I seem to have lost January completely, so what happened there? Cleared up and got life together again following Christmas, had several dental appointments to fit a new crown, had editing, reading and committee sessions in my capacity as a volunteer with the Talking Magazine for the Blind; continued with the novel in progress and then fell over in my kitchen -- during the day I hasten to add in case anyone might think I'd been imbibing anything stronger than tea -- I hadn't -- and injured my left wrist. It was painful and swollen enough to warrant a visit to the casualty department at my local hospital where it was x rayed and my arm put in a plaster cast; the following day the cast was taken off and a wrist strap put on; the consultant decreed that it was not a fracture after all but a soft tissue injury. Whatever it was, I lost a week's work as I couldn't bend my fingers or thumb. However, it is just about back to normal now and I have today finished the editing and checking of the manuscript which I have titled THE INNKEEPER'S DAUGHTER. It remains to be seen whether the title will be kept, and indeed if my editor and publishers like it!
I was again invited to an interview on Radio Humberside to discuss the proposed closure of the mobile libraries in Lincolnshire. I have previously given my views on this subject and they remain the same. Readers must have free access to books or reading matter. Libraries are essential as I said as a guest speaker for the Friends of Hull Central Library. Thank goodness that the East Riding Library Service appears to thrive.
Since February began I have been to two free lectures on Charles Dickens in this his 200th anniversary of his birth. What an amazing writer he was. Like Shakespeare he was pure genius. After reading the works of both these great men, it doesn't make me want to give up my own poor offerings, but only want to do better.
I'll finish by saying I didn't receive a single Valentine card but that I don't mind a bit, for I absolutely know without a shadow of doubt, that I have been loved.
