Blog-Letter February 1 2023

 February 1 2023

 

"Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you." 

Walt Whitman

 

 

Will he - won't he - see his shadow? The groundhog of course.  Or does it even matter. Some would say we'd be lucky if there were only 6 more weeks of winter! January 2023 in southern Ontario has been particularly dreary and sunless this winter. 

 

 

 

 

For those new to our newsletter, did you know Jamie Tremain is not one, but two authors? Pam Blance and Liz Lindsay write together as "Jamie Tremain"

 

From Pam:

I’m not a winter person by any stretch of the imagination. My idea of winter is sitting by the fire with a good book. Or in the car with the heated seats warming me like toast. I never want to leave. Best invention ever!

The snow is lovely when it’s falling and I can see the joy it brings to kids and dogs. Never knew a dog that didn’t like snow, but as for skiing, skating, snowmobiling and all things to do with snow…not for me. Skiing I’ve not tried. I’d most likely break my neck. Never been on skates but I do enjoy watching the dance skaters.

I tried snowmobiling many years ago and I have to admit it was fun, but as it was New Years day I probably had enough Dutch Courage in me to keep me warm. 

When the kids were young we would join a party of friends for a winter barbecue at a conservation area.The kids would play hockey on the frozen lake and loved to toboggan. I even tried snowshoes. Disaster!

Where I live, near Lake Ontario, it tends to be milder and although the weather forecasters keep predicting wild weather patterns and heavy snow storms it doesn’t always materialize. Road conditions are another matter. Freezing rain and snow squalls are not for driving in. I cancelled lunch with friends because of the ice on the roads. Even though the sun came out by noon and it was probably fine to drive. Better safe than sorry.  

Having noted all my dislikes about winter, one of my favorite books and movies of all time is Boris Pasternak’s ‘Dr. Zhivago’. I read the book in the sixties and have watched this movie at least a dozen times. The scenes with the house in Varykino, frozen in time, is a classic.

You’ve guessed it. I like to watch the winter from my comfy chair either looking out the window,  watching movies or preferably lost in a book.  When I wrote this the sun was out, and the snow is melting. I can’t wait for Spring but it’s like wishing one's life away.

Busy February is coming up. Liz and I are about a third of the way writing book number four in the Dorothy Dennehy Series -   Cultivating the Truth.  Other projects are also in the works.

Oh, bring on the snow! I’m hibernating at my computer while I wait on Liz’s next chapter. Maybe I’ll watch Dr Zhivago again or dig out the book. It’s in my bulging bookcase somewhere. 

 

From Liz:

Book Review -  The Newlywed by Anna Willett

 

I love fictional cold case stories and this latest by Anna Willett checks all the boxes. The Newlywed is a perfect blend of cold case detective work, complex characters, and human emotions. For me a bonus that it’s set in Australia – a setting I always enjoy!

Why did Jane Wilson vanish shortly after her marriage? How is her husband’s twin brother involved? What is causing her so much unease to return as a newlywed to the small seaside town of Seabreak, where she vacationed as a teenager?

Years after Jane’s disappearance, and assumed murder, D.I. Veronika Pope leads a new investigation. Coincidences are not her thing, and the clues mean more questions, especially when similar disappearances are discovered.

Anna Willett has created believable, and likeable, characters with D.I. Pope and her team. The tension and suspense that builds towards the conclusion are brilliantly woven. I cannot wait to read more of this series and would love to see D.I. Pope come to life as a television series.

If you’re a fan of good detective work, police procedurals, and an engaging mystery, read “The Newlywed” – it won’t disappoint!

Jamie Tremain News

As mentioned last month, our Genre 5 Writer Group Christmas get together was postponed courtesy of Mother Nature. But it was worth the wait when we gathered early in January. Over a delicious meal and cozy time by the fire, we enjoyed laughter and also found time for those serious topics that good friends can easily discuss. Did we solve the problems of the world? That would be telling - what gets discussed in our gatherings stays there. The headbands were an extra bonus!

Pam   Gloria   Donna   Liz   Donna

Wishing everyone a Happy Valentines, or Galentine's Day (Feb 13). The idea of this day, first originated with one of Liz's favourite shows, Parks and Recreation - the holiday focuses on the declaration of love and affection to the gals who make up our support system.  The above picture is a perfect example for the day!

And  Remember -

Kindness is more than deeds. It is an attitude, an expression, a look, a touch. It is anything that lifts another person.

Plato

We'd love to hear from you!  What are you reading? Have you taken a long over-due trip or vacation? Comment here or drop us a line at jamietremainJT@yahoo.com

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Blog-Letter January 1 2023

January 1 2023

Pam has written about Scottish New Year traditions a little further along. In the meantime, here are some perhaps lesser-known festivities from around the world.

In Brazil, New Years is the summer season and for those living near the water, it can mean heading to the beach. One is supposed to jump seven waves while making seven wishes. The tradition hearkens back to Yemanja, the goddess of water. And before getting in the water, make sure you are clothed all in white, which symbolizes purity.

If you’re in Spain, start off the New Year by eating 12 grapes, each symbolizing the strike of each hour on the clock. It began in the late 19^th century, believed to ward off evil while boosting your chance at a prosperous and lucky new year. There’s a catch though. You must eat all those grapes in a matter of seconds – they need to be gone by the time the clock finishes striking midnight.

Moving further south to India, you’d make an effigy of an ‘old man’ to represent the old year, and then burn it – at midnight of course. A good way to symbolize the passing of grievances from the old year, to make space for the birth of a new year.

In Japan, people start the new year by eating a warm bowl of soba noodles. This tradition dates back to the Kamakura period, and is tied to a Buddhist temple handing out the noodles to the poor. The long thin noodles, which are firm yet easy to bite, symbolizes a literal break away from the old year.

These are just a sample, but its amazing to learn how much food plays a part in closing out the old and welcoming in the new. Norway and Denmark have towering cakes, the Irish bang loaves of bread against walls and doors. Three potatoes are needed in Colombia, but in Greece it's an onion. Then there are Mexican tamales, and fruits in the Philippines, while in Haiti it’s sharing soup.

 

These customs focused on food seem to also symbolize that worldwide, we are more alike than different. Something to keep in mind as we move into another year. Too much of this world has grown unkind and just plain old mean. Let’s remember food, the symbolism behind respectful breaking of bread together and the reminder that without food, there would be nothing left to celebrate.

 

From Pam:

Word of the Day - Blether

Origin - Scottish

To talk in a long-winded way without making very much sense."There's plenty of stuff I could blether about from today”

 

I can still hear my mother saying,”Stop yer blethering!” And Liz says this to me all the time!

 

Hogmanay is the Scots word for the last day of the old year and is synonymous with the celebration of the New Year in the Scottish manner. Street parties and fireworks with much drinking and partying, as the New Year is celebrated the world over. Maybe not as loud and boisterous as the Scots, but most countries in the world observe the Gregorian calendar.

 

A custom still in use today is called “first footing”. It’s said to bring Good Luck for the New Year if a tall, dark haired man crosses your threshold, carrying a lump of coal for the fire to keep you warm, some whisky to also keep you warm (inside)  and some Black Bun to eat. This is a Scottish fruit cake with a hard crust and made black with a dense mixture of currants. An acquired taste.  No, a woman would not be the first foot in the door. Sounds a wee bit sexist to me but maybe times have changed.

 

 

December was the usual hectic time. Meeting old friends, eating and drinking with family and missing absent ones. 2023 has arrived, and Liz and I are looking forward to our continued passion, writing as Jamie Tremain. Book four in the Dorothy Dennehy Mysteries, Cultivating the Truth, is a work in progress.

If you like a good caper, another book we’re so excited to be a part of has been written by Gloria Ferris and Jamie Tremain.  A first for Ferris Tremain.

Worlds May Change — A Mechanic Falls Gem Caper. Publishing date TBD.

 

So bring on the New Year. We’re ready for you!

From Liz

As Pam mentioned above, December was a hectic time. Or maybe it's just been nearly three years since all this socializing and sharing time together was the norm and we're making up for lost time.  

 

In early December, we, along with Gloria Ferris, participated in a seasonal vendor event at Delmanor Retirement Home in Oakville. It was lovely to chat - despite the masks -  with some interesting folks and gain new fans of all our books.

 

 

 

 

 

Mother Nature derailed plans to have our Genre5 Writer Group Christmas get together just before Christmas. Freezing rain, and snow had us err on the side of caution and reschedule for January 4.

 

Also in December, we were happy to announce we now have our books available through Smashwords. If you're not familiar with it, Smashwords offers thousands of e-books, in multiple genres. Looking for a new favourite? Check them out - Smashwords. You can find us here: Smashwords - Jamie Tremain

Jamie Tremain wishes one and all only the best of health, happiness and kindness for 2023. Oh, and yes - please keep reading those books!                           

                                                                                       
                                   

 

Our Books are available:

Amazon     Google Play   Kobo, Apple Books, and Smashwords