My Policeman - Going back to Brighton

The mark of a master author is in the telling, so much is held back. Until you are straining and on edge to hear what really happened. How it happened, why it happened and all the messy details. Bethan Roberts can lead you around the late 1950's of Brighton, UK. The chilly sea and wind of the coast. The intrigue of a time when everything was kept hidden, for a while................. Some passages stand out.

This threat was faceless. It was something we couldn’t see, let alone fight. P158. How true of the coward's way of making threats. This passage alludes to Patrick's earlier lover, who received black mailing letters, threatening to reveal his homosexuality. The theme of bitter, cruel and vengeful letters is reprised to another chilling aftermath. A slow cancer pervades.

Bethan Roberts manages to instil delightful quick sketches of places and surroundings eg.
The East Street Dining room is very Houghton: large white plates, silver gravy boats, knocking-on-a-bit waiters with crumbling smiles and no hurry to get your food to you, everything boiled. But the wine is a passable and they do a great pud. P152.

The humour of this tale lightens the sadness. Patrick, one of the main characters, remains ever the charming host and observer, with a quick quip. Until he no longer can.
Very easy to read. Something in these characters made me reach back to my own elders and how things must have been.
Themes: women's rights, homosexuality, marriage, social change.
My Policeman - Bethan Roberts

Send them on, donate them, but let them find a new reader, not dust.

I admit to being a bookaholic, with several on the go at any one time.

However I differ from a lot of others in that I am only too happy to let them go on to find a new reader. Sometimes they come back to me several times. But as I have often said, I don’t want to get to be 80+ and be submerged in books.

Send them on, donate them, but let them find a new reader, not dust.

Speak up

The thirst for the new is undiminished.

But the body is weary.

Nikki Gemmell has related an echoing call. (July 13^th)

We are all ageing (just the other side of 50). Slice it any way you like, but we are wearing out.

It is harder to follow the new technology, get out of the comfort of home and those comfy shoes.

But as I write my letters rejecting the moniker of that vile term ‘senior’.

I also relive my days of laying out all my 45’s and playing them over and over.

Trouble is the hearing just ain’t what it used to be.

But the vinyl will live on, I just need you to speak up!

I wonder how well we can really know our neighbours?

Most parents want the best for their kids. It is so sad to hear about this case. Maybe that's why there was a more subdued response to the perpetrators, who sometimes get front page, full page pictures. In this case they have been shunned by all. I wonder how well we can really know our neighbours?

Dymocks wander

Dymocks is a great place to get books that are not the supermarket variety ie pulp fiction.


However I forgot to bring my Dymocks card, as I have a lot of cards and have relocated several to a second wallet book. This meant I couldn’t use my points.

Also I got a great book The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen but then needed another of the latest releases. This section near the door in Rundle Mall seemed to be poorly stocked. This is a priority area and I think you’d make more sales if you kept it packed with all the latest.

I bought Questions of Travel.

An encounter with Fleetwood Mac

I spent 9 weeks in 1983 listening to the Rumours album every day on a bus around Europe. It feels like family! The essence of Fleetwood Mac is that they experiment with sounds and voices. From their solo careers to everything in between, they built songs to last. So don’t ever stop.

Pain won't kill you - Farther Away

It is late at night, but I feel I need to summarise what I have learnt here, before moving on.
Jonathan Franzen shines a spotlight on how we are coping in this life. Which includes scrutiny of his own weaknesses, distractions and obsessions.
I was most enthralled when he let lose on his friendship with David Wallace Foster, and his encounters with bird life.
The opening essay 'Pain won't kill you' has the type of analysis and sardonic wit that makes this a real find.

What really happens

What a diverse and informative July issue of ANJ. Nurses work in such varied fields.

From advances in disability care to volunteering and research programs. Issues of work place bullying, debriefing and mental health innovations and sleep apnoea treatments.

What caught my eye the most was the information on the Coroner's court.

There was a wonderfully honest article in the South Australian nurses journal 'In Touch' about a nurses experience in the coronial enquiry process.

It was daunting and stressful process. 

I appreciated the candour in this account. From personal experience I can relate to many of the nurses’ anxieties, after being summoned to the coroner’s court long after the original event.

My advice is to get maximum support from all avenues. Both professionally and personally.

I found the assistance of the ANMF to be invaluable in this process. I was able to get legal advice, with a minimum of angst, which assisted me greatly in peace of mind. I also had the support of my manager, SA Health solicitors and other supporters.

As a life- long union member in my nursing career, it has never occurred to me to not have membership. The support both professionally and industrially has been outstanding. The team works so well for its members.

Thanks again to you all.

Royal Baby Fever

I cannot recall quite as much fever pitch over a royal baby.

Are we all just needing a bit of feel good news?

Anyway Kathy Lette presents a sure fire way to scare the pants off any new mother.

In the one camp are the women who view any mention of women's 'struggles' as over the top.

In the other we have the realism gone wild.

I do like Kathy's irreverence 'meals on heels!'.

My blessings also for the happy couple and a healthy baby.