Enjoy the voice of an angel (I am not the first to name her thus), Christine Primrose, with the backdrop of her adopted home, the Isle of Skye.  This is for dear Kymali currently posting as Edinburgh Keepsake.  She’s on the Isle of Skye now, having a cuppa with my friends and finding out why I will always call this island home.  Tomorrow she’ll be heading to the north end of the island and hopefully seeing some of the scenery featured in this lovely video; Loch Coruisk, Elgol, Sligachan, the Cuillins, Portree, the Trotternish Ridge, the Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock amongst other things.  I will take vicarious pleasure in your journey and look forward to hearing about it when you return.    

Here’s an image of Skye that you won’t see everyday, unless you live there and this is what makes it so brilliant, amongst other things.  The Old Man of Storr is but a dark pinnacle in the background, the sheep sheltering from the coming weather stealing the show.  All credit for this photo goes to Frank Heumann, who has been expressing his love and awe of Skye for over six years photographically.  For any of you interested in seeing the Isle of Skye as it is, click on the link provided.  For ‘absolutescotland’ and ‘kymali’ this is preparation for the day in the hopefully near future when you go there.  Feast your eyes on Frank’s incredible images and then tell me you are not in love with this island.  

“Kymali” wondered where she had heard about the Victorian therapy used for treating hysteria in women…(Read, “Something For the Coffee Table” for this to make any sense and to have a laugh), and I think I have an idea.  It is referenced in some literature of the time but more recently,  in the movie “Hysteria,” with the really quite gorgeous Hugh Dancy.  That was the provocation I needed to write a piece I have been toying with for years.  I hope those of you who read it enjoyed it and thanks for your note Kymali.   

The voice of the narrator, the voice of rich coffee with compelling tone reaches into you.  It speaks of movement and of a wind you willingly surrender to and of places far, of experiences deep and time like ripples ever growing, of the unforgettable and of wander lust, the lust to wander whispering in your ear so softly, beckoning, come now.  Do it now.  

For Jen who travels like a chameleon, stepping into others lives for a while, of Cheri who carries a library of countries and people in her mind and longs for her other home, for Yvonne who will soon be starting her adventure and for Kymali - it’s all in front of you.   

mnmal:

A story for tomorrow.

Get out there. Explore.

If you love books, I strongly compel you to join the unofficial book club on “Randomize” the excellent blog of ‘kymali.’  She has set herself and her readers different challanges from naming your favourite book to discussing the most disappointing.  I love to read her thoughtful opinions and she encourages me to do more than read,  to also think about and discuss what I like.  It’s the best kind of book club.  There’s more too because this is a lover of the arts and it’s apparent she’s spent many hours in darkened cinemas, soaking up every detail.  Have a look and you’ll see I’m not exaggerating.

For the rapacious bibliophile, feast on this image - “El Péndulo” Bookstore in Mexico City.  Follow the link and you can visit 13 of the most unusual bookstores in the world. Now that’s an interesting question - what makes a bookstore good?  Who dares to answer?  Many years ago I loved a bookstore in a small fishing village called Mallaig.  It was hardly a store, more a van or trailer with books in it.  What made it truly marvelous, an Alladin’s cave for me was the selection of ecclectic reading material.  It was jammed with treasures and it had the benefit of taking you out of the rain for a while! 

You are the first to make this point and I will certainly think about it.  I believe there are more stories, more adventures from Stephanie yet. 

“Am I copying every other follower’s opinion if I say you should write more fiction for your tumblr?
I loved the idea of the desert island ad, but I was barely disappointed when Stephanie didn’t get to go there, because the turn the story took was even better!
I hope I’ll see more of this soon. I like the other texts you write very much, but I believe that fiction reveals much more about the people who write it, so I find it more interesting. ”

What a compliment, the idea of anyone rushing home to read my story.  That’s made if for me, really.  Thank you Kymali and to all of you for the lovely things you’ve said, I really appreciate it.  

“ I missed the vote, but I’m dying to read your story! Believe it or not, it was one of my reasons for wanting to come home soon. 

— kymali”

Many thank Kymali for following me.  It  was my pleasure to electronically leaf through the pages of your ecclectic selection of movie stars, humour, irony, beautiful simplicity Britishness and the homage you have bestowed upon the wonderful Mr. Firth, a.k.a Mr. Darcy.   As thanks, I give you an iconic image and one I hope you will like - the equally fabulous Avengers.

(Patrick Macnee, Diana Rigg and Honor Blackman starred, for those who are interested.)