Pirates On the Scribe’s Desk!

The Jolly Roger_Wikipedia

Oh BOO! It has come to my attention that pirates have been frequenting my site, which has forced me to declare, “No Pirates Allowed!” I’ve had to remove some pics from my posts, which diminshes some of the dazzle, I am most sorry to say; but you can find the photos at the Official Websites they origninated from.

In movies and books and history, the flag of the pirate —the Jolly Roger— seems romantic. In real life, pirates still have the power to instill dread and woe in the hearts of wayfarers on the seas, and so it would appear, in cyberspace!

How Kelvyn Got His Name…..A Comment From France!

How Kelvyn Got His Name_Written by Rosie Reay_Illustrated by Candice McMullan_Foden Press

You know people love it when they know their work is being read and appreciated! It seems that How Kelvyn Got His Name is enjoying some International Attention! Here is a comment from a grandfather in France who is showing this book some love! He really got what the book is all about! Rosie Reay, you should be proud of yourself! Also, if you happen to be in the business of writing book reviews, comment on this post to see how you can review this fun EBook!

Take a look at the comment from France below, and don’t forget to read the post!

“As a still young grandfather, I wanted to encourage my twin grandsons to improve their English with fun and enjoyable reading material. While searching on the web, I fall on “How Kelvyn Got His Name - The Chimona Chronicles” and found it a real quality book that does not consider our kids as morons but helps them to travel along with the lovely & exhilarating characters…for sure, friendship is highly valued among the pages/screens and this is, to my knowledge, an essential message to forward to the coming generations…”

Dominic, Paris, France

From How Kelvyn Got His Name! A Great New Children’s Book Release!, 2009/06/13 at 1:58 AM

How Kelvyn Got His Name! A Great New Children’s Book Release!

How Kelvyn Got His Name_by Rosie Reay_Foden Press

Stop the presses everyone! I have some really great and thrilling news! There is a new series on the block, and it is called The Chimona Chronicles! Book 1 of the new series, How Kelvyn Got His Name, written by Rosie Reay with illustrations by Candice McMullan, has arrived and is online NOW at Foden Press and ready for download! The story takes place at the beautiful Lake Okanagan Resort and its golf course in breathtaking, and at times, mysterious British Columbia, Canada. The tale revolves around a very special little chipmunk named Chimona, a curious, cheeky, but very business minded big brother to a pair of giggling twin sisters; and Gopher One, Chimona’s best pal and the coolest Gopher on the golf course. Chimona and the gang dwell at the Lakeside and have most fittingly dubbed themselves the O.L.K’s or a.k.a the Okanagan Lakeside Kids.

Gopher One_How Kelvyn Got His Name_By Rosie Reay_Foden Press

Most of the fun for the chipmunk gopher duo is chasing errant golf balls and trading them at Mrs. Priscilla Porcupine’s store, Porquilon for cash—you never know where a chipmunk may want to travel—then one day, Chimona decides his greatest friend Gopher One is just too spectacular not to have a very spectacular and fitting name of his very own. So ensues one of the world’s least known jobs of Naming! The Name the Gopher Project takes off, spearheaded of course by Chimona himself; but as the project gains momentum, the other Lakeside critters become involved and the Naming Event of the season is attended by the “old folks” as well as the O.L.K’s.

The Chimona Chronicles Series_By Rosie Reay_Foden Press

How Kelvyn Got His Name is an entertaining book filled with humor and hilarity, a bonus poem and a twist, and the naming aspect of the story will stretch the imaginations of young and old alike. You will meet the varied and charming family and friends of Chimona and the O.L.K’s, and find that this little resort community is filled with warmth, laughter, caring and friendship. Let this story thrill you with the legend of the fabled Ogopogo, critter capers, and discover why having your very own name is the most important thing in the world!

The Squirrel From Wirral_How Kelvyn Got His Name_By Rosie Reay_Foden Press

The author Rosie Reay is a fine new voice in the arena of children’s literature, and the illustrator Candice McMullan does a very fine job indeed of capturing the critters of the Okanagan Lakeside. And lest we forget, I am proud to say I edited this engaging read, so read on dear friends! I highly recommend this eBook and give it both thumbs up! It’s just in time for summer, so load it up onto the laptop and take it with you on a roadtrip to entertain the entire family!

How Kelvyn Got His Name_By Rosie Reay_Illustrated By Candice McMullan_Foden Press

Shrinking Violet …A Cinderella Story With A Rockin’ Spin!

OK…..I have an admission to make. A long time ago in grade four, my bestest friend read all the important literature necessary to being a girl in grade four. She read books written by Judy Blume and V.C. Andrews, books that were outlawed in my existence like the secret scrolls of the Gnostics. So now, though I am a full fledged adult with a youngling of my own, I love to indulge my inner teenager with stories about teenage angst, first love, rites of passage, defeating the mean girls, going against the popular high school status quo, and of course, the under dog coming out on top.

Shrinking Violet By Danielle Joseph_Amazon

Just the other day on my travels, I came across a new book titled Shrinking Violet written by Danielle Joseph. This is definitely a Cinderella story with a rockin’ spin. It’s a book about an excruciatingly shy high school senior named Teresa Adams, aka Tere, who winds up indulging her cooler DJ alter ego Sweet T at her stepfather’s radio station The Slam, and ends up becoming a hit sensation with the listeners. Even Gavin, the only boy she dares talk to at school, is enamored of this new DJ at The Slam. Now instead of rockin’ out with her iPod in the privacy of her own room, she’s jammin’ on the airwaves, and believe it or not, her DJ identity is a mystery! Yet the privacy of her DJ sanctum is soon to be disrupted when The Slam holds a songwriting contest, and the grand prize is a date with her at the prom! Will it be her worst nightmare come true, or will this shrinking violet finally bloom and seize the day?

Well, I may have missed my chance to attend Danielle Joseph’s book signing yesterday at B & N, but I won’t miss my chance to pick up a copy of this book that sounds most engaging and looks like it will be a very good read just in time for summer! I definitely recommend it as just the thing to indulge your inner alter ego and maybe even your inner teenager! And don’t forget to check out this author at http://www.daniellejoseph.com/

Anne Boleyn…The Most Happy

The Other Boleyn Girl_Amazon

The idea that women used to be bartered like cattle a mere 500 years ago is quite utterly appalling to me. No where is this more clearly demonstrated than in the dazzling pageantry of the film The Other Boleyn Girl. Henry VIII was well known as a voracious philanderer, unconscionable adulterer and a murderer. It is this image we remember rather than the charismatic, shining ruler who roused a nation. There are many ways to traverse the downfall of a king, and Henry’s once golden rule dwindled to that of a corpulent man in decline. The theme music in the movie for the character of Henry is ominous and chilling, a fitting score for the reality of the terrifying man. When he tired of one woman, he simply found a way to rid himself of her, and whether it be sinister or not, it was sanctioned lest the ax fall upon the necks of the nobles or clergy of the king’s council.

Henry VIII_Tudor History Org

Unfortunately, the lot of women in Tudor times was bleak at best. Beauty, wealth and good breeding were a woman’s only currency, and making a brilliant match was all one could hope for.

Mary Boleyn At Tudor History.Org

Just look at Mary. She attained the great heights of the king’s bed, only to receive 100 pounds, and that only after being left destitute for quite some time once Henry’s fascination with her waned. Did Anne fare any better? Yes, she became queen of England, the highest of titles in the land afforded a woman, yet even she could not escape the king’s wrath.

Anne Boleyn, the most happy, was cunning and calculating — ruthless even — intelligent and a master strategist; traits that would have been highly valued if she hadn’t been a woman and was a man instead.

Anne Boleyn_Tudor History Org

She was daringly ambitious and eager to rid herself of the yolk of her Howard uncle. The desire to be free of a man was a trait she passed down to her daughter. To be in control of your own destiny was a dangerous desire for a woman in a land where intrigue was rife and betrayal abounded.  Terrifying if she failed. Glorious if she succeeded. And in fact, as we all know, Anne did succeed. Yet no truer were the words, “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.” Written by the master bard Shakespeare in 1597 (approx.) in Henry the IV, Part 2. Who was he thinking of I wonder? The play was written a scant 61 years after Anne — one of England’s most notoriously famous queens, second only to her daughter, the great and glorious Elizabeth I — was executed for the false charges of witchcraft, and the more disputed charges of adultery and incest with her own brother, George on May 19th, 1536 — exactly 473 years ago today.

Elizabeth I_The Rainbow Portrait_Tudor History Org

How well Henry succeeded in thoroughly tarnishing her already dubious character is apparent even to this day, as Anne’s equivocal quilt is open to heated debate even now. Yet Anne achieved a legacy that Henry played an unwitting part in orchestrating, and though Anne succumbed to the executioner’s blade and her own mortal condition, she laid claimed to an immortality that Henry and his contemporaries could have never perceived when Elizabeth — Anne and Henry’s only daughter — laid claim to the throne. So Anne it seems, triumphed after all, though I am certain even that ill fated lady would caution, “Be most careful what you wish for.” Did Elizabeth ever wish to be queen? I wonder.

Yes, Henry changed the very face and landscape of his beloved England, but it was Anne who ignited a king with the force of her will, and begat a dynasty that lasted an age.

Anne Boleyn_Tudor History Org_The Signature of a Queen

Labou Is Here!

No Pirates Allowed! For Original Photo See Official Homepage

Well, I do have some news! I have come across a new kids’ movie that looks like it will be great fun for the whole family! It is called Labou and it is out May 19th, which is today! So, tell everyone you know who has kids, because you wouldn’t want to miss it! The DVD is being released through MGM/ 20th Century Fox, and you can find it at WalMart, Target, Best Buy, Amazon, BlockBuster, and many more!

So, buy a copy….or two (it’ll make a cool gift!) and enjoy a great little flick!

Bringing In the May

No Pirates Allowed! For Original Photo See Link Below!

No Pirates Allowed! For Original Photo See Link Below!

Let’s pretend that this is May 1st during the glory that was ancient and historical times in England. If it were, we would do something that would be called ‘Bringing In the May’. All the robust lads would have erected a May Pole, and at the crack of dawn, all the children would be roused from their beds to run through the fields to gather flowers still wet with dew. The most lovely maiden would be crowned Queen of the May and there would be dancing around the May Pole, revelry and bonfires, amongst other things that would last long into the night. May Day is an ancient festival with Pagan roots. It was the 2nd most important holiday of the year for the Druids because it was when Beltane was held.

Beltane, an ancient Celtic festival, is related to the revels of May Day. May Day or May 1st, falls exactly six months from Samhain, another Celtic celebration of ancient times which falls on the 1st of November. During the day, most of the May Day celebrating was above board, and marked the definite end of a long, harsh and dark winter. At night, however, it was indeed a very different story, when the revels took on a decidedly raucous slant where many random couplings often took place around, beside, far or near the huge Beltane blaze. Many a babe was born nine months hence as an ode to the rejoicing that had taken place.

Oh, how we miss the Pagans. What would it have been like to dance with great frivolity around the beribboned May Pole and be chosen Queen of the May, and perhaps even be kissed by a king? Well, if not during Beltane, then there is always Midsummer, aka Litha, where we can celebrate the Summer Solstice. Wherever there is a bonfire lit, revelry and debauchery are sure to follow. But that my friends, is quite another story…..
Photos:

Beltane Bonfire on Calton Hill

May Pole

Happy Earth Day One and All!

Unofficial Earth Day flag by John McConnell_Wikipedia

It’s Earth Day today. Today also marks the date for the long aticipated Disney movie Earth. I am so excited to see this movie! My youngling and I have waited for what seems like eons. In addition to seeing movies, my little one and I will be talking about Canada’s Top 10 Actions To Help the Earth. Energy saving light bulbs, water saver shower heads, short showers, turning off the water while brushing the little chiclets are just a few of the things we can do everyday to be custodians of the Earth. For a full list of actions and ideas, check out Earth Day Canada. Oh, and don’t forget to sneak a peek at Earth. Happy Earth Day!

American Violet

I just saw a trailer for American Violet. This was a very gripping preview. I want to see this movie, but this is the first time I’ve seen anything about it. Why?! Can anyone tell me about this movie? In the mean time, I’ll be ferreting out some info to post to this blog. Stay tuned!

Clash of the Titans…..Again! Yeah!

Lesson learned. I should just write about this s*** when I think of it. Then y’all would really think I’m an oracle! Rule#1 - Stop procrastinating, Kyra! Honestly! Anyways…………………

The Clash of the Titans 1981_IMDB

So, I was thinking a couple of months ago after watching The Clash of the Titans (you know the old 1981 movie where a young Harry Hamlin played the hero Perseus? An even younger Maggie Smith of Harry Potter fame played the goddess Thetis, and Laurence Olivier was king (he actually played Zeus, too!)), I thought, “Geez, I wonder when they are going to do a remake of The Clash of the Titans?” Well, I need wait no more! Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes(also of Harry Potter fame!) are tapped to play Zeus and Hades, respectively in the new and improved version of The Clash of the Titans due out in 2010! I can’t begin to tell you how stoked I am to live in this era of movie making! I loved the original movie — the 80’s puppetry, the 80’s acting and the 80’s script — loved it! It was about the gods! And I dig nothing if not mythology! So, you know this movie is gonna rock! They’ve got some great actors on board, gods and Greek mythology, and great CGI at their disposal. (Maybe WETA?) What could go wrong? Unless they’re completely clueless and their work ethic is like a banker’s on Sunday, it’ll be a cake walk! My youngling will be ecstatic to see Pegasus fly! Are you as excited as I am to see this flick? Let me know!