- Job Vacancy
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browngentry- February 10th, 12:14
If anyone's looking for a new career path I'd like to suggest becoming a medical tattoo artist. I've been waiting 12 months for someone to tattoo the fake nipple from my mastectomy reconstruction, and now she's on maternity leave!
- Cleo UK
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- browngentry
- February 7th, 22:01
First a fabulous extract in UK Sunday Mail's You magazine:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-1248468/Helen-Brown-Cleo-clever-kit ten-healed-familys-heartache.html
.....and now this review from Good Housekeeping.
ONE TO WATCH
Possibly the next Marley & Me, CLEO, is an honest and un-mawkish true story of ordinary people rebuilding their lives after a tragedy, with the help of a kitten. Even non cat-lovers will be moved.
Exciting times!
- Soul Home
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- browngentry
- January 27th, 10:32
Just back from a wonderful couple of weeks in New Zealand's North Island. One small country hardly deserves so much physical beauty. We sailed the Bay of Islands, swam in Lake Taupo and celebrated Philip's parents Golden Wedding at the Chateau on Mount Ruapehu. A highlight was a launch party for Cleo in Benny's book shop in my home town New Plymouth. It was a deeply moving occasion seeing smiling faces of relatives and old school friends. I was honoured the Mayor Peter Tennant and local MP Jonathan Young also took the trouble to turn up. Peter is largely responsible for the transformation of New Plymouth from a Cinderella town into a sparkling hot spot (that even produces its own blend of roasted coffee to rival anything else in the world!). How Peter will be replaced when he steps down is one of life's imponderables. Jonathan Young's family were closely linked to my mother's in South Taranaki, so it was special to renew a link across generations through him.
Flying back into Melbourne the night before last I had mixed emotions. We have to keep living here for a while longer (mainly for Philip's work) but New Zealand will always be my soul home.
- Post Christmas Sales
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- browngentry
- January 2nd, 16:26
Are when everyone goes out and buys what they REALLY wanted for Christmas.
My Christmas card collection was dire this year. As someone who hasn't entirely accepted the notion of Christmas emails, I'm now having to adjust to something much worse - the Christmas text message. hppy xmas 2 u 2
- Happy New Decade
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- browngentry
- January 1st, 11:03
Narrowly escaped being talked into a new kitten yesterday. Not at all sure Jonah, our ego maniac Siamese, would cope with a baby sister at all.
The year ahead is blooming with new life anyway. Rob and Chantelle's baby is due at the end of May. A new phase begins.
Happy New Year!!!
- New Plymouth
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- browngentry
- December 17th, 2009
I should never be trusted with dates or figures. The RIGHT date for the New Plymouth function at Benny's book store is Thursday January 14th, not the 12th. Totally dyslexic, sorry. Anyway "bookings are essential" apparently so phone or email Benny's if you'd like to come along. We'll have a fun evening.
- true love
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- browngentry
- December 16th, 2009
It starts so romantically. Then before you know it the years have flown and you're in a chemist shop buying a little battery operated machine that trims his nose and ear hair.
- Travelling Times
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- browngentry
- December 14th, 2009
I was going to stay home and knit. But a girl can change her mind. Now I'm packing my bags for glamorous places. I'll be at Benny's Book store in New Plymouth NZ for drinks and nibbles one evening around January 12 (check the date, and pick up an invitation through the store if you'd like to come along). In February I'll be heading off to the UK to celebrate Cleo's launch there, with a stop off in Lisbon to help promote the book in Portugal (where it's just been released). On the way home I'll swing by for a couple of days in New York to meet Amy (Cleo's US publisher)and find out what she has in store for Cleo's US release in September 2010. One of the greatest delights of "Cleo" has been the opportunity to meet fabulous people in publishing all round the world. They're passionate about their work, and inspiring.
Knitting can wait!!!
- Go Cleo UK!!!
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- browngentry
- December 9th, 2009
Starting to get excited about "Cleo"s release in the UK on February 18. The Sunday Mail will be running extracts (which can't be bad with their circulation of six million) and the British Woman's Weekly is doing an extensive interview. The book has also been taken up by the UK's largest book club and (this has got to be good news) Tesco supermarket!
In the meantime I took about a month to get over that horrible coughing virus. The house then became gripped with exam fever, with both girls posting exam notes beside the toilet and on the shower box. I'm still none the wiser about physics or the inner workings of the human brain (Lydia's studying post grad psychology as anyone would want to do after living in this family for more than two decades)
On a completely different note, I'm puzzled by Tiger Woods and his unimaginative choice of women. They look identical to me - chiseled check bones, prominent eyes, manes of long fair-ish hair. Why not stick with one barbie doll and avoid international shame?
Not that it bothers me much. I've never had high expectations of sportsmen or rock stars,though I did catch myself smirking walking past a man carrying an umbrella emblazoned with "Tiger Woods" yesterday. "He's just a manhoor" a 12 year old boy sneered when the topic came up. Mustn't disappoint the children, I suppose. Goodbye Nike and the rest.
- What I would like for Christmas is
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- browngentry
- November 23rd, 2009
Someone to clean my oven. This isn't a frivolous whim.
- Genius
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- browngentry
- November 8th, 2009
I'm blessed with a genius webmaster, Robert Dark, who helps keep my website up to date. He's unbelievably patient and a source of great ideas. Thanks to him I've been able to post the amazing emails people have sent in response to "Cleo". He has just finished creating a file for "special" messages from parents who have also lost children and felt strong enough and willing to share their stories of loss and courage. It's a privilege to read about their journeys. When I was going through the harsh stages of grief all those years ago stories like these would have been a tremendous source of hope. I have no doubt they will help many people on profound levels. Heartfelt thanks to all those "parents of angels" who have written in.
- Byron Bay
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- browngentry
- November 4th, 2009
It was supposed to be one of those holidays where you swim every day and came back looking like a Greek goddess. Well I did swim the first three days AND walked to the lighthouse and back...only to contract a miserable virus. The rest of the time was spent holed up in my hotel room watching the palm trees wave through the windows while I lay in front of reality television. Almost all television is "reality" these days. Cheap to make, uncomfortable to watch and the opposite of reality.
I never contract illnesses that diminish my appetite, so regular supplies of chocolate were part of the recovery plan. So now I'm back in Melbourne fat as ever and still with a hacking cough. I went to the doctor this morning. She was depressingly young and unsympathetic. While she scribbled a prescription for antibiotics she said not to swallow them unless I take a turn for the worse, and that a virus like this can take two to three weeks to settle. I smiled humbly and said thank you but felt like smacking her bottom.
Can't stay grumpy for long, however, when I open emails from the latest batch of Cleo readers. The book has taken me on such a journey. I feel incredibly grateful for the warm response from people. The courage of those who have recently lost children and still had the generosity to write in is nothing short of awe inspiriing.
- Number One again!
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- browngentry
- October 12th, 2009
Cleo is enjoying her third week as Number One on New Zealand's Best Seller List!!
I've been touched and amazed by the wonderful emails that have arrived from people who have just read or are reading the book. It's heartening to be told Cleo is fulfilling one of the purposes I hoped it would have, helping those going through the harsh, almost unbearable stages of early grief. Click the link on my home page if you'd like to read some of the messages.
Cleo was also written as a reminder (as every kitten knows) life's too important not to be made fun of. It's good to hear people are laughing out loud as well. Thanks to all those who've taken the time to write in, and to everyone who has read the book. You've all helped put Cleo on top. She always did like high places.
- Cleo's Blog
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- browngentry
- October 10th, 2009
Cat Heaven’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Certainly, the human staff here are more intelligent and attentive than in the Lower Dimension but the food could do with some attention. I’m not even sure the salmon is technically organic. Let alone wild. Call me sensitive but I can smell farmed fish a mile off.
The mice are entertaining, though. They’ve been scattered thoughtfully around the place for anyone who’s in the mood for a chase. And I was delighted to discover a few white fluffy dogs have been thrown in for those of us with more adventurous tastes. Myself included. I could never abide their yapping. The way they suck up to humans is intolerable. All that sitting around simpering on people’s laps does nothing for their fitness either. And they’re such cowards .Nothing matches the thrill of pursuing a gasping Maltese or Highland Terrier down a footpath and getting within an inch of sinking claws into the plump backside before it disappears terrified under a fence.
Getting here was pleasant enough. One moment I was lying on the vet’s table. He stuck a thorn in my paw and droned on about it being the best thing for me considering I was about 160 years old in human years but what would he know? Vets are slow witted as a breed and far too eager to shove thermometres up places they should never go.
Anyway I was intrigued when a gold blanket appeared from nowhere and started shimmering above me. It hovered a while before it dropped and wrapped itself lovingly around my body. There was no time to take a closer look at the pet food advertisements and life expectancy chart for cats the vet had stuck to his wall. The blanket floated me away. I hadn’t felt so warm and comfortable since I was a kitten when my beloved Rob used to let me snuggle between his sheets into that cosy though somewhat smelly spot between his feet.
Next thing I knew I was standing in front of some kind of gleaming cat door guarded by a long haired Persian. He eyeballed me in a way that can only be described as judgemental. Honestly, talk about attitude. Pedigrees still get the best jobs, even in Cat Heaven. Which is something else I intend to lodge a formal complaint about. I made up my mind not to tell Persian boss boy a thing. Why should I have to justify nearly 24 years of ministry in the Lower Dimension?
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- And again!!
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- browngentry
- October 2nd, 2009
Cleo is top of the NZ Best Seller list for the second week in a row. I'm amazed how warmly people have responded to the book. Emails have been pouring in, some of them very poignant.
- Number One!
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- browngentry
- September 28th, 2009
It was a thrill meeting so many friends and readers at the Auckland and Wellington launch functions for Cleo. The only frustration was not having enough time to spend with each person. There were so many stories in those faces and the chance to exchange only a few words. What does a writer say when someone asks her to sign a copy of her book "In Memory of...."? The only option is to seize a few brief moments to learn as much as possible about the person who died and what form of love brought the reader here. Often, sadly, the memory is of a child.
Apologies to those who were turned away, and thanks to those who travelled huge distances to share the evening with us. Both audiences were warm and wise, ready to laugh and extremely sympathetic to my less than expert speech making.
It was wonderful to spend time with you.
Thank you.
The icing on the cake was to find out Cleo has pounced to number one on New Zealand's Best Seller List!
- other Cleo stuff
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- browngentry
- September 17th, 2009
New Zealanders who can't make it to the Auckland or Wellington events might like to tune in for an interview with Chris Laidlaw on his highly esteemed National Radio programme on Sunday Sept 20. Watch out for a TV3 Sunrise interview around 8.50am on Wednesday Sept 23 (could be a big surprise if Oliver Driver's in the interviewer's chair!) and TVNZ's Good Morning show on Friday Sept 25.
Australians will find extracts of Cleo in the October edition of the Australian Women's Weekly, in this week's edition of upmarket The Week and in Sunday Times magazine (WA) on October 4.
- launching
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- browngentry
- September 16th, 2009
Huge thanks to everyone who has sent good wishes. The Wellington launch party has completely sold out. Auckland still has some space, so come along if you're free next Wednesday. Booking details are on the home page of my website. See you there!
- Cleo
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- browngentry
- September 10th, 2009
Arrived home from a fabulous three week holiday to hear Cleo hit number five on the NZ Best Seller List on her first week out. That kitten is strutting her stuff!
- Wax doll.
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- browngentry
- August 13th, 2009
Have just had my lower legs waxed in anticipation of exposing them to European sun next week. Oh and the darker moustache hairs (don't want to look like Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Carribean). Not in the Brazilian age group.
Heading overseas the moment my book arrives on the shelves is a bit crazy, but never mind. There'll still be time to party. I hope one of the two or three people who read this will come along to one of the functions in Auckland or Wellington. Sorry Christchurch, but apparently my visit would have co-incided with your anniversary weekend and nobody would've turned up.
Here's the first hint of a review, from Graham Beattie's blog:
Warning - this book made The Bookman bawl his eyes out in several places A sometimes sad (very), mostly wonderful story. Watch out for it at your bookshop or library later in the month and be sure to keep tissues at hand.
Graham Beattie's blog is rather good by the way, and I'm not just saying that.
It's unlikely I'll be blogging while cruising the Baltic. Which reminds me --- seasick pills....
