Book review

 

I was offered this book by NetGalley. Having read it I thought I'd share a bit about it with you.

I haven't read any of Catherine Isaacs books previously, but this interested me, as part of its subject involves the children who were in the terrible Romanian orphanages in the late 80s. You may remember the harrowing scenes shown on Television.

Without giving away the whole story.......the main character is Ellie, who has a powerful case of agoraphobia. Her life is built around her garden and her Social media posts describing that same garden. It isnt just agoraphobia from which she suffers, but frightening panic attacks also, some triggered by remembered incidents in her childhood.

Her mother, Harriet, is very much part of the story, and her years as a War correspondant are described so well. She visits the orphanages and her life is changed forever.

It sounds harrowing, but it is a fascinating look at the effects of Ellie's childhood, and the huge amount of loving support given by her parents. She struggles with so many relationships , makes mistakes, but the way she manages to overcome things is beautifully described.

The author writes that she was very influenced by a wonderful charity called Hope and Homes for Children. I was fortunate to meet the founder and his wife at our church, many years ago. The work they have done is amazing.

https://www.hopeandhomes.org/

And as a little extra, the first vase of Daffodils, brought to me by a friend.

Aren't they cheering?

Greenhouse clearing.

 Today was a great day for the Greenhouse. It has had a clean and a clear out. I haven't really kept tabs on things this last year and there were old plantpots, out of date bottles of feed, numerous plastic bags from compost and so on. It was a jumble.

I have a nice gardening chap who comes for an hour every week, but hasnt been since Christmas, and he set to , threw out all the unwanted things, brushed down the potting table and generally made sense of it all. I'm finding (old age? arthritis?) that I cant bend down in quite the supple way I used to, so it was good to have him here,

It has focussed me on sorting out seed packets, some from last year and a few already from this year which came as a special offer with a magazine. I have two lovely catalogues to browse through, one being my favourite Sarah Raven, so must get an order in soon.

I'm planning to have three potato bags on the go as they were a success last Summer. I won't be planting masses of vegetables this year, just a few Broad beans and a Climbing French bean. And of course the Tomatoes. No doubt enthusiasm will triumph and there will be other things as time goes by, but in reality I find that my husband's needs take precedence. Maybe just a tiny courgette? a cucumber? some Basil.......

Watch this space!

On my Windowsill.

 

Little things on my kitchen windowsill that bring me pleasure.

My Moth Orchid was given to me for Christmas 2019 by my lovely grandaughter. It is in its second year of blooming, which pleases me as I'm always terrified of killing orchids off. But it is happy with an eggcup full of water each week and seems to enjoy the windowsill.

I love Amaryllis, particularly the pale pink variety. This was given to me this last Christmas by my 95 year old neighbour, so kind. It is beginning to wake up and loves the sunny window.

Finally my Christmas Cactus, which I have never had great success with. This one loves me, I think, as it is in its second year of full flower. Again, little water seems to suit it best and it enjoys the sun coming into this window.

We have just had another morning of rain so the windows look gloomy.

Although I don't have many houseplants around the house, and prefer my plants to be out in the garden, I do enjoy these windowsill pets.

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A little note re my Covid vaccination. Having a 9am appointment was the best thing I could have done as there was no waiting. I didn't feel well for a couple of days after, and am still waiting for my energy levels to ramp up, but it's all worth it! Thank you so much for your prayers and thoughts. It's a strange new world.

Daffodils.

 

I went out this morning, for the first time in many days. We are now under strict lockdown due to the huge rise in cases of the virus and staying at home is the norm.

I had to go to our Surgery to pick up medications, and was overjoyed to see, on the edge of the main road, a swathe of wild daffodils.

They have been there for years but lately they haven't appeared much, so it was a boost to the spirits to see them.

How one needs those small moments of beauty.

We are intrigued to see that one of the passenger ferries is now moored near to the King Harry Ferry, about a couple of miles away from us. On this bank of the river you can see the Tea plantation owned by Tregothnan, Lord Falmouth's estate

The boat takes up a fair amount of river! There have been some suggestions from local people that it might be used for other purposes, such as a home for homeless people, or somewhat impractically, a Nightingale Hospital.

Not sure how the poor ill people would be ferried on and off.

I am scheduled to have a Covid vaccination this week, which seems to involve standing in a queue outside the surgery for some considerable time. At least in the fresh air one isnt breathing in germs. Hopefully.

Tregothnan tea.

A new Year.

 We seem to have stepped from one year to another with little celebration. I think here in the UK most people aren't concerned with celebrating, more with protecting themselves, particularly against the virulent new strain of the virus..

Poor little Cornwall has been whisked from the lowest Tier 1 up to Tier 3. There have been murmurings about '''should have closed the border''. We do seem to have had a recent influx of Tier 4 people escaping to the West, which hasn't done our county any good.

I find it really hard to feel enthusiastic. 

But we must all go on, and go on with hope for improvement, hope for a return to a time when we could pop in to a friend or neighbour, invite family for a meal, stop and chat to people (without a mask).

A future filled with hope.

A verse that I have over the years found so meaningful.....

Sending my wishes and prayers for a peaceful New Year.