At the setting of the sun...

December has been a sad month-not least because it marked the passing of a giant of humanity-Nelson Mandela, but because of losses closer to home. It always seems more poignant when there is a loss at this time of year-because Christmas is significantly a time for family and reflection. We lost a very close and dear friend to the scourge that is cancer and we will miss him deeply. His family will have a huge mountain to climb until they can come to terms with his passing and I don't envy them that restlessness and frustration that accompanies grief. The outlet for that is often action and I have a number of friends who have throw themselves into physical activity for charity or set out on a massive campaign to help beat cancer/heart/disability. Its a positive reaction to loss, but care must be taken to grieve properly at the same time. I know only too well that racing around to avoid confronting your grief can be detrimental...and it will get you in the end-when you least expect it!

Life should be lived as though each day was your last-packing every minute with something worthwhile. My Dad used to say every day he woke up was a bonus and he wrung every drop of life out of each day, never regretted anything and had a positive approach to life...and death!

Journey of a Bookseller: Guy and the Christmas Gargoyle by Gill Jepson

Journey of a Bookseller: Guy and the Christmas Gargoyle by Gill Jepson: Have you ever really, really wanted something for Christmas?  Guy knows what he wants, and he's hoping Santa is listening... Here is...

Painting myself into a corner

I hear a lot about writer's block! Luckily I haven't suffered from it yet...or maybe I haven't noticed it? I am in fact suffering from exactly the opposite-I have loads of ideas which arrive in my brain too quickly, causing a massive backlog and bulging notebook!

Problem is I find everything around me a stimulus! I catch myself collecting characters like stamps and I do think I won't have enough time to write about them all! Time is of the essence as they say and its something that I seem to have no control of. Strange that the book series is called "out of time"-because its what I seem to be frequently!

Guy and Grumpy behind

For instance I went to Furness Abbey yesterday, which is not uncommon and there I spotted more carvings which unbelievably I had not seen before. Immediately I returned home I jotted some ideas down and looked at the photos. Great source stuff but rather distracting because I am already in the middle of Cistercian Conspiracy. This is me though...butterfly brain...if I write solidly every day for the next twenty years I won't be able to write all of these stories I am sure!

However, I have removed myself from the corner I had painted myself into-which is good. I really DO envisage completing by new year if I have to shut myself into a room for a week. So watch this space...coming soon-Out of Time 3

Back to the old days...

Had a lovely signing today at Crooklands Garden Centre at Dalton. Read the "Guy and the Christmas Gargoyle" book to some children and made some sales which was nice. The staff kept me plied with drinks and it was all very cosy sitting close to the stove.

A dear old friend arrived to have a natter and a coffee and we were soon chatting away. Inevitably, we talked about children-both being ex-teachers...not quite in the Monty Python "ex-parrot" sense but close enough! I commented on the interest of some of the children who came to get books today and how nice it was to see children keen on reading. My friend said she had encountered a number of children with parents in a local Pound shop-on a half term outing! She could not believe how unruly and rude they were and compared them to how we were when we were young. I am not advocating returning to the halcyon days of the 70s with its left over remnant of post war discipline-but really...what is wrong with a bit of respect?

I am sure there is a difference, certainly in what is permissible these days-it seems to be a grab all, I want sort of society, in which nobody wants to wait for anything even for a minute! I know it sounds old fashioned but what are the parents doing? As a teacher I was sometimes astonished at parent's attitudes-and had to end up by defending my decision for punishing their child for the poor behaviour.

A lot is said about respect these days and it reminds me of when I was at the Grammar school-which had a strict hierarchy and regime-with prefects and the like. As timid first years we were in awe of the Sixth forms and prefects and looked forward to the days when we were able to take on that responsibility. However, by we reached Sixth form Prefects had been eradicated and we all had "equal responsibility"-this was the 70s-and it became an ineffective wishy washy sort of power. Indeed one day the door to the Sixth Form study crashed open and two first years stood there demanding attention for something-shouting aggressively across the room-quite intimidating us. I don't know if we were especially wimpy-but we all mused about how tough and bolshie the kids were today!

By the time I began teaching children seemed to have taken on a radical defiance and many bore no respect for grown ups. This is commonplace now-there is little respect for anyone in authority-teachers, police...adults...in fact the lack of respect translates through many adults too. It seems that many people appear to have little empathy for their fellow man and are more concerned in "things" and status. It matters not that you reach the sage old age of 56- frequently you are dismissed as irrelevant and considered over weaning and ridiculous when you share your life experience and knowledge. Disappointing really- seem to be back in the Sixth Form-your experience is not required, your opinions rubbished and worse still they smile, cajole and patronisingly call you "hun".

Must be getting old...starting to sound like a grumpy old woman!

Furness Hidden Heritage: An Anti-Aircraft Gun, A Dog Carving and A Doctor -...

Furness Hidden Heritage: An Anti-Aircraft Gun, A Dog Carving and A Doctor -...: Dalton, nestled amongst a valley to the south of the Furness peninsula, may be a small town today but once it was the capital of Furness! Th...

A Woman's Wisdom: Out of Time II: A Raven's Hoard by Gill Jepson

A Woman's Wisdom: Out of Time II: A Raven's Hoard by Gill Jepson: I really enjoyed this children's fiction and was particularly interested in the historical aspect. The author has done her research ...

Exciting times ahead and feeling just a bit smug!

Feeling quite pleased with myself today...picked up 100 copies of the new book from the printers! This is essentially a limited edition-arising from my lack of organisation-too late to get it out via my usual publishers-Matador Books/Troubador before Christmas. I needed a new book to take with me to fairs so I took the decision to go for it with a local printer-HSP Milner and I have to say they've done me proud! The quality is excellent and although its smaller than expected I love it! However, when they're gone they're gone! And if by chance you have one of these when I am as famous as JKRowling then you will be able to sell it for mega bucks on ebay!!!

 

And its that time again folks...waiting with great anticipation for our donation from Keswick to Barrow Walk after our hard work completing the 40 mile hike last May. We had seven teams walking for dystonia-which if you don't know is a horrible neurological condition affecting 75000 in the UK. We raised an awful lot of sponsorship this year so looking forward to the awards night. We are also expecting some funds for Furness Abbey Fellowship as well-which will go to the crosier appeal.

Which also means...the teams for next year are open! SO if YOU think you can do this crazy walk with us in all horrible kinds of weather-let me know and I will add you in!