Sally Murphy's Blog, page 35
April 28, 2017
Looking Up: Three Days To Go
I may have been quite her on the blog in April, with my doctoral thesis taking up most of the mnth, but it’s time to poke my head back up because (drumroll please) it’s only three days until the release of Looking Up.
Today, to celebrate, I went and had a manicure and pedicure, and lovely sparkly nail polish to match to the book.
Three sleeps!
April 2, 2017
What I Read in March
2017 is rushing by, and another month has finished. I read 15 books in March, helped largely by lots of long drives in which I worked my way through 5 audio books. With more driving ahead of me this month, I’m hoping to finish rereading the Harry Potter series, narrated by Stephen Fry, which is a real delight.
Picture Books
The Story of Ferdinand, by Munro Leaf
Younger Readers
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, by JK Rowling (Audio)
Carnage, by Michael Adams
, by Paul Jennings
Lizzie and Margaret Rose, by Pamela Rushby
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by JK Rowling (Audio)
Hot Dog, by Anh Do
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by JK Rowling (Audio)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by JK Rowling (Audio)
Young Adult
A Shadow’s Breath, by Nicole Hayes
Lisette’s Paris Notebook, by Catherine Bateson
Adult Fiction
The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsion (Audio)
Bloodlines, by Nicole Sinclair
Daintree, by Annie Seton
Reading aside, I’ve not had much time to blog lately as I plough through the final draft of my doctoral thesis, and do some teaching at university. But with a new book coming out May 1, I’ll be back on board soon.
March 20, 2017
March 16, 2017
Poetry Friday: A Crabby Friend
It seems the beach continues to offer me new friends to chat with. This morning it was a crab, who made me jump when s/he moved just as I drew near. I was glad though, that s/he stopped so I could take her photo and wish her a good morning before she scuttled away.
So, of course, there’s a poem, because it’s Poetry Friday:
Now I’m off to think about the crab’s reply might be.
Have a great St Patrick’s Day, and don’t forget to check out the Poetry Friday round-up, which today is hosted by Robyn at Life on the Deckle Edge.
March 12, 2017
March 9, 2017
Poetry Friday: The Ray’s Reply
Last Friday I shared this poem, written to the stingray I met on my morning walk:
I had some comments wondering what the ray might say back to me, so, of course, I had to sit down and figure out what it is Ray might say to me. And here it is:
Have a great Friday. Today’s Poetry Friday roundup is hosted by Michelle at Today’s Little Ditty. Head over there to see what other poetry goodness is on offer – and to read Michelle’s amazing account of the work of Lily Yeh.
March 2, 2017
Poetry Friday: Good Morning, Ray
Last Friday, I posted about walking the dolphins. This week, I had planned to post on a completely different topic. But, this morning as i walked along the beach, I had an encounter with a different marine animal – a stingray, that swam into the shallows very close to me feet and which I then followed along for a while, chatting away to it about the beautiful day. So, of course, by the time I’d finished my walk, there was a poem in my head.
And, if you’d like to see more of Mr Ray, here’s a little video I took.
This morning my usual walk with the dolphins was made extra special because I also walked with a stingray. Of course, by the time I got back to the car I had a poem in my head. Walking is so good for creativity.
Posted by Sally Murphy on Thursday, March 2, 2017
Today’s Poetry Friday round up is at My Juicy little Universe. Expect lots of Billy Collins goodness when you visit there.
February 28, 2017
What I Read in February
Another update on my reading for the year. February was a busy busy month – my first speaking engagements for the year, working on a PhD, which is getting closer to completion, and some academic work, as well as my first ever big swim and more. So I finished less books this month, though I probably read more journal articles and individual poems. Anyway, here’s the ten I’m counting for the month. As in January, where I have reviewed them, I have linked to the review. Where I haven’t, I’ve linked them to where they an be found online.
Picture Books
Small Things, by Mel Tregonning
Crusts, by Danny Parker & Matt Ottley
Radio Rescue, by Jane Jolly & Robert Ingpen
What Do they Do With All The Poo, by Anh Do & Laura Wood
Poetry Collections
Poetry for Kids: Emily Dickinson, edited by Susan Snively, illustrated by Christine Davenier
Young Adult
Goldenhand, by Garth Nix
Before You Forget, by Julia Lawrinson
Adult Fiction
Sapphire Falls, by Fiona McDonald
On the Blue Train, by Kristel Thornell
Non Fiction
The Pleasure of the Text, by Roland Barthes (translated by Richard Miller)
How Writing Works, by Roslyn Petelin
February 23, 2017
Poetry Friday: Walking the Dolphins
Every Friday I have to drop my son at work very early. this is a good excuse for me to have an early morning beach walk – usually at my favourite dolphin-spotting beach. The dolphins dictate how far I walk, because if there are no dolphins (which is rare) I just walk the length of the beach and turn around again. But if they’re there, I tend to walk further, but will change my direction regularly so I can keep them in sight and find it hard to leave the beach while there are dolphins in sight. After these walks I often tell my family I’ve been ‘walking the dolphins’ and, of course, this has lead to a poem.
Look closely – there are two dolphins INSIDE the wave, having a ride.
Walking the Dolphins
Some people like to walk their dogs
I see them in the park
From early in the morning
Until late, long after dark.
Some dogs on leads; others romp
Or fetch a stick or ball
Some owners watch their dogs from seats
Not walking much at all.
Me? I walk the dolphins
The pooches of the sea
Up and down the beach I go
And dolphins follow me
I’m on the sand, they’re further out
But I watch them swim and play
Some times they jump and flap about
And sometimes gently sway
I hardly note how far I’ve walked
Up and down the shore
Watching cetaceous friends cavort
Just leaves me wanting more
And later on it comes to me
As I turn back from the sea
It’s not me that’s been walking them
But they that have walked me.
(Poem copyright Sally Murphy 2017)
In case you you haven’t seen it before, here’s my favourite bit of video of one of ‘my’ dolphins coming closer to say hello.
Have a great Friday. Today’s Poetry Friday Round Up is hosted by Karen Edmisten. SO, to read lots more poetry goodness, head over there.
February 16, 2017
Poetry Friday: I Did It
Last Friday I posted about the Busselton Jetty and my plan to swim around it. It’s been such a hectic week that I haven’t come back to share how I went. So, given that it’s Poetry Friday, I thought I might tell you in verse:
The weather was grey
The ocean was choppy
It rolled and it swayed
But I’d planned for so long
For this one special day
When the starter said ‘go’
I was off and away.
AND
I did it I did it
I swam all the way
I did it I did it
So hip hip hooray!
So yes, I managed the 3.6km swim, in a time of 77 minutes and, as you might guess from the photo, I was left elated but also a wee bit exhausted. the water was rougher than expected – a storm front had come through in the days leading up to the swim, and apparently these were the worst conditions there’d been in the race’s history. But my training paid off and I stuck to my rhythm – the same rhythm I’ve tried to use in the poem. So, although I swallowed about half the ocean, I felt pretty good doing it. Good enough that I’ll be going back for another go next year.
Have a great Poetry Friday. The roundup today will be hosted by Check It Out, so if you want lots more poetry goodness, head over there to see what everyone else is posting.
