Thank you to Professor Charles French for sharing my commentary and review of Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. Charles has a wonderful selection of books so do have a look around while you are visiting his blog.
Here is another entry into the U.L.S., the Underground Library Society by Robbie Cheadle, a long-time member of this unofficial group. I am honored that Robbie Cheadle has written another entry–this one on The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck.
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
I knew about Grapes of Wrath and had read it was a masterpiece, but I only read it recently. My interest in this story was inspired by my younger son’s studies about the Great Depression in America. I also knew about the Great Depression and had read other books about it, but now was the time to do a deep dive into the horror story of that time. A deep dive that I had possibly been avoiding due to my belief that a lot of the detail in this book would still be relevant now, nearly 100 years later. Reading this book would be rubbing salt into mental wounds.
It was worth it; very worth it. The Grapes of Wrath is one of the most beautifully written and powerful books I’ve read, and I’ve read thousands of books.
Did you know there is a town called Dundee in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa? It is a coal mining town and the reason we overnighted there is because it is close to the site of the Battle of Blood River which is a landmark battle between 464 Boers and an estimated 10,000 Zulus on the 16th of December 1838. I will tell you more about that battle next week. I wanted to spend a good few hours at The Battle of Blood River memorial and museum and also visit the Ncome Zulu Cultural Museum on the other side of Blood River where the battle was fought. There is a bridge of reconciliation between the two museums.
We spent our time in Dundee at the lovely and brand new B&B called Bella’s Rest. The B&B was on the edge of a manmade dam and had a nice view.
The entrance to the B&BSliding doors from our two rooms onto the private verandahSecurity door between the bedrooms section and the admin section.View across the dam. The restaurant was on the other side
Shapes in Nature
Look at all the rings in this picture – dam at DundeeThe waterfall formation in the Cango Caves, South AfricaThese two pictures were taken into the water in the Knysna Lagoon in the Western Cape. I was photographing a crab which you can see in the picture. I love the patterns.
My poem is based on this picture that was featured on my blogging friend, Meeka’s blog last year. If you enlarge this winning picture, you will see the people have no necks. It is so surreal that it won a prized. You can read Meeka’s article here: https://acflory.wordpress.com/2022/09/10/is-art-still-art-if-an-ai-makes-it/. I have not forgotten this post and artwork.
My August Dark Origins post discusses the English nursery rhyme, “Who Killed Cock Robin”. It never fails to amaze me how far back in time some of these possible origins go. Thanks for hosting, Kaye Lynne Booth.
Picture caption: H. L. Stephens – From The Project Gutenberg eBook, Death and Burial of Poor Cock Robin, by H. L. Stephens http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/17060
“Who Killed Cock Robin” is an English nursery rhyme which is believed to be ancient although the earliest record of the rhyme is in Tommy Thumb’s Pretty Song Book published in 1744. This version only contained the first four verses. The longer version was first printed in approximately 1770.
You can listen to a lovely rendition of “Who Killed Cock Robin” here:
I took one look at Colleen’s challenge this week and though “no way, this is much to complicated.” I went back later and it didn’t look so bad so I gave it a go.
For Dan Antion’s Thursday Doors, I am sharing a few doors pictures from our 3 days at Babanango Game Reserve. You can join in Dan’s challenge here: https://nofacilities.com/2023/08/17/wvu-doors/
Front door into our cottage at Babanango Game ReserveGate into our cottage area at Babanango – the fence keeps the animals away.
Yellow daffodil fairiesYellow fondant flowers on a portable record player cakeYellow sunsetYellow flowersYellow icing – this is a Mad Hatter Cake I made for Terence’s 40th. I don’t have a wonderful photograph as this was before I started taking pictures of my cakes for my blog. The top of the hat is decorated with two fondant animated playing cards who are painting the white roses red. If you look carefully, you will see some of the roses are half red and half white.
This Is How We Grow: Stories and Poems for Perspective Taking
I am part of a new anthology called This is how we grow. It includes my story, There’s No Return to Sender, which shares a short piece of my personal history dealing with my sons chronic illness.
Stories have allowed people to transmit ideas, beliefs, and behaviors throughout history. The underlying premise of this book is that humans can grow by understanding the perspective of someone else. Perspective-taking can help humans develop compassion and concern for others.. One way to attain a deeper understanding of people is by learning about different viewpoints and this book offers material for perspective taking,
Sherri let us feel some California and English culture fusion, with reminders about how close, and connected, we all are in this big ol’ world. Let’s remember this when we feel a spirit of division. Can we put aside what divides and remember that we have more in common than we might not initially see?
Miriam Hurdle shared about going from having no grandkids, to getting the joyful news, to then having the pandemic limit travel to see this growing family. Her chapter left us with uplifting familial warmth.
Yvette Prior shared about the challenges and silver linings that came with a recent move while noting that lessons learned are a gift because it can lead to humility and strength.
Ana Linden shared about perspective changes through the story about her aunt, who had the middle name of Dragonfly. Ana showed the components of perspective and empathy are intertwined and complex, just like Ana’s Aunt Dragonfly was.
Marsha Ingrao shared about her blogging experience that led to soft skill development, friendship, life fuel, and a way to offer customized outreach. She reminded us that when storms come, we do the best we can to respond, cope, stay stable, and grow.
Lauren Scott explored body image while reminding us that empathy consists of both affective and cognitive components. Lauren also reminded us that we cannot keep doing the same thing and expect different results.
Mabel Kwong gained a deeper perspective by stopping writing, which made a huge difference in her affect and outlook. Life is not always easy and the obstacles with her writing journey remind us to stay the course and find what we need.
Robbie Cheadle shared her growth over six years as she dealt with illnesses with both of her children. The vulnerable health challenges also came with joy and growth. The beauty is there if we put forth the effort to see it.
Jeffrey D. Simmons used poetry to describe the cadence of his life as he has adapted to different living arrangements. Jeff chooses to adapt and find joy whether he has to anchor or move around.
Trent McDonald used fiction to show us that we humans not only tend to have wrong assumptions, but assumptions are often negative. Maybe we can start assuming the best and clarify sooner to minimize distorted thinking.
Mahesh Nair talked about words and accents with an example of how he once perceived a behavior as snobby to later see that it was not. He also explored how the current digital world is something many of us take for granted but it had to grow, evolve, and mature over many years. Humans are similar in how we advance and grow.
Mike’s chapter offered tips and advice for thriving while in caregiver mode. The physical exhaustion and mental drain can be mitigated and he also let us into his personal life as he shared about how it took time to understand relationship dynamics and then live out what he advised about in a clinical setting.
Cade reminded us that our mental filters will change as the way we view right and wrong will change too. As we learn more about individual bias and faulty thinking, we need to pay attention to other people’s viewpoints.
There is a gap between what is and what we know or think something is. We hope the stories and poems in this book help readers learn about how others see the world and gain a deeper understanding to open the heart and enhance empathy.
This week for Thursday Doors I am sharing the door to the Chinese Candy Dragon’s lair. I was pleased with myself for managing to insert the dragon’s head so he’s peeping through the window. The dragon features in Michael and my new Sir Chocolate high days and holidays book series. This one is all about Halloween.
Gingerbread dragon’s house/lair. The roof is covered with licorice tiles and bone sweets decorate the sides of the walls.
This is the cover:
The cover of Sir Chocolate and the Chinese Candy Dragon featuring the Chinese Candy Dragon made of cupcakes and fondant and Sir Chocolate.
This is the book trailer video Michael and I created:
Sunday Stills this week is all about the lazy, hazy days of summer. But its winter here, so …
Door into the restaurant at Babanango Valley Lodge where we spent part of winter vacation.Waterbuck having a rest in the winter sun.Although the giraffe is small, I like the picture postcard photographMy drawing of one of my favourite creatures.Homemade chicken pie and homemade cauliflower chicken.
Colleen’s challenge: Select one of the animal collective nouns and write your syllabic poem using the collective noun. I used poetic license for my poem.
My new cake project is a basket of roses. This cake will be for my parents wedding anniversary in September. I bought four bouquets of roses so that I could examine them and also create a multicoloured display to use as a model for my flowers. I love making roses, they are my favourite fondant creations.
A variety of different coloured roses in a cut crystal vaseA variety of different coloured roses in a tall crystal vaseA close up of my favourite apricot rosesA close up of a pink and white marbled roseA close up of a deep red rose
This week’s challenge is Synonyms Only. That means you choose two synonyms for the two words below. Use must use the synonyms in your poem, NOT the two words.
roberta-writes.com 