MaryAnn Bernal's Blog, page 319

History Trivia - Lady Jane Grey, the nine day queen of England, executed

February 12

 881 Pope John VIII crowned Charles the Fat, the King of Italy, Holy Roman Emperor. Charles was the grandson of Charlemagne who suffered from epilepsy and other illnesses; he also paid the Vikings to keep the barbarians from pillaging his empire.

1554 Lady Jane Grey, the nine day queen of England, was executed at the age of 16.

1554 - Lord Guildford Dudley, Jane Grey's husband, was beheaded

Mr. Chuckles caught a ride from Cecilia Spark's Dragon and pops by the Wizard's Cauldron

The Wizard says:

Ngaire Elder, accomplished creator of the Cecilia Spark series, needs no introduction. 

Not only has she been interviewed around the Cauldron, back in August last year, she's been my co-interviewer and stand-in on many occasions. 

I've always been a big fan of her work and she's also a superb supporter of Independent Writers as well as animal-rights causes, particularly the Montana Wild Horses. 
 Last month, she released the third of her Cecilia Spark series - Dragon's Star - and it's not only your humble Green Wizard who believes it's her best work so far. It's a cracking story and well worth the derisory amount she charges for it. 

Ngaire lives in Spain and, it has to be said, it was with envious glances that I contacted her on the Wizphone while she wallowed in 23 degrees, as ye olde Green and Pleasant soaked underneath perpetual rain. Here's what she had to say. Click on the link to read the interview in its entirety. http://greenwizard62.blogspot.com/2014/02/ngaire-dragons-star-elderaround-cauldron.html?showComment=1392160287370#c8942202094955398169

Ngaire "Dragon's Star" Elder....Around The Cauldron!

Ngaire "Dragon's Star" Elder....Around The Cauldron!
Ngaire Elder, accomplished creator of the Cecilia Spark series, needs no introduction. 

Not only has she been interviewed around the Cauldron, back in August last year, she's been my co-interviewer and stand-in on many occasions. 
I've always been a big fan of her work and she's also a superb supporter of Independent Writers as well as animal-rights causes, particularly the Montana Wild Horses. 
 Last month, she released the third of her Cecilia Spark series - Dragon's Star - and it's not only your humble Green Wizard who believes it's her best work so far. It's a cracking story and well worth the derisory amount she charges for it. 

Ngaire lives in Spain and, it has to be said, it was with envious glances that I contacted her on the Wizphone while she wallowed in 23 degrees, as ye olde Green and Pleasant soaked underneath perpetual rain. Here's what she had to say. 

Ngaire's First Appearance Around The Cauldron
For the benefit of the many new readers we have on the Cauldron, tell us a little about yourself, Ngaire.
A little about me? Well, I devote my life to my children, love my garden (if the pesky dogs would leave it alone!!!), enjoy my relaxed lifestyle in southern Spain. Even if I have a super crappy (can I say crappy???) day the azure Spanish skies can put a smile on the glummest of faces. 

Sun drenched SpainOnce a week  I endeavour  to publish a blog post, spotlighting an awesome Indie read. 

Ngaire's Popular Spotlight Blog HERE

As I have said many times before great books should be shared!

I write when I can and practice Morris dancing and caber tossing if time allows.


Ngaire can be seen third from the left
You live in Spain. Is it true you live in a big castle in Cadiz like the gigantic one on “El Cid” 
Yes, Wiz, I live a gargantuan castle in the mountains of Granada 
Ngaire's Summer Palace
Takes an age to clean! 

BTW this is more like my home …. 


Tell us about Dragon’s Star, the third book in your Cecilia Spark series.
I am extremely excited about my 3rd book in my children’s series – The Adventures of Cecilia Spark, which I published earlier this month. As the title suggests I have gone on a mystical route with  this adventure. 



I’ll share the book blurb with you … 

"Cecilia Spark is in a race against time.  Her challenge is to save the last Millennium Dragon, captured by a hideous Knight of Darkness, and reunite him with the star that gives him his power. With Orson, Ractus and Pacha by her side, Cecilia must rescue Fuego and save the Land of Dragons from an endless, desperate gloom.  Harassed by crooked imps, captured in the lair of a giant spider, lost in the darkest of dungeons and threatened by a hidden river monster, will Cecilia and her brave friends succeed in their quest?"

Dragon’s Star is illustrated by Peter Maddocks. Peter has interpreted all of Cecilia Spark’s stories magically through his beautiful illustrations and I feel privileged to call Peter a friend. 

The work of Peter Maddocks
All books in the series – The Adventures of Cecilia Spark – are suitable for boys and girls aged 4-9/10 years old, to read alone or together with an adult.

BUY Dragon's Star HERE UK

BUY Dragon's Star HERE US

An interesting snippet: The castle in Dragon’s Star, Nilloch Castle, was inspired by Chillon Castle in Switzerland where Lord Byron carved his name on a pillar. 

Poet Lord Byron - nineteenth century rock star
(He used to live near me - ED!)I love Byron’s poem The Prisoner of Chillon which is based on a monk who was imprisoned there from 1530-1536. 

Is there an extract from Dragon's Star you can share with us?
There is indeed … here goes …

"Just as Pacha’s paw touched the ceramic handle, they heard a clashing noise coming from the entrance to the chamber. Panicking, Pacha scrambled to the back of the room with Ractus hot on her heels!“Ractus, I’m scared, what’ll we do?”Ractus didn’t answer; he was busy sniffing at the ground.“What are you doing?” whispered Pacha.“I feel air.”His shovel-shaped snout had discovered a secret.A hatch.“Come on, help me open this!” instructed Ractus.“But there’s no handle!” They tried with all their might to move the massive stone block, but it didn’t budge.Hearing heavy breathing from outside, Pacha trembled. “It knows we’re in here, think of something!” Ractus had found something; a knob on the floor. It was stiff and didn’t move a millimetre when he pushed it. Taking a step back from the knob, he turned round and did a backwards jump, landing firmly on it with his bottom!Pacha, bubbling with excitement, jumped about like a bouncy ball as she watched the block being swallowed by the wall.Their escape was now possible.It didn’t take long for the block to slide completely out of the way, thus revealing their escape route.  Before they disappeared down the chute, Ractus and Pacha glanced back and caught a glimpse of their pursuer; a giant with an armoured body like Ractus’, and eyes of the devil; lifeless!That was the Knight of Darkness".

What are the key things a children’s author should consider before picking up the pen?
In no particular order: 

A) I would consider research important in terms of suitability of subject matter to your target audience and what age group interests you as a writer (teens or tots!). 

B) Picture books or chapter books with or without illustrations and thought should be given to investing in a professional illustrator. 

Peter Maddocks again
C) Consider incorporating a message in your work of children’s fiction. 

D) Be creative and tap into feelings that are sincere. Don’t take writing skills for granted. Plot and plan.

E) Something to bear in mind, live appearances at libraries and schools and book festivals … can you do it and would you enjoy doing it?

Ngaire reading to school children
What are your plans for Cecilia Spark in the future?
I hope to continue with her series, not sure where the next adventure will take Cecilia and the gang. But it will certainly be filled with the usual spills and thrills that fans of Cecilia Spark expect.

My favourite characters are Ractus and Pacha, Cecilia’s rascally sidekicks. They always seem to be lying about and they are at their keenest with the smell of grub in their nostrils. Any plans for a spin off book/series?
Oh my goodness, no, I don’t think so. Cecilia, Ractus and Pacha (and Orson) are a team and splitting them up would be sacrilege. I try and emphasise the importance of teamwork in Cecilia Spark’s adventures and believe if Ractus and Pacha go it alone I would be undervaluing this concept. So no, no, no … no spin-offs. 

Hahahahahah,  I have just asked Pacha and Ractus if they would like to do that and they said NO, they think you are silly to even suggest such a thing! My characters are real btw, Wiz.

But of COURSE they are! Hahahahahahaha. On the last natter we had, you said you were writing an adult piece. How is that going?

Hhmmmmm, well you see Sir Wiz, I haven’t had the time to dedicate to it. I find it hard to write more than one novel at a time. Can anyone do that???? Multi-tasking is not one of my fortes! I wanted to publish Dragon’s Star,  before I did anything else with my adult short. Maybe over the summer months I will find the time and the motivation to complete it. Or maybe I will concentrate on my Morris dancing 


 You are also working on an activity book for kids. What is happening there?
Yes I am. I’m due to publish a book in March called My Nature Friends which is an A-Z rhyming picture book. My daughter, Fearn, has illustrated the book, her talent is incredible. 



There are 2 sections in the book – the first is the fantastalistic rhymes and the second  is an interactive  ‘Field Note’  section where children can record their sightings of animals and plants whilst out and about; encouraging reading and writing without them even knowing it!


Excellent stuff! What was the last film you saw, the last book you read (apart from HS!! ED)  and the last CD you listened to?

Midnight in Paris – a Woody Allen film. Absolutely wonderful. 

  
Last book I read – Martin Amis’ Night Train.

(A brilliant book - one of the best ever - a
masterpiece - Ed!)Ms Dynamite – A Little Deeper – still got the price tag on the cd box, it cost £16.99 many moons ago.

What did you and the gang snaffle last night in the castle?
Spit-roasted suckling pig and wild asparagus risotto followed by Mama Fernando’s homemade rice pudding. 

Tuesday lunch at the Citadel del Ngaire

Hahahahahahahahahhaha. Okay. Even more intrusive - Norah Jones or Lana Del Rey?
It has to be Lana Del Rey. Has Ms Del Rey brought out a new album --- UltraViolence???? Any connections Wiz? Her voice is sublime – delicate and sultry. 



(Lucky me! And I was
first - Ed!)Have to agree with you there. So, finally: what do fans of Ngaire Elder have to look forward to in 2014
This year I am embarking on a massive tour of schools and libraries. I have been invited to celebrate  World Book Day (6th March) with a school in Mijas, Spain. 

World book day costume!Also, I will be involved with library reading events in Nottinghamshire for Children’s Book Week in July this year and fingers crossed a Children’s Book Festival in autumn. In between, the gaps will be filled with plenty of other school and library appearances from Cecilia, Soldier and myself.
And, of course book 4 in The Adventures of Cecilia Spark. 

Ngaire, once again it is a pleasure to be with you around the Cauldron. I, along with all the Wizardwatchers, wish you all the best with your cracking book, Dragon's Star, and everything you have planned.fun

Thanks, Wiz. Loved it! xx
http://greenwizard62.blogspot.com/2014/02/ngaire-dragons-star-elderaround-cauldron.html

Way to go, Gomer Pyle!

Gomer Pyle(Jim Nabors) Impossible Dream -  my favorite song of all time!

Saw the original cast on Broadway

'Priceless' bronze statue of Greek god Apollo found in Gaza Strip

'Priceless' bronze statue of Greek god Apollo found in Gaza Strip• Hamas officials seize statue after it appears on eBay
• Doubt cast on fisherman's claim to have found item in sea
  theguardian.com, Monday 10 February 2014 09.42 EST The bronze statue of the Greek god Apollo is pictured in Gaza. Photograph: ReutersLost for centuries, a rare bronze statue of the Greek god Apollo has mysteriously resurfaced in the Gaza Strip, only to be seized by police and vanish almost immediately from view.
Word of the remarkable find has caught the imagination of the world of archaeology, but the police cannot say when the life-sized bronze might re-emerge or where it might be put on display.
A local fisherman says he scooped the 500kg (1,100lb) god from the seabed last August, and carried it home on a donkey cart, unaware of the significance of his catch.
Others soon guessed at its importance, and the statue briefly appeared on eBay with a $500,000 (£300,000) price tag - well below its true value. Police from the Islamist group Hamas, which rules the isolated Palestinian territory, swiftly seized it and say they are investigating the affair.
Archaeologists have not been able to get their hands on the Apollo – to their great frustration- and instead must pore over a few blurred photographs of the intact deity, who is laid out incongruously on a blanket emblazoned with Smurfs.
From what they can tell, it was cast sometime between the 5th and the 1st century BC, making it at least 2,000 years old.
"It's unique. In some ways I would say it is priceless. It's like people asking what is the [value] of the painting La Gioconda [the Mona Lisa] in the Louvre museum," said Jean-Michel de Tarragon, a historian with the French Biblical and Archaeological School of Jerusalem.
"It's very, very rare to find a statue which is not in marble or in stone, but in metal," he told Reuters television.
The apparently pristine condition of the god suggested it was uncovered on land and not in the sea, he said, speculating that the true location of where it was unearthed was not revealed to avoid arguments over ownership.
"This wasn't found on the seashore or in the sea … it is very clean. No, it was [found] inland and dry," he said, adding that there were no signs of metal disfigurement or barnacles that one normally sees on items plucked from water.
Palestinian fisherman Joudat Ghrab tells a different tale. The 26-year-old father of two said he saw a human-like shape lying in shallow waters some 100 metres offshore, just north of the Egyptian-Gaza border.
At first he thought it was a badly burnt body, but when he dived down to take a closer look he realised it was a statue. He says it took him and his relatives four hours to drag the treasure ashore.
"I felt it was something gifted to me by God," Ghrab told Reuters. "My financial situation is very difficult and I am waiting for my reward."
His mother was less happy when she saw the naked Apollo carried into the house, demanding that his private parts be covered. "My mother said: 'What a disaster you have brought with you' as she looked at the huge statue," said Ghrab.
The discoloured green-brown figure shows the youthful, athletic god standing upright on two, muscular legs; he has one arm outstretched, with the palm of his hand held up.
He has compact, curly hair, and gazes out seriously at the world, one of his eyes apparently inlaid with a blue stone iris, the other just a vacant black slit.
Ghrab says he cut off one of the fingers to take to a metals expert, thinking it might have been made of gold. Unbeknownst to him, one of his brothers severed another finger for his own checks. This was melted down by a jeweller.
Family members belonging to a Hamas militia soon took charge of the statue, and at some stage the Apollo appeared on eBay, with the seller telling the buyer to come and collect the item from Gaza.
That would have been easier said than done, however, as Gaza is virtually sealed off from the outside world, with both Israel and Egypt imposing rigid controls on access to the impoverished enclave and its 1.8 million inhabitants.
Whether any potential buyers stepped forward is not clear, but when Hamas's civilian authorities found out about the artefact, they ordered the police to seize it.
Officials at Gaza's tourism ministry told Reuters the statue would not be shown to the public until a criminal investigation into who tried to sell it was completed.
However, Ahmed al-Bursh, the ministry's director of archaeology, said he had seen it and promised that Ghrab would receive a reward once the issue had been resolved.
"It is a precious treasure, an important archaeological discovery," said Bursh. Once the statue has been released by police, his ministry plans to repair it and put it on show in Gaza.
"International institutions have also contacted us and have offered to help with the repair process," he said, adding that a museum in Geneva and the Louvre in Paris wanted to take it on loan.
Like Ghrab, Bursh said the statue had been found at sea. The historian Tarragon said it was vital to know the true location of its discovery.
Some 5,000 years of history lie beneath the sands of the Gaza Strip, which was ruled at various times by ancient Egyptians, Philistines, Romans, Byzantines and crusaders.
Alexander the Great besieged the city and the Roman emperor Hadrian visited. However, local archaeologists have little experience to carry out any scientific digs and many sites remain buried.
Statues such as the Apollo cast would not have been held in isolation, meaning it may prove the tip of an historical iceberg, according to Tarragon.
"A statue at that time was [put] in a complex, in a temple or a palace. If it was in a temple, you should have all the other artefacts of the cult [at the site]," he said, adding that he hoped Hamas appreciated its potential importance.
"There is a feeling that they could find more and more [items] linked to the statue, more and more artefacts, so this is very sensitive," he said.
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/feb/10/priceless-bronze-statue-apollo-gaza-strip
 

History Trivia - Henry VIII of England recognized as supreme head of the Protestant Church of England.

February 11

 Norway folk-belief: Christ's Cross was hewn on this day, and therefore the axe should not be used.

55 Tiberius Claudius Caesar Britannicus, heir to the Roman Emperorship, died under mysterious circumstances in Rome, clearing the way for Nero to become Emperor.

1466 Elizabeth of York Queen of England and mother of Henry VIII was born. Elizabeth had seven children and died in childbirth on February 11th, 1503.

1531 Henry VIII of England was recognized as supreme head of the Protestant Church of England.

The Phil Naessens Show Previewing the 2014 NBA All-Star Weekend

http://phillipnaessens.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/the-phil-naessens-show-previewing-the-2014-nba-all-star-weekend/

 On this edition of the Phil Naessens Show SLC Dunk Managing Editor Amar joins Phil to discuss the latest happenings with the Utah Jazz, Jason Kidd and Dave Joerger named NBA Coaches of the month, Tracy McGrady pitching for the Sugarland Skeeters, Joakim Noah dropping the F-Bomb and preview all of the events of this years NBA All-Star weekend plus much more NBA Talk.

The Phil Naessens Show: Los Angeles Lakers Fantasy Basketball Options!

http://phillipnaessens.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/the-phil-naessens-show-los-angeles-lakers-fantasy-basketball-options/

 On this edition of the Phil Naessens Show Tom Lewis checks in to give us his weekly Indiana Pacers report including a recap of the amazing Portland/Indiana OT thriller, what if anything the Pacers need to do before the deadline and a look ahead to this weeks games with Denver and Dallas and much more. Kyle McKeown joins Phil to talk about the Maurice Cheeks firing and the Fantasy options on the Los Angeles Lakers and much more. Kevin Lipe stops in to talk Memphis Grizzlies basketball including the heartbreaking loss to Dallas, the lack of production from the small forward spot, Nick Calathes, missing Mike Conley and a look ahead to the Washington and Orlando games and much more.

History Trivia - Lord Darnley, the second husband of Mary, Queen of Scots, murdered in Edinburgh

February 10

 60 it is believed St Paul was shipwrecked off the coast of Malta on this date.

1098 Crusaders defeated Prince Redwan of Aleppo at Antioch.

1162 Baldwin III, King of the crusader state of Jerusalem, died.

1306 Robert the Bruce murdered his leading political rival John Comyn in front of the high altar of Greyfriars Church in Dumfries and sparked revolution in the Scottish Wars of Independence.

1355 the St. Scholastica's Day riot broke out in Oxford, England, where 63 scholars and perhaps 30 locals died.

1567 Lord Darnley, the second husband of Mary, Queen of Scots, was murdered in Edinburgh

The Wizard of Notts Recommends - Notts County vs Coventry City - League One 2013/14

Highlights from Notts County's Sky Bet League One match against Coventry at Meadow Lane.