Sunday, March 13, 2016

Treasure Hunt – Andrea Camilleri

I loved Inspector Montalbano Italian television series, and I enjoyed this book about the Inspector. On the whole I enjoy translations sat in other cultures beside America which at times become predictable in terms of plot and character.

There were a few swear words which I could have done without.

As a matter of fact, I’m disconcerted at the amount of swearing included in modern fiction.

After the first few pages of Collins’ ‘The First Quarry’ I stopped reading the book altogether. The author was peppering the pages with so many four-letter words that he sounded like a kid who’d just discovered their existence.

Years ago I read somewhere that people who can’t put together one sentence without injecting an obscenity were ignorant, uneducated and inarticulate and could only express themselves in that way.

Current authors, however, have men, women – and possibly children – swearing like the proverbial troopers. They seem to include it not because of the type of character they’ve created or the situation the character is in but seemingly to show that this a tough sort of book.

I would really appreciate it if the publishers went back to the sometime used practice of marking the swearing words – if the author really feels he must include them – with asterisks.

I very much doubt that people fluent and addicted to swearing at all times are reading books. But if they did, they’d have the symbols to read the book in the way that suits them, while the rest of us wouldn’t feel our minds being polluted in spite of ourselves.

But to get back to Inspector Montalbano, this is not that kind of book, though the few four letter words that are there certainly wouldn’t have been missed if excluded.

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Honeymoon! A Sizzle or a Fizzle

Honeymoon! A Sizzle or a Fizzle: Prepare Mentally, Physically and Emotionally for the Best Time of Your Life!

You’ll find everything you need to know about planning a Honeymoon to remember in ‘Honeymoon! A Sizzle or a Fizzle’

Whatever your budget, there’s a Honeymoon destination that is just right for you.
Money no object? There’s Honeymoon castles and palaces waiting for you - from the ice structures in the north, to the traditional castles of the more moderate climates.
Find out where the celebrities go on their honeymoon, and be that special honeymoon couple yourself.

Is it a case of a Honeymoon with a child or two to consider? While there’s plenty of Honeymoon locations for just adults, there are also places for Familymoons which welcome children and even pets.

Decided to make you Honeymoon destination also your wedding destination? Learn the best way to plan your destination wedding and honeymoon with this Honeymoon Planning book.
Have a Honeymoon that is totally romantic, culturally uplifting, historically amazing, or just fun.
‘Honeymoon! A Sizzle or a Fizzle’ will introduce you to the world and give you practical tips on making the most of your Honeymoon time together.


Find it on Amazon and Smashwords







Friday, March 4, 2016

What's Involved in a a Baby Naming Ceremony?

The longer the ceremony, the more people should be involved. In compiling the ceremony consider some of the following:- 

Child’s Name - Tell your guests what your child’s name means and why you chose it -- perhaps you are paying tribute to a family member or to your ethnic heritage or perhaps you just like it. 

Child’s Heritage - Pay tribute to great grandparents and grandparents to highlight the continuity of family bonds from generation to generation.  Include a moment of reflection for those who have passed on. Ask grandparents to offer the parents some words of wisdom about raising a child. 

Promises to the child - Share your thoughts on your role as parent, and hopes and dreams for your baby. 

Siblings or other peers - Invite brothers or sisters or cousins to participate in the ceremony by presenting a bouquet of flowers, a drawing, or a simple handmade gift to your child or just to say a public hello. 

Involving Adult Relatives – Might like to share their view on the importance of family, reminiscing on their own experiences. Write and sing a song or poem promising the child their continuing support as s/he grows up, or promise to introduce the child to their favourite sport or favourite hobby etc., making the whole event are family occasion that they will remember for many years to come. 

Appointing Godparents/Guideparants/Guardians/Sponsors/Mentors – Share with your guests the reason for your choice, and ask them to publicly declare that they will help to nurture your child. 

Involvement of all Guests – Let all present, as a group, or individually, affirm their support as responsible for bringing up the next generation. 

Create a Wishing Box – Let each guest write a little note and put it in a wishing box supplied. To become more involved with the child, let the note suggest how the guest hopes to share his/her time or talent with the child to help it as it grows into adulthood. 

Begin a Scrap Book - Bring a scrap book or guest book and when guests arrive, ask them to write a message for the child. Invite messages of hope and promises for the child, so that when s/he is older, he or she can enjoy reading them. 

Use Birthday Cards – Buy birthday cards, from age 1 to 21, and ask family groups to select one and write a wish for your baby. Open one on each of the birthdays, and read the wish, while reminiscing over the event and people who were present when the card was written. 

Share a meal – If having a sit down lunch, place a candle at each setting, and ask each person to light the candle while saying a silent blessing for the baby. 


1. water, as a universal symbol of blessing and life

2. the laying of a hand on the child's head as a sign of blessing

3. holding the child for all to see or carrying the child among the guests as a ritual of introduction and welcome

4. the gift of a flower, a symbol of life's beauty and the unfolding of life.

5. the gift of a book, a sign of commitment to lifelong learning

6. lighting candles as a visual sign of support 

Hand out Certificates – Give Certificates to all the people who you feel are connected to the baby -  Godparents, Grandparents etc., or a certificate to each guest with your baby’s picture on it as a memento of the occasion.
Find out how to celebrate Baby Naming and other memorable event in