Angel of Ruin by Kim Wilkins

This morning I finished reading Angel of Ruin by Kim Wilkins. Nearly 600 pages, most of which was enthrawling. The story is of a freelance writer in England who looks for a story and finds more than she had hoped for. She attends the ritual ceremonies of a small group of weirdos and pretends to be interested so she can write about them. Through them, she meets an old lady who is actually hundreds of years old and cannot die until she passes on her story. It's a story from the sixteenth century - ie London burning, the plague. It's a story about three sisters who are turned against each other after they lure an angel into their midst who happens to be an evil angel. The old woman is one of the sisters. Really well written, non-stop action and I had no idea what was going to happen next. Well done to Queensland writer, Kim Wilkins.

A good read

Anna Jacobs, Our Lizzie
Jodi Picoult, Keeping Faith
Steven Carroll, The Time We Have Taken
Chen Da, Sounds of the River
Jodi Picoult, My Sister’s Keeper
Kate Atkinson, When Will There Be Good News
Jodi Picoult, Change of Heart
Christopher Bryson, The Fluoride Deception
The Australian Society of Authors, Australian Book Contracts, Rhonda Whitton and Sheila Hollingworth
Mission Impossible – How to make money from your writing
Tim Winton, Breath
Cathy Glass, Hidden
Kim Wilkins, Angel of Ruin

Anzac day 2009

April 25: The sun is hot but nothing will stop those old diggers from gathering at the annual remembrance parade and ceremonies across Australia. Every year since I can recall, I have honoured the tradition and waved my appreciation to those who have returned from battles and I have felt the sad tone of their repose. As a child, I marched as a Brownie and then a Girl Guide. There is no victory in war. Nobody really wins. The winners are those who continue to live in the freedom the diggers fought for. Right now we are aware of wars in other places where our army persists for the safety of those threatened by bullies and greed - mainly in Afganistan. We pray for their safe return. We pray that peace can be restored in Afganistan. I'm going to wear a sprig of Rosemary as I wave my flag today.

Happy 21st birthday, son

Tim on the right. David on the left.

HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY!!!

My third child turned 21 yesterday. The photo on the left is when some of his mates dropped by with a few 21st birthday gifts in a box. He emerged later showing me his treasures...original german historical artifacts somehow purchased. This son loves history, particularly war history, so his mates knew him well when they went hunting for a gift. He was very pleased they remembered him in such a thoughtful way.

Family will celebrate in a couple of weeks. It's not easy getting everyone together!

Two weeks later: Most of the family, plus the Tilney family (who are like family), came to the 21st luncheon. We held it at home and enjoyed his favourite tucker. Lemon merangue pie and fruit salad and choc cake (made by Nana) for dessert.

A week off!

This photo is of David (18), Leah (32) and grandad (84) during my mother's birthday lunch. (left) The other one (on the right) is of my mother cutting her birthday cake.

It's so relaxing not having to get out of bed and race about like a chook with his head off in order to get to my job (I am a TAFE teacher in the faculty of business). I enjoy teaching most of the time, however, it can be overwhelming and it's good to have a break.

Catch up time.....in the housework, in the book reading, in the story writing, in the friends....

Family - Mum and Dad are well. They live in Broadbeach, an hour south. My parents are in their eighties and fighting fit ... well, they can race along the beach at a good pace with coffee at McDonalds as first prize every morning.

Easter - He has risen indeed.

Easter is a time for reflection, particularly of the suffering that a young man called Jesus went through, and also of his triumph a few days later when the stone was rolled away to reveal an empty tomb. He appeared to many over the next few days, which must have been a bit of a shock to his friends and family. The rest is history. He continues in our lives today if we let him. Any time in my life when things have 'gone wrong', it would have been a time when I have shut Jesus out of my life by ignoring him, not acknowledging him, not living as he would have wanted me to. Each time, as I look back, I see myself falling and he picks me up to start again with a fresh page....it is so good to be forgiven.

Easter 2009

Easter has a special significance for me as a christian. It humbles me to visualize that Jesus died for our sins. I know that I am saved. I know that Jesus cares for the birds flying past my window and he cares for me. I have no idea how people manage without faith that God loves us and wants us to live a particular way. Easter is not so much about the cruel death of Jesus to me, but the fact that he came back to speak with people of that time, to direct us to live by his example for all times. If the world could obey the ten commandments as best as they can, and also know that they are forgiven when they break one of the commandments, we would live more peacefully together. Love your neighbour...do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Fabulous.

It is still warm in Queensland at Easter so most families like to go camping. I don't. There's too much traffic. The warmth of the evening is better spent at home reading - or, better still, by writing. I will make hot cross buns on Sunday morning and attend church to sing 'He arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever with his saints to reign.'