After a mostly sunny and cold week with plenty of morning frost, overcast skies and ran have returned. Storm Isha is preparing to hit the UK later today and the Met office issued an amber weather warning. Winds are expected to reach 60-70 mph in inland areas while along the coasts they could reach 70-80 mph. Right now, there’s a gentle rain with gusts reaching 35 mph. Good day to stay inside!
There’s been another change to the price of gasoline (petrol) and diesel this week. Gasoline increased a penny to £1.36 a liter, while diesel decreased a penny to £1.44 . Meanwhile, the exchange rate has tilted in the favor of the pound against the dollar. As a result, a liter of gasoline rose four cents to $6.54, while a liter of diesel dropped three cents to $6.92.
“Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will.” – George Bernard Shaw. Compliments of https://press.barnesandnoble.com/bnpress-blog/inspirational-quotes-writing/.
So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on January 21, the third Sunday of the month and of 2024. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).
John Isacius Pontanus, Dutch physicist and historian (1st history of Amsterdam); Tsjalling Hiddes Halbertsma, Dutch Frisian story teller (Rhymes & Tales); John Gelinde van Blom, Dutch Frisian notary and poet; Eliza Roxcy Snow, American poet; Imre Madách, Hungarian writer; Ludwig Thoma, German writer; Egon Friedell, Austrian journalist, actor and writer (Kleine Portratgalerie, Der Partylowe); Olav Aukrust, Norwegian poet (advocated literary use of Nynorsk); Richard P. Blackmur, American critic and poet (Good European); “Ossie” O.S. Stevens Nock, English railway writer,; John Putz, British journalist (Guardian); Rohan Butler, English historian;Vincent Placoly, Martinique, writer (L’eau-de-mort guildive); Louis Menand, American writer and critic; and Forrest Gander, American poet (Be With – 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry).
Any names familiar to you? There weren’t any for me this time. Whether you recognize anyone on the list or not, if today’s your special day I hope you have a great one!
My Work In Progress
As I previously mentioined, I penned chapters 22-30 of Mission: Yemen, Xavier Sear Thriller Book 2 during the Xmas market. This week, I typed up and posted chapter twenty-four to the two online subscription writing sites I use. I also did about half of chapter twenty-five.
Reviewers provided another fifteen critiques, bringing the total to 474. As always, they’ve provided plenty of recommendations for me to consider, and I’m always appreciative of the time and effort people put into reviewing my work.
Here’s another snippet:
Uzza knocked on the door to Shatara’s room before putting the key in the lock. After opening the door, she pushed it open. Where is she?
Moments later, she heard the toilet flush. Oh.
Shatara entered the room and stopped. “Oh! I didn’t hear you come in.”
“That is okay.” Uzza smiled. “I have a surprise for you.”
“What is it?”
“Prince Hussein has given us permission to have our breakfast in the courtyard. We can stay for one hour.” Uzza wrinkled her nose. “Of course, someone will monitor us.” She turned toward the door. “Oh, do not forget your hijab.”
Shatara wrinkled her nose. “If we are just going to be in the courtyard, why must we wear it?”
“You know.” Uzza laughed. “We must protect our modesty from those to whom we are not related.”
Shatara sighed as she placed the white hijab over her head. “Understood. It’s just at home I didn’t have to wear it unless I left the house.” She toyed with the headscarf until her head, neck, and ears were covered. “I’m ready.”
Uzza unlocked the door, and they stepped into the corridor. She pointed to the right. “The stairs to the outside are at the end of the hall.” She walked along the corridor and climbed the stairs.” Cover your eyes—the sun will be bright for you.”
“Yes, thank you.” Shatara pulled the edge of the hijab over her eyes. “Even covering my eyes, it is very bright, and it hurts them.”
“Give me your hand. I’ll lead you to the table, which is protected by the branches of the date palm trees.” Uzza took Shatara’s hand and guided her.
“Oh! I can feel the temperature drop. We must be under the trees.” Shatara uncovered her eyes and glanced around. “What a beautiful courtyard. I love the fountain.”
“The fountain is beautiful but much better when the water is working.” Uzza pointed to a chair. “Please have a seat. I brought the food out earlier, so we’re ready to eat.”
After Shatara sat, she continued to scan the area. “I see there are two guards, but they both appeared to be asleep in their chairs. Their weapons are propped against the wall.”
“Do not tempt fate. If you move toward the wall, they will jump to their feet, grab their weapons and point them at you.”
Shatara grinned. “I was going to ask how easy it would be to climb the wall.”
“Even if the guards were not here and you could climb over it, you still would not be free. Prince Hussein owns the properties on either side of this one and behind it, too.” Uzza pointed to the one over the left wall. “He maintains his office in this building but lives in that one.”
“Have you ever been there?”
Uzza shook her head. “No. I know the prince entertains local dignitaries there, but I’ve never been invited to visit.”
“Hmm.” Shatara studied the wall again. “I am sure I could climb it. As a child, I loved to climb the date palms around our compound and jump onto the wall. I pretended I was climbing a mountain and could see for miles.”
Uzza laughed as she reached for a covered plate. “Let’s eat—I’m hungry.” She lifted the cover. “Shakshouka—one of my favorites.”
“Mine, too.” Shatara smiled. I love how the color of the scrambled eggs is offset by the red tomato sauce. The spicier the shakshouka is, the better for me.”
“I agree.” Uzza gestured toward a covered bowl. “Cook made more masoub to go with it and milk tea for us to drink.”
Shatara loaded a fork with eggs and brought it to her mouth, blowing on the steaming food before taking a tentative bite. “Fantastic!”
“Will you read to me after we eat?” Uzza pushed Shatara’s book across the table.
Shatara’s eyes narrowed. “Where did you get this?”
“While you were in the bathroom, I picked it up. I hope you do not mind.”
“I guess not. But next time, ask me first, okay?”
More next time.
This brings us to an end for another week. I hope you found something of interest. If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please send me a note. Until the next time, thank you for reading and hope you drop in again.
© Copyright 2024 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved
