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.  

Writers together.....

AUTHOR & BLOGGERS MEET UP - Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

I attended the above gathering travelling by train and finding the venue just across the road from Stoke-on-Trent's Station.  What a delight to meet friends who regularly blog about books they have read and enjoyed, and authors who have books published.  Hearing how they decided to self publish, accept a contract from publishers in this country or abroad and sharing cards for keeping in contact was very informative and keeps me keen to continue on my path.

Putting names to faces I've connected with on social media (mainly Twitter) and getting to know where they are from etc will, I'm sure, make our tweets more meaningful.  I now have a list of more books I want to read!

The hotel room is ideal for the 35 or so visitors.  It is spacious enough to be able to sit in comfort or move around to socialise.  Drinks and food are available at reasonable prices.

It was great to see Kim Nash and hear about her book 'Amazing Grace' available as an e-book as from April this year; Noelle Holton alias Crime Book Junkie was also there.  Children's Author and novelist Misha M Herwin; Women's Contemporary Fiction writer Kiltie Jackson; Caroline England, Novelist plus Rachel Gilbey blog tour organiser, and other bloggers from near and far.  People came from the Lake District, Manchester, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and some I didn't have time to meet and find out where they were from, but the chatting in the room was excited and positive giving a great vibe and buzz.

Thanks to Kerry Ann Parsons and Steph Lawrence for hosting the event.  Here are a few photos from the day. ...


 

At the ending of 2018

A Reflection -

Highlights of 2018

• A visit to Birmingham to see places not seen for 40+ years.
• A visit to Southport and Liverpool seeing the Antony Gormley statues at Crosby Beach
• A holiday in Crete
• A new job
• Swanwick Writer's Summer School
• Visiting an Aunt I have not seen for 40+ years who lives in Spain
• A trip to Anglesey with a friend
• My nephew's wedding
• Times with family and friends
• Books read and reviewed

And, the other side of the coin

• Coping all year with ill health
• Family and friends with major health issues

365 days fly by don't they and yet at the time of each day life is a slow, daily opportunity to do your best, whether at work or at home.  Living with pain makes one appreciate the small things of life and gratitude that you can at least walk, talk, hear, see etc and never-ending sympathy and admiration for those less able.   

My focus has been drawn away at times from my goal, to be a published author, however I have managed book reviews, writing for a local magazine, blogs etc.  I have my first novel out to two or three publishers at the moment and am still editing and working on novel two, albeit slowly.  Chipping away and enjoying the process.

Christmas brought lovely gifts, family time and news of a great-nephew or niece to bring joy next year.  

I hear many a grumble about social media and the affect it has on some people who fall prey to abuse, negative comments and seedy romance seekers.  However, used appropriately I feel it is, in some cases, not only a life-saver but for many a place to find support and positivity, genuine care, fun and a platform for sharing goals and life issues with trusted friends that one perhaps will never meet.  People fighting all sorts of cancers, battling with mental health or life changing circumstances as well as great cooks, writers, political activists, animal and nature lovers, etc etc all contribute to my daily 'check in' and lift my spirits.  Maybe I spend a little too much time on this where I could be pursuing my goal but then I would miss out on this wonderful community that share insights into their passions

and interests.  What a rich world it is.

Well now I stand at the gateway to a NEW YEAR and a NEW START.  I don't make resolutions but I have a new MANTRA that I began whilst exercising on a daily basis.  I have it written above my writing space and on my heart.  Whereas 'perseverance pays off' was once my motto I also believe that 'determination' is a wonderful thing to have.  It gives FOCUS, DRIVE, HOPE, POSITIVITY and inspires others to think about how they can be a better self.

To those who follow me on my BLOGs - thank you for your time and interest.  I hope 2019 brings you unexpected joys and a spirit of determination in times that are not as you would wish for.

The Sciatica Journey

April 2018 – I attended my local hospital with a back sprain.  I was in agony and thought I had broken my coccyx bone.  A Senior Nurse Practitioner was less than sympathetic when telling me “even if you have they wont do anything” and sent me away with a prescription for painkillers. 

Six weeks later I was feeling better.  I was due to start a new part-time job as a Lunchtime Supervisor at a local primary school.  On the third day there I was asked to assist a colleague in moving a bench.  It wasn’t heavy but I knew straight away I should not have done it.  And so began The Sciatica Journey.

To say it was painful is an understatement.  Anyone who has had it will tell you.  I heard tales of walking sticks, six months off work, couldn’t get in and out of cars, depression, injections in spine etc etc.  Mornings were the worst having lain all night the first thing I needed to do was move my right leg from side to side to ‘wake it up’ as it felt like a ‘dead leg’.  Putting it out of bed onto the floor and getting to the bathroom felt excruciating and I hobbled like a 90 year old woman.  It bought tears to my eyes with the pain traveling rapidly from my heel up to my sacrum.  A day of pain in my leg, buttock and back followed.  And that was every day for several months.

I finally got a Physiotherapy appointment at my local hospital where an explanation of what the sciatic nerve was like using a skeleton to demonstrate.  Knowledge for me is half the battle as otherwise my brain goes to the worse case scenario imagining all sorts of terrible things.  I also educated myself via the internet, magazine articles, The Sciatica Handbook by Bill Habets 

and treated myself to other means of helping aides as painkillers and anti-inflammatory tablets just weren’t touching it.  I was prescribed Gabapentin and later an anti-depressant drug that helped calm the nerve - I had bad reactions to both of these so I abandoned all prescribed medications and went ‘natural’.  I ate fresh pineapple every day – a natural anti-inflammatory; drank chamomile tea; ate as much fruit and vegetables I could and bought a digital watch to count my daily steps.  Walking and fresh air have helped lift the mood.  Paracetamol and other available ‘over the counter’ tablets were taken to get me through the hour at school.  Resting with legs up has helped too.

• Hot and cold treatment – an ice block became my new best friend.  Freezing the pain allowed easier movement but was very temporary.  Heat pad belts were also very useful at the beginning giving relief and felt assurance I was ‘treating’ my back.  A cosy hot water bottle placed either under my leg or buttock whilst sitting or in bed was another comfort.  I also used heat cream or an ice gel but these were less effective.

• Private Physiotherapy sessions x 3 at two different locations.  These gave me more reassurance in the diagnosis and exercises to help.  I have done these religiously for the whole time – two or three times a day.  Mornings have been taken up with the routine of rising, taking a warm bath, exercising, dressing, and massaging my back, butt and leg with oil.
• A bed of nails mat – in my exercise regime I lay on my yoga mat and this - 
  
  hoping for relief.  I think the thought was that it may act like acupuncture, I’m not sure of the benefits but when you are suffering you try anything to relieve it.
• Pain gun –When I started using this I noticed a change in my thought patterns.  I began to repeat a positive statement over and over in my head at the end of each exercise session.
• Tennis ball – I was advised to roll this across my periformis muscle (in buttock) which I did.  Also rolling it under the ball of my foot where the Sciatic nerve ends.
• Jacuzzi.  I continued my membership at the leisure centre and although I did less and less in the gym (no weight lifting or strenuous exercises) I kept going.  A few times the tears would not stay in my eyes.  I swam of sorts, I couldn’t do much but enjoyed floating.  I used the Jacuzzi which has been a lovely relief of pain.
• MRI Scan – this showed I had two bulging discs and degeneration of spine bones (old age).  I requested a copy of the report to take to the Osteopath.
• Private Osteopath.  A trainer at the gym recommended her friend who would be gentle with me.  I had feared going to a Chiropractor worrying they would do more harm than good and was considering acupuncture.  However, I read up what the difference was between a Chiropractor and Osteopath and booked the latter.

The Osteopath gently stretched my lower spine with the palms of his hands; rocked me as I lay on my left side; manipulated the sciatic vein in my leg and did some cranial massage too.

A few days after the first session, the pain in my lower leg vanished.  After the second session, it hurt for a few days and I have to be honest and say my moods by now were not at their best.  Anger slipped out in frustration, I am only human and not super-human.  But that said there was more improvement.  The pain is receding and is now mostly only in my very upper leg, buttock and back.  I have hope that by Christmas and New Year this journey will be at its end.

As Sciatica is an ailment that can’t be seen or felt by anyone else it is hard for friends and family to empathize.  People who live permanently with disabilities were more sympathetic and those who have previously suffered sciatica could feel my pain when I sat with a cushion for support in their company.

I have experienced many physical and mental health issues in my life but this was by far the worst.  I wish I had gone to an Osteopath much sooner and can highly recommend this form of treatment for those who prefer holistic therapy.  With grateful thanks to Peter Andrews, Sutton Osteopathy, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands.

To date (16.12.18) I still exercise daily, walk, have warm baths with Epsom Salts in, use the pain gun and none prescribed pain killers once a day.  

Thank you for taking time to read this blog.  If you know anyone who is suffering in this debilitating health issue please print it off - it may help them.  

A Festive Feast

Christmas Cake and Mistletoe Nights by Carole Matthews - A Book Review

When I pick up another Carole Matthews book and start reading I am instantly transported back in time to when I met her at the beginning of my own writing journey.  I was in awe of meeting a 'proper author' and how lovely she was when we chatted.  I have read many of her books and each time marvel at how many she has written and how good they all are.

Reading just a few pages of this one gave me inspiration to pick up my pen again and continue on my journey towards being a published author.  This book is written in the first person which is how I like to read and therefore how I like to write.

Instantly I am back with Fay and the gorgeous Danny - remembering one of Carole's Mary Berry endorsed books, the Cake shop in the Garden.  I have looked forward to this continued canal journey that Fay began with Danny  It is a sequel but equally can be read as a stand alone book.

The story is jam packed with EXCITEMENT.  It is a mixture of love, friendship and family; baked in the chill of winter and iced with snow.  It is decorated with an upbeat teenager and an old man, both of whom make you laugh and cry; a Latvian friend who needs to temper her language; and a bitterness and angst with her sister that Fay muddles through.

There is storm damage and restoration where they all pull together and the hero surprises and delivers moments of great joy.

This book made me want to bake a cake and get the Christmas tree out of the loft.

It made me grateful for what I have and it tickled both my sense of humour and imagination.  It is a great seasonal read that I hope will be part of a trilogy.  I want MORE of Danny and Fay, Lija and Mog; Stan, Rainbow and Nana; and sister Edie.  Excellent, Keep writing Carole Matthews.

Reviews also posted on Amazon and Goodreads.

 

Surprise me

Book Review

Oh my life, this is the most excellent book.  I absolutely loved it.   It is the second Sophie Kinsella book I have read and love the first person narration.  Anyone who has an overactive imagination or over suspicious mind will be thrilled by this book.  

Long term relationships have their ups and downs and Sophie's humour takes on trying to revitalise the marriage of Sylvie and Dan, which is utterly brilliant.  However, true to life there are shocks and revelations too.  Pressures of family life, work and holding secrets takes its toll but Sylvie's overactive mind leads her to a drive force that changes how she looks, feels, thinks and loves.

This charming tale melts away dark corners and sheds light on truth, friendship and love.  All the relationships are believable and you feel as though you are spying on Sylvie's life, watching and waiting for a good outcome.

I NEVER turn to the ending pages of a book to see how it turns out but I was so in Sylvie and Dan's corner that I just had to know whether what I was reading and feeling was truth.  I related so much to Sylvie - her thought patterns and believable senarios; her perceived quirkiness of her husband Dan and having to knock her father off the pedestal she had had him on.  It made me think again about 'reactions' and 'actions'; how LIFE NOW is all that matters and no matter how much time anyone has to live the most should be made of it.

A delightful, easy, believable read that grips, churns and hooks you.  Tantalising, honest and wholesome.    Well done Sophie Kinsella *****

Reviews also on Good Reads and Amazon.

Holiday Reads

3 Book Reviews

1.  My (Not So) Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella

This was my first Sophie Kinsella book and it certainly will not be my last.  I found it very entertaining with lots of laugh out loud moments and touching heartfelt scenarios.

The protagonist’s life in London and rural Britain has real depth of character which enables the reader to be transported easily to the countryside from the city and back again.  Each place has a lure and is emotive so that Katie sometimes finds herself torn between her ambitions and family loyalty.  Her bosses in London are quirky but when they holiday or visit for business at Katie’s family farm venture they, show her another side to their personalities. 

The book shows we all have two sides to us and given the right circumstances we can be the person we want to be.  If you like high-flying careers or the simple life of camping outdoors, you will enjoy this book.  It will amuse and inspire, help you to chase dreams or simply appreciate what you already have.

 

2. Desperately Seeking Summer by Mandy Baggott

I read this book in the setting it was situated in – on Corfu Island – so it made it so much more authentic.  The Greek phrases speckled in conversation were familiar and the description of food, trees, flowers, sea and smells lingered after each chapter I read.

The characters and businesses typical of Corfu were easy to relate to – I particularly liked the olive wood workshop as there are so many of these dotted around the island and shops sell all things olive related.

The infiltration of ex-pats and tourists are helping an otherwise failing economy;  having lived on a Greek island for 3 years I easily imagined to the Real Estate business where the buying, selling, renting of all types of properties has its peaks and toughs in this story. 

Author Mandy makes many references to celebrities and UK television programmes we are all familiar with which adds English reality into Greek fantasy.

Watching large coaches navigate narrow winding roads from my hotel balcony and boats on the sea added to the humour and drama with which the writer conveys this edgy romance.  From desperately sad circumstances the protagonist turns her back on the UK to seek her future.  Slowly under the warmth and slow paced life of Corfu she helps to raise standards, business and self-esteem of her sister and bereaved mother.  This melts the hardening of her heart along with getting to know the locals, accepting her losses and testing out her instincts.  The family business and her love life take an upward turn and you are left with as much feel-good factor as the Mama Mia films.

3.  Spring on the Little Cornish Isles – The Flower Farm by Phillipa Ashley

I have Cornish blood running through my veins although I have never been to the Scilly Isles and now have a desire to go there and see where our spring blooms are grown. 

The story of farm owners – twins Will and Jess and their mother who is recovering from a marital disaster – take on seasonal workers.  Together with locals the reader is transported to a remote island where dedication and hard work is an every day occurrence.  However relationships bloom too.  Dreams are held dear but circumstances cause turmoil of the heart and mind.

Fun and dramas bring the right people together and deep love conquers all.

The author keeps the reader on track with all the different relationships and delightful description of places helps the imagination enter into the characters worlds.  The tantilising ‘will they, wont they’ dilemmas are real page turners and leaves you happy with the outcomes.

Virgin at 50

Book Review

 

Virgin at 50

by Pam Keevil,

 Published by Black Pear Press

I really enjoyed this book; topics of interest were covered sensitively and weaved through a tale of betrayal; hurts and disappointments; finding a new life and way of being; love and friendship.  Here's my take on it without giving away too much of the story:

When it comes to sex Angie has had Nun of it!  Leaving a sacred Order for a new life is very daunting but friend Maggie is on hand to advise her on the ways of the world.  Old Habits die hard and she is soon doing good works in her neighbourhood - caring for Jason and later his girlfriend too.

There are Crosses to bear with her neighbour Paul and a trip abroad turns into a mini Mission to help one family become educated and employed.

Weaved into this delightful story is a haunting memory of a Priest and decades of memories which help convict a perpetrator of sexual abuse, the outcome of which devastates her Sisters.

When internet dating proves disastrous her hopes of loosing her virginity fades fast.  Angie stops obsessing about it and takes up a teaching post.

There are truths and deceits in this tale; determination and good triumphing over bad.  Faith in people helps Angie find love in an unexpected way.

I met Pam Keevil at Swanwick this year and what a lovely lady she is.  I was able to buy a paperback copy from the bookstalls and hope to keep in touch via social media.

A signed copy

I have rated the book 5* on Amazon; it is available on Kindle or via the author or publisher.  Do visit their websites: pamkeevil.com and https://blackpear.net.

Swanwick Writers Summer School 2018

One week on and I am just ‘landing’ from the tremendous ‘high’ that SWSS was again this year.  The Writing School were celebrating 70 years of existence which is a wonderful achievement.  I booked early to secure my place having received vouchers towards the cost from family members for  Christmas and birthday presents.

On the first evening, one of my favorite authors gave the after dinner address.  Sue Moorcroft told us about ‘The Road to Publication (with a few wrong turns)’ which spanned a period of 23 years and 30 short story rejections before having her first novel published on her 40^th birthday.  Wow, that must have been amazing!  

Sue Moorcroft is a Sunday Times and International bestselling author.

I felt privileged when Sue joined me at the dinner table and as we drank wine together in the bar area. One evening we walked around the lake together with Rosemary Kind.  I feel very at ease in Sue’s company and we were able to get to know each other sharing stuff other than writing.

I also had a 1-1 session with Sue that helped me greatly with pointers for ‘submitting to publishers’ and comments on first chapters of my second novel.

The A – Z of Novel Writing, 4 part course, led by Simon Hall was also excellent.

Simon is a former BBC News Correspondent, Journalist and author of detective novels. 

There was much fun guessing what each letter was going to cover as Simon had chosen some obscure words to talk around.  We also had short writing exercises to do - delegates were divided into Crime Writers and Romance Writers by each side of the room.  I was glad I was assigned into the Romance writing but my writing pal for the week has gone away inspired to write a murder mystery based on one or two of these exercises, so I can’t wait to hear the finished version.

Unwind your Mind with Zana Lamont at 5.15 pm was a very precious time in the chapel sitting quietly listening to music, moving to some Tai Chi movements and finally resting in utter peace and contentment.  Meditation by the Lake at 8 am led by Katherine Bolton was also enlightening and peace giving.  Thank you both for these lovely sessions amidst the hustle and bustle of a busy week.

Writing Residency by Leonie Martin were the sessions that most inspired me.  It was about Writing for Wellbeing Workshops in Derbyshire and how it came about for her and what she does for already established groups.  I now have to somehow find time to grow the seed planted in my brain of how I can take the inspiration forward.  It may be early Spring before I can reasonably trial what I have tentatively planned, but watch this space!

Editing Essentials by Hazel Prior was very popular with every seat taken and the room was very full.  It was good to confirm that I am doing with my first manuscript is on the right road but I guess there is no end to how much editing one can do as a novice novel writer.  We had a few exercises to do where passages from well known authors were put up on the screen and we had to condense, expand or edit to improve.  I failed each time to make a better draft of some other person’s work, let’s hope my own work fare’s better in the editing process.

Succeed on Purpose by John Lamont was exceedingly interesting with information about how our brain works, the power of positive thinking and how to organize our time.  My pal was impressed with John’s demonstration of how gremlins work in our brain and how he invented a creature called Boo Gerov (said in Scottish – translates as Bugger Off) to combat negatives thoughts.  I have written a Blog on GNATs, my equivalent of John’s theory – you will need to scroll through my blog posts to find it if you are interested.

I am sure I could tell you so much more about my week but if you are a writer do look SWSS up on the web and consider joining us next year.  First timers are amazed at how friendly everyone is, how quickly they fit in and enjoy all that the week has to offer.  The food always is so plentiful and lovely that we all come away a few pounds/stones heavier!!

Memory Lane break

44 years of marriage needs to be celebrated, well life itself needs celebrating, no need for an excuse.  Living in the moment, whether in good health or not, is certainly one way to create happiness.  I expect you have heard of, if not use, Groupon?  Well we took advantage of a deal at the Park Regis Hotel, Birmingham for this particular anniversary.  We were both born in Birmingham and besides an occasional visit to the shops in the town centre we had never revisited our old 'haunts' and wanted to see the changes, particularly the canals.  I will be reviewing the hotel on Trip Advisor as it was excellent but here's a glimpse of where we were:

Birmingham on Sea 😄

Bar Balcony

Beautiful decoration

Our trip began with a short train journey (now we have Senior Railcards) which took us into Birmingham New Street station (Grand Central, as it is now known) which we had visited before.  We walked the length of Broad Street recognising, and not recognising, places along the way.  Lee Longlands shop was still there - we bought our first pine dining table and chairs from there; as were one or two pubs we had individually frequented in our teenage years before we met.  But the college where I was trained in Secretarial skills back in the 1970's was no longer there, in fact Brasshouse Passage has now transformed into a beautiful opening to the canals.

Brasshouse passage renewed

Brindley Place near to Sea Life Centre

Lego Giraffe outside Lego world by the canal

Birmingham Art Gallery

I hope that angel was healing me in the Art Gallery!   We also rested in Victoria Square next to the Town Hall where I recalled singing in a school choir 'Jerusalem' to the Queen Mother who was sat in the gallery.

On the way back up Broad Street to the hotel I noticed the pavement had special stars along the way, here are two of my favourites:

Life is full of opposites and the beauty and opulence of the city also has a down side.  

I was saddened by sights of the homeless making a bed with a sleeping bag or quilt in doorways or on the pavement where there was a bit of shelter or they were walking the streets with bags of all their possessions. By night and early hours of the morning the sirens of emergency services were sounding much too frequently.  That said, it all made me grateful for what I have, who I am, where I came from and where I am now.  Hope you have enjoyed this glimpse into my life - if so do comment below.

THREE & A HALF YEARS

A REFLECTION

I thought I was retired but it seems there is still 'work to do' still left for me to experience.  At 60 I began to think about retiring from self-employment I had enjoyed in the counselling field.  The landscape was changing - my governing body moving goal posts meant I would have to do MORE studying in order to keep practising as a counsellor and supervisor of counsellors.  The annual fees of said governing body, as everything else, increased yearly as well as insurance cover, Personal Development courses which were an obligatory requirement of the job, travel, supervision and other overheads saw my outgoings becoming greater than my income.

At 61 I took an adventurous holiday to Skyros Greek Island (see blogs - The Big Adventure 2015) to help me find a new way forward - could I at last be a WRITER?  And so this became my plan and my goal - I am in the process of achieving the dream of having a book published.  Letting go of being a Private Practise Counsellor became easier once I had a plan of 'what's next'.  I talked it over with my two counsellor friends - we met and still meet in our trio every two or three months - after all this was going to close a door on 25 years experience.  They too were toying with the idea with similar reasons.

It was my greatest joy seeing counselling students through the arduous journey of study and reaching their Diploma or Degree certificate having had many hours of therapy with me.  I treasured all clients - seeing them have 'lightbulb' moments of revelation or changing thinking patterns or embracing self-love and moving away from bullies, life-debilitating situations or learning to simply say No when necessary for peace of mind.  Others looked at situations from another perspective through counselling, learnt more about themselves and others and relating.  It was my utter privilege to work alongside such a wide variety of people of all ages and stages of life as they shared inner most thoughts and feelings not shared before.

So, when taking on new clients I began my journey towards an ending (without endings there are no new beginnings).  I prepared each new person that should their counselling be long term I would be ceasing to practise beyond April 2016.  Telling them this reinforced the decision in my brain as it was a long wind-down process.  I learnt to let go by referring prospective clients to other counsellors I knew well and then finally I gave notice to the professional organisations/companies I was linked to that from 31st March 2016 I would no longer by practising.

My last client was working through a sudden bereavement and fortuitously she was ready for her own brave step into a wider world on our last day.  I had seen her take her first steps and survive in the world of a single woman taking a holiday alone which she conquered with pride.  When I closed the door behind her I wept.  Tears of joy, sadness, relief and thankfulness.  She had given me a card and gift - there are some clients you will never forget and she will be one of mine.

My counselling cabin at the bottom of the garden was no longer a counselling room.  The bookcase glared at me, its shelves hosted theory and self-help books, folders of CPD papers and study material - the space in the room shouted 'time for a change'.  In the weeks that followed I emptied the shelves and sorted into keep, shred, share piles - other counsellors were offered a lot of my books.  The therapeutic process of a good clear out and moving furniture around, painting an old chair, buying a table, putting up a new shelf and pictures all served a purpose of preparing me for a new 'special/sacred' space.  I had a new colour - pink instead of beige and brown, and a theme of nature - birds, trees, stones and birdhouses.  I put up some twinkle lights and it felt like I was a kid in a Wendy house playing make-believe I will be a writer next!  My She-Shed was transformed; it is now my writing space.  Now I could be serious about my ambition that I had put off/denied/not believed or been encouraged to do all of my life.

I have written a novel, yet to be published and have 2 sequels in my head and notebooks.  I have had articles printed in magazines and have entered a world of authors, bloggers, writers and readers. During these last two years life has thrown some nasty cards my way but it hasn't deterred me.  I have put it down and picked it up as and when I was able to.  I would not have coped with working with clients through the health issues both myself and my daughter have had to deal with plus 3 bereavements and 2 other family members with cancer.  But here we are, out of the dark days and in another phase of life.  I have become a Lunchtime Supervisor; leader of Tamworth Readers & Writers group; co-leader of Being Well group and regularly meeting with my craft group - now in its 11th year.  I have edited my novel and had 3 people read it.  Now its time to put it out there in an effort to be published.

I maintained contact with my counselling trio and two students who are now private practitioners themselves.  A friend I did some degree courses with in Lancaster now lives nearer too.  These precious ladies 'get me', they listen like no-one else listens.  They enable me to be real, strong, valued and grounded.  I am also writing blogs for a counsellor in London knitting together my two greatest passions - counselling and writing.  I may retire from paid work when I get my pension at 66 but for now a new path has opened its way for me and I am very happily walking along it.