Birthday Blog

Wow, what a fab week I've had, blessed every day with family and friends.  It started off on Bank Holiday Monday with the weather being at its best - 30 degrees!  A lazy pottering day and trip to Newton Regis Garden Centre for compost to plant some pansies in tubs in the garden.  Of course the obligatory coffee stop in the Two Sister's café was a must and hubby and I chatted an hour away.

Tuesday saw me at Tamworth Next store to have coffee and cake in Costa with Linda and she insisted on paying as a birthday treat and handed me a birthday gift too (which I saved until 31st).  In the afternoon I met Diane at Grangewood Garden Centre - just coffee this time!

Wednesday Suzanne and I went to a new place in town called No 18 for coffee and a toasted tea cake.  The décor of this place was very rustic - the tables were made of slatted doors still with their black hinges and nuts and bolts and number on them.  The menu was written on a roll of brown paper hanging behind the counter, they sold t-shirts and jumpers and there is a barber shop attached.  Very 'hip' if that's still a phrase!

On the same day I was treated to afternoon tea at The Tudor House café and Tapas Bar in town.  My sister-in-law had had a voucher for her birthday and wanted to share it with me for mine!  How lovely was that?

Thursday I visited Margaret, a friend recovering from her third (same hip) hip operation - don't ask! So coffee was served in her conservatory by her very patient husband.  On Friday I went to work off some of the week's calories at Lea Marston Hotel and Spa.  The gym and pool were busy and I left early to pop into Matalan at our out-of-town shopping centre - Ventura Park.  Everyone else from Tamworth were out shopping too - or so it seemed, but I picked up a bargain pair of black trousers in the sale and headed for home.  By now I had a lovely lot of birthday presents and a bunch of flowers.  And the post-lady delivered lots of cards too.

Tradition in this house on my birthday is that I open cards and pressies in bed with a cuppa (hot water and lemon) and it always feels like I am so much younger!  I was overwhelmed with all I received - such lovely thoughtful presents and cards.  I then dressed and had set myself a target to bake some cakes for visiting family.  My (now 5 year old) mixer came out of retirement and was soon mixing ingredients for blueberry muffins, which thankfully turned out quite nice.

Nanny Julie & Imogen Rose

My sister, neice and great-niece visited and my 'posh' cake stand came out of hiding.  Whilst they ate cake and drank coffee I had baby cuddles.  Imogen hardly woke except to take her bottle feed from me but her tiny hands and features fed my soul and melted my heart. 

On the evening my husband, daughter and I went out for a meal at Christopher's The Peel Hotel, Tamworth but first they wanted to show me The Tap, a Real Ale micro-brewery, and Gin Bar.  Well I'm not a fan normally of Gin but my sister had told me about Rhubarb gin which sounded lovely so I had one with lemonade, a slice of lime and lemon and lots of ice.  It was delicious.  So my daughter got me another only this time it was a double!  Well I was very squiffy!  

And so another year older and one more year to wait until I get my pension! I hope the ladies campaigning regarding the injustice served on us by the Government moving the goal post without enough warning win their cause.  How blessed I am to have a loving family and generous friends where others are not so fortunate.  

Oh and Jan, my new Swanwick Writers Summer School friend, I know you will be interested in this present.  My daughter recently visited the only Bookstore in Amsterdam and got my this wallet purse for my birthday.  

Yoshi, real leather wallet purse, made in Lichfield, Staffordshire

 

Perhaps on your travels you may visit this place? I look forward to reading your travel blogs.

Bag Lady

For some women bags are a 'thing'.  They cannot pass a shop or stall where there are bags.

"Oooooh that's nice."
"Wow look at this, isn't it fab"
"I know I have a lot of bags, but I really must buy this one"

These are some of the exclamations I hear when I shop with a certain someone.  I tag along behind her as she feels the material or leather.  She looks inside to see what extras are hidden from sight - a zip compartment, a phone holder, whether it is lined with nice material or just plain.  Considering what she will use it for is another lengthy process.

"I could take in on holiday"
"It would be perfect for such and such occasion"
"It matches my dress"
"I don't have one this size/colour/shape"

I have heard it all.  I am not particularly a 'bag lady'.  I'm very happy to use one bag for a very long time.  They take up space to store so if I don't use any bags I have they are sent to the charity shop or thrown out.  But then it happened to me.  Bag Love.  I fell hook, line and sinker for this beauty.

Never having bought a bag over £25 I crooned my love of this delight to my dearest saying he could keep it a few months and give it to me for Christmas.  And so it was a Santa Special.  I was like a child waiting for Christmas that year.

So it comes with me on my bookish outings - to Birmingham or Stoke on Trent when I attend Author & Blogger meetings; to book signing events or literary festivals and this year it went with me to Swanwick Writers Summer School. www.swanwickwritersschool.co.uk

There I met Jan Lloyd who had a dose of Bag Envy.  She admired it and touched it, looked inside, and marvelled at the matching purse too.  I promised her I would blog about it on return from Swanwick. So here it is Jan - just for you and all Bag Ladies who like owning quality handbags.

If you love dogs, cats, cafes, baking, books, bees etc. take a peak at the Yoshi website -  www.yoshi.co.uk.  There you will find similar bags, purses, card holders, glasses cases and pencil cases.  You wont be able to smell the soft leather, or feel the texture of the material inside, but you will be Wow'd by the designs and hopefully find your nearest stockist.

I acquired mine at Lichfield Cathedral Bookshop, Staffordshire but I feel sure that good quality department stores and gift/leather shops will stock them for you to peruse and handle before purchase.  It is handmade to a very high standard and is unique. Everyone speaks to me when I use it, admiring and asking where I got it.  It is my pride and joy to own.

Do contact me on Twitter @tweetsue13 to let me know if you enjoyed the blog and/or own/buy a bag.

Swanwick Writers Summer School 2019

Thursday morning:

This is the last day of courses, workshops etc.  Thoughts of packing in readiness for an after breakfast departure tomorrow morning already in my mind.  Then smiles cross my face as I remember the Page to Stage skits of last night.  Several writers had penned 5 minute plays that were directed and played by volunteers - drama and comedy sketches were all a delight to watch.

Today's menu for me is part 4 of 4 How to Write your First Novel by Della Galton then on a recommendation from the man I chatted with in the sunshine a few days ago, I will take the Non Fiction Books 2 part course led by Tarja Moles.  Later I have a 1-1 session booked with Bridget Holden where I will hear feedback of a piece of my novel and hopefully some helpful advice.  My tummy does a leap over at the thought of this meeting with the old, old script in my head of 'you're not good enough' telling me its 'rubbish'.  Go away negative voice!

 Graham Rayner has such a soothing voice and a fountain of knowledge to draw from.

Thursday afternoon:

Non-fiction writing workshops x 2 were extremely interesting.  Thankfully not many notes to write as all her very informative and interesting presentation notes were screened and will be available to download.  I now am more informed of where to start as and when I am ready to try this market too.  I have ideas but hadn't envisaged writing non-fiction until after I was an established novelist.  But.... perhaps I might.

My 1-1 with Bridget went well.  We climbed the stairs in the main house to a lounge that was quiet.  I had not been in this part of Swanwick before and it felt strange being just two people away from all the other delegates.  She had my work on her computer and highlighted areas to talk about.  Her comments were very helpful, confirming and encouraging.  I floated back down the stair assured I was on the right track.  My negative voice vanishes and positive voice is saying: You will be published.

Bridget Holden in the Main House upper Lounge

Next its Posh Frocks and Clean Socks for dinner when the men get out their bow ties or kilts or suits and ladies swish about in glamorous outfits (optional) followed by Awards evening, farewell entertainment and prize draws.  This usually includes our anthem which is led by John Lamont playing the guitar and singing his version of "I will walk 100 miles and I will walk 100 more" which is "I will write 100 words and I will write 100 more" it has us belly laughing and singing along to the chorus with gusto and sends us on our way with the song playing over in our minds for weeks afterwards.

For those of you reading this blog who have not experienced the place or the Summer School,  there are LOTS of other courses, workshops, entertainment etc that I have not mentioned or partaken of (you can read previous year blogs I have written by scrolling down my list and selecting).  I guess I should mention the CAKE - available at every tea break or biscuits and of course the BAR which is open twice a day.  Some bring their own drinks and before dinner this evening will be a Dregs Party - usually on the lawn if the weather holds out - where everyone brings their bottles and shares their left overs.  So you can see it will be a merry last night for those who imbibe.

I would also like to add that the Summer School accommodates a wide range of participants of all ages. I had the privilege of hearing one young woman, possibly in her 20s, sing a song called Atheist which was about her Grandma having suffered and died and the memories of moments and words spoken which have stayed with her and made her question about after-life.  Playing her guitar and vocalising this song was both touching and inspiring.  I later had chance to tell her she should be on Britian's Got Talent but what I meant to say was that she was excellent and could go far with her writing and singing.  Another young lady was brave enough to tell the tutor and delegates of a workshop we were attending of a devastating happening after winning a prize with a play she had written.  Thankfully it has not put her off her talent for writing and producing work to be staged.

I recommend this place, these courses, tutors and friends you haven't met yet who share your interest in learning to write and have walked the path to publishing before you or have had a successful career in some avenue of the writing world.  Look it up on www.swanwickwritersschool.org.uk.  The Hayes Conference Centre is disabled friendly and although Kay-Anne wasn't here this year other 'scooter' users whizzed about and had assistance with dinner plates to tables etc.  Whatever your circumstances or ability/agility you will find this place a writers delight.

Again please make any comments via Twitter @tweetsue13.

Swanwick Writers Summer School 2019

Wednesday

Having started to blog about my week I am feeling the pressure to keep it up.  Part of me wants to relax and write it up afterwards, and another part of me says 'do it now while its fresh'.  So the latter has won again and here I am fitting it in between the end of lunch and the beginning of the next exciting session.

Part 3 of 4 with Della Galton this morning was as enjoyable as ever.  We looked at Dialogue and colloquialisms ie. "Y'know what I mean"; "So.……" "Cool"; "Ace" etc.  I have a friend who uses "Sweetie" a lot - I love that and am surprised I haven't used it for one of my characters well used phrases because not only is it a nice term of endearment, but tells you the person saying it is actually a Sweetie type of person (not someone who likes sweets/candy but sweet natured).  A lot of people say "Erm…" before a sentence, "Like" is another well used word.

We discussed Dialogue, Dialect, use of Italics, Americanisms etc.  The time goes very quickly and my notebook is being well used.

The second morning workshop was Blogging for Authors by William Gallagher: a Dr Who writer; Journalist; Radio Times writer; has a BBC news blog; and is a scriptwriter for long running television programmes.

His first question was what do you call a gathering of writers and the reply from a quick witted delegate came back : A Volume of Writers.  Another suggested a Saga of Writers.  Perhaps you have another suggestion?

I sat next to a lady who blogs about her travels of which it sounds like she has really seen the world and, for the exercises set, we paired up and exchanged ideas. During the workshop I learnt how to combine my passions into my blogs and so you will be getting more from me than just book reviews.

As a result of a discussion on Comments I researched quickly in settings why 'comments' don't seem to be activated on my blogs and am wondering if commenters have to have a Google account in order to do so.  Perhaps other BlogSpot users will enlighten me?

Lots of questions and answers gave food for thought, inspiration and valuable insight into the benefits and pitfalls of blogging.

Yoga for Writers hour gave me some new exercises to try at home with my limitations not to bend like a flexi-card.

Being a Tree!  I need to work on my balance! (3rd from left front row)

The torrential rain of the day has now ceased and I'm off to dinner. Thank you for stopping by and taking a few minutes to see what I've been up to.  I hope you have found it interesting and comments can be posted to me @tweetsue13 on Twitter.

Swanwick Writers Summer School 2019

Tuesday

Free Time Day - yay!  Although there are PLENTY of things to do if you want to keep going to courses etc.  it is also billed as 9.30 - 5 pm JUST WRITE!  So I am doing just that, catching up with myself, blogging, reading, browsing the book room, being a bit anti-social to prevent being 'all peopled out' as I called it when I worked in a similar environment in Lancaster.

A messy bed in my room at The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick

I hope you are enjoying these blogs as I hope it will encourage other would-be writers and authors to give Swanwick some thought for another year because as one of the guests on the staged chat show last night said, "It's like coming home."  There is an atmosphere here that is hard to describe, its almost spiritual as we come together from all backgrounds and yet bond and interact without barriers of race, ability, education, gender etc.

I attended a one hour session before a salad lunch.  The Natural Storyteller workshop with Bridget Holding was full of correlations between the natural world of animals and nature and how we can use our in-built ways to enhance our writing.

I then sorted notes and papers into character piles and made a spreadsheet of the chapters, pages and scenes of what I have already written so that I can track where I am at a glance rather than re-read each time I start another chapter.

A break involved a car trip to Ripley just to get out and about.  I was looking for a park to sit in but actually went around the shops.  It is a small place and lots of bargain shops so I was able to get some plastic wallets and other bits to bring back to my room.  I can't believe how quickly the afternoon has gone and  walked around the lake and sat in the last of the warm sun before the evening gets cooler.

   

Swanwick Writers Summer School 2019

Monday Morning

Weariness keeps me in bed beyond the alarm this morning.  Tiredness is always my downfall on organised events keeping me away from things I'd like to do but which my body tells me 'now, now, you're not as young as you used to be' and I have learnt to listen to my natural rhymn rather than push on regardless then 'crash'.

So my first session was at 9.30 am and I was ready for part 2 of 4 with the lovely Della Galton, author of two of my favourite books (Ice and Slice & The Morning After) as well as short story writer for magazines.  We (about 50 delegates) looked at Characters - who are they, what are they like, where do they live etc.  We were given a Character Development Sheet with lots of questions to answer about our main character then to sum up in a sentence and read out aloud to the group if you wanted to.  This is mine and again I would value your opinion:

Sheila's life is cluttered to the max making her feel edgy

at home, bored at work and her dream far out of

reach.

I will do the exercise again when I get home and probably come up with something different but for now time is pressing.  Della gave us the idea to draw up a family tree as a helping aid to keep track of characters, which although I know in my head, it will be useful to see on paper, so another exercise to do at home sometime.

Also useful to me was the importance of your setting.  Naming your Town and County is ok but roads and names of pubs, cafes etc need to be fictitious names, so I was on track with that too.   Good to be affirmed in what I have done already. 

After a short coffee break the next session was session 1 of  2: Dream Author by Sophie Hannah.  Wow what an amazing woman and this course was SO right for me.  Sophie has a Coaching Programme and supports would be and already published authors.  She said stuff that I know about positive thinking but in a way that makes some of the things we think after rejections, disappointments etc seeming really daft.  Her examples of how to look at things from a different prospective were both funny and so true that I am sure everyone gained something.  She used the CTFAR Model which I will look up again at a later date.

I know you are interested in food so here's today's lunch delights - Chicken and Mushroom strogonoff with rice or pasta or chips with sweetcorn; there was a gluten free choice and salad or soup too.  Deserts were Blackberry fool; slices of watermelon and pineapple; strawberry ice cream and fruit salad.  I sat with a mother and daughter attending for the first time and heard about their writing, workshops attended and where on the complex they were.  Thankfully all 3 of us were in the Lakeside building which is some way from the Main building which had been disturbed in the early hours by the fire alarm ringing and occupants had to be evacuate into the Hall.  This brought back memories of when I was at this Conference Centre 30+ years ago with a different set of circumstances and the fire alarm went off TWICE and all residents had to get out of their rooms and assemble in the cold night air in their night wear.  This time however I was not disturbed and slept unaware of their adventure.

Part 2 of Dream Author was just as inspiring, comical and informative.  I liked the idea of a Thought Ladder and wrote very quickly in my notebook how my process has been towards being a published author so far:

Not good enough
I've finished a manuscript
Is it good enough
I've edited it and others have too
"If I get published...."
"I will get published one way or another, one day"
"When I get published"
"I will be published soon"

These thoughts are not ideal, we are our own worst critic, and delay the action needed.

Sophie told us "Optimism is not enough - hope is great but determination and action will make it happen."  And I heard the phrase "massive action may be needed" and it gave me an idea for where I am at now.

Monday's one hour afternoon short course I chose to attend was 'Photography for Writers' with Simon Hall.  Having been to other workshops he led in previous years I knew it would be interesting and as I use photos on this blog any improvement to my knowledge and technique would be a bonus.  Using our phones he led us through various steps giving us chance to practise on him or on each other.  I know now what the various symbols on the camera setting mean and how to use them and, rather than editing the picture after I have taken it, how to get a good picture first time.

These are not the best examples but practice makes perfect lol 

After such a full day I walked out of the building into the sunshine and sat on a bench deciding that was  enough for today.  An elderly man joined me and we chatted in the sunshine before dinner.  At 8pm it was the Swanwick Chat Show which Simon Hall hosted asking questions and getting surprising answers from the 3 celebrities - Alison Chisholm, Poet; Amit Dhand, Crime Writer; and Sophie Hannah, Crime Writer and Coach.  It was very entertaining with much laughter.  

And so to bed. zzzzzzzzzz

Swanwick Writers Summer School 2019

First Days

This year is SWSS 71st year.  It is my 4th year of attending.  We gather in the main hall to be addressed by the Chairman.  'We' are 293 delegates all with one thing in common - the love of the written word.  There are 15 international delegates, 11 different countries are represented.  And many from all corners of the UK and surrounding islands.

What I love about this place is that you can attend alone and immediately find someone talks to you to find out where you are from, how many times you have attended, what are you writing etc.  Conversation is easy.

Meals are served in two dining areas where you meet different people and make new acquaintances. I ate with delight choosing from the various dishes to have chicken Kiev, roast potatoes and sweetcorn followed by a big dish of crème brulee.  Yum.

The grounds are as beautiful as ever but the wind and rain of today have somewhat battered the blooms.  I did notice some strawberries in the planters leading up to the main house and I may be tempted to pick one when no-one is looking! Lol

The first night after dinner speaker was Paul Dodgson who took us through his journey of becoming a writer from his time at the BBC and radio plays to his memoir The Road Not Travelled - he had wanted to be a rock star.  He ended with a song he had written and we all joined in the wordless chorus which was fun and actually sounded good.

I attended a Birds of a Feather gathering where groups of different genre writers flocked together but I found the noise level of so many people chatting in the main house lounge rather overwhelming, so politely left and went to my room.  It was nice walking the short distance from the house to the Lakeside block, I am rarely outdoors after dark.  The night air was fresh and silent, my bed beckoned.

Sunday morning started with meditation.  Instruction in mindfulness with the aid of a tic-tac mint was interesting, sitting for 5 minutes in silence and stretching and yawning were all a gentle wake up for the busy day ahead.

Having 3 meals a day with nearly 300 other people is quite something.  I had breakfast in my room thanks to Quaker Oats so Simple pots and Whitworths cranberries together with my second cuppa to fully get me going.

Next stop is Part 1 of 4 with Della Galton - How to write your first novel.  We heard about Pitch/Premise and this is mine for the novel I have written:
 

Journey with Shelia Walker on her physical and mental de-cluttering expedition  

which leads to a new direction with some touching special moments along the way.

What do you think?  I may work on it further but your comments would help.  Is it too long; not punchy enough; does it intrigue you; does it tell you the basis of the storyline?

Then Della explained the importance of the first page, which is usually 350 words, and several things that need to happen there.  I will be checking mine out but mentally ticked a few off that I could remember I had written.

We also touched on Plotting which I was pleased I know I have done ok with. 

I also attended Val Penny's short course, part 1 of 2, on Promoting your Work.  She worked through the alphabet with helpful hints.

A short Chapel Interdenominational Service before lunch of Roast Turkey (or beef or pork); Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, green beans and parsnips followed by a slice of black forest gateaux and fresh cream.

After lunching with 4 ladies and 1 man when we chatted about river and lake swimming, it was back to Val Penny for session 2 of 2 to complete her alphabet of helpful hints.  I see from my notebook I wrote much about understanding Twitter (my favourite social media site).  Tweeters will notice I use hashtags more now.

Coffee and cake was served but I declined opting to go for a walk around the grounds for some fresh air.  No rain but breezy.  It is so hard not to take photos of the lovely grounds and here are just a few, some you may have seen on Twitter already.

5.15pm each day is Unwind your Mind with Zana Lamont which is always a lovely 45 minutes of music, movement (Thai Chi style) and relaxation.  Just what we need after a full evening and day.

I had an early night after the evening meal and will continue with more news of my writing holiday soon.

Note: the courses and other activities  I mention are MY choice.  There are so many things to choose from and delegates can dip in and out of any as they wish.  It is all very informal and relaxed but quality time to feed our passion for writing etc.   

Satisfying Saturday Shopping

When I heard about The Tamworth Pantry opening at our local Garden Centre I was thrilled.  Having visited Chester recently and stumbled across a Plastic and Packaging Free shop I bought two shampoo blocks and noted all the array of goods on sale determined to find such a shop nearer to home.  I searched the internet and the nearest was in Birmingham but then, on a Sunday morning trip to Grangewood Garden Centre to look at plants and have a coffee, I noticed one of the many 'cabin units' had a sign of a forthcoming new venture....

Zero Waste Shopping

 

I started to fill a bag with empty containers ready for the opening day which was today.  I was as excited as a little girl going to a sweet shop.  I wasn't disappointed.  So now I can buy my porridge oats without its cardboard box or in a plastic bag; nuts as many or as few as I need; fill old conditioner, hand wash and washing up liquid bottles as well as buy a wooden tooth brush or lovely natural soap and so much more.

OH was impressed too as there were many spices and he got organic chick peas and apricots for cooking with.  

Free tray bakes by Heavenly Baking for first customers at The Tamworth Pantry

Then OH stopped at another cabin that sold real ales, so we sat chatting to 3 of the cabin business people whilst enjoying a tipple in the sun.

The Beer Hut sells Craft Ales, Gins, Cider, Spirits etc and it was more than he could resist.  I had a Peaky Blinder Lager and although I was going to have a cappuccino in the Grangewood Garden centre café this really was very pleasant for a change.

We rarely go shopping on a Saturday but this was one Saturday that was very satisfying.

Educated

This Memoir is bravely and simply written as it's no doubt a cathartic step in this beautiful young lady's life.  It educated me in so many ways* (listed below) even though I thought I knew so much of the topics covered from my counselling training and private practise.

It was a compelling, gripping read.  I would urge readers to make sure they are in a good place mentally before reading as if it resonates with any of the issues in it, it may bring you to tears about your own life as well as the author's.  I wrote much in my journal, researched topics and feel I have learnt so much more than I knew about toxic relationships.

It is a story of being let loose from binding chains; one of parental influence and childlike conformity.  As Tara grows so does her need for independence and freedom.  Taking a job in her early teens starts an incredible journey from having no education to going to college through to gaining a scholarship and a Doctorate.

You can see Tara talking to Ellen Degeneres and also on the Ophrah Winfrey show on You Tube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is635n6RNR0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS0P1ovIRos

The book is available at most bookshops, libraries and on-line.  Her own website is
https://tarawestover.com

In short this book will stir your soul.

*Subjects covered:

Family dynamics
Religious conformity
Coercive behaviour
Personality disorder
Parental powers
Narcissistic behaviours
The damage of silence
How the body heals
How the mind heals
Ignorance and its pit falls
Liberation and its price
Freedom and friends
Unhealthy relationships
Bipolar/mental illness
Fear
Love
Skills
Knowledge
Truth
Confrontation
Loyalty
Natural remedies
Gender dominance
Bullying/Abuse

The list is extensive and I'm sure I haven't listed them all.  I applaud Tara and how she has dealt with the adult years of her life, what a shining star of an example to many she is.

Amazing Grace

BOOK REVIEW

I was very privileged to have been invited to the Book Launch party by the Author - Kim Nash.  It was a lovely evening in a idyllic village near Cannock Chase.  I was made welcome by her book club ladies and watched her proud son, nephew and her sister glow with pride and share in this new step forward in Kim's life with the help of Hera publishing company.

Kim is known as @KimTheBookworm on her Twitter account and is a Publicity Manager for another publishing company: Bookouture.  She is an avid reader and promotes sooooooooooooooo many good books it's hard to keep up with all her recommendations.

But this is one I squeezed into my planned reading.  I normally like to hold a book, turn the pages, feel the paper, smell the print, treasure the delights of each chapter and read very purposefully (slow!)  With this book I broke rank with my own traditional way of reading and did the modern thing of downloading it onto my phone (I don't have an I-pad/kindle).  I had to discipline myself to not play games, check emails or social media sites first but once into the story the pages flicked over quicker and quicker.

From the offset you can tell this book is written from the heart.  It will resonate with those who have lost someone they loved dearly and have been hurt deeply by someone else.  Single mums will identify with the 'lost-ness of self' that Grace is living with but rediscovers with the help of her friend Monica.

Ten year old Archie and Becks the dog are the loves of Grace's life.  With her sister having moved abroad, and not seeing much of her Dad, her boy and pet is all the family she has since her divorce.  That is until she meets Vinnie the gardener who introduces her to his sister and family who all become very good friends.

Grace's ex husband is a man behaving badly.  You will get caught up in his coercive ways and unacceptable parenting.  During a meltdown he causes every mother's nightmare - a drama that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Vinnie, on the other hand, is the perfect gentleman of Grace's dreams but the tussle of decision making plays out until a match is made in heaven.  Whether you believe in life after death or not this book will inspire and comfort those who grieve a significant loss.

There are laugh out loud moments and most definitely 'pass the tissues' moments.  Your heartstrings will be twanged and your eyes will leak, but its a book not to be missed this summer as you relax in the garden; after you've taken your dog a walk or, in the evenings with a glass of wine.

Well done Kim Nash.

A Mindful Moment

Each morning, my first drink is a cup of hot water with a slice of lemon in it.  I buy lemons, slice and freeze them so that I can enjoy them in either hot or cold water.

Today, I held my cup and stared at the piece of lemon floating on the surface of the steaming hot water.  I wonder where it was grown and remember when I lived in Cyprus the trees laden with yellow fruits.

I think of the farmer collecting them and loading up baskets on his donkey.  I think of crates of lemons transported to the docks in old lorries then loaded onto ships that will sail to the UK.  A more modern lorry then buzzes down the motorway to supermarket depots and uniformed staff put them out for display for shoppers to buy.  A market stall holder in our town shouts out the price for a bag of 5 lemons and my own shopping bag that carries them home.  

All this before I sip a taste of morning sunshine in a cup.

The citrus zing awakens my taste buds and refreshes my mouth and digestive system, ready for another day.

One slice of lemon.  One Mindful Moment.

DID YOU KNOW :

Lemons are high in antioxidants.  They are said to :

Aid Digestion

Detoxify the liver

Speeds up your metabolism

Helps relieve depression, anxiety, relieves heartburn, wards of cancer and reduces inflammation.

I can't vouch for that bit of information, but I can recommend it as a refreshing drink.

Education

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, lived a little girl called Susan.

At school, when she was 5 years old, she would hand her workbook in and then notice the teacher wrote 'V.Good' on her story page.  She didn't know what 'V.Good' meant and thought that the teacher must have written it on all her little friends books too.  No-one took her by the hand and explained, no-one spoke directly to her about her story.  She felt that it was a 'classroom' thing; she was just one of many, she soon forgot it.

When she was 7, or maybe 8, she was sent to see the headteacher for not being able to recite a poem.  It was about ducks dittying - she didn't understand the poem and so the words wouldn't stay in her brain.  It certainly wouldn't come out of her mouth when asked to stand up and say it out so the whole class could hear it.  She understood standing outside the headteacher's office was a form of punishment for doing something wrong so waiting there made her worried.  The headteacher called her into the office and she stood at one side of the desk and Miss Swan (yes, that was her name) sat on her chair the other side.  The headteacher read the first line of the poem and asked little Susan to repeat it and so on until the end of the poem.  It wasn't too bad a punishment.

At 10 years of age Susan was the youngest in the class; one more day and she would have been the oldest having been born on 31st August and the school year started on 1st September.  Susan was the only pupil in her Junior School to fail the 11plus examination.  Her mother visited the school to ask for an extension in primary education, but it was not granted.  Susan had a taste of rejection and failure which became a reinforced message at senior school where she was placed in a 'B' stream and, having been unable to read out aloud had to stand outside in the corridor.  The second time she couldn't read out aloud she had to walk around an empty playground 10 times.

She actually loved reading, silently in her head.  She went to the library very often on a Saturday with her father and brother and would return with a lot of Enid Blyton books and in her teens read mystery and crime books.  She loved the words printed on the page, the chapters, the excitement, the different world she entered between the covers of her comfy bed and the picture on the cover and the words 'The End'.

At 12 Susan came top of the class in English, her favourite subject.  She hated history and geography.  She was teased and bullied in P.E. and found science scary - cutting up a sheep's eyeball and using a Bunson burner and test tubes for experiments.  She was rewarded for her work in English by being 'put up into the A stream' where the pupils had been learning French for nearly 2 years which she was unable to join in with.  In this class Susan was bullied some more and became fearful and anxious of school hours.  At home she could escape into books which was calm and fed her love of stories, libraries, the smell and feel of books.

At 14 nearly 15, she was introduced to a classroom full of typewriters and a spark of new life came into her education.  The printed word was hers to create.  Memorandums, letters and making the school newsletter on a stencil 'skin' and running copies off on a Gestener and having it read by other pupils in the school was thrilling, rewarding, satisfying.  However, no-one said "Well done; you write well; you have a talent/gift."  No careers person told her she could nurture this love of words to become a writer, a journalist, a proof-reader or magazine editor.

Susan left school at 15; her parents wanted her to earn money rather than have any more time at school, after all she was just an average child who failed her 11+ and barely scraped through her CSE's.  She was best at typing so into an office she went.  An older cousin had exceptionally high speeds at typing and shorthand so Susan's parents took her out of the workplace and set her on a path that would enhance her career - full time secretarial college.  It was a government scheme that gave students a job at the end of the course.  Susan loved it.  Being taught the one thing she felt good about - creating works of art with an Olivetti typewriter.  She passed all her grades with high marks and sometimes a 'distinction'.  A sense of pride and achievement formed.  However, shorthand wasn't quite so quick as her cousin but it was 'good enough' to secure her a job at the City of Birmingham Water Department, where at 18 years of age she met a man and fell in love.

45 years wed this year

You will have guessed that Susan is Sue today.  You may be wondering why I am blogging about this part of my life.  Well the Education system failed me - I didn't fail.  It has failed, and still fails children today.  Ok, some fit the mould and do well, very well in fact.  They go onto university and get great jobs.  Others hate school and rebel against getting it by getting into trouble, being excluded and punished for not complying to rules that every teacher needs them to.  Don't get me wrong - I salute teachers, they do a sterling job with their own constraints of targets to meet, OFSTED to please etc etc.  I could teach 6 or 7 pupils at a time but classes of 20-30 children, no way.  How can teachers spend quality time nurturing them and finding out what they are naturally good at and enjoy?

I recently met a young lad, about 8 or 9 years old, who, every time I saw him told me interesting facts about insects, animals, dinosaurs, birds etc.  I told him he could be the next Chris Packham from the television when he grew up.  One day he had lost his smile and no facts were forthcoming.  I asked him what was wrong, he replied, "I have to learn stuff I'm no good at."   My heart melted, it resonated with my childhood experiences half a decade or more ago.  How sad.  I encouraged him to learn at home - write about the animals, draw the insects, read books from the library.  I have moved away and no longer see him but I do hope he doesn't loose his passion for nature.

I did have a good career.  I took pride in my work, marriage and motherhood.  In my 20's I wrote poems, in my 30's I had self-published a children's religious book but that was a bad experience with vanity publishers who vanished with the money I paid them.  The book was cheaply and badly produced and so my writings went into a drawer for 30+ years.  But now in my 60's the passion for writing is back with a vengeance.  In the mean time I have educated myself.  I gained an 'O' level English in my 40's and spent the last decade attending workshops for writers, courses on-line and attended Swanwick Writers Summer School annually.

It is no good saying "If only...." we have to live with what is, not what isn't.  We can make dreams come true no matter what age.  We can encourage others where we weren't encouraged.  We can be the best we can, with what we have, we can tell ourselves "I am good enough" and "I can do this."  We can forgive our past and concentrate on the present.  We can do our best NOW for tomorrow isn't promised.  Do what makes you happy, nurture your talents.  Don't tell me you don't have any, they are there waiting to be discovered, to be said out aloud, acknowledged and enjoyed.

As annoyed and helpless as I am that Education is doing some youngsters a disservice I only have energy for one passion.  That passion doesn't lie in the belief that I have the power or energy to change the system but I do have the will to change me.  I am investing my time and energy in something I should have done many moons ago and hoping I see myself reach this goal.  I have written 100,000 words of a novel and have two others in mind.  When my novel is published I will have a pseudonym because I will have a new chapter of life.  Watch this space!

2 Minds Matter

I am privileged to be writing this review blog of a most excellent stage presentation brought about by my former work college and more latterly, a friend, survivor of breast cancer and most energetic, kind hearted, generous person in Tamworth.  Sharon Rose gathered together 100 volunteers to enlighten an audience and promote Mental Health issues.  It is the second of two plays resulting from her published memoirs of a life of tragedies and fun.  You can read about the first play and Sharon's books by scrolling down my library of blogs until you find Split Second published on 22.11.18 and Thorns of a Rose published on 22.4.17.

The stage was a school hall theatre space, props were simple and affective, scenes were changed by way of pictures on an overhead projector and stage hands delicately moving items around.  The audience waited in anticipation whilst reading this quote on the screen:

Sharon has certainly taken her history and created wonderful ways to help others which in turn will change their lives too.

The opening introduction and song 'Lost' left us in no doubt about the subject matter of the play and already my emotions were on full alert.  We were transported back in time to the 1960's and 70's through music, black and white screen pictures, fashion and family settings.  Colour back drops came as we moved with the family into 1980's when behind closed doors they were in crisis and, for the safety of its members, the father was sectioned and taken away.  Two young dancers expressed dramatically and beautifully the emotion of this situation.  My thoughts went out to those who today are struggling behind the doors of their family homes with anger, confusion, voices in their heads telling them negative things that drive them to drink, drugs and violence, the knock on affect to those around them and the fear and love that binds them together.

Humour came during Act 2 when the 'in-patients' of a certain establishment decided to have a day out to Llandudno.  There was some extremely clever use of film and of a get-away vehicle which I was happy to find outside after the play:

However during their antics in the hotel they visited by the sea, two guests were less than pleased with the groups behaviour.  Their intolerance and attitude being in 1980's, unfortunately I feel has not changed some 35 years on.  The stigma of mental health and the un-PC words are still around; we talk of 'inclusion' and 'difference' but are we comfortable around those who display challenging behaviours?  I think I may have sloped off and had afternoon tea somewhere else rather than cause a scene that unacceptably harsh - the group were having fun and the hotel staff were obviously ok to let them have some time out. 

Back in Birmingham the 'voices in the head' were affecting another family member and the father is now old but still likes to play his piano/keyboard.  His offspring displays the same traits as ones he had grown up with and this leads to bad relationships and his eventual suicidal death.  Again our emotions are touched delicately by the expression through dance and picture of swans on a lake.

Summer Seager Coles' white leotard and hair feathers matching the music and Nathan Anson in black was a stark reminder that life is a two sided coin.  We can live beautifully in the light or be tormented in the darker side of life.  However, the finale left everyone in no doubt that help is at hand - The Mercian Singers sang - 'You'll never walk alone' and 'Climb every mountain'.  I am sure there wasn't a dry eye in the theatre.  

The production was supported by many helping Charities.  Samaritans and local Mental Health workers were present to talk to should anyone need it.

Should you wish to see 'Split Second' Plus Xtra Time to be staged on 22.2.2020 tickets will be available from Tamworth Information Centre from October 2019 or visit: www.sharonroseauthor.co.uk.  

    

  

Stand By Me

Book Review

Published by Avon

Wow, I so want to recommend this book to you.  It is fab.

I received this book through the post as a prize for retweeting a promotional tweet on Twitter.  I didn't know its genre or its author.  It is brilliant.  I don't usually like books that go backwards and forwards in time but this one was easy to follow and so enjoyable.  It contains many life issues that we can recognise and perhaps identify with.  There is a tense marriage and financial situation; depression and low self-esteem; addiction to alcohol; teenage sexuality and bullying problems; teacher/pupil relations; up-to-date issues concerning the use of internet and text messaging.  It is heart warming and heart breaking.

As I usually read contemporary fiction by female authors I was surprised to find S D Robertson is male, so a good change for me.  As I read the first chapters I was gripped by the tension and began to wonder if it was a physcological thriller.  But reading on I loved the boy/girl friendship which is normally the type found between two girls (in my experience) - it is so trusting, caring, open and honest.  I also loved the description of teenage awkwardness at a dance and the clumsiness of Elliot's first kiss followed by his self-berating of not getting it right.

Later Elliot is on a mission to repay Lisa for saving his life and gets entangled in Lisa's now dysfunctional family, he touches the heart and soul of her husband and adolescent children one by one.  His mission complete will have the reader wondering about true love, faith and hope.  To say any more would spoil the plot.  It is a thought provoking, gentle, kind read whilst encompassing agonising, confusing and unfathomable questions.  

A will be giving a 5 Star Review on Amazon and Good Reads.