The Blessings of the Animals

September 28, 2010

You may remember my reference to Katrina Kittle in an earlier entry related to the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop. I promised to write more about her and today is the day. Katrina spoke at the conference not about humour (though she was charming and witty to be sure!) but about the craft of writing. She is a writer who takes the responsibility of her role very seriously and while it is tempting to say she’s “gifted” the reality is her gift is her dedication to exploring social issues and then presenting their nuances in a most readable and inspiring way. Please do not be daunted by the tough topics (AIDS, Child Abuse, Addiction, Divorce …) Do yourself a favour and take the plunge. She is a sincere storyteller – you will find humour along with some sadness and be left with a hearty whiff of optimism. I have read The Kindness of Strangers and The Blessings of the Animals and am delighted there are two more to relish. (Traveling Light, Two Truths and a Lie)

I most recently read The Blessings of the Animals. The story focuses on a veterinarian (Camden) who is left by her husband and must forge a new understanding of herself and the important relationships in her life. The characters in the wide cast have intriguing stories of their own and are surrounded by a delightful troupe of wise animals, each with its own tale too. (Tale/Tail? I know … too much!) For the record, I’d like to come back in another life as Muriel the Goat – ahhh the sass! 

A wonderful discovery within the pages was a reference to a real-life Blessing of the Animals. This enchanting ceremony at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City (there are others around the world too) celebrates the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (this Sunday, October 3rd in 2010) and blesses the animals in his honour.  Katrina incorporates it into a  poignant part of her story but this video gives you a little peek of the real deal.

The cover of the the Blessings of the Animals book is so appealing. Katrina shares her feelings about it in her own blog:  “What I love about this cover for The Blessings of the Animals is that not only does it suggest (rightly) that a woman and a horse will be key players, but it speaks to me of love, of trust, of comfort (which one is comforting the other, or is it mutual?), and even hope (grass that shade of green can only be springtime). Combined with the title, hopefully it will compel potential readers to want to know more.”

Pick up a copy of The Blessings of the Animals and keep an eye on the news media this weekend for coverage of the feasts and ceremonies.

Click here for an earlier post on books and their covers.

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Where and how do you read?

September 21, 2010

 If I could just paint myself into the image above I’d be pretty darn delighted. What a perfect spot to read!  I’ve heard a few conversations lately about where and when we read. I, for one, always have a book with me so that if I’m caught waiting somewhere in my day’s travels I can sneak in a few bonus pages; I frankly panic if I’m without something to read or write upon. Any handbag I ever own must accommodate a trade paperback and a notebook – it’s simply a rule. In reality most of my pages are read in bed before going to sleep. There was a time when my beloved fussed about the bedside lamp shining and over the years we’ve explored a variety of mutually acceptable solutions to this “problem” (as he perceives it).  One year I was perplexed to discover a head lamp in my Christmas stocking. He interrupted my horrified thoughts of cave exploration with “For reading at night of course!” My head-bobbing battles to stay awake “to just the end of this chapter…” are now accompanied by a dramatic light show. I’m determined that the best solution is to have him become a bedtime reader too. I have met with some success recently thanks to Stieg Larsson. The blog at Abe Books posted a piece about Reading in Bed and a lively discussion arose about the variety of positions. Do you lean back surrounded with pillows? Lie face down, propped up on elbows?  Or are you a side-reader? This also applies to beach reading in my mind – I’m perpetually singed on the front because I find it uncomfortable to flip and read lying face down. As much as I savour my bedtime reading I most enjoy cuddling up in a cosy armchair with a blanket and a mug of something. Early on a weekend morning before everyone else rises is even better … if I haven’t stayed up reading too late the night before!

Where and how do you read?

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Horoscope

September 15, 2010

I just came across my horoscope for today on msn.com and felt compelled to share …
Cancer June 22- July 22

“When’s the last time you read a really good book, hmm? Why not email a few friends whose taste you trust and ask for a recommendation or two. Or, better yet, pick up one of the classics. They’re the classics for a reason, you know (because they’re really good!). Then make yourself a nice soymilk hot chocolate and spend the evening reading, reading, reading. You’ll be glad you did.”

© Astrology.com 1996 – 2010

I might replace the soymilk with a cup of my favourite Lady Grey tea but sounds like a good plan otherwise!
My favourite classic would be Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Or maybe Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier. And I was reminded of my beloved Heidi by Johanna Spyri recently …  So if your horoscope advised reading a classic (and it has for all you other Cancers out there) what classic would you read? What, my “friends whom I trust”, would you recommend?
 
     

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Kate Spade – Whimsical Words by Design

September 12, 2010

“Whimsy!”  One of my favourite words and almost always accompanied by an exclamation mark. It begs for it.  A whimsical turn of phrase can be utterly delightful and cheer one’s day considerably. Deborah Lloyd and the designers at Kate Spade are on to this. Known for being “graceful and exuberant”, “witty and playful” the brand has incorporated evocative expressions into the customer’s experience. Easing the significant pain of the price tag one will find a little bit of flirtation in the phrases printed on the tags in bouncy italics. The following are some sample messages:

“She tucked her coral lipstick away and floated back to the party.”

“Occasionally she dreams of Italy. She dreams of cheese shops, persnickety Fiats, and very fine leather goods.”

“Share your last piece of gum.”      “Read the classics.”

“She had cocktail in hand and confetti in her hair.”

Stitched on a ribbon in the waistline of a pair of trousers: “He went to the tailor to buy her some pants and when he returned she had shipped off to France.”

On a package of replacement buttons: “button up, sugar cup”   and in a display window, a very simple but telling: “beguiling”

Inside a range of bangles are the words: “Make a day of it!”… “Play hooky” …  “Smile at a stranger”… “Give it a whirl!” …  “Daydream”

Ok so I know you’re thinking words, words, words … what about books Bedside Table Book Lady?

Such obvious lovers of words couldn’t possibly avoid including books in the designs they create now, could they? Admire these literary-themed lovelies – they’re clutch purses!

                         

One of my favourite gifts to give, and to have received, is one (or all) of the Kate Spade books – Occasions, Style, and Manners. Filled with gorgeous watercolour illustrations by Canadian, Virginia Johnson and cheerful and informative commentary throughout.     

              

Need motivation to convert to an e-reader? How about these covers by Kate Spade for the Barnes and Noble “Nook” ?  The pink one has “She kept her nose in a book …” inscribed on the front cover ” … and her head in the clouds” on the back cover.

          

Keep your eye out for snippets of whimsy wherever you go. Bookish whimsy? Even better! 

 

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Back to School

September 6, 2010

The return to school feels as fresh as the crisp autumn air to me; September feels more like new beginnings than January ever will. While pondering a post for today I felt a little bit of back-to-school wisdom might suit us all and that classic Robert Fulghum essay from  1988’s All I Really Need to Know I Learned In Kindergarten came to mind. Here’s a refresher:

All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand pile at school.

These are the things I learned:

  • Share everything.
  • Play fair.
  • Don’t hit people.
  • Put things back where you found them.
  • Clean up your own mess.
  • Don’t take things that aren’t yours.
  • Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody.
  • Wash your hands before you eat.
  • Flush.
  • Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
  • Live a balanced life – learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
  • Take a nap every afternoon.
  • When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
  • Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
  • Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup – they all die. So do we.
  • And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned – the biggest word of all – LOOK.

Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.

Take any one of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life or your work or government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm. Think what a better world it would be if we all – the whole world – had cookies and milk at about 3 o’clock in the afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments had as a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess.

And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out in the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together. (Robert Fulghum)

Wishing you all “bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils” and a happy first day of school!

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