Rebecca M. Douglass, Author

  Title: Up a Road Slowly Author: Irene Hunt Publication Info: (I read the Kindle edition). Originally published 1966, Follett Publishing Co., 192 pages Source: Library digital resources Publisher's Blurb: From the author of Across Five Aprils and No Promises in the Wind comes her most beloved story of a girl's coming of age. After her mother's death, Julie goes to live with Aunt Cordelia, a spinster schoolteacher, where she experiences many emotions and changes as she grows from seven to eighteen. (Newbery Medal, 1967) My Review: There are a lot of children's books from the 1960s that still appeal. I don't think this one aged so well. The story has two problems, from a modern perspective: there isn't a lot of plot, and it feels like it does a lot more telling than showing. I had the whole time I was reading a feeling that I was waiting for the story to start. There's nothing terribly wrong with the book, and the characters engaged me enough to want to ...

F or those who have just discovered this, the previous posts about my trek through the Everest Region in November 2021: Kathmandu Part I: Lukla to Namche Part II: Namche to Khunde Part III: Khunde to Pangboche Part IV: Ama Dablam Basecamp to Dingboche Part V: Chukkhung Part VI: Kongma La Part VII: Everest Base Camp Part VIII: Cho La Trekking Nepal Part IX: Gokyo Day 16: To Gokyo and around the lake After the endless descent of the day before, we were looking forward to a quick transit to Gokyo, with time and energy to climb Gokyo Ri after lunch. That would allow time on our second day in Gokyo to hike up the valley past Gokyo Lakes 4-6, toward Cho Oyu (the lake at Gokyo itself is Lake 3).   The first half mile or so, hiking up the valley between the glacial moraine and the mountain, was quick and easy. Then we had to cross the Ngozumba Glacier, which meant getting down onto it first. It wasn't that bad. Kind of like the "trail" down to the beach near our old home in Daly ...

  Title: The Wild Silence Author: Raynor Winn Publication Info: 2020, Michael Joseph. 280 pages. Source: Library digital resources Publisher's Blurb: Nature holds the answers for Raynor and her husband Moth. After walking 630 homeless miles along The Salt Path, living on the windswept and wild English coastline; the cliffs, the sky and the chalky earth now feel like their home. Moth has a terminal diagnosis, but against all medical odds, he seems revitalized in nature. Together on the wild coastal path, with their feet firmly rooted outdoors, they discover that anything is possible. Now, life beyond The Salt Path awaits and they come back to four walls, but the sense of home is illusive and returning to normality is proving difficult - until an incredible gesture by someone who reads their story changes everything. A chance to breathe life back into a beautiful farmhouse nestled deep in the Cornish hills; rewilding the land and returning nature to its hedgerows becomes...

I was fortunate to be given an advance review copy of this collection via Netgalley--many thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read this! Title: The Lady with the Gun Asks the Questions Author: Kerry Greenwood Publisher: coming March 30 from Allen and Unwin. 272 pages (I read an unpaginated e-ARC) Source: Netgalley ARC Publisher's Blurb: The Honourable Phryne Fisher - she of the Lulu bob, Cupid's Bow lips, diamante garters and pearl-handled pistol - is the 1920s' most elegant and irrepressible sleuth. Miss Phryne Fisher is up to her stunning green eyes in intriguing crime in each of these entertaining, fun and compulsively readable stories. With the ever-loyal Dot, the ingenious Mr Butler and all of Phryne's friends and household, the action is as fast as Phryne's wit and logic.     My Review: I have long been a fan of Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher, so I was excited to get the opportunity to read this collection, though I was also a little wo...

  F or those who have just discovered this, the previous posts about my trek through the Everest Region in November 2021: Kathmandu Part I: Lukla to Namche Part II: Namche to Khunde Part III: Khunde to Pangboche Part IV: Ama Dablam Basecamp to Dingboche Part V: Chukkhung Part VI: Kongma La Part VII: Everest Base Camp Part VIII: Over Cho La Day 14: To Dzonglha kharka Naturally, after our snow-day issues the previous day on Kala Patthar, the sun was shining and the weather perfect as we moved on.  The sun hitting Taboche Peak as we leave Lobuche We hiked down the Khumbu valley until it met the next valley, and turned right. Looking back where we'd been days before. The trail on the left is the one used by those who didn't do Kongma La. We all came up the valley to the bend. Rounding the corner, we encountered fantastic views of Taboche, Cholatse, and Arakam Tse (peaks from left to right), the Chola glacier, and Chola Tsho (the green glacial lake). By this point I was hiking in s...

    What is the IWSG?   We are a group of writers who gather on the Internet to offer support and encouragement to each other! And we owe it all to the founder, Ninja Captain Alex Cavanaugh. Thanks, Alex! Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Every month, we announce a question that members can answer i...