Tuesday 29 January 2013



Blessed be today!

Hello people, today is special because today a new life will be born. My second grandaughter will emerge into the world at around 1 pm by caesarian. Her parents have tried every which way to get her out naturally, but I guess the weenie just likes it inside her mummy's warmth.

Here's one way of getting baby out double quick for those of you out there trying. Get into a laugh fest. Many moons ago, I was watching Some Like It Hot on late tv. It was hilarious at the time and I hooted all the way through. Guess what happened? As I was about to get into bed at the end of the movie, my water broke. Junior must have decided "Let me outta here! I can't stand that laughing banshee no more, even if she's my mother and will be my body's sustenance for the next few months!" And he was born, by natural birth, without even an epidural or any other aid, within four hours. And he's been trying to get away ever since .....

The other thing I did was go to Waiheke Island in the Gulf of Hauraki. That is the gulf on which Auckland is built round. The said Waiheke Island was a backwater till 20 years ago when a transport company began servicing it with good reliable boats. Then the real estate skyrocketed to the moon. A batch (tiny holiday cottage) now goes for around $400,000. Some smart people from the CBD started wineries and as they say "Bob's your uncle". Done deal. Everybody wants to have an island lifestyle.
And the residents all swear they love it. From an outsider's point of view, it is dry as biscuit in the summer months, water's on tank which means you conserve like mad, flushing the loo only when you've done a number two. And winter's cold and blustery. The only redeeming point I see is that there are beaches all round. And the fish and chips are great. But with the recent memory of Great Barrier Island on fire and Tasmanian's having to sit in the sea to save themselves when their bush caught fire, I am an unashamed shyster where island living is concerned.

Of course I am smug about it all because I live in Greenhithe, a gorgeous village on the mainland which has it all and easy access in natural catastrophe. I have the upper harbour down by my garden where I can canoe once I prune away a few dastardly mangroves, movies and shopping areas 4 miles away and a great community within the village. So I can afford to look down on overpriced cottages on an island that costs a ton to get to unless you happen to be a reitiree with a Super Gold card. Then travel is free. But that is threatened right now as the cost of giving golden oldies free ferry service is around $3 million per annum. Grief! I didn't know there are that many oldies around to pack their sammies and flask for a picnic on a dry island.

Anyway, now that the long weekend is over, I am back to editing The Ming Admiral -- in its final stages. It's a historical novel about ZhengHe, that super duper eunuch of the 15th Century who took the Emperor's treasure ships around the world. It is full of battles, love lost, and adventures all along Asia and I want it out by the middle of this year. Now that I have got my trailer on you tube on my first novel, have you guys checked it out? Please do and give it a huge like! and forward it to all your mates on facebook, twitter, plaxo, linked inm etc, etc. Being an indie author is hard yakka and one needs the help of one's friends. Here's the link again Youtube.com/watch?v=METJnMArGyc.
Till next week, have a great time. And peace and blessings everyone.
Via con Dios.
Meemee

Monday 21 January 2013

A Wonderful Life

A Wonderful Life

Hi there, I have learnt a profound saying which I wish to share with you: -
LET JUSTICE ROLL DOWN LIKE WATER AND RIGHTEOUSNESS LIKE AN EVERLASTING STREAM. Bk of Amos. Chapter 5. Verse 24
It has truly touched me and serves now as a kind of meditation mantra. I hope it works for you too, as it helps me be  more measured in all the decisions I make.

I have now got a 4 star review of MEMORIES IN THE BONE which will be available in retail stores and libraries. Ask for it  in your local library. I use mine as a great source of information.
May I quote from Clarion which gave me the 4 stars?

"Memories in the Bone is a believable and intelligent read... For that alone the author deserves praise -- and for many other good reasons, the book deserves to be read."
With the book now designed for the New Zealand market, it shall be in print by February. From the last week in Feb to the first week in March, the Fringe Festival will be on in Auckland. Part of it will be 'Spit It Out' -- where writers can read and talk about there books. I shall be reading at the Pumphouse Theatre in Takapuna. Instead of straight out reading, I will be discussing how my poetry is incorporated as part of the prose in MEMORIES IN THE BONE.
Once again please do not forget to log into Youtube.com/watch?v=METJnMAeGyc for the 30 sec trailer.

On the home and garden side, there are a couple of blackbirds around the patio. I just can't help wondering whether they were the nestlings that flew off a month ago.

I hope 2013 continues good for you. With the Chinese New Year in February, the Snake will take up residency and that is supposed to be good for many. Those born in the year of the Snake will be graceful and attractive.

Chat soon,
Meemee

Friday 11 January 2013

The Melt Down of the World.

At least in Australasia. We have so many bush fires in Australia and now, even in Canterbury Plains, South Island New Zealand. What is happening? The hole in the Ozone layer? Industrial gases from every get-ahead-at-all-costs country? If it is the industrial gases which of course includes petrol fumes, then let's get back a bit, slow down a bit, take stock and think. Think that it is no point busting our guts out to make too much money that we can't take with us, buy too much that is beyond our needs for consumption and have a better planet.
We've got a heat-wave of a summer, high temperatures (for us) 30 deg. Celcius, dry winds dry earth.
A total melt-cown.

As readers of this blog (few,I know, but hopefully you will recommend me and grow the readership), I am an animal lover and avian lover. Last week, I found a grown baby blackbird sitting under the orange tree, unable to fly. It had obviously survived a feline assault. I took it and nursed it and put it in a box with leaves and food. But alas, the shock killed it overnight. I am so sad that people keep cats in areas rich with birdlife. All the gorgeous blue-crested quails that used to live in my garden have disappeared as new houses were built and cats moved in with their owners. Is there a way to enjoy both species of God's creation together?

On a happier note, the trailer of my historical novel, Memories in the Bone is out. Check out YouTube.com/watch?V-METJnMArGyc for the 30 sec. one. Spots are now being bidded for in the US on a couple of cable tv nation wide by my publisher IUniverse. I have asked for Opra and National Geographic. You can buy direct from IUniverse -- paperbacks on e-book. Also look out on all other e-book sites as well as book shops and libraries from now on. The launch in the US is this first quarter. There will be a sequel in a next year. Working on it.

I wish you all a great day and a great 2013.
meemee