Happy Friday and the last day of June. Wow, this year is flying by! And it’s hotter than Hades here in Texas. But we expect it and won’t get a break for at least three months. So, we grin and bear it and stay hydrated and in the shade!
Today’s post is going to cover a lot of ground, but I’ll do what I can to keep it short.
First of all, I had two appointments this week to discuss the results of the recent MRI. The brain scan seemed fine, but my neck has some issues. There is some compression between the discs, some bulging, and arthritis. So, I am making a treatment plan with my chiropractor to work on that issue. When I met with the neurologist, I felt like it was a complete waste of my time. He refused to even acknowledge the neck issue as being a possible source of vertigo and referred me for another test—An MRA (which I never heard of.) So, I did that one today. We’ll see. I’m not putting much hope on any kind of positive spin from that doctor.
In the meantime, I am continuing to do QiGong exercises daily and doing my best to stay centered and grounded.
While at my chiropractor’s office this week, I purchased a new pillow. I can’t remember how long it had been since I bought one, but it was time. This pillow is called ChiroFlow, and you put water in it. Yep! That’s right. Water. I’ve slept on it for two nights, and today added a bit more water to get it where I want it. I have to admit to having a bit of paranoia about it leaking out on the bed. It reminds me of the seventies water beds. Raise your hand if you slept on one. Ha! Ha! Yep, me too.
I didn’t get nearly as much reading done this month as I normally do, so rather than make a separate book review post, I’ll share them here.
MY REVIEW:
There are so many aspects of this beautiful book that are unique and creative. Not only are there heartfelt syllabic poems, but personal photographs and even videos that enhance the reading experience. The author’s keen insight into the plight of these South African animals is honest and expressive. It carries an overarching theme in the different introductions, then poems, and that is that the animals are threatened with extinction by losing their natural habitats to human progress. How sad! And when will the lesson be learned? I struggled to pick a favorite poem, but being a Leo, I have a great affinity with lions. So, I’ll share this one:
Muscles of Iron crouch
He propels upward
Settling his bulk into the crook of a branch
A unique position
To survey and wait
Great head moving smoothly
Mane protecting neck
His expression is smug; can I see a smile?
Relishing his power
A king on his throne
An unobservant bird
Settles on the pond
He springs, slick and fast;
I hardly see him move
Just a splash of water
And a spray of blood
That’s just one sample of the visually expressive poetry that’s found within the pages of this book. Lion Scream culminates with a short story, The Nutcracker. Wow! The author dives deep into psychosis and its devastating effects on the sufferer and their loved ones. This is a must-read book for everyone who has any empathy for the plight of the beautiful endangered animals or knows about mental illness up close and personal.
MY REVIEW:
The time period is the 1800s. Tensions between the American settlers and Native American tribes run high. Lonely Spirit is a Comanche half-breed who doesn’t fit in either world. While his family embraces him, the tribe does not, and Lonely Spirit has a burning desire to find his father, a United States Senator. The first story opens with Lonely Spirit leaving the only home he’s ever known with a Comanche tribe in search of the father he’s never met. Thankfully, the senator welcomes him, gives him a new name, Quinn, and gets him a job with the U.S. Marshals.
This begins an entirely new life for Quinn. He’s good at his job. He can track criminals better than any white man, and though it takes some time, he earns the respect of the other men.
While this book is a short story collection, each story links together perfectly, so it is like reading a novella. Quinn’s experiences are often life-threatening, and I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen to him next. This is a quick, easy read with a great amount of historical accuracy. The author shows both sides of the issue between the Native American tribes and the Army, all while telling a compelling tale. If you have a penchant for Native American stories, I have no doubt you’d enjoy this one. The pacing is good and kept me engaged.
MY REVIEW:
With an upcoming trip to Ireland, I knew I needed to read this book. I enjoyed the history, myths, legends, and folklore of Ireland. I struggled with some of the words and had to look up a few, but it’s a great little book. I think my favorite part is the head-to-head competition between two of Ireland’s most famous legends, Fion MacCumhaill, who received his power from the salmon of knowledge, and Cú Chulainn, who was viewed as more of a demi-god than a mere legend. Which one won the competition? You’ll have to read the book to find out. If you have an interest in all things related to Irish myths, magic, and folklore, you will enjoy this book.
I leave for Ireland one week from today! Excited doesn’t begin to express it. If you want to take a look at this writer’s conference for next year, visit Ireland Writers Tours. That way, you can be in the loop for the next signup. It fills really fast as they only take twelve authors. I am so grateful to my girls for paying for this conference for me. I am blessed beyond measure!
I will make a Monday post with the tarot reading for July, then I will go silent until I return from Ireland.
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Hope the pillows help. Love your reviews. I so concur with you with Robbie’s amazing book. Thanks for the suggestion of the others as well❣️
Thank you for adding your recommendation for Robbie’s book, Cindy! Appreciate the support!
You’re so very welcome. ?
Absolutely!!! I am also following you now… I thought I was … WP.. you know ?
I hope the MRA can give you some more definitive answers and that the chiropractor and your water pillow help. Interesting about the water pillow; I’ve never heard of one until now. Great reviews, Jan. I read and was impressed by Robbie’s book. The other two sound fantastic.
Have a wonderful trip!
Thank you, Vera. I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment and especially for adding your recommendation for Robbie’s book. Glad the other two appealed to you. And thank you for the good wishes!
I do hope that your neck improves with the pillow and I am sure with the chiropractor’s help. Great reviews, loved Robbie’s but two new to me authors. I do hope our weather is welcoming for your for your trip and it looks amazing. I don’t think you are going to be anywhere near us but I am sure you will have a wonderful time.. Safe travels.. ♥♥
Thank you, Sally. I’m glad you stopped by. I am also happy to share authors that are new to you. I find lots of great reads that way. I will be in Headford, just outside Galway City, for the conference. I don’t know where you are, but it would be so amazing if I could meet you in person. I definitely had to totally rethink my packing after looking at the weather for Galway City. Packing for fall instead of summer. 🙂 I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. Hugs!
You will love it Jan and the wild Atlantic side of Ireland is magical.. Sadly we the other coast opposite in Wexford but maybe next time.. Have a fabulous time.. ♥♥
I’m glad to hear nothing horrible has been found Jan. I hope the pillow does help. And thanks for sharing these enticing book reviews. <3
Thank you, Debby. I’m glad you enjoyed the reviews. Robbie’s book carries such a big message. I feel like the whole world should read it.
I keep pushing it up as I keep downloading more and more books. Oye! Thank you. 🙂 x
Yes it is certainly hot here in Texas. I am sorry to hear about your neck. I wish you a speedy recovery. I read the first book “Lion Scream”, and like you say it is a truly wonderful book with so much to offer. Thank you for the great reviews.
Lol, Thomas. Spoken like a true fellow Texan. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed Lion Scream. Thanks for adding your recommendation. And thank for the good wishes. I appreciate you following my blog!
I have never heard of a water pillow! Yes, had a waterbed too back in the day 🙂 When the heater when out….brrrr. I’m always looking for the perfect pillow with my neck issues, but like you I’d worry sbout a leak. Great reviews, I loved Robbies collection too. A week away for a Ireland? So happy that you are going! Xo
I don’t think our waterbed ever had a heater and it sure was cold in the winter. But it was the “in” thing to have. 🙂 I will let you know about the water pillow. So far, I am loving it. Glad you enjoyed the reviews, and thanks for the added recommendation for Robbie’s book. Ten days in Ireland, and I’m getting so excited! Thanks for the good wishes!
I hope you get some answers and some relief from your pain, Jan. Have a beautiful time in Ireland.
Thank you, Olga!
I hope you get some relief from the water pillow, Jan. Lion Scream is such a wonderful book, lovely to see it get some well deserved attention here.
Thank you, Marje. So far, I am liking the pillow. We’ll see how it goes. I agree that Lion Scream is a wonderful book with such a powerful message. Thank you for adding your recommendation.
I hope the water pillow helps, Jan. In the meantime, these are some great reviews! I hope you have a wonderful trip. 🙂
Thank you, Mark. I’m glad you enjoyed my reviews.
I slept in a waterbed for years, but I’m not sure about a pillow. I hope it helps. Enjoy your time in Ireland.
Lol, Dan. So far, I am liking the pillow. Still a little paranoid about it leaking. 🙂 Thanks for the good wishes.
Hi Jan, I am glad the scan didn’t show anything scary. That is a huge relief. I hope the pillow helps, a water pillow sounds interesting. I also have compressed discs in my neck and I get pain but not dizziness. Thank you for this amazing review of Lion Scream. I am so pleased you appreciated this book and it’s message. I am proud to feature with these other wonderful authors. How exciting to go to Ireland. I look forward to seeing pictures and hearing all about it.
Thank you, Robbie. I’m sorry to hear you also have compressed discs in your neck. Sorry it causes pain, but glad you don’t get the dizziness. I really did enjoy Lion Scream. The message is a powerful one, and it was my pleasure to read and review it. I appreciate you stopping by!
I am so pleased that readers are appreciating Lion Scream and it’s message which is close to my heart. Enjoy your vacation.
I am so excited about your Ireland trip. Can’t wait to hear about it! Hope the new pillow helps, and yes I once slept on a water bed.
I’ve read Lion Scream. It’s a great book. You know my penchant for anything Native American, so I just added a book to my TBR list. 🙂
Thank you Joan ?
Thank you, Joan. I am getting excited, too. It’s coming up really soon. I appreciate you adding your recommendation to Lion Scream, and I agree. It’s a great book. I think you’ll enjoy Lonely Spirit’s journey.
Neck problems! I am so sorry you have those. I know from experience they are awful. I can’t wait to hear how the ‘water pillow’ does. Loved the books you reviewed. The Native American stories–checking that out right after I leave you!
So glad you were intrigued by the Native American Stories. I really enjoyed the book. I’ll let you know how the water pillow works out. So far, I like it. Thank you for stopping by, Jacqui!
I just grabbed The Lonely Spirit. Between the title and the cover–and being KU–couldn’t pass it up.
Have a wonderful time, Jan. We’ll be here when you return.
Well, I would certainly hope so, Craig. Thanks for stopping by!
Yep, I’m raising my hand, Jan! I had a water bed decades ago. 🙂 I’m so excited for you! You know how I feel about the Ireland, and I have numerous books on Irish mythology. A favorite subject of mine. Enjoy your trip. Safe travels, my friend. xo
Lol, Mary. I think most everybody (unless they are super young) at least saw a water bed at some point. One thing I remember about it was how cold it felt in the winter with no way to heat the water. Thank you for your good wishes. I’m so looking forward to exploring Ireland!
I’ve been following your hot weather in Texas, Jan. I don’t know how you folks do it. Of course, that’s what everyone says about our California earthquakes. Extreme heat makes me crazy.
I like my pillows cool. How is the one that you’ve been using?
Mom’s side of the family is from Ireland. It’s definitely one of the places on my Bucket List. Have the best time, Jan!
How do we do it, Pete? Stay indoors as much as possible and stay hydrated. 🙂 I can verify that many days of extreme heat in a row can wear on the nerves. I like a cool pillow, and this one is pretty nice and cool through the night. Thank you for the good thoughts about Ireland. I’d venture to say lots of our ancestors came from the mother country. I’m so looking forward to exploring! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment!
LOL! I remember the water beds from the 70’s! My best friend’s parents had one. We used to sneak into their room and bounce on it. 🙂 Yeah, when a doctor ignores symptoms you’re experiencing, it’s time to move on. I can’t wait to see and hear about your trip, Jan. I know you’ll have an amazing time, and it will be cooler too. 🙂
Thank you, Jill. I laughed at your remembrance of bouncing on the water bed. 🙂 I agree about the doctor. And I am so super excited about my trip. I appreciate your comment and your support, my friend!
Best wishes for your trip to Ireland. Great time to go too.
Thank you, John. I agree. A great time to go!
My friend who suffers from vertigo has had neck issues for years – glad you’re seeing a chiropractor about it also. So excited for you going to Ireland! We expect pics, Jan – have a great weekend!
Thanks for the comment, Teri. Yes, when the neurologist ignored the neck part yesterday, I was already done with him. 🙂 Doctors! Ugh! I will definitely take pictures of Ireland, Teri. I’ll have lots to share when I get back and hopefully a new book to launch!
The Writers Conference looks amazing. You will just love it.
Thank you, Darlene. I won’t get to tour Ireland quite like you did, but I am so looking forward to everything I will get to see. Hugs!
You will escape the heat then, if you’re off to Ireland, we have had hotter then usual weather, but back to cool and rain so I don’t have to water all my flowers. I love Robbie’s lion poem.
Enjoy your holiday.
Thank you for your comment. Yes! I am looking forward to escaping the Texas heat for a few days. I’m so glad you enjoyed Robbie’s poem. Have a great weekend!
Thank you, Janet ?
Have a marvelous time in Ireland! I have a good friend who will be there from the 8th through the 16th. My mother’s father’s mother’s family has Irish roots (I don’t know that much more about it).
Thank you, Annette! How funny that you have a friend who will be there from the 8th through the 16th – the same days as me. Is she attending the writer’s conference? Gotta love those Irish roots!
Funny that you mentioned a writer’s conference… she does write. I don’t know if she has published a book. I know that she has contributed to several anthologies. I will ask her.