I Want to be a Tree & Feeding Authors #3

My mum passed away on the 6th of September 2014.  I went to the cemetery with a pot plant to stand in amongst the flowers from other family members, and we had a silent chat and put the world to rights, as you do, and then I wandered back to the car reading the headstones that I passed. There were some truly magnificent grave stones, and many simple ones. A few were bedecked in fresh flowers, but many more had dead twigs sticking out of pots, remnants of flowers left months, maybe even years, before, and an over whelming number were  broken and falling apart. Some, so much so, that the various components were stacked one on top of the other, and what had been a wonderful tribute to someone’s loved ones, was now a pile of stone and marble, with onlookers unable to read the epitaph. Most of these had probably been there a hundred years or more, their occupants long since forgotten by current generations, and I found that sad. When they had been erected it was with the thought that it would provide a lasting memorial for those who had passed away, if only to strangers with no connection to the deceased,but  simply a passing interest as they walked by.

So I made a decision. I’m going to make sure that should those who survive me feel that a place of remembrance is needed, they plant a tree somewhere nice rather than have a piece of stone engraved, or maybe even place a bench in a park. You never know, if I ever get the time, I may even organise it myself. My ashes could even be used as fertilizer – does that work? That way, should they  want to visit on anniversaries, at least they will be somewhere I would like to be, and when I’m long forgotten my tree will still provide a perch for birds, a playgound for squirrels, and  of course somewhere for a needy dog to cock his leg. Oh, yes, and humans could shelter from the sun or rain if necessary.

The more I thought about it, the more my plan expanded. Rather than bring cut flowers on those anniversaries they could plant a few bulbs that would flower year after year, or perhaps plant a shrub somewhere nearby that would surprise walkers when it burst into flower in an unexpected location. I myself came across a cherry tree in the woods where I walk our dogs, and it makes me smile each spring when it bursts into blossom amongst the pine, and oak, and birch trees. So, there you have it, in my next life I would like to be a tree…….or a bench…….

Now that that’s sorted – back to ‘Feeding the Authors’ and the promised reviews:

A Funeral for an Owl – Jane Davies 5*****

I found this to be an engaging read, and had total sympathy with Jim Stevens, a history teacher trying to deal with his troubled past and his present predicament having been stabbed trying to break up a playground fight. Some great characterisation, I particularly liked Bins, Ayisha irritated, and I had total empathy with Shamayal. The story spans twenty years of Jim’s life, slipping from past to present, and I was delighted that there wasn’t a neat and tidy ending, life goes on. Recommended.

 

Rope Enough – Oliver Tidy 4****

An introduction to DI Romney and DS Marsh as they investigate several rapes and the death of one of the victims. I would have liked a few more twists, and although it had a predictable end, I did enjoy it.

 

Death Comes eCalling – Leslie O’Kane 4****

Not my normal type of mystery read, and not what I expected, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. An amusing, cosy mystery with some laugh out loud moments. An easy read with some good characters which you can imagine being transferred into an American TV family watch.

 

That’s it for today, happy reading