This is a picture of Glen Coe in Scotland. I guarantee that if you pass through this valley between these brooding hills you will feel something. No one can travel the Glen without experiencing a feeling of trepidation. Why? Of course it does have a beauty all its own but it is because of the tragedy that took place here. The ghosts of the victims still linger, even today.
I confess to having never been here till last week. I just thought I would find it incredibly sad, and I did. My great, great Grandmother was a MacDonald, why should that matter you ask, well let me tell you.

To reach Glen Coe you travel through the wilderness that is Rannoch Moor, beautiful but inhospitable. In 1692 the MacDonalds were lords of Glen Coe. In the aftermath of the "Glorious Revolution" when King William of Holland took the throne all Clansmen were ordered to take an oath of allegience to the new "foreign" king. MacDonald, unfortunately, was too late to take the oath.

Later a group of soldiers arrived at the Glen and were offered hospitality. On a snowy night they repaid the hospitality by slaughtering all they could. Men, women and children. Some fled only to die of exposure in the treacherous weather. Many blame the Clan Campbell and they were involved, but others were to. It is well worth googling The Massacre of Glen Coe to read all the details. I am sure you will be moved.

You experience, as you travel through the Glen this tremendous feeling of sadness.I can remember my Granny often telling me all about it. Now I have actually been there, I am not sure if I will go again...

From the Farm

The last hoorah. That's what's happening with trees and flowers here in the northeast. Everything is vibrant. Colorful. Gorgeous. They all know we're at the corner between warm and chilly. They're giving their all, putting on a show and giving one last magical display before they settle in for a rest.

I'm inspired by this party. It reminds me that seasons change. Things flourish. Then rest. Then, without a doubt, they flourish again. Yes, I'm inspired. And grateful.

I hope your weekend is peaceful. And inspiring. And touched by a lovely flourish.

Change for Change Sake

Do you notice how this happens. Facebook for instance has changed and everyone is up in arms about it, we were happy with what we had so why change it. I used to love my video, now that won't work because over here in England we have gone digital. It's supposed to work but it doesn't. Again change. And I am sorry but how efficient was video as opposed to dvd's where it's a devil of a job (for me anyway) to stop and get back to the place I was at before!

Some changes are good but only if they have a purpose. Take writing a book, you change quite a lot. You edit, you take out you put somewhere else. Like me you probably fell in love with someone and then decided you didn't like him at all! If you don't love him then you can't expect the reader to, that's my mantra. That's why I have a picture of A Saxon Tapestry, this was an old novel that I wrote years ago, it has been re-issued, there are some changes to update it but that's all. It was more tweaking than anything else. That to me is purposeful change, it's mucking about with stuff that is okay that really winds me up.

My washing machine has served me really well for more years than I care to remember. I dread it breaking down. I know I will have to get a new one, and friends tell me they just do not last like the old ones did. Gulp, replacing something after only five years (perhaps it's my age) but I hate that.

It's like favourite books, they go on forever don't they, they don't need changing, we want them just as we remember. I guess that's why I really liked the new Jane Eyre film. It fitted my imagine of the books. And don't get me started on the new Tinker, Tailor film because I could rave for weeks on how marvellous that is.

Change for change sake - that is the real problem. Are you listening you whizz kids at Facebook. Somehow I doubt it.

Visitor

I have a lovely Japanese student staying with me at the moment. It is such fun learning from someone from a different culture. It had me thinking I have never written a novel with a setting in an Asian country. New Zealand, Australia, USA, Spain, Cyprus and Italy, are as far as I have gone. Odd too that when we watched some tv the words my guest recognised were those of cars and hi-fi's, like Nissen and Mitabushi! Anyway, I am having a really good time showing my guest around Fleetwood. I have to confess she is settling in far better than I would ever settle in a country so different from mine.

Of course it is so easy in the Antipodes and the USA because we have a common language (you notice I don't say we speak the same language, ha ha, sometimes it is possible to cause offence with different meanings for some English words!). France and Italy are different of course, but with enough familiar things for me to feel at home. I can manage a wee bit of French and Italian, although it is impossible for me to have a conversation in either language. Yet here is my guest, knowing some English, managing to make herself understood and with a little change of words here and there understanding me. What can I say? Vive la difference? Or should that be le?

Need to Know

I'm going to admit something here. I'm one of those inquisitive people who, when confronted by something interesting but unknown, will research until I learn enough to satisfy my curiosity.

Every once in a while, though, I buck my instinctual trend. Every now and then...what, how and why don't matter. Not one bit.

See these amazing leaves? My sweet Vito planted a couple of these trees. I'm sure somewhere amongst his gardening notes, I'll find the name of the tree that produces such huge, beautiful leaves. But you know what? My usual inquisitiveness is hiding. For now, I'm just going to simply enjoy this beauty. I don't much care what it's called. How it grows. Why the leaves are so unusual. Forgive me, but I just don't give a fig.

Now, I'm enjoying. I thought you might, too.

Wishing you a peaceful weekend!

Tea with Irene

Here on the east coast, we're scrambling to get set to host hurricane Irene. I'm pretty much set, so I think I'll do some baking. Just in case we lose power, you know? We've got a generator here at the farm but I won't use it for cooking or baking, so I figured I'd get busy in the kitchen this morning. If the hurricane blows over, I'll eat well. And if she comes to visit, I'll eat well. All good, right?

So, what's on your Friday to-do list?

Me? Baking bread. And soup. And canning tomatoes. And, making applesauce. Yes, it's busy at the farm.

Wishing you a peaceful day!

Applesauce Walnut Bread

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup applesauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 egg whites
3 T. milk
2 cups flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
½ t. salt
½ t. cinnamon
1/4 t. nutmeg
½ cup chopped walnuts

Lightly grease and flour a loaf pan. Set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together applesauce, sugar, vegetable oil, egg whites and milk. Mix until combined. Add remaining ingredients and mix, reserving the nuts for last. When the batter is thoroughly mixed, spread it evenly in the loaf pan.

Place pan in a pre-heated 350-degree oven and bake for 60-75 minutes. Toothpick inserted in center of loaf will come out clean when bread is done. Cool before cutting.

Eden's Child

Last week I was writing about my Florida novels. This week it's the turn of Australia.

Eden's Child is set in Queensland but you also get a chance to visit the South of France. These are two of my favourite places. Writing can be such fun, you can sit in your study and imagine you are there! Wonderful.

I still like Eden's Child, I remember being so excited because I had been inspired to write about one of my favourite countries. I also like Maddie, my heroine, and let's face it Nevis, my hero, is to die for!

Maddie has lost her memory, she was attacked in London. When her identity is discovered, she finds she is married to a man who loathes her. She just can't reconcile being the selfish, spiteful girl she was. Who is this loathsome girl? Why was she so horrid to her husband, Nevis, when all the time she was in love with him? Who is at fault?

Happy reading!

Eden's Child,

No. 1 best seller available at:

Whiskey Creek Press, available in print, e-book and on kindle.