The Girdle of Melian

inks! I used to have time to organise stuff! Links of interesting things, or collated versions of my blog posts... I miss doing the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge ! Here's what I wrote for my last one, in 2023: fter a break of four years, from 2018 to 2021, I’m doing the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge again this year! In 2017, I collated all my blog posts up till then In 2016, I focused on JRR Tolkien and the Inklings In 2015, I featured books I’d read based on a reading challenge In 2014, I didn’t have a theme ! In 2013, I collated all my Twitter favourites up till then (it was a LOT easier to organize Twitter back then)  In 2012, I listed all my favourite books Then, in 2022, I focused on fellow authors and bloggers , covering all the guest posts, blog hops, cover reveals, interviews, and more, that I’ve featured over the years. This year I’m going to focus on writing by me and my family! Please share links to your own stories and crafts in the commen...

appy ISWG Day! Insecure Writer's Support Group Today is Insecure Writer's Support Group Day! Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! The awesome co-hosts for the May 6 posting of the IWSG are Jenni Enzor ,  Jemima Pett ,  Jamie of Uniquely Maladjusted but Fun , and Kim Lajevardi ! Every mont...

otanical gardens! I have three more RIP notices that I forgot to note at the time: Tony Harrison ( read his seminal poem V here ) AS Byatt Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o A visit to the Geneva botanical gardens! Deer and flamingoes and plants from various regions of the world! A duck and a swan and another lake bird on Lake Geneva/Lac Leman! What are some of your favourite flowers?

ew books! I'm still struggling to keep up with Books Read list . This is the latest post with photos; let me at least try to separate the ones I've read from the ones the kiddos have read, and the overlaps... Read by Miss E Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones Read by Master D Kidnapped by Jeremy Strong Read by Master D and me Montgomery Schnauzer P.I. and The Case of the Stealthy Cat Burglar by Timothy Forner Montgomery P. Schnauzer uses the wisdom of his favorite storybook detectives to find his place in a strange new world. In his first children’s book ‘The Case of the Stealthy Cat Burglar’, Monty’s antics uncover a mystery and draw the attention of a Bulldog femme fatale. Suddenly he has a real client and a case to solve. Read the book to follow Monty’s journey as he moves from the animal shelter to life in the big city, with his new human – who knows nothing at all about dogs! Phew! That’s a lot for one little Schnauzer, even one that believes he’s a...

rtemis II screenshots! The Integrity capsule on the Orion spacecraft was home to four astronauts during the Artemis II mission. Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen (go, Canada, go!) travelled further than any human has gone before (yet!) and were the first humans to fly past the Moon in over 50 years. Their mission incorporated many scientific studies , and they shared their journey with us, with humour, compassion, enthusiasm, and eloquence. I kept thinking of all the many people who worked on every aspect of this mission, from the artists who designed patches, to those who created Rise (including the young designer!), to the engineers, mathematicians, software designers, trainers, and more and more (even divers!), from at least three different national space agencies (among other public and private entities). The entire mission was an example of the wonderful, beautiful endeavours humans can achieve when working together and helping each oth...