BLOGOMANIA.

I just had to tell you about a wonderful event I came across that not only allows you to discover some other blogs/bloggers but also gives you the chance to enter some fantastic giveaways. Closing tonight, I'll hand you over to the organiser(s) who will EXPLAIN ALL.

By the way, not my first post of the day, see below for my tribute to those of us who are 'growing a little long in the tooth' - another of my nana's expressions, meaning, in case you were wondering, 'getting a little older'.

LIFE IN THE OLD DOG.

First things first - A huge thank you to JENN for designing this button for my blog. Something I've always wanted, I was delighted to receive it. To install it on your own blog simply see my sidebar for the code needed.

You know it occurred to me when typing this post just how objective age is. As a child I can remember thinking how 20 was quite old, 30 ancient and as for 40?

Funny how at 40+ I still feel like a youngster (mentally anyway, physically is a whole different matter) though I'm now beginning to have what some refer to as my 'senior moments'. You know the sort of thing - you go upstairs only to find yourself wondering why. You look everywhere for your glasses only to realise that they are there on the end of your nose. You go to the shops but what was it you wanted?

Anyway, I dedicate this post (nearly all of which proves 'there's life in the old dog yet'*) to all our more elderly friends.

* Lillian Doris Thompson, daughter of Blackpool's PLEASURE BEACH founder William Bean, tested every single new ride until her 101st birthday.

* Norfolk grandfather, Kevin Garwood, 60, has adapted oriental martial arts skills to give pensioners self-defense lessons ...... using their walking sticks.

* A 67-year-old pensioner is planning to sail from Wales to the Isle of Wight in a ..... giant pumpkin. Medwyn Williams is growing the 1,598lb vegetable, with six inch thick walls, and has called his vessel (What else but) HMV (Her Majesty's Vegetable) Cinderella.

* (How romantic is this?) Farmer Dick Kleis, 67, spelled out HAP B DAY LUV U in his top field in Iowa, USA, using 55 tons of manure for his wife's birthday present. Carole said it was the weirdest thing he'd ever done. Dick added "The good, soft, gushy, warm stuff works best."

* A 101-year-old woman is running in her council elections. Maria Donati's grandson, Roberto, wants to be major of Saludecio, Italy, and (as any grandmother would) she wants to support him. "He needs my help and experience." she says. Roberto is 62.

* A grandmother from Bristol has become a disc jockey (DJ) at 70. Widow Ruth Flowers who lives in France, has made a name for herself as alter ego 'Mamy Rock', headlining Paris nightclubs.

Not so 'lucky' was this other senior citizen.

* In the USA, hungry motorist Charles Pierce, 92, smashed through the window of the Biscuits And Gravy And More restaurant, when he mistook his accelerator for his brake pedal. (Bringing a whole new meanng to 'drive thru') staff let him have his breakfast before calling the police.

And I don't know if we can call this lucky or not.

* A 75-year-old nun from Glasgow, Scotland, abandoned as a baby by her circus act mum, was left a fortune and a ........ brothel by her. Selling the sex business, she donated the money to help children overseas.

* Another of my nana's infamous sayings meaning that though they may be old, they've still got energy to do things.

ODD BOOKS, DEBUT BOOKS AND MORE.

Yes, this post is going to be all things bookish.

* He may have been founder of a nation, but it seems George Washington has run up a library fine of $300,000 and counting.

"The New York Society Library, the city's only lender of books at the time of Washington's presidency(1789 - 1797)), has revealed that the first American president took out two volumes and pointedly failed to return them.

The library's ledgers show that Washington took out the books - 'Laws Of Nations' and a 14 volume collection of debates from the English House Of Commons - on the 5th of October 1789.

Under the rules, the books should have been handed back by the 2nd of November that same year, and their borrower and presumably his descendants have been liable to fines of a few cents a day ever since." (Not a good time to claim I'm a descendant then!)

- the Guardian (click HERE for full article.)

* The Annual prize for the oddest book title 2009 has been won by the splendidly eccentric CROCHETING ADVENTURES WITH HYPERBOLIC PLANES.

Awarded every year since 1978, THE DIAGRAM PRIZE, went to (the even more bizarrely titled) THE 2009-2014 WORLD OUTLOOK FOR 60-MILLIGRAM CONTAINERS OF FROMAGE FRAIS in 2008.

- the Guardian.

On a more serious note - another prize winner ......

* A debut novel published by a tiny independent not-for-profit press has won the PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTION. Paul Harding's TINKERS is about a dying man and his relationship with his father.

* Another sequel to a classic story - TREASURE ISLAND, written by Robert Louis Stephenson and first published in 1938 - is to be ghost written.

After 10 years as POET LAUREATE, acclaimed poet and biographer ANDREW MOTION is to write his first children's book - Return To Treasure Island in which

"Jim's son, Jim Jnr, lives with his father in a Thames-side pub outside London, where he is visited by a girl who turns out to be Long John Silver's daughter who convinces him to steal his father's map of Treasure Island – "nine miles long and five across, shaped, you might say, like a fat dragon standing up, [with] two fine land-locked harbours, and a hill in the centre part marked 'The Spy-Glass'" in Stevenson's novel – and run away to seek the remaining treasure with her"

- the GUARDIAN.

* If Vanessa Thorpe reporting in The Observer is to be believed, Vampires are so old news, Angels are the latest thing.

"Angels are all around us", reads the publisher's blurb for Angel (written by L.A. Weatherly), the first of a British trilogy of books for teenagers. "Their beauty is intoxicating, their presence awe-inspiring, their energy irresistible. Angel fever is spreading." (BUT .....) far from benevolent forces (I'm picturing Peter Pan's TINKER BELL who ok isn't an angel but a fairy, same thing surely?), Wetherly's Angels are "despicable creatures" who must be destroyed by the books hero, Alex, to stop them "feasting lustily on the energy of innocent victims." (Hmm, nothing at all like your traditional vampires then?)

- For the full article click HERE.

PLEASE NOTE, Researching 'Angels'/L.A. Weatherly - It seems that this author is even more mysterious and elusive than Angels themselves as the only relevant page I could find was this 'Twitter' page. (Click HERE to view.)

ODE TO A HEDGEHOG.

Firstly may I introduce you to Marinela at SHORT POEMS. A new blogger buddy, Marinela's wonderful blog is a collection of poetry "mostly for kids" that she has written since the tender age of 6. Please do pop by and say hello, I'm sure you'll be made welcome.

Today's post comes courtesy of the latest magazine from the BRITISH HEDGEHOG PRESERVATION SOCIETY (BHPS) an organisation I'm proud to be a lifetime member of.

Before today's 'hedgehoggy' contribution to FreeVerse which as always is hosted by Cara over at OOH ... BOOKS! I thought to pass on the following which might be of interest:-

* To follow the BHPS on Facebook simply search for 'British Hedgehog Preservation Society' and click on the page link then 'become a friend' OR click HERE.

** Whilst to follow on Twitter go to www.twitter.com/hedgehog society.

*** For those of you who happen to be hedgehog fans and/or stamp collectors you might be interested to hear that the hedgehog is celebrated on a new stamp from the Royal Mail. Released this month, the BHPS have teamed up with the UK's leading producer of first day covers to make an official hedgehog first day cover.

A limited edition by award winning designer, Cath BUCKINGHAM (FIRST DAY COVERS), the cover features the new stamp, a lovely photograph of a hedgehog and a special BHPS postmark with a limited number being personally autographed by the society's patron.

The covers cost £11.95 unsigned or £22.95 signed but please ensure you order through the link on the BHPS website (as highlighted before) for 40% of every sale to go to the charity.

**** Sell your unwanted goods on ebay and raise funds for the BHPS. 'ebay For Charity' allows you to list an item on on ebay and donate 10-100% of your final sale to the society. To learn more visit www.ebay.co.uk/charityThis verse about a weather-wise hedgehog is taken from the POOR ROBIN'S ALMANAC written in 1733.

Observe which way the

Hedgehog builds her nest,

To front the north or south,

Or east or west;

For 'tis true that common

People say,

The wind will blow the quite

Contrary way.

If, by some secret art the

Hedgehog knows,

So long before, which way

The wind will blow,

She has an art which many

A person lacks

That thinks himself fit to

Make our almanacs.

THE GOOD MAN JESUS AND THE SCOUNDREL CHRIST.

Something a little different for today Husband dearest has agreed to a guest spot on Pen And Paper.

The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ
Phillip Pullman 2009 Canongate

Philip Pullman's story, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ, imagines Mary as having given birth to twins: the inspired, plain-speaking, revolutionary Jesus, and the anxious, manipulative, Christ. The annunciation is nothing but a seduction; the resurrection a trick, and Jesus's faith hangs by a thread.
Charlotte Higgins – The Guardian

…and thereby hangs the tale. In pensive mood and being thoroughly sick of text books I thought that I may indulge myself in a novel or two in the last week, just to convince myself that reading remains an enjoyable thing. With Pullmans latest offering it could certainly be said to be relaxing and for the deconstructed christian who likes his scripture tempered with a dose of historical reality there is nothing in the book which could be said to be challenging. Anyone who has simply read the four canon gospels as we have received them is already acutely aware of the discrepancies therein, the scope for mistranslations, redactions and simple interpretation by the reader. This book simply pushes the scope of these things a step further by providing an example of a continuous narrative of a narrative produced with specific intent.

In fact Pullman quite probably has done a service to the gospels that he would never have intended, as readers with but a dull remembrance of Sunday School stories may return to a swift read of Mark just to reassure themselves that it was as they remembered it. It won’t be. One of my favourite lesson starters with students when encouraging them to think about why they think the things they do is to ask them which animals were present at the birth of Christ. Years of singing ‘Away in a Manger’ have of course done the job nicely and students are shocked when provided with a copy of the bible and asked to show me where it says so. The Good Man Jesus and The Scoundrel Christ, have a similar sort of feeling for me. There was nothing in there that horrified, not even the little Pythonesque hat-tip to Michael Palins ex-leper, nor the more detailed extrapolation of bits of Scorsese’s The Last Temptation of Christ. Pullman has of course received the obligatory threats and abuse for suggesting that Mary was just a gullible little girl abused by a stranger and that the resurrection was a quiet shuffling off, stage left of a body, to be swiftly replaced by the twin brother, again at the behest of the same stranger. Our blessed leader who art in Lambeth* described the story as a ’searching, teasing and ambitious, narrative’, whereas I simply found it, brief and a bit dull in the main.

Pullmans central theme, seems to me to be that the massive and organised bureaucracy of church which he so despises, was in fact ordained and achieved with remarkable precision from the outset. Who might be responsible in this respect and any notion as to why is conveniently got around by the presence of the guiding hand of the stranger who remains anonymous throughout. Anyone who has really engaged with the church, certainly in the modern era knows all too well that achievements garnered through deliberate intent, are probably few and far between and much of the theology which has guided its development through the last 2000 years has been a mish-mash of to-ing and fro-ing between political and economic realities. The notion that the current Pope, with all of the current difficulties he is challenged with, was the manic scheme of a stranger 2000 years ago, is a little far-fetched, although there is certainly an integrity within the story that lends it credibility. It is perhaps too easy to believe in the tropical storm when the only evidence presented is the butterfly flapping its wings. Just because the theory says its possible it doesn’t mean it is likely. Conflating the existing organisational problems and conflicts with one possible variant of the mythical cannot be called conclusive in any measure.

In his favour I( will say that Pullmans description of the church is sadly recognisable and probably painfully apparent to anyone of a liberating theology. Further, I will not stint with praise for his rendering of Jesus last moments in Gethsemane , which are worthy of consideration for anyone interested in the human/divine argument in christological study or simply in a finely rendered bit of prose.

So for a nice, quick, unchallenging Da Vinci Code version of the life of Christ, go for it. For a serious engagement with the church, go find a priest.


Neal Terry,
25/04/2010


* The Archbishop of Canterbury .

SPOTTED ......... ELVIS AT LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE.

Old Shep and I are All Shook Up. Yes, we may indeed have Suspicious Minds but even, A Fool Such As I that I am , I Just Can't Help Believing that the King of Rock 'n' Roll is still with us and will show himself Any Day Now.

Always On My Mind, despite the fact that many have claimed to have seen Elvis Presley, I have proof that Elvis is alive and well and, what's more, supports the LABOUR PARTY.

Arriving from In The Ghetto in a Long Black Limousine Elvis was seen reassuring Labour Party leader, Gordon Brown, that he'd Never Walk Alone. Please click HERE to see the king in action at a recent Party conference.

* Well that's 10 Elvis song's I've managed to include in this post. Here are ANOTHER 40 TUNES I could have included. What are your favourite?

HETTY FEATHER.

The second book read for the TYPICALLY BRITISH Reading Challenge 2010 - I've already reached 'Put The Kettle on' Level. To see the first book reviewed for this challenge (The Double Eagle by James Twining) click HERE.


HETTY FEATHER by JACQUELINE WILSON. Hetty Feather is just a tiny baby when her desperate mother leaves her at the Foundling Hospital. The hospital cares for many such children - but Hetty must first live with a foster family until she is big enough to go to school.

Hetty is poor but happy living in the countryside with her 'brother's', Jem and Gideon. She helps in the fields and plays vivid imaginary games. The children sneak off to visit the travelling circus and Hetty is mesmerized by the show, especially Madam Adeline and her performing horses.

But Hetty's happiness is threatened once more when she is returned to the Foundling Hospital. The new ultra-strict regime is a struggle foe her. But on the day of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, Hetty gets the chance to see Madam Adeline again - and maybe find her real mother.

...... From the inner front cover.

FIRST SENTENCE: My name is Hetty Feather.

MEMORABLE MOMENT: "You're a little whatsit," said poor Jem, giving my arm a shake. "Why won't you ever see reason, Hetty? "I try so hard to please you but it's never enough."

I know that strictly speaking Hetty Feather was written with a much younger target audience in mind BUT given that it was so highly rated by Niece #2 (11) and that so many books targeted at a younger age group can, and are, happily read by the more 'mature' reader I thought I'd give it a try anyway.

To be honest I'd heard such a lot about this author - mainly good from children and bad from their parents - that being objective was quite difficult try as I might.

So what were my first impressions? 'What a gaudy front cover' - primarily bright reds, blues and yellows with it's childlike illustrations, it was not exactly designed with any other than children in mind. However that said, and remembering its targeted age range, I thought it's large, clear print was ideal though at just under 400 pages it could be a little too long for the younger reader.

Totally disappointed from start to finish, I found the writing itself to be of a rather poor quality and as for the characters? Don't begin to get me started on what I thought of, main character, Hetty. Thoroughly awful, I found that, despite all the hardship and punishment meted out to her, I just couldn't like or, even, empathise with her. A truly spoilt individual, if she is an example of the kind of children Wilson portrays (and I'm led to believe it is) then I can well understand why many parents don't like her books.

Perhaps a bad choice of book as an introduction to the works of Jacqueline Wilson, I'm determined to read more if only to try and discover just what all the fuss is about and perhaps find out the 'truth' about her characters.

Hetty Feather was borrowed from a family member.

LAST WEEKS KETCHUP - SORRY, CATCH UP.

It's certainly been a bit of an eventful couple of days.

Remember way back in August, me telling you about Husband dearest having a shower - hardly worth posting about you may think - but it was when that shower occurred in ..... the living room. Yes, our 5-year-old boiler (only just out of guarantee, of course!) had burst causing water to pour through the ceiling.

Anyway, long story, it wasn't until September that we eventually got the thing fixed only for me to go into the bathroom on Friday and find the floor soaking wet. Yes, the boiler (replaced only 7 months ago) was, if not exactly pouring water, drip-dripping and had been doing so for some time if the inside of the cupboard in which it is stored is anything to go by. Oh dear - or words to that effect.

As I said, long story which gets even longer but not wishing to bore you, after a week-end of drip-dripping and constantly having to empty the rapidly filling bowl which was catching the drip-drips, an engineer, as promised, arrived early Tuesday afternoon, took a look, shook his head and declared the boiler to be unrepairable - yes, another new one is needed, we can only hope this one lasts more that 7 months.

Friday dealt with, what about Saturday? Oh yes, I spent most of the day visiting you, my blogger buddies, before settling down with Husband dearest to watch ROBIN WILLIAMS in his latest live show, Weapons Of Self Destruction, which we'd recorded the night before - Have any of you seen it? I was bitterly disappointed as I usually find R.W. very funny, both in films and doing stand-up, but on this occasion found him to be anything but - he swore way too much for my liking and I didn't think his material was (as my nana would say) anything to write home about either.

Sunday, now let me see ....... what happened Sunday? Oh yes, a certain blogger celebrated her first blogoversary.

Not wishing to let the day go by without a celebration (but mainly because we couldn't be bothered to cook, that is Husband dearest couldn't be bothered to cook and I couldn't be bothered to heat something up in the oven/microwave) we decided to eat out at one of our favourite Italian restaurants only to find it had been taken over some 7 weeks previously. Still, a nice man now owns the business, chatty but didn't hover over us while we ate, and the food was good - my risotto al fungi (why can't they just say mushrooms and rice?) being particularly nice.

Monday saw the first of my hospital appointments at the Pain Management Clinic where I saw one of the nicest doctors I think I've ever met. Thorough, she explained things in a way that I understood and actually really listened. The result being, after discussing several possibilities, we agreed that local anaesthetic patches were my best option. The problem being they are expensive (£100 for a box of 30 which may last for only 10 days depending on how many patches I need) so, even if they do work, I may have to battle with my GP to prescribe them for me.

Tuesday. (I've already covered the heating engineer) and the second of my two hospital appointments, this one at the Ear, Nose and Throat clinic (ENT).

A truly horrible, I'd even go as far as to say traumatic. experience. The doctor was nice enough and the two nurses in attendance lovely but I was put through an examination that I simply don't want to post about except to say I still haven't fully recovered from it - hence my not being around as much in the last couple of days. Just as well I had several posts ready to go including the majority of this one. Yes, thank goodnes for being able to draft and schedule items.

Which just leaves me with the question .......

ST. GEORGE'S DAY.

Always portrayed as a knight, generally astride a horse and carrying a shield with a white cross on it, LEGEND has it that Saint George fought a dragon - the dragon, of course, commonly representing the devil during medieval times. But what of the REAL GEORGE?

Believed to have been born anywhere from 270 to 281 A.D., George was not of English birth at all but Turkish. Born to Christian parents, he became a Roman soldier who it is said protested against the Roman's torture of Christians and died for his beliefs.

With much of his popularity stemming from the time of the early CRUSADES, George's emblem, a red cross on a white background (now the English flag as well as part of the BRITISH FLAG or, as it is sometimes better known, The Union Jack), was adopted by RICHARD THE LION HEART and brought to England in the 12th century where soldiers wore it in battle to avoid confusion.

Now PATRON SAINT OF many countries, professions, organisations and disease sufferers, here in England, St. George's Day, an unofficial bank holiday, is celebrated on the 23rd of April though surveys reveal that approximately one in five people do not know this.

In fact, much to the disgust of many an organisation CAMPAIGNING FOR St. George's Day to be much more widely recognised, you are more likely to see big St. Patrick's Day parades celebrating Ireland's National Day then you are to see St. George's Day parades as for most people in England this is just another ordinary working day.

Not so in the past when celebrations would include MUMMERS PLAYS which were basically a seasonal play performed by troupes of actors known as mummers (performers in disguise) who would typically go from house to house, visiting public houses (pubs, inns etc) as they went.

Commonly performed throughout most of Great Britain and Ireland as well as other English-speaking parts of the world (including Kentucky in the USA), Mummers plays were usually comic performances, generally based on the theme of resurrection and involving a fight between good (George) and evil (the dragon).

AND THE WINNER IS ...........

First things first, may I thank all those who entered my 1st Blogoversary Book Giveaway. If only I could meet you all to see and do all those amazing things but alas, even though you are all winners in your own right, there is only one book and I'm pleased to announce that a copy of Michael Palin's New Europe will soon be on it's way to:-


JENNIFER at Just Add Water, Silly

"If I were to take you to some fun place in Europe, YOU'D do the picking, since you know it ever so much better than I. Besides, it's your blogoversary celebration, so we should do something you really, really, really want to do. My plan, though, would be to use the hotel kitchen and bundle up a terrific picnic for everyone. I'd fill the basket with every yummy thing I could think of and I would have brought you some maple candy and some Nanaimo Bars from Canada. (I would have also found out what kind of chocolate bars you DON"T have there and filled a grocery bag full of them, hehehe. )" ~Jen

Also, knowing how much I'd love to follow the itinerary of ANGEL at Kissed By An Angel, the judges would like to send a small gift to her as well.

"I'd take you to Venice! We could take a short tour, starting at St Marks Basilica, it's is the most gorgeous church, see the treasures inside and the gold alter with precious stones! Then outside into St Marks Square and to the top of the campanile (bell tower) for the most amazing view over the Venetian Lagoon to Lido (Venice's beach resort) right over to the mainland, over the terracotta rooftops of Venice! Then outside admire the beautiful clock tower: and Napoleon Bonepart's offices at the opposite end of St Marks Square. Then into the Doges Palace with it's magnificent wall paintings, leading through to cross the Bridge of Sighs (for a last look at Venice) before entering into the old prison!! After that a leasurely walk through the winding Calle's, and over bridges untill the Rialto Bridge, pausing at the top for a wonderful view of the Grand Canal. Stopping for some fresh fruit and a drink at the little market just the other side of the Rialto and to admire the astrological clock there. Continuing through the maze of streets and bridges until we reach Venice Santa Lucia station, where we will take a no.1 vaporetto travelling length of the Grand Canal passing the most amazing Palazzi, museums until we are back to San Marco. Alight the vaporetto and head into Harry's Bar for a delicious Bellini!!!"

Again many thanks to all who entered, all who follow/comment on Pen And Paper and indeed those who just quietly visit, your support over the last year has meant such a lot. Here's to many more years to come.

THE BOY STOOD ON ..........

After nursery rhymes, my first introduction to verse was probably this, to my child's ears, 'naughty', rather rude rhyme.

The boy stood on the burning deck

Playing a game of cricket,

The ball flew down his trouser leg

And hit his middle wicket.

(Click HERE for an even 'naughtier' version)

Upon 'googling' (or in this instance 'binging') I came across the original verse of CASABIANCA

or as it is probably better known 'The Boy Stood On The Burning Deck' on which 'my' poem is based.

The boy stood on the burning deck

Whence all but he had fled;

The flame that lit the battle's wreck

Shone round him o'er the dead.

Yet beautiful and bright he stood,

As born to rule the storm;

A creature of heroic blood,

A proud, though childlike form.

The flames roll'd on...he would not go

Without his father's word;

That father, faint in death below,

His voice no longer heard.

He call'd aloud..."Say, father, say

If yet my task is done!"

He knew not that the chieftain lay

Unconscious of his son.

"Speak, father!" once again he cried

"If I may yet be gone!"

And but the booming shots replied,

And fast the flames roll'd on.

Upon his brow he felt their breath,

And in his waving hair,

And looked from that lone post of death,

In still yet brave despair;

And shouted but one more aloud,

"My father, must I stay?"

While o'er him fast, through sail and shroud

The wreathing fires made way,

They wrapt the ship in splendour wild,

They caught the flag on high,

And stream'd above the gallant child,

Like banners in the sky.

There came a burst of thunder sound...

The boy-oh! where was he?

Ask of the winds that far around

With fragments strewed the sea.

With mast, and helm, and pennon fair,

That well had borne their part;

But the noblest thing which perished there

Was that young faithful heart.

I must confess to this being my favourite FreeVerse poem so far but what of it's writer?

Liverpool born Felicia Dorothea Hemans (nee Browne) was born in 1793 and had her first poems (dedicated to the Prince Of Wales) published in 1808.

A woman ahead of her time, her poetry offered a woman's voice confiding a woman's trials with her most successful book, RECORDS OF WOMEN (1828) chronicling the lives of woman both famous as well as anonymous.

(Click HERE to read more.)

FreeVerse is a weekly meme hosted by CARA at Ooh ... Books.

HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY TO ME.

YEAH!!!!!!

Pen And Paper is ONE year old today and what a year it's been.

Hard to believe how long it took me to start blogging. After talking about it for years (and I mean years) Husband dearest 'set me up' with blogger in August 2008 and yet it still took me up until April 2009 to produce my first post which you can see by clicking HERE.

As it says in my profile, Pen And Paper started life as a blog :

..... mainly based around my love of books and silly jokes, (though) there will, no doubt, be one or two other things thrown in as the fancy takes me.

And though Book Reviews (click HERE for my first) and Silly Jokes (likewise, click HERE for my first) are still the mainstay of my blog, it's funny how the 'fancy' has largely taken me away from these and onto other things such as my 'It's a Mad Old World' and 'Religious/Cultural Celebrations' posts. Still, I suppose we all grow and change over time, hopefully for the better.

Yes, hard to believe that far from (metaphorically speaking) dragging me, kicking and screaming TO Pooter, I'm now dragged, kicking and screaming AWAY from him as the number of times I've posted over the year will testify.

But my posting is only part of the story that is Pen And Paper. You, the people, who read/follow/comment are the thing that really makes blogging such a pleasure so a million thanks each and everyone of you.

Not just my blogs birthday - today also sees another family member celebrate his. Nephew, Christopher is 17 today. Many Happy Returns to him.

One more thing, many thanks to all those who entered my Blogoversary Book Giveaway. After deliberation by my panel of judges, I'll post the winner tomorrow.

THE ROSARY GIRLS.

THE ROSARY GIRLS by RICHARD MONTANARI. In the most brutal killing crusade Philadelphia has seen in years, a series of young Catholic women are found dead, their bodies mutilated and their hands bolted together. Each clutches a rosary in her lifeless grasp.

Veteran cop Kevin Byrne and his rookie partner Jessica Balzano set out to hunt down the elusive killer, who leads them deeper and deeper into the abyss of a madman's depravity. Suspects appear before them like bad dreams - and vanish just as quickly. While the body count rises, Easter is fast approaching: the day of resurrection and of the last rosary to be counted...

... from the outer back cover.

First Sentence: There is a wintry sadness about this one, a deep-rooted melancholy that belies her seventeen years, a laugh that never fully engages any sort of inner joy.

MEMORABLE MOMENT: And while any immediate threat, at least from a living human being, was over, and the detectives could have holstered their weapons, they hesitated, as if they could somehow vanquish the profane vision in front of them by deadly force.

After being given another book by this particular friend and finding it not to my taste, I'm really pleased to say that I thoroughly enjoyed The Rosary Girls - after all, with it's wonderfully fast paced plot and cleverly penned, complex characters what was there not to like?

Set in Philadelphia, someone is killing young Catholic women in what can only be described as a macabre fashion and whilst this could have made for an overly blood-thirsty novel, the author avoided this by not including any really gratuitous violence and by not dwelling on this one aspect of the story too much.

Very well written - the psychological element being especially impressive as were the multitude of twists and turns to the story - it was a roller coaster of a read, well observed, with lots of details and a climatic ending.

Character wise - I particularly liked the fact that as much credence was given to Jessica (the female half of the partnership) as there was to Kevin (the main character) though there was one point in which the author had her acting in a particularly 'strange' way that wasn't consistent with what we knew of her. However, that said, it in no way spoilt the story as a whole, being much too well written and thought through by the author for that to happen.

The Rosary Girls was a gift from a friend.

WHAT A LOAD OF BALDERDASH - #1.

REMEMBER - There are only a few more more days in which to enter my 1st Blogoversary Book Giveaway. Please click on the icon at the top of the page to enter if you haven't already done so. Once the icon has gone, the competition will be closed.I've seen Balderdash - The Word Verification Game - 'played' on many a site, including Melissa's MY WORLD ...... IN WORDS AND PAGES (you can see her last Balderdash post entry by clicking HERE).

Now to be totally honest with you all, I'm not a fan of word verification, mainly for two reasons.

(A) I don't know if my mind works too literally as though I may see a word as one thing, my mind, if that word doesn't really register, has an 'awful' habit of converting it to what it thinks it should be. Still with me? I thought not. Let me give you an example. Take the brand of FCUK* - my mind can't seem to deal with this and always seems to rearrange the letters to spell, well, another four lettered word.

(B) I very rarely get the 'verification' first time round, sometimes not even on the second attempt and, occasionally, not even on the third attempt (my personal best was six attempts) by which time I feel as if the thing is screaming at me to get a move on.

Anyway, because of the above, whilst I love reading other people's Balderdash posts, I've never been keen to play along ....... until now.

Ooh nearly forgot. For those of you who don't know how to play ....... it's easy.

If you comment on blogs you can do this too.
Write down all the word verifications you get while posting comments on other peoples blogs.
You then play Balderdash with them.
You take the made up word and come up with an authentic sounding definition for it.
Do this for a week and then post your best or favorite ones every Thursday. (Or as in this instance, Friday)

Ok here goes, Remember this is my first attempt so please be gentle with me.

Not unlike homicide - COMICIDE is the legal term for the unlawful killing of a clown.

We've all heard/read about the various 'apps' available on certain mobile phones etc. The INAPP is a handy application that allows you to enter your home/car when you've forgotten your house/car keys.

NOCITI - The sound of a walking stick used over cobbles.

GINGASTAN - A country with a large population of flame headed individuals.

* FCUK = FRENCH CONNECTION UK.

P.S HAPPY BIRTHDAY PA-IN-LAW.

HAPPY VISHU.

One of the nicest things about doing this blog and, in particular, posting about these religious festivals is all the (albeit virtual) celebrations I get to go to.

No different is the celebration of VISHU, which takes place today, and is of great significance for HINDUS as it marks the Astronomical New Year Day.

Full of colourful rituals and customs, most of which are based on the belief that Vishu must be celebrated well as the good things of the first day New Year will continue for the rest of the year too.

Celebrations including a grand saya (feast) are prepared by the women of the household. Sitting down to a meal of jackfruits, mangoes, pumpkins and other such delicacies, new clothes are worn and fire crackers are burst in the midst of dancing to mark the day.

Whilst a group of young men and women dress up, wearing skirts of dried banana leaves and masks, they go from house to house, dancing and collecting small amounts of money which is spent at the Vishuwela (New Year Fair).

EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY.

It was whilst reading my current book (PRIMAL FEAR by William Diehl) that I came across a short verse written by the poet Edna St. Vincent Millay.

On searching for more of her work, I discovered what an interesting woman she was and thought GREAT! A FreeVerse* AND an Inspirational Women Wednesday** post all in one.

First for one of her poems which I particularly liked.

Doubt no more that Oberon—
Never doubt that Pan
Lived, and played a reed, and ran
After nymphs in a dark forest
In the merry, credulous days,—
Lived, and led a fairy band
Over the indulgent land!
Ah, for in this dourest, sorest
Age man's eye has looked upon
Death to fauns and death to fays,
Still the dog-wood dares to raise—
Healthy tree, with trunk and root—
Ivory bowls that bear no fruit,
And the starlings and the jays—
Birds that cannot even sing—
Dare to come again in spring!

Edna was born in February 1892. An American poet and playwright, she was the first woman to win the PULITZER PRIZE FOR POETRY.

Brought up in a singe parent household (her parents divorced when she was 12 which I should have imagined was quite scandalous at that time) Edna and her sisters, owing to their mother's (Cora's) financial situation, moved from place to place, always travelling with a trunk of classical literature including the works of William Shakespeare, relying on the kindness of both family and friends.

Finally settling in Maine, Cora taught her daughters to be independent and to speak their minds which, as you can probably imagine, didn't always sit well with others.

In was during her high school years that Edna (preferring to be called Vincent) began really nurturing her literary talents, starting a school magazine and eventually having some of her poetry published - and all by the age of 15 - though it wasn't until five years later, aged 20, that her career really took off.

Quite the independent young woman, Edna had several relationships with both men and women (imagine the scandal this would have caused) before finally marrying in 1923. However even this caused quite a stir as Edna and her husband had what is referred to as an 'open marriage' both partners having sexual relationships with other people.

Career wise, Edna went from strength to strength. Winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1923 for THE HARP-WEAVER and Other Poems though her reputation was damaged by the poetry she wrote in support of the allied war effort during the Second World War.

Also awarded the FROST MEDAL for her lifetime contribution to poetry in 1943 (only the second wowan to do so), Edna died 7 years later, in October 1950. Found dead at the bottom of the stairs, it was clear she fell to her death but the cause of the fall is unknown.

So what is it I find so inspirational about Edna St. Vincent Millay? Certainly not her private life. I find it inspiring that a woman living at this time who came from such an impoverished background was raised to be an individual, a person in her own right. The fact the her family obviously held books and knowledge in such high esteem also inspires me as does the fact that Edna went on to achieve such wonderful things as becoming the first woman to receive such a prize as the Pulitzer.

* FREEVERSE is a weekly meme hosted by CARA at Ooh ... Books! Whilst ** Inspirational Women Wednesday is hosted by AINE at The Evolving Spirit.

For more reading on Edna click HERE, OR to view her other poetry click HERE

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER.

Close on two weeks late with this post but still better late than never.

Inspired by APRIL FOOLS DAY I thought I'd bring you these articles that could well have been hoaxes such is their strangeness.

First of all from the animal kingdom.

Hows this for one funny looking bird. Meet Sirocco the KAKAPO (pictured left) - New Zealand's mysterious Parrot of the night" who even has his own FACE BOOK PAGE.

OR

How about these ........ SELF-SHEARING SHEEP? (Pictured right)

Yes you read correctly, there is a new breed of sheep (honest) - the Exlana - being bred here in Devon which loses its wooly coat automatically in the Spring. Much shorter and sparser then that on traditional sheep, the wool begins shredding and is picked up by birds for their nests, or simply composts into the soil.

More interested in architecture? I really thought this was the Guardian newspapers idea of an April Fool's Day hoax it being in the 1st of April edition but no, this has actually been built.

(Pictured below) Unveiled as the artistic centrepiece of the 2012 Olympic Park and officially titled the ARCELORMITTAL ORBIT (but given the nickname Hubble Bubble) this structure, at 400ft high, is taller than BIG BEN (315ft high) and the STATUE OF LIBERTY (152ft high), just short of the GREAT PYRAMID OF GIZA (455ft high) and considerably shorter than that to which it is being compared - the EIFFEL TOWER (1,o63ft high). *

Not impressed? How about these other 'funny' buildings? Just click on the relevant link(s) to view.

THE BASKET BUILDING of Newark, Ohio. The headquarters of (what else but?) the Longaberger Basket Company.

In the seaside town of Sopot, Poland, THE CROOKED HOUSE which opened in 2004 and is said to be the most photographed building in the country.

As if a passing giant toppled this nineteenth-century US courthouse over, we have the gateway to Tennessee's WONDERWORKS THEME PARK complete with inverted streetlamps and palm trees.

Built as a water tower for the Thorpeness Holiday Village in Suffolk in the 1920's, the 'HOUSE IN THE CLOUDS' now serves as a highly unusual holiday home.

* All heights being approximates.

CAMPAIGN WIVES.

Ever started a post and it's turned into a bit of a monster in that you thought you had little to say on the subject and yet find that, once started, you actually have plenty to say? Well, this is rapidly becoming one of those posts - I just seem to keep adding as more occurs to me.

Anyway, let me begin by saying that this is in no way meant as a comprehensive guide to the British electoral system but rather my take on one issue that intrigues me.

Here in the UK we are in the grips of GENERAL ELECTION fever. Something I admit I don't have much interest in as, to be honest, to me it seems to make very little difference as to who gets in for long gone are the days when LABOURstood for the 'common' man (and later women for don't forget it wasn't until 1928 here in the UK that women were granted the same EQUAL voting rights as men) in the street and the CONSERVATIVES for, well, the rest.

Mind you. I suppose it was much easier then as there were only the two parties to choose from whereas today we have the three main parties - Labour, Conservative (Tory) and LIBERAL DEMOCRATS (Lib Dem), plus a variety of other, largely lesser known parties, as well as the INDEPENDENT Candidate(s) who is not usually affiliated to any party and, finally, occasionally a rather, shall we say, 'Odd-ball' party such as THE MONSTER RAVING LOONY PARTY.

But I don't really want to go into all that, no I'll leave that to Husband dearest who has begun blogging again such is his interest in the election (click HERE to see what he has to say on the matter).

No, I want to talk about the wives of our prospective Prime Ministers, two of who are somewhat in the spotlight at the moment.

The much talked about Sarah, wife of our now Prime Minister (PM) Gordon Brown, (both pictured to the left) who had, as the Telegraph, reported (but not until after they had commented on her dress) THIS TO SAY at the Labour Party Conference earlier this week.

AND

Samantha (Sam Cam), wife of Conservative leader David Cameron. (both pictured to the right) who if we are to believe everything the INDEPENDENT newspaper says is "slowly and unavoidably (but I ask, is she?) becoming a public figure."

Since when did wives become so involved in the political careers of their husbands? Since when did what they had to say make a difference as to who we voted for?

Ok, there was the wife of HAROLD MACMILLAN (PM 1957-63) whose wife (Lady Dorothy Cavendish) I'm informed played a huge part in his political life but only because she was his official chauffeur. Then there was Dennis, husband of our only female PM, MARGARET THATCHER (PM 1974-90) who was often seen and talked about but was never heard to comment himself. And finally (and perhaps here's where it all started) Cherie, wife of our last PM, TONY BLAIR (PM 1997-2007) who occasionally made her views known but never in the same was as these current candidate's wives do.

To me of much more appeal and much more worthy of our respect is Miriam, wife of Lib Dem leader NICK CLEGG (both pictured below) who has thus far maintained a somewhat dignified silence despite I'm sure being every bit as supportive of her husband as Sarah and Samantha are of theirs.What do you think?

UPDATE:- I do believe that I'm going to have to take back the words I've just written about Miriam Clegg. It is only today that I've had the opportunity to read the Sunday newspapers and what is the main picture on the front page of THE OBSERVER? - (You guessed) Nick and Miriam Clegg, during her first campaign appearance on Saturday.

ONLY ANOTHER WEEK TO GO.

Only one more week to go to Pen And Paper's 1st Blogoversary and I've had some great responses to my Book Giveaway but would love to hear from YOU so if you haven't already done so enter by clicking HERE.

WOMEN IN THE NEWS.

I feel a 'Whats In The Paper's?' post coming on - this one devoted entirely to some of the women who have made it into the news.

They are of course, in peak physical condition, with the flying skills required of any air force ace?

But China's first female astronauts have faced an extra challenge: they had to be mothers to qualify (makes a nice to change when we read so much about mothers being turned for jobs merely because they ARE mothers and yet it is still discrimination of a type) for the country's prestigious space programme.

Xu Xianrong, an expert at the air force general hospital, said women had advantages as astronauts over men because they were more mentally stable, better able to bear loneliness and had better communication skills. The insistence that they should also be wives and mothers (Umm, no single parents then) does not relate to their multi-tasking abilities, however. Officials are concerned that space flight might affect their fertility (is there no chance of male fertility being affected? I ask myself)

- Taken from an article by Tania Branigan, reporting in the Guardian. (Click HERE for full report.)

Maybes I shouldn't laugh but I'm sorry this next article really made me giggle.

Two women have been arrested on suspicion of trying to smuggle the body of a dead relative on to an easyJet fight bound for Germany.

The women, the man's widow and stepdaughter, said they thought 91-year-old Curt Willi Jarant, who was seated in a wheelchair and wearing sunglasses, was asleep as they tried to check in.

The women, German nationals, who were also travelling with two young children, were detained on suspicion of failing to give notification of death.

(Airport worker) Andrew Millea said "When the family pulled up in a minibus-style taxi, the older lady told me assistance was needed for her elderly father, who was sat in the front seat of the cab. She told me he was elderly and frail, and also very tired, so I would have to lift him out of the taxi and into the wheelchair."

His stepdaughter said "They would think that for 24 hours we would carry a dead person? This is ridiculous. (and this is what made me laugh, put it down to the British love of GALLOWS HUMOUR if you wish) He was moving, he was breathing. Eight people saw him."

An edited version (click HERE for the full) of an article in the Guardian. Reporters - James Meikle and Kate Connolly.

A great way to publicise a little known illness (Becky has the debilitating condition, FIBROMYALGIA) but what a way to celebrate your wedding ............. on a double decker bus.

A Bride-To-Be's plan to win a dream wedding has hit the brakes (pun intended) after she pulled out of a reality tv show.

Becky Magson was picked as one of ten prospective brides, competing to win the perfect nuptials, on board a classic double decker in tv programme BRIDES ON A BUS.

- Coreena Ford reprting in the Sunday Sun. (View full article by clicking HERE.)

And finally.......

A Glasgow woman got a letter from a book club last week, addressed to her grandmother who used to live with her.

Gran had been a member of the club until she died five years ago, but her granddaughter was used to getting mail from companies that couldn't manage to update their records.

Still, she had to smile when she opened this one and saw the letter headed "How can we get you back?" (With a miracle?)

- the Sunday Post.

THE INTRUDER.

THE INTRUDER by PETER BLAUNER.
Jake Schiff has made it. He's a successful Manhattan lawyer and he's finally acquired the dream home for the family he cherishes: Dana, a psychiatric social worker, and Alex, their teenage son.

Then the Intruder enters their lives.

John G is a homeless addict who has become Dana's patient. He begins to stalk her and menace the family. When he threatens Alex with a knife Jake snaps. Driven to breaking point by fear and desperation, Jake agrees to the terrifying action suggested by Phil, an Italian-American from Jake's old neighbourhood, and suddenly Jake's glittering career and all he has worked so hard to achieve is threatened when he is arrested for murder.

- From the inner front cover.

FIRST SENTENCE: October 14, A prominent Manhattan lawyer was arrested yesterday and charged with killing a homeless man on the Upper West Side.

MEMORABLE MOMENT: Life in the office is already going back to normal. Bills will be sent, phone calls will be returned, motions will be answered. And after ten years at this firm, Jake realizes he doesn't have anyone who's enough of a friend to even call his family for him.

I have very mixed feelings about this novel as though I found it to be very well written on the one hand, it was badly written and unbelievable on the other. Easy to read and yet, at the same time, difficult due to it's overuse of American legal terms, abbreviations (BQE?) and so called 'black street culture' slang that I'm sure many Americans wouldn't understand let alone someone (like myself) from another country.

The characters were also of a mixed variety. The character of John G being superbly written - his gradual descent into madness and his search for help being second to none as was the portrayal of the hideous Phil Cardi, a truly awful individual who, sad to say, was all too believable as a racist. Whilst, on the other hand, you had the totally unbelievable Jake Schiff - how any lawyer of his supposed standing could be so naively gullible is beyond me.

As for the plot itself? Average at best and weak and predictable at worst with the author not making nearly enough use of Dana Schiff - at just under 400 pages it is over long.

The Intruder was purchased as ex-library stock.

A WALK ON MY WILD SIDE.

Very off-putting that as I sit writing (ok, typing) this post, there is a man walking just outside the window on our porch roof. No not a burglar or a Peeping Tom (where did that term come from? Click HERE to find out), he's replacing/repairing the roof tiles that were damaged over the winter. Anyway, whilst blogging about I came across this great post at THE BOOK CHOOK - all about using avators to aid children's writing, I couldn't resist having a play on one of the sites mentioned.

BUILD YOUR WILD SELF was fantastic. You took your basic male/female character and then gave it a bit of a wild twist before adding the background of choice.

I couldn't resist giving myself a lions mane which, the site dutifully informs me, I use to attract mates, a fossa's ears which are apparantly a hunters best friend (all the better to hear you with), used to track down my favourite snack of lemurs and the wings of a monarch butterfly which I can flap five times in one second. Oh and then there's my snout that, though I look like a cat, means I'm actually a relative of the mongoose family (that will be on my mother's side) native to the forests of Madagascar. All of which, as if you didn't know, makes me a LIO-OSSA-MONARCH BUTTERFLY.

INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN WEDNESDAY - MARIA DICKIN.

Normally at this time on a Wednesday I'm over at CARA's taking part in her weekly meme, FreeVerse but this week I've decided on visiting AINE at The Evolving Spirit who also has a weekly meme - Inspirational Women Wednesday.

I was doing some research for another post about the PDSA - People's Dispensary For Sick Animals - where I discovered that the founder was a woman.


"A woman, so what?" I hear you say but MARIA DICKIN (pictured below) was no ordinary women - bright, confident and independent minded, it could be argued that she was a woman way ahead of her time.Born in London in 1890, Maria, the eldest of eight children, was the daughter of a church minister and his wife.

Not afraid to speak her mind and determined to supplement her family's meagre income, Maria decided to take a job - something not expected of women of her class at that time.

Then, married at 28, Maria, in need of personal fulfillment, decided on social work, where visiting the poor of London's East End, she was appalled at not only their poverty but also at the sight of the unbearable suffering of animals.

Unprepared by her Victorian upbringing for these sights, in 1917 Maria opened the first 'dispensary' for sick and injured animals in a Whitechapel basement where, whilst the world was still at war, she worked to improve, free of charge to those in need, the dreadful state of animal health.

Despite much scepticism, particularly from the male dominated College Of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), this dispensary became a huge success and Maria soon found herself having to move to larger premises. But with this success came further attention until Maria found herself forced to write to the Royal College -

'If you are so concerned about proper treatment of the sick animals of the poor, open your own dispensaries ... Show owners how to care for their animals in sickness and health. Do the same work that we are doing. Instead of spending your energy and time hindering us, spend it dealing with this mass misery.'

Yes indeed, what a woman! Intelligent and witty, she possessed all the trimmings of a 'society' wife often giving dinner parties for high profile personalities from the world of commerce, politics and the legal profession and yet at the same time not afraid to stand up for her beliefs, get her hands dirty and take on the might of a largely patriarchal society.

FROM A BOOK BLOGGER HOP TO A BOGART TO A PROLIFIC BLOGGER.

As most of you know I love visiting 'new' blogs when I can - which is one of the reasons why I like awards as they are an ideal way of finding new sites but more of that later in the post.

Over the week-end whilst visiting SHARON in her Garden Of Book Reviews I came across this post in which she told of a new meme BOOK BLOGGER HOP which is being hosted at Crazy For Books.

Not just for book reviewers though that has to be one of the objectives of the blog, BBH, as the blurb on the site informs us,

Is a weekly event, hosted here, where book bloggers and readers can connect to find new blogs to read. It's a great way to network with other bloggers and make new friends! Every day I seem to find another book blog that I start following. In the spirit of the Friday Follow, I thought it would be cool to do a Book Blogger Hop to give us all bookies a chance to connect and find new blogs that we may be missing out on! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed! Jennifer.

Sound like a great idea? I thought so too though at over 100+ bloggers (I was the 151st) already signed up it could take me a while to visit them all.

And so onto Awards.

I was delighted and honoured to receive this BOGART award from my good blogger buddy BETTY over at Cut And Dry - many thanks for thinking of me Betty.

As always though this award comes with some 'rules' - one being that I pass it on to between 3 and 10 other bloggers and another being I share 7 things about myself that you didn't know.

(1) As a child I was scared of the WIMPY man who advertised Wimpy burgers. (Come to think of it I'm still not too keen on him).

(2) My grandad's pet-name for me was Angel Eyes and so the song of that title by Showaddywaddy became 'our' song. (click HERE for lyrics).

(3) Remaining with 'our' songs, - Husband dearest's and mine is Romeo And Juliet by Dire Straits (click HERE for the lyrics).

(4) I'd dearly love to share my life with a ginger tom-cat. I've even picked his name, Chivers, after the marmalade makers.

(5) I always wanted to milk a goat (no idea why, I just did) and was lucky enough to do so whilst on a play-scheme residential.

(6) I was going to be called Carol but my mam took one look at me at birth and decided I looked like a Tracy - I wish she'd stuck with her first choice. Ma-In-Law, however, thinks I look more like a Jessica - an even better choice than Carol or Tracy.

(7) Since having my ankle joint fused over 2 years ago, I've become obsessed with shoes and would love to be able to wear a shiny black (or red) pair is stiletto heels.

And so onto part 2 of the rules: -

I always find this sooooo difficult as I find myself longing to give it to the same bloggers time after time SO ....

I've decided in the spirit of BBH, I'm going to hang on to the award until I find some new blogs to pass it onto - a new blog according to BBH being a blog of less than 3 months standing or with less than 50 followers.

Not just one award, but two - I was also delighted to receive this PROLIFIC BLOGGER AWARD from Sherrie at Just Books. A prolific blogger being someone who:

'Is intellectually productive… keeping up an active blog that is filled with enjoyable content.'

(Yeah that sounds just like me - she says laughing.)

The 'rules' of this one being-

1. Every winner of the Prolific Blogger Award has to pass on this award to at least seven other deserving prolific bloggers.

2. Each Prolific Blogger must link to the blog from which he/she has received the award.

3. Every Prolific Blogger must link back to this post, which explains the origins and motivation for the award.

4. Every Prolific Blogger must visit this post and add his/her name in the Mr. Linky, so that we all can get to know the other winners. (Click HERE for that link.)

Oh dear I really don't enjoy this bit at all and there is such a real temptation to add the same bloggers again and again but I've finally decided that I'd like this award to go to some of the wonderful blogs that don't get such an obvious mention on Pen And Paper.

Four bloggers who always make me smile at their all-be-it very different outlook on life. (1) Molly at LIFE WITH THE CAMPBELLS , (2) Kathryn at FROM THE INSIDE ... OUT, (3) Richard, THE BEWILDERED BRIT and (4) Trac at WELCOME TO OUR WORLD.

For keeping me up to date with what the youth are really reading and for restoring my faith that there are some young people out there who are actually still reading, (5) Nina at WE ADORE HAPPY ENDINGS.

Two bloggers who post not only about books but quilting as well -(6) Valerie who resides at LIFE IS A PATCHWORK QUILT and (7) Heather over at the aptly titled, BOOKS AND QUILTS who also includes some fascinating posts on First Nations/Aboriginal works.

And finally, at the request of Tina, I'd like to point you all in the direction of THE CLEAN WHITE PAGE. A huge fan of her blog, I love her short stories which are wickedly atmospheric and often quite eerie.

Grief that was hard work, time for a piece of the, as yet (aren't I good, resisting such temptation?) unopened, Easter egg.