Ellis Nelson's Blog, page 4

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DOWN THE TREACLE WELL by Ellis Nelson: A New MG Retelling of Alice in Wonderland + A Chance to Win a Copy

Using AI for Books:

I’ve been experimenting with several free, AI image generators over the last month or so. I know there are some powerful applications out there if you pay for them and are good at technology. Alas, not me. But I did have some success with Microsoft’s Designer’s Image Creator. Take a look at the images in the video below. Typing in ever more specific details over a period of time did result in usable images. ArtGuru also produced good images for fantasy but was awful for historical themes. Others to try: Runway, Craiyon, Adobe Firefly, Dream Studio, Night Cafe, DeepAI. All in the future, when I get the time. What works for you?

When fourteen-year-old Lydia travels to Amsterdam with her parents, the last thing she expects is the weird incidents that plague her stay. Curtains flutter mysteriously, and unexplained shadows move through the kitchen unnerving her. But Lydia is more concerned with the potential move to upstate New York. She dismisses the odd occurrences blaming them on jet lag and the various symptoms of her migraine disease.

When Lydia’s father lands a new job and the family moves to an area first settled by the Dutch, the bizarre happenings continue. Suffering from migraines has never been easy, but now Lydia has to contend with what she may have inadvertently brought home with her.

BUY E- book here: https://bit.ly/4elCeZE

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING:

5-Star Rating Amazon:

“Timeless Tulips Dark Diamonds is a ghost story for a family read. The story narrates the relationship between two young girls who meet in a place where eternity is now; Annika is living in the seventeenth century and Lydia in the twenty-first. They are connected by place as Lydia unknowingly traces Annika’s passage from Europe to America, discovering at the end of her journey the house in which Annika was murdered.

The book is crammed with real information that’s guaranteed to stimulate the imagination. The writer provides a wealth of background in art, American history and the inside story of the great Tulip crash of 1637. It’s exactly the kind of book I used to read to my children back when they were still children and I recommend it to all parents or caregivers for reading to the children in their care.”

SIGNED COPIES AVAILABLE: Contact himalayaspencerellis@yahoo.com for more info!

VIRGO SEASON

(Aug 23- Sep 22)

Happy birthday, Virgo! It’s your time to shine this month.

You are a mutable, earth sign—methodical, industrious, and kind. Virgos show their affinity to their sign’s symbol of the Virgin by loving all that is natural. You pride yourself on being self-sufficient and will appear self-contained. With a powerful sense of responsibility, you want to be of service and have that contribution recognized. Virgos have exacting standards, and producing anything less will result in a feeling of dissatisfaction. Fears of underperformance can create nervousness and stress. You have an intense curiosity with a keen eye for detail. With a love for research, you can apply yourself to analytic work, but you may struggle to grasp the larger perspective.  

As an earth sign, Virgos are tuned into the body and are interested in health. However, combined with the intense involvement of the Virgo mind, it’s important to make sure a balanced approach is utilized, so that hypochondria doesn’t result. In general, Virgos tend to fret and worry over things, and they might benefit from letting go more often.  

Virgo is happiest when they find something that interests them and then mastering it. You take pride in the little things. You are self-effacing and self-critical. You love feeling acknowledged and appreciated for your abilities and contributions. Virgos are valued and respected for their exemplary powers of observation, research skills, loyalty, and willingness to get involved.  

Symbol:

Your symbol is the virgin. In mythology, Virgo is portrayed as the virginal maiden often associated with fertility and the harvest. Seldom celibate, Virgos approach to life might be considered virginal in nature.

Ruler:

Your ruler is Mercury.

Mercury is associated with how we think and communicate.

Virgo uses the energy of Mercury to work and serve others. Virgo can expertly gather information, discriminate what is useful, and create practical solutions to problems when others can’t. These abilities help to create and order a perfect life, which is important to you.

Have you ever wondered what astrology has to say about your past lives?

REINCARNATION ASTROLOGY:

Book Burnings- at the local level

(Bodleian Library, Oxford, photo: Diliff)

Near me, the small minds of Elizabeth, CO are busy keeping “controversial” books out of the hands of kids. Many of these were assigned reading in more enlightened times. Also on the chopping block are classroom libraries… Apparently, teachers can’t be trusted to curate a few classroom books for their kids. You’ve got to be kidding me!!

I realize this is going on all over the country. That’s the point. When did parts of society lose faith in the education system and not trust established institutions to guide future generations? There has always been an option to school outside public institutions. I’m so sick of this!

Book burners/banners and those who restrict the freedoms of thought and communication will ALWAYS be on the wrong side of history.

https://www.cpr.org/2024/08/21/elizabeth-school-district-book-bans/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=lookout&utm_campaign=lookout20240821

CONCLAVE

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by Robert Harris

The setup for this book reminded me of White Smoke (1997)by Andrew M. Greeley. I read it just before the conclave that elected Pope Francis. The traditions and politics of electing a pope were beautifully portrayed there. Because I enjoyed that book so much, when I saw the movie trailer for Conclave (starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow), I couldn’t resist.

In the book, a much beleaguered and controversial pope dies and a conclave of 118 cardinals assembles in Rome to elect the next head of the worldwide Catholic Church. The reader gets an insider’s view into all the preparations and cast of players central to holding the conclave. Politics and all the very human foibles start to emerge. The story is told from the point of view of the Cardinal who oversees the central activities of the meetings. He is a devout, honest man constantly feeling the burdens of his office. Around him, the other Cardinals start the work of political maneuvering required to elect a pope, all while paying lip service to the idea that God must chose the next Bishop of Rome. Just before the Cardinals are to be sealed into the Sistine Chapel, a mysterious and unknown Cardinal arrives. This is the first of several events that will mark this conclave as different. Ambition is ever present as the Cardinals wrestle over candidates. Financial corruption emerges and so do sex scandals. And if terrorists have their way, the Cardinals will never fulfill their mission.

Obviously, this is a thriller, and it does read like one. The main character is flawed and likeable. The author consulted with Vatican authorities to get the details of the process of conclave as accurate as possible and it does feel that way. There is an obvious attempt to make the book contemporary by exploring issues that are currently in the news. Like a lot of thrillers, it pushes the envelope of plausibility at times but it’s an enjoyable read.   

The other fictional tale about electing a pope is White Smoke by Andrew M. Greeley, a priest himself.  I recommend both if you like this genre.          

MY LATEST BOOK:

Shocking twists and turns when worlds collide… Haunting. Disturbing. Unsettling. The face of the Dutch girl glared back at her with dark eyes and a mouth twisted in a cruel grimace. From the hall came a sinister laugh. Fear twisted in Lydia’s gut. After a family trip to Amsterdam, 14-year-old Lydia finds herself closer to the past than she could have imagined.

During her stay, a bizarre series of events that seem to defy all logic is set in motion. Either something really weird is going on, or she is going crazy. Both ideas scare her. When Lydia’s life is threatened, she is forced to solve a centuries’ old mystery to uncover the truth about Annika, the angry ghost of a little Dutch girl, her story, and how their past and present connect them.

Whether Annika is really a ghost or Lydia is in a time warp really doesn’t matter. Lydia finds herself closer to the past than she has ever been. But what can Lydia possibly do to help someone who died over 400 years ago? Will Annika kill Lydia if she can’t solve the mystery of the timeless tulips and dark diamonds? Will Lydia succeed in saving herself from the hands of a… ghost?

LEO SEASON:

(Jul 23- Aug 22)

Happy birthday, Leo! It’s your time to shine this month.

You are a fixed, fire sign—outgoing, proud, and ambitious. There is a regal air about you which comes from your own sense of importance. This is not conceit, however. You honestly believe you have a right to be here and a right to be seen. Often, you are motivated by thoughts of wanting to make the world a better place. Leos like people and want to see them be happy. Having people recognize your underlying noble intention is important to you. Leos want to be valued.

As a Leo, you are willing to work hard to achieve success and the good things in life. You can apply yourself to any task and, with determination, see it through to the end. At the same time, Leos can bask in down-time appreciating the luxuries they have earned. Think about how a lion focuses its full energy on the hunt, feasts on the kill, then naps.   

Leos are idealists; traditional and loyal. Being a fixed sign, you tend to cling to people and situations longer than most. Although you often appear confident to those around you, you are rather humble and likely to blame yourself when things go wrong. You thrive on social interactions and use your discretion to choose your activities. Leos are known for their outgoing, friendly, and polite manners. They exclude no one.  

Symbol:

Your symbol is the Lion.

The symbol comes from the stellar constellation the sign corresponds to. From Greek mythology, the Lion was associated with the story of Hercules defeating a lion in a heroic battle. The lion came to represent victory, courage, and pride.   

Ruler:

Your ruler is the Sun.

The Sun represents the self and your way of being. Associated with vitality, energy, and your ability to shine, the sun rules your core identity.

Leos are secure in their identity and recognize that personal power is key to who they are.     

Have you ever wondered what astrology has to say about your past lives?

REINCARNATION ASTROLOGY:

Tulipmania!

Tulipmania! When the world went wild for tulips. The history behind Timeless Tulips, Dark Diamonds- A Ghost Story.

When fourteen-year-old Lydia travels to Amsterdam with her parents, the last thing she expects is the weird incidents that plague her stay. Curtains flutter mysteriously, and unexplained shadows move through the kitchen unnerving her. But Lydia is more concerned with the potential move to upstate New York. She dismisses the odd occurrences blaming them on jet lag and the various symptoms of her migraine disease.

When Lydia’s father lands a new job and the family moves to an area first settled by the Dutch, the bizarre happenings continue. Suffering from migraines has never been easy, but now Lydia has to contend with what she may have inadvertently brought home with her.

BUY the book here: https://bit.ly/4elCeZE

ENTANGLED LIFE

How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, & Shape Our Futures

By Merlin Sheldrake

First off, did you know fungi is a kingdom of life— like a totally different category from animals and plants. Generally, fungi have been relegated to study under plants, and we know relatively little about this curious kingdom. One estimate is that only 6% of fungi species have even been described by science at this point. Yet without fungi, plants may not have developed root systems to evolve out of water. Additionally, fungi are the first organisms to break down bare rock to produce fertile soil. With diverse metabolisms, fungi can dissolve wood, rock, crude oil, plastic, and TNT. Some can clean up nuclear waste.

Most people don’t realize the extent to which we depend on fungi in our lives. Because fungi are more closely related to animals than plants, we use some fungal solutions to solve human health problems. Penicillin, cyclosporine, statins, many anti-cancer, and anti-viral drugs rely on fungi. Then there’s alcohol and magic mushrooms (psilocybin).

Humans depend on plant life and as it turns out, fungi supply plants with nutrients from the soil. In exchange, fungi get sugars and lipids generated from photosynthesis. This ancient relationship developed and continues to sustain life and us to this day. More than ninety percent of plant species rely on mycorrhizal fungi. This little understood ecosystem of fungal networks with plants became the life work of the author.

Sheldrake’s work (along with others) in this field have prompted new ways of thinking about the world. Fungi appear capable of very sophisticated behaviors pushing the need for new models to explain how these organisms communicate, solve problems, make decisions, learn, and remember.

Into the weird world of fungi:

Worm-hunting fungus: Generally, are happy eating decomposing plant material but when there is a shortage of food, they develop worm-hunting organs & produce chemical signals to lure nematodes.

Maze runners: Experiments with mycelium have shown they can work out the best routes between British cities creating a recognizable motorway (Lynne Boddy, PhD).

Burst asphalt: Some mushrooms take on water and are capable of pushing through asphalt.

Communication across the fungal network: The current theory suggests electrical signaling may convey information about food, injury, outsiders, or local conditions.

Fungal computers: Growing a mycelium ecosystem (in the future) may allow large-scale environmental monitoring.

What’s a lichen? A source of confusion. Where does one organism stop and another start? The more we know about lichens, the harder they are to define or classify. An open-ended question in science at this point.

Zombie fungus: One fungus which infects carpenter ants removes their fear of heights. The ant climbs a plant, clamps its jaw in a death grip, then mycelium grow from its feet binding it to the plant. After digesting the ant’s body, a stalk grows from the head dispersing spores. Called “zombie” because the fungus controls the brains of the ants in ways scientists can’t explain. The death grip is executed precisely in the right temperature and humidity zone to allow the fungus to fruit. Infected ants all bite together at noon, facing the sun and clamping a major plant vein.

Laughing mushrooms: In 1486, at the coronation of an Aztec emperor laughing broke out after consumption of the mushroom known as “flesh of the gods,” one kind of psilocybin mushroom.       

Fungus partners affect produce: Tests with strawberries grown with different fungal communities changed the flavor of the berries. What does this mean for gardeners/farmers going forward?

Wood Wide Web: The vast connection of plants and fungus to transport everything from nutrients to signaling compounds. Poisons and hormones can pass through shared networks. Genetic material (viruses, RNA) may also be passing through fungal channels.

Bee Colony Collapse: Promising research is under way to see if white rot fungi can be used to reduce bee mortality.

I hope this dive into the strange world of fungus has whetted your appetite for more. There is a lot in this book. The author outlines some of the groundbreaking areas of research and production that are ongoing. Some of it feels like science fiction. He acknowledges the contributions of citizen mycologists who have pushed the field (and continue to do so). The kingdom of fungi may well hold solutions for humanity as we discover more and open our awareness to these lifeforms.

TO FIND MY BOOKS:

BOOKS

Alice Day Sale:

July 4th commemorates the famous day of the boat ride, when legend has it, the story of Alice was first told.

In 1862, the Rev. Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll), who was a mathematics don at Oxford, took three little neighbor girls out for a ride on a boat. On a hot, sunny July day, and in the company of his friend, Robinson Duckworth, the don began to spin yet another fantastic story for the amusement of the girls. Alice, who was ten at the time, begged Mr. Dodgson to write down the tale for her. She was presented with a handwritten copy of Alice’s Adventures Under Ground, illustrated by the author during Christmas 1864. That copy resides in the British Museum and is probably the most famous book in all children’s literature. The next year the rest of the world welcomed Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland into history.

ORDER HERE: bit.ly/3roGX9f

SIGNED COPIES AVAILABLE: Contact himalayaspencerellis@yahoo.com for more info!

The Amsterdam Studio Talk:

A short video about Timeless Tulips, Dark Diamonds- A Ghost Story. The video covers the premise of the book, why it is historical fiction, and why it’s my most personal book.

Shocking twists and turns when worlds collide… Haunting. Disturbing. Unsettling. The face of the Dutch girl glared back at her with dark eyes and a mouth twisted in a cruel grimace. From the hall came a sinister laugh. Fear twisted in Lydia’s gut. After a family trip to Amsterdam, 14-year-old Lydia finds herself closer to the past than she could have imagined.

During her stay, a bizarre series of events that seem to defy all logic is set in motion. Either something really weird is going on, or she is going crazy. Both ideas scare her. When Lydia’s life is threatened, she is forced to solve a centuries’ old mystery to uncover the truth about Annika, the angry ghost of a little Dutch girl, her story, and how their past and present connect them.

Whether Annika is really a ghost or Lydia is in a time warp really doesn’t matter. Lydia finds herself closer to the past than she has ever been. But what can Lydia possibly do to help someone who died over 400 years ago? Will Annika kill Lydia if she can’t solve the mystery of the timeless tulips and dark diamonds? Will Lydia succeed in saving herself from the hands of a… ghost?