Book Review: Girls in their Married Bliss by Edna O'Brien

Penguin Book 2649 first published 1964 reprinted 1967.
Given that I've acquired loads of Orange Penguin books to sell for someone, I took the opportunity to read an author I have enjoyed...this novel says a lot about life in the 50s 60s. Think "Up the Junction" (Nell Dunne) . In those days it really was a tragicomedy as described on the back cover - it is seedy, sad and an epitome of some women in those times; an irony.  The power of womanhood has improved. Would I recommend it?  For social history: it's a quick read!

Helping step by step!

Found this and thought it amusing!

Book Review: Friends, Lovers, Chocolate by Alexander McCall Smith

My daughter looked offended when I answered that I hadn't read the book but was passing it on.  As I replied, I realised she'd given me this book and another of his titles! Therefore, I gave it a go! I was suitably surprised and thoroughly enjoyed the 2nd book of the Philosophy Series...so much so that I'd finished it within three days. I am a slow reader! That is, I haven't always got the TIME to read! I did some research and was again impressed with how many books this author has written. I think that is why I initially thought they would be 'not my style'!  But the philosophical content was interesting and made me more alert to perspectives of thinking!

The Swing - A poem

How do you like to go up in a swing,
   Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
   Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,
   Till I can see so wide,
River and trees and cattle and all
   Over the countryside--

Till I look down on the garden green,
   Down on the roof so brown--
Up in the air I go flying again,
   Up in the air and down!

By Robert Louis Stevenson

La Crepuscule

At Dusk and into Darkness a while ago, there was a Les Nuits Romanes presentation at Vicq-sur-Gartempe.  "La Compagnie Avis de Tempête" from La Rochelle, presented "Estrellita" : set in 1945, it incorporated music, theatre, comedy, acrobatics, trapeze. Aerial poetry against a church, lit to highlight exterior and interior architecture.  Difficult to take night photos.

The music supported an aerial display by a woman on a trapeze, hooked to a safety line, whilst kinetic energy worked the rope swing.  She wrapped it around her legs or feet or body,  then released herself to fall but of course the rope held her.  I was with her on the swing.  I felt that heart beat, that exhilaration when one pushes higher and higher to the bar! 
The theatrical setting was of a different bar... a bal guingette, where four musicians played an Italian styled musette accordion, a double bass, a silvery sparkly drum and percussion kit,  and a violin, the sound of which wasn't sufficiently acoustically balanced to hear melodies that followed those of the accordion.  The woman sat with her back to the chap as if in disagreement or dispute.  Maybe they were lovers, because after his balancing skills on four chairs and a table, which the waiter had prepared, dusted and cleaned, she suddenly threw herself through the air to wrap herself silently across his body like a tiny child who clings to its mother. Wow... Later, he received her feet on his hands with the weight of her body after she had ended her trapeze act.  It reminded me of how my grand daughter aged six has always and still does, stand on her father's hands and feet! I was impressed with the style of music... it is music I have sometimes played... Parisian style musette from 1940s. 
I ordered a CD because they had sold out!  It arrived, but now the laptop CD player has decided not to operate! 
The evening was extremely well attended... though the elderly, older than I, who were sat could not have seen much apart from all the heads in front of them.

Needle & Thread

A few days ago, I enjoyed attempting to stitch the long, loose thread into its pattern on the duvet cover which had been used for 20 sleeps. It was after 7 sleeps that the thread came loose.  Very annoying! Guests complimented the John Lewis product! On a whim, as I couldn't wait for A.N.Other for sewing repairs, I did it!  

Wheel hubs

Mindful that one of these had fallen off after it had been knocked off by someone hitting the corner of my vehicle, causing minor damage whilst parked on the road outside of my house, AND when I'd replaced it but it fell off again, (I know not where), I managed to pass the motor vehicle scrap yard whilst it was open.  Not knowing the French words even to begin to ask for what I needed,  I mentioned 'couverture' and 'roue' and the very polite young man with neat, dreadlock hair who was wearing welly boots came to look at the car.  Off he went in search of what I needed.  Then I  looked at my car which is not something I often do and noticed that a second and a third were also 'abimé'  ( (worn out! - damaged)  and ah, maybe I needed two or three, or, oh, FOUR wheel hub covers!  There I stood for an exceedingly long time, thinking how annoyed he might be if he arrives with one but I need more... and whilst I stood there, I considered how much one might cost and how much I might like to pay, bearing in mind it IS a scrap yard where everything has its value to those who need it!  Imagine my joy when this intelligent man arrived with four. They were a different pattern yet were for a Clio! I understood all of that but not heard a word that I could translate... This happens a lot more recently.  I don't know EXACTLY in words what the French person has said but I can reply!

So we agree to try them to see what they look like... and I noticed that as he passed the second wheel he too had seen that the second was broken and wouldn't last long.  He had made another comment which words escaped me but translation didn't.  Something to do with the driver scraping the car hubs on the pavement ... but he didn't say that of course!  He said he'd noticed that two were required! Well, I asked how much and he said 15e for the four. Without batting an eyelid, asked for 'baisser' svp.. but I struggled to remember that French word which he supplied!  Yes, that's it!  So, I got the four for 10e.  At the time, another language process happened. I interpreted that he meant each when I knew he meant for the four.   As he fitted them I said I had to keep the car on the road.  He commented 'comme tout le monde' ... I panicked, not wishing to cause offense and so, wasn't sure whether to tip him or not... there was no receipt, so I hoped he took a cut!  It's hard to make a moral decision without someone to discuss it with.  Afterwards I felt a bit mean because I then remembered my earlier thoughts and the minimum-maximum cost I was prepared to pay!  Scrooge! Ah.. humbug! 

Book Review: The Dead School: Patrick McCabe

Dust. 
Dead.
Days. (Larkin)
Living.
Loving.
Loss.
Death.
Dying.
Disintegration.
Destruction.
Depression.
Deviation.
Dearth.
Destiny.
Dreams broken.
Betrayal.
Madness.
Macabre.
Ancient.
Modern.
Ireland.
England.
Deeply Disturbing.
 "all the  precious moments... shared... down the years... well they weren't really anything at all now, were they? ... you certainly couldn't call them precious moments ... A better name for this might be something like: DUST!"
Two characters clash, contrast, come together.
Two or more levels of craziness.
Teachers and pupils.
Catholicism.
Ah.. I remember it all very well.

I confess.
My Days have certainly passed when I as a teacher became long-in-the-tooth and went from being outstanding to not. When I was head-hunted to when I was hunted-to-be-dismissed. Oh my, did they give me the best gift ever which was early retirement by at least five years of bliss and heaven... for if I was a year or two later it would not have been allowed! My bacon and sanity were saved .. although some may think the last ten years have been a hard time!   
Raphael Bell should have taken his freedom before teaching sent him to the brink.  
Like Raphael I thought I was important with my status and power...but now I am wiser, less arrogant.  I learned at the end of my career that I was irredeemable and not irreplaceable, even when the governor, on my final day before the blow, in front of a class of eleven year old children said "ah.. you are still surviving!" and I replied: "Yes I am a survivor!" 
Now I believe I am less self-centric, aware of my failings.  I am almost DUST and shall be when all my days have ended.
Who would be a teacher?
I would again, if I knew that what I was doing was making a positive difference to education, but if not, then I would get out quick, and do something more beneficial for my inner soul and for others.
Ironically, I have chosen to publish this on the day children return to school in UK and I didn't realise a new curriculum commences. 
It is A BRILLIANT BOOK. 
I read it before when I was numb because I don't remember any of it!
I haven't read THE BUTCHER BOY but was shocked out of the skin within seconds of watching the movie with a friend who couldn't stand it, who walked out! I made him return to the nightmare, even though I didn't wish to, and sit in the Hertfordshire cinema to brave it out! It didn't get easier to watch! Brilliant Movie! I would like to read more of his literature.

Cognac: Streets, Museums, Gardens

Rose window outside in and inside out:

 Exhibitions of beautiful bottles with display of creativity:

Films in the museum were extremely interesting and an excellent modern approach to make stuffy museums vital-alive!

More vintage bottles - these were analysed samples!

A stairway motif:

Bottling

Corking

Labelling

Sales to China were the most!

"Advertising in the Family!!! (Family humour - I am a descendant of "The Royal Scotts Equestrian Circus" and proud of it!

Above a doorway - probably to signify what the owner made!

Beautiful architecture

My number one girl! I shall remove photo if she tells me to!

The seedy side of town

Patina

L'eglise

Un café

Almost symmetrical

Evidence of ricochet on end church wall

Disused

Low down to the pavement graffiti

Missing statue

Asymmetry

Ghoulish

Dragon

Interesting architecture on the building with the dragon

Curves

Blackened stone from trees and humidity where sun and light can't penetrate!

Former grandeur: two hotels in 1889 became the town hall and the museum in the grounds of botanical gardens where the Cognac Blues Festival is performed,

 

Another feature of French museums is that they provide jigsaw puzzles where one can sit awhile for the attention of the child to take the mind away from ancient artefacts.

My friend has one of these!

I'd like a room with flooring and deep skirting panels such as these!

L'orangerie

A good brood!

Can't remember

She sure can swing! One does not wish to stand in the way of this determined young lady!