Over the past week, we’ve seen temperatures return to more seasonable averages. Of course, this means instead of cold weather and clear blue skies, we’re back to warmer temperatures, overcast skies, and rain. Oh well ….
There’s been another change to the price of gasoline (petrol) and diesel this week. Gasoline increased another penny to £1.37 a liter, while diesel increased a penny to £1.45. Meanwhile, the exchange rate has tilted in the favor of the pound against the dollar. As a result, a liter of gasoline increased four cents to $6.58, while a liter of diesel rose four cents to $6.96.
“The writer is an explorer. Every step is an advance into a new land.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson. 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 28, the fourth and final Sunday of the month. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).
Thomas Aquinas, Italian theologian, Philosopher and Doctor of the Church (Summa Theologica); ohn Barclay, Scottish satirist writer and poet (Euphormio’s Satyricon); John Baskerville, English printer and type designer (printer to the University of Cambridge); Johann Elias Schlegel, German critic and poet; Henry Morton Stanley, Welsh journalist and African explorer (found Livingstone in Africa); ose Martí y Perez, Cuban poet, essayist and politician (fought for independence from Spain); Colette, French author, novelist (Gigi, La Vagabonde) and actress; Ernst Rabel, Austrian-American lawyer, human rights activist, and author (The Conflict of Laws: A Comparative Study); Marthe Bibesco, Romanian writer; Camille Melloy [Paepe], Belgian poet (Parfum des Buis); Valentin Kataev, novelist/playwright (Embezzled); Wies Moens, Flemish writer and historian; A. A. M. Stols, Dutch publisher (History of Ecuador); Hermann Kesten, German writer (Allert de Lange); David John Lodge, British writer and literary critic (Soul & Bodies); Manuel dos Santos Lima, Angolan revolutionary and poet (Pele do Diabo); Bette Howland [Lee Sotonoff], American writer and literary critic (Blue in Chicago, The iron year); Ken Hill, English playwright and director; Rick Warren, American pastor and author; Harley Jane Kozak, American actress and writer (Arachnophobia, Necessary Roughness); Robert von Dassanowsky, American cultural historian, writer, and producer; and David Zingler, American writer.
Any names familiar to you? There were two for me this time: Thomas Aquinas and Henry Morton Stanley. 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
Reviewers provided another twelve critiques, bringing the total to 486. 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:
Prince Hussein peered through the branches of the date palms at the two young women. That Shatara is a feisty one. She would make someone a decent wife, but that would ruin my plans for her. He sipped from a glass of tea as he watched them.
“Excuse me, Prince Hussein.”
The prince turned and glanced at the young male servant.
The boy held a letter in a shaking hand. “This came for you a few minutes ago by a special rider.”
The prince took the envelope and waved a hand to dismiss the youth. What’s this? He tore open the letter.
My dear Prince Hussein,
Beware. There are eyes on you, which might make things difficult. Tread carefully so you keep below the National Security Bureau’s radar. Otherwise, you might face the same charge as Hamed Kamal Muhammad bin Haydara of being a destroyer of Islam, who was fortunate to avoid public execution.
My friends and I shall do our utmost to protect you and those around you but do not dally in your efforts to advance Saudi interests at the expense of Yemeni peace and prosperity.
A friend.
Prince Hussein tore the letter into small pieces before wadding them together and shoving it into his pocket. Who is this friend? What does he know about my real plans? He shook his head. I must convince Shatara to sign the document accusing her father of supporting Ansar Allah.
He poured the rest of his tea over the balcony and returned to his office.
***
At the signal from Prince Hussein, one of the guards, who pretended to be asleep, stood and walked over to the women, his chest puffed out. He gave them a toothless smile before pointing at the book. “What is this?”
Shatara glanced at him. “It’s The Poetry of Arab Women from the Pre-Islamic Age to Andalusia. Prince Hussein gave it to me as a present.”
“Did the prince give you permission to read to this person?” The guard pointed at Uzza. “She does not need her head filled with nonsense. Her role in society is fixed—she will be married and bear many sons for her husband. She will take care of his needs, so do not fill her head with crazy ideas.”
Shatara glared at him. “This book is not nonsense. It has important implications for the fields of world and Arabic literature as well as gender and women’s studies.”
He grabbed the book away from her. “I shall keep this until I can confer with Prince Hussein.”
Shatara reached for the book, hitting the guard’s hand.
He swung a fist at her, striking her face and almost knocking her to the ground.
With a defiant glare, she stood and rubbed the area, without saying a word.
The guard pointed to the door. “Go back inside. Your time in the courtyard is over. Prince Hussein shall hear of your insolence.”
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.
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