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: browngentry; November 23rd, 17:06

Someone to clean my oven. This isn't a frivolous whim.

: browngentry; November 8th, 16:53

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

: browngentry; November 4th, 14:41

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!

: browngentry; October 12th, 8:03

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

: browngentry; October 10th, 13:41

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?

And again!!

: browngentry; October 2nd, 9:52

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!

: browngentry; September 28th, 17:34

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

: browngentry; September 17th, 12:12

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

: browngentry; September 16th, 12:22

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

: browngentry; September 10th, 17:11

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.

: browngentry; August 13th, 14:20

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....

Looking up

: browngentry; August 7th, 12:39

Advance copies of the book arrived today. Looking good! It's due to appear in NZ & Australian shops on September 1st.
Next week is filling up with packing for our trip plus a last minute MRI and more acupuncture for my numb arm (has been working a treat). Have looked up the weather in St Petersburg...not unlike Melbourne this time of year!
Teenage daughter has an admirer. She refuses to bring him to the house because she doesn't "want to put him off just yet"
Thanks to those who commented on the last posting. Everyone says the annual checkup's a bit of a hurdle.

Grace less

: browngentry; July 23rd, 14:35

My social graces haven't improved with age. It was pointed out to me at the airport yesterday when we were seeing off our lovely French exchange student.
"Why are you not standing with the other parents?" she asked.
I had been standing next to one of the girls' grandfathers in what I had taken to be aimable silence until he made his excuses and wandered off.
I've given up worrying if it's the way I dress or smell, or my lack of ability to make small talk. Not that I try to be offensive. I take pains to avoid politics, religion and health. Whatever it is I just don't have it.
It bothers me less than it should.

conversion

: browngentry; July 20th, 17:49

During her five week stay with us we converted Agathe our delightful French exchange student into an honorary Kiwi. It was easy. For some strange reason she understood the underdog humour of Flight of the Conchords. After watching every episode of the first series several times Agathe became fascinated by our culture.
She listened to our stories about how many famous people were and are New Zealanders, that there's a possibility Barack Obama may indeed prove to have Maori blood, and when DNA testing reaches a sufficient level of sophistication it may be possible to claim Christ himself hailed from our agricultural paradise.
When Lydia presented her a bag with a map of New Zealand on it Agathe wore it into town yesterday like a trophy. "Because we warn the rugbee larse night!!"
Mission complete.
Oh but now she has just arrived home from the market with - horror of horrors - a bikini made from the Australian flag!!!

losing weight

: browngentry; July 18th, 9:12

There's only one sure fire way to lose weight - get captured by tribesmen in New Guinea and kept in a cage for six months. I haven't tried it yet but it worked for Angelina.
The NZ leg of my book tour is piecing together with events in Auckland and Wellington (sadly no Christchurch, Maureen). Looks like Sept 23rd for Auckland an 24th for Wellington. Will keep you posted

one year

: browngentry; July 13th, 17:34

Soon it will be one year since I was diagnosed with breast cancer, closely followed by a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Scans and annual check up are booked for July 28th. More than anything I have learnt about gratitude over the past 12 months - for family, friends and for the immense miracle of being alive. Before going to sleep at night, I try to think of 10 things that happened during the day that I'm grateful for. The figure invariably doubles, and sometimes goes well beyond 20.

magic bread

: browngentry; June 26th, 15:35

Been flat out writing additions to the book for Hodder in London...reminding me not to leap into writing another book too soon. It involves living like a mole, underground most of the day. Anyway, we're off to Simon & Garfunkel tonight to drown in nostalgia. Our French exchange student Agathe is an absolute delight. She lights a room with her smile. She was finding toast and cornflakes a bit rugged for breakfast, so we took her out for coffee and baguette this morning. Interestingly the French word for "wand" is also baguette. When Kath was trying to read Harry Potter in French she couldn't understand why people were constantly taking bread sticks out of their pockets and waving them at each other.

Inquisition

: browngentry; June 14th, 15:52

"What did you DO to get breast cancer?" the woman asked. "Did you eat unhealthy food? Is your house near one of those huge electric pylons?"
In the nearly 12 months since being diagnosed I'd never confronted such tactless scrutiny.
"Surely you've done your research?" she continued, fingering the pearls around her neck. "Personally, I feel terrified every time I put one of those little cubes in the dishwasher. Who knows what it's doing to me."

honey

: browngentry; June 7th, 10:21

New Zealand makes the world's best honey. Our household favourite is the rare, pale and (vaguely) salty Pohutukawa variety. On my last trip over there I was delighted to discover 1kg pots of Pohutukawa honey on sale in a Wellington shop. The young saleswoman assured me there would be no trouble getting it through customs. To be extra safe, I packed it in my hand luggage to make it easy to declare. As soon as I'd gone through the scanners at Wellington airport it was swiftly confiscated ...1kg of "fluid" was beyond the legal limit to take as hand luggage. When I asked if I could go back to the departure lounge and perhaps post the honey to our family in Australia I was told no. "You've left the country." Which was an odd feeling seeing my feet still felt firmly attached to New Zealand soil. I told the customs man to take the honey home to his family and enjoy it. He replied sternly that he wasn't allowed to.
I was on the brink of misery when I spotted a 250g pot of pohutukawa honey on sale in a duty free shop. The saleswoman was happy to sell it to me, and was kind enough to go back through security to "the other country" and get another for me.
When I arrived back in Australia, eager to lawfully declare my two small pots of (now very expensive) pohutukawa honey the baggage collection area was choked with passengers. Several other planes must have landed at the same time. I was directed to a snaking line of shifty looking characters who no doubt had stuffed snake skins, shark fins and freshly dug potatoes into their hand luggage. I tried to call Philip on my mobile phone to warn him I might be some time, but it was switched to some international mode I couldn't unlock. Fortunately, he's a patient man. He was still waiting when I finally emerged in the arrivals hall two hours later.
The honey is nearly all eaten.

Silence

: browngentry; June 3rd, 14:55

The painters have gone. I bought them a chocolate cake yesterday as a goodbye and thankyou. It was made mostly of icing designed to glue the intestines together. The house is quiet. No more radio blaring talkback. No more faces appearing at windows when I'm doing my slimness exercises. Nothing but a residual smell of enamel paint and the fading whiff of testosterone. Jonah the cat is bereft. All he wants to do is curl on my lap while I'm at the computer and sleep. Have to confess even I miss them a bit.

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