It’s been a drier week the past few days, which was good as the ground needed to dry out. With the cooler weather, I was able to clean up hundreds of small branches blown into the back yard (garden) by the heavy winds we had over the last couple of weeks. Afterward, I managed to cut the grass (front and back) and made a start at some pruning and digging over the flower beds. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and I’ll be able to do some more this coming week. I also started spring cleaning the garage.
The price of gasoline (petrol) inched up this week to £1.47 while diesel remained steady at £1.55. As a result, and with the current exchange rate between the pound and the dollar, an equivalent U.S. gallon of gasoline increased to $6.88, an increase of five cents, while diesel fell four cents to $7.26. Fortunately, the recent increase in the value of the dollar has keep costs steady. Meanwhile, it’s been predicted the price of gasoline will soon go back over £1.50 a liter.
The results of the 2023 Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBAs) were apparently released last night, but only to those attending the authors’ conference. The results have yet to be posted to Chanticleer’s website. So I’ll continue to (patiently) wait to find out if Ultimate Escalation was one of the Global Thrillers winners. Stay tuned.
“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 April 21st, the third Sunday of the month. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).
Ulrich von Hutten, German knight, scholar and poet (led Imperial Knights against Roman Catholic Church); John Law, Scottish economist and author (Money and Trade Considered); Alexander Anderson, American engraver and illustrator (Shakespeare); Charlotte Brontë, English novelist (Jane Eyre); Hippolyte Taine, French philosopher and historian (Voyage in Italy); Max Weber, German sociologist, economist and historian (Ancient Judaism); Robert Herrick, American novelist (Common lot); Henry de Montherlant, French novelist and stage author (La Reine Morte); Ben Stroman, Dutch writer (Jomtof & Blue Beard); Tom Burns, British-Chilean publisher and editor; Norman Panama, American screenwriter; John Mortimer, English barrister, screenwriter and author (A Voyage Round My Father); Elaine May, American comedienne, writer and actress (New Leaf, Primary Colors); Helen Prejean, American writer; Max Wyndham, 2nd Baron Egremont, English peer and author; and Michael Zarnock, American author and columnist.
Any names familiar to you? There was one for me this week: Charlotte Brontë. 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
I started chapter thirty-one of Mission: Yemen, Xavier Sear Thriller Book 2. However, I’ll need a few more days to complete the chapter and get it posted to the two online subscription writing sites I use.
Reviewers provided another eleven critiques, bringing the total to 558. 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:
A light knocking on the door woke Shatara from a restless sleep. Who is that? First person not to barge in. She cleared her throat. “You may enter.”
She listened to a key turn in the lock before the door eased open.
A head peeped around the corner.
Aw, someone who seems younger than me. “Come in, please.”
A petite girl squeezed past the open door, adjusting her traditional Sana’ani, a curtain-style dress in black with red and green trim. Sequins adorned the garment. Upon her head, she wore an Al-Momq, a cotton cloth covering her head. Like the Sana’ani, it was in black but had red and white inclusions. Her long, black tresses flowed down her back. She set a tan canvas bag on the floor.
“As-salam alaykum. I am called Uzza Al-Hammadi. I will be your attendant while you visit us.”
Visit? Does she have any idea what’s going on? “Walaykum as-salam. I am Shatara. How old are you?”
She smiled. “I am twelve years old. Soon, I shall be ready for a husband.”
Shatara shook her head. She has no idea. “What do you have in the bag?”
Uzza glanced down. “A change of clothing for you.” She wrinkled her nose. “But first, you must clean up. I can smell you from here.”
“Yes, I was in a place where I couldn’t keep myself clean.” Shatara sniffed and seemed to recoil from her own body odor. “I hope you brought some shampoo.”
Uzza giggled. “Of course, Shatara. I brought you a shampoo soap bar, which is good for hair growth. It is made with cedarwood, lavender, and sweet orange.”
“Sounds lovely. Where can I clean up?”
Uzza pointed to the interior door as her face beamed. “We are blessed to have modern toilets. There’s one inside, along with a shower hose. Do you need my help?” She picked up the bag and pulled out a bar of soap, along with a square of cloth and a towel, and handed them to Shatara. “When you finish your cleansing, I will have your clothes laid out on the bed for you.”
“Why can’t I take the clothes with me?”
Uzza shook her head. “There isn’t any place to hang them, and they will get wet.”
“Oh.” At least I can protect my modesty with the towel. “Let me go now. I’ll feel better when I’m clean.”
“Oh, yes. And smell better, too.” Uzza covered her mouth as she blushed. “I am sorry if I have insulted you.”
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 let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading and hope you drop in again.
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