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It’s been an interesting summer for several reasons and now is a good time to reflect. I, like so many others, was taken aback by the death of Amy Winehouse. It wasn’t so much that her death was unexpected or surprising, it was easy to see that someone needed to step in, but the simple fact that so much talent was lost at such an early age. I still plan to discuss it in a full blog post. It angers me that more can’t be done to help those with serious drug and alcohol problems. I see it every single day and already lost a very good friend to those very issues.
Other hot news items this past summer, mostly political in nature, are too painful for me to comment on at this time. I am deeply angry and anger isn’t particularly constructive. I know that not everyone sees the political landscape as I do, but I truly fear for the future of my country. What saddens me the most is having enough firsthand knowledge and experience to know that the United States, even in its current embattled state, is the best thing going. I hope and pray that we as a country get back to what is truly important, growing and creating, instead of deconstruction, increased regulation, and incentives for keeping the status quo.
On a happier note, I escaped the dreary economic and political news by reading some wonderful books. I finally read Angela’s Ashes, Tis, and Teacher Man, all by Frank McCourt. I also discovered author Harry Bernstein, whom I discussed here earlier. I read both The Invisible Wall and The Dream. I look forward to reading his final book The Golden Willow: The Story of a Lifetime of Love, if and when I can find it. The mere fact that he became a published author in his nineties continues to inspire me.
In August my reading unexpectedly turned toward Latin America. I read Conquistadora by Esmeralda Santiago and The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver. Once again, I inadvertently expanded my reading lists. Both books were so good, so compelling, that there was no question that I wanted to read everything else written by both authors. Both books also left me with additional ideas, techniques, etc. that I plan to eventually use in my own writing. Once again, I found myself reading more than writing.
It is time to get back to writing and blogging. I stated earlier this summer that my friend Cheryl Hedlund will serve as a guest blogger here at Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde. It hasn’t happened just yet, but I am still looking forward to her contributions. I am also looking into possibly participating in a blog tour. Currently you won’t find any book reviews here. I will shortly start publishing book reviews on Blog Critics. They will be reposted here. All book reviews pertaining to blog tours will be published here exclusively. Stay tuned as there is much more coming soon!
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