Category Archives: Reading

Christopher Robin’s house is for sale!

Butternut Creek, Musings, Reading, Writing, , , ,

I grew up with Christopher Robin, Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, and Rabbit and his friends and relations.   When I was sick, my mother used to read the stories to me, changing the name of Christopher Robin to Monica Jane (my real and legal names).   My younger sister even put, “How sweet  to be a cloud” to music she made up.    I can still sing it.  In high school, I had a friend who used to quote Milne’s poem, “Now I am six and . . .” while George loves the poem which begins, “King John was not a good man. . .”

The Winnie-the-Pooh stories even influenced my writing.  In The Welcome Committee of Butternut Creek, Charley the plumber gets stuck in a cabinet in the same way Pooh bear did in the hole to Rabbit’s house.  Adam thinks he may have to starve Charley until he’s thin enough to pull himself out–as Rabbit had to do with that silly bear.  However, I didn’t allow Adam to hang his wash on Charley’s legs.

The original illustrations are wonderful, line drawings which suggest and define the characters.  Children who grew up on the Disney version have missed out on the delight of the E.H. Shepard drawings.  Here’s a link so you can appreciate them.  http://bibliodyssey.blogspot.com/2008/11/original-winnie-pooh-drawings.html

I’m writing this because a friend on Facebook posted that the house on Pooh corner is for sale, the one where A.A. Milne wrote the books and Christopher Robin came down the stairs with his bear bumping down behind him.  I emailed the information to my husband.  He says we can’t buy the house but that doesn’t matter.  I love the memories this news evoked and it is a little above our price range.  However, if you’re interested, here’s the link.   Click here: Savills UK | Cotchford Lane, Hartfield, East Sussex, TN7 4DN | Property for sale

Did you read Winnie-the-Pooh when you were young?  Or even when you were old?   What memories do you have?

 

 

 

Review of For Such a Time as This by Ginny Aiken

Reading, Review, , , , , ,

Ginny Aiken has written more books than I can count.  On top of that, she’s written all kinds of books:   short  and long, humorous and wrenchingly moving as well as filled with suspense.   She amazes me because at any length or any depth of emotion, whatever she writes is terrific.  

Her first book in the THE WOMEN OF HOPE series, For Such a Time as This, was released Tuesday.   In her books in this series, Ginny takes a story from the Bible and set it in more modern times.  For Such a Time as This takes place in Oregon in the year 1879.   My favorite books by Ginny have always been the short, humorous ones. so I approached this novel with some misgiving which turned out to be misplaced.   This longer and deeply touching novel fascinated me and it also had Ginny’s trademark humor sprinkled throughout. 

The setting of  the small  town is beautifully described with historical details that made me feel as if I, too, were in Bountiful, experiencing the struggle of the farmers against drought and insects.   The characters are artfully and clearly drawn.     I loved Olivia’s rambunctious family and the children she cares for as well.  Elijah and Olivia come across as strong but flawed, often stubborn but loving people.   They grow, both as people and together as husband and wife although they can’t admit that–until the twist that tests them but not Olivia’s faith.   

I look forward to the next novels in this series.

Surgery + 3 days

Happening Now, Reading, , , , ,

I’d hoped I’d be better to see by now but still can’t write or watch much television and cannot read at all (so please excuse any spelling errors here) and I hate that!  I am a bookaholic.  Fortunately, my darling husband of forty-six years showed me the marvel of the talking Kindle.   Now I listen to my books.  The voice mispronounces words; for example,   chapel becomes chapelle, but it’s less boring.  I have convinced George that I cannot see well enough to cook or vacuum or load the dishwasher.  He knows I can.  He’s just to nice to mention it and he loves take-out.   I have increased font size on my computer so will be able to get some writing done today–thank goodness.  I have left Hannah and Gabe (book three:  The Wedding Planners) alone in the wreckage of the tornado and need to get them out.   

George took a picture of me a few minutes ago and I think the surgery turned out well although I’m not sure I’m happy with the lips.  What do you think?