Category Archives: Uncategorized

Let me begin with this warning: I am not a food blogger, and this is not a cooking blog. Also, I’m lucky to have no food allergies or restrictions. That said, I give you the results of my reading of … Continue reading →

The Snow Child (Eowyn Ivey, 2012), inspired by “Snegurochka” (“The Snow Maiden”), a Russian folktale translated by Arthur Ransome and included in his 2016 collection, Old Peter’s Russian Tales. Ivey sets her version in Alaska, early 1900s, where middle-aged Mabel … Continue reading →

With mixed feelings, I’ll soon be leaving this lovely country. But I’m so grateful for the refuge it has provided my daughter and me. To all my readers, I hope you also have found comfort somewhere during these months, in … Continue reading →

Some good news: we’ve booked our flights back to NYC, to arrive late afternoon on 03 June. 90 days in New Zealand (60 more than originally planned) have exponentially increased my respect for the people of this country. They know … Continue reading →

Although restrictions have eased a bit, I’m still under lockdown beneath the southern cross¹ (aka “lolling in the Antipodes”). Still doing needlework, still getting out for walks and short bicycle rides, still reading Little Dorrit (as dense as overdone grits so … Continue reading →

Lockdown update #3: No essential change in our situation here, although in a couple of days NZ may move from Level 4 to Level 3. If so, more businesses can open if and only if they can guarantee social distancing … Continue reading →

Nearly 3 weeks into Level 4 response in New Zealand: no one has gone crazy. People are still polite, keeping their distance while walking on sidewalks or in parks, and not overshopping in grocery stores. My AirBnB host delivered a … Continue reading →

I had scheduled some posts to go up while I’ve been traveling, and they are still on the docket. But here I am, writing in real time, to let my readers know what’s been going on. My daughter and I … Continue reading →

So, those birds that I thought were plovers are actually snipes, looking very much like the little fellow on the left. When I walk down the road that borders their nesting grounds, one or two will land in front of me … Continue reading →

Signed up for Camp NaNoWrimo in July, to work on Oklahoma project, and actively querying agents with most recent fantasy MS. The summer is already looking too short!