Super Thursday (Part 2)

 The first book I wish to promote is unusual because:-

• I did not write it.  Instead I am mentioned in it..
• It is about my father; (at least the second half)
• The book and the author were the impetus for me to start writing.
• It reawakened my desire to read but non-fiction rather than fiction.

The book is 

Quiet Heroes 

by 

Rita Cosby.

The author is a well known journalist in the States.  Her father is Ryszard Kossobudzki but changed his name when he came to the US. 

Rita Cosby unexpectedly discovered information about her father's wartime experiences in Poland, particularly during the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. 

The book  recounts these and how it affected their relationship and why some people behave so extraordinarily. Hence the title.

My father was also involved in the Warsaw Uprising. His story is included because he became a close friend of Ryszard  when they met in a "hospital" during the Uprisings.  They became buddies doing everything together until peace-time.

I too knew little of my father's wartime experiences as he rarely spoke about them when he was alive so this book was a revelation to me. 

This book has not been published in the UK so is not available in the usual bookshops. 

The majority of the copies online are rather expensive as many of them originate in the USA. 

Fortunately I have a few copies, which are available from my website https://annachelmicka.me/writing/

 

Super Thursday (Part 1)

 Few people will have heard of Super Thursday unless like me you happened to see the item about it on BBC News in September.

It is a day (first Thursday in September) when publishers issue book titles specifically for the
Christmas market.

                                                                                                                                    
These are typically "coffee table" books such as 

• Antiques Roadshow: 40 Years of Great Finds by Paul Atterbury
• Classic FM's Big Book of Classical Music;  1000 years of music in 366 days by Darren Henley, Sam Jackson et al
• John Craven's Countryfile Handbook by John Craven

Then there are the plethora of books; both fiction and non-fiction by "celebrities".
Go into any bookshop and they are displayed at the entrance to entice you to buy one as a present or even for yourself.

Those pundits who say books are a thing of the past should visit

•  a bookshop 
• a book fair.

A little while ago I went to the London Book Fair. 
The number of stands and books was mind-blowing

For me Thursday 1st October 2020 is my Super Thursday.

This is the day I launch my campaign promoting my 3 books.
To sustain interest I am going to do this over 4 posts. (This is Part 1)
Each of the remaining parts will focus on just one book.

Like most people 2020 events where I was to promote my books were cancelled.
These were;

• 2 literary festivals
• a motorhome show 
• Countryfile Live

As a consequence I have several  boxes of books.
I can pop them in the post to any interested people. 

On the other hand you could purchase them from Amazon 

BUT 
I know many who would rather you did not.

Why?

You may not know but Amazon sell books as a lost leader 
(at a loss but to encourage you to purchase something far more profitable; 

for example Amazon Prime).
As a result authors get very very little for their books.
They only make money if they sell millions rather than a few thousands.
Authors get a better return if you purchase from elsewhere;

preferably a bookshop or even direct from the author or publisher.

If you cannot wait for Part 2, 3, and 4 to find out what selection of books I am offering

please go to my website https://annachelmicka.me/writing/

Prices quoted are special Christmas offers.

Acquiring a Dog

 Rescue Dog or Puppy from a breeder

This is question that pops up when a family want a dog.

This question makes me feel a little guilty on two counts;-

1. I have never had a rescue dog.
   
   
   
2. I am one of those people who breeds dogs occasionally
   (a guilty pleasure).

My reasons for having a puppy;-

• Training a puppy is easier and more effective.  I enjoy the training and the bond it creates between the dog and me. 
• Rescue dogs bring baggage with them.  It is often difficult understanding why they have certain behaviours. Modifying these takes a long time, sometimes never fully succeeding.  I am not sure I could make such a commitment.  I admire hugely those who do.

What I do not understand though is with the number of dogs in various rescue centres in this country why do so many people get rescue dogs from abroad?

During my campsite visit just recently I discovered most of the people I met walking their dogs were rescue dogs from overseas.
I would be very interested to know the reason people adopt dogs from other countries.

Whatever dog you do get they offer so much.

How we came to acquire Ruby was really strange.

Despite this she was the most amazing dog which is why I wrote abut her.

(If I could not write a book about her I would not be able to write books).

She changed my life

•   

Photo(s) of the Month (Sept 2020)

 September's Photo of the Month reflects the Read of the Month
(The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben)

I love trees; everything about them but especially the different shapes they make.

Choosing just one photo has been difficult so I have selected 5 photographs.

Which is your favourite? A  B  C  D  or  E

A                                         Tree Stumps

B               Small Group of Trees at Sunset

C               Twisting and Turning

D                         Is it a photo or a painting?

E                     Landmark: Line of Trees

Off Again

 No post again this week.
Why?
Off again doing research for my next book.

This is a sequel to my previous one
"Wonderful Walks from Dog-friendly Campsites"

No matter how much research and preparation I do before I go I always find my expectations are exceeded; frequently in a good way but occasionally not.

So it was with my visit this time to East Sussex.

I went to the Runt-in Tun Pub which had a campsite behind it.
What a lovely place, especially for dogs.
The back of the campsite led out to some fields and an amazing wood.

Considering the ReadoftheMonth quite appropriate.

It was a huge wood with amazing trees.
The wood had obviously been left untouched for years if not decades.
As a consequence there are many fallen trees which together with the living ones create intricate and unusual patterns and shapes

I assume to engage with younger people someone had
"decorated" the wood.
Apparently at the bottom of some trees were doors;
 entrances for fairies.
When the doors were opened
the name of the fairy was inscribed on the inside.

                                                                                                 

Unfortunately I did not find any doors

but I did find
"eyes"
painted spiders and
butterflies,
wool spider webs
and excitingly a "black bin",

So if you go to the woods perhaps YOU will find the "Fairy Doors

s

Read of the Month (Sept 2020)

 The reasons why I have embraced non-fiction books is because they

• increase my knowledge 
• expand my understanding of events
• allow me to look at things from a different perspective 

Most importantly so many books illuminate the wonders of the world

This is especially so of this month's Read of the Month

The Hidden Life of Trees

by 

Peter Wohlleben

The author is German.  

It has been translated by Jane Billinghurst

He is a forester and talks about trees as a "carer".  A most unusual way.

What he said I found surprising and at times even emotional.

I now look at all trees in a completely different way.

Also I now feel trees are as important to our plant. 

They need to be preserved and nurtured just like a lion or any other animal.

I wish to learn more about trees;

• the different types
• the flowers they have
• the fruit
• how they are different
• how they are the same.

TREES ARE WONDERFUL

An Unexpected Adventure

.

 This post is late because I was off researching for my next book.

Wifi was poor at the campsite unless you paid for it.
The problem with this 

• I am never sure how long to purchase this facility
• When or if I will actually use it. (Too busy walking etc)

Therefore I tend not to buy any wifi time. 

I catch up with everything when I am back.

Where did I go?

Dorset; 

Chickerell  near Weymouth 

The Walking was amazing as was the countryside.

It was the weather which made my stay so different.

The Wind
I'm not sure if it was the cause but the catch on the habitation door broke

Result; unable to close the door.

My first effort a bungee cord failed miserably.  The wind blew it wide open.

Help from neighbouring pitch.

Use the long dog lead and 2 anchor points.

Success.

All day and night as Storm Francis moved in the wind howled louder and louder

The motorhome was buffeted about rocking from side to side

Rather frightening.

I did wonder if it would blow down the slope or roll over.

Despite this I managed to get to sleep; the door did not blow open

All was well.

It was inconvenient having to tie up the door to secure it 

and then climb out of the driver's door. 

It did not stop Pearl and me exploring the countryside.

Pearl and I found some lovely walks enjoying the sun when it put in an appearance and dodging the showers especially the downpours.

Photo of the Month (Aug 2020)

Surprisingly this year the weather has been lovely and sunny.  

During such weather the colours of the countryside are bright and varied as in this month's photo.

This is why the countryside must be protected and the farmers supported.

The photo was taken during one of my walks in Shropshire 

Have you taken a colourful photo of the countryside?  

           Do you remember where and when? 

 

Puppies again

I did not expect to return to this topic again so soon, 

There has been much on the news and various discussion shows about the huge demand recently for puppies. 

People seem to think that having a dog will help them.

It is true dogs can be of great help during difficult times.
I have experienced this to enormous benefit to me
My first dog helped me during an especially difficult time. 
So much so that my first book "My Friend Ruby"was about her.

Puppies may be adorable but they are hard work
They need to be

• house trained.
• Socialized
  
• Trained to obey commands

All of this is especially difficult during these social distancing times. 

This does not seem to concern prospective buyers.

As a consequence the huge demand for puppies has resulted like toilet paper in a scarcity.

Instead of empty shelves there is inflated prices.

Out of interest I decided to check out the asking price for a Labrador puppy.

I could not believe it 

Anything from £1,000 to as much as £3,500

This is an increase of more than 3 times the usual amount.

Such a huge amount encourages many unscrupulous breeders.

Already this is creating problems with an increase in abandoned dogs

(Puppies lose their cuteness when they become dogs,  

If not trained etc they become a liability so people decide to get rid of them)

To reiterate the advice given if you MUST have a puppy do make sure it comes from a reputable breeder.

If you need advice about this do contact me. 

Puppies Playing

Read of the Month (August 2020)

 Apologies for the delay in blog post.
Sorting a replacement laptop took longer than expected.

These are strange times in which we are now living.
Much as one would like to remain in a secure known bubble and avoid disagreements and confrontation this is not always possible. 
Recently events have prodded and poked at the bubble (at least mine).
I feel compelled to comment.
My suggested read of the month is very likely going to be contentious.

It is only by learning about the complexities of events that there is a greater understanding and acceptance things must change rather than a wholesale airbrushing.
Hopefully lessons can be learnt and so the same mistakes avoided.

It is for these reasons August's Read of the Month is 

Empire
by
Jeremy Paxman

It examines the rise of the British Empire; how and why
mainly greed and power and influence.
It also looks at its gradual demise and legacy.

It is an easy read and all the complexities are systematically scrutinized.
Are there parallels today?
Maybe