Ethical Food Reading

I've written a couple of books recently that are about the weighty subjects of where our food comes and how to eat in an ethical and sustainable way, and it's been an interesting journey, both in a literary and culinary sense. Many of my food habits, so long taken for granted, have changed as a result of my research. So have some of my reading habits. I now stop off at Barbara Jo's Book to Cooks on a regular basis to find out what else I can consume (literarily) on the subject.

I just finished a fascinating book by Tara Austen Weaver titled, "The Butcher and the Vegetarian: One Woman's Romp Through a World of Men, Meat and Moral Crisis." Ms. Austen, who was raised as a strict vegetarian, is suffering from health problems and decides to try eating meat to see if her ailments can be cured. Her story is a first-person account of how she bridged the gap from vegetarian to carnivore. I won't give the ending away, or reveal what she concludes about her health, but I will tell you it is a rivetting read. Will you be eating meat by the end of it? That's for you to decide.

Highly recommended!

Rural England

I took the weekend off from my research and went to visit family in the countryside, south of London. These are some photos from the area (East Sussex).

The buildings in the village I visited were made of brick and stone. Many of them were 200 or more years old. The fields that surrounded the village were serene and pastoral, and quite frankly, I felt as though I'd stepped back in time and into an episode of All Creatures Great and Small (the story of James Herriot, the vet).

A famous poet and novelist, Malcolm Lowry, spent his last days in this village, and the sign on the house shows his final home.

I loved the old church! We spent some time searching out family gravestones in the cemetery there.

It was most interesting to see England, the modern and historical, and the urban and rural. A rich experience, all in all.

Cheers! (Or should I say: Cheerio!)

London Photos

As promised, I'm posting a few photos from my recent trip. These London photos show the area around the South Bank, on the Thames, where my hotel was located. The day I arrived was sunny and spring-like, but the weather soon changed to rain and wind. (Note the light in the photos and guess which one was taken early in the trip.)

From my hotel room, I was able to look across the river and see the Parliament Buildings. I could hear the chimes of Big Ben every hour on the hour. And, one day, I took a boat ride along the Thames to Greenwich. Wonderful!

London is an amazing city to do research in. There are many museums and libraries full of historical information. My only regret is that these places are so far from home!

The Magnolia!

I'm back from my whirlwind trip to London and am pleased to say I got much accomplished, both in my research and in reconnecting with UK family members.

The jet lag is fading, thank goodness, and I am ready to leap into my regular life here, revising a manuscript and beginning work on a new book.

But, for today, we celebrate the wonders of the magnolia tree, especially this beautiful one that is in full bloom in my front yard. Once a year, we are treated to the splendour of its glorious blossoms and I was sad believing I would miss seeing it while in London. Imagine my delight at arriving home and finding this lovely scene! We will enjoy the tree's beauty for a few more days before the blossoms fall and cover the lawn like petals of snow.

Back soon with London photos.

Happy Spring!

London Bound

As I mentioned earlier, I am departing on a trip to London in the next few days — a joint family holiday (to see English relatives) and research trip for an upcoming book. That means spending a lot of time in museums and libraries between enjoying a series of fun, family get-togethers. What could be better for a non-fiction writer?

My suitcase has been retrieved from the closet and I am debating which clothes to pack — difficult for 2 reasons: a) writers don't leave the house much and, therefore, are not usually the owners of a smashing wardrobe, and b) we are in the midst of a season change and I don't know whether to pack cold or warm weather clothes. But that is a minimal worry compared to the weighty task of picking out books for the plane.

Nine hours on a plane each way is a challenge for me. The only way I can manage to avoid a full-blown panic attack is to have a carry-on case full of books, and it has been my mission this week to find my reading material.

Collected thus far is: an 800 page YA novel titled, This is All: The Pillow Book of Cordelia Kenn (should keep me entertained for a few hours); The Butcher and the Vegetarian: One Woman's Romp Through a World of Men, Meat and Moral Crisis (I'm currently educating myself on issues related to ethical and sustainable eating, and my alternate career choice is to become a chef); The Lonely Planet Guide to Travel Writing (3rd career choice); and The Kindness of Strangers: Tales of Fate and Fortune on the Road (I may need some inspiration).

These are a start and I plan to add to my bibliographic arsenal over the remaining couple of days before I board the plane. If you have any further suggestions for me, please send them ASAP.

While I am very excited about my trip, I have one tiny note of regret. My huge, beautiful magnolia tree is full of blossoms that are almost ready to open. I will miss seeing the tree's glorious annual performance. Sigh. Life is full of complications.

But, I am London bound and excited! I will post again in early April when I'm back. Until then, adieu my friends.

Manuscript Finished

It's done! Signed, sealed and delivered.

Now, of course the waiting begins. And the self-doubt. Will anybody like it? Will my editor send it right back and say: "Try again." Ah well... the perplexing, complicated life of a writer. We love our work and we anguish over it.

What now? (besides waiting to hear) Clean my office, re-connect with my family and friends. And in a week: a trip to London. More about that later.

Until then, I hope you are having a happy and productive spring.

Cheers!

All Quiet

All is quiet on the Olympic front. The music has gone, and so have the hundreds of thousands of visitors who lined our city streets. In many ways, I feel sad that the party is over.

On the other hand... I'm hunkered down in my office, where the only sounds I hear are the birds singing outside my window. I am hard at work putting the finishing touches on a manuscript that is due in a week. Quiet is good.

Will be back once the manuscript is done. For now, I bid you adieu.

Shh...