When I was in primary school in the 1960s we celebrated Wattle Day. I can't remember if it was 1st August or 1st September, why we celebrated it, or how, nor why it is no longer part of the school curriculum. But what a joy on my walk today to come across a wild untended … Continue reading Wattle Day
Author: Garrulous Gwendoline
Nonfiction Picks from Joy Neal Kidney and Gwen Wilson
Many thanks to Luanne Castle for reading and reviewing my memoir I BELONG TO NO ONE. It was wonderful to receive her thoughts and feedback.
I’ve been reading instead of writing lately. Today I want to share two of the nonfiction books I’ve enjoyed.
Book #1 is biographical and historical nonfiction based on the author’s family history.
A year and a half ago I reviewed Joy Neal Kidney’s nonfiction book Leora’s Letters: The Story of Love and Loss for an Iowa Family During World War II. That book opened my eyes to the “home front” during WWII—what the war was like for some American families. Joy’s family, in particular, suffered great loss as three of her grandparents’ sons died in battle.
Joy has a new book out called Leora’s Dexter Stories. The subtitle, “The Scarcity Years of the Great Depression,” gives an idea of what story lies inside. It’s also an understatement. This book uses a variety of sources, such as journals and family stories to piece together a heart-breaking account of the poverty experienced by the…
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A Serious Post on Domestic Violence
Something came across my desk recently which reminded me of this post I wrote four years ago. I thought it worth a repeat. I have reblogged it (rather than cut and paste) as the comments resonate too.
In my very busy role as a retired person, the least booked up days of the week are Tuesday and Friday. So there I was last Friday week (17th Feb), husband out, house to myself, happily sat in front of the laptop working on my manuscript – when the phone rang.
It was a reporter from the local TV station wanting to film my thoughts on the latest announcement in the domestic violence arena. What announcement? I got him to send me the media release, rang a couple of buddies who work in the front line, and found out they had not heard either. I forwarded the release to them, had a quick chat on what is the current situation, slapped on a smart casual outfit and makeup, and faced the camera.
There are two things I’ve discovered in my limited dealings with the pre-recorded news media. You don’t get…
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