month, Fung lived in that hole, which was barely tall enough to stand up in, nursing her injuries, praying and writing in a notebook. Under an Afghan Sky is the gripping tale of Fung’s days in captivity, surviving on cookies and juice, from the “grab” to her eventual release.

This was a real page turner and I struggled to stay awake each night to listen to even 15 minutes. Each time I woke up I had to rewind back to where I thought I had finished earlier that evening. How she survived buried underground in a tiny hole for so long amazed me, I do not think I have the resources to undertake such a captivity. She often mentions eating only cookies and fruit juice and I did wonder what she did when she had her period. Unfortunately their is little enlightenment about her state of health after release as the book ends soon after she was released in exchange for the mother of one of her jailers. A book well worth reading.

Spring Here Last Few Days

I have been so busy with work for CCS, having Cherie to stay, gardening and the like that writing this blog has constantly been put off. Two fine warm days have helped, hopefully we will continue to get more and more of them.

At lunchtime today I finished my latest kindle book:

A blackly comic murder mystery involving very expensive wine and an overdose of chilli chocolate.

Two little boys start out as friends but their lives take two different paths. One becomes all he wants to be and is 'saved' by marrying a woman with the strength to keep him on the right side of the law and he has something to live for. The other is a boy who is given no choice about his life and the person he will become and the things he will do. When they meet again the contrast is stark. Like the 'Cain and Abel' story, but more violent.

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It is a book which is very slow to get into and I almost gave up. The second half is page turning and I put other things aside to 'find out what happens'. If readers can get past this, and the lack of real character development in the first half, I am sure it is a book they will enjoy. The plot has interesting twists and turns and the New Zealand setting helps to keep one's attention span.

I am also reading:
 

A fictionalized account of the life of the real, historical figure, Sally Lunn - famous for her tea-shop in early 18th century Bath. She was a young French Huguenot who escaped from France to Bath.

This book holds a special place for me as I had dinner at the Sally Lunn House in Bath in 2007. Although fictionalised, this book is interesting and easy to follow as a talking book. Sally Lunn seems to court problems and yet has a spirit and way about her that makes the story so easy to read. I am just up to the place where she gains work in a bakery in Bath, the story has many twists and turns.




The bread is a normal loaf, not the Sally Lunn we know here in New Zealand which is a sweet loaf with icing on top.  

Sad News

One of my oldest friends came to visit me yesterday to tell me she has been diagnosed with bowel cancer. Sharon has stood by me through thick and thin over the years and always does kind little things to make me feel better. I hope I can find ways to support her as she begins this journey, she will not be well for a very long time.

Reading has been a bit hit and miss at present. On my VRS I am reading:
 

I keep going to sleep and have to rewind this book so I am a little confused about the plot. It seems to be about several Irish girls attending University and all the mischief they get up to.

On my kindle I am reading:


The Pilgrimage' recounts the spectacular trials of Paolo Coelho and his mysterious mentor, Petrus, as they journey across Spain in search of a miraculous sword.

I had always thought this was a non fiction book and was very surprised to find it is a novel. I am really enjoying its mysterious episodes and the way the pilgrim views his experiences.







I am not sure I could walk this route, I believe it is 500 miles and finding the trail is not always easy. It must become both a soul and spiritual journey which will change a person's life forever. 

Little else has risen to impact on me other than I can see that Chocolat is getting worse and seems to be sinking into both health issues and fear of leaving me. At her age it must be difficult to know she is struggling with her health issues, especially when I put her outside on the long days I spend out or at work.   

Summer Grass

I have done lots of reading this week due to so many poor programmes on TV. I am still trying to finish 'Smell of Summer Grass' by Adam Nicolson. I am finding the descriptions of his farm as nature impacts on him a little difficult and slow. I have read, or at least started to read 'The Sea Room' by Adam Nicolson but never got engaged with the book. Having just searched for it on my bookshelf I am uncertain as to where I have put it. Perhaps I will have another go. Just found it! I need to keep better track of where I put 'real' books. The print is now much too small so I will have to purchase it for my kindle.

I have put a stop on purchasing books but if I find a free one I think I will enjoy I still download it. I have also recently discovered that I can now delete books from my device but they remain in my kindle account. This feature is new as previously one had to delete the book from the Amazon account page and then go back and delete in kindle which meant they were gone forever. 

I need to get reading, and writing, especially the backlog of both books, magazines and cookbooks. I had hoped to take all of today off but have decided to go to the Lehar concert at the University so will take tomorrow afternoon off if at all possible. 

I bought this book free yesterday.
  

 Have you ever wondered what life is like on a modern day First Nations Indian Reserve? Inspired by an extraordinary, true story this book showcases life on a remote First Nations Reserve in Northern Canada. When Hillary is offered a teaching position on a remote, First Nation Reserve called Pleasant Valley, she is unprepared for the amazing adventures ahead. Teaching on the Reserve was only one aspect of the remarkable experience. Although she loved teaching many grade five students in a busy rotation schedule, some features of her new job were terrifying and did not bring out the best in people. Drawing upon her personal journal entries, Hillary recounts stressful situations caused by small aircraft not landing due to low ceiling heights, pilots announcing good news and bad news. Read from the comfort of your favorite chair, what it was like for her to discover an unannounced Native man in her living room feigning an eye injury so that he could use her bathroom and steal all her hairspray! "Teacher!" parachutes you onto a remote, First Nation Reserve that is more akin to a ghetto experience, complete with boil only water warnings, rather than the dream job hoped to obtain after graduating from Teacher’s College. (less)

I love books where caring and intelligent women change their whole lifestyle and are challenged by a situation which is different but makes them look inward at past and future decisions.

I am having a few issues with my computer and managed to hide all my icons. I think I need to leave well alone. I did find them but wish I could put up icons for word and today I lost the email icon.

Jay's citronella collar is working well and he only barks once or not at all. I forgot to put it on Friday afternoon and he did bark but not as badly as previously.

Spring is coming, today is a complete contrast to yesterday which was freezing, cold and damp. The sun is shining and a great day seems to be in the offing. I am going to a Lehar concert later, looks to be very enjoyable.

writing Critique

I recently sent a piece of writing I had done to someone to critique. I had never realised that I had included so many facts in one small short piece and should write on each subject separately. It has been a huge learning curve for me and I need to take her advice seriously.

I have ordered the online version of:


I hope to get some ideas of where I have gone wrong and suggestions to make my work publishable. I have also ordered the online version of:



Now I need to get busy reading them both in the evening and checking out their websites. each website seems to lead me to another one. I am also considering taking out another subscription to:


I hope I can now spend the coming spring and summer honing my writing skills and ensuring my memoir makes it on to the shelves.

I have ordered several new kindle books recently which I am very excited about reading.
One is:

 

Asserting that each life contains the makings of a memoir, Carol LaChapelle gives writers, journal writers, and family historians the tools to explore their memories and turn them into great stories. Condensing 20 years of teaching experience into 167 stimulating exercises, Carol helps readers access and describe the important people, places, and events in their lives. The contributions of real students who have been using these methods in Carol's workshops for years demonstrate just how productive these exercises can be. (less)



This is about life on a remote Alaskan Island, the type of book I have always enjoyed because I think we are all pioneers at heart. I am sure it will be a very interesting book to read.

I also have several as yet unpublished books on order from Amazon. These include:

It’s 1935. Rita Feuerstahl comes to the university in Krakow intent on enjoying her freedom. But life has other things in store—marriage, a love affair, a child, all in the shadows of the oncoming war. When the war arrives, Rita is armed with a secret so enormous that it could cost the Allies everything, even as it gives her the will to live. She must find a way both to keep her secret and to survive amid the chaos of Europe at war. Living by her wits among the Germans as their conquests turn to defeat, she seeks a way to prevent the inevitable doom of Nazism from making her one of its last victims. Can her passion and resolve outlast the most powerful evil that Europe has ever seen?

In an epic saga that spans from Paris in the ’30s and Spain’s Civil War to Moscow, Warsaw, and the heart of Nazi Germany, The Girl from Krakow follows one woman’s battle for survival as entire nations are torn apart, never to be the same.

I am really worried about my old guide dog Chocolat. Her bark has changed recently and I think she may have laryngeal paralysis. She developed nodules in her throat when 14 months old and now has all the symptoms of this disease. I understand little is done for it here in New Zealand so I guess a visit to the vet will have to be booked soon. 

 

Walking

I have started doing some very long walks with my guide dog Jay just on a lead. I use my white cane in unfamiliar places as we learn new routes and add shorter routes to longer ones to make it a great outing. I am not sure who is the fittest but I am sure it is doing us both good.

I have almost finished reading 'The Bell Jar' by Sylvia Plath, I have found it rather interesting given the subject matter but I am sure a similar book written today would be more confronting.

Last night I finished reading 'French Illusions - from Tours to Paris'. I have thoroughly enjoyed both of Linda's books and found them wonderful page turners. I guess my old fashioned morals made it a little difficult for me to understand the bed hopping from one relationship to another, hash and pot smoking and constant struggle for money. I could not travel overseas without plenty of money in reserve to cover emergencies safely in the bank at home. All said these two books of Linda's are an entertaining read.

I am now reading:

The Smell of Summer Grass is based partly on the long out of print 'Perch Hill'. It is the story of the years spent in finding and building a personal Arcadia, sometimes a dream, sometimes a nightmare, by writer Adam Nicolson and his wife, cook and gardener, Sarah Raven.

Adam Nicolson was determined to leave metropolitan life but the rundown farm in the Sussex Weald was not quite what he bargained for. The scenery was breathtaking and the rural neighbours charming but the hard end of real farming life was another matter - mud, cold, planning regulations and unco-operative livestock.

But for the reader the whole enterprise is full of delight thanks to Adam Nicolson's writing: frank, witty and touching, it is a testament to the importance of holding on to your dreams and turning them into reality.

 

Today I purchased a subscription to Writers Digest which will be delivered directly to my kindle app. I had not realised I could buy subscriptions to magazines like this so am now searching for others which may interest me.