Oh right - another difficult one Vanessa. There are so many good books out there that should be better known.
Perhaps we should start with a dictionary? I like dictionaries. I own rather a lot of them. Some of them are in foreign languages, others are "subject specialist". I have a "visual" dictionary - with pictures to show me what the word "means". That one is rather fun actually - and very useful if you are explaining something to a child.
I know when I worked in school libraries that some of the most popular books were things like "The Cat in the Hat" dictionary and the Richard Scarry dictionaries.
I love my Oxfords - I have the two volume, the "shorter" and the "advanced learner's". The last is precious. It was given to me by the poet, the late Judith Wright.
Then there is poetry.
Whatever one's religious feelings there are some wonderful passages in the King James' version of the Bible....poetry written by a committee! There is some good advice in that book too. Perhaps we should be taking more notice of it.
Pablo Neruda's "Extravagaria"contains several of his finest poems - in my opinion. I have the bilingual edition. That perhaps? Or perhaps TS Eliot's Collected Poetry?
Or what about going back to the "Ortha Nan Gaidheal" or "Carmina Gadelica" that Alexander Carmichael translated? There are some magnificent passages in that.
I also like books of quotations. A good book of quotations, perhaps the Oxford one again - or a multi-language one would be even better. They can give me an insight into other minds, other cultures and other ways of life.They can make me think.
And then there is "Markings" or "Vagmarken" in the Swedish - Dag Hammarskjold's book of fragments, thoughts, poetry, haiku and more. It is a book which looks deep into the mind of a man at the top of one of the world's most complex and diverse organisations - the United Nations. It is not a book about the position he held or the politics he had to deal with. It is a book about doubts and fears and concerns, about relationships. God gets mentioned but you don't need to believe in God or be "religious" to read it. It's a book about each and every one of us. It would do some of our current leaders no harm to read it.
Monday, 7 December 2015
Sunday, 6 December 2015
My favourite fictional detective????
You aren't asking for much this morning are you Vanessa? I mean really, just one? You aren't serious are you?
I mean, let's face it, I read detective fiction. I have just finished Peter James, "You are dead" and I am about to embark on Elizabeth George's "A banquet of consequences" - hmmm....Roy Grace and Thomas Lynley...
As a child I wandered through Agatha Christie...Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. I read Simenon...Maigret was deliciously foreign to a twelve year old. Or, more recently, Donna Leon's Venetian, Guido Brunetti - or perhaps Henning Mankell's Wallander? Mmm...
The poetry writing Adam Dalgleish perhaps? PD James did a very good job there...or Ruth Rendell's Inspector Wexford? Mmmm...
Or one of those historical detectives perhaps, Cadfael (Ellis Peters) appeals but so does Marcus Didius Falco (Lindsey Davis) and Matthew Bartholomew (Susanna Gregory) and Brother Athelstan is not to be taken too seriously but he's fun I suppose. Mmmmm....
Endeavour Morse (Colin Dexter) - now there's a name.
Cliff Janeway (John Dunning) appeals because of the book related crimes.
There's Kinsey Millhone (Sue Grafton) - we'll soon be at Z in the series and there won't be any more...Kay Scarpetta (Patricia Cornwell) doesn't appeal as much as Tempe Brennan (Kathy Reichs). Mrs Pargeter (Simon Brett) is rather different and so is Imogen Quy (Jill Paton-Walsh) but neither as exotic as Precious Ramotswe (Alexander McCall-Smith).
Here Downunder we have Cliff Hardy (Peter Corris) - much beloved by the Senior Cat - and Hal Challis (Garry Disher), Arthur Upfield's Bony, Anya Chrichton (Kathryn Fox) and of course the Phryne Fisher series (Kerry Greenwood) - just a few of many.
But I think I prefer the traditional British detectives. Ian Rankin's Rebus, Susan Hill's Simon Serraillier, Quintin Jardine's Bob Skinner, Stuart McBride's, Logan McRae and Aline Templeton's Marjorie Fleming....
I have barely started.
I think I will have to go back to my childhood again...Tin Tin? He gets a bit racist at times. No, may be the Reverend Septimus Treloar (Stephen Chance/PhilipTurner)...
Oh, I don't know...how can I choose just one?
I mean, let's face it, I read detective fiction. I have just finished Peter James, "You are dead" and I am about to embark on Elizabeth George's "A banquet of consequences" - hmmm....Roy Grace and Thomas Lynley...
As a child I wandered through Agatha Christie...Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. I read Simenon...Maigret was deliciously foreign to a twelve year old. Or, more recently, Donna Leon's Venetian, Guido Brunetti - or perhaps Henning Mankell's Wallander? Mmm...
The poetry writing Adam Dalgleish perhaps? PD James did a very good job there...or Ruth Rendell's Inspector Wexford? Mmmm...
Or one of those historical detectives perhaps, Cadfael (Ellis Peters) appeals but so does Marcus Didius Falco (Lindsey Davis) and Matthew Bartholomew (Susanna Gregory) and Brother Athelstan is not to be taken too seriously but he's fun I suppose. Mmmmm....
Endeavour Morse (Colin Dexter) - now there's a name.
Cliff Janeway (John Dunning) appeals because of the book related crimes.
There's Kinsey Millhone (Sue Grafton) - we'll soon be at Z in the series and there won't be any more...Kay Scarpetta (Patricia Cornwell) doesn't appeal as much as Tempe Brennan (Kathy Reichs). Mrs Pargeter (Simon Brett) is rather different and so is Imogen Quy (Jill Paton-Walsh) but neither as exotic as Precious Ramotswe (Alexander McCall-Smith).
Here Downunder we have Cliff Hardy (Peter Corris) - much beloved by the Senior Cat - and Hal Challis (Garry Disher), Arthur Upfield's Bony, Anya Chrichton (Kathryn Fox) and of course the Phryne Fisher series (Kerry Greenwood) - just a few of many.
But I think I prefer the traditional British detectives. Ian Rankin's Rebus, Susan Hill's Simon Serraillier, Quintin Jardine's Bob Skinner, Stuart McBride's, Logan McRae and Aline Templeton's Marjorie Fleming....
I have barely started.
I think I will have to go back to my childhood again...Tin Tin? He gets a bit racist at times. No, may be the Reverend Septimus Treloar (Stephen Chance/PhilipTurner)...
Oh, I don't know...how can I choose just one?
Saturday, 5 December 2015
"That parking space is reserved for
people with disabilities."
From memory Upover also has such parking spaces. They are under discussion again in this morning's paper. Our one MP from the "Dignity for Disability" party has raised the possibility of not just a fine but demerit points for people who park in such spaces without a permit.
Let it be said that nobody expected that young MP to get a seat in parliament. She was second on the ticket and it was only the unexpected death of the first person that saw the party - and thus her - get a seat.
I admit I thought she would be out of her depth for a while - and she was. She struggled initially simply because there was so much to learn and adjustments had to be made to accommodate her. A lot of people rallied around and helped - sometimes to the point where she has been overwhelmed with advice. But the demerits points idea was, I think, her own. She relies on being able to use those designated spaces too.
This idea is not going to be welcomed by those who think it is perfectly all right to park in a designated parking space - without a permit. Oh yes, there are plenty of them out there. I have even had my own friends suggest they should park in one so as to help me. I have had to explain more than once that I don't have a permit and they cannot use the space without one.
The Senior Cat has a permit to use such spaces. (The permit goes with the person, not the vehicle.) Middle Cat has had a temporary permit while recovering. Both of them try not to abuse the privilege. Recently I went to a meeting with a friend who has had a permit for some years. He got it reluctantly when it became obvious that his energy was better expended on doing what he had to do rather than walking to where he had to do it.
Miracle. We found a designated space near our destination. I went to haul his walker out of the car for him when there was a toot behind us. There was another vehicle with someone we both recognised. She needed the space even more than he did.
"I'll move," he called out to her.
We moved several spaces down to a "normal" spot. She moved in. He hung up his permit on the inner rear vision mirror while I hauled his walker out. (His permit allows him extra time in a normal spot.) I went and hauled her walker out as well - otherwise she would need to phone for someone to come out and help her.
We went into the building just as the parking inspector was coming along. She checked the permits in both cars, gave us a wave - and made sure the driver just pulling in next to my friend left plenty of space for him to get in again.
It was a small gesture on her part we all appreciated. I just wish that all other drivers would realise that those designated spaces are there for a reason - and that even some people with disabilities need them more than other people with disabilities.
From memory Upover also has such parking spaces. They are under discussion again in this morning's paper. Our one MP from the "Dignity for Disability" party has raised the possibility of not just a fine but demerit points for people who park in such spaces without a permit.
Let it be said that nobody expected that young MP to get a seat in parliament. She was second on the ticket and it was only the unexpected death of the first person that saw the party - and thus her - get a seat.
I admit I thought she would be out of her depth for a while - and she was. She struggled initially simply because there was so much to learn and adjustments had to be made to accommodate her. A lot of people rallied around and helped - sometimes to the point where she has been overwhelmed with advice. But the demerits points idea was, I think, her own. She relies on being able to use those designated spaces too.
This idea is not going to be welcomed by those who think it is perfectly all right to park in a designated parking space - without a permit. Oh yes, there are plenty of them out there. I have even had my own friends suggest they should park in one so as to help me. I have had to explain more than once that I don't have a permit and they cannot use the space without one.
The Senior Cat has a permit to use such spaces. (The permit goes with the person, not the vehicle.) Middle Cat has had a temporary permit while recovering. Both of them try not to abuse the privilege. Recently I went to a meeting with a friend who has had a permit for some years. He got it reluctantly when it became obvious that his energy was better expended on doing what he had to do rather than walking to where he had to do it.
Miracle. We found a designated space near our destination. I went to haul his walker out of the car for him when there was a toot behind us. There was another vehicle with someone we both recognised. She needed the space even more than he did.
"I'll move," he called out to her.
We moved several spaces down to a "normal" spot. She moved in. He hung up his permit on the inner rear vision mirror while I hauled his walker out. (His permit allows him extra time in a normal spot.) I went and hauled her walker out as well - otherwise she would need to phone for someone to come out and help her.
We went into the building just as the parking inspector was coming along. She checked the permits in both cars, gave us a wave - and made sure the driver just pulling in next to my friend left plenty of space for him to get in again.
It was a small gesture on her part we all appreciated. I just wish that all other drivers would realise that those designated spaces are there for a reason - and that even some people with disabilities need them more than other people with disabilities.
Friday, 4 December 2015
My favourite "scary" book????
Oh Vanessa, what are you asking of me today? My favourite "scary" book...
I was scared of a lot of things as a child. A psychiatrist would probably have a field day if I started.
I think the explanation for many of my fears is probably very simple but I can only remember one book that really frightened me. It was a picture book. It had some sort of animal on the front - not exactly a teddy bear but something rather more sinister - and the animal had eyes that glowed in the dark.
I did not see those eyes as friendly. They terrified me. The book must have been given to me by my maternal grandparents. I say this because it is the sort of thing that would have appealed to my maternal grandmother. She would have thought the eyes were fun and that I would like them. I cannot remember what the book was called but I know I eventually sat on my father's lap and watched the book burn. It is the one and only time I have seen my father deliberately destroy a book. It solved my fear of the book. My maternal grandmother was not pleased.
My paternal grandparents gave me books like Peter Rabbit - which is just the tiniest bit scary. Would he escape from Mr McGregor? The Story About Ping was a little bit scary too - would he find his way back to the boat?
As I got older I think any book where a child was abandoned, left behind, lost or otherwise found themselves alone bothered me a bit. I wonder now how I would have coped with something like Colin Thiele's "February Dragon" or Jill Paton Walsh's "The Dolphin Crossing". I read "The Diary of Anne Frank" and Morris West's "Children of the Sun" when I was about ten - and found them deeply disturbing. I suppose they "scared" me.
But I don't read horror stories. I can't be bothered. I don't want to be "scared" like that. What was the name of that story by Ray Bradbury with the evil child in it? Was it "The Small Assassin"?
I don't think I want to remember.
I was scared of a lot of things as a child. A psychiatrist would probably have a field day if I started.
I think the explanation for many of my fears is probably very simple but I can only remember one book that really frightened me. It was a picture book. It had some sort of animal on the front - not exactly a teddy bear but something rather more sinister - and the animal had eyes that glowed in the dark.
I did not see those eyes as friendly. They terrified me. The book must have been given to me by my maternal grandparents. I say this because it is the sort of thing that would have appealed to my maternal grandmother. She would have thought the eyes were fun and that I would like them. I cannot remember what the book was called but I know I eventually sat on my father's lap and watched the book burn. It is the one and only time I have seen my father deliberately destroy a book. It solved my fear of the book. My maternal grandmother was not pleased.
My paternal grandparents gave me books like Peter Rabbit - which is just the tiniest bit scary. Would he escape from Mr McGregor? The Story About Ping was a little bit scary too - would he find his way back to the boat?
As I got older I think any book where a child was abandoned, left behind, lost or otherwise found themselves alone bothered me a bit. I wonder now how I would have coped with something like Colin Thiele's "February Dragon" or Jill Paton Walsh's "The Dolphin Crossing". I read "The Diary of Anne Frank" and Morris West's "Children of the Sun" when I was about ten - and found them deeply disturbing. I suppose they "scared" me.
But I don't read horror stories. I can't be bothered. I don't want to be "scared" like that. What was the name of that story by Ray Bradbury with the evil child in it? Was it "The Small Assassin"?
I don't think I want to remember.
Thursday, 3 December 2015
Once upon a time there
was.... or "once upon a time there were...."
Vanessa's request for her Glenogle and Bell Advent calendar today is for the "most memorable opening line".
Well, there you have it. The line that opens so many stories.
I wonder who first used it? What story did they tell? To whom did they tell the story - and why?
We usually think of stories as something to entertain us but they often have another, more serious side. Before literacy was widespread, before scrolls and then books were widely available, people relied on oral storytellers.
In my teens I used to go to a camp in the summer. It was run by the Girl Guides for children with disabilities. In the early evenings we would sit around "the campfire" and someone would read a story to the children. It met with varying reactions for a variety of reasons - not least because the children ranged from six to fourteen.
One night a friend who taught drama came and told a story instead. It was more than just relating what happened. Her hands moved. Her voice changed for each character. Her words were simple but said all they needed to say.
There was absolute silence until, at the end of it, there was a collective sigh.
And yes, she began with "Once upon a time..."
Vanessa's request for her Glenogle and Bell Advent calendar today is for the "most memorable opening line".
Well, there you have it. The line that opens so many stories.
I wonder who first used it? What story did they tell? To whom did they tell the story - and why?
We usually think of stories as something to entertain us but they often have another, more serious side. Before literacy was widespread, before scrolls and then books were widely available, people relied on oral storytellers.
In my teens I used to go to a camp in the summer. It was run by the Girl Guides for children with disabilities. In the early evenings we would sit around "the campfire" and someone would read a story to the children. It met with varying reactions for a variety of reasons - not least because the children ranged from six to fourteen.
One night a friend who taught drama came and told a story instead. It was more than just relating what happened. Her hands moved. Her voice changed for each character. Her words were simple but said all they needed to say.
There was absolute silence until, at the end of it, there was a collective sigh.
And yes, she began with "Once upon a time..."
Wednesday, 2 December 2015
"Can you write a letter...
I need to..." the speaker stares at me.
It is not the first time I have been bailed up in a public place by someone who seems to think that I can write their letters for them.
Yes, I know I once wrote "all those letters" and I know that I still write letters but...why should I write letters for other people who are
(a) supposedly literate and intelligent
(b) want to complain about something without offering a constructive solution
and (c) know that I am likely to disagree with their point of view?
The Senior Cat says I should set up a professional letter writing service and charge these lazy, ineffectual idiots who want to waste my time as well as their own.
I told yesterday's inquirer that he needed to look at the legislation. It does not allow him to do as he did and not get fined. Nothing he says is going to help. I also pointed out offenders are going to have to pay more if they don't pay this particular fine on time.
He glared at me as if it was my fault. Fortunately his partner turned up at that point and told him it was no good getting stroppy with me. I left them to argue.
But, Vanessa wants my favourite book cover today. I don't really have one but I was reminded of "The Story about Ping" by Marjorie Flack - and taking the consequences of being late.
It is not the first time I have been bailed up in a public place by someone who seems to think that I can write their letters for them.
Yes, I know I once wrote "all those letters" and I know that I still write letters but...why should I write letters for other people who are
(a) supposedly literate and intelligent
(b) want to complain about something without offering a constructive solution
and (c) know that I am likely to disagree with their point of view?
The Senior Cat says I should set up a professional letter writing service and charge these lazy, ineffectual idiots who want to waste my time as well as their own.
I told yesterday's inquirer that he needed to look at the legislation. It does not allow him to do as he did and not get fined. Nothing he says is going to help. I also pointed out offenders are going to have to pay more if they don't pay this particular fine on time.
He glared at me as if it was my fault. Fortunately his partner turned up at that point and told him it was no good getting stroppy with me. I left them to argue.
But, Vanessa wants my favourite book cover today. I don't really have one but I was reminded of "The Story about Ping" by Marjorie Flack - and taking the consequences of being late.
Tuesday, 1 December 2015
My fabourite book as a
child?
I have been asked that question by two different people in the last twenty four hours.
My friend R... turned up yesterday. Between us we have reached the point on the jumper where the V neck stitches have been picked up and she is working around them. After that there will be the top of the sleeves. If those are managed without too many problems this thing may be finished before Christmas. She sat there and worked through the intricacies of the V neck yesterday and asked me, among other things, about my favourite book as a child.
And now my friend Vanessa wants to know as well. She runs the Glenogle and Bell book company...go hunt and read. I should know how to add a link but I don't.
Did I have a favourite book as a child? I had favourite books at different times I suppose. The reality is that I just loved books. I read almost everything that came my way. I failed to finish only a very few - I suspect that they were just a little too difficult for me at the time.
So when R... asked me I tried to think back to the books that stood out. Even that was difficult. I remember a lot of them.
So, here are three:
(1) The Little White Horse (Elizabeth Goudge)
Maria is a real heroine. She's not without her faults but she is brave and she is not afraid to stand up for what is right. She knows girls are every bit as capable as boys. Yes, I'll remember Maria and that wonderful array of characters who appear with her.
(2) The Woolpack (Cynthia Harnett).
Nicholas is another wonderful character. Reading Harnett's books was a completely painless way of learning a lot of history. Cecily, to whom Nicholas is betrothed, is a wonderful tomboy. It is an adventure which keeps within the boundaries of the time in which it is set.
(3) The Lark in the Morn and The Lark on the Wing (Elfrida Vipont) All right two books - but one is a sequel.
Kit. How do you describe Kit Haverard? Sensitive, uncertain of her place in the world? She is a thinker. She has doubts and determination. The contrast between Kit and her much older cousin Laura is marvellous - Laura is a busybody, well suited to her decision to train as a social worker. Kit is going to succeed through sheer hard work and determination.
After I had said all these I realised that each one is a Carnegie Medal winner. The Little White Horse is still in print - perhaps because it was televised? None of Harnett's marvellous books are in print. Vipont's books have been made available by "Girls Gone By" but I wonder how many girls actually read them?
They may not be easy to find but I'll go for Maria, Nicholas and Kit any time.
And your choice is?
I have been asked that question by two different people in the last twenty four hours.
My friend R... turned up yesterday. Between us we have reached the point on the jumper where the V neck stitches have been picked up and she is working around them. After that there will be the top of the sleeves. If those are managed without too many problems this thing may be finished before Christmas. She sat there and worked through the intricacies of the V neck yesterday and asked me, among other things, about my favourite book as a child.
And now my friend Vanessa wants to know as well. She runs the Glenogle and Bell book company...go hunt and read. I should know how to add a link but I don't.
Did I have a favourite book as a child? I had favourite books at different times I suppose. The reality is that I just loved books. I read almost everything that came my way. I failed to finish only a very few - I suspect that they were just a little too difficult for me at the time.
So when R... asked me I tried to think back to the books that stood out. Even that was difficult. I remember a lot of them.
So, here are three:
(1) The Little White Horse (Elizabeth Goudge)
Maria is a real heroine. She's not without her faults but she is brave and she is not afraid to stand up for what is right. She knows girls are every bit as capable as boys. Yes, I'll remember Maria and that wonderful array of characters who appear with her.
(2) The Woolpack (Cynthia Harnett).
Nicholas is another wonderful character. Reading Harnett's books was a completely painless way of learning a lot of history. Cecily, to whom Nicholas is betrothed, is a wonderful tomboy. It is an adventure which keeps within the boundaries of the time in which it is set.
(3) The Lark in the Morn and The Lark on the Wing (Elfrida Vipont) All right two books - but one is a sequel.
Kit. How do you describe Kit Haverard? Sensitive, uncertain of her place in the world? She is a thinker. She has doubts and determination. The contrast between Kit and her much older cousin Laura is marvellous - Laura is a busybody, well suited to her decision to train as a social worker. Kit is going to succeed through sheer hard work and determination.
After I had said all these I realised that each one is a Carnegie Medal winner. The Little White Horse is still in print - perhaps because it was televised? None of Harnett's marvellous books are in print. Vipont's books have been made available by "Girls Gone By" but I wonder how many girls actually read them?
They may not be easy to find but I'll go for Maria, Nicholas and Kit any time.
And your choice is?
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