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The author speaks

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Public libraries are such a gift to local communities.  Here in Australia all public libraries are run by state governments.  When l am talking about borrow box that is a features of public libraries.  As l have said before l can dip in and out of audiobooks because they are free if l borrow them from the library. The only requirement is that l am a member of that library. Another feature of public libraries here is that they host author talks and I'm going to be talking about one l attended recently.   Jane Caro is an Australian author. Lyrebird is her 2nd novel. She is also a social commentator, having been on television and writes for newspapers too. I can also add that she is a good public speaker and her talk was very good. Every seat was taken and there a good queue lining up to buy her book. I bought the book a few days later. I like listening to authors talk about their writing processes and have been to several talks at different libraries.  These ...
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Romance Sonambulo

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This is my first Spanish poem.  Can l say how much l love this poem?  It is rich in imagery and there is something wonderful about the language and the tone when you read it aloud. Repeating lines and l felt like l was watching that person on the balcony enveloped in the green.  What a good poet Frederico Garcia Lorca was. He was a poet, theatre director and playwright. How tragic that he was assassinated by National forces at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War. He was only 38. I hope you enjoy this poem as much as l do.
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An inspector calls

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This was a day of firsts; my first time seeing the Frankston Theatre Company and the fist time visiting this theatre.  It's a lovely little theatre and will now be the permanent home for Frankston Theatre Company.    An Inspector Calls is a play written by J.B. Priestly.  It is set in 1912. The Berling family are gathered to celebrate the engagement of their daughter Sheila to Gerald Croft. There is a knock on the door and Inspector Goole walks in informing them of the death of a young woman who all those present know.  What follows is a play about ethics, compassion and remorse. The play is a critique of society at that time. It is a very good play. It was also a good production by Frankston Theatre Company.  Only one set was used, the costuming authentic and the acting of a good, believable standard. This is community theatre and l think the standard of acting has risen to such a good standard the past few years. Kudos to Frankston Theatre Company for sta...
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Vale KerryGreenwood

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This post is in honour of Kerry Greenwood.  Her detective is Phryne Fisher; a fearless flapper from the 1920s.  Kerry wrote 22 books in this series along with other novels, but, it is the Miss Fisher books that she's well known for.  I am listening to Death in Daylesford in her honour. Phryne and Dot have gone to Daylesford and soon there are murders and missing women as well. Meanwhile in Melbourne Hugh is working with a new inspector to find out who killed the girl found floating in the river. These are fun light hearted crime books. Phryne is a real free spirit and lives her life on her own terms. Some were made into a TV series and some of you may have seen these. Sadly Kerry Greenwood passed away on March 26th 2025. R.I.P Kerry Greenwood 
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The butterfly's love of flowers

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My first Chinese poem.  I love poetry and love researching poetry. To be honest it was the title that drew my attention.  I like butterflies 🦋  Why oh why did l wait to look at Chinese poetry. China has such a long, interesting history.  From what l have read this poem is thought to be around 1000 years old. At the time there were 3 types of poetry: fu a style between poetry and prose, pianwen a tonal style and baguwen an 8 leg essay. This poem is about Spring yet there is a sense of melancholy in the second stanza. Being the age that it is it would have been spoken, and, apparently back then the poems were spoken with music. Now wouldn't that be treat to see. Su Shi is the poet and Saga Ringmat translated the poem. What is current Chinese poetry like? If you are from China please leave me a comment.  I'm so happy that l have found this poetry. It makes me want to find more and please let me know about the poetry from your country.  Let's start a conversat...
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Wilsons Road Mornington

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Do you like classical music? I do. Never liked it when l was young, but, am liking it more and more now. Wilsons Road Mornington is the home for Frankston Musical Society and Peninsula Musical Society. On March 22nd l travelled to Mornington and saw a show from Peninsula Music Society, and how did l like it?  This the performer l saw. Stefan Cassomenos. Stefan is a very accomplished pianist and he performed a varied program including Mozart, Liszt and Beethoven. I wish l could play like this. Stefan is also a co-Artistic Director of the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival and has composed for Symphonys,  choirs and opera.  Wilsons Road has a very good name and attracts good shows. Last year l saw the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra perform and that was brilliant. I know that a keep saying it but it's true, suburban Arts are thriving in the suburbs of Melbourne.  If any of you are as interested as l am in the arts look in your local area and see what's on. You may get a plea...
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A stand alone novel

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 I likecPeter James books. He's a good crime writer.  I have given this book 4.5 out of 5.
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