Slow Book Club
A few weeks ago, I read an article in the Lifestyle section of the Sunday Times, written by Ann Donald, which really peaked my interest. To read the article called 'MacBooks to burn on the Grill' go to www.thetimes.co.za/Entertainment/Books/Article.aspx?id=926611.
She speaks about a 'slow book movement' and I thought this was a great concept. Sorry to muscle in on your idea, Ann, but if this was expanded to include music and movies, I am certain this could form the basis for a very interesting Club.
If anyone has ideas about how to set up or run such a club, I would love to hear from you.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Reading at Present
I am almost finished reading Marita van der Vyver's 'Where the Heart is' and I have enjoyed it so much. She is a well-known South African writer who went to live in Provence with her new French husband and writes about her life there. Settling in, gathering paperwork and all the other frustrations of finding her feet in a strange new location. Good fun. She writes in a light and humourous way, with many South Africanisms thrown in. Her most recent publication is a book called 'Traveling Light'. Will have to track it down.
Travel writing has a special place on my reading list. Some of my favourites are by Paul Theroux such as 'Elephanta Suite' and 'Dark Star Safari - Overland from Cairo to Cape'. His latest (2008) is 'Ghost Train to the Eastern Star'.
Other favourite authors are Bill Bryson, Chris Stewart, Frances Mayes, Peter Mayle and the team of Charlie Boorman and Ewan McGregor. Then there is Michael Palin and Ranulph Fiennes. Plenty to keep me busy for a while.
I am almost finished reading Marita van der Vyver's 'Where the Heart is' and I have enjoyed it so much. She is a well-known South African writer who went to live in Provence with her new French husband and writes about her life there. Settling in, gathering paperwork and all the other frustrations of finding her feet in a strange new location. Good fun. She writes in a light and humourous way, with many South Africanisms thrown in. Her most recent publication is a book called 'Traveling Light'. Will have to track it down.
Travel writing has a special place on my reading list. Some of my favourites are by Paul Theroux such as 'Elephanta Suite' and 'Dark Star Safari - Overland from Cairo to Cape'. His latest (2008) is 'Ghost Train to the Eastern Star'.
Other favourite authors are Bill Bryson, Chris Stewart, Frances Mayes, Peter Mayle and the team of Charlie Boorman and Ewan McGregor. Then there is Michael Palin and Ranulph Fiennes. Plenty to keep me busy for a while.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
The Big Decision
Discussions have begun. Should we sell our house, rent it out or do what we can to stay? For weeks now, hubby (Iain) and myself have been mulling over this question, making lists, chatting to friends and generally having sleepless nights.
We built our home 27 years ago, and have been very happy here. My daughters, Jenny and Cris, grew up in this house and the memories are everywhere. The pool was built so that it would be safe for two toddlers learning to swim. Grass was planted, trees were carefully selected for colour, shade potential and size. Some deciduous, some evergreen so that we could mark the changing seasons. Walls, paving, security gates followed, and during all of this Jenny plastered her bedroom walls with posters of her favourite pin-ups, and Cris painted her walls deep turquoise and hung batik throws at her windows.
Sorting through photographs taken over the years, it is astonishing to see the progression from bare stand with anthills all over it, to the house we have today. Setting all that aside, we still have to answer the question 'to move or not'?
The main reason is that the house seems too large for the two of us now that our daughters are independent. Like many people around the world, we are trying to live in a more simple cost-effective way. As we age, it is becoming a mission to do housework without some assistance, so we have to add up these extras, and work out if it is worth it. Poolcare Company, gardener, maid, Security Company, Insurance Premiums and so on and on.
Friends have been encouraging, particularly those that have already made the move from a large property to a smaller one. Some say they should have done it sooner, others say that it gives them more time to go on holiday, visit the grandchildren in New Zealand, Australia or Canada. A proper 'lock up and go' situation.
The other extreme, as hubby dear has mentioned, is to sell up our entire household and buy a caravan, or a Harley with a sidecar and go on a grand tour of the world. He likes to take pictures, I like to write so we could find a lot of interesting ways to spend our time. The seed has been planted.....!
Discussions have begun. Should we sell our house, rent it out or do what we can to stay? For weeks now, hubby (Iain) and myself have been mulling over this question, making lists, chatting to friends and generally having sleepless nights.
We built our home 27 years ago, and have been very happy here. My daughters, Jenny and Cris, grew up in this house and the memories are everywhere. The pool was built so that it would be safe for two toddlers learning to swim. Grass was planted, trees were carefully selected for colour, shade potential and size. Some deciduous, some evergreen so that we could mark the changing seasons. Walls, paving, security gates followed, and during all of this Jenny plastered her bedroom walls with posters of her favourite pin-ups, and Cris painted her walls deep turquoise and hung batik throws at her windows.
Sorting through photographs taken over the years, it is astonishing to see the progression from bare stand with anthills all over it, to the house we have today. Setting all that aside, we still have to answer the question 'to move or not'?
The main reason is that the house seems too large for the two of us now that our daughters are independent. Like many people around the world, we are trying to live in a more simple cost-effective way. As we age, it is becoming a mission to do housework without some assistance, so we have to add up these extras, and work out if it is worth it. Poolcare Company, gardener, maid, Security Company, Insurance Premiums and so on and on.
Friends have been encouraging, particularly those that have already made the move from a large property to a smaller one. Some say they should have done it sooner, others say that it gives them more time to go on holiday, visit the grandchildren in New Zealand, Australia or Canada. A proper 'lock up and go' situation.
The other extreme, as hubby dear has mentioned, is to sell up our entire household and buy a caravan, or a Harley with a sidecar and go on a grand tour of the world. He likes to take pictures, I like to write so we could find a lot of interesting ways to spend our time. The seed has been planted.....!
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