Weekend Wrap Up- Sunday Evening

We got snow this weekend on the mountain. It was a  chilly 9 degrees C (about 45 F).  But the sun was out most of the weekend and it was really gorgeous out there. Whenever it snows, many people drive up the mountain, pile snow onto their car, even build a snowman on the bonnet and then drive back down and through the city.  Each person seems to think they are the only one who does it and it cries, "Look at me, look at me!"  

I spent the first 20 years of my life in Michigan in the USA. I remember those days where the windchill was 60 degrees below zero F. I remember the blizzards when we couldn't open the front door to get out of the house due to high drifts. I remember the ice storms when the branches sparkled in the sun.  So it does make me laugh when we get half a centimetre of snow and everyone drives up the mountain to see it.   Human's really are funny.

Anyway....here is a photo of it from the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corp).

So what did we do this weekend?  Well I picked up a couple of new books. Two new ones from Fuller's book store that looked interesting and two secondhand ones from Cracked and Spineless (Facebook page). 

This is what I picked up.  First I went to Fuller's as they have a café and I was in need of a hot cappuccino (in a mug- I wanted it BIG) and also they have wonderful almond croissants with custard in them.  I have an interest right now in anything photographic so this little book caught  my eye.  The photos I like to take the most, besides birds and animals is urban photography. I love anything old in cities, people going about their daily life and little bits of nature I uncover here or there.  I think this book will have some good tips.

Then I saw this little gem. This is the story of a man in the UK who walks along the coast of Cornwall from Land's End along the northern shore of Cornwall.  As my friend and I are planning a trip to Cornwall this coming September I thought this would be interesting.  I love travel writing especially when people walk or bicycle and see everything up close. I love to hear about the people they meet and write about.  Travel writing really is my favourite read.

 

 Then, on to see Richard and Mike at Cracked and Spineless. They have an incredibly active Facebook page. When Richard gets in boxes of books he quickly photographs them and puts them onto Facebook pretty quick smart. He has a lot of followers and quite a young clientele online. People immediately snap up these books and it is sometimes very hard to get one unless you time it right.

This was one of the finds. Down to Earth-Australian Landscapes. A large coffee table book full of landscape photography of Australia.  Tim Winton, a well known Aussie author is one of the authors who helped put it together. He writes a lot about the landscape and nature of Australia. Especially Western Australia where he lives. As I just undertook a Landscape Photography workshop a couple of Sundays' ago I thought this would be good.

The other secondhand book I found was this Virago Modern Classic by Miles Franklin, author of My Brilliant Career which I really loved. I have not heard of this book and it looked interesting. Also it has a beautiful cover.

An eclectic assortment really.   So what did we do today?  It was very cold this morning. Snow was still on the mountain so the dogs and I headed for the beach. Yes, we go to the beach all year round here.  It was sunny though chilly. We rugged up and off we went. Molly, Odie and I. Mr. Penguin was going to clean the house and wanted us gone.  I know, I am very fortunate. He is better in the house than I am. I like outside jobs, putting things together and taking care of bills. We have role reversal here.   Anyway....

I thought the dog beach would be empty but it was quite crowded. A small group of women were there with their greyhounds who were running around. They are so beautiful when they run. All of them have been rescued from the dog track. Don't get me started on the cruelty of dog racing.

As we walked along I noticed two dolphins swimming fairly close to shore. They went out a ways and headed south along the shore line. The sun shone on their backs and they were gorgeous. There seem to be quite a few dolphin and whale sightings around the state lately. On the move to warmer waters I guess.   A golden retriever also saw them and entertained us all by trying to swim out towards them before turning back, running along the foreshore and then diving back in the water again. He so wanted to meet them and his owner had his hands full getting him to settle down a bit.

Well the weekend is over now, tomorrow I pack my bags and head to Cairns (pronounced Cannes) on Tuesday in Queensland where I meet my sister who I have not seen in a couple of years. She will be here from California where she lives. I am really looking forward to it. The penguin is going with me so stay tuned to what we get up to. Should be fun.

Oh excuse me, did you say something??

Good Morning Everyone....

Thursday 9 June, 2016

I quite like this letter type format. I miss old fashioned letters.  Yesterday was the day the Domain Writer Group met. There are about 7 of us that meet each Wednesday from 12:00 to 2:00 pm on Wednesday. We have a day off on the third Wednesday of the month. In the second half of my 60's I am the second youngest. Our oldest is 91. These are very active women and I love being around them. 

This is the fountain in the  middle of the square.

We meet at Salamanca. Salamanca is an old section of Hobart in the Battery Point area. I won't say much about it because Google can tell you more about it than I ever could. I consider Google a good friend.

It was a very sunny day. After all of the rain we have had, including the worst floods in the north of the state in more than a century, the sunshine seemed a welcome relief. The floods were terrible with three people being swept to their deaths as they went about their work or tried to rescue their livestock. 

I thought I would share the area with you that is behind Salamanca. It was developed into a square several years ago and there are two book shops in the area.  One is a new book shop of which I don't shop in. I have heard the woman who works there make fun of customers and what they read. I left when I saw the eye rolling and what she said and have not bought a book from them since. How dare she judge what people read. I hate that. I am happy they are reading. Sometimes people get a little bit too trendy for their own good and this is a very trendy shop. She even wears a very trendy geometrical hair style (oops...cat claws)   She needs to drop her boots as she has become too big for them.

Deja Vu book shop

Inside one of the market alcoves there is a wonderful secondhand bookshop that has been there for several years. It is called Deja Vu. (They don't use computers so you can't visit it online.)

There is a good selection of Penguins but the prices are generally more than I will pay for them. However they are in very good condition and are lovely. Once in awhile if I find a hard to get vintage Penguins I will get one. After all you can read these books, not just collect them.

Our writing sessions have grammar nazis in it. I learn so much about the grammar taught to these older women when they were in school in the 1930's and 40's. Wow, they knew their grammar.  They can spot a split infinitive a mile away but of course that isn't such a crime nowadays. 

Our group has a topic each week that is optional. One lady is writing her memoirs of growing up in Holland and teaching school. She regularly updates us with her latest piece. Another lady, her sister who had tragedy in her life only writes about pleasant things now. She does not want to visit the past.

Someone else is writing a mystery. She loves all things crime history, horror and dark events. The discussions often become quite philosophical. 

View of the square from the other end. Upstairs are ritzy apartments.
Downstairs are all of the coffee shops.  The sun is quite low in late
afternoon as it is winter here.

We recently wrote on the topic of children. Two of us are childless by choice. The others are not and dote on their grandchildren now. That was an interesting discussion.  One woman who has children wishes his life was cut short.  If she had known how depressed and unhappy he would have been she would not have had him.  Topics come out of left field much of the time. I love the perspectives of the older women. I love their integrity, kindness and devotion to whatever they are doing at the time. They are the best role models I have ever had in my life. 

Grizzy waiting for me to begin my new book last night.
He likes to watch me read.

After the group meets we adjourn to one of the coffee shops in the square to continue our discussions.  Then we are not focused too much on the form and content of the writing but the discussion of the philosophy behind it. When the sun is out we sit outdoors and enjoy watching people enjoy the central fountain.  When it is cold we go inside and ask the management to please turn down the music as many are hearing impaired and cannot hear the conversation when it is on. The owners do so happily. It is very beautiful in the square.  I always go home buoyed and look forward to getting back to my desk.  

As an older person myself I love the stimulation to my brain. I need all the help I can get on some days. I am sure some of you understand.  What do you do to stimulate your brains, besides reading of course. 

My next post will tell you about the book Grizzy and I began last night. We are really enjoying it.

The penguin has a night cap. I have a night cat.

Say Hello to the New Format Penguin

Good evening, (as Alfred Hitchcock used to say)

I am shaking off the old blog and beginning anew with something more up to date, fresher and a bit more motivating. I have been blogging here for several years now and as I enjoy it I needed to reassess as I felt I was getting stale.

Life changes over the years and once my beloved dog Wally passed on, I thought it was time for me to move on (not pass on just yet).

I will still collect and talk about my vintage Penguin books.  I will also bring this so called diary more into line with daily or weekly events.

I am spending a lot of time with photographic studies. I am learning the intricacies of my new Canon 5D Mark III, participating in the Hobart Photographic challenges each month and have spent several months learning Photoshop. My brain has been stretched further than ever since I retired and I do love it.

On Tuesday afternoons I enjoy the Play Reading Class at U3A (University of the Third Age). On Wednesday's I participate in the Hobart Domain Writer's Group. We are a small group of little old ladies really who enjoy each other's company and love critiquing each other's writing. Forget that some of us ride motorbikes or go out dancing.

One day a week is set aside for motorbike riding with the Ulysses club but that is a bit slow now as we are into winter. We have had a lot of rain, wind and penguin weather so some activities are on a bit of a hiatus.

Wildlife Rescuing for Bonorong Park still occurs and only the other day I stopped to check the pouch of a dead wallaby on the road but luckily it was empty. I was on my way to the book group.

I am in two book groups. One I attend religiously and the other I attend when I happen to read the book and feel the need to discuss it.

I still hunt and give talks to community groups about the history of Penguin books when asked but I am happy to say that has slowed down too with the coming of winter.

I am publicity officer for the Rosny Senior's group, a group of seniors who meet for a dinner meeting once a month and advocate for the rights of seniors to legislators, go to plays and socialise a bit.

Life is very full and Mr. Penguin and I enjoy life in our small home with our two dogs, Odie and Molly (nickname Monkey as she climbs all over us) and our three cats.. Uncle Buck our rescued brain damaged cat, Cousin Eddie our little bully and Grizzy the new kid on the block.

From now on this blog will have a focus on books and travel but travel may be as long as a trip overseas or a trip to the local market.

I am looking to capture the life of a bibliophile in the small state of Tasmania in the large country of Australia.

I will participate in its life more often as I write about our activities, laughs, reads and journeys. I hope you stay on for the ride.

All the best from the Penguin and me.

Days 1 and 2 in Sydney

Excuse the crumbs, I am eating a wagon wheel I picked up from the bakery down the road.  I have just returned from the Opening Address with Kate Tempest at the Sydney Writer's Festival. The Roslyn Packer theatre was sold out with people looking forward to this event.

The opening of the Sydney Writer's Festival, like most openings in Australia was started with acknowledgement of the true owners of the land. Then a young Aboriginal man played a new piece he composed for the didgeridoo. It was a sort of tribute to the cockatoos, the kookaburras and other fauna of this region of Australia.

Then of course a politician had to come on board. I thought it was quite entertaining. This theatre was packed with probably the most avid readers of the country and most would be into quality literature. The pollie talked of bibliotherapy which seems to be a catch phrase lately.  He mentioned the value of reading and the books that inspire him, those he enjoys. I heard the names Dan Brown and James Patterson. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind what people read but knowing this audience I am sure there were more than a few book snobs amongst it. Because once he left the stage and the facilitator came back on the stage she and the audience erupted into laughter. I think it had something to him naming airport reads and nothing of serious quality. Knowing some of the Australian readers I am sure the politician thinks we are just some little lady book worms who read gentle fiction. He obviously hasn't read A Little Life.  

Kate Tempest is a young, (30) British poet, playwright and performer who entertained us with her poetry. She believes in story telling and the importance of literature. Her poem encourages everyone to take care of others. Forego greed, busyness, selfies, craziness and see what the reality of life that is around us. She is deeper than deep, a serious story teller with great humour thrown in. I was not familiar with her and her latest book is now out. It is called The Bricks that Built the House. It is her first novel. I really enjoyed her presentation and she gave us all lots to think of.

I arrived in Sydney yesterday and the first thing I did was visit the large
Kinokuniya book store. I love the books and all of the Japanese stationery in this store.  I also visited a large camera shop to upgrade my camera. I am going to concentrate on writers, books and photography this week.

After that I treated myself to lunch in a lovely Japanese restaurant. I am still not certain what all of it was but I loved it. I love tasting new food. I will eat almost anything, especially when I am hungry.

Last night I saw the play produced by the Sydney Theatre Company of Hay Fever, written by Noel Coward. It was being held in the drama theatre of the Sydney Opera House. Any excuse to go into this exquisite building. I love this place. The play was hilariously funny. As I booked at the last moment I could only get a seat in the middle of the very front row. I felt as though I were on the stage as the play progressed. I could see crows feet around the actor's eyes as I was that close.

I had to laugh as in Hobart I often attend things on my own. I easily chat to people on either side of me and never feel lonely. Hobart audiences are always friendly. Last night I sat beside a Sydneysider of middle age.  I said Hello to her. She adjusted herself in her chair with her back to me. It was quite obvious. The woman on my other side was much friendlier. When the intermission came I wanted to ask this woman if she was enjoying herself. That is always a good way to start a conversation. I was alone so once again I tried to get contact but she never shifted. Her back was as far to me as she could possibly get it the entire time.

"What!"  "Are you too rich or something to speak to me." I thought. Then I suppressed a giggle as it could not have been that. After all we didn't have the best seats in the house. We had to look up, like a baby bird just to see the floor of the stage.  Maybe she was just shy.  Anyway I was completely entertained trying to get her eye.

Today was a hot day and I had planned to go to the zoo before the Writer's Festival opening this evening. It was too hot for the zoo so instead I went to the Museum of Contemporary Art at the wharf. I walked around the Rocks area, which is the oldest area of Sydney and has art galleries and expensive shops. I window shopped and shared my cinnamon toast and cappuccino with a one legged pigeon.

Then I spent quite a bit of time sitting in the grass down at the Harbour photographing people. I got some great shots.  There was one shot I must share with you when I download my film. It was a couple of middle aged people eating an ice cream cone. No big deal but beside them a busker was getting dressed for his performance as a stationary tree. He was putting on clothes covered in branches and leaves and it was a huge outfit. The couple beside him never once looked at him. They just sat licking their ice cream.  How could they miss him!? So comical.

Tomorrow evening I have another presentation to attend and then Wednesday, Thursday and Friday picks up a bit more. I signed up for 8 sessions. So as I have all day on my own tomorrow I have booked a tour that goes from 8 am to 6 pm to the Blue Mountains. I have not been to the Blue Mountains before so it might be fun. In any case as there are 50 other tourists on this bus I should get some good pictures of people doing things.

What a busy couple of days.  I'll add more tomorrow if I can find the energy.

Five Days in Sydney and A Festival.

Tomorrow morning I am off to Syydney, crossing the big ditch that separates Tasmania from the mainland. I am attending the Sydney Writer's Festival. I have left time though to visit my favourite second hand bookstores, see a play at the Opera House and work on my photography.

Since I lost my wonderful old dog Wally, I have been quite flat and teary. However after a couple of weeks we did adopt a small black cat from the Cat Centre. Tassie always has a glut of cats needing homes. We had a space available and Cousin Eddie, our tabby, needed a playmate to stop him harrassing our older cat, Uncle Buck.  Enter Griswald, or Grizzy for short. He is beautiful, sweet natured and cheeky. We love him.

Life is getting back to normal and I hope to talk to you a bit more as I find I miss your company when I don't write.

I have been reading. Right now it's Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. I thought I would like it more than I do. The cover was promising and the title sounds old fashioned. However I do get annoyed with the characters. Our book club read is Cold Comfort Farm which I have read and loved. Rather than read it again I am listening to the play that I downloaded on Audible.com. I am thoroughly enjoying that.

I continue to study Photoshop tutorials and attended a great workshop by an Adobe rep at our Photographic club.

It's been too windy to do much scooter riding and has poured with rain which we really need as we have been having drought conditions here.

I finally saw the film, The Lady in the Van which I enjoyed, though I love Maggie Smith. I enjoyed the movie more than the book which is unusual for most book related films I see.

I have discovered Flow magazine from the Netherlands and I love the articles, paper, stationery and art work within its covers. It's a little pricey but I do devour it. It is one of those publications that has little surprises throughout and makes me happy.

I am looking forward to going into Tasmania's winter. The colours here in the winter are beautiful, not too much snow and quite a bit of sun makes this island state a fantasyland.

I hope to get online to tell you about what goes on in Sydney and include some pictures over the next few days. After all the Penguin is happiest when reading and travelling. Stay tuned and here is a picture of Grizzy I put together in Photoshop. Isn't he beautiful.