Terri’s challenge is beach views. At first I couldn’t think of any beach pictures as I’m not a beach lover, but then I remembered the ones I took in January at St Lucia when I went to Cape Vidal at night to see the loggerhead turtle.
Last year I got no flowers at all. So this late July I started tending the vine. I watered it and fed it with fertiliser. This spring I have been rewarded with several lovely flowers.
Picture caption: A cluster of four wisteria flowers against the garden wall.
A close up of a single wisteria flower. Its petals are white and purple.
I am late this week with my W3 and Esther Chilton’s writing challenge combined contribution. This is partly due to the fact that my W3 poem did not meet all the stated requirements in the way requested. I bent the rules so I am publishing this with a reference to the W3 inspiration source but I’m not linking to the challenge.
Two orange butterflies on purple flowers in the DrakensbergBee on a cosmos flower in our local parkBeetle on a garden plantStinkbug on a garden tapButterfly on the outside flagstones
Warning, spiders ahead!
Some sort of orb spider in the DrakensbergThe same orb spider from a different angle which results in different lightingB&W picture of a golden orb spider in the bush
We haven’t had wildfires in Johanneburg but I have had scary experiences with wildfires during my lifetime so Terri’s story is close to my heart. I didn’t think I had any photographs to contribute for this topic but then I remembered a couple of photographs I took when we travelled out of Joburg early in the morning a few week ago. The sky was full of pollution from the winter fires people light to keep warm. The pollution in Joburg has become so bad we are planning to retire to the coast. I’m worried about the health effects as we all suffer with coughs, burning eyes and other air pollution nasties.
Picture of a dull gold disc rising above a red, smoke filled sky.A more distant picture of the dull golden disc of the sun rising into a red, smoke filled sky. you can see the traffic on the road.
I had a crazy week and ended up working until 9pm on Thursday which through my week off. I also had to take Dad to the hospital for lung functioning tests. The doctor says there is no deterioration but he’s turned into an old man and is shuffling around using a walking stick. No-one seems to have an answer for his problems. I think its long Covid.
Picture caption: Yellow Banks Roses – I love thesePicture caption: Jasmine buds and blooms. They smell delightful. Picture caption: White plum blossom against a blue skyPicture caption: I like this photograph of a single spray of white plum blossom against a blue sky
Reminder: Sunflower Tanka Anthology submissions are open until 31 August
Picture caption: Beautiful yellow sunflowers
Submissions to the Sunflower Tanka syllabic poetry anthology are open until Monday, 31 August.
Colleen and I look forward to reading your submissions. I am starting to work on the anthology tomorrow.
Picture caption: Cover of Pull which features what appears to me to be ink swirling in water. The colours are dark and light grey.
What Amazon says
Alex isn’t just running from his past—he’s running from everyone’s.
Born with the ability to see people’s memories by touch, he spends his days trying to shut out the lifetime of traumatic memories he’s collected while he focuses on his work at his brother’s tech company, desperate for some semblance of a normal life. But that proves difficult with rumors of security breaches at rival companies, and the mysterious disappearance of a beloved employee.
Just as he feels he’s about to take a step toward normalcy, a violent kidnapping turns his world upside down. Unable to stand by any longer, Alex must turn to his ability to search for clues in the memories of the people around him to find the perpetrator before the ransom clock ends.
Pull is a mind-bending thriller with a plot that twists and turns, leaving you unsure who to believe and asking yourself… are you one of the good ones?
My review
I reviewed this book in my capacity as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team. If you would like your book reviewed, you can contact Rosie Amber here: http://rosieamber.wordpress.com/.
This is a unique and fascinating story about a young man, Alex Hemsley, who has the ability to absorb other people’s memories when he touches them. This gift is not small and manageable as he does not read flashes of memories but rather every memory the person has. This talent has a positive side as he can ‘pull’ someone and gain all their knowledge thereby gaining a huge intellectual advantage. The down side is he also sees anything bad a person has done. He can also feel the persons dark emotions.
The story kicks off with Alex assisting the police with the interrogation of a suspected child molester and murderer. The murderer deliberately touches Alex thereby passing all the details of his unbalanced and cruel mind and emotions on to Alex, along with all his memories of the numerous murders he has committed.
The story then moves on to Alex in his job as the head of security for his brother, Drew’s, data storage company. Some of the data stored is highly sensitive and relates to details about people who have made information deals with the police in exchange for new identities. Many of these people are very evil and, through the eyes of the families of their victims, do not deserve police protection. Drew’s company and the companies of his competitors, make a lot of money out of the data protection services they provide.
Drew informs Alex that one of their competitor company’s has suffered a major data security break and that information has been leaked. He tells Alex to tighten security in anticipation of a similar attempted breach. The brothers quickly become embroiled in a murder and kidnapping where the ransom is the provision of their company’s data in each for the life of the victim. With the clock ticking, Alex and Drew set out to try and find the kidnapped woman and Alex is pressed into using his skill as a ‘puller’ to help their investigation. During the course of inquiries, Alex discovered another type of ability called ‘pushing’ where the ‘pusher’ can implant false memories into the minds of their victims thereby manipulating their memories, thoughts, and actions. The kidnapper appears to be the mysterious ‘pusher’ but who is this person, and why does he/she so desperately want the secret data held by Drew’s company?
Due to the nature of the villain and their ability to ‘push’ people and override their real memories, the story takes on an unreliable narrator perspective which is very interesting. It does mean, however, that the reader needs to read with attention as there are periods in the book when you don’t know what is real and what isn’t. The reader has to stay on his/her toes to pick up the unreliable parts and where the story changes.
I enjoyed this novel and this clever plot immensely and recommend it to readers who like a book that’s different and a bit challenging.
David is this week’s host and he has asked poets to write about life changes as follows:
Sometimes life changes enough that something familiar becomes new again.
“Think of something you have experienced in the past, are experiencing now, or imagine experiencing in the future: doing an ordinary thing you have done many times before, but under changed circumstances that make it feel like a first time.”
During our trip to the Kruger National Park last week we had the tremendous good luck to see an African fish eagle landing on its nest. It was making its iconic call known as the Sound of Africa.
I am introducing my poem with a video of the cry of the African fish eagle.
Loud, haunting
the yodel-like call
disrupted the music
inside the vehicle
Sound of Africa
ringing forth
evocative and stirring
We jumped. Looked
Encircled by leafy branches
African fish eagle landed
on its messy nest
head thrown backwards
projecting the sound
far across the veld
Picture caption: African fish eagle landing on its nest. I love the encircling tree.Picture caption: The typical calling posture of an African fish eagle with its head thrust forward.
Picture caption: This large safari vehicle has doors. The reason I took the photograph though was the little silhouette on top of the cab. What could it be?
The little creature on top of the cab in the vehicle photograph is a vervet monkey. This are adorable but also little terrorists who will steal very efficiently and effectively. This one had just pinched food out of the vehicle of a family of tourists. The family was quite shocked and horrified at having a bag of treats snatched out of the hands of a small child. Naughty it might be but it was so adorable with its look of complete innocence as it ate its treat.
And for Terri’s golden Sunday Stills a few pictures of Borke’s Luck Potholes. We were so lucky with our timing and the mellow winter sun turned the rocky facings to gold. Have I mentioned that yellow is my favourite colour (grin!)
I wrote this poem today after sorting through my work week in my head. It was a good week. I got a lot done. My young colleague told me on Thursday afternoon just before I left for the week that she was exhausted. She also got a lot done because I give delivery dates for work that I then review. I think its a good thing the team has Friday’s to recover from my tyranny – haha! I am getting a 40 hour week’s worth of work done in 24 hours and that takes drive and determination.
Thursday Doors and The Flower Hour
Terri decided to suggest flowers in planters for The Flower Hour this week. Eeek! I don’t take many photographs of plants in planters. Then, I remembered the indoor conservatory in the delightful hotel TC and I stayed in in Paris. It is called Hotel Keppler and was very old fashioned and delightful. I also took photographs of some of the doors in the hotel so this is a double whammy for Dan’s Thursday Doors too.
Picture caption: Bonjour TC. I like the red seater he’s wearing. I chose it!
Please take a seat in the guest lounge while we complete your check in. (Well, I got to sit, he had to stand at the desk and fill in forms.)
Picture caption: Guest lounge with double glass doors onto a small courtyard
Picture caption: tables and chairs on the other side of the guest lounge where you could order alcoholic drinks or, if you are me and brazen, Earl Grey tea in a teapot. The same double glass doors are in the background.
Two slightly different photographs of the indoor conservatory in the dining room of the Hotel Keppler. It was very pretty with lots of greenery and lovely flowers. The food was very good too.
Got a question or an observation about the book, the GEM method, the author, or the tour? If not, just say, “Hello!” Comments at each stop earn entries in the Giveaway for a chance to win one of four signed print copies (If you live outside the U.S. a free digital copy will be substituted due to the high costs of international shipping.)
About A GEM for your Pre- or Type 2 Diabetes
Picture caption: Cover of A Gem for your Pre- or Type 2 Diabetes featuring the sun rising over the ocean
Have you just been diagnosed with prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes and don’t know where to turn, or have you tried different weight-loss programs or medications that haven’t done enough?
GEM—Glucose Everyday Matters offers a practical, science-based approach to preventing and managing prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes by focusing on one powerful idea: reducing blood glucose spikes that can quietly damage health, energy, mood, and motivation.
Developed from decades of clinical research and real-world coaching, GEM helps readers understand why blood sugar rises—and how small, realistic choices can improve it. Rather than rigid diets or exhausting exercise plans, GEM teaches flexible strategies that fit everyday life: eating smarter, moving with purpose, understanding your body’s signals, and using glucose feedback as a tool for empowerment.
Inside this book, you will discover how to: • Lower blood sugar naturally and sustainably • Reduce cravings, fatigue, and energy crashes • Lose weight without feeling deprived • Improve motivation, confidence, and emotional well-being • Use simple movement and meal strategies to reduce glucose spikes • Personalize diabetes management to fit your lifestyle and goals • Build lasting habits that support long-term health
Whether you are newly diagnosed, trying to avoid diabetes, struggling despite medications, or supporting a loved one, GEM provides a compassionate, evidence-based roadmap toward better health—one manageable step at a time.
This is not about being perfect. It is about discovering what works for you and making meaningful changes.
To learn more about diet and blood glucose control, see A GEM for your Pre- and Type 2 Diabetes at your favorite retailer here:https://books2read.com/GEM
Becoming Aware of Choices
How Do Carbohydrates Really Affect Blood Glucose (BG)?
There are three classes of foods, called macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. These categories can be further divided into many subgroups. Of these three macronutrients, carbohydrates are the primary nutrient that significantly raises blood glucose (BG). Most foods contain a combination of all three macronutrients. See the examples in the table below.
Standard reference estimates are provided.
Food / Beverage
Carbohydrates (g)
Fiber (g)
Protein (g)
Fat (g)
6 oz grilled salmon
0
0
34
18
Red wine (5 oz)
4
0
0
0
Cabbage (1 cup, raw)
5
2
1
0
Peanut butter & jelly sandwich
40
4
10
16
Potato chips (1 oz)
15
1
2
10
Oatmeal with raisins (1 cup oats + 2 tbsp raisins)
49
5
6
3
Whole milk (8 oz)
12
0
8
8
Raisin bran with whole milk (1 cup cereal + 1 cup milk)
58
7
13
—
This table illustrates an important point: not all foods are created equal when it comes to macronutrient composition.
Even more importantly, not all carbohydrates are the same. As shown on nutrition labels, some foods contain fiber, a form of carbohydrate that is not digested and therefore does not raise blood glucose. To estimate the carbohydrates that actually affect BG, you can calculate net carbohydrates by subtracting grams of fiber from total carbohydrates.
Some ketogenic and “low net carb” products also include sugar alcohols, which are carbohydrates that may be only partially absorbed, digested more slowly, or excreted before fully impacting blood glucose. For this reason, some products subtract both fiber and sugar alcohols to estimate net carbohydrates.
Why does “net carbohydrate” matter?
Researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center have estimated that, on average, one gram of carbohydrate raises blood glucose by about 4 mg/dL (though individual responses vary).
Using the examples above, a meal of grilled salmon, cabbage, and red wine might raise blood glucose by approximately 28 mg/dL, while a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a bag of chips and a glass of milk might be expected to raise it by approximately 248 mg/dL.
Understanding these differences highlights the powerful role that food choices can play in blood glucose management.
To learn more about diet and blood glucose control, see A GEM for your Pre- and Type 2 Diabetes at your favorite retailer.
If you have had type 2 diabetes (T2D) for 24 months or less and would like information about our ongoing NIH GEM study, contact Jacqueline Rodriguez at ZMT8XG@uvahealth.org or 434-422-2653.
Food Choices
About Daniel J. Cox
Picture caption: Author image of Daniel J. Cox
Daniel J. Cox (Dan) is a professor of Psychiatry, Internal Medicine and Ophthalmology at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center and a member of the Center for Diabetes Technology. He is a longstanding investigator of behavioral diabetes- how behavior affects diabetes and how diabetes affects behavior. His research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and industry (LifeScan, Abbott, DexCom, Lilly).
In 2010 he shifted his research focus from type 1 to type 2 diabetes (T2D) following his own diagnosis of T2D. He was not optimistic about losing weight and was not thrilled about a lifetime of medication, so he developed an alternative and effective way of managing T2D. Glucose Everyday Matters focuses on preventing high blood glucose (BG) by choosing foods that do not raise BG much and by lowering high BG with physical activity. Since an initial diagnostic A1c of 10.3 (reflecting a three-month BG average), GEM has put his diabetes in remission-lowered his A1c below 6.5 with no medication. This transformation was achieved with significant critique, support, and help from his wife Debbie.
Tour Schedule
Mon. 7/20: Short Trailer &“How DoesGEMWork?” –Poetry by Mich: Hotel by Masticadores: Masticadores Philippines
Tues. 7/21: “Becoming Aware of Choices” & “Food Choices”–Roberta Writes
Wed. 7/22: “Dietician Monica Davis Interviews Daniel J. Cox” –Patty’s Worlds
Thurs. 7/23: “Bringing Down BG with Pysical Activity” & “Gem’s Research Findings”– Undawnted
Fri. 7/24: “Protecting and Extending Your Investment” –Writing to be Read
Today is Friday at last and I do have it off. My work hours are under severe threat and I’m going to have to increase them for three months as I have a big project on the go. There is no use in working the hours and not getting paid for them. Anyhow, onwards and upwards.
d’Verse, Tanka Tuesday and W3
I’ve used the d’Verse theme of night provided by the wonderful Dora for both my Tanka Tuesday and my W3 offerings this week.
I selected the tradition of using the Southern Cross constellation as a directional guide combined with working on a computer.
My Artificial Life
Dark night of my computer screen
loads itself into start mode.
Logon criteria flash,
artificial Southern Cross.
Guiding my entrance into
another working day.
The Flower Hour
Last week I mentioned that I’d attended a partner conference in my new job. These photographs are of the gorgeous pincushion protea flower arrangements that graced the lunch tables.
Flower arrangement featuring three pincushion proteas in red, orange, and yellow.
Close up of a single pincushion protea. The red tipped orange petals are narrow and curve inwards above its yellow centre hence its name – pincushion protea.
A slightly more distanced shot of the three pincushion proteas flower arrangement.
Thursday Doors
On Sunday past, my family attended the Rocky Horror Picture Show at Monte Casinos Pieter Torien theatre. It’s been more years than I’m going to tell you since TC and I last saw this show and I’d forgotten how graphic it is. I was a bit worried about Michael’s friend, Jenna, but she took it in her stride and enjoyed it.
It’s been a crazy week! Is there any other kind of week, I wonder. I attended New Partner Induction on Monday and Tuesday and a Partner Conference from Wednesday to Friday. So many new ideas and new people. My coping mechanism is to draw and paint and write poems so I have three poems to share with you today. I have also started a new art project – my biggest to date and perhaps my most ambitious. Michael thinks its ambitious but I just think its just bigger. All my art projects are very ambitious at the time of initiation. I push myself further with each new painting.
Tanka Tuesday
Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday challege this week is to write a tanka Puente poem with the theme of light vs dark.
Picture caption: kori bustard posing for the camera
Thursday Doors
My blogging friend, Brian, featured a photograph of the gargoyles of Notre Dame pre the fire. You can read his post here: https://equinoxio21.wordpress.com/2026/07/07/random-travels-umpteen/. I am sharing a few pictures I took of Notre Dame and its gargoyles so Brian can rest assured they are thriving. My shots aren’t as good as his!
roberta-writes.com 