ONCE UPON A DREAM; Autumn Riding & Writing

 

I have always missed horses the most at this time of year.  There is something about the autumnal trees and misty mornings that make me long to ride through the woods and enjoy a good gallop.  For a long while, I haven't really had the time to ride because I've been so busy with my studies, but I knew that once the Masters degree classes were finished, I would get back in the saddle.   

I really enjoyed my first ride on the autumnal equinox, and I have been riding regularly since then.  It's wonderful to be back in the saddle and out in the fresh air.  As a writer I spend a lot of time cooped up indoors, so it's lovely to get out riding once more.  Although I can't spend as much time at the stables as I would like, it just feels amazing to be back there at all, especially after the pandemic.  I feel like I will never take stable-life for granted again!

Riding is hard work.  It's a fantastic workout and it has the added adrenaline rush of a risk attached, because horses do spook and throw their riders from time to time.  But that's one of the things I love about it.  It is unpredictable and the horses keep me alert and thinking ahead.   Autumn is a busy time for wildlife and so the horses do tend to spook a lot, as birds fly out of the tree line, or squirrels dash around looking for food to store.  All this sudden activity can scare a horse and make them shy, so you do have to be ready for the unexpected!

When I worked at the equestrian center some years ago, autumn was my favorite riding season because it is still sunny, but neither too hot nor too cold to make riding and stables chores an arduous task.  The weather is just right.  The woodlands are stunning in all their autumn colours, and while the deer tracks can be muddy under hoof, it all adds up to an enjoyable and exhilarating riding experience.  

Although I no longer work with horses, I still love the smells and sounds of the stable yard; the shuffling of hooves through shavings or straw, the chomping of the bit and jingling of harness, the smell of fresh wood shavings as beds are put down, the grassy scent of hay as hay nets are filled, followed by the rustle as horses pull wisps of hay from the netting.  I love the scent of saddle soap and old leather, of molasses mixed into feed with fresh apples and carrots.  I love it all.

As the days grow shorter, stable routines become much cozier.  Beds are put down earlier and filled out with fresh shavings; horses are  brought in from the fields, groomed and put into their pajamas - that is they are rugged up and their stables bandages put on. Hay-nets are filled, weighed and put ready for the night checks.  Tucking the horses in for the night was always a pleasure. 

One of my favourite jobs at the equestrian center was mixing the night feeds. The feed room would always smell like a summer meadow, with all the varieties of feed in their bins. I enjoyed mixing up the meals for individual horses, adding in the molasses, the sugar beat, the appropriate supplements, stirring it all up and then leaving it to dampen down, before it would be given to the horses last thing at night.  Feeding time is still one of the things I miss about working with horses - but I am so glad I'm free of that job come the winter time or a summer heatwave!   Still, the scent of horse feed always makes me feel nostalgic for my very first job at the stables when I was a teenage girl.

That said, at this stage in my life I am much happier to just ride and leave all the hard work to a whole new generation of pony-girls! It's someone else's job to clear the ice from the water troughs, or dig the ragwort from the fields!  Now I love that I can just go and have all the fun, with none of the discomfort of working long days in pouring rain, or freezing winds.  Now I ride, I take joy in the outdoors, I see my horsey friends and enjoy the camaraderie - but then I get back in my car and drive home to my warm little house, where my writing work is waiting for me.   

I feel like I have a good balance of writing and horses in my life again and it makes me so happy.  It's as if the two things feed off one another - the writing pays for the riding and stable time, while the fresh air of a woodland hack or a lovely lesson blows away the cobwebs, leaving me clear headed, inspired and ready to write when I get home.  Since childhood, horses and books have always been the two main staples in my life, keeping me happy, healthy and motivated.  I am grateful that I am still in a position to enjoy both to the full. 

I'm currently working on some brand new projects too, which is very exciting.  My summer deadlines were met and so now it's time to bunker down for a dark season of new writing.  These two new projects are quite involved and there is a lot of work to do for them, but I am so thrilled that I get to create in this way that it doesn't really feel like work at all.  Writing is what I love to do. One of the projects is a dream come true for me and something that I used to imagine for myself, but then dismissed as a pipe-dream that would never happen.  Well, now it IS happening and I feel so grateful for the opportunity.  I can't wait to share it with you all!  The second project is also something that I have wanted to do for a very long time, but again, I didn't think that I would ever get the opportunity - I thought I'd missed the boat on that one completely, but now the chance has come along for me to bring that vision to life in my writing as well.  I feel very lucky.

To my mind, there is nothing better than riding beautiful horses and ponies in the morning, then returning home to settle into my study and start writing my dream projects.  I'm also planning to return to ice-skating at some stage this winter too, all being well and I am going to an ice-dance show in December, so that should get me in the mood for skating again. 

It's awesome that this is my life and that I get to do all the things I love once more.  After months of restrictions and lock-downs, it is wonderful to have my horsey, happy writer's life back again; to have things to look forward to again. I never take it for granted and I'm sure I'm not the only one who is just thrilled to have a life again, because life after a pandemic feels even more magical!

Blessed Be

Marie x 

BOOK NOOK; Beswitched by Kate Saunders

 

"Flora looked down at her own arm, and her heart did a somersault of shock. Instead of her long-sleeved T-shirt, she appeared to be wearing a dark green jacket.  Something was throttling her neck uncomfortably - a green tie with red stripes, like the tie her dad wore to his office. How did that get there? She had never worn a tie in her life. Had she been knocked out and kidnapped and forced into someone else's clothes? No, don't be silly."

As a child, I used to love reading old-fashioned boarding school stories.  I devoured Malory Towers, St. Clare's, Trebizon and The Chalet School series, so I was delighted when I was sent this middle grade book, Beswitched, for review purposes.  

Yes, it's a children's book, but it's also a great story and I have always believed that good stories are for everyone, regardless of age.  I've had it on my shelf for a few weeks, but I wanted to wait until I could devote an entire day to reading it.  That day was today and it has honestly been one of the most nostalgic books I've read in a long time.

Although the protagonist, Flora, is very much a twenty-first century twelve year-old, this book is full of old-fashioned charm. I immediately felt like a girl again, as I excitedly curled up with a bag of sweets and a brand new boarding school story to read! I wasn't a bit disappointed. 

Flora is sent off to a modern boarding school for a couple of terms, so that her parents can create a granny flat above their garage and have her grandmother come to live with them.  As a spoilt child of our times, Flora isn't happy about this at all.  Even less so when her train journey somehow takes her back in time and she ends up in 1935 and at a totally different kind of school!

Here she must sleep in a dormitory and wear a hideous school uniform. There are no hot showers, no posh hair products and she has to do Prep every night after a full day of classes. There are no laptops, mobile phones or internet to help with school work. She has to use her own brain for everything.  Add to this the pressure that she knows all about the Second World War that's coming but is powerless to stop it, and she feels the arrogance of the British Empire as it is in full swing, and Flora could be forgiven for having a sulky tantrum or two.

But all is not what it seems at St Winifred's School - students are dabbling in spells and witchcraft!  Flora makes new friends and they introduce her to a whole new world and a more modest way of living.  Will she ever find her way back home again, to her own time?

This is a lovely book for any young girl who loves school stories, or for any grown adult who used to love school stories!  It has all the charm of an Enid Blyton book without any of the problematic issues those stories are now frequently condemned for i.e classism, racism, sexism - all the isms really.  

In fact, Beswitched addressed these issues in a totally unique way, carefully considering them through the lens of the past without actually condoning them.  This book also highlights how much modern kids take for granted and how easy they have it compared to their grandparents.  It's a great historical and social commentary, told in a way that children can understand and relate to.  I did guess the ending, but I think that's because I'm an adult reader, not a child. Youngsters probably won't see it coming - they just don't think that far ahead! 

I think Beswitched will be popular with school teachers and parents alike.   It's certainly a nice little book and I have enjoyed reading it.  It really was like stepping back in time, into my own childhood reading habits! I highly recommend it as bedtime reading if you have kids - or even if you don't.   It's a simply spiffing read! 

BB Marie x

AD: This book was sent to me by the publisher for review purposes.  It is available now. 

BOOK NOOK; The Lighthouse Witches by C J Cooke

 

The Lighthouse Witches is a fantastic book.  It is by the same author as The Nesting, which I read last winter and enjoyed very much, so I knew I wanted to read this latest novel too.  I was not disappointed!  

The story takes place on a fictional island called Lon Haven, which is set in the region of Cromarty and the Back Isle.  This is an area I know quite well from my own time spent in Scotland, so it was a pleasure to read about this desolate corner of the Highlands and other little known places I have visited, like Drumnadrochit.  It made me long to return there and I could almost smell the sea as I read these pages. 

The author has successfully transferred the sense of isolation on the Black Isle and thereabouts, onto the page, even being so bold as to write about the distrust and disdain of the locals towards outsiders and tourists.  This is something I have experienced myself and I can vouch for the authenticity of such interactions! 

So when the main protagonist Olivia, turns up on the island with her three daughters in the middle of the night, not all of the locals are pleased to see them.  As she begins her commission as an artist to paint a mural in the lighthouse, she begins to feel uneasy.  A ghostly child winks in and out of her sight-line, folklore of children disappearing are plentiful and tales of wildlings, sinister fairy changelings, abound.  So when her own three daughters go missing, Liv is frantic with worry and determined to find them, even if it means sifting fact from folklore or dealing with a changeling or two in the process. 

As a book that deals with the witch hunts of Scotland, it is a very atmospheric read.  Eeriness drips from each chapter and there are sinister undertones throughout.  At times quite brutal and graphically violent, it nonetheless draws you into its world of mystery, magic, murder and a centuries old witch's curse.

The witch hunts are rarely referred to in Scotland, despite how prevalent and brutal they were at the time.  Now it is as if they have been whitewashed from Scottish history and although you might occasionally hear stories of the Brahm Seer, who was burned in a barrel at Chanory Point, or Janet Horne who was also burned in a barrel at Dornoch, for the most part, the witch hunts of history have been hushed up. 

For that reason alone, I highly recommend this novel, as it brings the unfortunate plight of historical 'witches' out into the open.  It is also a cracking read and the perfect way to kick off the spooky season. So grab a wee dram, light a few candles, curl up beneath a tartan blanket and go on a literary trip to the magical Black Isle in the far northern Highlands to see what The Lighthouse Witches has in store for you.  Enjoy!

Blessed Be

Marie x

AD; This novel was sent to me by the publisher for review purposes prior to it's release. It is published on 30th September, 2021. 

ONCE UPON A DREAM; Masters Degree - I've Passed!

 

My University Crest

Today I got the news that I have passed my final assignment dissertation and therefore the whole Masters Degree course!  It's the culmination of two years studying at Masters level and I have to say, I didn't find it to be too bad.  The worst part was the disruption due to the Covid pandemic, but other than that it was a fairly straight forward course.  

That said, I feel nothing but a huge sense of relief that I have done enough to pass with Merit and I can now look forward to my second graduation this November.  I don't think I've fully processed the fact yet and I certainly don't have the energy left over to celebrate!

But I have achieved the goal I set for myself back in 2013, when I first returned to college to study Level 1 in Counselling.  (You can read my tips for Academic Success here ) Back then, I knew that I wanted to do the university Masters degree that I've just completed,  and so I would need to gain my full under-graduate degree before I could apply for post-graduate courses.  So I embarked on 5 years of studying, qualifying as a counsellor in 2018.  I did all that just for the chance to apply for the Masters degree. 

Most people would not do this.  They would see that they didn't hold the entry level requirements for the Masters, shrug it off and call it a day.  I didn't.  I saw it as a challenge and I spent five years of my life studying a subject that didn't fully engage me, just to apply for the course I really wanted to do, with no guarantee that I would be offered a place.  

Over the years, people have asked me why I was studying counselling when I wasn't that enamored by it.  I would always reply that I had my own reasons for doing so, but that they had nothing to do with counselling long term. This Masters degree was the reason! I stuck with the dreary counselling courses so that I would give myself the best chance of getting onto the course I'd been dreaming of and aspiring to for years! And now I have the added bonus of being qualified to open up my own private counselling practice whenever I want to, as well as achieving the Masters qualification I was actually aiming for in the first place!

That's what it means to be a Bruce and press ahead.  Obstacles and barriers don't get in our way for long! We always find a way through.  I'm not making myself any promises or putting myself under any real pressure, but my Bruce spirit is quietly reminding me that there is only one rung of the academic ladder to go - PhD.  I'm telling that little voice to hush up! But it's the same little voice that once whispered Masters Degree to me, and now I have one, so we'll see.

All things considered 2021 has been a good year for me thus far.  I've passed my Masters degree and have a graduation to look forward to.  

I have a new publisher and I am working on fresh projects as we speak, which are due out next spring.  That feels like such an achievement these days with the industry being so difficult to break into.  So many people never even get to taste a single bite of the publishing cherry, while I've been offered a big second chunk of it! And I was signing contracts even before I'd written my dissertation, so it has been a very smooth transition from university back into publishing again and for that I feel very grateful.  

I'm so glad I got published back in the late 1990's - I wouldn't want to be starting from scratch these days as the odds are just not that great for new, unpublished writers. Now at least, my name speaks for itself within the industry and that has led to me getting a new publisher relatively easily. I'm excited about my new projects too!

I'm also back horse-riding on a regular basis again.  I had my first big ride on the autumnal equinox and it was such a wonderful way to celebrate one of my favourite sabbats.  Being out in the fresh air, riding horses and enjoying the golden glow of autumn sunshine - it was exhilarating and wonderful and I enjoyed every single minute.  It's great to finally be back in the saddle.  I've just not had time for horses while I've been studying and I have missed it immensely, so it was fantastic to be back, catching up with my old horsey friends, enjoying the feel of a glossy neck and the thrum of hooves beneath me as I rode.  It was fabulous and I can't wait until next time!

So the universe has been kind to me this year and I feel very fortunate to be able to say that when I know lots of people have been struggling due to the pandemic.  There is light at the end of even the darkest tunnel though.  For me, returning to the stables is a way of giving back, as equestrian yards were hit hard by the lock downs, so it nice to feel like I'm helping my friend's business, at the same time as having fun with horses myself.  

As for 2022, all I know so far is that I'm heading back to Oban in the autumn and I can't wait to spend time in the Highlands, by the sea, cruising around all the Islands. 

Graduation, horse-riding, holidays, writing for new publishers, reading books for professional review... Life is good!  It just goes to show that no matter who tries to tear you down or sabotage your success, if you just keep on doing your own thing, you will win in the end! And Victory is always sweet! 😉 Keep fighting for what you want...

xxx

MUSICAL DOLL; Cry For Me

 Cry for me...

Gorgeous gowns

xxx

BOOK NOOK; The Winter Garden by Alexandra Bell

 

"Dozens of ice roses wound around the posts of her bed, each petal as clear and cold as glass, their thorns like crystal, their stems sparkling in a layer of frost as fine as lace."

I have just finished reading The Winter Garden and I am still crying from the emotional ending!  I don't usually cry over books, but I'm three tissues in and still weeping over this magnificent and thoroughly moving novel. I haven't cried at a book like this since I was 12 and Aslan and Beth March both died in the same reading month! 

I'm not going to lie - it was the cover which drew me in.  I planned to save it for the winter months, but it has been tempting me for a few weeks with promises of winter magic, so I decided I could no longer wait.  From page one I felt like I was floating on a dandelion clock, into a gorgeous world that gives Narnia a run for its money.  Instead of Aslan, there is a tiger made from starlight and a whole host of wonderful, magical creatures.

It's not all frothy delights though and this is very much an adult novel which addresses some deep issues, but it does so in such an enchanting way that you are still drawn in, despite the heavy topics it covers.  

The Winter Garden is a frosted fairytale spun from sorrow, grief and regret, with all the tantalizing hope of second chances and wishes galore.  It explores life in all its light and shade, acknowledging that sorrow is essential if we are to feel joy.  The author is a sympathetic writer, showing empathy for her characters, as she somehow manages to spin difficult issues into a wintry web of magic, enchantment, delight and pure escapism. 

Here you will find snow white frogs who act as messengers, enchanted tea-cups and orchids that bloom from grief.  Add in a spectacular icicle carousel, a few fairies and a Spider Queen who isn't nearly so scary as she sounds - I have arachnophobia and I still loved her! - and you have a novel that balances the sorrows of the characters with a wonderful frothy world of ice, snow and magic.

I was smiling as I read the descriptive passages of the gardens, then weeping at the last, before being uplifted at the end.  It's a masterpiece of emotional writing, but it carries all the charm of a children's fairytale.  The Winter Garden feels like a safe space. I really hope that it gets turned into a film at some stage because this world is just so visually lovely that it deserves to be seen as well as read, providing film makers can do it justice.  It is one of the most imaginative novels I have read this year, with an entirely original plot. I enjoyed every page of this book and I shall certainly be looking out for future books by this author.  It's the perfect novel to read if winter can't come quick enough for you! Enjoy.

BB Marie x

AD: This book was sent to me by the publisher for review purposes. It is available now. 

BOOK NOOK; Cosy by Laura Weir

"Winter, you conclude, as the cloying heat of summer melts into autumn, is your warmest friend in the truest sense of the word...Your good friend winter, wrapped up in cable-knit sweaters, hiking socks and corduroy, is here for the long haul, affectionately weathering the year's darkest days with you. She's newspapers and red wine, coal and cheese, she's long evenings and dark mornings." 

While the Danes and Norwegians have Hygge and the Scots have their Coorie, the English have always had good, old-fashioned Cosy.  In this book, Cosy; The British Art of Comfort, Laura Weir explores what it means to be cosy and why it is so important for our mental health and general well-being.

Like most introverts, I am a home-body and I love spending time indoors.  There are some outdoor activities I enjoy too, like riding in the woods, or walking by the sea, but for the most part, I spend much of my time at home, reading, writing and generally being as cosy and comfortable as possible.   I have always loved being at home, even as a child.  I often felt a wrench when I had to leave my cosy bedroom to go to school each day and I couldn't wait to get back again so that I could enjoy my books and music, surrounded by all my lovely things.  Years later, I am still exactly the same, which is why the writer's life of working from home is so perfect for me. 

This book looks at all the little things that make up a cosy lifestyle, from knitting and crafting, to baking and cooking hearty meals that will fuel you through the colder months. It ranges over themes of cosy clothes, hearth and home, self-care, state of mind, winter festivals and the great British cuppa. 

With recommendations for books, films, country walks, mini-breaks and more, Cosy is a handbook to living a simpler life, making the most of your free time during the shorter days and embracing all that the cold season has to offer.  And yes, if you must venture out into the cold, there are tips for outdoorsy types too, though it would take an extra special date to prize me away from my own hearth-side when the winter weather really starts to set in. I need the promise of a good canter or wild seas to tempt me outside during autumn and winter!

Cosy is a very little book and you can read it in an hour or so, but it is a lovely celebration of the English way of keeping winter, so if you love the darker months, as I do, then you will probably enjoy this snuggly book.  It's one to read on a rainy day, with a pot of tea and a plate of toast beside you. Get cosy and enjoy.

BB Marie x