The Sealed Letter

Donoghue, E. (2011). The Sealed Letter. London: Picador.

Dr Anne has been totally engrossed in Emma Donoghue's latest book, The Sealed Letter.  She is not really interested in historical novels but this one dated in the late 1800s is the exception to the rule.  She was very in tune with the characters and the events and recommends it highly to anyone interested in a good page turning read.  She awards 9/10 and hopes the next book is just around the corner.

Dr Anne reviewed a previous book by Donoghue called Room some time last year.

A Mild February Day

Dr Anne wonders if this is the first rose of this season or the last rose of the last season.

The snowdrops at East Neuk are now fully open.  They are always later than other places.

There is now a good show of crocuses at East Neuk.  It does make Dr Anne think of the coming of Spring.  Exciting.

Is Spring on the way to Portsoy?

Dr Anne has abandoned the garden since November when she cut back some roses.  

However, she looked out today and what did she see?

A goodly number of snowdrops under the birch tree.  They are still in bud but a few warm days and they will be in full flower.

There are a few winter blooming heathers which bring colour to the garden.

And here is the first camellia of the year.

Dr Anne looks forward to Spring, her most inspiring season.  

Last night, it was still light at 5.30 when she made her way home from Aberdeen.  

Ragnarok

Byatt, A.S. (2011). Ragnarok. Edinburgh: Canongate Books Ltd.

Grey Granite will pleased to receive her book back shortly.  Grey Granite described this as one of her iconic books.  She had read it while on holiday on the Isle of Skye.

Dr Anne has struggled with the book.  As a child she hated Anderson's Fairy Tales, Grimm's Fairy Tales. She hated the stories and she hated the illustrations.  She really wasn't into fairy tales or myths.  She had many attempts to start the book.

In the end in order for her to read the book she tried to get into the brain of the 'thin child'.  She read it in the Institute Hall while waiting for the dancers to arrive.  She read it in the schools while waiting for the children to arrive for their country dancing.  She tried to think of the richness of the text.  She tried to think of the scenarios presented.  She tried to think of the imagery.  She tried...  She is not going to score the book.  It would be at the opposite end of the continuum from Grey Granite.

Buddha's Brain

Hanson, R. Mendius, R. (2009). Buddha's Brain. Oakland, California: New Harbinger Publications

Dr Anne has been holding on to this book for many weeks for the ideal opportunity to read it.  The trip to London was just the opportunity.  The snow delay allowed extra reading time.  What a comprehensive and interesting trip into the mind and the brain. It took Dr Anne from the workings of the brain to the preparation for Dr Anne to be at one with herself.  This was a delightful read.  Dr Anne awards it 9/10.

London 2012

Dr Anne has been to London for the first of many trips this year.  There was heavy rain when she left Aberdeen Airport but she arrived to sunny but bitterly cold weather.  

The first stop was lunch at Fortnum and Mason.  What did she fancy today - Welsh Rarebit with tomato chutney and a glass of bubbly.  A pot of tea followed.

Dr Anne then crossed the road to the Royal Academy to the Hockney exhibition.  Dr Anne had tried daily to book tickets on line but they were sold out.  The queue was 20 minutes and was well justified.  The exhibition was a-maz-ing.  It reminded Dr Anne of the road from Inverurie to Portsoy via Rothienorman, one of her all time favourite routes in spring, summer, autumn and winter.  The colours were very Dr Anne. An afternoon to remember. 

Go if you are in London.

Dr Anne was walking back up the Strand to her hotel.  She passed the Vaudeville and saw that Tyne Daly was Maria Callas in Masterclass.  She had read all about it in this month's Saga Magazine.  She popped in and sure enough she could have a good ticket at a senior price.  

Tyne Daly was in Cagney and Lacey and here she was Maria Callas in late life giving master classes to the upward aspiring. There were the lessons but also the scenarios of what was going on in her own life, her perceptions and fears.  There was a very creditable standing ovation at the end.

When Dr Anne exited the theatre around 10, the snow was falling quietly but heavily.

Dr Anne had come to London for Orientation Training for the 2012 Olympics. She was up by 6.30 and out by 0730.  She took the Bakerloo Line from Charing Cross to Wembley Arena.  There was at least 4 inches of snow so the walk from Wembley Central Station to the Arena. was wet and slow.  4500 of the 6000 people arrived on what were poor conditions.  Jonathan Edwards was the presenter for the day.  Eddie Izzard welcomed the company.   The company was introduced to those in charge of 2012 organisation.  Each volunteer was given a workbook and homework for the next workshop.

British Airways cancelled all domestic flights to Aberdeen so Dr Anne had some bonus time in London. She went to see The War Horse at the Odeon in Leicester Square. The story was a bit of a fantasy but some of the scenes were spectacular.  Of note were the charge of the cavalry and the horse's escape.  Dr Anne's thoughts turned to Granda Hay around the time of WW1 leading the stallion from farm to farm. He decorated the clydesdales for shows and brought the ribbons home to mum and her sisters for their hair.  She also recalled her father whose first love was horses.  She remembered the stories from her childhood - breaking in the young horse, up at dawn to feed the yoke the horse, the horse drawn ambulance that took her dad to hospital when he had diphtheria and so on...  Dr Anne is such a sentimental soul at heart.