On the left is Pinky. She’s set up for my writing with every visual aid I can find, both from Apple’s native apps and those I’ve added – large text, dictation apps and voice over etc. I’ve even got Siri set to an Irish accent. It has had a customised nano screen fitted to itContinue reading “Meet Pinky and Binky”
Tag Archives: uk
Iris I – III
As part of my preparation for my forthcoming podcast, I commissioned a few small pieces of music. My specification was very simple – soft, folksy and with a hint of Irish – and I was pleasantly surprised with the results. These are a few of them – Iris I, Iris II and Iris III.
Of Books and Blind Spots
As my sight has now deteriorated to the point where I no longer recognise faces and can’t hull strawberries or butter bread. I’m embarking on a podcasting adventure so I can still involve myself in the world of books and bookish things. With the aid of modern technology, I am still writing – albeit slowly andContinue reading “Of Books and Blind Spots”
My December listens
Don’t Forget Me, Little Bessie, James Lee BurkeFor many years, I looked forward to James Lee Burke’s latest book being published towards the end of the year. His blend of rich, evocative backgrounds, deeply flawed yet inherently decent main characters and the subtle inter-weaving of supernatural elements meant I was in for a great storyContinue reading “My December listens”
Christmas Drinks
A piece of flash fiction fun, written for Bare Books podcast and aired on Christmas Day One minute past midnight. Christmas Day.Barry nudges his wife. “You ready, Cheryl?”No answer. Snoring gently, Cheryl is fast asleep.“Oh well,” says Barry. “Looks like it’s up to me. As usual.”Reluctantly, he gets out of the warm bed, pulls onContinue reading “Christmas Drinks”
At the Movies
Wednesday is movie day at our house. Beverley arrives mid-morning and, after lunch we settle down to watch a film, chosen by one of us in strict rotation. This means that we have all been exposed to films we wouldn’t normally have chosen to watch, with some surprising results. Apart from Gone With the Wind,Continue reading “At the Movies”
In November, I listened to …
Geneva, Richard Armitage I was attracted to this book by the prospect of listening to the two main narrators, Nicola Walker and Richard Armitage himself and I wasn’t disappointed in their delivery. The plot sounded a bit James Bond-ish, well out of my wheelhouse, but I’m always open to a new experience, so I paidContinue reading “In November, I listened to …”
Christmas all wrapped up
FAMILIES STEEPED IN CRUELTY AND BETRAYAL A COUNTRY TORN BY SECTARIANISM Book One: Ashes on the TongueIn 1950s Northern Ireland, two families are connected by a history steeped in secrecy, violence and betrayal. Ruby and Victor Crozier are Protestants, with one daughter, Fen, still at home. When Victor forces Fen out of school and into workContinue reading “Christmas all wrapped up”
The latest book in the Hartford Manor series
I began reading the Hartford Manor books with Betsy, which is actually the prequel to the series. It was, in some senses, a harrowing story of a hard and difficult childhood, set against a background of the Devon countryside in the 1800s. In that book, Marcia Clayton brought to life a host of characters, withContinue reading “The latest book in the Hartford Manor series”
Difficult, confusing and fascinating
Medusa’s Musings is a mix of stream-of-consciousness, philosophical debate, an edgy feminism and a sarky petulance. I have only a sketchy knowledge of Greek and Roman mythology and always thought of Medusa as a witch with snakes in her head who turned men to stone with the flick of her eyelashes. In this book, MedusaContinue reading “Difficult, confusing and fascinating”
Jacqui Jay 