I’m not sure how this came back into my memory but it is always worth posting and spreading the joy!
Category: Books
John Betjeman – Death in Leamington
I will happily admit that one of my favourite poets is John Betjeman. Last night I was in bed watching Kenneth Williams being interviewed by Michael Parkinson. He was in the company of Maggie Smith & John Betjeman and towards the end of the excerpt they had a piece where Kenneth & Maggie read a Betjeman poem. It was beautiful! As P. says he could listen to Maggie Smith read anything but I have to say I thought Kenneth Williams was fantastic – once he’s voice is controlled it’s very moving.
So here is:
Death in Leamington
Inspector Morse
On ITV3 they are holding a John Thaw weekend so I’m glued to the box. I loved Inspector Morse, both the books and the programme.
I will admit that I cried when Inspector Morse died – I remember it very clearly – sitting up in bed ’til the late, lamp on, no music. I was given the book for Christmas. In saying I cried when he died it might also have been that I was still a bit upset as my Grandad had died just over a month before.
There is one other thing I love about the Inspector Morse series and that was the soundtrack – written by Barrington Pheloung. There are parts of the music when is soars and it almost feels as if you heart wants to fly with it – it’s just so beautiful.
So here is the thing that makes me smile particularly 2min 43sec:
Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day
I ordered 2 of Persephone Books‘ books from Chapters- Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day by Winifred Watson & House-Bound by Winifred Peck.
Today, just after lunch, I got a tweet to tell me Miss Pettigrew had arrived in.
As this is a blog about things that make me smile I have to tell you – I read from page 1 – 13 on the bus and smiled the whole time.
I may have to take tomorrow off – after all it’s only for a day – Miss Pettigrews Day.
Library Joys
I know I’ve mentioned this before but I absolutely love going to the library – so much so that I’m a member in two different council areas (for locals it’s Dublin City Council & Fingal Council) It really is a great resource – I have one on my doorstep in work – all expressions aside it really is on the other side of the street from the office! – How cool is that!!! The only negative thing I can think of about it is it’s a bit dark but that’s only compared to the other two that I would frequent – Blanchardstown & Malahide. The Malahide one is that one I’d be pass by every week when I go to WW so last night we were a bit early so in we went! I Love Love Love it! and came out with two books (Rebecca Shaw) & two DVDs – A Very Long Engagement (himself loves Audrey Tautau & I missed the last 15mins of the film) and the other was a boxset of The Young Ones. Now that is what I consider a haul of opposites – gentle books about a village idyl, a french film & I’m not really sure what you could say to describe The Young Ones briefly – comedy?
I’m in seventh heaven when it comes to Libraries – you can go in pick out a book you want to read but don’t particularly want to buy or a book you’re not too sure about and give it a go – if you don’t have space for the books well that’s OK they have to be returned so no need to break out the Ikea catalogue to get more Billy bookcases. The same goes for DVDs, audiobooks, computer games and even magazines! Basically this stuff is all free so long as you give it back when you’re finished with it!
It’s funny – I remember when I was little going on the bus over to Malahide to the library – I would go upstairs to the childrens section and it was such a big day when I got my new ticket which allowed me to take things out of the adults library – the joy of that was that you could take out even more books if you were taking them from the childrens library 🙂 On one or two occassions (possibly a lot more) we went over to the one in Donaghmede SC but my overriding memory of that one was round – I don’t know why maybe there was seating arranged in a circle or something but anyway round it is!
So my next question is – what am I doing on here? I should put the kettle on and settle into the book I got the other day – Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand – it really is lovely 🙂
Yesterday Was A Good Day
I have to admit that I wasn’t holding out much hope for yesterday as it was a Monday. All you really want to do is just get through it and move on with the week. However when MB got into work she had a date for her surgery (for carpal tunnel) and it was the same day that was mooted for himself – eek! Anyway I got on the ‘phone and gave himself a bell – get the date confirmed!!! So he did (kindda) it will be confirmed today but it is going to be next week – I’m thrilled. Ha Ha it seems I get to read my magazine after all! – I’d bought Country Living to read while waiting around the hospital last week but of course that was cancelled so didn’t get to read it – roll on next week for some lovely bliss.
Anyway back to yesterday – Himself has finally finished writing his book – ok he still has a bit more work to do – indexing, bibliography, etc but the hard research & conclusion is over and done with. He is sooo relieved to have it done and I’m really really proud of him! So we’re off out for dinner sometime over the next week just to celebrate book & surgery. In the mean time I’m trying to think of something I can get himself to say well done – and unfortunately my head is drawing a blank.
Well I can’t stay here any longer – I’ve to go to work 😦
Library Book
Did I mention I’m now at the point in the book where all I want to do is spend the day reading.
A Visit To The Library
On Thursday I went to weight watchers but didn’t stay for the meeting (yes naughty naughty!) Anyway instead of going straight home we dropped into the library. I hadn’t been there since it was all done up – actually I hadn’t been in there since I was 15 or so and therefore we are talking about a long time! I have to say I was very impressed – so impressed that I joined straight away. The last time I was a member they had a card/ticket system now it’s all electronic.
I didn’t take anything out at that visit but today we decided to drop into our local library (they are both run by the same county council and therefore one card fits all). I had never been in this one and it was even better then the one in Malahide (but it’s not as pretty as Malahide). It was so good himself wanted to join but he didn’t have proof of address on him 😛 However I had my card and with a limit of 10 items we were sorted. Himself picked out some graphic novels and I picked out a CD by Kate Rusby (which I’m listening to as I type) and we picked up 2 DVDs about a series that had once been on RTE called Hands – it’s all about hand crafts in Ireland – the ones we got were no.s 1&2 wool spinning and Patchwork. When we were at the counter I spotted a book at the quick pick stand and decided to take a chance – Requiem For A Wren by Nevil Shute.
When we were leaving the two of us got very giggly and himself said “I’d forgotten how exciting it was to get stuff out of the library” You know he’s right it was great fun and still is – I have a feeling that I’m going to expand my reading horizons with very little pain to my pocket. I’m so excited I think I’m going to have to go and read my book!
The Flâneur
I have been longing to get away and my city of choice is generally Paris. I love it – I don’t know what it is or why and there are soo many french expressions to say that but I’m a bit rubbish at french. ANYWAY – as I’m stuck here for now looking out at the rain and the lightening and counting ’til the thunder I’m indulging in The Flâneur by Edmund White. Ok I really only started reading it today but I have decided that I need to have a map of the city to hand and a note book as I’m reading. I was very tempted to actually write on the book – just mark things as something to investigate later – when I did have that map and the internet near by.
I shall keep you updated as to how my stroll through Paris progresses.
Learning
Yesterday my email account was hacked and everybody in my address book was sent something – not sure what as I didn’t open it. Anyway three cheers for Google! They decided that it was spam and blocked it so the mails didn’t go anywhere. My only problem after that was to think of a new password and make the change so I looked to my bookshelves for inspiration. Eventually I came up with something so all is well with the world – however as I was looking at my books I noticed that I have a few books about learning some different languages. It really was an Oh Yeah! I have those books – so now I’m going to use those books! As I type I realise there is one other text book somewhere in the house – I will have to dig that one out although I can start with what I have. I have to admit that I’m rather looking forward to getting stuck in but it will require me to make sure that my desk is cleared – I have to get some stuff shredded 😉
I wonder if I will do any better by myself compared to school & a brief stint in college? At least there won’t be any exams – eek and bane of my life – you would think that as a grown up I’d be beyond that kind of thinking – I guess old habits die hard.
Speaking of looking at my shelves – I wonder if it really is the wrong time of year to dip in to one of my Christmas books? Possibly maybe I’ll save them for night time reading.
I’ve just realised that it is I’m going to dip into next – I started reading Maya by Jostein Gaarder but have never managed to finish it – I’m only hoping to get a little bit further on in it – yes finish what I’m reading and then have a look at that.
My Corner of The Internet 