Janeites

While reading the latest modern rewrite of Jane Austen's works - Emma by Alexander McCall Smith - I remembered that I had these lovely stamps waiting to be shared with you all for SundayStamps

I'm  not sure which of Jane Austen's books was the first one I ever read, but I know that the only one I have a copy of is Northanger Abbey, and only because it is bound in red leather and matches my copy of Little Women. This was from back in the day when I would buy (mostly) used books based on their covers and would exchange them if I found a better one or add to the collection if I found another with a different cover design. After several moves, and a difficult decision to start culling many of my books, the first to go were the novels that could easily be found anywhere (like a library). Although it did remind me of a bible, I quite liked the plain red leather book with the attached red ribbon book mark, so those two are still on my bookshelf. I'm not sure I would ever read either of those copies again - I need books with slightly larger print now that I am 30 years older.

And now I collect stamps and postcards which take up a little less room, but the same principle applies: I still like to have several versions of the same thing.

grave post - Cohen

God only knows how much I love you

Two weeks before Matt Cohen died, his last novel (Elizabeth and After) won the Governor General's Award for English language fiction. He had, during 30 years, written over 30 books, including novels, short stories, poetry, and children's books as well as translations of French-Canadian literature.

Mr Cohen was born December 30th 1942 and died December 2nd, 1999. One of his major accomplishments besides being a founding member of the Writers Guild of Canada was, as president, convincing the government to establish the Public Lending Right that ensured writers were paid each time their books were borrowed from a public library. A literary award In Celebration of a Writing Life is presented each year in his name.

I still have one of his short story books, a satirical telling of Sir Galahad's virtuous character.

Galahad was the perfect knight. He spent his life in search of the Holy Grail. When he died he found it. It happened at the last possible moment. Just as he was losing consciousness an angel appeared to him and said, Galahad, one more thing.

What is it?

The angel whipped out a silver necklace and slipped it around Galahad's neck.
There, said the angel, now you have it.

Taphophile Tragics

reading and books

Isn't it always a relief to know that, somewhere, there is a word describing your affliction....?

this is a holiday weekend. I may take myself outside, in the warm spring air 

and find a park bench or picnic table and read.

or maybe I'll reorganize my unread books into pretty piles....

Anne with an e

postcard from Prince Edward Island, sent by Heather

You have probably heard about the cover of the new edition of the beloved Anne of Green Gables. For unknown reasons Amazon has republished the book with a new look Anne.

It portrays a sultry, buxom blonde who is definitely not 10 years old as our Anne was when introduced to us on her journey with Matthew to Green Gables.











When I was about 10 years old (in the late '70s) our family made a trip down east and we visited the Green Gables house in Cavendish PEI. I came home with a box set of the first three books. Years later, when my niece was around 10 years old (in the late '80s) I offered her the set. She took one look at the cover of these older books and claimed that that was not the real Anne. I still have the set.

Everyone knows that this is the real Anne, as portrayed by Megan Follows in 1985.





I am sharing this with Postcard Friendship Friday, for all the kindred spirits out there.

Sunday Stamps

First up, we have Astrid Lindgren, a Swedish author of children's books, among them, Pippi Longstocking.  

Though her stories for children were loved, her attitude towards adultery) which was reflected in her writings) was not so much. In her personal life, after an affair with her editor, she gave birth to a child out of wedlock. Until she was able to afford to take care of him, he was raised in a foster home where she regularly visited on weekends. It would seem that after declining marriage from the child's father, he declined support for the child. She would later marry her boss. Still, she was a advocate for children's and animal rights and against corporal punishment and was bestowed an award "...For her commitment to justice, non-violence and understanding of minorities as well as her love and caring for nature." 

Then there is American author and abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe, whose most recognized work is possibly Uncle Tom's Cabin written in 1852, but she also wrote numerous other novels, travel memoirs as well as articles and letters.

Legend has it that upon meeting President Lincoln he was to have said to her "so you are the little woman who wrote the book that started this great [civil] war", such was the polarizing effect of her writing among readers in the North and the South. It all started when she wrote to a newspaper saying she wanted to write a story about the problem of slavery, "I feel now that the time is come when even a woman or a child who can speak a word for freedom and humanity is bound to speak... I hope every woman who can write will not be silent."

Then there is someone perhaps a little less famous but by no means less influential in the lives of average Americans. Mary Lasker was a philanthropist and health advocate whose Lasker Award is considered the most prestigious medical research award one can receive. She supported National Health Insurance under President Truman - it failed. She then decided to fund medical research as a way to promote public health. She was also the president of the precursor to Planned Parenthood and she and her husband were instrumental in making the American Cancer Society the powerhouse that it is today. Ironically, her husband was one of the advertising executives who came up with the "Lucky Strikes Means Fine Tobacco" slogan for the cigarette company before the dangerous effects of tobacco became known.

Finally, we have the unnamed Women in  Military Service

See more Women in Stamps for March's Women's History Month in the US and the UK
(Canada celebrates in October)
by visiting Viridian's Postcard Blog

book love

this is charming.

made in stop motion video, the creators spent all night inside TYPE Books for four nights
animating dancing books.

reading

There was news this week of another independent bookstore closing. This particular one is the oldest indie bookseller (45 years) in the city. They are not necessarily closing because of poor sales or lack of customers, but mostly because of the dramatic increase in rent. This could be seen as a good thing, in that the city is thriving and neighbourhoods are becoming prosperous, but it is also a bad thing because only big name chain stores can afford these higher rents, so the local shops close up and the flavour of the neighbourhood becomes a little less interesting.

But books and bookstores are thriving.

If there were a theme to our family Christmas presents, it would have to be books. Every one of us received at least one book, some more than one. No kindles or kobos or e-readers for my family, we are all about the old fashioned, physical turning of the pages. We exchanged books not only for reading, but also for writing and for drawing. I will have to start journaling again in my pretty notebook, something that went by the wayside once I started blogging.

I was frantically trying to finish one book I had bought as a present, until I realized I was enjoying it so much that I wanted my own copy. Books are always fun to give to people. It is, in a way, my default gift, but not always because I can't think of anything else. In a strange way, it feels more personal to buy someone a book, more like sharing a bit of yourself. Sometimes, it is a book that I have read and loved and want others to experience. Sometimes, it is one that I have come across and think that a certain person might enjoy. I don't think I have ever been disappointed in getting a book as a gift. I have been introduced to authors I'd not heard of, and to ones I thought I wouldn't like. I once received a book that I waited three years to read - it took that long before I was desperate enough interested in it. Still, I kept it on my shelf, always thinking that one day I might pick it up even though a voice in the back of my mind said "but you don't like Stephen King". I discovered, maybe I did, after all.

This year I got an anthology of short stories. It is perfect for leaving in the car for emergency reading. I like to have something in hand when sitting in a restaurant on my own and a novel is too long and sometimes too engrossing; it can be hard to find the right spot for a break. But a short story is perfect for holding one's attention for just long enough. And this book is a collection of new writers, so every story is a true surprise. The other book I got was the darling of the literary world in 2011, The Sisters Brothers. Up for numerous awards and given gallons of praise by every reviewer, but somehow, something about it just didn't appeal. So I never bothered with it and had no intentions of reading it. But since I now have it in my possession, I decided to look through it before rearranging my shelves to make it fit. Haven't been able to put it down for the past two days. It is different. Definitely a unique style. And a darkly funny, offbeat western about a reluctant outlaw and his murderous brother. 

I have discovered a new side to myself.

age is relevant, or not

Barely 3 weeks ago, the last surviving Canadian Veteran of WWI, Jack Babcock passed away at age 109.

On Sunday, the oldest Canadian and American woman, Mary Josephine Ray, died at age 114 years, 294 days. On the same day, the oldest African American woman, Daisey Bailey, also died at age 113 years, 342 days. She became the fourth oldest person in the world when, in January, another 114 year old, Maggie Renfro, passed away.

And with them go all their memories of an era very few of us can imagine.

Hardships, endurances, loves, wars, inventions, agonies and ecstasies.

We are amazed by the speed and intricacies of the internet.

They were amazed by the invention of electricity.

My parents both lived to their 90s. My father had health issues for most of my life, several of which could have claimed his life, but didn't. He spent many years in and out of various hospitals, but no matter how many times he wished to die, his body stubbornly continued to fight death. My mother had a few health issues, though none of them were life threatening until the last two weeks of her life.

With such genes coursing through my body, I hope I have invested wisely. One of my greater fears is outliving my money. I have no children to take me into their care (although that is never a guarantee) and no spouse to resent my dependence on them (also not a guarantee, though more likely than not to happen).

We've all seen the statistics for our respective countries - we are an ever aging population the world over.

As an aside, while writing this, I was also doing laundry.

There is a bookshelf with a variety of reading material to be shared.... this is what I found sitting on top.

Art Linkletter himself is still alive at age 97!

I am not sure I would want to live to 114 years. Or even 100 years. Though getting that letter from the Queen would be nice. Oh wait, she'd have to live to be 132...

In the meantime, I just want to make it to next Sunday.

where I have been not so busy with things that do not involve blogging

The cafe was nearly empty for most of the afternoon, which suited me just fine. Perhaps not so for the proprietors, so I went up and got another coffee and added a cinnamon bun to my order. Diet be damned. (I know, I could have had a salad, or a sandwich, but the bill in my pocket turned out to be only a $5) I had a book to read that I cannot put down and I enjoyed the peace. Stieg Larssons' The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - highly recommend it, if you like mysteries and thrilling family sagas. It is at best, an exciting engrossing read and at worst, a confusing engrossing read. The family tree included has become the most thumbed page in the book.

I sometimes feel a twinge, when I slink past my local coffee house, the one I used to patronize at least twice weekly, to go to my new favourite coffee house. They are both friendly with very good coffee, but this other one has more of the comfy chairs and has many more bigger windows to let in the light. And it does seem a shame to leave my very bright, sunlit apartment to come sit in a dark cafe. I like to drink coffee out. It seems more sociable, even if I am alone. And I can get more writing done when I am out, for some reason. And today I had five postcards to get written. One day I will upload pics of the latest postcards I've received and share more of them with you.

Anyway, I walked past my LCH to come to the new favourite one that was so quiet yesterday. I walked in the door, out of the cold, and was met with a line up to the counter and not a seat to be spared! With a deep sigh, I turned, clutching my book, and walked back to LCH, where I was enthusiastically greeted by name. And where the overstuffed chair by the window sat empty, waiting for someone with a book that cannot be put down.

the pic above has nothing to do with this post, it is simply a lovely plant that a friend gave me and I promised to display it.

the first five random words

It is time for another meme!
I like these kind of free flowing ones where you ask other bloggers to supply you with questions or, in this case, FIVE random words chosen specifically for you. All you have to do is write anything that these words make you think of. These five random words came from mrwriteon of And I Still Think So.

TROPICAL
Everything seems so much bigger in the tropics. Bigger and more intense. The sun is hotter, the rain is more frequent, the flowers are huge, the greenery more lush, the birds more colourful. The humidity more exhausting. The spiders and other bugs way too frightening. So, not quite paradise.
I used to think a holiday on a beach would be the most boring thing. I needed a little more stimulation. I now know better, the sand and sea are so mesmerizing and the heat so draining, I don't want to go anywhere but sit with a cool drink with one of those umbrellas. They are talking about snow and frost on the weather channel at the moment....

MYTHOLOGY
The first time I sent a donation to PBS (public television that relies on funding "from viewers like you") was after seeing the Bill Moyers interviews with Joseph Campbell. I had to have that book. I was devoted to his writings and soon my bookshelves were heavy with all manner of books on mythology and comparative religions. About a year ago, when I needed more space, it was my books on mythology that were redistributed in the laundry room. I kept a few, most definitely Joseph Campbell, and Bullfinch, though I will likely never get around to reading it. But I now have a few more feet of space for other genres. It seemed, at the time and still, a strange passion for someone who tends to take things literally. Maybe it was my creative side that needed to be explored.

SATIN
Seriously overrated. Oh sure it looks so slinky and sexy the way it drapes and flows and shimmers. Until it hugs a bulge. Or snags. And you know that if you wear that gorgeous outfit to a party you will come home with some kind of stain decorating your front that will not come out.
Satin is perfection and who among us can attain that. Who can wear perfection well? Who among us can eat bruschetta without dripping? Yes, it is wonderful to have those sheets floating over your body as you sleep, until you see the wrinkled mess in the morning.
No, satin is annoying.

STREETCARS
When I was very little I wanted to be a streetcar driver when I grew up. I always liked sitting in the very back to watch the cable that attached to the overhead electrical wires. It would swing back and forth when the car turned corners and sometimes, if we were lucky, the driver would have to get out and prod it back into position with a long stick. Then there were the areas where several tracks merged and he (for it was always a he back then, though that never occurred to me as a young girl, I still thought I could grow up to be one of their exalted group) would again need to get out with a different long stick and do something magical with the tracks so we'd be going in the right direction. These things never happened on the bus. Then I grew up and had to take the 504 car every day to work. The novelty soon wore off. Though I still feel a certain nostalgia when I see streetcars and am ambivalent at the newer designs that look like mini futuristic trains.

CITIES
I love cities. I was born in Toronto, although technically it was a suburb and felt very suburban. When I was young, going 'downtown' was a major event. It required getting dressed up in your almost Sunday best. "I am not going to be seen downtown with you wearing that outfit" was often heard in my house. I love the energy that comes in a city. Seeing the streets full of life and restaurants with patios full of people makes me feel happy. The noise and the smells are another story, one that comes with city life that needs to be endured but not enjoyed. I moved a lot while in Toronto and managed to always live within walking distance of the subway each time. That is almost as important as being able to walk to a coffee shop, grocery store and book store. The idea of living out in the country with no neighbours for miles around sends a minor panicked feeling through my bones. Way too much enforced quiet and solitude.

If anyone else wants to play, just let me know and I'll choose five words for you to be creative with.

Monday AMuse

"Don't Panic"


And Another Thing as reviewed here and here

Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy:
Part Six of Three:
The Sixth in the Increasingly Inaccurate Hitchhiker's Trilogy

H2G2 is officially 30 years old today.
October 12 is the launch of the unexpected and highly anticipated return of Arthur Dent.
Anyone out there with a copy of this new book?