Update Feb 2022

 Hi Everyone!

AT HOME:

Looking forward to spring with the first signs cropping up. Planning to make a couple of changes in the garden. I’ve restarted acupuncture, but I’m not too hopeful. We survived the storms with only a bit of screen coming loose and a few garden ornaments lying down. As to what’s going on in the world, there’s nothing I can say about Ukraine that everyone else isn’t saying. Clearly this world will never be free of its Hitlers. Save us from the fanatical and lunatic fringe in charge.

Ended the month with the washing machine busting on me. Big bang. I went running and turned it off, first on the machine and then on the main switch as soon as the drum stopped. Soon as I could open the door, a tiny amount of smoke came out (from the drum rubbing, not an electrical fire). Everyone, please never leave the house with appliances running. I know some people do, but I never do, and this is why. It’s about 7 years old, which is probably a good life for a washing machine.

FILM/TV:

Still got to finish watching Castle, and Star Trek Next Gen, and the US version of The Office.

There’s not been a lot of offers film wise, but two I could mention are Nobody, starring Bob Odenkirk, which some may know from the incredible Breaking Bad series, and the Saul spinoff. It’s macho action but fun if you take it for what it is, and a delight for me was seeing Christopher Lloyd as the father.

Watched the critically acclaimed The Power of the Dog. This may not be a popular opinion, but I thought the acting superb, but the story a little blah, but that’s likely because I knew how it was going to end less than halfway through the film, so the shocker of an ending wasn’t there for me as it has been for others. I can’t help wondering if I would have guessed the outcome so easily, and whether I would have enjoyed the story more by reading the book. Or is this the writer’s curse?

READING:

Thud, Terry Pratchett

A less humorous book than many other Discworld novels, but so intelligent. There’s a lot of subtexts here covering government, racism, human nature, among others, with all the stupidity that comes along with these failings. An education in erudition with Sam Vimes, the teacher of the decade. And most of all, a book where every reader will root for Sam to get home on time to read ‘Where’s my Cow?’

Manhunting, Jennifer Crusie

Crusie is one of my favourite romance writers. Though not her best, this is a light and fun read. Crusie knows how to write the most witty banter and even makes arguments entertaining. And although the idea of a woman ‘on the hunt’ for a man may seem dated, she solves this by making Kate Svenson strong and independent. Crusie has written much better books than this, but it doesn’t feel like this deserves to be completely overlooked.

Howl’s Moving Castle, Diana Wynne Jones

I’ve owned the sequel (middle book) to this trilogy for years, so when I realised it wasn’t the first book, I picked up books 1 and 3. Although it’s essentially a children’s book, I’m not above re-reading books I loved as a child or reading famous ones which I missed out on and this is one of those. I loved this. Yes, not all the characters are exactly likeable, but I could name more than a few characters from my childhood books that are far from perfect. There’s a lot of plot here, surprisingly so. The story gets a little snarled up in its own cleverness, but had I come across this as a child, I’m sure it would have been one of those I kept all these years. Howl is a bit of an egocentric, but not as clueless as he first appears to be. The castle is perhaps the best character in the book. I will say I’m uncertain what age group this is for. I could have read it aged around 8, but there are long words, some dated, that I’m unsure children today would know. A book some children may need help with. But this is a fabulous story that will stay with those who love it for years. (Side note: there are some notiable differences between the book and the film; I prefer the book.)

Castle in the Air, Diana Wynne Jones

At first, I was a little confused why this is a sequel to Howl’s Moving Castle. It’s a completely different story and doesn’t directly feature any characters from the first book until about two-thirds in. The language is sophisticated for today, meaning there aren’t many adults let alone children who would know what mulct means. Some of the content I’m sure will seem a little stereotypical as it features a poor carpet seller, a rich sultan’s daughter, and a flying carpet. Yes, it’s somewhat generic of Aladdin, but characters known and loved from book one appear before the end with an interesting outcome.

House of Many Ways, Diana Wynne Jones

This features more new characters, though Howl and friends appear more heavily than they did in book two. Sophie and sidekick Waif (a dog) make a welcome appearance, though the strange house with its ‘two’ rooms and magical ways of twists and turns to find others is a fabulous character itself. Well worked out, and great fun. I felt the ending seemed a little too fast; still, this is not one to miss out on, though this is better than the second, but not as good as the first.

Strange Bedpersons, Jennifer Crusie

Wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy this at first. Like Manhunting, it took a few pages to get into the story, but I like the juxtaposition of views and opposing lifestyles in this. It’s somewhat amazing the author makes a romance between such disparate people believable. The plot resolves well, and some disagreements leading up to a wonderful scene at a very public dinner table are a delight.

The Incredible Journey, Sheila Burnford

I’m revisiting some older loves, including childhood favourites, and remember devouring this book as a child. I freely admit I went through a phase of reading almost nothing but animal adventures, including this understandable classic. Although the references to using dogs as gun dogs were something I had to set aside then as much as now, the overall story of three animals overcoming adversity to reach home is one that touches many animal lovers, and remains unforgettable.

WRITING

Have done the edits on Sweet Temptations. Release still planned for March. Just waiting on the galley proof to read. But as this blog is devoted more to my non-romantic fiction I won't say more here.

Stay happy and healthy!

Sharon x

Read for Ten Minutes

Way back in 2014 (yes, I remember as I’ve blogged this before), Breakfast Television annoyed me not because of the disastrous news that usually occurs daily. Oddly, I wouldn’t often watch television in the morning, or stop to take notice if someone else had a programme on. But when I heard a recommendation to read for just ten minutes a day, it caught my attention. The presenter was saying how difficult it is to find ten minutes a day to read. The guest speaker was trying to agree, but to stress how important it is.

Ten minutes? Hmm… I can’t help feeling, except for extreme circumstances, everyone should have ten peaceful minutes. If they don’t, they need to reorganise their lives for their own sake.

Note: I said, except for extreme circumstances, so please don’t jump in with a chorus of disapproval. I’ve known carers who, yes, would find ten minutes difficult without falling asleep, but they still deserve ten peaceful minutes. Ten minutes to be transported out of their daily lives to another universe, and that’s what books can do for everyone. We all deserve time for oneself. We need it for physical and mental wellbeing. Reading has helped me through some truly stressful times. It’s been a lifeline, support, a close friend. I wish everyone could experience the same solace from reading that I do, but I understand that for some, that’s not possible. Still, I’d encourage reading for other reasons.

First, let’s get back to the subject of finding ten minutes. I’m referring to many people I know who come home from work to spend three hours watching television, so have no excuse finding time for ten minutes of reading. For those with children, please read to them for ten minutes at bedtime. Seriously, try it, even if they moan. There’s nothing better than books to stimulate their learning and the amount of pleasure gained in those quiet ten minutes may surprise the adults more than the children. An adult reading me to sleep is one of my favourite childhood memories, and I would feel all the poorer for not having that experience. An experience, I add, which has remained with me throughout my life. Even when life was at its most bleak, someone reading me a story was a constant treat to look forward to. Time spent together. Time spent well.

We talk about leading busy lives, but my grandparents’ generation worked far harder and still found the time. They had few chances simply to sit. Little time for fun. Little time when there wasn’t a chore that needed doing, and they had no home help such as washing machines (not even a launderette), but they still read to me, and I still read at bedtime as an adult, almost nightly. I’ve read at bus-stops, on trains, in cars, in a queue, during adverts, when ill, waiting for a phone call. If I read two pages or twenty, I read.

What made the argument even worse is the presenter said for adults who have reading problems that makes finding ten minutes even more difficult. That’s even more reason they need to be reading, which brings me to my other motives for encouragement.

I keep saying this—reading is the basis for all learning. If you can read, as long as you have access to the library, then you can teach yourself so many things. Good reading and writing skills will help throughout life. Reading helps to turn young people into more successful adults. It makes them more literate no matter what they do in life. I bet many who say they don’t have time to read still find the time to play with something else, such as a computer game, or browsing on their phone. I’ve read studies linking reading to better health, particularly with conditions like Alzheimer’s, but of course, in the news item I saw, no one mentioned that.

Can’t read for ten minutes? My brain flips and has to ask, “How can you not?” No time to read for ten minutes? How can anyone stand not to read for that or longer?

Husky Sledding

This week I thought I'd focus on 'out and about' with a flashback to a fabulous holiday we took a few years ago. One treat on that excursion was to go husky sledding.

Alaskan huskies differ from the Siberian huskies we’re more used to seeing. Alaskans are more of a mixed dog—some look similar to the Siberian but most are very different, almost a blended breed.

Don’t know what I expected, and the animals were definitely friendly and happy, and they certainly wanted to do nothing but run, but it surprised me they live in outside kennels all their lives. I asked someone about this when we returned and was told, "They're happiest with what they know and are accustomed to." Apparently, on one run we didn't go on when they stopped for a break and a hot drink round a fire, one dog slipped her harness and ran 'home' — something she likely wouldn't have done were she miserable.

We saw huskies in two places—both had excellent facilities in terms of veterinary care. I was also worried about their old age, so was happy to hear they have 'retirement plans'. In Tromso, we were told this starts with the owner asking the staff if they will take a dog coming up for retirement, but as we were also told, you're talking about a dog that's been outside all its life—it doesn't know warmth and it doesn't know your sofa isn't for chewing—and in the morning when you let it out for its morning toilet it's going to want to go for a run... for, oh about ten miles over the nearest mountain. In short, it's not a thing to do lightly, but someone also assured me they can make excellent house dogs and can adapt.

They also assured us they have wonderful lives. For all I know they do—that's a matter of opinion and some people will struggle with working dogs and the Norwegian way of life. I can only say the dogs seemed happy, were in good condition, and were definitely friendly.

Of the nine puppies we got to play with three were very interested in my boots. They ganged up on my boot ribbons (as opposed to laces) and feathers, and all I could do was laugh. If we never get another chance, we're glad we went sledding once. Just a word of warning though—you take some hard jolts and as my other half found out, when the snow is soft the sledge can take an unexpected tilt and you can get attacked by twigs and trees. Joking aside, he took a whack to the shoulder and a clip to the ear. He’s lucky it wasn’t worse, but we'll certainly never forget playing in the snow.